Sequencing all carrier-route mail required in
2001 Combining low-volume carrier-route sacks
into one sack too
This column is a reprint from the August 21, 2000 issue
of Publishers' Auxiliary
The Postal Service has issued final rules on two proposals filed
in May and reported in this column in June and July. The National
Newspaper Association supported both, with some reservations, and
helped convince rules-makers to delay implementation until new rates
are in effect in January 2001.
One new rule would require Periodical packages of six or more pieces
to a carrier route to be placed in some form of delivery order,
either walk-sequence or "line-of-travel." Sequencing is
now optional at 125 pieces on a route, or 25 percent of active possible
deliveries in-county, for high-density rates. But sequencing will
be a requirement for the basic carrier route rate in 2001.
Mail not sequenced would pay a 5-digit rate, currently 8 cents
versus 4.3 cents for carrier route. Standard Mail already has the
requirement, so those newspapers with mailed shoppers are familiar
with compliance. The change should reduce costs of handling carrier
route mail in the future, keeping rates down from the sharp increases
proposed. The other rule will require that carrier route sacks with
fewer than 24 pieces be combined into a "mixed carrier routes"
sack to a 5-digit office, and to use a 5-digit scheme that combines
certain 5-digit offices in the same sack. It is aimed at reducing
the volume of sacks and related handling costs, and should also
lower mailer costs of sack preparation.
The sequencing requirement, difficult for some newspapers to comply
with, could have taken effect as early as September 9. The sacking
rule was proposed for October 15. But both will not be implemented
until early 2001.
Sherry Suggs, USPS manager of Mail Preparation and Standards, has
approved a companion policy at the request of NNA that affirms the
right of small newspapers (25,000 circulation or less) to receive
carrier route coding and/or sequencing from up to eight local offices.
In addition, her office has agreed to remind post offices that all
mailers have a right to obtain local sequencing information free
within 15 working days under the provisions of Domestic Mail Manual
A920.2.9.
The most important value of Suggs' policy letter is that it allows
mailers who obtained local sequencing information to have post offices
sign off every 90 days that the information is still correct when
no changes have occurred. This will avoid resequencing except when
routes are shuffled to balance workloads. The new policy letter
is available from NNA via fax-back service by calling Senny Boone
at (800) 829-4662 ext. 930.
HOW TO COMPLY
Sequencing rule
Sequencing information can be obtained locally by presenting a
list on cards (some offices will mark a printout of subscribers
by route). NNA recommends its members stick with exact walk-sequencing,
since it is readily available locally. Some software vendors can
also provide the service. Since NNA won a lower high-density in-county
piece rate of just 2.9 cents for having 25 percent of active possible
deliveries in walk-order, the potential is great for most newspapers
to save substantial postage.
Line-of-travel (LOT) sequencing, a less precise form of sequencing
to the ZIP+4 cluster, will NOT qualify newspapers for the high-density
rate. It can only be obtained by computerized list processing, costing
quarterly fees. Newspapers should think walk-sequence only!
Local offices cannot refuse you sequencing services under DMM A920.2.9.
Some are trying as pressure is on to cut carrier work hours. A refusal
should be appealed to the district manager, said Suggs. NNA is working
with postal headquarters to head off such problems. Suggs' policy
letter and form reinforces A920.2.9, specifying that small newspapers
with up to eight post offices can get sequencing information, and
get it signed off quarterly as accurate.
Newspapers that don't sequence in-county mail should start immediately.
It will sharply reduce in-county costs from 4.3 to 2.9 cents piece
rate when you have 25 percent of active possible deliveries. And
it will protect your carrier-route rate eligibility into 2001, while
helping keep costs low for the Postal Service and newspapers.
Sequencing date (or date of approval that sequencing is still valid
using the new NNA-suggested form), must be written in at line 22
(outside county) and line 53 (in-county). The date must always be
within 90 days of mailing. (Lines may shift in 2001.)
CAR-RT sacking rule
Carrier-route packages with fewer than 24 pieces must be combined
into a mixed carrier-routes sack to the 5-digit office. The pieces
still earn carrier-route rates. Further, if multiple 5-digits combined
in Labeling List L001 apply, the sack could be for more than one
5-digit.
The easiest way to comply with this new requirement is to make
sure your software vendor includes the rule change, and the L001
5-digit Scheme Labeling List, in the program. Then be sure your
mailroom follows the sortation statistics as provided, not as they've
"always done it." Some newspapers may want to purchase
improved software that includes such features.
It is feasible to comply by manual sortation using new Quick Service
Guide 231 in the DMM effective with the new rates, and a hard copy
of L001. Both will be available at USPS.com web site.
Max Heath is chairman of the NNA Postal Committee, and
one of two NNA representatives on the joint USPS-industry Mailers'
Technical Advisory Committee. He is a vice president of Landmark
Community Newspapers, Inc.
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