
914.5 Delivery

914.51 Procedure

a.
Delivery rules are the same as for registered mail (see 911.4).

b.
Except for Express Mail COD shipments, if one of the following two
conditions are met, the local postmaster may restrict delivery as follows:

(1)
The amount of cash to be collected from the transaction or transactions
makes the carrier a much more likely target for theft and thereby
significantly increases the chances of physical injury, or

(2)
Based upon actual delivery experiences at the address, it is unlikely the
addressee is available to receive the article at delivery.

Note:  In either instance, instead of having the carrier attempt to
deliver the article, the local postmaster may have the carrier deliver a Form
3849 to notify the addressee that a COD article has arrived at the post
office.  The notice must be delivered on the first carrier trip after the
article is received at the post office.  The total amount due must be
indicated in the appropriate part of the form.

c.
Have recipient or authorized representative sign the COD tag.  The delivery
employee must sign and fill in the spaces on the back of the tag. Do not use
Form 3849 as a receipt for ordinary COD mail.  The tag for such COD mail is
used for this purpose.  (See 914.174 for registered COD mail.)

d.
If the addressee declines acceptance and the mailer requests a Form 3849-D,
it must be sent immediately.  If a Form 3849-D has not been requested, COD
articles which have been refused must be returned to the mailer immediately.

e.
Hold packages addressed to members of military organizations at military
installations at the main office, station, or branch.  Send a notice to the
addressee to call for their mail on Form 3849.  Do not deliver the mail to
anyone except the addressee, unless they so request in writing.

f.
Hold undelivered parcels for the length of time directed by the sender, but
never more than 30 days.

g.
If the addressee requests delivery of a COD parcel which was refused when
it was first offered for delivery by the carrier, and it is being held because
the mailer requested a Form 3849-D service, collect the local rate of postage
as postage due, if delivery is made.  At the addressee's request, attempt
redelivery of a COD parcel which was not refused when first offered by a
carrier for delivery.  Do not charge extra postage.  If a written request is
received requesting redelivery, make a second delivery attempt, provided the
request conforms with 914.172 and the fee listed for this service in
914.21 has been paid.  Do not charge additional postage for this
delivery attempt.

h.
When delivery of a COD parcel has been attempted twice by carrier, postage
at the local rate must be paid for each additional attempt.

i.
No local rate of postage is charged for renewed attempts to deliver COD
mail prepaid at the First-Class rate of postage.

j.
The recipient must have the exact amount of the COD charges, as the carrier
is not furnished change.  The carrier may also accept a check from the
recipient, made payable to the mailer for the amount of the COD charges. When
the recipient pays by check, the carrier does not collect a money order fee.
Unless otherwise directed, the COD article may be delivered to the addressee's
employee, to a competent member of his family, or to other persons (see
153.2).

k.
The addressee or representative may read and copy the name and address of
the mailer from COD mail while it is in the possession of the postal employee.
 Examination of the contents may be made only after the COD charges have been
paid and delivery has been made.

l.
Get receipt from sender on the back of the COD tag when delivering on
return to sender.  Form 3883 must be used if an average of three or more
packages are delivered to the sender at one time.

914.52 Collection of Charges.
Collect charges as follows:

a.
At time of delivery, collect the charges entered on the tags. The recipient
may pay the charges either by cash (in which case a money order fee is
collected), or by check payable to the mailer (no money order fee is
collected).  Do not accept checks payable to the U.S. Postal Service.  Accept
checks issued by businesses using the procedures specified in Handbook F-1,
Post Office Accounting Procedures. Delivery employees must accept
checks and see identification as follows:

(1)
The recipient's name and complete address must be printed on the check.
The recipient's telephone number must be recorded on the check.

(2)
When a recipient is known by name to the postal employee delivering the COD
article, the employee making the identification should note "Customer Known"
on the back of the check, sign it, and also record one of the current forms of
identification listed in 914.52a(3) below (preferably, a driver's
license).

(3)
If the recipient is unknown, one current form of identification from the
following list must be recorded on the front of the check, in the memorandum
area in the lower left-hand corner, as specified in Handbook F-1,
310.

(a)
Driver's license;

(b)
State-issued, nondriver identification;

(c)
Passport (foreign or domestic); or

(d)
Military identification card.

If none of the above is available, enter on the check the issuing
company's name from two of the following documents:

(a)
Credit card bearing the recipient's signature (do not record credit card
numbers) or

(b)
Other credential showing the signature of the recipient.

Social Security cards are not acceptable identification.

(4)
Compare the signature on the check with the signature on the
identification.  If the signatures do not match, do not accept the check.

(5)
Record the COD number on the check.

b.
If the money order fee is not correctly stated on the tag, correct the fee
and report the error to the postmaster at the office of mailing on Form 3827.

c.
If there is a difference between the amount of charges shown on the tag and
the amount shown on the package, collect the higher amount. Hold payment until
the correct amount is ascertained from the mailing office; then return any
overpayment.  If the recipient does not pay the higher amount, hold the
package until information regarding the correct amount is received, but never
more than 30 days.

914.53 Notification of Abandonment.
When COD mail is abandoned, notify the sender in writing.  Enter the date
of the notification on the COD tag, and place the tag in the files.

914.6 Issuance of Payment

914.61 Preparing Money Orders.
Issue money orders on the day packages are delivered or the first business
day following day of delivery, except that for deliveries made on Friday, COD
money orders may be prepared on Monday or the first business day following
Sunday.  Prepare as follows:

a.
Enter the complete name and address of the sender of the package under "Pay
To," and the complete name and address of the addressee under "Purchased By."

b.
Place the complete COD number in the block labeled "COD No. or Used For:."

c.
Endorse "Illegible" or "Omitted" in the space provided for the COD number
(opposite "For") on the money order, if necessary.

d.
Prepare and enclose Form 3833 with the  check or money order, if
information on a tag is illegible, incomplete, or omitted.

e.
If the tag has an extra coupon to be returned to the sender, keep it with
the money order.  Do not pin or staple the money order, since it must later be
processed by computer.

f.
Staple customer's receipt for the money order to the COD tag.  At offices
with 950 or more revenue units, file them according to the last two digits of
the COD number.  At offices with 949 or less revenue units, file them by the
last digit only.

g.
The post office voucher copy of the money order is placed in sequence and
handled with vouchers for other orders issued that day.

914.62 Remitting to Sender.
Mail checks in a penalty envelope and money orders in an EM03 penalty
envelope on the day of issue or not later than the following workday.  Use
prepaid (or business reply) envelopes, when furnished by mailer.  Enclose any
extra COD tag coupons to be returned.

914.63 Missing or Illegible Name of Sender.
Deliver to the addressee and collect charges on a COD package received
without name and address or with illegible name and address of the sender.
Obtain name and address of the sender from the addressee and  request the
postmaster at the office of mailing to verify name and address.   If the
mailing records do not show name and address of the sender, the mailing
postmaster must obtain a statement from the person named as sender verifying
that person as sender.  The mailing postmaster must send this statement to the
office of delivery.  Attach the statement to the delivery record and issue the
money order.  If the sender's name cannot be obtained, allow the addressee to
pay for the article in cash only.  Carry the amount as a trust item for 1
year.  If not claimed, remove from trust and enter in AIC 126,
Miscellaneous Nonpostal Revenue.

914.64 Payment by Check

914.641
The recipient's check must be made payable to the mailer. Checks must be
processed daily as provided in 914.61.  Prepare as follows:

a.
Examine check for completeness.

b.
Enter COD number in memo portion of check if addressee has not already done
so.

c.
Correct the address printed on the check, if necessary.

d.
Annotate the back of the COD form to show that payment was made by check.
Enter the check number and date the check was mailed.

914.642  Remitting to Sender.
Return check to mailer in accordance with 914.62.  File COD tag
in accordance with 914.61f.

914.643  Missing or Illegible Name of Sender.
Obtain the name and address of the sender from the recipient and request
the postmaster at the office of mailing to review the sender's mailing receipt
in order to verify that the package was mailed by him.  If the sender cannot
be verified, and the recipient desires to pay cash, deliver the article in
accordance with 914.63.  Otherwise, handle the article in accordance
with 159.4.

