Glossary of Postal Terms Transmittal Letter

1 Glossary of Transmittal Postal TermsLetter Publication 32 July 2013. Transmittal Letter A. Purpose. This Glossary defines the most widely used words and phrases unique to, or with special meaning within, the United States Postal Service . It includes Terms related to products and services, delivery and mail processing operations, automation technology, and strategic programs that boost productivity and improve the customer experience. This Glossary does not, however, present comprehensive descriptions or furnish precise legal definitions such as those in 39 and 39 If the Glossary definition of a term contradicts the definition of the same term in another official and current Postal Service directive, the directive definition supersedes the Glossary definition.

2 B. Questions and Comments. Questions and comments, including suggestions for revisions or additions of Terms , can be sent to: or PUBLICATION 32 EDITOR. BRAND AND POLICY. US Postal SERVICE. 475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 4646. WASHINGTON DC 20260-3101. C. Cancellations. All previous issues of Publication 32 are obsolete. D. Effective Date. This publication is effective July 2013. Samuel M. Pulcrano Vice President Corporate Communications Contents Introduction .. 1. Format and Organization .. 1. Style .. 4. Acronyms and Abbreviations .. 4. Alphabetization.

3 4. Capitalization.. 4. Forms and Publications.. 4. Trademarks .. 4. Postal Terms .. 5. List of Acronyms/Abbreviations .. 239. July 2013 iii Glossary of Postal Terms This page intentionally left blank iv Publication 32. Introduction Publication 32, Glossary of Postal Terms , first appeared in 1974, and has been updated several times since then to reflect the introduction of new products and services, as well as advances in mail processing and delivery operations. The current edition is the result of a year-long effort by subject matter experts from every function within the Postal Service.

4 These experts added hundreds of new entries, including Terms related to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. Many existing Terms were also updated when appropriate. Most obsolete Terms were deleted, but some that might still appear in print were retained and cross-referenced to the current term. Format and Organization This online edition departs from the traditional dictionary-style design of previous editions. The tabular format facilitates searches and lays the foundation for possible new features in future editions.

5 Each entry in the table can consist of up to five separate elements as shown in the sample illustration and explained by the following keys. Sample Glossary Entries Acronym / Cross- Term Abbreviation Definition Reference Function AADC (1) A presort level in which all pieces in the (Compare PC. bundle or container are addressed for delivery with ADC.). in the service area of the same automated area distribution center (AADC). (2) An abbreviation used on mail container labels that identifies the contents as automated area distribution center mail ( , the ZIP Codes on the mail are served by the AADC).

6 Abandoned (See PC. mail unclaimed mail.). July 2013 1. Acronym / Cross- Term Abbreviation Definition Reference Function absentee Postcard applications, ballots, voting PC. balloting instructions, and envelopes sent through the materials mail without postage prepayment. This public service enables expatriates, members of the Armed Forces in active service, and the Merchant Marine (and their spouses and dependents) to apply for registration and to vote when absent from the place of voting residence. Accelerated A developmental curriculum for new HR.

7 Career Entry employees to gain knowledge, skills, abilities, Program and experience in positions identified with mission critical skill sets. accelerated ARM Origin Caller Service provided for barcoded (Compare SS. reply mail reply mail at a Postal facility other than the one with to which the caller's mail is actually addressed. destination Reply mail from the caller's customers is Caller captured on processing equipment Service.). programmed to include the unique ZIP+4. barcode assigned to the caller as part of the scheme sort at selected processing and distribution centers.

8 The captured mail is held out for either immediate pickup by the caller or reshipment by USPS via Priority Mail Express service to the facility to which the caller's mail is addressed. Key to Column Headings Term The headword to be defined. It appears in boldface type and, if trademarked or registered, shows the appropriate trademark ( ) or registration mark ( ) symbol. Every term entry includes a term. Acronym / An authorized acronym or abbreviation of the term ( , ADC for area distribution center). Abbreviation Some acronyms or abbreviations are trademarked or registered ( , EPM for Electronic Postmark and ACS for Address Change Service) even when the term itself is not trademarked or registered.

9 Not every term entry includes an authorized acronym or abbreviation. Definition A statement that presents the meaning of the term. Some definitions contain multiple parts or meanings. Some definitions include descriptors in parentheses before the statements ( , (informal), (obsolete). (philatelic)). Not every term has a definition if the term is an unofficial form with a cross-reference to the official form ( , (See Postal money order.) for the entry money order). Cross-Reference A direction to go to the official presentation of the term ( , (See Postal money order.))

10 For the entry money order). A signal to see another related term ( , (See also saturation price.) for the term high density price). Also a signal to compare a related term ( , (Compare with area and district.) for the term Headquarters). Not every term entry includes a cross-reference. Function A two- Letter code that indicates the principal area within the Postal Service that uses or originated the term. Every term entry includes a function. July 2013 2. Introduction Function Codes Code Function AM address management CA consumer affairs CO communications and public affairs CR customer relations DE delivery EN engineering FA facilities FI finance GC general counsel GR government relations GS ground shipping HR human resources (including labor relations).