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stamps of the wrong denomination or stamped envelopes or postal cards of the wrong kind, size, or denomination may be corrected by exchanging stamps at full value.

(c) Unserviceable und spoiled envelopes or cards and unused precanceled stamps. Unserviceable and spoiled stamped envelopes or postal cards, if uncanceled, and unused precanceled stamps and postal cards, may be exchanged for other postage-stamped paper as follows:

(1) Stamped envelopes (mutilated no more than is necessary to remove contents), for postage value plus value of postage added as a result of rate increase or for additional service.

(2) Unmutilated aerogrammes (airletter sheets), for postage value less 1 cent for each aerogramme redeemed.

(3) Unmutilated single and double postal cards, for 85 percent of postage value plus full value of postage added as a result of rate increase or for additional service.

(i) Either half of a double postal card may be redeemed if the double card has been printed and cut for use as single cards.

(ii) Unused double postal cards printed for reply purposes should not be separated; however, if they have been separated in error, and the purchaser presents both halves, the cards may be redeemed.

(iii) Reply halves of double postal cards that have been returned to sender outside of the mails are not redeemable by the original purchaser even though the reply half received no postal service. (4) Sheet postal cards spoiled in the process of cutting to size, for 85 percent of postage value plus full value of postage added as a result of rate increase or for additional service, if all cut sections are submitted.

(5) Stamps affixed to commercial envelopes and post cards, for 90 percent of postage value. Envelopes and post cards must be in a substantially whole condition and in lots of at least 50 of the same denomination and value.

(6) Unused precanceled stamps in full coils or in full sheets redeemed from precanceled permit holders for 90 percent of postage value.

Stamped envelopes or aerogrammes (air-letter sheets) with a printed return address and postal cards with any printed matter of the purchaser, may be exchanged only by the pur

chaser. If there is no purchaser's printing, they may be exchanged by any responsible person. When redemption cannot be made at time of presentation, the postmaster will furnish a receipt on Form 3210 for uncanceled unserviceable or spoiled envelopes or postal cards or for unused precanceled stamps left in his custody.

(d) Nonexchangeable. The following are nonexchangeable:

(1) Adhesive stamps, unless mistakes were made in purchasing or stamps were defective or stamps were affixed to commercial envelopes and post cards.

(2) Stamps cut from postal cards, stamped envelopes. or (air-letter sheets).

aerogrammes

(3) Parts and pieces of postal cards.

(4) Postal cards, stamped envelopes and air-letter sheets received for reply purposes.

(5) Mutilated and defaced stamps. [33 F.R. 6933, May 8, 1968]

§ 141.6 Validity of stamps.

All postage stamps issued by the United States since 1860 are good for postage from any points in the United States or from any other place where the United States domestic mail service operates except from the Panama Canal Zone where special Canal Zone stamps are used. The following are not good for postage:

(a) Mutilated or defaced stamps

(b) Stamps cut from stamped envelops, letter sheets, aerograms, or postal cards.

(c) Stamps covered or coated in such manner that the canceling or defacing marks cannot be imprinted directly or the stamps.

(d) Nonpostage stamps (migratorybird hunting stamps, U.S. saving and thrift stamps, etc.).

(e) Postage due, special delivery, special handling, and certified mail stamps.

(f) United Nations stamps, except on mail deposited at United Nations, N.Y. (g) Stamps of other countries. [33 F.R. 6933, May 8, 1968] § 141.7

Unlawful transactions.

(a) Unlawful transactions include use of stamps, by postal employees entrusted with the sale or custody of postage stamps, in payment of debts or purchase of salable articles, and sale of stamps, except for cash or for more or less than face value.

(b) Counterfeit stamps are confiscated and forwarded to the inspector-incharge of the division in which the post office is located. A receipt identifying the stamps will be given to persons from whom counterfeits are confiscated.

(c) Postmasters shall not give opinions to the public concerning the reproduction of foreign or domestic postage stamps. Persons who request information on this matter shall be directed to address their inquiries to the Office of the Director, U.S. Secret Service, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C., 20220.

[26 F.R. 11562, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 31 F.R. 5964, Apr. 19, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 141.8 Adhesive attachments and printed markings.

(a) Imitations of postage stamps. Matter bearing imitations of postage stamps, in adhesive or printed form, or private seals or stickers which are like a postage stamp in form and design, shall not be accepted for mailing.

(b) Imitations of official markings and designs. Matter bearing decorative markings and designs, in adhesive or printed form, which imitate the markings and designs used to identify official postal services shall not be accepted for mailing. The following illustrations are examples of prohibited imitations:

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(b) Place of mailing. Matter bearing precanceled stamps may be mailed only at the post office which sold the stamps.

(c) Sale limited. Precanceled stamps will be sold only to precancel permitholders except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section.

(d) Prohibited. Precanceled postage stamps may not be used on matter mailed in boxes, cases, bags, or other containers designed to be reused for mailing purposes.

If precanceled

(e) Overprinting. postage on a single piece is over 16 cents, the precanceled stamps must be overprinted or handstamped in black ink with the mailer's initials and the numerical abbreviations of the month and year for use; for example, A. B. Co. Precanceled stamps overprinted in this way are acceptable on mail during the month shown, and through the 10th of the following month.

cancellation lines to fully deface the stamp. There is illustrated below the authorized design of a mailer's precancel postmark.

(f) Philatelic sales.-(1) Nonpermit holders. Not more than 10 stamps of each of the precanceled denominations which are available at a post office may be purchased in person or by mail by nonpermit holders for collection purposes. Each mail order must be accompanied with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for use in returning the stamps to the purchaser. Precanceled stamps are available only at post offices which prepare or obtain them for sale to permit holders.

(2) Permit holders. Precancel permit holders may buy the quantity of precanceled stamps for philatelic purposes provided for by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph. Other precanceled stamps may be purchased only for the purpose of paying postage. Unused precanceled stamps may not be sold for philatelic purposes by permit holders.

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(g) Precanceling for collectors. Postmasters will not comply with requests for imprints of a precanceling device on postage stamps or blank sheets of paper. [26 F.R. 11562, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 4365, May 8, 1962; 32 F.R. 11328, Aug. 4, 1967. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 142.3 Mailer's precancel postmark.

§ 142.4 Precancel permits.

(a) Application for permit. Applications for permits to use precanceled stamps, precanceled stamped envelopes, and mailer's precancel postmarks must be filed on Form 3620 at the post office where mailings will be made. Copies of this application form may be obtained from local postmasters. Applications to use the mailer's precancel postmarks must be accompanied with an imprint of the cancellation to be used.

Mailers may use a precancel postmark on stamped envelopes mailed at the firstclass rate of postage. The precanceling imprint must include the name of the post office and State, the permit number preceded by the words "Mailer's Postmark," the date of mailing, and sufficient

(b) Issuance of permit. The postmaster will approve or disapprove the application. If it is approved, he will issue a "Precancel Permit" on Form 3620 to the applicant. If the permit covers the use of a mailer's precancel postmark, the permit will include a statement to that effect.

(c) Revocation. (1) Permits may be revoked if used in operating any schemes or enterprise of an unlawful character, or for the purpose of purchasing or acquiring stamps for other than mailing purposes, or for any noncompliance with the instructions on the "Permit," Form 3620.

(2) The permit holder will be notified by letter by the postmaster at the post office that issued the permit that it is to be canceled, with the reasons for cancellation. The permit holder will be allowed 10 days within which to file a written statement showing why the permit should not be revoked. When no answer is filed, the postmaster will cancel the permit. If an answer is filed it should be forwarded with a statement of the facts to the Director, Classification and Special Services Division, Bureau of Operations, who will determine whether the permit shall be continued in effect. Notice

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§ 143.1 Postage meters.

(a) Use of meter stamps. Postage may be paid by printing meter stamps with a postage meter on any class of mail. Metered mail is entitled to all the privileges and subject to all the conditions applying to the various classes of mail.

(b) Benefits. Postage meters facilitate the purchase, control, and affixing of postage. Metered mail does not require facing, canceling, and postmarking in the post office, and can therefore be dispatched more quickly.

(c) Description of meters. Postage meters are made to print single, several, or all denominations of postage. They contain in one sealed unit the printing die or dies and two recording counters. One adds and keeps a total of all postage printed by the meter. The other subtracts and shows the balance of postage remaining in the meter, after the use of which it will lock. From time to time the meter may be taken to the post office to have the counter set for such additional postage as may be desired to have added to the balance of postage remaining. Payment must be made for each additional setting.

(d) Meter manufacturers. Postage meters may be leased from authorized manufacturers who are held responsible by the Post Office Department for the con

trol, operation, maintenance, and replacement, when necessary, of meters manufactured by them. The following manufacturers are presently authorized to lease meters to mailers:

(1) National Cash Register Co., Dayton, OH 45409.

(2) Pitney-Bowes, Inc., Pacific and Walnut Streets, Stamford, CT 06904.

(3) Postalia Corp., 32-31 57th Street, Woodside, Flushing, NY 11377.

(4) The Singer Co., Friden Division, 2350 Washington Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577 (for the following-named meters):

Commercial Controls Corp.
Friden, Inc.

International Postal Supply Co.

The Singer Co., Friden Division.

(e) Control. After a meter has been delivered to a licensee, he must keep it in his custody until turned over to the authorized manufacturer or to the post office. Tampering with or misuse of a meter is punishable by law.

(39 U.S.C. 4025) [26 F.R. 11563, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 34 F.R. 9751, June 24, 1969. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 143.2 Meter license.

(a) Application. A patron may obtain a "License to Use a Postage Meter" by submitting "Application for a Postage Meter License, Form 3601-A" (or a form supplied by the manufacturer) to the post office where his metered mail will be deposited. No fee is charged. The application must specify the make and model of the meter. On approval, the postmaster will issue a license.

(b) Responsibilities of licensee. (1) After a meter has been delivered to a licensee, he must keep it in his custody until turned over to the authorized manufacturer or to the post office. Tampering with or misuse of a meter is punishable by law.

(2) The meters in the custody of the licensee and his records relating to meter transactions must be available for examination and audit by authorized audit and inspection personnel of the Post Office Department.

(c) Revocation. (1) The license may be revoked if used in operating any scheme or enterprise of an unlawful character, for nonuse during any consecutive 12 months, or for any failure to comply with the regulations governing the use of postage meters.

(2) The meter license holder will be

notified by the postmaster that the license is to be canceled, and the reasons for cancellation. If no written statement of objections is filed by the license holder within 10 days, the postmaster will cancel the license. If a written statement is filed, the Bureau of Operations, Classification and Special Services Division, will decide whether or not the icense shall be continued in effect and will notify the license holder through the postmaster.

(39 U.S.C. 4025) [26 F.R. 11563, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 32 F.R. 2895, Feb. 15, 1967; 34 F.R. 9571, June 24, 1969. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

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(b) Setting meter. A meter licensee must bring the meter and Meter Record Book to the post office or station or branch where it was first set, for resettings and payments of postage. Postage must be paid at time of setting. Advance deposits for meter settings may not be accepted. The postmaster will issue a Meter Setting Receipt, Form 3603, for the amount of postage paid. If a meter is not reset within a 6-month period, it must be presented with Meter Record Book, showing daily register readings, at the post office, station, or branch where last set, for examination.

(c) Setting meter for use at another post office. The postmaster who serves the place where a mailer is located may, when it will be a convenience to the mailer, set a meter under the following conditions for use in paying postage on mail to be presented at another post office:

(1) The postmaster must obtain through his Regional Director, from the Regional Director in whose Region the post office of mailing is located, a written statement showing that the post office of mailing has adequate facilities for accepting the mail and that it is served by transportation facilities which will enable the mailings to be effectively and economically handled in the postal transportation patterns.

(2) A meter license must be obtained from the post office where the mailing is to be presented. (See § 143.2(a).) When the license is received, it must be presented to the local post office with the meter for setting. The license will be returned to the licensee.

(3) A separate meter must be used for each post office. The postmark die must show the name of the post office of mailing.

(4) Payment for each meter setting must be made by certified or bank cashier's check payable to the postmaster at the post office where mailings will be made. The check must be presented to the local post office when the meter is set.

(5) The postmaster setting the postage meter will complete Form 3618 in duplicate. The original of this form with the check and a stamped, selfaddressed envelope furnished by the mailer for return of Form 3603 will be sent in a post office penalty envelope to the postmaster where mailings are to be made. A record of each setting shall be entered on Form 3610 at the office where the mailings are made.

(6) Mail may not be consigned to the post office in bulk by freight, express, or other carrier. It must be presented at a designated receiving point in the post office by the mailer's representative. The postmaster may not act as the mailer's representative and the Department has no responsibility for the articles until they are actually accepted in the mail. See Part 152 of this chapter concerning carriage of letters outside the mail.

(7) Matter sent to other post offices for mailing must be shipped in private containers. The total weight of pieces placed in containers such as cartons, crates, etc., which are to be handled by postal employees must not exceed 80 pounds. Post offices will not furnish mail sacks for this purpose.

(8) When the use of a meter is discontinued, it must be presented to the post office where it was set, for checking out of service. Any postage adjustment will be made by the postmaster where the mailings have been made.

(d) Faulty mechanism. If the printing and recording mechanism is faulty in any way, do not use the meter but take it promptly to the post office, branch, or station where it is regularly set, for checking out of service.

(e) Discontinuance. When a licensee discontinues the use of a postage meter,

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