914.65 Returned Money Orders and Checks.
Try to obtain the correct address for money orders and checks returned as
unclaimed.  If the payee cannot be located, handle as follows:

a.
Forward the money order and a statement of the facts to the Money Order
Branch, St. Louis Postal Data Center (for address, see Address List in
Appendices).

b.
Send money orders returned to postmasters endorsed "Refused," "Out of
Business," or Fictitious," to the same address.

c.
Annotate the back of the COD tag to show when a check has been returned and
forward the returned check to the customer.

d.
If money orders or checks are returned to postmasters as "Fraudulent," make
every effort to return the check to the customer, or the amount of the money
order to the purchaser.  If this cannot be accomplished, forward money orders
to the Money Order Division and attach checks to the COD tag and file the tag.
 In each instance, note the disposition of the money order or check on the COD
tag and file the tag.

914.66  Missing and Illegible Tag.
Fill out a COD tag and mark it "Duplicate."  If sufficient information is
not on the parcel to complete a tag, contact the mailing office to obtain the
information.

914.67  Loose or Tape-On Tags.
Handle as follows:

a.
Try to connect the tags with the packages from which they became detached.
If a loose tag cannot be connected with a package and there is no record of
the COD parcel, ask the addressee whether he received it without paying COD
charges.  If so, collect the charges and remit to the sender.  If collection
cannot be made, report the matter to the inspector-in-charge.  If the loose
tag cannot be related to a transaction, file the tag for 6 months in order
that it may be related to a possible inquiry or claim.

b.
If a loose tag is found in transit and it cannot be connected with the
package, send it to the postmaster at the office of address for handling in
accordance with these instructions.

c.
When tape-on tags, Form 3816-AS, have been used on the parcels, fasten the
loose ends down before forwarding or returning the parcels.

914.68 Protection.
Accord COD mail every reasonable safeguard.  Prevent access to the mail by
unauthorized persons.  Keep such mail in locked cabinets, if available.

914.69  Claims and Inquiries Regarding Nonreceipt of Checks or Money Orders

a.
Inquiries or claims involving the nonreceipt of recipient's checks or money
orders must be submitted on Form 3812 in accordance with 149.2 and
149.3.

b.
The postmaster at the office of address must indicate whether or not post
office records show delivery, including the date of delivery, to whom
delivered, whether payment was made by either check or money order, and the
check or money order number (see 149.343b(1)(b)).

c.
Postmasters must not participate in any disputes regarding the recipient's
check.

914.7 Special Instructions

914.71 Mail-Opening Units.
Handle the mail as follows:

a.
Give COD special delivery mail to the special delivery unit without
recording it or obtaining a receipt.

b.
Separate all COD mail not to be delivered from stations and give it to the
recording or delivery unit without making a record or obtaining a receipt.

c.
COD mail for delivery by stations must be dispatched to stations in
separate sacks labeled "COD" and marked for the superintendent.  Do not
postmark the tags or make a record on any bill.

914.72  Assignment  and Reporting

a.  Window Delivery.
Give mail for window delivery to the delivery section without receipt.

b.  Other Delivery.
Use Form 3867 to show the total number of pieces given to each carrier.
Obtain the signature of the carrier on Form 3867.

c.  Firm Mail.
Prepare Form 3883 in duplicate for addressees who receive an average of
three or more pieces at one time, and for a large volume of returned COD
articles.  Use a duplicate of the firm bill as the chargeout, and retain it
after the carrier turns in the receipted bill.

d.  Undelivered Articles.
Give to the delivery section, without receipt, undelivered packages
awaiting call of addressee.

e.  Reports.
Each employee delivering COD mail to the public must make a report on Form
3821 to the designated supervisor or to the station or branch superintendent
or designee (if under system B, see 914.74).  Prepare Form 3821 in
duplicate. Keep the copy as a personal record, and deposit the original in the
locked receptacle provided for carriers.

f.  Disposal.
Depending on whether the office operates under system A or B, as explained
in 914.74, dispose of Forms 3821 as follows:

(1)
Under system A, remove Form 3821 from the locked receptacle each day for
transmission to the accounting unit.  No employee having responsibility for
preparation of Forms 3822 or Forms 1412-A and Forms 1412-B shall have access
to the Forms 3821 deposited in the locked receptacle for transmission to the
accounting unit.

(2)
Under system B, Forms 3821 are removed from the locked receptacle by the
station or branch superintendent or designee.

914.73 Clearance.
Clear carriers in the following manner:

a.
Have the carriers account for all COD mail charged to them either by
turning in signed receipts, including the charges due sender and the money
order fee, or returned articles.  If any article is not accounted for, make an
immediate report to the supervisor.

b.
Sign and give back to the carrier Form 3821.

c.
If undeliverable COD articles returned by a carrier are forwarded or
returned, show disposition on Form 3867 and prepare a disposition record on
Form 3849, including the name and address of the addressee.  File the Form
3849 with the delivery receipts.

d.
Give to the delivery section, without receipt, undelivered packages
awaiting call of addressee.

914.74 Remitting Units

a.
All units effecting delivery of COD mail must complete Form 3822 in
duplicate, each day.

b.
If both carrier and window deliveries are being accounted for at the same
unit, enter the collections for both on the same Form 3822.

c.
System A and system B are authorized.  System A applies when all COD money
orders are issued at the main office.  System B applies when COD money orders
are issued at delivery stations and branches, including rural stations and
branches.

d.
At offices operating under system A, verify and forward the original copy
of Form 3822, the adding machine tape, and the COD tags to the superintendent
of the main post office window unit.  Issue payment as outlined in
914.6. On Form 3822, show separately the amounts to be remitted to
sender by check and by money order.  On the adding machine tape, list the
amount of charges separately in the following order:

(1)
Amount of charges where payment was received by check,

(2)
Amount of charges where payment was received by cash, and

(3)
Money order fee for each tag included in (2).  Keep the tags in the
same order as amounts shown on the tape.  Forward the duplicate copy of Form
3822 with the verified adding machine tape to the accounting unit in support
of Form 1412-A or Form 1412-B.  Forward the COD tags to the unit that files
the tags.

e.
At offices operating under system B, the following procedures are done:

(1)
The COD clerk must: (a) deliver directly to the money order clerk the COD
tags with adding machine tape, the cash and checks, and Form 3822 in
duplicate, each prepared in accordance with 914.74d; (b) obtain the
money order clerk's receipt on Form 3822; and (c) deliver the original to the
station or branch superintendent or designee, and retain the copy for 3 months.

(2)
The money order clerk must (a) verify the cash, the number of COD tags, and
the amount shown on Form 3822; (b) receipt and return Form 3822 in duplicate
to the COD clerk; (c) issue the money orders the same day delivery is
effected, if practical, and send to senders with identification coupons, if
any; (d) attach the customers' receipts to the corresponding COD tags and
deliver them with adding machine tape, separately listing charges and money
order fees, to the superintendent or designee, with funds representing COD
money orders not issued; and (e) process COD tags with checks made payable to
the mailer in accordance with 914.64.

(3)
The station or branch superintendent, or designee receives the receipted
original Form 3822 from the COD clerk and compares the amounts thereon with
the totals on Forms 3821.  These must agree.  This employee also receives the
COD tags from the money order clerk with customers' receipts attached.  Verify
separately all COD tags annotated to show payment by check.  Funds
representing COD money orders not issued are recorded as trust funds on Forms
1412-A or Forms 1412-B and Forms 3083.  COD tags are sent to the main office
for filing.  The original Form 3822 and supporting Forms 3821 are retained at
the delivering station or branch and filed by date. The cash is accounted for
as money order funds on Form 1412-A or Form 1412-B.

(4)
The station or branch superintendent, or designee, is responsible for
ensuring that the check required by 914.75g is performed at the
station branch.

(5)
COD delivery units of the main office must follow the procedures in system
A.

914.75 Main Office Window Unit

a.
Issue the money orders and mail recipient's checks to the mailer, if paid
by check (see 914.62).

b.
Staple the customer's receipt to the COD tag if appropriate, or annotate
the back of the COD tag as required in 914.64.

c.
Add separately the amounts of the money orders and fees covering the tags
from each unit.  If the totals agree with those on Form 3822 and the adding
machine tape, no further verification is necessary.

d.
Complete the money order accountability report.

e.
Forward receipted Form 3822 to the accounting unit.

f.
File COD tags in a separate file for semimonthly, monthly, or quarterly
periods, by the last two digits of the package numbers.  Postmasters may
maintain this file in the inquiry section if more advantageous.

g.
Check 1 day's COD business each month to make sure money orders are being
properly prepared and promptly issued and that COD tags are properly annotated
when paid by check.  The check must be made by employees who do not issue
money orders.  This check must be performed under both systems A and B.

