Today’s Postal Bulletin is available here.
There are 2 DMM revisions today and 1 clarification, although it’s interesting that one of the revisions says it is a “clarification.” The actual clarification is about the Package Intercept Transitional Phase, not something we’ll be dealing with, and the 2 revisions are:
- New Options for Clean Release Cards on Letters
- Clarification of Preparation Standards for Pallets of Parcel Select Lightweight Pieces
If you use “clean release” cards on mailpieces, the new options include being able to put two such cards on the nonaddress side of letters, and in other cases there are some changes to clearance distances.
The revision that’s a clarification, about Parcel Select Lightweight Pieces (PSLWs), focuses on irregularly shaped pieces like tubes and rolls and those weighing less than 2 ounces. “Normal” PSLW irregular parcels may be palletized under current standards, but not the lightweight or oddly shaped items just mentioned. The revision allows these to be sacked and palletized under DMM 705.8.10.3.
The preamble text of the article also states the language change will clarify that 3DG pallet preparation is not available for Standard Mail or PSLW parcels; however, the actual text is “option not available for parcels or bundles for 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes marked “N” in L002.” Could be just me, but that sure seems like it could be read as “option not available for (parcels or bundles) for 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes marked “N” in L002.”
Based on the preamble text I have to believe it’s intended to be interpreted something like this: “option is available neither for parcels, nor for bundles for 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes marked ‘N’ in L002.” And I just wonder why they couldn’t have made this two sentences or somehow made it clear when to use L002 to decide eligibility. Because once that preamble text is not fresh in people’s minds (next week?), it certainly seems like it could be open to further “clarification.”
The good news for Postalsoft Presort users is that you should be able to do this sacks on pallets sort correctly for lightweight or tube-shaped PSLWs with your current software (at least based on the preamble text version of the change).
