Front Cover

Front Cover

2 postal bulletin 22483 (12-21-17)

Contents

COVER STORY

USPS Makes Return Season Easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND FORMS UPDATES

Manuals DMM Reminder: New Mailing Standards for Lithium

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Management Instructions New Management Instruction Training Development

Request Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Publications Publication 431 Revision: Changes to Post Office Box

Service and Caller Service Fee Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Domestic Mail Labeling List Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Finance Policy Reminder -- Reporting Refunds and Credits in

eTravel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 2018 Pay Dates and Leave Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Information Security `Tis the Season for Scams -- Stay CyberSafe During

the Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Mailing and Shipping Services Mail Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Stamp Services Stamp Announcement 18-01: Meyer Lemons Stamp . . . . . . 45 Stamp Announcement 18-02: Byodo-In Temple Stamp . . . . 46 Stamp Announcement 18-03: Sleeping Bear

Dunes Stamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Correction: Pictorial Postmarks Announcement . . . . . . . . . . 47 Pictorial Postmarks Announcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Digital Color or

Traditional Postmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

PULL-OUT INFORMATION

Fraud Invalid USPS Corporate Account Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Missing, Lost, or Stolen U.S. Money Order Forms . . . . . . . . 18 Missing, Lost, or Stolen Canadian Money Order Forms . . . . 24 Verifying U.S. Postal Service Money Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Counterfeit Canadian Money Order Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Toll-Free Number Available to Verify Canadian

Money Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Other Information Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Thrift Savings Plan Fact Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Freely Associated States Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

POSTAL BULLETIN INDEX

2017 Semi-Annual Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PB 22472 (7-20-17)

Find the latest in mail and delivery information and services offered by U.S. Postal? in the Postal Bulletin at about.postal-bulletin

Cover Story

postal bulletin 22483 (12-21-17) 3

Cover Story

USPS Makes Return Season Easy

The Postal ServiceTM is making improvements to its returns infrastructure to prepare for the annual returns flurry.

This shopping season is likely to be even more hectic than last year with projected growth from online shopping in the double-digits. Also, USPS? is projected to deliver almost 850 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day -- that's up more than 10 percent from last year! A major spike in online holiday shopping is driving this increase.

Once the sun sets on candles and tinsel, consumers will go about returning items that they ordered or that they received as gifts. As the number of items ordered online and shipped to consumers grows, so will the demand for easy, convenient return methods that attract repeat business.

The Postal Service is ready for the challenge in the following ways:

Continued expansion of our returns processing capabilities. A total of 16,692 Parcel Return Service Return Delivery Units (RDUs) across the country are available to pick up packages. This helps us handle the volume and positions us as the returns shipping provider of choice in a crowded market worth about $6 billion.

It's easier for businesses to insure returns with USPS. Insurance is available for up to $5,000.

Offering one universal shipping permit. We have one universal shipping permit that covers Parcel Return Service, Merchandise Return Service, Bulk Parcel Return Service, and USPS Returns? and outbound products.

Significant enhancement of Merchandise Return Service (MRS). MRS applies to three mail classes: First-Class Package Service?, Priority Mail?, and Ground Return Service. This simplifies returns for the Postal Service and its customers by offering costeffective options and streamlining the weighing and rating process of traditional MRS parcels.

Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) is a Returns endorsement. This means that mailers receiving these return packages pay the per-piece fee without paying postage fees. Also, consumers are no longer required to download and print the mailer's BPRS label, which simplifies the consumers' returns process.

Increasing the volume for First-Class Package Service? (FCPS?). Commercial customers with negotiated service agreements (NSAs) can mail packages weighing up to one pound for a flat rate. This service targets merchants that ship high-value, lightweight products such as jewelry or consumer electronics.

Return Labels

Return labels can either be included in the original order or requested through a merchant's call center. Consumers then affix the return label to their package and mail it using one of the following options:

Take it to one of 31,000 Post OfficesTM nationwide,

Drop it in one of 160,000 collection boxes (package must meet aviation mail security guidelines), or

Go to to schedule a Package Pickup at any of the 132 million available domestic addresses.

The Postal Service also offers a number of options that help businesses create and deliver return labels to customers. Businesses that use Priority Mail Returns? Service, First-Class Package Return? Service, Ground Return Service, and Parcel Return Service can use the Print and Deliver application to order return labels; USPS will then create those labels and deliver them, along with return instructions, to the following:

One of 31,000 Post Offices nationwide;

A domestic address; or

One of more than 2,500 self-service kiosks, where consumers can print them.

Merchants can also instruct the Postal Service to hold the labels for pickup at a designated Post Office. Smalland medium-sized merchants have the following options:

Use the Merchant Returns Label Tool to generate Merchandise Return Service and Scan Based Payment labels.

Use the Click-N-Ship? Business Pro to generate Parcel Return Service or Merchandise Return Service labels to include in the original shipment box or send to the cloud platform. Self-service printing is also available individually or in batches.