914.76  Separation of Duties.
Do not assign an employee engaged in the handling of COD mail or funds or
in the issuance of COD money orders to handle inquiries or claims covering COD
mail, unless this is unavoidable.  If the quantity of mail does not justify
separate recording and delivery sections and the duties can be performed in
one section, or if the duties of one or both sections can be performed in the
registry section, submit a statement of the facts to the director, city
operations, at the division.

914.77 Check of COD Business

a. Intervals.
At irregular intervals, but not less than twice a month, the postmaster
must make a critical examination of the COD business.

b. Method.
Perform the examination as follows:

(1)
Select at random three or more sheets of Form 3867 which have COD articles
listed on them during the period to be checked.

(2)
Check "open" items against the on-hand packages.  Packages should be on
hand.

(3)
Check the COD tag file to verify that packages shown on Form 3867 have been
delivered.  Where applicable, compare dates of money orders with dates of
delivery as shown on the COD tags and Form 3867.

(4)
Compare the date of mailing office postmark with incoming postmark to
detect any pattern of delay beyond normal transit time, which would suggest
incoming postmarks are being falsified.

(5)
Select at random several delivering employees' receipts and, if paid by
money order, compare dates of delivery with recorded dates of COD money orders.

(6)
Ensure that senders' return instructions are being observed, and that
returned packages are properly endorsed to show the reason for nondelivery and
the dates addressees were notified.

(7)
Report immediately to the inspector-in-charge any irregularity indicating
possible manipulation of COD funds or records.  Do not reveal to employees the
fact that a report has been or will be made.

914.8 Registered COD Mail

914.81 Acceptance

Endorse the COD tag with the word "Registered."  Place the registration
number on the tag and place a COD endorsement, registry endorsement, and
registration number on the address side of the package.  If it cannot be
affixed to the address side, fasten it to the back of the article in such a
manner as to permit the inspection of the postmark.

914.82 Receipts and Office Records

914.821
Mark the sender's receipt and the office registration record "COD" and show
separately the amount of COD charges, COD fee, and postage paid, in addition
to particulars required to be kept of registered mail.

914.822
Detach and destroy the mailing office and sender's receipt portion of COD
tags, since firm registration receipts, Forms 3877, and other registration
records take the place of these records.

914.823
In individual registration receipts, use Forms 3806.  Enter the COD data on
the back of the receipt.

914.83 Dispatch from Post Offices.
Dispatch registered COD mail with word "COD" opposite the entry of mail. Do
not enter the amount of COD charges on the dispatch record.  If the dispatch
does not consist entirely of registered COD mail, enter the word "COD"
opposite the entry of each registered COD article.

914.84 Handling and Delivery

a.
Include the mail with other registered mail, and handle in accordance with
the methods prescribed for handling other registered mail.

b.
Handle the charges collected in the same manner as charges collected on
unregistered COD mail.

915 Special Delivery

915.1 Description.
Special delivery service provides expedited delivery under the conditions
specified in 915.5.  This service is available for all classes of
mail, except Express Mail.  It can be combined with these other special
services:  certified mail, COD mail, insured mail, registered mail, or return
receipt for merchandise.

915.2  General.
Special delivery mail is given preferential handling to the extent
practical in dispatch and transportation.  The special delivery fee does not
insure the article against loss or damage.  Money or other valuables sent
special delivery should also be registered or insured.

915.3  Fees in Addition to Postage.
The special delivery fees are:



Class2 lbs.Over 2 lbs. butOver
of Mail                        or lessnot over
 10 lbs.10 lbs.
First-Class and Priority Mail$7.65 $ 7.95$ 8.55
Other Classes$8.05 $ 8.65$ 9.30






Class of Mail 2 lbs. or less Over 2 lbs. but not over 10
lbs. Over 10 lbs.
First-Class and
Priority Mail                             $7.65  $7.95  $8.55
Other Classes                          $8.05  $8.65  $9.30



915.4 Mailing Procedures

915.41  Payment

a.
Except for official mail (see 137.264), the special delivery fee
must be paid at the time of mailing.  The special delivery fee may be paid by
special delivery stamps, ordinary postage stamps, or meter stamps.  The
special delivery fee must be paid in addition to regular postage.

b.
For official mail, the special delivery fee is collected from Federal
Government agencies and departments under the reimbursement procedures in
137.2.

915.42  Marking.
The words "Special Delivery" must be marked prominently on such mail as
described in 121.44.

915.5  Delivery

915.51  Points.
Special delivery mail is given immediate delivery at the office of address
during prescribed hours to the following provisions.  (If delivery cannot be
made under any of these provisions, the post office delivers the article as
ordinary mail.)

a.
Points within a radius of 1 mile of any post office, station, or branch,
except contract and rural stations and branches.

b.
Points within the city delivery limits of any post office with this
service, including customers of rural routes residing within the 1-mile limit.

c.
Residences on rural routes if the road is passable and is located within
1/2 of a mile of the rural route; otherwise, mail is left in the box.  The
carrier makes the delivery on the regular trip.

d.
Customers of nonpersonnel rural units if their residence is within 1/2 of a
mile of the unit and if the road leading to the residence is passable.
Otherwise, the mail is left in the customer's box at the unit.

e.
Points within a 1/2 mile of a highway contract route by the route carrier,
who may make such delivery on a regular trip if the deviation from the regular
route does not delay the carrier in meeting schedule requirements.

f.
Customers with boxes erected on the city delivery boundary line, and, if
the customer lives no more than three blocks beyond, and there is a passable
walk or street to the residence or business.  If there is no passable walk or
street, the carrier leaves the article in the box if the box can accommodate
it.  Otherwise, the carrier leaves a notice in the box.

915.52  Hours of Delivery

a.  City Delivery Offices

(1)
Normal hours of delivery begin at 7 a.m. and end at 11 p.m. or midnight,
contingent upon the last major mail receipt.  Depending on local conditions,
first-trip delivery may begin as early as 6 a.m. or as late as 8 a.m.
Delivery on the first trip should be completed within 4 hours of the special
delivery messenger's departure from the office.

(2)
Special delivery messengers should leave the delivery unit ahead of the
regular letter carriers serving the same territory.  Make every effort to
deliver special delivery mail ahead of ordinary mail.

(3)
Deliver special delivery mail in business sections by regular letter
carrier on the first trip if delivery can be ensured before 8:30 a.m. and
ahead of the special delivery messengers.

b.  Noncity Delivery Offices.
Normal hours of special delivery are 7 a.m. until the closing hour of the
post office.  Unless there is a demand for earlier delivery, postmasters may
authorize messengers to depart as late as 8 a.m. on the first trip.  Deliver
special delivery mail arriving after the office is closed, but no later than 9
p.m., provided the postmaster or an employee is on duty.

c.  Sundays and Holidays.
Schedule deliveries as needed, but not to exceed a maximum of three trips,
one each in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

d.  Outside Regular Delivery Hours.
If special delivery mail arrives outside regular delivery hours, notify
customers by telephone, if practicable.

e.  Unusual Conditions.
Postmasters and postal employees are expected to exercise diligence and
ingenuity to accomplish the prompt delivery of special delivery mail.

915.53  Frequency.
Make a maximum of four daily citywide trips.  If unusual conditions exist
and postmasters believe they need additional trips, obtain specific authority
from the field division, general manager/postmaster.  Establish fixed
schedules to coordinate with major mail receipts to ensure that the maximum
number of available special delivery mailpieces are delivered on each trip.
Establish an additional midmorning trip in the central business sections, if
needed.  Schedule one of the citywide trips in the mid or late afternoon to
provide delivery of all available special delivery mailpieces to firms before
the normal closing hour.  The last citywide trip should connect with the last
major mail receipt.  However, messengers should not leave after 9 p.m.

915.54  Delivery Procedures

915.541  To Addressee

a.
Deliver ordinary mail sent as special delivery mail to the addressee or to
anyone authorized to receive the mail.

b.
At city delivery offices, special delivery mail (other than registered and
insured) addressed to a post office box or to general delivery is delivered to
the box or held for delivery through the general delivery window.  When
special delivery mail is addressed to a street address and the addressee
usually receives mail through a post office box, deliver the mail as addressed.

c.
At offices not having city delivery service, deliver all special delivery
mail to the residence or place of business of the addressee, unless the
addressee files a written request that such mail be held for delivery through
the general delivery window.

