
155.252
Transient developments are mobile home, trailer, and recreational vehicle
parks where the lots are temporarily occupied or rented and considered
transient or seasonal, even though some families may live in them for an
extended period of time.  For these developments, the only option is delivery
to a single point or receptacle designated by park management and approved by
local postal managers for the receipt of mail for distribution and mail
forwarding by employees of the park.  This method is one of the service
options for permanent developments.

155.26 Exceptions

155.261 Fill-In.
New homes built within a block of existing homes receive the same type of
service as the older ones.  When new housing replaces more than one block in a
city delivery area, delivery methods must comply with extension procedures.

155.262 Hardship Cases

a.
Changes in the type of delivery authorized for an area are considered where
service by existing methods would impose an extreme physical hardship on an
individual customer.  Any request for a change in delivery methods must be
submitted in writing.  Approval of these requests should be based upon
humanitarian and not economic criteria.  Each request for a change in delivery
service should be evaluated on the basis of the customer's needs; a request
should not be denied solely because of increased operational costs or because
a family member or other party may be available to receive mail for the
customer.

b.
If the local postmaster determines to deny a request, the request must be
sent to the management sectional center (MSC) for review.  If the MSC concurs
with the denial, the case must be forwarded to the field division office where
the final decision is made by the field division general manager/postmaster.

c.
If a customer no longer requires a variation in the type of delivery
service, mail service must be restored to the mode of delivery currently in
effect in the area.

155.27 Local Ordinances.
If a customer chooses not to erect a curbside box because of a local, city,
county, or state ordinance prohibiting the installation of mailboxes at the
curb, the delivery options in establishments and extensions are as follows:

a. Central Delivery Service.
Central delivery service may be provided at one or more central points in a
residential housing development, community, or area if

(1)
the local postal managers approve the mailbox sites and equipment,

(2)
there is a minimum of two mailboxes erected at each mailbox site (there is
no maximum limit), and

(3)
the customers are not required to travel an unreasonable distance to obtain
their mail.

b. Post Office Box or General Delivery Service.
Post office box or general delivery service may be provided at the nearest
postal facility where carrier delivery emanates.

155.3 Requests for Delivery Service.
Requests or petitions to establish, change, or extend delivery service must
be made to the local postmaster.  No formal petition is required. Postmasters
forward requests or petitions to establish service to the postal official
designated by the regional office, with a statement indicating whether the
requirements in 155.1 are met.

155.4 Mail Receptacles

155.41 Obligation of Customer

a.
Customers of the carrier delivery service must provide authorized
receptacles (see 151.5) or door slots, except for mail receptacles
authorized by the Postal Service to be owned and maintained by the Postal
Service.  Business houses are not required to provide mail receptacles or
door slots, if they are open and someone is on hand to receive the mail when
the carrier calls.  If an office building is equipped with an elevator,
carriers deliver to individual offices, provided they are open when the
carriers arrive.  If the offices are not open when the carrier arrives, mail
receptacles or door slots must be provided.

b.
The purchase, installation, maintenance, and replacement of mail-receptacle
equipment used by customers to receive delivery of mail are not the
responsibility of the Postal Service, except that the Postal Service may
authorize neighborhood delivery and collection boxes and parcel lockers to be
purchased, installed, maintained, or replaced by the Postal Service.

155.42 Keys to Customer's Private Mail Receptacle.
City delivery carriers are prohibited from accepting keys for locks on
private mail receptacles, buildings, or offices, except as provided in A.3. of
Publication 17, Apartment House Mail Receptacles--Regulations and
Manufacturing Standards.  If city delivery customers place locks on their
receptacles, the receptacles must have slots large enough to accommodate their
normal daily mail volume so that delivery may be made by the carrier without
using a key.

155.43 Door Slot Specifications.
The clear rectangular opening in the outside slot plate must be at least
1-1/2 inches wide and 7 inches long.  The slot must have a flap, hinged at the
top if placed horizontally, and hinged on the side away from the hinge side of
the door if placed vertically.  When an inside hood is used to provide greater
privacy, the hooded portion must not be below the bottom line of the slot in
the outside plate if placed horizontally, or beyond the side line of the slot
in the outside plate nearest the hinge edge of the door if placed vertically.
The hood at its greatest projection must not be less than 2-1/16 inches beyond
the inside face of the door.  Door slots must be placed not less than 30
inches above the finished floor line.

155.5 Out-of-Bounds Customers.
Customers outside city delivery limits may be given delivery service, if
they erect boxes on the carrier's regular line of travel.  Special delivery,
parcel post, insured, certified, COD, and registered mail is delivered to the
residences of out-of-bounds customers, if the residences are not more than
three blocks from the carrier's line of travel and passable walks have been
constructed or the street is not impassable; otherwise, a notice is left in
the box requesting that the customer call for the mail.  If an ordinary parcel
is involved and it can be placed in the box, delivery is made in that manner.

155.6 Apartment House Receptacles

155.61 General.
Delivery of mail to individual boxes in a residential building containing
apartments or units occupied by different addressees, regardless of whether
the building is considered an apartment house, a family hotel, residential
units, or business units in a residential area, and regardless of whether the
apartments or units are owned or rented, is contingent upon the following:

a.
The building containing three or more units and having

(1)
a common building entrance such as a door, passageway, stairs, etc.; or

(2)
a common street address (some portion of the address is shared) that is
approved by appropriate local or municipal authorities.

b.
The installation and maintenance of mail receptacles approved by the Postal
Service.

c.
The provision of one box for each apartment, including that of any resident
manager or janitor, unless the management has arranged for mail to be
delivered at the office or desk for distribution by its employees.

d.
The grouping of the boxes for the building at a single point readily
accessible to the carrier.

Note: The tenant's correct mailing address is the address of the
entrance at which the mail receptacles are located, and should include the
apartment number or designated mailbox number.

155.62 Exceptions

a. Apartment House Complexes.
If, however, more than one such building in an apartment house complex has
the same approved common street number, delivery of mail to individual boxes
is contingent upon the grouping of all the boxes for the common street number
at a single point readily accessible to the carrier, even though the boxes
serve residents in more than one building.

b. Two or More Entrances.
If, however, such a building has more than one entrance, delivery of mail
to mail receptacles grouped at more than one entrance is contingent upon (1)
each entrance to which delivery is made serving three or more apartments or
flats and (2) the assignment, by appropriate local or municipal authorities,
of a different street number to each such entrance.

155.63 Mail Receptacles

155.631 Mail Receptacle Responsibility.
The purchase, installation, maintenance, and replacement of mail
receptacles, boxes, or parcel lockers, are not the responsibility of the
Postal Service, except for neighborhood delivery and collection boxes and
parcel lockers specifically authorized by the Postal Service to be owned and
maintained by the Postal Service.

155.632 Improved Mail Receptacles.
Owners and managers of apartment houses, family hotels, flats, or complexes
described above, which are equipped with obsolete apartment house mail
receptacles, are urged to install up-to-date receptacles approved by the
Postal Service to ensure more adequate protection of the mail.  When such
buildings are substantially renovated, or remodeled to provide additional
apartments, or a material change is made in the location of boxes, obsolete
receptacles must be replaced by currently approved receptacles.

