Postal Operations Manual Issue 8 - npmhul310.org

1 Postal Operations Manual ContentsPOM Issue 8, July 16, 1998 TRANSMITTAL LETTERSUMMARY OF CHANGESCONTENTS1. RETAIL MANAGEMENT2. PHILATELY3. COLLECTION SERVICE NATIONAL SERVICE STANDARDS4. MAIL PROCESSING PROCEDURES5. MAIL TRANSPORTATION6. DELIVERY SERVICES7. Postal VEHICLE SERVICE8. SPECIAL SERVICESINDEXESFORMS INDEXDOCUMENT INDEXC ontentsRPostal Operations ManualIssue 8 July 16, 1998A. Purpose. The Postal Operations Manual (POM) sets forth the policies, regulations, andprocedures of the Postal Service governing retail, philatelic, collection, mail processing,transportation, delivery, and vehicle Explanation. Issue 8 is a complete revision. It replaces Issue 7 and contains all of therevisions to the Manual published in the Postal Bulletin from August 1, 1996, throughJuly 16, 1998. In addition, new language has been added where appropriate. DiscardIssue Summary of Changes and Change Bars. The Summary of Changes contains adescription of the changes made to the Manual since Issue 7.

2 A change bar (a verticalline in the margin) signals that the adjacent text has been Forms Index. In the Forms Index, each form mentioned in the Manual iscross-referenced to each section that contains a reference to that form. By using theForms Index, if you know the title or number of a form, you will be able to find eachsection of the Manual that contains a reference to that Distribution. This revision is being distributed directly to all Postal facilities. If you needadditional copies, order them from your material distribution center using Form 7380,MDC Supply to the Public. Nonpostal users should write or call:NEW JERSEY MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERUS Postal SERVICE2 BRICK PLANT RDSOUTH RIVER NJ 08877-9998 Telephone: 908-613-2375G. Comments and Questions. If you cannot find or do not understand certain material ordiscover that topics were omitted, send a memorandum outlining the problem throughmanagement channels to:ATTN Postal Operations MANUALCORPORATE PUBLISHING AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENTUS Postal SERVICE475 L ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 2800 WASHINGTON DC 20260-1540H.

3 Effective Date. This Manual is effective July 16, D. WeirichVice PresidentInformation SystemsSummary of ChangesContentsiiiPOM Issue 8, July 16, 1998 Summary of ChangesChapter 1 Section : Effective 6-18-98, this section is revised to add areference to information regarding periodicals in Handbook DM-202,Handbook DM-701, and in the Domestic Mail Manual ( Postal Bulletin 21974,6-18-98).Section : Effective 3-13-97, this section is added to clarify theprocedures for Express Mail acceptance, verification, and delivery (PostalBulletin 21941, 3-13-97).Section : Effective 3-13-97, this section is renumbered from ( Postal Bulletin 21941, 3-13-97).Section : Effective 3-13-97, this section is renumbered from ( Postal Bulletin 21941, 3-13-97).Sections , , , , , , ,and Exhibit (page 1): Effective 3-29-97, these sections and exhibitare revised to reflect that all claims received for unnumbered insured articleslost or damaged in the mails will be adjudicated by the local post office wherethe claim is received ( Postal Bulletin 21941, 3-13-97).

4 Exhibit : Effective 1-30-97, this exhibit is revised to reflect a newaddress for the Inspection Service Operations Support Group to which officesin the Northeast Area only should send Forms 1510, Mail Loss/Rifling Report( Postal Bulletin 21938, 1-30-97).Subchapter 18: Effective 6-19-97, this subchapter is added to reflect theprocedures for postage meters ( Postal Bulletin 21948, 6-19-97).Chapter 2 Sections , , , , and : Effective 5-22-97, thesesections are revised to reflect the policy concerning the last day of sale fordesignated stamps and stamp items ( Postal Bulletin 21946, 5-22-97).Chapter 3 Section : Effective 11-20-97, this section is revised to reflect thatacceptance personnel at detached mail units are no longer required tocomplete Form 3607-C, Plant Load Verification, for each mailing or mailingsegment loaded on Postal vehicles and are not required to place the form onthe right rear interior sidewall of the vehicle ( Postal Bulletin 21959, 11-20-97).Chapter 4 Subchapter 47: Effective 7-31-97, this subchapter is revised to reflectchanges in platform Operations ( Postal Bulletin 21951, 7-31-97).

5 Postal Operations ManualContentsivPOM Issue 8, July 16, 1998 Chapter 5 Exhibit and sections and : Effective 1-2-97, this exhibitand sections are revised to clarify the proper procedures for handlingforeign-owned mail transport equipment and Postal Service international mailsacks ( Postal Bulletin 21936, 1-2-97).Chapter 6 Section : Effective 1-30-97, this section is revised to clarify the policyconcerning the temporary suspension of delivery service due to threats to thesecurity of employees, mail, or Postal property ( Postal Bulletin 21938,1-30-97).Section : Effective 4-24-97, this section is revised to update the listof approved manufacturers of curbside mailboxes for use on city and ruraldelivery routes ( Postal Bulletin 21944, 4-24-97).Subchapter 67: Effective 3-13-97, this subchapter is revised to includeExpress Mail ( Postal Bulletin 21941, 3-13-97).Part 674: Effective 3-13-97, this part is added to clarify the procedures forExpress Mail acceptance, verification, and delivery ( Postal Bulletin 21941,3-13-97).

