PART 111-WHAT THIS CHAPTER

§ 111.1

COVERS

What this chapter covers. Chapter I provides regulations of the U.S. Postal Service to assist users of our domestic services in obtaining maximum benefits from our personnel and facilities. It includes rates for postage and restrictions on its use; descriptions of the classes of mail and conditions governing their use; requirements for wrapping and mailing; an explanation of our collection and delivery services; and details of special mail and nonmail facilities. Regulations not directly affecting mailers, such as those dealing with mail transportation, are published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The FEDERAL REGISTER Contains additional regulations of little interest to the general mailing public, such as rules of procedure. Notwithstanding any statement contained in this chapter, the burden rests with the mailer to assure that he has complied with prescribed laws and regulations.

(5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 501, 505) [35 F.R. 19399, Dec. 23, 1970]

§ 113.1

Establishment of post offices.

(a) Where established. Post offices, and branches and stations, are established and maintained at locations considered necessary for the convenience of the postal customer.

(b) Requirements-(1) Post Offices. While there is no fixed minimum population requirement for the establishment of an independent post office, we consider this factor. Post offices are established when we cannot give adequate service through the post office, station or branch now serving the area; through a new station or branch; or by an extension of city, rural or star route delivery. Post offices are not established solely for community identity.

(2) Stations. Classified, contract, and rural personnel and nonpersonnel stations are established where needed within the service limits of an independent post office. Units established within the corporate limits of the city, town or village where the main post office is located are designated as stations.

(3) Branches. Classified, contract, and rural personnel and nonpersonnel branches are established within the service limits of an independent post office. Units established outside of the corporate limits of the city, town or village where the main post office is located are designated as branches. Classified and contract branches cannot be established at locations more than 20 miles outside the corporate limits of the city, town, or village where the main post office is located and must serve a population of not less than 1,500 persons. The 20-mile limitation and 1,500 population requirement do not apply to airports, military installations, rural personnel, and/or nonpersonnel branches. Where the parent post office is located in an unincorporated city, town or community, all postal units administratively attached to that post office are designated as branches. § 113.2 Hours of business.

(a) Business Days, First-, Second-, and Third-Class Offices. (1) Provide window service, including registry service, 82 continuous hours, unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Director, during the business portion of the day. Consolidate money order service with other window service; except that an exclusive money order window may be provided when more than 350 orders a day are issued, provided the transactions are spread over the entire day and are not concentrated during a brief rush period. Limit exclusive money order windows to 8 hours service a day, usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When these services are consolidated with others, transact money order business during the hours the joint window is open.

(2) Extend window service whenever it is specifically determined to be in accordance with the needs of the community. If additional expense is involved, prior approval must be obtained from the Regional Director. Auxiliary money order windows may be opened during rush hours where this service is consolidated with other window services.

(3) If there is a total or partial suspension of general business on Saturday afternoon, or on some other workday, reduce window, collection, delivery, and other services accordingly. However, an employee shall be on duty when the rural carriers return.

(4) Obtain approval of the Regional Director before inaugurating night serv

ice at post offices, stations, or branches when this service involves expense for clerk hire, fuel, or light. Some post office lobbies are open at night to permit customers to deposit mail and obtain mail from lockboxes.

(5) If special instructions on hours of window service are desired, send request to Regional Director.

(6) The agreement for conduct of a contract station or branch provides that the contractor will transact specified postal business during the hours his establishment is open for business or during such hours as the postmaster may designate. However, for the convenience of the public, the contractor may, on his own initiative, sell postal money orders and stamps at other than the hours designated by the postmaster.

(b) National holidays. Post offices are kept open on holidays for such time as necessary to meet reasonable requirements of the public. Receive, collect, and dispatch mail in accordance with holiday schedules. Distribute incoming mail to post office boxes at the main office and, generally, to post office boxes at stations and branches. Only special-delivery matter shall be delivered. The following holidays are observed:

(1) New Year's Day.

(2) Washington's Birthday.
(3) Memorial Day.
(4) Independence Day.
(5) Labor Day.

(6) Columbus Day.
(7) Veterans' Day.

(8) Thanksgiving Day.
(9) Christmas.

(10) Other days set aside by the President as holidays.

(c) Local holidays. (1) Post offices shall not be closed on local or State holidays. Mail shall be received and dispatched as usual. Make city, village, and rural deliveries in regular manner. Window services may be reduced.

(2) Do not release regular employees from duty on State or local holidays if substitute replacements are necessary or if their absence would result in the use of substitute time or overtime on that or any later date.

(3) Do not grant other time off for service performed on local or State holidays.

(4) Keep record of service curtailment.

(d) Sundays—(1) First- and secondclass offices. First- and second-class of

fices shall not be opened on Sunday to deliver mail to general public. Sunday duty schedules shall cover only employees needed to collect and prepare mail for dispatch, to deliver special-delivery mail, and to perform incoming mail distribution considered necessary to lock boxes, and to avoid congestion and delays in delivery on Monday.

(2) Third- and fourth-class offices. Third- and fourth-class offices need not be opened on Sundays unless mail arrives after Saturday closing hour and before 6 p.m. Sunday. If mail arrives during these hours and public convenience requires its delivery on Sunday, the office may be opened to the public once for not more than 1 hour. Sale of postage stamps, registration of mail, and delivery of registered mail on Sundays is left to postmaster's option. Money orders need not be issued or paid. Deliver special delivery mail which arrives during these hours.