155.64 Installation, Specifications, and Approval.
The conditions requiring installation of receptacles, specifications for
construction, installation procedures, and approval procedures for
manufacturers are covered in Publication 17, Apartment House Mail
Receptacles-- Regulations and Manufacturing Standards.

156 Rural Service

156.1 Rural Stations and Branches

156.11 Establishment.
Rural stations and branches are established and maintained in communities
where a considerable number of people would be seriously inconvenienced if
required to transact postal business with rural or highway contract carriers
only, and where it is determined to be inadvisable to establish an independent
post office.

156.12 Functions

156.121
Personnel at rural stations and branches accept, dispatch, receive, and
deliver mail (including registered, insured, COD, and certified mail), issue
money orders, and sell stamps and stamped paper.

156.122
Nonpersonnel rural units are self-service units which furnish essential
mail services, such as the collection and delivery of ordinary mail and sale
of stamps.  Services such as the sale of money orders and the acceptance and
delivery of certified, insured, registered, and COD mail are provided
customers of nonpersonnel rural units by rural carriers at the time they
service their units.  Carriers are required to remain at the unit a minimum of
15 minutes each day their routes are scheduled to operate, to afford customers
the services not otherwise available from the unit.

156.13 Hours.
Rural stations and branches are open during the ordinary business hours of
each weekday, except national holidays.

156.14 Treatment of Mail.
Mail addressed to a rural station or branch is kept there to be called for,
unless the addressee is a customer of a rural route starting from the rural
station or of an adjoining route; in which case, the mail is delivered to the
customer's box by the carrier.  Mail addressed to a nonpersonnel rural unit is
placed in the addressee's post office box at the unit.

156.2 Delivery Routes

156.21 Establishment.
A petition signed by the heads of families desiring establishment of a
rural route should be submitted to the postmaster of the post office from
which delivery service is desired, or to the Postal Service.  Form 4027 may be
obtained from the postmaster for this purpose.  The general rule is that a
newly established route should serve an average of at least one family per
mile.  Unusual conditions such as volume and type of mail are considered.  On
routes of less than 10 miles, an average of a least six families per mile
should be eligible for service before a route is established.

156.22 Extensions.
Requests or petitions for extensions of rural routes should be submitted to
the postmaster of the office from which the route operates.  Form 4027 is
available from the postmaster for these requests.  Extensions should
ordinarily serve an average of at least one family per mile of additional
travel, including retrace.  Other factors, such as financial transactions and
type and volume of mail, are considered.  Roads generally should be public,
must be maintained in good condition, and be passable for vehicles year-round.
 If an extension is proposed over a road not maintained by road authorities,
the postmaster must obtain and submit with Form 4027 a letter from the person
responsible for maintaining the road that it will be kept passable at all
times.  This letter should include the statement "It is understood that, if
the road is not properly maintained, rural delivery service will be
withdrawn."  Rural mail delivery may be extended to families at
noncity-delivery offices of the first-, second-, and third-class who reside
outside a .25-mile radius of the post office, if such service is requested and
the other requirements are met.  For extensions to mobile home, trailer, and
recreational vehicle parks, see 155.251 and 155.252.

156.23 Road Conditions.
Rural delivery service is not established over roads which are not
maintained in good condition, which are obstructed by gates, or which cross
unbridged streams not fordable at all seasons of the year.

156.24 Obstructions to Travel.
Customers and officials in charge of highways are notified on Form 4024 of
road conditions obstructing the delivery of mail.  If repairs are not made
promptly, service is withdrawn.

156.25 Multiple Routes.
In rural areas, a customer living on a road traveled by two or more rural
carriers may select the carrier by whom he prefers to have his mail delivered
and collected; in which case, only the designated carrier handles the
customer's mail.  Unless selection is made by the customer, each carrier
passing the box delivers mail to it and collects from it any mail which the
carrier can expedite in dispatch or delivery, provided the box is on the
right-hand side of the road as traveled by the carrier.  In suburban or
congested areas, the postmaster designates the route that provides service.

156.26 Highway Contract Delivery.
Persons residing on roads traveled by both rural and highway contract
carriers may qualify as customers of either or both routes.  If one curbside
mailbox is used for both routes, it must be an approved receptacle (see
151.5).

156.27 Hardship Cases

156.271 Exception.
Postmasters may consider a temporary exception to the type of rural
delivery that is authorized for a customer when service by existing methods
imposes an extreme physical hardship on that customer.  A written request by
the customer for an exception to the delivery method must be submitted to the
postmaster.  An exception to the currently authorized method of delivery can
be granted under hardship criteria if it can be made within the guidelines of
current delivery extension policy as provided in this section.  Postmasters
must base their decision on humanitarian rather than strictly economic
grounds.  The request must not be denied solely because operational costs may
increase or a family member or other party may be available to receive mail
for the customer.

156.272 Denial of Request.
If, after a review, a postmaster decides that a request should be denied,
the request and the postmaster's written decision must be sent to the
postmaster's management sectional center (MSC) manager/postmaster for review.
If the MSC manager disagrees with the denial, the postmaster is notified to
grant the change in service.  If the MSC manager concurs with the denial, the
request and the manager's written decision must be sent to the field division
general manager/postmaster who makes the final decision and notifies the
postmaster and the MSC manager.

156.273 Restoration of Existing Service.
If a customer no longer requires a type of rural service that is different
than the normal service that has been established for a particular area, the
postmaster must restore the mail service to the mode of delivery currently in
effect for that area.

156.3 Carrier Service

156.31 Availability

156.311
Rural carrier service is provided to persons who erect approved boxes on
the line of travel of the rural carrier, and to persons for whom approved
neighborhood delivery and collection boxes and parcel lockers are erected and
maintained by the Postal Service on the carrier's line of travel, but no rural
carrier service shall be provided to persons residing within city delivery
limits.

156.312
Normally, rural carriers provide delivery to approved boxes as outlined in
156.54.  However, in apartment houses and other multiple dwellings
which use or qualify to use apartment house receptacles as provided in
155.6, carriers dismount to serve those receptacles.

156.32 To Residence.
Rural carriers deliver registered, certified, numbered insured, COD,
Express Mail, and special delivery mail to customer's residence if it is not
more than a 1/2 mile from the route and the road leading to it is passable.
Unnumbered insured mail is delivered in the same manner as ordinary mail.
This same service is accorded customers of rural stations and branches and
rural nonpersonnel units.

156.33 Parcel Delivery.
When an ordinary parcel too large to be delivered into the customer's box
is received, the carrier leaves a notice on Form 3849 in the box requesting
the customer to indicate the date on which he can meet the carrier to receive
the parcel.  If the addressee has filed a written order that the Postal
Service and carriers are relieved of all responsibility in case of loss or
depredation when large parcels are placed outside boxes, the carrier delivers
large parcels outside the box.  If a customer lives within hailing distance of
a route, the carrier must make a reasonable effort to hail the customer so he
may come to the box to receive the parcel before it is left outside the box.

156.34 Contagious Disease.
A rural carrier delivers mail to the box of a customer if a quarantined
disease exists, when this can be done without exposure to contagion.  No mail
is collected from such box while the quarantine is in force.

156.35 Withdrawal of Service.
Service must not be withdrawn from any box without specific authority from
the regional postmaster general, except that postmasters may withdraw service
if a customer continues to provide a nonconforming box after notification.

156.4 Payment of Postage

156.41 Acceptance of Mail

156.411
A rural carrier must accept any mailable matter, provided postage is fully
prepaid or money equal to the required postage is furnished, unless the
purpose of handing mail to the carrier for deposit into one office is to
"boycott" another office or deprive it of legitimate revenue.  During
December, customers are required to affix stamps to all greeting cards and
letter mail.

156.412
When a rural carrier finds unstamped mail in a customer's box and the
required amount of money for postage, he normally collects the mail and money
and affixes the necessary postage.  The carrier has stamps, stamped envelopes,
and postal cards for sale.  For convenience and safety, customers who leave
mail and money in rural boxes to be collected by the carrier should either
wrap the money, place it in a coin-holding receptacle, or attach it to the
mail by means of clip or other fastener.  Money left in rural boxes is left at
the customer's risk.

156.42 Postage Uncertain.
When mail is given to a rural carrier for mailing and he is unable to
determine the postage, he accepts from the sender an amount sufficient to
ensure full payment of postage.  On the next trip, the carrier must return any
excess money to the sender.

156.43 Insufficient Postage.
When mailable matter is deposited in a box and the required postage has not
been paid nor sufficient money left to purchase stamps, the rural carrier,
when the identity of the sender is known, places in the box a notice that such
matter cannot be dispatched until the necessary postage is paid.  If the
identity of the sender is unknown, the matter is taken to the post office and
treated as unpaid mail.

156.44 Mailable Matter Not Bearing Postage Found in or on Rural Mailboxes.
When mailable matter not bearing postage is found in, placed upon, attached
to, supported by, or hung from rural mailboxes, the procedures in
146.2 must be followed.

156.5 Rural Mailboxes.
Specifications for rural mailboxes and provisions about their installation,
location, and use are set forth in 151.5.

157 Highway Contract Service

157.1 Description.
Highway contract route service provides for the transportation of mail
between post offices or other designated points where mail is received or
dispatched.  Box delivery, collection service, and other mail services are
also performed on a majority of routes.  Every highway contract route carrier
must accept any mail matter presented to him, if properly prepaid by stamps,
and deliver it for mailing at the next post office at which he arrives.

157.2 Establishment

157.21 New Service.
Contracts for regular service are awarded after public advertisements.
Temporary service may be established on short notice without advertising.
Requests or petitions for new routes should be addressed to the manager,
transportation management service center (TMSC), having supervision over the
transportation of mail in the area involved.

157.22 Changes.
Changes in line of travel, extensions of service, and schedules may be
ordered by the manager, TMSC, at any time.  Requests for changes and
extensions should be addressed to the manager, TMSC.

157.3 Box Delivery and Collection

157.31 Service Required.
Highway contract route advertisements and contracts state whether box
delivery, collection service, or other mail services are required, and specify
the area to be served.  In addition to usual box delivery and collection
service on some routes, the carriers are required to


a.
sell stamp supplies;

b.
deliver registered, insured, certified, COD, and Express Mail; and

c.
accept matter presented by customers to be registered, insured, certified,
or mailed COD; accept money with applications for money orders and give
receipts.

157.32 Availability.
Contract route box delivery and collection service is provided without
charge to customers who

a.
are not eligible for city carrier service,

b.
reside on or near a route on which box delivery and collection service is
required, or

c.
either erect a curbside mailbox approved under 151.5 on the
highway contract route carrier's existing line of travel or are authorized to
receive delivery through neighborhood delivery and collection box units and
parcel lockers owned and maintained by the Postal Service.

Note: Contract route delivery and collection service is also provided
to persons at hotels, motels, other institutions, and mobile home, trailer, or
recreational vehicle parks in accordance with 153.6 and
155.25.

d.
Request, from the post office to which mail is addressed, delivery and
collection service on Form 5431.  Highway contract route customers residing
between two post offices may receive mail service from the post office which
is the one next preceding the customer's residence, or from either post
office, if there is a return trip.  In addition, the customer may receive
delivery from the post office from which the highway contract route originates.

157.33 Delivery of Mail.
Mail matter addressed to a qualified customer of a highway contract route
is taken by the carrier from the post office and deposited into the proper
mailbox.  If required by the contract, the carrier delivers registered,
certified, insured, COD, and Express Mail.  Delivery of this mail is made to
the customer's residence if it is not more than a l/2 mile from the route and
the road leading to it is passable.  The carrier dismounts when necessary to
transact business involving the above classes of mail.  Parcel post packages
too large to go into boxes may be delivered outside boxes, provided the
addressee has filed with the postmaster a written request for delivery in that
manner.  Otherwise, a notice is left in the customer's box to meet the carrier
on the next trip.  If delivery cannot be made by carrier, the mail is held at
the post office.

157.34 Collection of Mail.
Mail matter properly stamped and placed in a mailbox for dispatch is
collected by the carrier and deposited in the next post office at which the
carrier arrives, unless otherwise directed by the Postal Service.  Mail
collected on the route, addressed for delivery on that part of the route still
to be covered before reaching the next post office, is delivered on the day of
collection.  The carrier cancels the stamps before delivery by writing across
them the name of the post office last served, the state, the date, and the
number of the route.  Bulky mailable matter, properly prepared and stamped, is
collected by the carrier, if placed on or near the box.  Money left in
mailboxes for the purchase of stamps is left at the customer's risk.


157.4 Location of Mailboxes.
Approved curbside mailboxes (see 151.5) must be placed where they
protect the mail and can be conveniently served by carriers without leaving
their vehicles.  These boxes must be located on the right side of the road in
the direction of travel, when required by traffic conditions or when driving
to the left to reach the boxes would constitute a violation of traffic laws by
the carrier.

157.5 Duties of Postmasters.
Postmasters must do the following:

a.
Withhold delivery of registered, insured, certified, and COD mail to the
carrier, unless the contract requires that the carrier deliver such mail.

b.
Not deliver mail to the carrier outside of the regular lock pouch before it
has reached the post office to which it is addressed.

157.6 Duties of Carriers.
If the contract requires that the carrier case his mail, he must do the
following:

a.
Accept mail addressed to customers of the route, from the postmaster, and
arrange it in order of delivery;

b.
Prepare and maintain a list of the names of the customers served, arranged
in alphabetical order with the box number opposite each name; and

c.
Mark up and forward mail for customers on his route who have filed
change-of-address orders, and make the appropriate entries in the roster book.

157.7 Sale of Stamps and Stamp Supplies.
If the contract requires the carrier to sell stamps and stamp supplies, a
fixed credit is provided by the postmaster at the head of the route. Where the
carrier serves customers who receive mail through other offices on the route,
the carrier replenishes his fixed credit at those offices in amounts
representing sales made by him to customers served through these offices.

158 Mail Claim Check System

158.1 General

158.11 Purpose.
The Mail Claim Check System is a system for notifying customers of the
arrival of mail and for obtaining receipts for delivered mail.  The system is
designed primarily for handling mail intended for carrier delivery, but is
also used for mail addressed to post office boxes or general delivery.

158.12 Scope

158.121
The system uses a form which serves both as a notice of arrival and a claim
check for accountable mail, special delivery mail, and for articles which
cannot be immediately delivered.  It also serves as a delivery receipt for
registered, numbered insured, or certified mail.


158.122
For purposes of these instructions, the term "carrier" includes special
delivery messengers, Postal Vehicle Service (MVS) drivers, and carriers
serving city, rural, and all other types of carrier delivery routes.  Also,
the term "post office box" includes caller service and detached post office
box service.

158.123
The system is used when mail intended for delivery by carrier, is held for
redelivery or customer pickup.  It also applies to post office box and general
delivery mail.

158.124
The system is not used for mail intended for post office box or general
delivery, if a separate storage area is provided for this type of mail.  It is
not used at installations which provide only post office box and/or general
delivery service.

158.2 Use of System

158.21 Forms

158.211
The system uses Form 3849.

158.212
Form 3849 has five uses.

a.
Delivery receipt for registered, numbered insured, or certified articles.

b.
Notification form for mail that cannot be delivered immediately.

c.
Second notice or reminder for an unclaimed article.

d.
Claim check for retrieving mail at post offices.

e.
Record for accountable mail articles (registered, numbered insured,
certified, COD, and Express Mail) which have been returned to sender.

158.213
Mailers may not print Form 3849 unless authorized by the Office of
Classification and Rates Administration, U.S. Postal Service (for address, see
Address List in Appendices).

158.22  Delivery

158.221
Form 3849 must be used as a receipt for registered, numbered insured, and
certified mail, when delivery is made.  The carrier completes the form, has
the recipient sign it in accordance with established procedures, and returns
the form to the delivery unit.


158.222
Delivery employees must use Form 3849 to notify customers of the arrival of
mail which cannot immediately be delivered.  Carriers must check the name and
address on the article for accuracy and legibility, since it is stored
according to this information.  The carrier must then return the item to the
delivery unit for processing and storage.

158.223
Form 3849 is delivered to the addressee as a second notice or reminder when
required either for unclaimed articles or when second delivery attempts are
unsuccessful.  The recipient uses the form to retrieve the article.

158.224
Form 3849 may be used as a notice of arrival, but must not be used as a
receipt for ordinary COD mail, since the tag for COD mail is used for this
purpose.

158.23  Claiming Mail

158.231
Customers claim their mail by presenting Form 3849 to the window clerk at
the location indicated on the form.  To claim registered, numbered insured,
and certified mail, a customer who is not known to the window clerk must
provide identification and must sign and date the form.

158.232
A customer may obtain an article without a claim check; however, if the
article is registered, numbered insured, or certified the customer must
identify himself, sign, and date a Form 3849.

158.233
After verifying that the delivery receipt has been properly completed and
all other delivery procedures followed, the clerk delivers the article and
signs and dates the delivery receipt in the "Delivered by" and "Date" blocks.

158.24  Disposition of Forms.
Delivery receipts must be kept separate from notices of arrival of ordinary
COD and nonaccountable mail.  Delivery receipts for registered COD mail must
be retained for disposition in accordance with established procedures.  Retain
claim checks overnight, including those for ordinary COD mail, which are not
required as delivery receipts.  Then discard as waste.

158.25  Storage of Mail Awaiting Customer Pickup

158.251
At the delivery unit, stamp the mail with supply item #R291 (see Exhibit
158.251, *viewer dmm183.pcx*  endorse, and place in storage bins or
on shelves, according to one of the following:

a.
Last two numbers of the delivery address.

b.
Last number of the delivery address.

c.
Alphabetically.

If more than one item has the same number used in a numerical storage
system, place the items alphabetically within the separation  (see Exhibit
158.251). *viewer dmm183.pcx*


]
DMM183Exhibit 158.251]


158.252
Intermingle all types of parcels.  Keep certified letters or postage-due
mail in a general delivery type case with numbered separations or in a flats
case with the addresses facing up.  File registered mail in a tray in
numerical sequence and keep it under the control of the responsible employee
at all times.

158.3  Filing Delivery Records.
File delivery receipts in accordance with established procedures.

158.4  Overprinting.
Information such as post office, station or branch, address, business
hours, telephone, etc., on Form 3849 can be overprinted more economically at
the same time the basic form is printed.  This must be limited, however, to
large quantities (20,000 or more) and in increments of 20,000 thereafter;
i.e., 80,000, 100,000, etc.  The division manager, support services office,
coordinates the overprinting.

159 Undeliverable Mail

159.1 Mail Undeliverable as Addressed

159.11 General Provisions.
Nondelivery of mail can result from any one of the following general
reasons:

a.
Mail does not bear postage.

b.
Incomplete, illegible, or incorrect address.

c.
Addressee not at address; moved or deceased.

d.
Mail unclaimed.

e.
Mail refused by the addressee at time of delivery.

f.
Mail refused by the addressee after delivery when refusal is authorized
under 153.11c.

g.
Mail does not meet the minimum criteria for mailability in 127.

159.12 Specific Provisions.
The specific provisions governing undeliverable mail of each class are
contained in the appropriate chapters of this manual dealing with each class
of mail.

159.13 Undeliverable Due to Postal Service Adjustments

159.131 Types of Changes

a.
Rural route adjustments.

b.
Conversion from rural to city delivery service.

c.
Renumbering of houses.

d.
Renaming of streets.

e.
Consolidation of routes.

f.
Consolidation of post offices.

g.
Readjustment of delivery districts.

159.132 Notice of Change.
Customers should notify their correspondents of their correct address,
including ZIP Code.  Form 3576 is available for this purpose.  In addition,
where practical, postmasters must attempt to notify publishers and other
mailers who regularly send bulk mailings into the area.  No charge is made to
these mailers for the notices or for corrections to galley lists of address
changes due to Postal Service adjustments.

159.133 Disposition of Mail.
Mail that is undeliverable because of Postal Service adjustments is
redirected and, if necessary, forwarded to the destination without an
additional postage charge (from the end of the month in which the postal
change occurs) for a period of 1 year.  Simplified address (box customer)
mail addressed to "Rural Route Box Customer," "Highway Contract Route Box
Customer," or "Post Office Box Customer" is only redirected and forwarded free
of charge until the next June 30 after the change in service, or until 90 days
after the change in service, whichever is later.

159.134 Time Limit for Retention of Records.
Records of address changes due to Postal Service adjustments are kept by
the local post office for 3 years.

159.14 Endorsements.
Undeliverable-as-addressed mail is endorsed by the Postal Service with the
reason for nondelivery (see Exhibit 159.14).

Exhibit 159.14 ENDORSEMENTS FOR MAIL UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED


EndorsementReason for Nondelivery


No Such Office in State*Addressed to a nonexistent post office.

No Such Street*Addressed to a nonexistent street and the
correct street is not known.

No Such Number*Addressed to a nonexistent number and the
correct number is not known.

Insufficient Address*Mail from another post office fails to
bear a number, street, box number, route
number, or geographical section of the city
or city and state is omitted and the correct
address is not known.

Returned for Better
Address*Mail of local origin is incompletely
addressed for distribution or delivery.

Illegible*Address cannot be read.

Not Deliverable as
Addressed--Unable to ForwardMail is undeliverable at address given;
no change-of-address order on file;
forwarding order has expired; forwarding
postage not guaranteed by sender or
addressee; or, mail bears sender's
instructions DO NOT FORWARD.

Outside Delivery Limits*Addressed to a location outside the
limits of delivery of the post office of
address (see 155.5).  Mail for
out-of-bounds customers must be retained in
general delivery for the prescribed
retention period unless addressee has filed
an order.

No Mail Receptacle*Addressee has failed to provide a
receptacle for the receipt of mail.

Returned for PostageMail has no postage and there are no
indications that the postage has fallen off.

Moved, Left No AddressAddressee has moved and has not filed a
change-of-address order.

Temporarily Away*Addressee is temporarily away and
retention period for holding mail has
expired.

Attempted--Not KnownDelivery attempted, addressee is not
known at the place of address.

Refused*Addressee has refused to accept mail or
pay postage charges thereon.

Vacant*House, apartment, office, or building is
not occupied.  Used only on mail addressed
"Occupant."

Box Closed--No Order*Post office box has been closed for
nonpayment of rent.

Returned to Sender
Due to Addressee's Violation of
Postal False Representation Law*Mail is returned to sender under a false
representation order.

Unclaimed*Addressee abandons or fails to call for
mail.

DeceasedUsed only when it is known that the
addressee is deceased and the mail is not
properly deliverable to another person.
This endorsement must be made personally by
the delivering employee and under no
circumstances may it be rubber-stamped.
Mail addressed in care of another is marked
to indicate which person is deceased.

Returned to Sender Due
to Addressee's Violation of
Postal False Representation
and Lottery Law*Mail is returned to sender under a false
representation order and a lottery
order.


Returned to Sender Due
to Addressee's Violation of
Postal Lottery Law*Mail is returned to sender under a
lottery order.

In Dispute*Mail is returned to sender by order of
the Chief Field Counsel when it cannot be
determined which of disputing parties has
better right to the mail.

Note: When an alternative address format is used on second-class
mail, the publisher must be notified of the reason for nondelivery only for
those reasons for nondelivery indicated by an asterisk (*) above.  The
exceptional-address format cannot be used on Express Mail, on mail which is
registered, certified, insured, mailed COD, or on mail which bears an
address-correction service endorsement or any other type of endorsement.


Exhibit 159.14, Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed]
]



159.15 Treatment of Undeliverable-as-Addressed Mail

159.151 General.
Except as provided in 159.153, mail that is undeliverable as
addressed may be forwarded, returned to the sender, or treated as dead mail,
depending on the treatment authorized for that particular class of mail.  A
summary of the procedures for handling undeliverable-as-addressed mail is
presented in Exhibit 159.151a through Exhibit 159.151f.
The chapters covering each class of mail contain more detailed provisions.  A
full return address must be used with these endorsements.  On all mail, the
information must appear in either the upper left corner of the address side of
the piece or the upper left corner of the addressing area of the piece,
directly below the return address.  (While not a requirement, it is strongly
recommended that endorsements on letter-size mail not appear lower than 2-3/4
inches from the bottom edge of the envelope.  Endorsements in the lower 2-3/4
inches of the envelope could result in misrouting of the piece on Postal
Service automated letter-mail equipment.)  Endorsements must be no smaller
than 8-point type.  Endorsements and return addresses must be printed reading
in the same direction as the delivery address.  There must be a clear space of
at least 1/4 inch both above and below the endorsement.  An endorsement must
stand out clearly against its background.  A reasonable degree of color
contrast (see 543 for acceptable specifications) must be maintained
between the endorsement and the background of the mailpiece.  Black ink on a
white background is strongly preferred, but other color combinations may be
used.  Brilliant-colored envelopes and reverse printing are not permitted.
Mail bearing an endorsement that does not meet these requirements is not
accepted for mailing.

Note:  These requirements are to be applied only by trained acceptance
personnel.  Delivery personnel are not to make determinations about the
correctness of endorsements.  If mail bearing an endorsement that does not
meet these requirements is accepted, the Postal Service makes reasonable
efforts to honor the mailer's service request.


Exhibit 159.151a Treatment of Undeliverable Express Mail and
                   First-Class Mail Including Postal and Postcards and
                          Priority Mail


Exhibit 159.151a
Treatment of Undeliverable Express Mail and
First-Class Mail, Including Postal and Postcards and
Priority Mail

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action


No EndorsementForward at no charge (months 1-12).
If undeliverable, return to sender with reason
for nondelivery.

Address Correction Requested
Do not forward.
 Provide address correction or reason for
nondelivery on mailpiece.
Return entire mailpiece at no charge to
sender.

Do Not ForwardDo not forward.
 Provide address correction or reason for
nondelivery on mailpiece.
Return entire mailpiece at no charge to
sender.

Forwarding and Address Correction Requested
Forward at no charge (months 1-12).  If
undeliverable, return to sender with reason for
nondelivery attached at no charge.  Charge the
address-correction fee if separate address
correction is provided to mailer.1


Notes:
These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's
change of address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at
any time.  When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.  Dispose of postal cards and postcards without a return address
according to 159.47c.

1 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Forward
& Address Correction."  This abbreviation is authorized in those limited
situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.]
]


Exhibit 159.151b Treatment of Undeliverable Second-Class Mail

Exhibit 159.151b
Treatment of Undeliverable Second-Class Mail

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action


No EndorsementForward at no charge for 60 days.
After 60-day period, provide separate address
correction or reason for nondelivery; charge
address-correction fee.

Return Postage GuaranteedForward at no charge for 60 days.
After 60-day period, return item to sender
with new address or reason for nondelivery
attached; charge the single-piece thirdor
fourth-class rate.



Note:
These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's change
of address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at any
time.  When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.]
]


Exhibit 159.151c Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Bulk Business
                   Mail--Weighing 1 Ounce or Less (Forwarded up to 12 Months)


Exhibit 159.151c
Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Bulk Business Mail Weighing 1
Ounce or Less (Forwarded up to 12 Months)

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action



No Endorsement No forwarding or return service is
provided.

Do Not ForwardNo forwarding or return service is
provided.

Address Correction RequestedNo forwarding service is provided.
Return entire mailpiece with address
correction or reason for nondelivery;
charge the first ounce single-piece
third-class rate, do not charge the
address-correction fee.

Forwarding and Return
Postage GuaranteedForward at no charge. If mail is
not forwardable, return the entire
mailpiece with reason for nondelivery;
charge the appropriate third-class
weighted fee.1

Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed, Address
Correction Requested2 Forward at no charge.
If separate address-correction notice
is provided, charge the
address-correction fee. If mail is not
forwardable, return the entire
mailpiece with reason for nondelivery;
charge the appropriate third-class
weighted fee.1

Do Not Forward, Address
Correction Requested, Return
Postage Guaranteed3Do not forward. Return entire
mailpiece with the new address or
reason for nondelivery; charge the
first ounce single-piece third-class
rate, do not charge the
address-correction fee.



1 The weighted fee is the appropriate single-piece
third-class rate, multiplied by a factor of 2.472, and rounded to the next
(higher) whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a cent in the
result).  The weighted fee is computed (and rounded if necessary) for each
mailpiece individually.  Neither the applicable postage, the factor, nor any
necessary rounding is applied cumulatively to multiple pieces.  The fee is
used during months 1-12 when forwarding is unsuccessful and the mailpiece is
returned to the sender.  During months 13-18 charge this fee on mailpieces
endorsed "Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed--Address Correction Requested."

2 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is
"Forward & Address Correction."  This abbreviation is authorized in those
limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.
3 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Do
Not Forward--Address Cor--Return Guar."  This abbreviation is authorized in
those limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

Note:

These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's change of
address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at any time.
When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.]

]


Exhibit 159.151d Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Bulk Business Mail
Weighing Over 1 Ounce (Forwarded up to 12 Months)


Exhibit 159.151d
Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Bulk Business Mail Weighing
Over 1 Ounce (Forwarded up to 12 Months)

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action



No Endorsement No forwarding or return service is
provided.

Do Not ForwardNo forwarding or return service is
provided.

Address Correction RequestedNo forwarding service is provided.
Address correction, or reason for
nondelivery, is provided via Form 3547
or Form 3579; charge the
address-correction fee.

Forwarding and Return
Postage GuaranteedForward at no charge.
If mail is not forwardable, return the
entire mailpiece with reason for
nondelivery; charge the appropriate
third-class weighted fee.1

Forwarding and Return Postage
Guaranteed, Address Correction
Requested2Forward at no charge.
If separate address-correction notice is
provided, charge the address-correction
fee.  If mail is not forwardable, return
the entire mailpiece with reason for
nondelivery; charge the appropriate
third-class weighted fee.1

Do Not Forward, Address
Correction Requested, Return
Postage Guaranteed3Do not forward.
Return entire mailpiece with the new
address or reason for nondelivery;
charge the appropriate single-piece
third-class rate, do not charge the
address-correction fee.


1 The weighted fee is the appropriate single-piece
third-class rate, multiplied by a factor of 2.472, and rounded to the next
(higher) whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a cent in the
result).  The weighted fee is computed (and rounded if necessary) for each
mailpiece individually.  Neither the applicable postage, the factor, nor any
necessary rounding is applied cumulatively to multiple pieces.  The fee is
used during months 1-12 when forwarding is unsuccessful and the mailpiece is
returned to the sender.  During months 13-18 charge this fee on mailpieces
endorsed "Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed--Address Correction Requested."

2 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is
"Forward & Address Correction."  This abbreviation is authorized in those
limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

3 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Do
Not Forward--Address Cor.--Return Guar."  This abbreviation is authorized in
those limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

Note:
These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's change of
address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at any time.
When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.]

]



Exhibit 159.151e Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Mail, Single-Piece
Rate (Forwarded up to 12 Months)


Exhibit 159.151e
Treatment of Undeliverable Third-Class Mail, Single-Piece Rate
(Forwarded up to 12 Months)

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action



No EndorsementNo forwarding service is provided.  Return
the mailpiece to the sender at the
single-piece third-class rate, with the
reason for nondelivery or new address; do not
charge the address-correction fee.

Do Not ForwardNo forwarding or return service is
provided.

Address Correction
RequestedNo forwarding service is provided.  If the
mailpiece weighs 1 ounce or less, return the
entire piece with the new address or the
reason for nondelivery; charge the
third-class single-piece rate.  Pieces over 1
ounce receive an address-correction notice
via Form 3579 or Form 3547; charge the
address-correction fee.

Forwarding and Return
Postage GuaranteedForward at no charge.  If mail is not
forwardable, return the entire mailpiece with
reason for nondelivery; charge the
appropriate third-class weighted fee.1


Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed, Address
Correction Requested2Forward at no charge.  If separate
address-correction notice is provided, charge
the address-correction fee.  If mail is not
forwardable, return the entire mailpiece with
reason for nondelivery; charge the
appropriate third-class weighted
fee.1

Do Not Forward, Address
Correction Requested, Return
Postage Guaranteed3Do not forward.  Return entire mailpiece
with the new address or reason for
nondelivery; charge the appropriate
single-piece third-class rate, do not charge
the address-correction fee.



1The weighted fee is the appropriate single-piece
third-class rate, multiplied by a factor of 2.472, and rounded to the next
(higher) whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a cent in the
result).  The weighted fee is computed (and rounded if necessary) for each
mailpiece individually.  Neither the applicable postage, the factor, nor any
necessary rounding is applied cumulatively to multiple pieces.  The fee is
used during months 1-12 when forwarding is unsuccessful and the mailpiece is
returned to the sender.  During months 13-18, charge this fee on mailpieces
endorsed "Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" or "Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed--Address Correction Requested."

2 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is
"Forward & Address Correction."  This abbreviation is authorized in those
limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

3 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Do
Not Forward--Address Cor--Return Guar."  This abbreviation is authorized in
those limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

Note:
These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's change of
address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at any time.
When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.]

]


Exhibit 159.151f  Treatment of Undeliverable Fourth-Class Mail, Including
Parcel Post (Forwarded up to 12 Months)


Exhibit 159.151f
Treatment of Undeliverable Fourth-Class Mail, Including Parcel Post
(Forwarded up to 12 Months)

Mailer EndorsementUSPS Action




No EndorsementForward locally at no charge; forward out
of town postage-due.  If undeliverable or
addressee refuses to pay postage, return
mailpiece with new address or reason for
nondelivery; charge both forwarding (where
attempted) and return postage.

Do Not Forward, Do Not
ReturnNo forwarding or return service is
provided; mailpiece is disposed of by the
Postal Service.

Forwarding and Return
Postage GuaranteedForward locally at no charge, forward out
of town postage-due.  If undeliverable or
addressee refuses to pay postage, return
mailpiece with new address or reason for
nondelivery; charge both forwarding (where
attempted) and return postage.

Forwarding and Return
Postage Guaranteed, Address
Correction Requested1Forward locally at no charge; forward out
of town postage-due.  If forwarded, provide a
separate address-correction notice; charge
address-correction fee.  If mailpiece is
undeliverable, or addressee refuses to pay
postage, return mailpiece with new address or
reason for nondelivery; charge both
forwarding (where attempted) and return
postage.

Do Not Forward, Do Not
Return, Address Correction
Requested2 No forwarding or return service is
provided; provide a separate
address-correction notice; charge
address-correction fee; mailpiece is disposed
of by the Postal Service.


Do Not Forward,  Address
Correction Requested, Return
Postage Guaranteed3 No forwarding service is provided; return
mailpiece with the new address or reason for
nondelivery; charge return postage.


 1The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is
"Forward & Address Correction."  This abbreviation is authorized in those
limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

 2 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Do
Not Forward or Return--Address Cor."  This abbreviation is authorized in those
limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

 3 The authorized abbreviation for this endorsement is "Do
Not Forward--Address Cor--Return Guar."  This abbreviation is authorized in
those limited situations where the full endorsement cannot be accommodated.

