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Standard Mail (B) rate. If the mailer wants the article
to get to the addressee faster, it must be sent at the
First-Class or priority rate, depending on the weight.
STANDARD MAIL
Learning Objective:
Identify the different
types of Standard Mail.
Standard Mail is broken down into two classes,
Standard Mail (A) (presorted mail) and Standard Mail
(B). As a military postal clerk, you will only be
concerned with Standard Mail (B) while conducting
customer service at your post office finance window.
STANDARD MAIL (B)
Standard Mail (B) includes parcel post, special
standard mail (B), and library mail. At MPOs,
Standard Mail (B) is commonly known as Space
Available Mail (SAM) mail. Standard Mail (B)
includes all mailable merchandise, printed matter, and
all other matter not included in the First-Class
category.
Standard Mail (B) is given air service to the U.S.
and between MPOs overseas. Customers frequently
refer to Standard Mail (B) as the “CHEAPEST WAY.”
When a customer wants to mail an article the
“CHEAPEST WAY,” look at the contents to
determine if First-Class matter (other than authorized
enclosures) are included in the article. If not, then mail
it as Standard Mail (B).
Preparation
The delivery address on all articles sent as
Standard Mail (B) should include a complete mailing
address with ZIP Code, and the complete return
address of the sender. Standard Mail (B) mail must be
wrapped or packaged so that it can be easily examined.
Standard Mail (B) mail is not sealed against
inspection. Articles mailed at the Standard Mail (B)
rate of postage may be subject to inspection under
certain conditions whether or not the mail piece is
secured.
Enclosures and Additions
The following examples of written additions and
enclosures do not require First-Class postage when
placed in or on a parcel mailed at the Standard Mail (B)
rate:
Marks to call attention to words or passages in
the text of the publication.
Standard Mail (A) printed matter.
Marks, numbers, names, or letters describing the
contents.
Words or phrases such as “Do Not Open Until
Christmas” and “Happy Birthday, Mother,” and
similar inscriptions on the package, wrapper, or
envelope, or on an attached tag or label.
Instructions and directions for the use of the item
mailed.
For further information on written additions, refer
to Module E of the DMM.
Weight and Size Limits
The maximum weight limit for Standard Mail (B)
is 70 pounds. However, mail being sent to APOs/FPOs
overseas must meet the applicable standards listed in
the USPS Postal Bulletin (Conditions Applied to Mail
Addressed to Military Post Offices Overseas).
The maximum size limit for mail sent at the
Standard Mail (B) rate of postage is 108 inches in
length and girth combined. The exception being Parcel
Post (Oversized Mail), which may be 130 inches
(charged the applicable oversized rate).
Articles
measuring over 84 inches in length and girth combined
weighing less than 15 pounds fall under the 15-pound
rule mentioned earlier in this chapter.
Rates
Like priority mail, postage for Standard Mail (B) is
determined by the weight of the parcel and the distance
it must travel. The greater the distance a parcel must
travel and the more it weighs, the higher the mailing
cost. For determining the weight, use your scale.
Always remember when computing the postage for an
article to be mailed at the Standard Mail (B) rate that a
fraction of a pound is considered a full pound.
Example: A parcel that weighs 6 pounds and 4 ounces
would be charged the rate for 7 pounds.
Use the official zone chart that is applicable to your
serving postmaster to determine the zone rate of
postage to charge. There are two additional steps that
must be taken when postage is computed for Standard
Mail (B).
You must determine if the article is
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