(b) Application of rates. (2) * ** (See § 16.2 of this chapter and § 24.4 for other conditions governing acceptance of bulk mailings.)

(3) The minimum charge for pieces of odd size or form applies to articles mailed singly or in bulk when:

(i) The address side exceeds 9 inches in width or 12 inches in length.

(ii) The address side of articles is less than 234 inches in width or 4 inches in length.

(iii) They are not rectangular.

(iv) Their contents cause a hump or other uneven surface which prevents stacking or tying in packages.

(v) They are enclosed in bags.

(vi) They are addressed by means of tags.

(4) The rate for keys and identification items placed loose in the mails under the conditions in paragraph (a) (3) of this section is applied to each item according to its weight. When there are several items for the same addressee, the office of mailing will place them in an envelope or wrapper addressed to the intended recipient and marked to show the amount of postage due. The amount of postage will be computed on each item and not on the bulk weight of the mailing piece.

CODIFICATION: § 24.2 was amended in the following respects:

1. Paragraph (a) was amended as follows:

a. Subparagraph (1) was amended, 22 F. R. 4500, June 27, 1957.

b. Subparagraph (3) was amended, 21 F. R. 2684, Apr. 26, 1956.

c. In subparagraph (5) the parenthetical phrase "(8 ounces)" was deleted, 23 F. R. 5761, July 31, 1958.

2. Paragraph (b) was amended as follows: a. The last sentence of subparagraph (2), and subparagraph (4) were amended to read as set forth above, 21 F.R. 2684, Apr. 26, 1956.

b. Subparagraph (3) was amended, 24 F.R. 10889, Dec. 22, 1959.

Prior Amendments

1957: 22 F.R. 4054, June 8. 1958: 23 F.R. 9922, Dec. 23. 1959: 24 F.R. 4140, May 22.

§ 24.3

Weight and size limitations.

(a) Weight. Each piece may weigh up to but not including 16 ounces, except for items described in § 24.2 (a) (3) and (4) and letters for the blind. (See Part 28 of this chapter.)

[Paragraph (a) amended, 23 F.R. 5761, July 31, 1958]

(b) Size. Envelopes and cards which measure less than 234 by 4 inches in either dimension are nonmailable. There are no other size restrictions.

[Paragraph (b) amended, 23 F.R. 9922, Dec. 23, 1958, effective July 1, 1959]

NOTE: Order, 24 F.R. 4140, May 22, 1959, provided in part as follows: "The minimum size restriction of 234 by 4 inches, effective July 1, 1959, is hereby suspended indefinitely."

Prior Amendments

1956: 21 F.R. 2684, Apr. 26.

1957: 22 F.R. 4054, June 8; 22 F.R. 10111, Dec. 17.

1958: 23 F.R. 7671, Oct. 3.

§ 24.4 Preparation; payment of postage.

(a) Single-piece mailings. Mailers of third-class mail at other than bulk rates may use any method of paying postage, and may mail any number of pieces at one time, except when permit imprints are used. See § 34.5 of this chapter.

(b) Bulk mailings—(1) Annual fee. A fee of $20 must be paid each calendar year. Lettershops must pay the $20 fee for each customer for whom mailings are made, unless each customer pays it. This fee is separate from the $10 fee that must be paid for a permit to mail under the permit imprint system. See § 34.1(a) of this chapter.

(2) Postage permits required. Postage must be prepaid by:

(i) Meter stamps. See Part 33 of this chapter.

(ii) Precanceled stamps or precanceled stamped envelopes. See Part 32 of this chapter.

(iii) Permit imprints (cash). See Part 34 of this chapter.

Identifying

(3) Markings required. words as follows must be printed either in or immediately adjacent to permit imprints, meter stamps, or precanceled stamps:

(i) "Bulk Rate" or the abbreviation "Blk. Rt." by mailers other than nonprofit organizations.

(ii) "Nonprofit Organization" or the abbreviation "Nonprofit Org." by authorized nonprofit organizations which mail at the 50 percent reduction in the minimum per piece charge.

(4) Mailing statement and verification. A designated employee in the weighing section or other place where bulk mailings are accepted shall verify the mailer's statement which must be completed and submitted by the mailer with each mailing as follows:

(i) Mailing statement, Form 3602 (Statement of mailing of matter with permit imprints) for mail with permit imprints (see § 34.5(e) of this chapter)

or

(ii) Mailing statement, Form 3602-PC (Mailing statement Third-Class Mail) for mail bearing precanceled stamps or meter stamps.

(5) Preparation of mailing. Sort, face, and tie bulk mail into packages both lengthwise and crosswise with twine strong enough to withstand handling in the mail (a breaking point of 10 pounds or more will qualify). Labels should be large enough to cover the address on the exposed piece of mail and to keep the label from sliding out from under the twine. Prepare packages as follows:

(i) Direct package. When there are 10 or more pieces for any one post office (or station or branch if its name forms part of the address), face all addresses one way except the last which must be reversed to expose its address on the outside of the package. Do not label direct packages.

(ii) State package. After directpackage pieces are removed, if there are 10 or more pieces remaining for any one State, face all addresses one way and tie the pieces into a package. Cover the top address with a label bearing the name of the State.

(iii) Mixed packages. If there are less than 10 pieces per State (for instance, 6 for Delaware, 8 for Maryland, 5 for Virginia), face all addresses one way and tie the pieces into a package. Cover the top address with a label bearing the words "Mixed States."

(iv) Simplified addressed mail. Follow the instructions in § 13.4 (c) of this chapter.

(6) Preparation for dispatch-(i) Direct sacks. When there are sufficient direct packages for the same post office to fill a sack at least one-third full, they must be placed in a sack or sacks which should be labeled in the following

manner:

PHILADELPHIA, PA.
CIRCS.

From Jay Mailing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio

(ii) State sacks-(a) Direct packages. After all possible city direct sacks have been made, if there are enough direct packages remaining for post offices within the same State to fill approximately one-third of a sack, they should be placed in a State sack and labeled to the proper distribution point. See subparagraph (7) of this paragraph. State sacks should be labeled in the following

manner:

OGDEN, UTAH TERMINAL
Calif. Directs CIRCS.

From D. C. Mailers, Washington, D. C.

(b) State packages. When State packages of circulars for one State will fill approximately one-third of a sack, they should be placed in a State sack and labeled to the proper distribution point. (See subparagraph (7) of this paragraph.) Label in the following form:

OGDEN, UTAH TERMINAL
CALIF. CIRCS.

From D.C. Mailers, Washington, D.C.

(iii) Mixed sacks. (a) Mixed State packages of circulars may be included in sacks labeled "Mixed States-Circulars." (b) Any direct package for which there is insufficient quantity to make city

or State direct sacks should be included in sacks labeled "Mixed Directs-Circulars."

(iv) Labels furnished by postmaster. Where sack labels are furnished by the postmaster, the mailer will mark his name on the back of the label.

(v) Unauthorized labels. Labels, tags, or markings not required or authorized may not be used on mail sacks.

(7) Distribution points. A list of the proper distribution points for papers, mixed circulars, and direct circulars from each postal region is prepared by the distribution and traffic manager of the region. Copies of this list along with any special instructions relating to specific locations may be obtained through your local postmaster.

(8) Special services. The registry, insurance, certified, and COD services may not be used for third-class matter mailed at the bulk rates.

[24 F.R. 6231, Aug. 4, 1959]

Prior Amendments

1956: 21 F. R. 2684, Apr. 26; 21 F. R. 7185, Sept. 21.

1957: 22 F. R. 4500, June 27; 22 F. R. 10111, Dec. 17.

1958: 23 F.R. 9922, Dec. 23.

§ 24.5 Nonprofit organizations.

(a) Types. Religious, educational, scientific, philanthropic, agricultural, labor, veterans', and fraternal organizations or associations not organized for profit and none of the net income of which benefits any private stockholder or individual may mail pieces subject to the minimum bulk third-class per piece charge at a reduction of 50 per cent. The following and similar organizations do not come within the prescribed categories even though they may be organized on a nonprofit basis: Automobile clubs; business leagues; chambers of commerce; citizens' and civic improvement associations; individuals; municipal, county, or State governmental bodies; mutual insurance associations; political organizations; service clubs such as Civitan, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, and Rotary; social and hobby clubs; and trade associations.

(b) Applications. File applications on Form 3624, Application To Mail Third

Class Matter at Special Postage Rates, at the post office where you will mail. The application will be approved or denied by the postmaster.

(c) Appeal. The postmaster's action may be appealed in writing through the postmaster to the Bureau of Operations, Postal Services Division. The appeal must be accompanied by the original application and all supporting papers.

(d) Temporary mailings. Until final action is taken on the application, postage paid on the mailings may be at the special rates provided the mailer deposits with the postmaster an amount sufficient to cover the additional postage at the higher rates. This deposit will be returned to the mailer if the application is approved. If the application is denied, the deposit will not be returned. The deposit will be converted into postage due stamps, and the stamps canceled and given to you if no appeal is made. If appeal is made, action concerning the deposit will be deferred.

(e) Revocation. The approval may be revoked if the authorization was given to an organization or association which was not qualified or which becomes unqualified. The postmaster who approved the application will notify the organization of the pending cancellation of the authorization and of the reasons for the cancellation. The organization will be allowed 10 days within which to file a written statement why the authorization should not be canceled. When no answer is filed, the postmaster will cancel the authorization. If no answer is filed, decision will be made by the Bureau of Operations, Postal Services Division, whether the authorization shall be continued in effect. Notice of the decision will be given the organization through the postmaster.

CODIFICATION: § 24.5 was revised, 22 F. R. 4500, June 27, 1957, and subsequently amended in the following respects:

1. Paragraph (a) was amended, 24 F.R. 6231, Aug. 4, 1959.

2. Paragraph (c) and the fifth sentence in paragraph (e) were amended to read as set forth above, 22 F.R. 10111, Dec. 17, 1957. § 24.7

Enclosures.

(a) Books and catalogs—(1) Permissible. Loose enclosures relating exclusively to the book or catalog they accompany may be enclosed and mailed at the

book and catalog rate. Loose enclosures are restricted to:

(i) Single reply envelope or reply post card, or both.

(ii) Single order form.

(iii) Printed circular.

(iv) If no other circular is enclosed, a printed price list listing only articles featured in the catalog and showing only the same prices and discounts as the catalog.

(v) An invoice, same as for fourthclass mail. (See 25.5(b)(3) of this chapter.)

(2) Prohibited. Samples of cloth or other merchandise cannot be enclosed, either loose or attached. If circular and other printed matter is attached to a book or catalog, it does not have to conform to the conditions for loose enclosures. "Attached” means pasted along the entire bound edge of, or fastened with at least two stitches or stapled to, securely enough to form an integral part of, the book or catalog.

(b) All other third-class matter—(1) Permissible. The following may be enclosed with articles mailed as third class at other than the book or catalog rate: (i) An invoice, same as for fourthclass mail. (See § 25.5(b)(3) of this chapter).

(ii) Second-class matter, if combined weight does not exceed 8 ounces.

(2) Prohibited. Circuiars and advertisements of other persons or firms that are printed or manufactured elsewhere and turned over to a mailer may not be inserted and mailed with his own mail at bulk rates but are subject to the single piece rates.

[24 F.R. 566, Jan. 24, 1959]

Prior Amendments

1957: 22 F.R. 3724, May 28.

or "Book or Catalog" in a prominent manner on the address side.

(2) Prohibited. Except for items in subdivision (iv) of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, envelopes and selfmailers measuring 5 x 111⁄2 inches or smaller, when sealed, are subject to the first-class rate.

To

(b) Examination. Third-class mail must be prepared so that it can be easily examined. Mailing of sealed articles under paragraph (a) of this section at the third-class rates of postage is deemed to be the consent of the sender to postal inspection of the contents. assure that their parcels will not be opened for postal inspection, patrons should, in addition to paying the firstclass rate of postage, plainly mark their parcels "First-Class" or with similar endorsement.

(c) Penny-saver envelopes. Envelopes having one small spot of gum to hold a loose flap are accepted as unsealed. The words "Pull Out for Postal Inspection" must be printed on, or adjacent to, the loose flap and must be entirely exposed when the envelope is ready for mailing. The closing outside flap that folds over the loose flap must not be gummed on the surface touching the loose flap.

CODIFICATION: § 24.8 was revised, 22 F. R. 4501, June 27, 1957. Subsequently paragraph (a) was amended to read as set forth above, 24 F.R. 566, Jan. 24, 1959.

Prior Amendments 1956: 21 F. R. 7990, Oct. 18. 1957: 22 F.R. 10111, Dec. 17.

§ 24.9 Circulars addressed to APO's. [Added, 21 F. R. 7185, Sept. 21, 1956; revoked, 23 F. R. 2736, Apr. 24, 1958]

(a) Fourth-class (parcel post) zone rates.