Note:
These regulations apply to mail associated with a customer's change of
address.  Do not provide temporary change-of-address information at any time.
When necessary, more than one line may be used to print the mailer
endorsement.]

]


159.152 Official Mail.
Official mail is treated the same as mail of the general public, except
that no postage due is rated or collected by post offices on delivery of mail
or address-correction notices.

159.153 Nonmailable and Nonstandard Pieces.
Return to the sender all nonmailable and nonstandard pieces.

159.16 Processing.
It is the policy of the Postal Service to process all
undeliverable-as-addressed mail within 24 hours of receipt at the markup unit.
 Forms 3579 are mailed to publishers once each week.  No Forms 3579 are to be
retained in a forwarding unit more than 7 days from receipt of the publication
in the CFS site.

159.2 Forwarding

159.21 Change-of-Address Order

159.211 Forwarding Instructions.
Customers should advise their local post office when they are moving. This
is done by filing Form 3575, available at post offices or from letter
carriers.  A written and signed order or a telegram sent by the customer, his
agent, or person in whose care mail is addressed is acceptable.  Old and new
addresses should be furnished.  A change of address may not be filed with the
Postal Service for mail bearing an employee's name addressed to the place of
employment either during or after the termination of the employment
relationship.  Such mail is delivered in accordance with 153.5.  A
former employee may leave a forwarding address with the former employer for
the purpose of having mail redirected to the former employee under the
provisions of 159.224.

159.212 Guarantee to Pay Forwarding Postage.
Unless endorsed "Do Not Forward, Do Not Return," fourth-class mail is
forwarded locally for 1 year free of charge.  The addressee is charged
forwarding postage for pieces forwarded nonlocally.  The addressee may  refuse
any piece of fourth-class mail (see 153.11c, 159.11e, and
159.11f).  Such refusal does not revoke the right to have other
fourth-class mail forwarded.  If the addressee does not want to pay forwarding
postage for all fourth-class mail, the addressee must request the postmaster
of the new address to use Form 3546 to notify the postmaster of the old
address to discontinue the forwarding of fourth-class mail.

159.213 Time Limit of Change-of-Address Order

a. Time Limit Specified by Addressee (may not exceed 12 months).
Customers who are moving temporarily may have mail forwarded for a specific
time, but not to exceed 12 months.  These customers must state beginning and
ending dates in the change-of-address order.  Customers should cancel the
change-of-address order when they return to their old address or move to
another permanent address within the specified period.

b. Time Limit Not Specified by Addressee.
Records of permanent change-of-address orders (other than those subject to
159.213d) are kept by post offices for 18 months, for forwarding and
for address-correction purposes, from the end of the month in which the change
becomes effective.

Exception: When a boxholder notifies the post office of a permanent
change in mailing address or the Postal Service administratively changes a
customer's mailing address, the postmaster may extend the forwarding period
for 1 additional year, if mail is being regularly received addressed to the
old address.  To qualify, the addressee must demonstrate that an economic or
financial hardship will ensue if extended forwarding is not granted, and that
reasonable effort is being made to notify correspondents of the new mailing
address.

c. Retention and Use of Change-of-Address Orders.
All post offices must retain change-of-address orders for 18 months from
the end of the month in which the change becomes effective. During this
period, they are used for administrative purposes, providing mailing list
service (see 945), and releasing address-change information to the
public under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.  (See 352 of the
Administrative Support Manual.)

d. Change from General Delivery at City Delivery Office.
A record of change-of-address orders to a permanent local address without
time limit is kept 6 months.  A record of change-of-address orders to other
than a permanent local address is kept 30 days.



159.22 Forwardable Mail

159.221 Classes.
The following classes of mail are forwarded:

a.
First-Class Mail (including zone-rated Priority Mail) and postcards and
postal cards.

b.
Express Mail.

c.
Official mail (described in 137) that is sent as First-Class Mail.

d.
Second-class mail.

e.
Third-class mail when the sender has guaranteed to pay the forwarding
postage.

f.
Fourth-class mail locally or when the sender has guaranteed to pay the
forwarding postage.

Note: The address (but not the name) may be changed and the mail
reforwarded as many times as necessary to reach the addressee.

159.222 Change in Post Office Services

a. Addressed to a Discontinued Post Office.
All Express Mail, First-, second-, and fourth-class mail and all
single-piece-rate third-class mail addressed to a discontinued post office may
be forwarded to any other post office designated by the addressee without
additional charge when the office to which the mail is sent by order of the
Postal Service is not convenient for the addressee.

b. Forwarded Due to Change in Rural Delivery Service.
Customers of any office who, on account of the establishment of or a change
in rural delivery service, receive their mail from the rural carrier of
another office may have their Express Mail, First-, second-, and fourth-class
mail and single-piece-rate third-class mail sent to the latter office for
delivery by the rural carrier without a new prepayment of postage, provided
they file a written request with the postmaster at the former office.

c. Addressed to Boxholder.
Deliver mail addressed to post office, rural route, or highway contract
route boxholder to those customers residing in the affected area until June 30
following establishment or conversion to city delivery service or for 90 days,
whichever is longer.

159.223 Address Changes of Persons in U.S. Service.
All Express Mail, First-, second-, and fourth-class mail and
single-piece-rate third-class mail addressed to persons in the United States
(civil and military) serving at any place where the United States mail service
operates, whose change of address is caused by official orders must be
forwarded until it reaches the addressee.  Do not charge any additional
postage.  The forwarding office endorses secondand fourth-class mail,
single-piece-rate third-class mail, and Priority Mail so forwarded "Change of
Address Due to Official Orders."  This provision for free forwarding from one
post office to another also applies to mail for the members of the household
whose change of address is caused by official orders to persons in the United
States service.  (See 122.814 and 122.824 concerning
dependents residing with military personnel.)  Military authorities forward
between the United States and overseas APO and FPO addresses for a period not
to exceed 60 days following a serviceman's departure on official permanent
change of station orders.

159.224 Reforwarding.

The address (but not the name) may be changed and the mail reforwarded as
many times as necessary to reach the addressee.

159.23 Postage for Forwarding.
Mail forwarded is subject to additional postage as noted below.  The
chapters covering each class of mail contain detailed information about mailer
endorsements.  See also Exhibit 159.151a through Exhibit
159.151f.  Forwarding postage is computed by using the office from which
it is forwarded as the origin office.

a.
Forward First-Class Mail, including zone-rated Priority Mail and postcards
and postal cards, without charge when the appropriate postage has been fully
prepaid by the sender.

b.
Forward second-class publications without charge for 60 days when postage
has been fully prepaid by the sender.

c.
Third-class mail is subject to collection of additional postage from the
mailer when forwarding and return service is provided.  Mail that qualifies
for a single-piece fourth-class rate under 611.12 is returned at that
rate if the mailer's address-correction service endorsement specifies the
fourth-class rate.  For example, if a third-class piece qualifies for mailing
at the special fourth-class rate for books, the endorsement would be "Special
Fourth-Class Rate, Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed."

d.
Fourth-class mail is subject to the collection of additional postage for
nonlocal forwarding at the applicable rate.  This forwarding option must be
guaranteed by the sender or recipient.  Deliver all fourth-class mail as
directed when the old and new addresses are served by the same single ZIP Code
or multi-ZIP Coded post office.  Additional postage is not required.

e.
Forward registered, certified, insured, COD, and special-handling mail
without the payment of additional special service fees.  The ordinary
forwarding postage charges, if any, must be paid.  Do not forward such mail to
a foreign country.  See 915.6 for forwarding of special delivery mail.

f.
Forward Express Mail without the payment of additional fees.

