707 Periodicals
2.0 Price Application and Computation
3.0 Physical Characteristics and Content Eligibility
4.0 Basic Eligibility Standards
5.0 Applying for Periodicals Authorization
7.0 Mailing to Nonsubscribers or Nonrequesters
8.0 Record Keeping Standards for Publishers
9.0 Changing Title, Frequency, or Known Office of Publication
12.0 Nonbarcoded (Presorted) Eligibility
13.0 Carrier Route Eligibility
14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Eligibility
22.0 Preparing Nonbarcoded (Presorted) Periodicals
23.0 Preparing Carrier Route Periodicals
24.0 Preparing Letter-Size Barcoded (Automation) Periodicals
25.0 Preparing Flat-Size Barcoded (Automation) Periodicals
26.0 Physical Criteria for Nonmachinable Flat-Size Periodicals
1.0 Prices and Fees
1.1 Outside-County—Including Science-of-Agriculture
1.1.1 Pound Prices
1.1.2 Piece Prices
All Carrier Route pieces: Saturation—$0.135; High Density—$0.153; Basic—$0.174
1.1.3 Bundle Prices
Price for each bundle containing Outside-County Periodicals mail (see 2.1.8 for how to apply these prices):
1.1.4 Container Prices
Price for each pallet, sack, tray, or other USPS-approved container containing Outside-County Periodicals mail (see 2.1.9 for how to apply these prices):
1.1.5 Discounts
1.1.6 Nonprofit Publications
7.0.
1.1.7 Classroom Publications
7.0.
1.1.8 Limited Circulation Publications
Publications, excluding Nonprofit, Classroom, and Limited Circulation Science-of-Agriculture publications receive a 5% discount off the total Outside-County postage, excluding the postage for advertising pounds, if eligible copies are mailed at In-County prices and the total number of Outside-County copies mailed for that issue is less than 5,000. Nonsubscriber or nonrequester copies claiming the Limited Circulation discount are subject to the standards in 7.0.
1.1.9 Limited Circulation Science-of-Agriculture Publications
Publications meeting the requirements of 11.2.2 receive a 5% discount off the total Outside-County postage, excluding the postage for advertising pounds, if eligible copies are mailed at In-County prices and the total number of Outside-County copies mailed for that issue is less than 5,000. Nonsubscriber or nonrequester copies claiming the Limited Circulation discount are subject to the standards in 7.0.
1.2 In-County
1.2.1 Pound Prices
1.2.2 Piece Prices
1.2.3 Discount
1.3 Ride-Along Price
1.4 Fees
2.0 Price Application and Computation
2.1 Price Application
2.1.1 Price Elements
Postage for Periodicals mail includes a pound price charge, a piece price charge, bundle and container price charges for Outside-County mail, and any discounts for which the mail qualifies under the corresponding standards.
2.1.2 Applying Outside-County Piece Prices
The per piece charge applies to each copy and each firm bundle in the mailing. Outside-County piece prices are based on the shape of the mailpiece (letter, flat, or parcel); the characteristics of the mailpiece (machinable or nonmachinable, see 18.4ab and 18.4ac); the application of a barcode; and the bundle presort level. Firm bundles and carrier route pieces pay separate piece prices that do not vary based on these criteria. For pieces properly prepared loose in trays, the price is based on the tray presort level. Apply piece prices for Outside-County mail as follows:
1. Apply the "Letters—Barcoded" prices to pieces that meet all of the standards for automation letters in 201.3.0 and include a barcode.
2. Apply the "Letters—Nonbarcoded" prices to pieces that meet the standards for all letters in 201 but do not include a barcode. Apply these prices also to pieces that are barcoded but do not meet all of the automation letter standards in 201.3.0.
1. Apply the "Machinable Flats—Barcoded" prices to pieces that meet all of the standards for automation flats in 301.3.0 and include a barcode. Apply the 5-digit price also to barcoded pieces prepared under the alternative flats criteria in 26.0 and placed in 5-digit bundles.
