Enhanced efficiencies affect prices and shape becomes more important, weight less important.

	FCM letter size pieces over 3.5 oz will pay FLAT rates
	Standard Non-machinable letters over 3.3 oz will also pay FLAT rates.
	Flats that are not uniform in thickness, meet the flexibility or are not rectangular will pay PARCEL RATES in FCM;
	Standard Flats will pay PARCEL or NFM (Non-Flat Machinable) rates.

First-Class Presorted Letters Preparation changes

Machinable  and old sort rules 5-digit, 3-digit, AADC and MXD AADC now are AADC and MXD AADC

Standard Non-Auto Letters/Flats Preparation Changes

Old machinable rate tiers and basic sort rules are now using a 5-digit/scheme, 3-digit/scheme, AADC, and Mixed AADC.

Nonmachineable rate tiers were 3/5 digit and basic. Now they are 5-digit, 3-digit, AADC and Mixed AADC

Standard Parcels Preparation Changes

Flats Criteria

Flats Uniform Thickness

Flats Minimum Flexibility

Flats must be flexible. Boxes and box-like pieces (with or without hinges, gaps or breaks that allow the piece to bend) are not flats. Tight envelopes that are completely filled to form box-like pieces are not flats.

Ordinary magazines, catalogs & similarly bound publications are excluded from the flexibility test.
 

ALL FLATS – TESTING

1. Place the piece with the length parallel to a flat surface & extend the piece halfway off the surface

2. Press down on the piece at a point 1” from the outer edge in the center of the pieces width, exerting steady pressure
   The piece is NOT flexible if it cannot bend at least 1” without damage.

3. The piece IS flexible if it can bend at least 1” without being damaged and it does not contain a rigid insert. No further testing is necessary.

4. The secondary test applies if it can bend 1” without being damaged and it contains a rigid insert…..

Flats that pass the previous test & contain a rigid insert:

1. Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface & extend the piece off the surface.

2. Press down on the piece at a point 1” from the outer edge, in the center of the piece’s width, exerting steady pressure.

A piece 10” or longer should extend 5” off the surface. The piece is flexible if both ends can bend at least 2” without being damaged

A piece less than 10” should extend ½ of its length off the surface
The piece is flexible if both ends can bend at least 1” without being damaged

You must perform steps 1 and 2 on both edges.

Automation Flats - Maximum Deflection

Automation pieces must be flexible & must pass the ‘Maximum Deflection Criteria’ (Droop test for flimsy pieces)

For Pieces 10” or longer:
Place piece with length parallel to the edge of a flat surface & extend the piece 5” off the surface. Turn the piece around & repeat the process.

The piece is automation compatible if it does not droop more than 4”

For Pieces less than 10”
Place piece with length parallel to the edge of a flat surface & extend the piece ½ of its length off the surface. Turn the piece around & repeat process

The piece is automation compatible if it does not droop more than 1” less than the extended length.

Example – a piece 8” long would extend 4” off of the flat surface.
It must not droop more than 3”

Flat - Auto or Regular?

Flats with bound or folded edges may be tested by placing the bound or final folded edge parallel to the edge of the flat surface.

For bound or folded Automation Rate flats, the edge perpendicular to the bound or folded edge may not exceed 12”

Flats - Automation

If the piece is rectangular in shape, flexible and of uniform thickness…

It will also have to meet the AFSM 100 specs, including poly specs (overhang & seam)

No more ‘default’ to the UFSM 1000 specs (Excludes boxes & box-like pieces)

Non Flat Machinable - Standard Mail

NFM is a new category for Standard pieces with ‘parcel like’ characteristics, including rigid pieces. Many of these pieces would currently qualify as an auto flat under the UFSM 1000 specifications.

These pieces are actually handled as parcels – especially at delivery. This is a lower than parcel rate option.

Pieces are rigid, with the following dimensions:

1. At least 4” high, but not more than 12” high.
2. At least 4” long, but not more than 15-3/4” long
3. At least 0.009 thick, but not more than 1-1/4” thick.
4. Pieces less than 5” long must be over ¼” thick… almost all NFM pieces will fall into this definition.

But Not Flat Machinable pieces are also:

1. Flexible pieces that are at least 4” high, but not more than 12” high, with either of the following dimensions
2. Over 15” long, but not more than 15-3/4” long
3. Over ¾” thick, but not more than 1-1/4” thick

OR – Nonmachinable Letter-size pieces weighing more than 3.3 oz… unless they qualify to be mailed at Auto Flat rates.

Auto Flats - Address Placement

The address must be in view when the final folded edge is at the bottom of the piece, and any intermediate bound or folded edge is to the right.

Automation Compatible Letters - First Class, Periodicals and Standard

Definition of a full tray changes to between 85% and 100%
Pieces must be faced & upright to fill the length of the tray.

Reduced Overflow Tray OPTION for Auto Letters:
Instead of preparing overflow trays with fewer than 150 pieces, pieces may go into the next level, when a tray of 150 pieces can be made. The moved pieces retain the rate. – You can selectively apply the option by 3-digit or AADC

Rate markings will be for rate paid. – Machine operators & USPS Acceptance personnel will see 2 different rate markings in the same tray. This will be confusing to everyone, especially MERLIN.
 

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Superior Mailing Services, Inc.

6755 South Sayre Ave.
Bedford Park, IL. 60638-4724

Phone: (708) 728-0101
Fax: (708) 728-1070