(e) Lobby. The post office lobby, including separate box lobbies, may remain open at the postmaster's discretion when no one is on duty if screen work extends to ceiling and if all doors, windows, and wickets connecting lobby with workroom are securely locked and police protection is adequate.

delivery case to be delivered to the addressee on his application and proper identification.

(b) Where carrier deliveries are provided. General delivery service is provided at offices with carrier delivery service, for transients and customers who are not permanently located. Persons intending to remain for 30 days or more in a city having carrier service should file their names and street addresses at the post office so that their mail may be delivered by carrier unless lockbox service is desired. Persons living in cities having carrier delivery service may for good and sufficient reasons satisfactory to the postmaster receive their mail at general delivery windows.

Jackson, Missouri,

Nebraska,

PART 115-MAIL TREATED IN CONFIDENCE

§ 115.1

Mail treated in confidence. First-class mail is given absolute secrecy while in our custody. No persons in the Postal Service, except employees of

dead-mail offices, may open first-class mail without a legal warrant, even though it may contain criminal or otherwise unmailable matter or may furnish evidence of the commission of a crime. (5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 501, 505) [35 F.R. 19401, Dec. 23, 1970]

AUTHORITY: The provisions of this Part 121 issued under 5 U.S.C, 301, 39 U.S.C. 501, 505.

SOURCE: The provisions of this Part 121 appear at 35 F.R. 19401, Dec. 23, 1970, unless otherwise noted.

§ 121.1 Adequacy of packaging standards.

(a) Inadequate preparation. Articles not prepared under the general guides and specific regulations in this part may be refused.

(b) Improperly prepared package reports. On business mailings, when packaging or closure deficiencies are noted that are not of such serious nature to require removal from the mails, a postal employee will complete Form 3837, Improperly Prepared Package Report. Postmasters will then contact the business mailer to have him take corrective action on future mailings. Record these contacts and the results obtained on form 3837 which will be retained for 1 year. § 121.2 Containers for mailing.

(a) Types of containers. Containers must be strong enough to retain and protect contents during normal mail handling. Boxes or cartons of the following materials are commonly used: Corrugated or solid fiberboard, kraftboard, chipboard (for small items), fiber mailing tubes with metal ends, metal, and wood. Heavy wrapping paper or burlap or similar cloth may be used for parcels containing unbreakable goods which would not be damaged by the weight, of other mail. The strength of carton required will depend on the weight, size, and nature of the article shipped.

(b) Size of container. The outer shipping container should be the proper size

to hold the goods shipped plus enough space for cushioning material inside. If the container is too large, the contents are apt to shift while in transit. If it is too small, or if too much is put into it, there will not be enough room for protective internal cushioning.

(c) Chipboard boxes. Small rigid telescoping chipboard boxes are usually used for small articles such as watches, jewelry, pens, etc. Those boxes, equipped with metal clasps which hold the two parts together, ordinarily need no further reinforcement.

(d) Used containers. A used container as described in § 121.21 in good rigid condition with all flaps intact is acceptable. If a box of the desired size cannot be found, a larger one may be cut down as shown in Illustration 1. Bend the four sides over the articles which have been cushioned in the box. Illus

tration 1A shows a method of making an acceptable container by using two boxes of the same general dimensions from which the flaps have been removed.

(e) Bulk mailings. Envelopes should not ordinarily be used as containers for large numbers of items mailed at the bulk third-class rates or at the single piece first-, third-, or fourth-class rates. Such items should be placed in suitable containers which can be uniformly stacked and tied in bundles. They should be properly packaged, labeled, and marked in accordance with the provisions of §§ 121.3 through 121.6, and Part 124, just as though they were single pieces.

will result regardless of the position of the package inside a mail sack.

(3) In the absence of a specially engineered package with built-in interior padding, moulds, or suspension, the container should be full.

(b) Cushioning materials and positioning. (1) Excelsior, flexible corrugated fiberboard or felt is commonly used to cushion heavy articles. Use cellulose materials, cotton, clothing, shredded paper, or tissue paper for lighter items. Expanded foam plastics may also be used for cushioning or suspension of the items within the parcel. The amount and kind of cushioning depend on size and nature of items.

(2) Do not pack heavy and lightweight items together in the same compartment. Pack heavy items so that they will remain in a fixed position.

(3) Heavy items such as machine parts, motors, castings, and hardware, particularly those in the long or bar category, require excellent exterior packaging and closure and secure position in the container. Take positive measures to prevent punching out of the ends of the containers. When these items move in their containers, they will not be accepted for mailing. Strapping around the container and extra strengthening of the ends of long cartons are recommended.

(c) Fragile articles. (1) The pieces must be individually cushioned.

(2) If shredded paper or loose excelsior is used, place at least 3 inches of either on all four sides of the box and on top and bottom. Each piece must be properly spaced and cushioned to avoid strain or damage to other pieces. About onehalf inch cushioning between flat pieces is adequate.

(3) Breakage of one item when packed with soft cushioning material may result in general loosening of other articles in the carton with further damage. If corrugated interior packing, such as trays, pads, partitions, compartments, etc., are used, they must be arranged so that individual items do not touch the wall of the shipping carton or each other. Flexible packing pads between each item of the same size may be used in nesting.

(4) The weight of upper compartments should be borne by corrugated packing and not by articles in lower compartments.

(5) Illustration 2 shows the way to cushion odd shaped items in a parcel. (d) Glassware, chinaware, ceramics,