2. Apply the "Machinable Flats—Nonbarcoded" prices to pieces that meet all of the standards for automation flats in 301.3.0 but do not include a barcode.
1. Apply the "Nonmachinable Flats—Barcoded" prices to pieces that meet all of the alternative standards for flats in 26.0 and include a barcode. Exception: Barcoded pieces prepared under 26.0 and placed in 5-digit bundles pay the "Machinable Flats—Barcoded" 5-digit price.
2. Apply the "Nonmachinable Flats—Nonbarcoded" prices to pieces that meet all of the alternative standards for flats in 26.0 but do not include a barcode. Apply these prices also to all nonmachinable flats, whether or not a barcode is used.
d. Parcels. Apply the "Parcels" prices to all parcels, whether or not a barcode is used.
2.1.3 Applying In-County Piece Prices
An addressed piece can be a single individually addressed copy or a firm bundle containing unaddressed or individually addressed copies for the same address. The per piece charge is based on the number of addressed pieces (not the number of copies). For In-County mail, piece prices apply to each addressed piece, based on the sorting done by the publisher. Piece prices for automation mailings are based on the bundle level (or tray level for unbundled pieces in trays); piece prices for nonautomation mailings are based on the tray or sack level.
2.1.4 Applying Pound Price
Apply pound prices to the weight of the pieces in the mailing as follows:
a. Outside-County (including Science-of-Agriculture) pound prices are based on the weight of the advertising portion sent to each postal zone (as computed from the entry office) or destination entry zone, and the weight of the nonadvertising portion to a destination entry zone or a single price to all other zones.
b. In-County pound prices consist of a DDU entry price and an unzoned price for eligible copies delivered to addresses within the county of publication.
2.1.5 Computing Weight of Advertising and Nonadvertising Portions
The pound price charge is the sum of the charges for the computed weight of the advertising portion of copies to each destination entry and zone, plus the sum of the charges for the computed weight of the nonadvertising portion of copies to each destination entry and all other zones. The following standards apply:
a. The minimum pound price charge for any zone to which copies are mailed is the 1-pound price. For example, three 2-ounce copies for a zone are subject to the minimum 1-pound charge.
b. Authorized Nonprofit and Classroom publications with an advertising percentage that is 10% or less are considered 100% nonadvertising. When computing the pound prices and the nonadvertising adjustment, use "0" as the advertising percentage. Authorized Nonprofit and Classroom publications claiming 0% advertising must pay the nonadvertising pound price for the entire weight of all copies to all zones.
2.1.6 Per Piece Charge
Piece prices apply to each addressed piece, based on the sortation done by the publisher. An addressed piece can be a single individually addressed copy, a bundle of unaddressed copies with a single delivery address for the bundle, or a firm bundle containing unaddressed or individually addressed copies for the same address. The per piece charge is based on the number of addressed pieces (not the number of copies).
2.1.7 Discounts
Discounts and reductions apply as specified in 2.0, 10.0, and 29.0.
2.1.8 Applying Outside-County Bundle Prices
For Outside-County mail prepared in bundles, mailers pay the bundle price according to the presort level of the bundle and the presort level of the container that the bundle is placed in or on. Firm bundles pay a firm bundle price that is based only on the presort level of the container. Bundle prices do not apply to barcoded letter-size mail prepared in full letter trays or to flat-size mail prepared in flat trays under the optional tray preparation in 22.7 and 25.5. The bundle prices are in addition to the container prices. The following additional standards apply:
a. Bundles of fewer than six pieces under 25.1.4 (including single-piece bundles) must each pay the applicable bundle charge.
b. For bundles with both In-County and Outside-County pieces, mailers do not pay the bundle charge for carrier route and 5-digit/scheme bundles.