-- Shipping Products and Services, Products and Innovation, 12-21-17

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Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates

Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates

Manuals

DMM Reminder: New Mailing Standards for Lithium Batteries

On August 17, 2017, the Postal ServiceTM revised Publi-

The introduction of a new lithium battery consignment

cation 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, to

definition intended to refer to one or more mailpieces

provide new mailing standards for mailpieces containing lith-

containing lithium batteries, entered into USPS net-

ium batteries. The Postal Service detailed these revisions in

works by one mailer or mail service provider within a

Postal Bulletin 22474 (8-17-17, pages 4?12), and announced

single mailing or retail transaction; or included in the

a transitional period until January 1, 2018. During the transi-

same manifest or shipping services file, and intended

tional period, we urged mailers to comply with the new mail-

for delivery to a single consignee at a single destina-

ing standards immediately; however, mailers have until

tion address.

January 1, 2018, before compliance is mandatory.

The Postal Service will require:

On February 22, 2017, the Postal Service published its first notice of these revisions in the Federal Register, including an invitation to comment in the notice (82 FR 11372). This was followed by a Federal Register notice titled "Revision to Mailing Standards for Lithium Batteries," published on July 26, 2017 (82 FR 34712-34715).

Relating to the August 17, 2017, mailing standards, the Postal Service made the applicable revisions to the online Publication 52 on December 8, 2017. The online Publication 52 now accurately reflects the new requirements for mailing lithium batteries.

Effective December 31, 2017, the optional compliance period concludes; beginning January 1, 2018, the new mailing standards become mandatory.

Eliminating the current text marking option for mailpieces required to bear, or optionally permitted to bear, lithium battery markings under Publication 52, and using DOT-approved lithium battery marks instead.

A separate "prohibited on passenger aircraft" text marking, in addition to a DOT-approved lithium battery mark, for mailpieces containing UN3480 and UN3090 batteries, which generally restricts these batteries to surface transportation only.

The outer packaging of mailpieces containing small lithium batteries to be rigid and of adequate size, so the lithium battery mark can be affixed on the address side without the mark being folded.

The Postal Service will prohibit:

The placement of lithium battery marks on the

UN3480 lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries,

address side of all mailpieces bearing these marks.

batteries shipped separately from the equipment they are intended to operate, in USPS? air-eligible

products.

DOT-approved lithium battery markings on all mailpieces with lithium cells or batteries contained in equipment when there are more than two mailpieces

The Postal Service will permit:

in a single consignment in domestic mail.

Mailers to send UN3480 batteries, meeting current USPS capacity limitations and quantity restrictions, via air-eligible products; provided these mailings are

Limiting single consignments to two mailpieces containing lithium batteries in international and APO/ FPO/DPO mail.

both mailed from, and delivered within, the state of Alaska.

Unless provided with a written authorization from the manager, Product Classification, all lithium battery mailers

The optional use of previously authorized lithium battery marks during the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA's) transitional period for these marks, which ends on December 31, 2018.

The use of padded and poly bags as outer packaging only for mailpieces containing button cell batteries properly installed in the equipment they are intended to operate; provided the batteries meet the USPS classification criteria for a button cell battery in

must meet these new standards beginning on January 1, 2018. Mailers who obtain an authorization must produce a copy of their authorization to each acceptance location with their first mailing after December 31, 2017. The authorization letter must detail the nature of their authorization and provide an expiration date.

We ask employees to familiarize themselves with the new mailing standards before the mandatory compliance date, and ensure their local mailers are aware of the new requirements as soon as possible.

349.11(d) of Publication 52, and the batteries are

afforded adequate protection by the equipment.

-- Product Classification, Marketing, 12-21-17

Policies, Procedures, and Forms Updates

postal bulletin 22483 (12-21-17) 5

Management Instructions

New Management Instruction Training Development Request Process

Effective December 1, 2017, the Postal ServiceTM published Management Instruction (MI) EL-740-2017-5, Training Development Request Process. The USPS? Learning and Development group has established policy and procedures for requesting training services, which includes course development and course number requests. Anyone who requires training must adhere to the quality standards, request process, and standard operating procedures covered by this MI. The new MI EL-740-2017-5 describes the following:

MI EL-740-2017-5 is now available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:

Go to blue.. In the left-hand column under "Essential Links," click

PolicyNet. Click MIs.

The direct URL for the PolicyNet website is blue.cpim.

The purpose of the training development request process,

All applicable policies related to this process, and

-- Learning and Development, Human Resources, 12-21-17

Instructions for the intake process.

Publications

Publication 431 Revision: Changes to Post Office Box Service and Caller Service Fee Groups

Effective December 21, 2017, Publication 431, Post Office Box Service and Caller Service Fee Groups, is revised to include the following changes.

In the left-hand column under "Essential Links," click PolicyNet.

Click PUBs.

Publication 431, Post Office Box Service and Caller Service Fee Groups

Offices with WebBATS Manager/Supervisor access can view current Publication 431 information by going to the WebBATS Edit Facility Information page, as follows:

*

*

*

*

*

[Delete the following entries:]

ZIP Code 32544

Fee Group 3

1. Go to the WebBATS main menu, and select Utility> Facility>Edit Facility option.

2. View the Fee Group field on the Edit Facility Information page.

*

*

*

*

*

The online version of Publication 431 is dated July 2013. Publication 431 is currently available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet website (blue.cpim):

Go to blue..

-- Retail Operations, Retail and Customer Service Operations, 12-21-17

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