2013 Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates

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2013 Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates

Domestic Mail Class/Product
Cut Off Date

First Class Mail – Dec-20
Priority Mail – Dec-21
Priority Mail Express* – Dec-23
Parcel Post – Dec-14
DNDC Drop Ship – Dec-19
DDU Drop Ship – Dec-21

International Mail**
Priority Mail Express Military APO/FPO**
*Priority Mail Express postage refund eligibility is adjusted for shipments mailed Dec 22-25
** See additional information below

Military Mail Addressed To
Priority Mail Express® Military Service (PMEMS) 1/
First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards
Priority Mail®
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/
Space Available Mail (SAM) 3/
Parcel Post®

APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092
Dec-17
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12

APO/FPO AE ZIP 093
N/A
Dec-3
Dec-3
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12

APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098
Dec-17
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12

APO/FPO AA ZIP 340
Dec-17
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12

APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966
Dec-17
Dec-10
Dec-10
Dec-3
Nov-26
Nov-12

1/ PMEMS: is available to selected military /diplomatic post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to an APO/FPO/DPO address.
2/ PAL: is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface price for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3/ SAM: parcels are paid at Parcel Post prices with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.

International Mail Addressed To
Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)***
Priority Mail Express® International (PMEI)
Priority Mail® International (PMI)
First-Class Mail®

Africa
pending
Dec-10
Dec-2
Dec-2

Asia/Pacific Rim
Dec-14
Dec-9
Dec-9

Australia/New Zealand
Dec-14
Dec-9
Dec-9

Canada
Dec-16
Dec-12
Dec-9

Caribbean
Dec-14
Dec-12
Dec-9

Central & South America
Dec-10
Dec-2
Dec-2

Mexico
Dec-14
Dec-11
Dec-9

Europe
Dec-14
Dec-12
Dec-9

Middle East
Dec-14
Dec-12
Dec-9

***GXG Notes: 1) Cutoff date does not take into account time needed for customs clearance. 2) Should allocate extra transit day(s) for delivery outside major cities. 3) Last day to ship to Afghanistan is Dec xx and Iraq is Dec xx.

2013 Holiday Season Import Dates*

SURFACE
AIR
EMS

LC/AO
CP
LC/AO
CP

Dec-9
Dec-3
Dec-16
Dec-14
Dec-17

*Provides mailing guidelines for foreign postal partners in order to meet December 25 delivery.

2013 Holiday Season Import Dates

December 3 Last day to send parcel post packages via surface transportation

December 9 Last day to send letters, flats and small packages via surface transportation

December 14 Last day to send priority packages via air transportation

December 16 Last day to send letters, flats and small packages via air transportation

December 17 Last day to send Express Mail Service items (any shape)

Mail class by code:

LC = Letters, aerogramme’s (USPS no longer offers outbound aerogramme’s), cards and letter package
AO = Newspapers, magazines, matter for the blind, printed matter, small package
CP = Packages – Parcel Post (Surface), Priority (Air)

New Rules for Folded Self-Mailers 2012

New rules have been posted at RIBBS regarding changes to USPS specifications of Folded Self-Mialers (FSM). Here are the highlights:

– Length: A minimum of 5 inches and a maximum of 10 1/2 inches.

– Height: A minimum of 3 1/2 inches and a maximum of 6 inches.

– Thickness: A minimum of 0.007 inch; (0.009 inch if the height exceeds 4 1/4 inches or if the length exceeds 6 inches); the maximum thickness is 1/4 inch.

– Maximum Weight: 3 ounces.

– Rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides.

– Within an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of 1.3 to 2.5, inclusive (see Domestic Mail Manual 601.1.4).

– Maximum number of panels, bi-fold, tri-fold and oblongs: 12 for FSM’s constructed of non-newsprint paper

– Exception: Quarter folded self-mailers made of a minimum of 100 lb book grade paper may have 4 panels and those made of 55 lb newsprint must have at least 8 panels and may contain up to 24 panels.

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Summer Postage Sale Ends August 31st

Remember, you have until August 31 to take advantage of the US Postal Service three-percent discount on Standard and First-Class and non-profit letters and flats that include the two-dimensional barcodes which can be read by consumer smartphones.

The Quick Response (QR) barcodes allow a consumer to scan items with their iPhone, Blackberry or Android phones to access information that might offer a special discount, maps to your location etc.