915.542  Delivery in Receptacles

a.
When no one is at an address to receive mail, and the messenger determines
that the occupants are absent for not more than 1 day, the messenger leaves
the mail and a completed notice on Form 3849.

b.
When mail cannot be delivered as described in 915.542a, the
messenger leaves a Form 3849 under the door, between the door and doorjamb, or
in the receptacle, stating where the special delivery mail is held.

915.543  By Rural and Highway Contact Route Carriers.
If delivery is attempted and cannot be made to a customer's residence or
place of business, deposit the special delivery matter in the customer's box
and leave a notice of nondelivery on Form 3849 at the residence or place of
business.

915.544  At Military Facilities.
No special delivery service is provided by military personnel at military
posts.  Special delivery by messenger is made only to addresses such as
officers' homes, headquarters, hospitals, etc., where it is definitely known
that delivery can be made.

915.6  Forwarding.
Special delivery mail that is forwarded is not entitled to special delivery
at the second office, unless a forwarding order was given by the addressee at
the office of original address before the arrival of the mail.

916  Special Handling

916.1 Description.
Special handling service provides preferential handling to the extent
practical in dispatch and transportation.  It does not provide special
delivery service.  Special handling parcels are delivered on regularly
scheduled trips as ordinary parcel post.

916.2 Availability.
Special handling service is available only for thirdand fourth-class mail.
 It can be combined with these other special services:  COD mail, insured
mail, and return receipt for merchandise.

916.3 Requirements.
Special handling is required for parcels containing baby poultry or honey
bees (see 124.63).  Parcels requiring special attention in handling,
transportation, and delivery should be provided special handling service.

916.4  Fees in Addition to Postage.
The fees for special handling are:



WeightFee
Not more than 10 pounds$1.80
More than 10 pounds 2.50



916.5  Marking.
The words, "Special Handling" must be marked prominently on the mail as
described in 121.44.

916.6  Forwarding

916.61
Give parcels undeliverable as originally addressed and forwarded to the
addressee at a new address special handling service without requiring an
additional special handling fee.  Collect additional postage at the regular
thirdor fourth-class rate on delivery.

916.62
Collect forwarding postage on official mail under the reimbursement
procedures in 137.11 and 137.21.

917 Business Reply Mail (BRM)

917.1 General

917.11 Description.
BRM service enables mailers to receive First-Class Mail back from customers
by paying postage only on the mail which is returned to them from their
original distribution of BRM pieces.  The permit holder guarantees payment of
the appropriate First-Class postage, plus a handling charge per piece, on all
returned BRM distributed under the permit holder's permit number.  All BRM
must be canceled to ensure that First-Class service standards are being met.

917.12 Special Services.
Special services (e.g., insurance, registration, certified, COD, return
receipts) cannot be used with BRM.

917.13 Distribution.
Business reply cards, envelopes, self-mailers, cartons, and labels may be
distributed by a valid BRM permit holder in any quantity for return to any
post office in the United States and its territories and possessions,
including military post offices overseas.  Refer to International Mail
Manual 132.2 for international BRM requirements.  Domestic BRM must not be
sent to any foreign countries.

917.14  Business Reply Mail Accounting System (BRMAS).
Mailers may obtain a reduced fee for the return of their BRM cards and
letters under the Business Reply Mail Accounting System (BRMAS).  BRMAS
provides an automated method of processing and rating BRM.  The requirements
for entry into the BRMAS are as follows:

a.
Mailers must pay for BRM through a business reply account as specified in
917.343 or 137.276g.

b.
Mailers must obtain an authorization in accordance with 917.213.
During the authorization process mailers are assigned a unique ZIP+4 code for
each rate category of BRM that to be returned to them under the system (one
for cards, one for letter-size pieces weighing 1 ounce or less, and one for
letter-size pieces weighing over 1 ounce and up to and including 2 ounces).

c.
The unique ZIP+4 code assigned during the application process must appear
in the address of each BRM piece distributed for return under this system.
The ZIP+4 code on each BRM piece must be the proper one assigned for the rate
category of the piece upon its return.  The ZIP+4 codes assigned for this
program must be used only on the appropriate BRM pieces of the organization.

d.
A barcode, prepared in accordance with 917.528b, that corresponds
to the unique ZIP+4 code that appears in the address as described in
917.14c, must appear on each BRM piece distributed under the BRMAS.

e.
Each BRM card or letter under the BRMAS must contain a FIM C.

f.
Each BRM card or letter must meet the automation size and paper stock
requirements of 917.6.

g.
All other requirements for BRM must also be met.
917.2 Permits

917.21 Application

917.211 Completing Forms.
The mailer must submit a completed Form 3614 and the annual permit fee to
the post office issuing the permit.  After receiving the form and fee, the
postmaster fills in the permit portion of the form and, if approved, assigns a
permit number.  The postmaster completes in duplicate Form 3544 and gives the
original to the mailer.  The postmaster returns the bottom portion of Form
3614 to the mailer.  (See 917.242 for exceptions when branches and
dealers are involved.)

917.212 Filing Forms.
Post offices file Form 3614 alphabetically by permit holder name.  A copy
of Form 3544 must be attached to Form 3614 as proof of payment.  Post offices
with a large number of BRM permits may file Forms 3544 in permit-number
sequence for a cross-reference.

917.213 Business Reply Mail Accounting System.
A mailer who wants to participate in the BRMAS must submit a letter of
request to the postmaster or to the manager, mailing requirements, at the post
office to which the pieces are to be returned, so that an account can be
opened on the BRMAS.  The mailer is provided with detailed instructions on how
to correctly prepare BRM, including the ZIP+4 codes to be used.  The mailer is
encouraged to provide for approval, preproduction sample BRM pieces that
properly show the ZIP+4 codes, barcodes, and other BRMAS and BRM requirements.
 A letter of authorization is issued to the mailer.  The mailer must have
a valid business reply permit as required in 917.211 and
917.22, or 137.276g, and must pay the annual BRM permit
fee and accounting fee for entry into the BRMAS.

917.22  Annual Permit Renewals.
An annual renewal notice is furnished to each BRM permit holder.  The
permit holder must return the renewal notice and payment to the post office
that issued the permit by the expiration date of the permit.  Management
sectional centers provide renewal notices for use by their associate offices.

917.23 Nonrenewed Permits.
When records indicate a permit was not renewed, the permit holder must be
informed in writing by certified mail that all BRM mail is to be held for 10
days and then returned to sender, if the permit is not renewed.  The following
methods must be followed if the permit is not renewed after the mailer has
been notified in writing and 10 days have elapsed:

a.
BRM is returned to the sender.

b.
BRM without the sender's return address is endorsed "Business Reply Permit
Canceled" and forwarded to the nearest dead letter branch for proper handling.

c.
BRM qualifying for the card rate and of no obvious value is treated as
waste.

d.
Mail distributed by branches and dealers of the permit holder is returned
to the post office where the permit is held for collection of postage and fees
from the permit holder.

917.24 Acceptance of BRM in Any Post Office

917.241 Acceptance Conditions

a.
BRM is processed and delivered when the piece reflects correct references
to the permit holder.  The permit holder's permit number, city, state, and
name must be printed on the distributed BRM.  Authorized representatives
distributing BRM in behalf of a permit holder must have the name of the permit
holder printed on the BRM and their own names and addresses printed below the
permit holder's name.  Post offices require authorized representatives to
apply for a permit and pay the permit fee if BRM is distributed without the
permit holder's name printed on the BRM.

b.
As an exception, permit holders must notify involved post offices via a
written authorization that authorized representatives may use their permit
number without printing the name of the permit holder.  In this instance, a
separate permit or permit fee is not required.

c.
Except as provided in 917.242a, a separate permit fee must be
paid at each post office where BRM is received.  An accounting fee must also
be paid at each post office where the permit holder wishes to establish a BRM
advance deposit account.

917.242 Return Through More Than One Post Office

a. Procedures.
A permit holder may distribute BRM through any post office for delivery at
any post office.  The permit holder is not required to pay an additional
permit fee to distribute or return BRM through other post offices, if the
permit holder:

(1)
Submits to the other post offices involved a written authorization showing
the name, address, and telephone number of the representative authorized to
receive the BRM; and

(2)
Provides to each post office involved a copy of a valid Form 3544 showing
payment of the BRM permit fee.

b. Exceptions

(1)
Sending a written authorization with each annual permit renewal is not
necessary, provided there is no change to the authorization on file at the
delivery unit.  The delivery unit must hold BRM if a written authorization is
incorrect.  See 917.23 for appropriate procedures in handling "held
BRM."

