Postal Service
Final rule.
The Postal Service is revising
Lizbeth Dobbins at 202-268-3789, John F. Rosato at 202-268-8597, or Suzanne Newman at 202-695-0550.
The Postal Service published a proposed rule (80 FR 1872-1873) on January 14, 2015, with a comment period ending February 13, 2015, to recertify the definition of Standard Mail Marketing Parcels, remind customers about the basic eligibility and address format standards, and ensure compliance with the rule that this product line not be used for fulfillment.
Specifically, Standard Mail Marketing Parcels were designed for mailers to send non-requested items or samples to potential customers. Our intent was to build a low cost prospecting vehicle; therefore, the Postal Service built in factors to minimize handling costs. One factor, the alternative addressing format, was required so that the current resident became the recipient of the mailpiece if the named addressee moved from that address. This avoided extra delivery and forwarding costs. Another factor was the specification of size restrictions, including the requirement that pieces needed to be similar in shape and weight if sent in a single mailing.
Building upon the original intent, and to keep this product a viable and cost-effective promotional vehicle, we are adding stronger language to the DMM on content eligibility and address format for Standard Mail Marketing Parcels. This includes clarification that all Standard Mail Marketing Parcels (regular and nonprofit) must bear an alternate addressing format and cannot be used for “fulfillment purposes” (
We received feedback from five commenters, who raised three distinct issues.
The Postal Service appreciates the forthrightness of the commenters in explaining how they do business using this product. In response to these concerns, the Postal Service has determined that it is appropriate to relax the proposed rule in one respect. Since the samples will not be required to be identical in weight, if a customer elects to receive certain samples in connection with the purchase of an item, those samples may be sent separately from the purchased item as a Standard Mail Marketing Parcel as long as the transactions are linked.
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
The Postal Service adopts the following changes to
5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.
All Standard Mail Marketing parcels (regular and nonprofit) must bear an alternate addressing format and cannot be used for “fulfillment purposes” (
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes.