1.0 Elements of Addressing
1.0 Elements of Addressing
602 602.1.3
602 Addressing
602.1.4
required in the return address of all mail on which postage is paid with
precanceled stamps or company permit imprint, and in the sender’s return
address on Periodicals mail when “Address Service Requested” is specified.
Official mail (penalty mail) also requires a ZIP Code in the return address.
1.5.5 Postmark
An endorsement directing return to point of mailing (postmark) is not honored.
602.1.6
2.0 Restrictions
2.1 Dual Address
Mail with a dual address (both a street address and a Post Office box number) is
delivered to the address immediately above the city and state (or to the Post
Office box if both the street address and Post Office box are on the same line). If
a ZIP+4 code or 5-digit ZIP Code is used, it must correspond to the address
element immediately above the city and state (or with the Post Office box
number in the address if both the street address and Post Office box are on the
same line). These restrictions also apply to return addresses on mail (for more
information, see Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards).
3.1.1 Use
Alternative addressing formats may be used as described in 3.2 through 3.4.
602.3.1.3
3.1.3 Treatment
Mail with an occupant or an exceptional address format is delivered as
addressed and is not forwarded. Such mail is treated as undeliverable only when
the address is incorrect or incomplete or when the mail cannot be delivered for
another reason related solely to the address (e.g., a vacant building), as shown in
Exhibit 507.1.4.1. Periodicals publishers are notified when a mailpiece with an
occupant or exceptional address format is undeliverable for solely
address-related reasons (except publishers using an IMb with proper STID on
non-subscriber or non-requester copies as stipulated under 207.7.0). Mail with a
simplified address format is distributed to all deliveries on a route or to Post
Office boxholders. Undeliverable mail with any alternative addressing format is
disposed of as waste under 507.1.9.1, except for First-Class Mail, USPS Ground
Advantage – Commercial parcels, and Priority Mail under 507.1.5.1b.
602.3.2.4
3.2.4 Postage
Postage must be paid with permit imprint, meter indicia, precanceled stamps, or
other authorized methods not requiring cancellation, according to the standards
for the class of mail. Postage for pieces mailed as EDDM-Retail flats must be as
described in 144.
Example
POSTAL CUSTOMER
2711 ORDWAY ST NW APT 204
WASHINGTON DC 20008-5036
3.4.2 Placement
The exceptional address format must be placed in the address block, with the
following exceptions:
a. If all the current resident/occupant information cannot be placed on the first
or second line of the address, the exceptional address format may be placed
no more than 3/4 inch above the address block.
b. If an optional endorsement line (OEL) is used, the mailer may elect to place the
exceptional address format above the OEL. In these cases, the exceptional
address forma t must be at least 1/2 inch, but not more than 3/4 inch, above
the optional endorsement line. If a window envelope is used with an OEL, the
exceptional address information may be printed either in the area on the insert
showing through the window or on the envelope above the window.
4.1.1 Definition
Detached address labels (DALs) and detached marketing labels (DMLs) in their
basic form (4.3.1 through 4.3.5) may be used by mailers as an optional method of
printing addresses and postage indicia instead of printing addresses and
postage on the items mailed. In addition to the basic form under 4.3.1 through
4.3.5, DMLs also include advertising under 4.3.6. For these standards, “item”
refers to the types of eligible mail described in 4.2.1 through 4.2.2.
4.1.4 Documentation
When requested by USPS, DAL or DML mailers must provide documentation to
establish that the applicable distribution standards in 4.2.1 through 4.2.2 are met.
602.4.1.5
e. Must have an aspect ratio (length divided by height) from 1.3 to 2.5,
inclusive.
4.3.2 Addressing
The address for each item must be placed on a DAL and DML, parallel to the
longest dimension of the DAL and DML, and may not appear on the item it
accompanies. The DAL and DML must contain a delivery address and a return
address. In addition, if DALs or DMLs accompany saturation mailings of
Periodicals or USPS Marketing Mail flats, a correct Intelligent Mail barcode with
an 11-digit routing code must be printed on each DAL or DML except when
using a simplified address for Periodicals flats as allowed by standards.
4.3.6 Advertising
Advertising may appear on a DML, under the following conditions:
a. The DMLs must meet the physical characteristics under 4.3.1 and have a
correct Intelligent Mail barcode with an 11-digit routing code (see 204.1.0).
b. The advertising must not obstruct or overlap any of the required elements on
the front of a DML.
c. Advertising on the front of a DML must be to the left of the delivery address
and placed to maintain required clear spaces around the address and
postage payment (see 202 and 1.0).
d. Advertising may also appear on the back of a DML.
602.4.4.2
DMLs unless the initial notice and the cartons used for the DALs or DMLs and
items each conspicuously bears a mailing identification number. The letter must
contain the following information:
a. Name and telephone number of the mailer or representative.
b. Origin Post Office of the mailing.
c. Expected mailing date.
d. Description of the mailing.
e. Number of addressees for each 5-digit ZIP Code.
f. Number of DALs or DMLs per carton or bundle.
g. Number of items per carton or bundle.
h. Expected delivery period (range of dates).
i. Requested action for excess or undeliverable DALs, DMLs or items (see
4.5).
4.4.3 Basic Standards for Items Distributed with DALs and DMLs
[7-14-24] The following apply:
a. [7-14-24] Except for bundles of saturation flats placed directly on pallets
under 4.4.7, the items to be distributed with DALs or DMLs must be placed
in cartons or prepared in bundles placed in flat trays/sacks, subject to the
standards for the price claimed.
602.4.4.7
4.6 Postage
4.6.1 Prices
DAL or DML mailings are not eligible for automation prices, but the pieces may
qualify for carrier route prices, subject to applicable standards. Mailers must pay
a surcharge for each DAL or DML used with USPS Marketing Mail flats. See
Notice 123—Price List for prices.
a. Periodicals flats must be prepaid. A notice of entry must appear in the upper
right corner of the DAL or DML.
b. USPS Marketing Mail flats (except EDDM flats) and parcels and Bound
Printed Matter pieces must be paid by permit imprint, which must appear on
each DAL or DML.
c. [7-14-24] A surcharge applies to each DAL or DML used in a USPS
Marketing Mail flats mailing.
4.6.3 Returns
Postage for excess or undeliverable DALs or DMLs that are properly endorsed,
or for items being returned, is computed at the single-piece price (First-Class
Mail, USPS Ground Advantage – Retail, Priority Mail, or Package Services)
applicable to the combined weight of the DAL or DML, and the accompanying
item, regardless of whether both are returned. The total amount due for returned
material, which includes the return postage and the applicable address
correction fee for each DAL, DML, or item returned, is collected when the
material is returned to the mailer.
602.5.3
602.7.2
a. Each address and associated carrier route code on mailpieces (or DALs or
DMLs) in a mailing must be updated using one of the USPS-approved
methods in 6.2 and a product release that is within the USPS Product Cycle
in Exhibit 9.3.1.
b. Each individual address in the mailing is subject to the carrier route
accuracy standard.
7.2 Exception
The carrier route accuracy standard does not apply to mail of any class bearing a
simplified address format under 3.0.
8.2 Process
[1-21-24] PAVE evaluates the accuracy of presort products by providing test
address files to vendors. Vendors process the test file(s) through their presort
software or hardware and return the resulting presort documentation to the
USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for evaluation of the answers.
Each test file is evaluated for its accuracy of presort, compliance with current
DMM standards, accuracy of sack/tray/pallet tag labels, and general
acceptability of presort documentation. If the answers are accurate, the vendor’s
presort product is validated for a 12-month period or until the end of the current
annual period.
8.3 Participation
For information on participation in PAVE, presort product developers may
request the PAVE Program Technical Guide from the NCSC by calling
1-800-238-3150. Participants may use the PAVE form included in that guide to
order PAVE test files.
9.1.1 Purpose
The Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) improves the accuracy of delivery
point codes, ZIP+4 codes, 5-digit ZIP Codes, and carrier route codes on
mailpieces. CASS provides a common platform to measure the quality of
address matching software and to diagnose and correct software problems.
9.1.2 Requirement
Any mailing claimed at an automation price must be produced from address lists
properly matched and coded with CASS-certified address matching methods
listed below. A mailer using multiline optical character readers (MLOCRs) to print
delivery point barcodes on mailpieces must also obtain CASS certification
(including Multiline Accuracy Support System (MASS)) for the address matching
software used on the MLOCRs.
9.1.3 Methods
Delivery point or ZIP+4 coding may be obtained by using the CASS-certified
DPC address matching software with components DPV and LACSLink;
CASS-certified Z4CHANGE process; NCOALink; or DSF2 process.
9.2.1 General
Any user of address matching software that applies ZIP+4 codes to address lists
to obtain an automation price must use address matching software that is
CASS-certified. Address matching software used to ZIP+4 code address records
must, as part of its process, return a standardized address to ensure that the
ZIP+4 code or mailer-applied barcode represents the proper depth of code
available. The original input address submitted for coding may also be returned.
The CASS-certified address matching software must be used according to
specific parameter settings (configurations) as described below.
602.9.2.4
9.2.4 Use
When used for ZIP+4 or delivery point barcoding, the address matching software
and coding methods must have a valid CASS certification and use the current
USPS ZIP+4 Product updated to include all applicable change transaction files.
602.9.5
9.5 Documentation
602.9.6.5