(2)
It is not necessary for branches of established businesses (i.e.,
franchises, department stores, etc.) to have written authorization from their
"parent" permit holder.  However, the delivery unit must have on file a letter
from the branch which provides the name, address, and telephone number of the
branch when annual permit renewals are made.

(3)
A BRM accounting fee is paid at each post office where the permit holder
wishes to establish a BRM advance deposit account.

917.243 Permit Holder's Guarantee.
The permit holder guarantees payment of postage and fees on delivery of
BRM.  Any concern distributing BRM under one permit for return to its
authorized representatives guarantees to pay postage on any returns refused by
any authorized representative.  Refusal to accept and pay the required charges
for BRM offered for delivery are grounds for immediate revocation of the BRM
permit.  Exceptions are as follows:

a.
When refusal involves authorized representatives, the BRM is forwarded to
the post office issuing the original permit for collection of the refused
postage and fees from the permit holder before the BRM permit is revoked.

b.
In all cases where BRM is improperly used as a label (see
917.522), the post office treats the item as waste.  The post office
does not consider the permit holder's refusal to accept and pay BRM charges
for improper use of BRM as a label as grounds for revocation of a BRM permit.
However, the use of a proper business reply label requires the permit holder
to pay postage in all cases.

c.
Permit holders must pay postage for incomplete, blank, or empty BRM cards
and envelopes.

917.3 Postage and Fees

917.31 General.
An annual BRM permit fee is charged once each 12-month period.  First-Class
postage and a BRM per-piece fee are collected from the addressee upon
delivery.  An annual accounting fee is also required if the permit holder
wishes to establish a BRM advance deposit account.

917.32 Zone-Rated BRM.
All BRM must be canceled.  First-Class zone-rated (Priority) BRM is rated
zone 1, if the zone cannot be determined from the cancellation or the sender's
address on the BRM piece.

917.33 Fees

917.331 Annual BRM Permit Fee.
The annual BRM permit and renewal fee is $75.

917.332 Annual BRM Accounting Fee.
The annual BRM accounting fee is $185.

917.333 Per Piece.
The applicable business reply mail fee must be collected for each piece of
business reply mail in addition to the single-piece rate First-Class postage
that applies to the mailpiece:



With business reply mail advance deposit account
Regular$ 0.09
BRMAS0.02
Without business reply mail advance deposit account
0.40



917.334 Schedule of Payment.
The applicable annual BRM fees must be paid once each 12-month period,
commencing on the anniversary date of the permit's issuance or previous fee
payment, whichever is later.

917.34 Payment of Postage and Fees

917.341 General.
Permit holders have three options for paying postage and fees on BRM
returned:  (a) in cash; (b) through a postage-due account; or (c) through a
business reply account.

917.342 Cash or Postage-Due Account.
Payment may be paid in cash or through a regular postage-due account, as
follows:

a.  Amount Collected.
The fee prescribed in 917.333 must be collected when the mailer
pays by cash or postage-due account.

b. Account Fee.
No business reply account fee is charged when the regular postage-due
account is used.  Use of a postage-due account does not qualify the BRM for
the lower per-piece charge given permit holders with a business reply account.

c. Affixing Meter Strips.
Postage-due  meter strips for the amount are affixed to the mail or to Form
3582-A.  These meter strips are delivered to the addressee with the mail when
the amount due is paid.

Exception:  This requirement is not applicable to mail processed under
the Business Reply Mail Accounting System (BRMAS), since the mailer receives a
Form 3611-X with the mail.  The Form 3611-X is also used to make the
appropriate deductions from the mailer's business reply advance deposit
account.

917.343 Business Reply Account

a. General.
A business reply mail (BRM) advance deposit account must be used only for
payment of postage and fees on BRM.  Payment of the annual accounting fee
prescribed in 917.332 reduces the BRM fee collected for each BRM
piece.  The annual accounting fee must be paid at each post office where mail
is returned to obtain the reduced fee.

b.  Amount Collected.
The fee prescribed in 917.333 must be collected when the mailer
pays by business reply account.

Exception:  Business reply cards and letters returned under BRMAS that
are rejected by USPS barcode sorters and found not to meet the machinability,
barcode, or other preparation requirements for BRMAS are charged the
appropriate First-Class postage plus $0.09 per piece.  In addition, if
improper barcodes appear on BRM pieces returned under BRMAS (for example, if a
barcode representing the card rate appears on a letter-size piece) the pieces
are subject to the appropriate First-Class postage plus $0.09 per piece.


c.  Other Applicable Conditions.
The following conditions apply to business reply accounts:

(1)
Only one billing is provided for each business reply account.

(2)
When a permit holder distributes BRM with different addresses or post
office box numbers under the same permit number in the same delivery unit and
is covered by one business reply account, the BRM is separated by each
different address or post office box number, but only one billing is provided
for the business reply account.

(3)
When a permit holder with a business reply account desires a separation of
charges, payment of a business reply accounting fee is required for each
billing prepared for each separation.  If a business reply accounting fee is
not paid for each separation, the permit holder pays the appropriate
First-Class postage, plus a charge of $0.40 per piece for each separation.

(4)
Permit holders must have a sufficient advance deposit account for their BRM
if using a BRM account.

d.  Insufficient Funds.
When a business reply account contains insufficient funds to cover the
amount due for postage and fees, the BRM is held and the permit holder
notified by certified mail.  If funds are not deposited within 3 days, the BRM
is treated as a cash or postage-due account transaction, and the permit holder
is charged the corresponding fee (see 917.333).  If funds are
deposited within 3 days, all BRM held during the 3 days is charged the
applicable fee for a BRM account transaction (see 917.333).

e. BRM Addressed to Different Firms.
BRM addressed to several different firms at the same delivery unit may be
delivered to an agent authorized by a valid business reply permit holder. The
agent pays one business reply account fee for all the firms represented by the
agent in the same delivery unit.  If the agent, or any of the firms
represented by the agent, desires a separation of charges, then the conditions
in 917.343c(3) are applicable.

917.344 Two or More BRM Pieces.
Two or more BRM pieces may be mailed as a single item, under the following
conditions:

a.
The BRM pieces are identically addressed and approximately the same size or
shape.  They must be securely or permanently fastened together.  String or
rubber bands are unacceptable.

b.
The dimensions of the combined item must not exceed the permitted maximum
size of 108 inches (length and girth) or the weight limit of 70 pounds.

c.
BRM postage-due calculations are based on the total weight of the item and
the appropriate First-Class postage, plus the BRM charge for one piece.

d.
When two or more BRM pieces mailed together become separated, BRM postage
and fee charges are calculated for each piece.

917.35 BRM Bearing Stamps

917.351
BRM with postage affixed is handled in the same manner as other BRM.  No
effort is made to identify or separate BRM pieces having postage affixed.
Applicable postage and fees are charged without deducting the amount of any
postage stamps affixed.

917.352 Refunds

a.
Business reply permit holders may request a credit or refund for the amount
of postage affixed to BRM pieces by submitting a completed Form 3533 to the
postmaster, along with evidence of the excess postage payment for which a
credit or refund is desired.  Permit holders are entitled to a refund for
postage affixed to BRM which may be attributed to printed endorsements which
solicit mailers to help reduce permit holder postage costs.  To receive
refunds for postage, business reply permit holders must present to the
designated office properly faced and banded packages of 100 identical BRM
pieces with identical amounts of postage affixed.  Exceptions to this are the
following:

(1)
A postmaster may accept a package of less than 100 business reply envelopes
if necessary to prevent loss or hardship to a mailer.

(2)
The address side of the envelope may be separated and submitted as
evidence, instead of the entire envelope, provided all address sides are
separated in the same manner.

b.
The per-piece charges in 917.333 are not refundable.  Only the
value of the First-Class postage affixed to the BRM may be refunded.  A charge
of $15 per hour, or fraction thereof, is to be assessed for the actual
workhours required to process the refund.  Deduct the workhour costs from the
amount of the refund.  If postal workhour costs are likely to be more than the
amount of the refund, inform the mailer and proceed only if the mailer insists.

917.353 Foreign Postage Refunds.
The permit holder is only entitled to a refund of the U.S. First-Class
postage rate charged to the permit holder, not any value of the foreign
postage stamps nor the BRM per-piece handling charges.

917.4 Address Alterations

917.41 General.
The address on BRM pieces cannot be altered to an address other than that
of the permit holder.  BRM items cannot be converted for any other purpose
than intended by the permit holder, even when postage is affixed.

917.42 Processing.
BRM with address alterations must be processed as follows:

a.
BRM qualifying for the card rate is treated as waste (see 159).

b.
Other BRM pieces with altered addresses must be endorsed "Return to
Sender."  If the BRM does not contain a return address, it is forwarded to the
nearest dead letter branch with the endorsement "Undeliverable as Addressed."

c.
The only acceptable alteration of address information on BRM would be when
the centralized markup unit (CMU) or the permit holder applies a label
containing the new address of the permit holder.  A new address label is
unacceptable if it interferes with the facing identification mark (FIM), if it
covers the permit holder's name printed on the BRM, or if a barcode was
previously printed on the item.

917.5 Format

917.51 General.
All forms of printing are permissible, provided they are legible to the
satisfaction of the Postal Service.  However, handwriting, typewriting, or
hand-stamping cannot be used to prepare the address side of BRM.  (See
137 for exception on official mail.)  Printed borders are not
authorized on business reply letters and cards; however, they are allowed on
business reply labels and cartons and envelopes larger than 6-1/8 inches high
or 11-1/2 inches long or 1/4 inch thick.  All colors of ink are acceptable,
provided there is at least a 30% reflectance difference throughout the red
spectral range of 550 to 775 nanometers (nm) between the paper and ink.

917.52 Format Elements.
See Exhibit 917.52b *viewer dmm919.pcx*  and Exhibit 917.52c.
*viewer dmm920.pcx*

Exhibit 917.52b Business Reply Mail Format Requirements (NOT SHOWN)

]
DMM919Exhibit 917.52b, Business Reply Mail
Format Requirements Note: Not drawn to scale.]


Exhibit 917.52c Business Reply Mail Format Requirements (NOT SHOWN)

]
DMM920Exhibit 917.52c, Business Reply Mail
Format RequirementsNote: Both FIM and Barcode must have at least
30% print reflectance difference and the combined effects of positional and
rotational skew must be limited to 5 degrees from the FIM or Barcode to
the top or bottom edge of the mailpiece. Note: Not drawn to scale.]


917.521 "No Postage Necessary * * *" Endorsement.
The endorsement "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES" must
be printed in the upper right-hand corner of the face of the piece. The
endorsement must not extend farther than 1-3/4 inches from the right edge of
the mailpiece.

917.522 Business Reply Legend.
The appropriate BUSINESS REPLY legend must appear above the address in
capital letters at least 3/16 inch high.  Authorized legends are as follows:




     Legend        For use on


BUSINESS REPLY MAILAll BRM except for business reply
labels.  (Cards must qualify for the lower
card rate--see 917.58.)

BUSINESS REPLY LABELThe legend "BUSINESS REPLY LABEL" means
that the permit holder guarantees payment
of First-Class postage upon the return of
mailable matter with the permit holder's
business reply label.  Items printed with
the legend "BUSINESS REPLY MAIL" are not
acceptable as labels.



917.523 Permit Number.
Immediately below the BUSINESS REPLY legend the words "FIRST-CLASS MAIL
PERMIT NO***" followed by the permit number and the name of the issuing post
office (city and state) must be shown in capital letters.

917.524 "Postage Will Be Paid * * *" Endorsement.
The legend "POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE" must appear below the
"FIRST-CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO * * *."

917.525 Address.
The complete address, including the name of the permit holder, street
address, and/or post office box number, city, state, and ZIP Code must be
printed directly on the mailpiece.  For pieces distributed under BRMAS (see
917.14), the address must include a unique ZIP+4 code that is
preassigned for the BRM piece and which identifies the type of BRM, the
applicable rate, and the individual permit holder.

Exception:  Preprinted labels with only delivery address information
are permitted for addressing BRM. However, the permit holder's name must still
be printed directly on the BRM.  See 917.56 for requirements for
window envelopes.  Permit holders are liable for the postage and fees on BRM
returned with improper addressing. Mailers are encouraged, but not required,
to use ZIP+4 codes and corresponding barcodes on BRM.

Other requirements are as follows:

a.
The bottom line of the address must be no lower than 5/8 inch nor higher
than 2-1/4 inches from the bottom edge of the mailpiece.  The space 5/8 inch
from the bottom edge and 4-1/2 inches from the right edge of the mailpiece is
reserved for barcodes.  A clear margin void of any extraneous matter (except
for the horizontal bars specified in 917.526) of at least 1 inch is
required between the left and right edges of the mailpiece and the address.

b.
There must be at least a 1/2-inch clearance between the ZIP Code and the
horizontal bars.

c.
Unique ZIP Codes, unless assigned exclusively for BRM/postage-due mail,
must not be used for BRM.  A unique 4-digit add-on to denote BRM cannot be
used with a unique 5-digit ZIP Code which was not specifically assigned to BRM.

d.
A company logo is permitted, if it is located no lower than the top of the
street address or the post office box line.  The logo must not interfere with
any of the required business reply endorsements.

e.
The upper left corner of the address side is available for permit holder
use (see Exhibit 917.52c). *viewer dmm920.pcx*

917.526 Horizontal Bars.
To facilitate rapid recognition of BRM, a series of horizontal bars
parallel to the length of the mailpiece must be printed immediately below the
endorsement "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES."  The bars
must be uniform in length, at least 1 inch long and 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch
thick, and evenly spaced.  The vertical column of horizontal bars must not
extend below the delivery address line, which is the line above the line
containing the ZIP Code.

917.527 Facing Identification Mark (FIM).
FIM is a vertical barcode pattern printed at the top right portion of the
address side of the BRM piece.  FIM functions as an orientation mark for
automatic facing and canceling equipment.  Requirements for FIM are as follows:


a.
A FIM must be printed on all letter-size BRM envelopes and business reply
labels (see 917.593) affixed to letter-size mail.  A FIM is not
required on BRM larger than 6-1/8 inches high or 11-1/2 inches long or 1/4
inch thick.  The following FIM types are applicable for BRM:

(1)
FIM B--For preprinted BRM, penalty, or franked mail without barcode.
Prevents rejection on the facer/canceler.

(2)
FIM C--For preprinted BRM and penalty or franked mail with barcode.  Allows
capture at facer/canceler.

b.
See Exhibit 917.52b, *viewer dmm919.pcx*  for FIM printing
location.  Each FIM bar must be at least 1/2 inch high.  Each bar must be at
least .03125 inch ( .008 inch wide).  Extraneous ink must not cause a
bar to exceed specified limits.  BRM is nonmailable when the FIM has
insufficient ink coverage, improper measurement, ink in the space between the
bars, or is either enlarged or reduced.

c.
The combined effects of positional and rotational skew must be limited to
plus or minus 5 degrees from the perpendicular edge of the printed FIM to the
top edge of the mailpiece.

d.
There must be at least a 30% reflectance difference throughout the red
spectral range of 500 nm to 775 nm between the paper and ink.

e.
Additional specifications for printing the FIM pattern and barcodes are
contained in Publication 25, A Guide to Business Mail Preparation.
USPS positives and specifications must be used for printing the FIM
pattern and barcode.  Positives are available, free of charge, from the local
post office account representatives.

917.53 Prebarcoding

917.531 General.
Prebarcoding of BRM is optional except for BRMAS participants, who must
prebarcode BRM with ZIP+4 barcodes specifically assigned by the Postal
Service.  Prebarcoded BRM must meet all general format requirements in
917.5 and the additional requirements in 917.532 through
917.534.  If other BRM is prebarcoded with a ZIP+4 barcode, it must
also meet the requirements in 917.535.

917.532 FIM C.
FIM C must be used for prebarcoded business reply mail (see
917.527).

917.533 Barcode.
Barcodes on prebarcoded mail must meet the following requirements (see
917.535 for additional requirements if ZIP+4 barcodes are used):

a. Location.
The location of the barcode must be on the address side of the mailpiece
and within a clear space known as the "barcode read area," which must be free
of any printing other than the barcode.  The read area extends 5/8 inch from
the bottom and at least 4-1/2 inches from the right edge of the mailpiece.
Within the read area, the leftmost bar of the barcode must be located between
3-1/4 and 4 inches from the right edge of the mailpiece.  The bottom of the
bars must be positioned 1/4 inch ( 1/16 inch) from the bottom edge of
the mailpiece (see Exhibit 551.2), *viewer dmm306.pcx*  and the
barcode must be completely contained within the solid rectangle shown in
Exhibit 551.2. *viewer dmm306.pcx*

b. Barcode Dimensions and Spacing.
A full bar must be .125 inch ( .01 inch) high.  A half bar must be
.05 inch ( .01 inch) high.  The width of all bars must be equal and must
be .02 inch ( .005 inch).  Horizontal spacing of the bars must be 21
 1 bar per inch.  Pitch (a bar and a space) must be limited to .045 inch
minimum and .05 inch maximum.

c. Background Contrast.
A print reflectance difference (envelope reflectance minus print
reflectance) of at least 0.3 (30%) is required between the background material
of the mailpiece and the barcode when measured in the red portion of the
spectrum at 650 nanometers.

d. Skew and Baseline Shift.
The combined effects of positional and rotational skew (slant) of the
barcode must be limited to a maximum rotation of the bars of  5 degrees
from a perpendicular to the bottom edge of the mailpiece.  The bottom of any
bar must not be more than .005 inch from the bottom of each adjacent bar.

e. Printing Irregularities.
Attached extraneous ink (connected to a bar) must not cause any bar to
exceed the maximum height or width dimensions.  Detached extraneous ink (not
connected to any bar or bars) in the barcode read area must not exceed .003
inch in any dimension or cause the space-to-background print reflectance
difference to exceed 10%.  Individual bars must not contain ink voids which
reduce bar width to less than .01 inch or remove more than .01 inch along the
bar height.

917.534 Inserts.
The barcode may be printed on an insert and appear through a barcode window
on an envelope under the following conditions:

a. Barcode Window Specifications

(1)
Windows must be covered with a clear plastic material, securely glued on
all sides;

(2)
Envelopes with barcode windows may be used only when the ZIP+4 barcode is
visible through the barcode window;

(3)
Windows must extend fully to the lower edge of the envelopes and must be of
wraparound construction;

(4)
The right edge of the window must be not less than 1/4 inch from the right
edge of the envelope; and

(5)
The left edge of the window must be not less than 4-1/2 inches from the
right edge of the envelope.

b.  Barcode Location Specifications

(1)
The ZIP+4 barcode must be located within the barcode clear zone which
extends 5/8 inch from the bottom of the envelope and 4-1/2 inches from the
right edge of the envelope;

(2)
The barcode must be at least 1/5 inch from the right edge of the window and
1/5 inch from the left edge of the window;

(3)
No printing other than the ZIP+4 barcode is permitted in the barcode clear
zone; and

(4)
The leftmost bar must be located 3-5/8 inches ( 3/8 inch) from the
right edge of the mail piece and from 3/16 to 7/16 inch from the bottom of the
envelope.

917.535 ZIP+4 Barcodes.
BRM prepared by BRMAS participants must be ZIP+4 barcoded and must meet the
barcode requirements in 917.532 through 917.534.  The ZIP+4
barcode is made up of a single field of 52 bars.  The information content of
the barcode is distinguished by the height of the bars, either tall (full) or
short (half) bars, which represent a "one" or a "zero" to a USPS barcode
sorter.  These bars, when separated into groups of five, represent each of the
nine digits of a ZIP+4 code, plus a tenth digit designated as a "correction
digit."  The first and last bars of the barcode are "frame bars" and must
always be full bars (see Exhibit 551.1). *viewer dmm305.pcx*   The
sequence of bars must represent the ZIP+4 code (including the appropriate
correction character) in the address of the piece, according to the code
defined in Exhibit 551.1. *viewer dmm305.pcx*  (Free camera-ready
Postnet barcodes are provided by the Postal Service.)

917.536 Format Review.
Postal inspection of prebarcoded BRM before printing is desirable but not
mandatory.  Permit holders receiving written postal approval of BRM before
printing could avoid the cost of either reprinting and distribution in the
event of a nonmailable ruling, or being ineligible for the BRMAS rate.

917.54 BRM Format Corrective Action

917.541 Permit Holder Notification of Errors.
The permit holder and authorized permit users must be notified, in writing,
of specific errors when BRM formats do not meet current postal requirements.
The permit holder is responsible for correcting BRM format and ensuring that
future formats meet specifications.

917.542 Repeated Errors and Permit Revocation.
Repeated instances of incorrect BRM formats, as determined by the Postal
Service, are grounds for revocation of the business reply permit.  The permit
holder must be notified by certified mail and allowed 10 days to respond
before a permit is revoked.

917.543 Reapplication for Permit.
To obtain a new permit after a BRM permit has been revoked for failure to
follow BRM format requirements, a mailer must complete a new application
on Form 3614, pay the required BRM permit fee, pay a new business reply
accounting fee if applicable, and submit two samples of each BRM format to the
appropriate post office for approval for the next 2-year period.

917.55 Envelopes

917.551
Paper envelopes used for BRM must have a minimum base weight of 20 pounds
(17 by 22 inches, 500-sheet base).  Nonpaper envelopes must be approved for
mailability by the Engineering and Development Center, U.S. Postal Service
(for address, see Address List in Appendices).

917.552
If the BRM envelope is made of paper with dark fibers, the print
reflectance difference (PRD) between the fibers and the background should not
exceed 10%.

917.553
Envelope paper must not have phosphorescence exceeding 3.0 phosphory meter
units (PMU) to avoid orientation problems in the facer/canceler. Envelopes
must have at least a 50% reflectance value.

917.554
Half-tone screening of less than 200 dots per inch must not be used in the
background of the address area of the envelope, since they cause OCR
interference.

917.555
BRM envelopes are nonmailable when sealed with wax, clasps, string,
staples, or buttons, or when all edges are not straight, or when the envelopes
are not rectangular.

917.56 Window Envelopes.
A BRM window or open-panel envelope must be prepared as follows:

a.
The endorsement "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES,"
horizontal bars, FIM, and the legend "BUSINESS REPLY MAIL" must be printed on
the address side of the envelope.  Other required format elements including
"FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO.," city, state, "POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY THE
ADDRESSEE," the permit holder's name and complete delivery address must appear
on the enclosure in the window or be printed on the envelope.

b.
There must be at least a 1/8-inch clearance and no extraneous (nonaddress)
printing around the edges of the address shown in the window, even when the
address is moved to its full limits inside the window envelope.

c.
The window must not be positioned lower than 5/8 inch (unless there is 4
inches of clear space for the printing of barcodes) from the bottom edge of
the envelope.  This area is reserved for addressing and barcodes.  The address
showing through the window must be that of the permit holder or an authorized
agent/dealer and must be at least 1 inch from the left or right edge of the
mailpiece.

d.
Materials covering windows must allow the address to be readable.

e.
Permit holders are responsible for the postage and fees on all BRM
returned, if the address is incomplete or cannot be read through the window.

917.57 Self-Mailers.
BRM self-mailers must be rectangular, at least 0.007 inch thick, and
contain instructions for folding and sealing.  Self-mailers are nonmailable
when sealed with wax, clasps, string, staples, or buttons and when they do not
have straight sides.  See 917.6 for additional requirements for
pieces entered under the BRMAS.

917.58 BRM Cards.
Cards must be rectangular in shape, not less than 3-1/2 by 5 inches or
greater than 4-1/4 by 6 inches, and of uniform thickness not less than 0.007
inch to qualify for the card postage rate.  Cards larger than those dimensions
are mailable but are charged at the First-Class rate for matter other than
cards.  See 917.6 for additional requirements for pieces entered
under the BRMAS.

917.59 Business Reply Labels

917.591 BRM Label Dimensions.
The following requirements apply to the size of BRM labels:

a. Labels for Other Than Letter-Size Mail.
The minimum size of a label with the legend "Business Reply Label" is 2 by
3 inches.  It is not necessary to print FIM or barcodes on these BRM labels;
however, all other BRM format requirements must be met.

b. Labels for Use on Letter-Size Envelopes.
The minimum size of a label with the legend "Business Reply Label" for use
on letter-size envelopes is 2-5/8 inches high and 4-l/4 inches long.  A FIM
must be printed on the label (see 917.593).  The label must be
coated with a permanent adhesive sufficient to firmly attach the label to an
envelope.  The labels must comply with the requirements of 917.525.
Horizontal bars must meet the requirements of 917.526.

917.592 Height of Horizontal Bars.
The series of horizontal bars on business reply labels must be at least 3/4
inch high.