2.1.9 Applying Outside-County Container Prices
For Outside-County mail prepared in trays, sacks, pallets, and other USPS-approved containers, mailers pay the container price according to the type of container, the presort level of the container, and where the mail is entered. The container level is determined by the least-finely presorted bundle that container could contain according to standards (for example, a "5-digit metro pallet" may contain 3-digit and/or 5-digit bundles and would always pay the 3-digit/SCF pallet price). For mailer-supplied air freight containers, mailers pay the container charge based on the original presort of the mail before it is transferred to the airfreight container. The container prices are in addition to the bundle prices. The following additional standards apply:
a. For mailings prepared in trays or sacks, mailers pay the container price for each tray or sack based on container level and entry.
b. For mailings prepared on pallets under 705.8.0:
1. For bundles placed directly on pallets, mailers pay the container price for each pallet.
2. For trays or sacks on pallets, mailers pay the container price for each tray or sack, and not for the pallets. The container price for each tray or sack is based on the tray or sack level and where the pallet is entered.
c. For containers with both In-County and Outside-County pieces, mailers do not pay the container price for carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, and 5-digit/scheme pallets, sacks, and trays.
2.2 Computing Postage
2.2.1 Percentage of Advertising
The percentage of advertising shown on the postage statement must be based on the marked copy of the corresponding issue or edition provided as required. If necessary, round off the computed percentage of advertising to two decimal places. Advertising percentages also may be calculated through the Periodicals Accuracy, Grading, and Evaluation (PAGE) Program using the procedures in 16.0, Postage Payment, and 17.0, Documentation.
2.2.2 Weight Per Copy
To determine the weight per copy, select and weigh a random sample of 10 or more copies and divide the total sample weight by the number of pieces in the sample. Express the weight per copy in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal places. Per-copy weights also may be calculated through the Periodicals Accuracy, Grading, and Evaluation (PAGE) Program using the procedures in 16.0 and 17.0.
2.2.3 Computing Other Weights
To find the total weight of mailed copies per zone or price level, multiply the corresponding number of copies by the computed weight per copy. Round off each result to the nearest whole pound, except that when the result is under 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound. To find the weight of the advertising portion for each zone, where applicable, multiply the total weight of copies for that zone by the percentage of advertising. Round off each result to the nearest whole pound, except that when the result is under 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound. To find the weight of the nonadvertising portion, subtract the total weight of the advertising portion to all zones from the total weight of copies to all zones. To find the weight of In-County price copies, multiply the number of copies by the weight per copy and round off the total weight to the nearest whole pound, except that when the result is less than 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound.
2.2.4 Pound Price
To compute the pound price postage for Regular and Preferred Outside-County copies, multiply the weight of the advertising and nonadvertising portions by the corresponding prices, add the unrounded results, and subtract all applicable discounts. To compute the pound price postage for In-County price copies, multiply their total weight by the corresponding price per pound.
2.2.5 Piece Price
Determine the piece price postage as follows:
a. Outside-County. Multiply the number of copies by the appropriate price, based on the criteria in 2.1.2a. For firm bundles, multiply the number of firm bundles by the firm bundle piece price.
b. In-County. Multiply the number of addressed pieces (not copies) by the appropriate price, based on the presort of the pieces as mailed. An addressed piece can be a single individually addressed copy or a firm bundle containing multiple copies for the same address.
2.2.6 Nonadvertising Adjustment
To compute the nonadvertising adjustment (where applicable), subtract the advertising percentage from 100, multiply the remainder by the nonadvertising adjustment per piece, multiply the unrounded product by the number of pieces, and round off the product to four decimal places.
