This feature is available for the following group(s):
BMEU
Standards for the preparation of bundles are contained in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 345, 365, 375, 385, 705.8, and 707.19. Bundle preparation can be either a cursory review or an in-depth review.
A cursory review is conducted on all mailings that are not scheduled for an in-depth verification.
An in-depth verification is performed when scheduled by the PostalOne! system or when triggered by errors noted in a cursory review. An in-depth verification will include a bundle preparation verification. Bundles include Standard Mail, Periodicals Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Library and Media Mail flats.
The Presort Verification Record form (PS Form 2866) will no longer be used to record bundle verification results or calculate bundle verification additional postage.
Go to: Bundle Review Worksheet Entry Disposition
To verify bundles:
Randomly select bundles from different parts of the mailing. The number of samples should follow the guidelines in the below table:
Total Pieces in Mailing |
Number of Bundles to Sample |
200 – 50,000 |
20 |
50,001 – 250,000 |
25 |
More than 250,000 |
30 |
When selecting samples:
If the mailing contains less than the minimum number of bundles listed for a sample, review all bundles.
If the mailing is in sacks, randomly select an adequate number of sacks to collect the required number of bundles. Sacks should be dumped out to evaluate bundle preparation.
If the bundles are on pallets, select three pallets and randomly select bundles from the top, middle and bottom of each pallet.
Bundles selected for MERLIN verification may be used. Bundle preparation issues must be resolved with the mailer before MERLIN processing occurs. MERLIN verification will be performed after the bundle verification.
Bundles selected for a manual presort verification may be used for the bundle preparation verification.
Review the bundles for address visibility.
In evaluating the bundle, place the bundle on a flat surface with adequate lighting and review the address from a normal reading distance.
Review each bundle for compliance with DMM standards for visibility and readability. The address information including the OEL and the barcode must be visible and readable by the naked eye. Common errors are:
Strapping, banding or facing slips placed over address (clear, smooth strapping is acceptable)
Crinkled or excess shrinkwrap or seam over address
NOTE: Procedures for the visibility of the address on the top piece of the bundle do not apply to bundles of letter-size mail, flat-size First-Class Mail, Customized Market Mail, bundles placed in 5-digit or 5-digit scheme sacks or pallets, carrier route bundles entered at a destination delivery unit, or flats prepared in letter trays under DMM Section 345.
Review each bundle for compliance with DMM standards for securing bundles. Common errors are:
Loose banding (string, straps, etc.)
Poor use of rubber bands
Poor shrinkwrap quality (torn, loose, not covering corners of open end)
Pieces shifting excessively within bundle
In the PostalOne! system, select the acceptance site and unit. Click Dashboard and search for the postage statement associated with the mailing.
If no errors are found in the mailing, 100% may be entered directly into the verification results section of the postage statement. Skip to step 8.
If
any errors are found, enter them in the PostalOne!
Bundle Verification Worksheet. To access the worksheet, click the
Create Worksheet icon (
) next to the Bundle Preparation
Verification Results box on the postage statement. The header section
on the worksheet contains the information already entered in the postage
statement.
NOTE:
When available, you can click the Worksheet Help icon (
) for information
on completing a worksheet.
In the Error Identification section, enter the requested information, then click Add Error. A bundle with one or more errors is considered one bundle error. For example, if a bundle is not secured properly and the address is not readable, then it is only counted as one bundle error. Repeat for each bundle sampled. Each sample displays in a row below the Add Error button. Some sections of the worksheet contain data based on the postage statement and cannot be edited.
Calculate the error percentage and any additional postage due manually. The system will not calculate either the error percentage or any additional postage.
Enter the error percentage and any additional postage at the bottom of the worksheet.
Save and print the form as necessary.
To save errors entered on a worksheet and return to the worksheet later, click Save and Continue.
To print the form to fill out later, click Print Form. File with the postage statement.
When finished entering errors, click Save and Submit. The worksheet closes, and the verification results and any additional postage pending entered display on the postage statement.
Complete the postage statement.
If 20% or less of the bundles sampled are found with errors, advise the mailer of any errors found and proceed with acceptance of the mailing.
If more than 20% of the bundles (e.g. 7 out of 30 bundles sampled) do not meet the bundle address visibility or bundle preparation standards, additional postage will be calculated using the Bundle Verification Adjustment Worksheets for Periodicals or Standard Mail. Mailings of presorted Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail or Media mail will be recalculated at the applicable the single piece Bound Printed Matter, Library or Media Mail rate. Advise the mailer of the option to retrieve the mailing for rework or pay the additional postage.
The Bundle Verification Adjustment Worksheet is available on the BMA Web page at http://blue.usps.gov/bma/. For more information on the PostalOne! system, see Finalizing a Postage Statement.