917.593 Application of Label.
A BRM label not properly produced nor carefully applied to a letter-size
mailpiece can degrade the capability of automated equipment to process that
mailpiece.  The label must therefore meet the requirements prescribed in
917.591b.  Additionally, the BRM permit holder must comply with the
following:

a.
The permit holder must supply the user with instructions describing how the
label should be applied to the envelope and the precautions that must be
observed when applying the label (see Exhibit 917.593). *viewer
dmm917.pcx*   A pictorial diagram showing proper placement of the label
must be included with the instructions.  At a minimum, the following
instructions must be included:

(1)
Place the label squarely on the upper right corner of the envelope.

(2)
Do not write on the envelope or use an envelope with any printing other
than the return address.

(3)
Do not use a window envelope.

(4)
Do not use an envelope that is less than 1 inch taller than the label,
because a 1-inch clear space must remain below the label at the lower right
side of the envelope.

(5)
Do not use the label on an envelope that exceeds 4-1/2 inches in height.

(6)
Do not use tape to affix the label.

b.
The mailer must observe the requirements in 324.6 when printing
the address block on the label.

917.594 BRMAS Prohibition.
Business reply labels may not be distributed under BRMAS.

Exhibit 917.593 Instructions for Affixing a Business Reply Label
(Not Shown)
DMM917
Exhibit 917.593, Instructions for Affixing a Business Reply
Label
Note: Envelope and label are not drawn to scale.]


917.6  BRMAS Automation Requirements

917.61  Size Requirements

917.611  Letter-Size Pieces.
Each letter-size BRM piece must meet the following size requirements:

a.
 Its length must be at least 5 inches and not more than 11-1/2 inches;

b.
Its height must be at least 3-1/2 inches and not more than 6-1/8 inches;

c.
Its thickness must be at least .007 inch and not more than 1/4 inch; and

d.
Its length divided by height must fall between 1.3 and 2.5 inches.

917.612  Postcards.
Each business reply card must meet the following size requirements:

a.
Its length must be at least 5 inches and not more than 6 inches;

b.
Its height must be at least 3-1/2 inches and not more than 4-1/4
inches; and

c.
Its thickness must be at least .007 inch and not more than .0095 inch.

917.62  Additional Physical Requirements

917.621  Self-Mailers.
Self-mailers prepared under the BRMAS must be fabricated from paper having
a minimum basis weight of 20 pounds, using a 17- by 22-inch sheet size and 500
sheets, in addition to meeting all other requirements for BRM.

917.622  Cards.
Business reply cards prepared under the BRMAS system must (a) be printed on
paperstock meeting a standard industry basis weight of 75 pounds, with none
less than 71.25 pounds, for 500 sheets measuring 25 by 38 inches, and (b) have
a thickness of at least .007 inch and not more than .0095 inch.  The paper
must be free from groundwood except when coated with a substance which adds to
the paper's ability to resist an applied bending force.

Note:  BRMAS cards exceeding 4-1/4 inches in height, 6 inches in
length, or .0095 inch in thickness are subject to postage at the regular
single-piece First-Class Mail rate for matter other than cards (see
311.22), and must comply with 917.611.

918 Parcel Airlift

918.1 Definition.
Parcel airlift service (PAL) provides for air transportation of parcels on
a space-available basis to or from military post offices outside the 48
contiguous States.

918.2 Description of Service.
PAL is available for mail sent either thirdor fourth-class which is mailed
at or addressed to any overseas military post office outside the 48 contiguous
States.  PAL parcels are entitled to space-available air transportation, from
the post office of origin to the appropriate port of embarkation, for onward
dispatch to the overseas military post office or from the port of embarkation
for onward dispatch to a post office within the 48 contiguous States.

918.3 Physical Limitations.
Any parcel not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and
girth combined.

918.4  Fees.
In addition to the regular surface rate of postage, the fees for parcel
airlift are:



WeightFee
Not more than 2 pounds$ 0.35
Over 2 but not more than 3 pounds 0.70
Over 3 but not more than 4 pounds 1.05
Over 4 pounds 1.40



918.5 Marking.
PAL parcels must be marked with the large letters "PAL" on the address
side, preferably below the postage and above the name of the addressee. Postal
employees must place these letters on all such parcels at the time of
acceptance.

919 Merchandise Return

919.1  Description

919.11  General

919.111 Direct Return Shipments.
Merchandise return service allows authorized permit holders to pay the
postage and fees on single-piece rate First-Class, Priority, third-class, and
fourth-class mail (including parcel post, special fourth-class, library rate,
and bound printed matter) to be returned by their customers.

919.112 Priority Mail Reshipments.
Authorized permit holders may use merchandise return service to have mail
(previously sent at First-Class, third-class, and fourth-class rates to
designated post office box addresses) reshipped by Priority Mail to the post
office where the permit is held.

919.113 Reshipment Restrictions.
Reshipment is not available for items using registered, certified, COD,
insured, or other special services.  The customer must arrange to have
registered, certified, insured, and COD mail redirected to an address shown in
block 17 of Form 1093.  Customers must submit a written request for Priority
Mail reshipment of these items and must include in that request a statement
that the Form 1093 has been completed.

919.12 Reshipment Activation

919.121  Authorization.
The permit holder must make a written request for reshipment to the
postmaster where the merchandise return permit is authorized, and must specify
the frequency at which reshipments are to be made from each affected postal
facility.  The postmaster where the merchandise return permit is authorized
must advise the postmaster at each facility from which mail is to be reshipped
of the approved agreement by providing a copy of the customer's request and
the approval letter to the customer.

919.122  Tag Distribution.
Reshipment is activated by the use of tags provided by permit holders to
those designated postal facilities they authorize to reship their mail via
Priority Mail.

919.13  Direct Return Activation

919.131  Label Distribution.
Permit holders may distribute merchandise return labels to their customers
with written instructions on how to use them.  They may be distributed in the
following ways:

a.
Enclosed with merchandise in original shipment;

b.
Sent separately based on arrangements with a customer;

c.
Sent as part of a double postcard based on arrangements with a customer; or

d.
Made available for customer pickup at any location designated by the permit
holder.

919.132  Permit Holder Availability.
Merchandise return service is available to permit holders for mailing to
the postage-due unit at any post office where it has been authorized by an
approved application.  Merchandise return service may be established at

a.
any post office in the United States (not available for any foreign
country);

b.
U.S. territories and possessions; and

c.
any U.S. military post office overseas (APO/FPO).

919.133  Customer Mailing Options.
Customers must mail a parcel within the service area of the post office
shown in the return address portion of the label, using one of several options
described below.  Options listed under 919.133b, 919.133d,
919.133e, and 919.133f are not available for parcels
requiring registered mail, insurance, special handling, or certificate of
mailing services.  The option listed under 919.133b is also not
available for mailing acknowledgments.

a.
At the main post office or any associate office, station, or branch;

b.
In any collection box (except an Express Mail box);

c.
With any rural carrier;

d.
On business routes during regular mail delivery, if prior arrangements are
made with the carrier;

e.
As part of a collection run for other mail (special arrangements may be
required); or

f.
At any place locally designated by the postmaster for the receipt of mail.

919.14  Merchandise Return Label.
The label used for this service must contain the delivery address of the
postage-due unit at the post office there the permit is held, the address of
the permit holder, a space for the return address of the customer, and
otherwise meet the format requirements in 919.5.

Note:  Mailers must preprint the class of mail on the label if they
wish articles to be returned at other than single-piece third-class or
fourth-class parcel post rates.  The mailer must also preprint endorsements
indicating that registered mail service (for First-Class, including Priority
Mail, pieces only), special handling (for thirdor fourth-class pieces only),
or insurance is to be provided for the return of the pieces.  (See
919.41, 919.42, and 919.43.)


919.15 Merchandise Return Tag.
When sacks are used as mail containers for Priority Mail reshipment, the
permit holder must provide a tag (which must contain the same information as
specified in 919.14) to each affected postal facility.

919.16  Customer Acceptance

919.161  Labels That Do Not Request Special Services.
Customers may mail articles using merchandise return labels that do not
request any special services in any mail deposit receptacle, or at any other
place designated by the postmaster for receipt of mail, within the delivery
area of the post office shown in the return address of the label.  If mailed
at a post office outside the delivery area of the post office shown in the
return address, however, the articles must be brought to the window of a post
office.

919.162  Labels That Request Special Services.
Customers must bring articles bearing merchandise return labels that
request special services (registered mail, insurance, or special handling) to
a post office window.  These articles may be mailed at any post office because
they will be processed by an acceptance clerk.

919.163  Priority Mail Reshipment.
Under this arrangement, mail received at designated post office box
addresses for the authorized permit holder are reshipped using merchandise
return labels or tags provided by the permit holder.