2.2.7 Outside-County Bundle and Container Charges
The Outside-County bundle charge is the sum of the number of bundles for each bundle level and container level in the mailing subject to the Outside-County bundle prices (see 1.1.3), multiplied by the applicable bundle prices. The Outside-County container charge is the sum of the number of containers for each container type, container level, and entry level in the mailing subject to the Outside-County container prices (see 1.1.4), multiplied by the applicable container prices. Mailers must document the number of bundles and containers required for the prices claimed. If the documentation shows more bundles and containers are required than are presented for mailing, the mailer must pay the charges according to the documentation. Mailers cannot reduce the bundle and container charges by preparing fewer bundles and containers than standards require. Mailers who prepare Periodicals publications as a combined mailing by merging copies or bundles of copies under 27.0 may pay the Outside-County bundle and container charges in one of the following ways:
a. On one publisher's Form 3541.
b. On one consolidated Form 3541. Under this option, the consolidator must complete the appropriate sections of the form and pay the charges from the consolidator's own advance deposit account.
c. Apportioned on each publisher's Form 3541. The following standards apply:
1. The qualification report must be submitted electronically via Mail.dat. See 708.1.0 for additional documentation requirements.
2. The total charges on all Form 3541s in a combined mailing must equal the total charges for all bundles and containers subject to the Outside-County container prices presented for mailing.
3. Apportion the bundle charge for each title or edition by determining how many of each type of bundle that title or edition is in. Next calculate the percentage of copies in each of those bundles and convert to four decimal places, rounding if necessary (for example, convert 20.221% to 0.2022). Add the decimal values for each type of bundle in the mailing and multiply the total by the applicable bundle price in 1.1.3. Add the bundle charges to determine the total for each title or edition.
4. Apportion the container charge for each title or edition by determining how many of each type of container that title or edition is in. Next calculate the percentage of copies in each of those containers and convert to four decimal places, rounding if necessary (for example, convert 20.221% to 0.2022). Add the decimal values for each type of container in the mailing and multiply the total by the applicable container price in 1.1.4. Add the container charges to determine the total for each title or edition.
2.2.8 Total Postage
Total Outside-County postage is the sum of the per pound and per piece charges, the bundle charges, the container charges, and any Ride-Along and Repositionable Notes charges; minus all discounts; rounded off to the nearest whole cent. Total In-County postage is the sum of the per pound and per piece charges, and any Ride-Along and Repositionable Notes charges, less all discounts, rounded off to the nearest whole cent.
3.0 Physical Characteristics and Content Eligibility
3.1 Physical Characteristics
3.1.1 General
See 201 for the physical characteristics for letter-size Periodicals, 301 for flat-size Periodicals, and 401 for parcel-size Periodicals.
3.2 Addressing
3.2.1 General
Each addressed piece, including the top copy of a firm bundle, must bear the addressee's name and address. The address must include the correct ZIP+4 code or 5-digit ZIP Code.
3.2.2 Address Label
White or other light-colored paper must be used for the address label. To identify the mailpiece as Periodicals, the mailer may place, vertically along the left-hand side of the label, a 1/4-inch or narrower strip of solid pink or of pink "PER" characters.
3.2.3 Address Placement
The delivery address must be clearly visible on or through the outside of the mailpiece, whether placed on a label or directly on the host publication, a component, or the mailing wrapper. If placed on the mailing wrapper, the address must be on a flat side, not on a fold (see Exhibit 3.2.4). If a polybag is used, the address must not appear on a component that rotates within the bag, and the address must remain visible throughout the addressed component's range of motion.
3.2.4 Return Address
The return address must appear on any mailing wrapper that is endorsed "Address Service Requested."
Exhibit 3.2.4 Address Placement for Periodicals
3.3 Permissible Mailpiece Components
3.3.1 Pages
Pages are the printed sheets forming the publication or one of the mailpiece's components, bearing advertising, nonadvertising, or both, including pages with text and graphics, blank spaces for writing or marking, and material to be completed or used by the reader. A minor portion of the pages in a Periodicals mailpiece may have unusual characteristics, such as a different size, shape, or construction, or portions that may be wholly or partially separable, and pages prepared for folding out. No page may have dimensions (when folded, if folded) that exceed the dimensions of the publication. Pages are also subject to these standards:
a. Multilayer pages (including pages formed by sheets glued together and pages that have unusual shapes, such as cutouts, movable flaps, or "pop-ups") may include small amounts of fastening material such as grommets, string, or rubber bands as needed to assemble the page. Multilayer pages may also be formed as pouches or pockets but may contain only permissible loose enclosures (see 3.3.4) or other securely affixed permissible components.
b. Multiple pages may be held together by staples or other means separate from and in addition to the regular binding of the publication.
c. Oversized pages may be used for illustrations, charts, maps, and other advertising and nonadvertising content.
