Minimum rate per piece:

Special rates for authorized organizations only (see § 134.5)

8 cents per pound or fraction.

1.7 cents..

1.7 cents..

11 cents per pound or fraction.

1.7 cents..

(3) If the total postage computed at the pound rate does not amount to the minimum rate per piece or more, postage must be computed at the minimum charge per piece. (See § 134.2(b) (2) (i) .)

(4) When mailings are made at the minimum per piece rates of 4.8 cents provided by subparagraphs (1) and (2) above, the mailer or his agent must show on each Form 3602, Statement of Mailing Matter with Permit Imprints, or Form 3602-PC, Bulk Rate Mailing Statement-Third-Class Mail, that his total mailings, including all those made at bulk pound rates and at minimum per piece rates, at all post offices, under any name, for each current calendar year, have not exceeded 250,000 pieces. It is the responsibility of the mailer or his agent to make available upon request of postal officials whatever information is necessary to show the payment of correct minimum per piece rates on all mailings made during each calendar year. Postmasters must regularly review the records of mailings being made at the bulk third-class pound and piece rates for the purpose of determining from the identity of the mailer, the number of pieces mailed, the character of the mailing pieces, or any other facts, whether the correct minimum per piece rate is being paid. If any postmaster is in doubt as to whether the 250,000 limitation has been exceeded in a particular case, he shall submit all the facts to the Mail

Regular rates

22 cents per pound or fraction.

4.8 cents.

5 cents.

26 cents per pound or fraction.

4.8 cents 5 cents

Classification Division, Finance Department.

(c) Keys, identification cards, identification tags, or similar identification devices. Keys, identification cards, identification tags, or similar identification devices that are without cover and that bear, contain, or have securely attached the name and complete post office address of a person, organization, or concern with instructions to return to such address and a statement guaranteeing the payment of the postage due on delivery: 14 cents for the first 2 ounces and 8 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction thereof.

[35 F.R. 19432, Dec. 23, 1970, as amended at 37 F.R. 17829, Sept. 1, 1972] § 134.2 Classification.

(a) Definition. (1) Third-class mail consists of mailable matter which is(i) Not mailed or required to be mailed as first-class mail;

(ii) Not entered as second-class mail; and

(iii) Less than 16 ounces in weight.

(2) Circulars, including printed letters which according to internal evidence are being sent in identical terms to several persons, are third-class mail. A circular does not lose its character as such when the date and name of the addressee and of the sender are written therein, nor by the correction in writing of mere typographical errors.

(3) Printed matter within the limit of weight is third-class mail. For the purpose of this section, printed matter is paper on which words, letters, characters, figures or images, or any combination thereof, not having the character of actual or personal correspondence, have been reproduced by any process other than handwriting or typewriting. (b) Application of rates—(1) Single rate. The single rate is applied to each piece according to its weight.

(2) Bulk rate. (i) The bulk rate is applied to mailings of identical pieces separately addressed to different addressees in quantities of not less than 50 pounds or of not less than 200 pieces. All the pieces in a bulk mailing must be identical as to size, weight, and number of enclosures, but the printed textual matter need not be identical. Postage is computed at pound rates on the entire bulk mailed at one time, except that in no case shall less than the minimum charge per piece be paid. The annual bulk mailing fee must be paid at or before the first mailing each calendar year. (See § 134.4 of this chapter for other conditions governing acceptance of bulk mailings.)

(ii) It is recommended that mailers merge and presort all third-class matter presented for mailing during a day or part of a day when the pieces are identical in size, weight, and number of enclosures and when they are addressed from one list or from more than one list. A variance in the text, the use or nonuse of adhesive address labels, or the use of several lists with different key numbers does not preclude the mailer from merging the mailings and presorting them.

(3) Other third-class rates. The rate for keys and identification items placed loose in the mail under the conditions in § 134.1(c) 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.

[35 F.R. 19432, Dec. 23, 1970, as amended at 37 F.R. 17829, Sept. 1, 1972]

§ 134.3 Weight and size limitations.

(a) Weight. Each piece may weigh up to but not including 16 ounces.

(b) Size, shape, and ratio. There is no maximum limit of size. The following standards apply to envelopes, cards, and self-mailers having postage paid thereon at the third-class rates:

(1) Pieces less than 3 inches in width (height) or 44 inches in length are nonmailable.

(2) Pieces having shapes other than rectangular are nonmailable.

(3) Pieces having a ratio of width (height) to length of 1 to 1.414 (1 to the square root of 2) are recommended.

(4) Cards having a thickness of less than 0.006 of an inch are nonmailable. § 134.4 Preparation-payment of post

age. (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 § 145.5). See § 134.8(b) for marking required on sealed pieces.

(b) Bulk mailings—(1) Annual fee. A fee of $30 must be paid once each calendar year by or for any person who mails at the bulk third-class rates. Any person who engages a business concern or another individual to mail for him must pay the $30 fee. This fee is separate from the $15 fee that must be paid for a permit to mail under the permit imprint system (§ 145.1). An alphabetical record of customers who have paid the $30 fee must be kept at the weighing section or any other place where bulk mailings are accepted and cleared. The record must show whether the mailer has been authorized to mail as one of the organizations or associations named in § 134.5.

(2) Postage permits required. Postage must be prepaid by (see Part 146):

(i) Meter stamps. See Part 144. (ii) Precanceled stamps or precanceled stamped envelopes. See Part 143. (iii) Permit imprints (cash). See Part 145.

section or place in the post office where bulk mailings are accepted verifies the mailer's statement which must be completed and submitted by the mailer with each mailing as follows:

(1) Form 3602, Statement of Mailing Matter with Permit Imprints, for mail with permit imprints (see § 145.5 (e)); or

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

(c) Preparation by the mailer of pieces in packages and sacks—(1) Package labels. Package labels are used to show the destination of a package when the destination cannot be determined by the arrangement of the pieces in the package or by the sack label. Paper slips may be used as the package label or the top piece or wrapper may be marked or stamped with the package label information required. Label information must be legible.

(2) Maximum weight in a sack. The total weight of pieces placed in one sack must not exceed 70 pounds.

(3) Sack labels furnished by postmaster. When sack labels are furnished by the postmaster, the mailer is not required to place his name on the back of each label.

(4) Unauthorized sack labels. Sacks with unauthorized labels, tags, or markings are not acceptable for dispatch.

(5) Addresses. The address on each piece must include the ZIP Code. Exceptions:

(i) The ZIP Code may be omitted from pieces bearing a simplified address (see § 122.4(a)); pieces presorted and bundled by the mailer to city, rural, or star carrier routes; and pieces presorted to five-digit ZIP Code destinations consisting of either a post office having one ZIP Code or the ZIP Code delivery unit in multi-ZIP Coded post offices.

(ii) The lowest or principal ZIP Code assigned to a post office may be used on pieces addressed to any multi-ZIP Coded post office except those listed in § 125.3 (b) (7). Mailers may obtain the lowest or principal ZIP Code for particular post offices from their postmaster.

(6) Packages and sacks. When there are 10 or more individually addressed pieces to the destinations described in subdivisions (i) through (v) of this subparagraph, they must be securely wrapped or tied together as a package by the mailer (the mailer may package less than 10 pieces in the same manner). Packages must be sacked by the mailer

97-024-78- -11

when there are enough for the same destination to fill approximately one-third of a sack:

(1) Five-digit ZIP Code delivery unit packages and sacks. A five-digit ZIP Code delivery unit is a post office having one ZIP Code or a station or branch of the multi-ZIP Code post offices listed in § 125.3(b) (7) of this chapter.

(a) Packages. The mailer must prepare packages of pieces addressed to the same five-digit ZIP Code delivery unit. The pieces in the packages must be faced in the same direction. It is recommended that packages be prepared for the fivedigit ZIP Code delivery units of the other multi-ZIP Coded post offices which are not listed in § 125.3(b) (7) of this chapter.

(b) Sacks. Sacks containing five-digit ZIP Code delivery unit packages must be labeled in the following manner:

PHILADELPHIA PA 19118

CIRCS

FR JC COMPANY BOSTON MA

(ii) Mixed city packages and sacks— (a) Packages. Pieces remaining for a multi-ZIP Coded post office after the five-digit ZIP Code delivery unit packages required by subdivision (i) (a) of this subparagraph have been prepared must be made up as a Mixed City package. The packages must be labeled "Mixed City." The label may be omitted when the packages are placed in a city sack and the top piece in the package is turned or covered so that the individual address on the piece does not show, thereby indicating that the package is to be opened for distribution.

(b) Sacks. Sacks containing mixed city packages plus any packages for fivedigit ZIP Code delivery units not sacked as provided for by subdivision (i) (b) of this subparagraph must be labeled in the following manner:

PHILADELPHIA PA 191

CIRCS

FR JAY MAILING CO CINCINNATI OH

(iii) Sectional center facility (SCF) packages and sacks-(a) Packages. Pieces remaining for the post offices in a sectional center after the packages required by subdivisions (i) (a) and (ii) (b) of this subparagraph have been prepared must be combined into an SCF package and labeled "Mixed SCF." The label may be omitted when the packages are placed in a SCF sack and the top piece in the package is turned or covered so that the individual address on the piece does not

show, thereby indicating that the package is to be opened for distribution.

(b) Sacks. Sacks containing SCF packages, plus any packages for fivedigit ZIP Code delivery units and mixed city packages not sacked as provided for by subdivision (i) (a) and (ii) (b) of this subparagraph must be labeled in the following manner:

SCF PHILADELPHIA PA 190
CIRCS

FR Q MAILERS BALTO MD

(iv) State packages and sacks—(a) Packages. Pieces remaining for a State after the packages required by subdivisions (i) (a), (ii) (a), and (iii) (a) of this subparagraph have been prepared must be combined in a State package and labeled with the name of the State. The label may be omitted when the packages are placed in a State sack and the top piece in the package is turned or covered so that the individual address on the pieces does not show, thereby indicating that the package is to be opened for distribution.

(b) Sacks. Sacks containing State packages plus any packages for five-digit ZIP code delivery units, mixed city packages, and SCF packages not sacked as provided for by subdivisions (i)(b), (ii) (b), and (iii) (b) of this subparagraph must be labeled in the following manner: KANSAS CITY MO DIS 640 MISSOURI CIRCS

FR STAR SAN FRANCISCO CA

(v) Mixed States packages and sacks— (a) Packages. All pieces remaining after the packages required by subdivisions (i) (a), (ii) (a), (iii) (a), and (iv) (a) of this subparagraph, have been prepared must be combined in a Mixed States package and labeled "Mixed States."

(b) Sacks. Sacks containing Mixed States packages must be labeled in the following manner:

CHICAGO IL DIS 600
MIXED STATES CIRCS
FR RECORD CHICAGO IL

(d) Merchandise samples. When an article given away for the purpose of advertising an article of merchandise which it represents, in whole or in part, is mailed at bulk third-class rates for general distribution on city delivery routes in a mailing piece which exceeds 5 inches in width (height) or one-fourth inch in thickness or which has nonuniformity in thickness, the mailer must

comply with the following preparation requirements:

(1) Address cards. (i) The address where the sample is to be delivered may not be placed on the sample, but must be placed on a separate address card which will be delivered with the sample.

(ii) The recipient's address, the mailer's return address, and the wording. "This card was prepared for use in delivering the accompanying postage paid sample," must be placed on the address card. The brand name, color coding, or other identifying symbols must also be placed on the address card to clearly associate it with the accompanying sample.

(iii) Any advertising or other printed addition on the card will require payment of separate third-class postage for the card.

(iv) The address card shall measure approximately (plus or minus 4'') 34" by 7%'' and be of a thickness not less than 0.006 of an inch.

(v) The address cards must be presorted, counted, and packaged by 5-digit ZIP Code delivery area. Each package of address cards shall bear a labeling showing:

(a) The post office of delivery

(b) The 5-digit ZIP Code delivery area (c) The brand name of the merchandise sample

(d) The number of cards in the package

(e) Instructions to open and distribute with matching samples.

(2) Samples. The samples must be placed in outer cartons, labeled as follows:

(i) The post office of delivery

(ii) The 5-digit ZIP Code delivery area (iii) The brand name of the merchandise sample

(iv) The number of samples in the outer carton

(v) Instructions to open and distribute with matching cards.

(3) Postage. (i) The postage must be prepaid by one of the methods prescribed by § 134.4(b) (2) and must be printed on or affixed to the sample container.

(ii) No postage will be shown on the address card except when advertising or other printed addition is placed thereon and separate postage is required.

(4) Mailing periods. Avoid mailing during the following peak mailing periods:

(1) The last week of November and throughout the month of December.

(ii) From the first to the fifth and from the twenty-sixth to the end of each month.

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

(f) Catalogs and books. Catalogs and books with covers such as "outserts," "short covers," or similar bound sheets which do not fully cover (within 0.75 inch of each edge) the main body of the catalog or book, front and back, must be enclosed in a mailing wrapper such as a full sleeve or envelope.

[35 F.R. 19432, Dec. 23, 1970, as amended at 36 F.R. 23386, Dec. 9, 1971]

§ 134.5 Qualification requirements and application procedure for special third-class rates.

(a) Kinds of organizations or associations that may qualify. Only the following organizations or association not organized for profit, none of the net income of which benefits any private stockholder or individual, may be authorized to mail pieces at the special rates provided by §§ 134.1 (b) (1) and (2): (1) Religious.

(2) Educational.

(3) Scientific.

(4) Philanthropic.

(5) Agricultural.

(6) Labor.

(7) Veterans'.

(8) Fraternal.

Primary purpose: The standard of "primary purpose" in this definition shall require that the organization be both organized for and operated for the primary purpose. Organizations which incidentally engage in qualifying activities only to accomplish other goals do not meet the primary purpose test.

(b) Definitions-(1) Religious. A nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is one of the following:

(i) To conduct religious worship-for example, churches, synagogues, temples, or mosques;

(ii) To support the religious activities of nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is to conduct religious worship;

(iii) To perform instruction in, to disseminate information about, or other

wise to further the teaching of particular religious faiths or tenets.

(2) Educational. A nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is: The instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing his capabilities; or the instruction of the public on subjects beneficial to the community. An organization may be educational even though it advocates a particular position or viewpoint so long as it presents a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. On the other hand, an organization is not educational if its principal function is the mere presentation of unsupported opinion.

(i) The following are examples of organizations which are educational:

(a) An organization, such as a primary or secondary school, a college, or a professional or trade school, which has a regularly scheduled curriculum, a regular faculty, and a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at a place where the educational activities are regularly carried on;

(b) An organization whose activities consist of presenting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs. Such programs may be on radio or television;

(c) An organization which presents a course of instruction by means of correspondence or through the utilization of television or radio;

(d) Museums, zoos, planetariums, symphony orchestras, and other similar organizations.

(3) Scientific. A nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is one of the following:

(i) To conduct research in the applied, pure or natural sciences;

(ii) To disseminate systematized technical information dealing with applied, pure or natural sciences.

(4) Philanthropic (charitable). A nonprofit organization organized and operated for purposes beneficial to the public. Examples of philanthropic (charitable) organizations are organizations which are organized for:

(i) Relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged;

(ii) Advancement of religion;

(iii) science;

Advancement of education or