6 Part 684: Effective 11-7-96, this part is added to clarify the procedures forhandling mail addressed to CMRAs that go out of business ( Postal Bulletin21932, 11-7-96).Chapter 8 Section : Effective 3-13-97, this section is added to clarify theprocedures for handling Express Mail COD ( Postal Bulletin 21941, 3-13-97).ContentsContentsvPOM Issue 8, July 16, 1998 Contents1 Retail Management1 .. 11 Introduction1 .. 12 Retail Facility Management1 .. 121 Retail Analysis Program (RAP)1 .. and Scope1 .. Manager, Customer Service and Sales2 .. Coordinator2 .. Surveys2 .. Steps2 .. Survey Plan3 .. Data3 .. and Process Data4 .. Data4 .. Recommendations4 .. 122 Types of Retail Facilities4 .. 123 Post Offices, Stations, Branches, Contract Postal Units, and Nonpersonnel Units4 .. and Classification4 .. Offices4 .. Units5 .. Units5 .. Postal Units5 .. Post Offices5 .. Units5 .. Post Offices5 .. and Discontinuance6 .. Postal Operations ManualContentsviPOM Issue 8, July 16, Offices6.

7 Units6 .. Units6 .. of Postal Units8 .. Locations8 .. and ZIP Code Assignments and Changes8 .. Office Names8 .. in Names of Post Offices8 .. of Stations, Branches, Community Post Offices, and OtherNamed Postal Facilities8 .. and ZIP Code Assignments and Changes9 .. Requirements9 .. in Post Office and ZIP Code Status9 .. of Post Offices10 .. Requirements10 .. Requirements11 .. of Community Address12 .. Code Assignment12 .. Office Name in Address12 .. of Facility Established by Consolidation12 .. of Discontinued Post Offices12 .. Proposal12 .. of Postmasters13 .. of Written Proposal13 .. , Public Comment, and Record14 .. Proposal and Comment Notice14 .. and Comment Notice14 .. Steps16 .. ContentsContentsviiPOM Issue 8, July 16, of Public Comments and Final Local Recommendation16 .. of Comments16 .. of Proposal17 .. Service Decision17 .. for Further Action18 .. File18 .. of Final Determination18 .. of Final Determination to Discontinue Post Office18.

8 Of Determinations Not Appealed18 .. During Appeal19 .. Following Appeal Decision19 .. Suspension of Service20 .. and Conditions20 .. of Suspension20 .. , Branch, and Community Post Office Discontinuance20 .. to Postal Officials20 .. Requirements for Station, Branch, and Contract Postal Unit Discontinuance20 .. 124 Conduct on Postal Property21 .. to Postal Property21 .. of Postal Property21 .. With Signs and Directions21 .. Traffic21 .. Traffic21 .. Restrictions22 .. Beverages and Drugs22 .. , Electioneering, Collecting Debts, Vending, and Advertising23 .. Postings23 .. Actions24 .. Displays24 .. Postal Operations ManualContentsviiiPOM Issue 8, July 16, for News, Advertising, or Commercial Purposes25 .. , Other Animals, and Weapons and Explosives25 .. and Violations25 .. Police Officers25 .. and Imprisonment26 .. 125 Lobby Management26 .. Levels26 .. Holidays27 .. Utilization27 .. and Fixtures29 .. Tables and Customer Forms29.

9 Systems Criteria29 .. Displays and Promotions29 .. Displays30 .. Use30 .. and Conditions32 .. Use32 .. Boards32 .. Information33 .. Vendor Facilities33 .. Director Program34 .. and Scope34 .. Employees34 .. Volunteers34 .. Training34 .. ContentsContentsixPOM Issue 8, July 16, Supplies and Equipment35 .. Found in Lobbies or Public Areas35 .. 126 Retail Services Management35 .. and Scope35 .. and Accountable Stock Activities36 .. Stamps and Accountable Stock36 .. Stamps and Accountable Stock36 .. Stamps and Accountable Stock36 .. Stamps and Accountable Stock36 .. Activities37 .. and Scope37 .. Orders37 .. Deposits37 .. Financial Report38 .. Hours38 .. Weekdays38 .. Service38 .. Post Office and Units in Business Areas38 .. Units38 .. of Retail Counter Service39 .. Postal Business39 .. Hours39 .. or State Holidays39 .. 13 Retail Services at Counters40 .. 131 Overview40 .. Transactions40 .. Retail Units40.

10 132 Stamp and Postal Stationery Sales40 .. of Stamps40 .. of Stamp Sales41 .. Stamps41 .. or Partial Panes41 .. Receipts41 .. Postal Operations ManualContentsxPOM Issue 8, July 16, Stationery41 .. of Personalized Envelopes41 .. Error42 .. Error42 .. Envelopes42 .. Quantities42 .. Sales to Customers43 .. Use of Stamps43 .. Postal Employees43 .. Stamps43 .. 133 Postal Money Order Sales43 .. Money Orders44 .. Money Orders44 .. 134 Packaging Products Sales44 .. 135 Postal -Related Merchandise Sales44 .. Pricing44 .. Markets45 .. Merchandise Revenue Reports45 .. 136 Methods of Payment45 .. Mail45 .. Reply and Merchandise Return45 .. Mail46 .. 137 Mail Acceptance and Handling46 .. Employees46 .. Categories46 .. Mail46 .. ContentsContentsxiPOM Issue 8, July 16, and Packaging Standards47 .. Standards47 .. Standards47 .. Addressing47 .. Mail Acceptance47 .. and Service Levels47 .. Matter and Hazardous Materials48 .. of Mail48.