Accurate Mailings has the software to produce the QR code for you. Please contact your Accurate Mailings’ representative if you need additional information.

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Summer Postage Sale

US Postal Service is providing a 3 percent discount on Standard and First-class mail, letters and flats that include two-dimensional mobile barcodes which can be read by consumer smartphones. Accurate Mailings can include these barcodes so you can save money between July 1 and August 31.

Already in use within other sectors of print advertising, the barcodes – which include so-called Quick Response (QR) barcodes allow a consumer to scan items with their iPhone, Blackberry or Android phones in order to access information. This might link them to online content, special offers, announce special events, maps to your location, publicize your participation in a community event etc.

If you need a QR barcode produced for you and printed on your next mailing piece or want more information please contact your Accurate Mailings representative.

Try this out!

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Only in the Bay Area

Sunday marked the 100th running of a foot race recognized worldwide for the caliber of runners it brings to the Bay Area and for the fun factor, which is second to none. For eight years Accurate Mailings has had the pleasure of serving the lettershop and offline registration needs for the Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12K Foot Race. Ridouane Harroufi won the men’s division on Sunday in an exciting burst of speed at the finish line and Lineth Chepkurui won the women’s race with a determined, leading pace throughout.

We want to congratulate not only the winners, but also AEG, the owners of the race, and the staff who put on this event. We work side-by-side with many of the staff and it is a difficult task done very well by tireless, dedicated individuals.

It is rare to have the opportunity to be a part of something so unique in the world and we are honored to play our small role in this elaborate event. We wish them another 100 years of world-class running and unique, SF-Bay-Area-style fun.

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Postage Rate Increase April 17th

Reminder – for the first time in two years your postage rates will go up. The effective date is Sunday April 17 and the average increase will be 1.741 percent. Your one-ounce letter will remain at $0.44.

For complete breakdown of the new rates click on the link below.

http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm

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Priority Mail Forever Packaging – NEW OPTIONS!!

Priority Mail Forever Packaging

The US Postal Service has proposed a new price category within Priority Mail to allow Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging.

Forever Prepaid packaging will be available to be purchased by credit card only and only in multi-packs. Envelopes and boxes will be sent to customers with prepaid mailing labels affixed for the following Priority Mail items:

· Flat Rate Envelopes – Regular, Legal, and Padded ($4.95 ea)

· Flat Rate Boxes – Small ($5.20ea), Medium (2styles) ($10.95ea),

· Large Flat Rate boxes domestic addresses ($14.95ea)
APO/FPO/DPO destinations ($12.95ea)

Proposed effective date is April 17, 2011

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All U.S. Mail Service to Egypt Temporarily Suspended

This comes straight from the USPS and their latest DMM Advisory release and I felt is is important info

All U.S. Mail Service to Egypt Temporarily Suspended

As noted in this morning’s DMM Advisory, the U.S. Postal Service® temporarily suspended acceptance of Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®) service to Egypt on February 3 due to the suspension of air transportation service to the nation of Egypt.

Some GXG items already enroute to Egypt are being held at international airports. Any GXG items currently in the U.S. mailstream bound for Egypt are being returned to the sender, and postage and fees will be refunded upon request.

Post Offices are continuing to accept international letter mail and other package services, including Express Mail International® and Priority Mail International®, addressed to Egypt. However, this international mail is being held temporarily by the Postal Service until air transportation resumes and the postal administration of Egypt is able to accept it.

We will use the DMM Advisory to keep you informed of any further developments affecting mail delivery to and from Egypt.

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USPS Announces Postage Increase

It has almost been two years since the Postal Service last raised prices for mailing services products. The USPS now has recently announced a price increase effective April 17, 2011. Postage rates will increase an average 1.741 percent. The increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and will affect First-Class, Standard, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. As proposed, the cost of a letter under one ounce will remain the same, $0.44. Over one ounce the rate will go up from $0.61 to $0.64.

If you would like more specific information on what your new postage rate will be, please contact your Accurate Mailings representative.

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USPS Changes Course on IMb

Recognizing ongoing concerns about mailers’ readiness for broader adoption of the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb), the USPS has decided to delay mandatory implementation beyond the May 11, 2011 date announced last week. A new date has yet to be announced.

Please contact us at Accurate Mailings if you need assistance with converting your Business Reply Mail or Courtesy Reply Mail to conform to the IMb format.

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