For those making the switch to Full-Service Intelligent Mail® preparation, palletization is a key question. There’s a lot of misinformation around the palletization requirements, both for Full-Service and mail preparation in general. Palletization rules are not new for Full-Service, but the pallet placard is. Not all entry locations have enforced the palletization rules. Let’s set the record straight on when pallets are — and are not — required.
What is a Pallet?
USPS® allows, and in many cases encourages, mailers to place their smaller mail containers (trays, tubs and sacks) onto larger containers such as wood or plastic pallets, All-Purpose Containers (APCs), rolling cages, and gaylords. All of these large containers are used interchangeably in postal facilities. USPS collectively calls them containers — and they are all subject to the DMM requirements for pallet preparation once a mailing reaches minimum thresholds. If you must use pallets per DMM requirements, and you are using Full-Service, you are required to create and print a pallet placard to attach to your container.
What’s in the DMM?
Palletization requirements for bulk mailing haven’t changed much since they were defined in 2006. The pallet rules are laid out in DMM 705.8: Preparing Pallets. Unfortunately, these rules haven’t been consistently applied. An important measure to see if your mailing requires pallets is the linear foot. USPS measures mail volume in trays and tubs in linear feet. This allows them to count how many trays and how big the trays are in each mailing. EMM and the longer (2-foot) letter trays are two linear feet each, and the short letter trays are one foot each. Add up all the feet for your mailing to see how big it is. Let’s review the rules.
First-Class Mail®
Pallets for First-Class Mail are a relatively new addition to the DMM. While mailers had been using them for years, the official rules were only added in 2009. For First-Class Mail, the rules differ depending on where you enter your mail.
If you deposit mail at a BMEU, have a Customer Supplier Agreement (CSA) or separate your mail according to the DMM rules for pallets you are required to use the DMM palletization standards for the entire mailing, and supply a pallet placard for Full-Service mail. If you’re sending under 48 linear feet of letter trays, or 16 flat tubs, pallet placards are not required.
If you deposit your mailing at a processing center like an SCF, NDC or P&DC, the rules are slightly different. Again, if you have a CSA you must prepare your mail on containers and supply a placard. If you’re using pallets the placard is only required for mailings of at least 72 linear feet of letter trays or 24 flat tubs. If you use other containers, like APCs or rolling cages, you’ll need to use DMM preparation and the placard for mailings of at least 48 linear feet of letter trays or 16 flat tubs.
Standard Mail, Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter
For non First-Class mailings, it doesn’t matter where you enter the mail. However, if you mail more than 500 pounds of mail in sacks or have at least 72 linear feet of trays, you are required to prepare your mail in pallets for all mailings, and provide a pallet placard for Full-Service mail. If your mailing is under 500 pounds or 72 feet, you only need a placard if you separate your sacks or trays into large containers. For example, if you place all the mail for your local SCF in a container separate from the rest of the mailing, then your entire mailing must use the DMM pallet standards, and a placard is required for Full-Service mail.
What’s next?
If you’ve determined that you need to prepare pallets and the pallet placard, contact your software provider to see if you need additional functionality. Pallet preparation is an advanced mailing requirement, and is usually only available with high-end software. When creating your pallet placards for Full-Service, remember that the placard barcode includes a serial number that must stay unique across all your mailings for a minimum of 45 days. For a quick reference on when pallets are required, see the USPS Fact Sheet on Container Placards.