3.3.2 Parts and Sections
Parts and sections are pages that are physically separate subdivisions of the publication, as identified by the publisher. Each part or section must show the publication title, and the number of parts or sections in the issue must be stated on the cover of the first part or section. Parts or sections produced by someone other than the publisher may not be mailed at Periodicals prices if these parts or sections are prepared by or for advertisers or if they are provided to the publisher free or at a nominal charge. On request, the publisher must submit contracts entered into with producers of parts or sections.
3.3.3 Enclosures at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail Prices
Material paid at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail prices may be enclosed in a Periodicals mailpiece subject to these conditions:
a. The total weight of all enclosed Standard Mail material must be less than 16 ounces.
b. Postage and fee payment is subject to 703.9.8, 703.9.9 and 707.16.3. A permit imprint that may appear on a First-Class Mail or Standard Mail enclosure must not be visible when the mailpiece is prepared for mailing.
c. When enclosing nonincidental First-Class Mail or any Standard Mail, combination envelopes or containers with separate parts for the two classes of mail may be used. If both the sender's and addressee's names and addresses are not on both pieces, the sender's name and address must be placed on one piece and the addressee's name and address on the other. Combination containers with inseparable parts may bear the names and addresses on only one part.
d. The applicable "First-Class Mail Enclosed" or "Standard Mail Enclosed" marking must be placed on or in the host publication if it contains any nonincidental First-Class Mail or any Standard Mail enclosure. See 703.9.7.2.
3.3.4 Loose Enclosures at Periodicals Prices
[5-12-08] Only the following material may be included loose as an enclosure in a Periodicals mailpiece and be paid at Periodicals prices, subject to the corresponding conditions:
a. An incidental First-Class Mail piece must be closely related but secondary to the Periodicals publication with which it is enclosed. If the publication otherwise consists entirely of nonadvertising material, an incidental First-Class Mail enclosure may be treated as nonadvertising material. In all other cases, an incidental First-Class Mail enclosure is considered part of the advertising portion of the publication. Examples of an incidental First-Class Mail enclosure are a bill for the publication, a statement of account for past publication purchases, or a personal message or greeting included with the publication.
b. A receipt, request, or order for a subscription may be printed or written; prepared as a reply mail card or envelope for any authorized Periodicals publication (or a publication pending Periodicals authorization); or inserted in an envelope within the publication. The receipt or request may be part of, or accompanied by, printed material containing information related exclusively to a receipt or request or order for a subscription provided the printed material does not advertise, promote, or offer for sale other products or services.
c. A card or form for the recipient's use in providing address correction information to the publisher may be printed or written; prepared as a card or envelope, including business reply, or as a combination form for two or more Periodicals publications issued by the same publisher; inserted in an envelope that is attached to, bound in, or loose within the publication; or prepared as a detachable part of another permissible enclosure.
d. A publisher's printed letter, including facsimile signature as a permissible loose enclosure with a Periodicals publication provided the printed letter is limited to the publisher promoting the publication; or announcing or describing changes to the publication, e.g. title, format, frequency, terms or conditions of a subscription; or other business of the publication, as long as the printed letter includes no other advertising for the publisher or any other party.
e. Enclosures listed in 3.3.4b and 3.3.4c are not counted when determining the percentage of advertising in the publication, but they are included in the total weight of the publication reported on the postage statement.
