Federal Register #2026-17884

Postal Service Revises Standards for Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons

The United States Postal Service is updating its Mailing Standards for parcels sent as Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons. - Regulatory update, not a procurement opportunity - Key changes: - Parcels mailed under Free Matter standards are exempt from the Hazmat Handling Fee - Commercial mailers must pay a Hazmat Noncompliance Fee if hazardous materials are not properly declared and labeled - All parcels must bear both an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) and an Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb) - Barcodes must be prepared according to specific USPS guidelines - No OEMs, vendors, products, or services are being procured - This revision clarifies fee applicability and barcode requirements for improved tracking and compliance

Description

The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to clarify the applicability of the Hazmat Handling Fee and to require a parcel barcode on parcels mailed as Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons. The revision clarifies that pieces mailed under the Free Matter standards are not subject to the Hazmat Handling Fee, but commercial mailers are subject to the Hazmat Noncompliance Fee if they do not properly declare hazardous materials. Additionally, all parcels must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) and an Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb) to improve tracking and processing. These changes aim to enhance safety, processing efficiency, and delivery of mailpieces under this standard.

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