159.24 Directory Service.
Provide directory service at letter carrier offices of the following types
of mail that cannot be delivered due to insufficient address or that cannot be
delivered at the address given.  Use a city or telephone directory.  The
Postal Service does not compile a directory of any kind. The types of mail are
the following:

a.
Certified.

b.
COD.

c.
Foreign, except foreign circulars.  (Foreign mail bearing letter-class
postage, received in quantities, and having the general characteristics of
circular mail must not be given directory service.)

d.
Fourth-class mail is subject to the collection of additional postage for
nonlocal forwarding at the appropriate single-piece rate.  Unless endorsed "Do
Not Forward, Do Not Return," all fourth-class mail is delivered as directed
when the old and new addresses are served by the same single-ZIP Code or
multi-ZIP Coded post office.  Additional postage is not charged.

e.
Mail from overseas Armed Forces.  Do not return this mail to sender until
every possible effort has been made to deliver the article.

f.
Parcels mailed at any single-piece third-class or fourth-class rate or
endorsed by the mailer.

g.
Perishable matter.

h.
Registered matter.

i.
Special delivery.

j.
Special handling.

k.
Official Postal Service mail.

l.
Express Mail Next Day Service (Post Office to Addressee only (see
292.2)).

159.3 Address Correction Service, Address Change Service, and Return

159.31 Address Correction Service

159.311 Availability.
If mail cannot be delivered as addressed to the recipient, the mailer may,
by obtaining address-correction service, obtain the new (forwarding) address
of the recipient (if known by the Postal Service through the recipient's
change-of-address order) or the reason for nondelivery.  Provide
address-correction service (including address-change service) automatically
after 60 days from the effective date of the recipient's change of address for
all second-class publications.  Address corrections are available "on piece"
at no charge or separately, for a fee, at the mailer's request. Whenever
possible, "on piece" address corrections are provided for First-Class Mail,
Express Mail, Priority Mail, and thirdand fourth-class mail service.  If the
piece cannot be forwarded, it is returned at no charge with the address
information or the reason for nondelivery attached.  Generally, when separate
corrections are necessary, Form 3547 is returned to the sender with the
address-correction fee charged and the mail is forwarded.  This service is not
available for Express Mail, First-, third-, or fourth-class mail addressed for
delivery to the addressee by military personnel at any military installation,
including APOs and FPOs.  Address-correction service is available alone or in
combination with the forwarding and return service in 159.32.

159.312 Address Change Service.
An address correction service option is available that allows the mailer to
obtain a customer's correct address or the reason for nondelivery via magnetic
tape.  This service is available weekly or monthly, dependent upon the
mailer's requirements.  Address change service is presently available only
through the larger computerized forwarding sites.

159.313 Endorsement.
To request address correction service, the endorsement "Address Correction
Requested" should be used.

159.314 Fee.
The applicable fee for address correction service (including address change
service) as specified in 215, 315.2, 412.2,
612.2, or 712.2 is charged for each separate notification
of address correction or the reason for nondelivery.  Generally, when "on
piece" address correction can be provided, no fee is charged.

159.32 Sender Instruction

159.321 Availability of Return Service.
Undeliverable-as-addressed Express Mail and First-Class Mail articles
(including zone-rated Priority Mail articles and postal cards and postcards)
that cannot be forwarded or cannot be delivered as addressed are returned to
the sender at no additional charge whenever possible.  Mail of all other
classes may be returned to the sender if it bears the appropriate endorsement
guaranteeing the return postage.  These endorsements are located in the
appropriate chapters of this manual.

159.322 Endorsements Not to Forward.
Do not forward mail bearing the following address forms or endorsements:

a.
Mail addressed to "Occupant" or "Postal Customer."

b.
Mail bearing specific instructions of the sender; e.g., "Do Not Forward,
Abandon," etc.

c.
Perishable items not marked to abandon that cannot be delivered before
spoiling or day-old poultry that cannot be delivered within 72 hours after
hatching.  These items must be returned to the sender immediately, provided
return can be made prior to spoilage or within the 72-hour period.

159.323 Registered, Certified, Insured, COD Mail, and Return Receipt for
Merchandise.
A change-of-address order covers registered, certified, insured, COD, and
return receipt for merchandise mail unless the sender has given other
instructions or unless the addressee has moved outside the United States.  The
sender's instructions should be written or printed on the envelope or wrapper.
 Examples: "Do not forward;" "If not accepted within @ @days, return to
sender."

Exceptions:

a.
COD mail is not forwarded to overseas military post offices.

b.
Ordinary, insured, and COD parcels that have mailer's instructions to
abandon or sell perishable items, written or printed on the envelope or
wrapper, are treated according to the instructions.

Examples:

(1)
Do not forward or return.  If not accepted within @ @days, treat as
abandoned. Notify mailer of final disposition.

(2)
Do not forward or return. If undelivered after @ @ days, sell
contents to highest bidder and remit proceeds, less commission, to mailer.

(3)
Do not forward or return. If undeliverable after @ @ days, destroy.
Notify mailer of final disposition.

Note: A commission of 10%, but not less than $0.25, is retained by the
Postal Service from the amount for which perishable items are sold.

c.
When the mailer specifically so requests, Form 3849-D is sent to the mailer
in accordance with 914.1.  The mailer then may designate a new
addressee or alter the amount of COD charges by submitting a written request
to the postmaster and paying the appropriate fee (see 914.21).
Return the article to the mailer at the end of the holding period if no
response is received.  The postage charge, if any, is collected from the
mailer for returning the mail (but not registration or COD fees).

Exception: When COD mail is addressed to a person who has moved and
left no forwarding address, Form 3849-D is not sent, and the mail is returned
immediately to the mailer.

d.
Insured third-class mail without any other endorsement is treated as if
endorsed "Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed."  It is forwarded and, if
still undeliverable as addressed, returned to the sender with the new address
or the reason for nondelivery attached.

e.
Insured fourth-class mail without any other endorsement is forwarded at no
charge locally and postage-due nonlocally if the recipient has guaranteed to
pay forwarding postage on Form 3575.  (For forwarding purposes, "local" is
defined as being within the same single ZIP Code or multi-ZIP Coded post
office.)  If the article is undeliverable, return it to the sender with the
new address or the reason for nondelivery.  Charge the mailer for the return
of the mailpiece only and the attempted forwarding, when appropriate.

f.
Undeliverable registered, insured, COD, certified, and return receipt for
merchandise mail is retained for not less than 3 days.

(1)
Hold registered, insured, certified, and return receipt for merchandise
mail a maximum of 15 days unless the sender specifies fewer days.

(2)
Hold COD mail a maximum of 30 days unless the sender specifies fewer days.