3.3.5 Supplement
A supplement is one or more pages (subject to 3.3.1) formed by one or more printed sheets that are not bound into a publication. A supplement may be devoted to a single topic and may contain material different from that in the host publication. The external dimensions of a supplement (its length and height) may not exceed those of the host publication except when the host publication and the supplement are contained in an envelope, polybag, or other complete wrapper. Supplements are also subject to these conditions as applicable:
a. A loose supplement to a bound Periodicals publication must contain at least 25% nonadvertising material and bear the endorsement "Supplement to" followed by the title of the publication; the name of the publisher; or "Periodicals Publication." A bound publication with one or more supplements must be enclosed in a wrapper. If a supplement to a bound publication is formed of more than one sheet, all sheets making up the supplement must be bound together.
b. A supplement to an unbound publication must be combined with and inserted within the publication under 3.5.4. If the supplement is included loose outside the unbound publication, the publication and its supplement must be enclosed in a wrapper or envelope, and the supplement must bear the endorsement "Supplement to" followed by the title of the publication; the name of the publisher; or "Periodicals Publication."
3.3.6 Cover and Protective Cover
A cover may be placed on the outside of a Periodicals publication. A protective cover is an additional cover placed around the outside of a publication; preparation is subject to 3.5.6. Advertising, nonadvertising, or both may be printed on the cover or protective cover. The cover and protective cover on a publication are included when measuring advertising percentage. Nothing may be attached to the cover or protective cover except as permitted under 3.3.8.
3.3.7 Mailing Wrapper
A mailing wrapper is an envelope, sleeve, partial wrapper, or polywrap used to enclose the mailpiece. Advertising may be printed on the mailing wrapper and is included when measuring advertising percentage. Nothing may be attached to the mailing wrapper except as permitted under 3.3.8.
3.3.8 Attachment
[1-3-08] Mailers may attach the following material to a cover, protective cover, or mailing wrapper of a publication:
a. Stickers of any size and shape.
b. Material allowed as a loose enclosure described in 3.3.3, Enclosures at First-Class Mail or Standard Mail Prices, or 3.3.4, Loose Enclosures at Periodicals Prices. When nonincidental First-Class Mail and/or Standard Mail enclosures (see 3.3.3) are attached, the marking "First-Class" or "Letter Enclosed" must be on a First-Class Mail attachment; "Standard" or "STD," on a Standard Mail attachment.
c. Material normally allowed within the contents of the publication composed of advertising, nonadvertising, or a combination of both may be attached to the cover or protective cover only when the publication and attached material are enclosed in a wrapper or prepared under 3.5.4. No portion of the publication title may be obscured.
3.3.9 Printed Addition
Only the following may be printed on a copy of a Periodicals publication after it is printed or placed on its cover, protective cover, or mailing wrapper:
a. The name and address of the intended recipient or of the publisher or sender.
b. The printed title of the publication and its place of publication.
c. The expiration date of the subscription.
d. The request for address correction information from the addressee.
e. The words "Sample Copy" (if the copy is a sample), "Marked Copy" (if the copy contains a marked item or article), or "Address Service Requested" (if the copy is to be returned to the sender if undeliverable as addressed).
f. The number of copies enclosed in a bundle (on the outside of the bundle) or a bundle count such as "2 of 4" (on the bundle wrapper).
g. Corrections of typographical errors or a mark, except by written or printed words, to call attention to a word or passage.
h. Printed messages not required to be mailed as First-Class Mail or Express Mail.
3.3.10 Label Carrier
A label carrier may be used to carry the delivery address for the mailpiece and must consist of a single unfolded, uncreased sheet of card or paper stock, securely affixed to the cover of the publication or large enough so that it does not rotate inside the wrapper, subject to these conditions:
a. The label carrier must include the following elements:
1. The title of the Periodicals publication or the name and address of the publisher. Mailers may also include incidental graphics of the host Periodicals publication, other Periodicals publications of the publisher, or Periodicals publications of one or more affiliates or subsidiaries of the publisher (or any combination thereof), provided that all of the publications are under common 100% ownership. If such graphics are used they are treated as advertising, and mailers must use an area no larger than 3 inches by 5 inches to show the title of the Periodicals publication or the name and address of the publisher and the graphic or graphics.