A Couple Of Very Basic Questions About "Precancels".........

Hi!
I believe I know a precancel when I see one, but can't grasp the reason they exist. So my first question is "why do they exist?"

My second question is, if precancels are used to mail an item, what is to prevent the receiver from removing the precancel and using it again (and again, etc.)?

I've looked thru some of the threads on this topic but can't find an answer.

Thank you!

Mobilman44... to enter mail with pre-cancel stamps into the USPS you need to had a permit. Pre-cancelled Mail/Bulk-Mail-Non-Profit enters the mail system bundled by the Permit Holders accompanied by a special form. Today, Pre-cancelled stamps are used by Direct Mail Marketers to get a better response from prospect customers. The Post Office encourages use of pre-cancelled stamps; in that way, the USPS does not have to take mass-mailings (100,000 to 1,000,000+) and have to run the mail through canceling equipment.

You can always try to to re-use a pre-cancel but here's is what will happen: 1. The piece normally gets pulled from the normal mail stream and gets flagged for postage due. Reason; Pre-cancelled mail is not normally entered through the normal mail stream. And #2.) You will piss-off the postal gods ... they are called "Postal Inspectors" -- the USPS Postal Police. The Postal Police -- complete with badges, handcuffs and guns -- (USPS Postal Inspectors are a Federal Marshall) will come, pay you a visit and arrange a special room for you in a Federal Prison with a room mate named "Bubba".

Good Luck.
Hal

Here is some information taken from the USPS DMM on the subject:

http://about.usps.com/postal-bullet...updt_003.htm

See the USPS Domestic Mail Manual 604§1.8
http://pe.usps.com/search/jsp/searc...sp?k2dockey=http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm%40PE_DMM300_HTML_5&serverSpec=56.0.145.56:9920&QueryParser=Simple&querytext=%28precancelled%3Cand%3Estamps%29&dtype=2#hit0

Re-use of stamps and pre-cancelled falls under the following:
Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 471 18 USC § 471 - Obligations or securities of United States
Whoever, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, or alters any obligation or other security of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

It would seem that the USPS' rules suggest that you can use them at an extra cost, and also it would seem that private use of official mail stamps? Am I understanding that correctly?- NO I WAS NOT

1.2 Precanceled stamps may be used to pay regular postage and fees for extra services if the mailpiece is endorsed under the standards for the class of mail and service requested. Precanceled postage may be used only by permit holders authorized under 3.0. Unless excepted by standard, the total postage affixed must equal at least the postage charge for the class of the mail and, if applicable, the fee for the extra service requested. All nondenominated postage and makeup price stamps, including official mail stamps, are valid at the original prices of issue.

Thanks folks, I am now enlightened.

Goodness, your talk of postal inspectors reminds me of the 1950s. Man, folks were scared to death about doing something wrong with the mail. The thought of mailing "contraband" via the US mails was unheard of back then. Even when folks applied for a job with the post office, inspectors would come around asking about them. We had a grocery in Chicago and had a few visits from them over the years.
Thanks again!

If you want to enter precanceled mail you'll need to establish a Permit Account with your local post office Mailing Clerk; pay a yearly permit fee (over $100)under Sec.466 of the DMM and have a deposit account); have a pre-cancel stamp made to USPS specifications, then submitted for approval to the USPS Mailing Clerk; keep records of your mailings; and more.
http://pe.usps.com/search/jsp/searc...sp?k2dockey=http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/705.htm%40PE_DMM300_HTML_5&serverSpec=56.0.145.56:9920&QueryParser=Simple&querytext=%28precancel%3Cand%3Epermit%3Cand%3Email%29&dtype=2#hit0

Then, you complete and submit a form breaking out the quantity of mail going to each BMC/SCF/ZIP/ZIP+5 with every mailing -- even if it's only a single piece.

And, ILOVESTAMPS... you need to take your QUOTE in context with the DMM (Domestic Mail Manual) which, I'm not going to explain it to you. The key to understand the sentence is to be a "PERMIT HOLDER" and to understand the bible of the Post Office -- the DMM. I'll tell you one thing... like all government agencies -- the Post Office doesn't have a sense of humor. Do not -- I repeat -- DO NOT try mailing your personal or business mail with washed-off pre-cancelled stamp or take a pre-cancelled stamp and add additional make-up postage - the post office would not find this the least be humorous.

No, I'm not going to re-use and/or wash cancels that's illegal. And now I see what your talking about when you mentioned about "in context". I guess used or not they are indeed cancelled and you must have a permit to use them. I have seen them used as regular postage legal or not however.



I must admit that made me chuckle a bit. No need to get so upset just the link took me to a random page so it was all out of context until I started pouring through it. It's all good

No worry I_LOVE_STAMPS -I'm not upset. I just don't want to get into a complex discussion. Glad you had a chuckle over the DMM (Domestic Mail Manual) being the "Bible of the USPS --unfortunately, it is. It use to be two (2) -3" 8-1/2 x 11 binders of postal regulations (now online) that were a "must know" to fight small Post Offices when they got it in their minds to refuse to handle permit mailings.


If you need something to put you to sleep sometime, start reading this...

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/dmm300_landing.htm


What I like is the price list -- that includes the current fee listings .. eye opening.
Scroll down to Domestic Business Mailing Fees
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Noti....htm#2119254

Man is some dry reading. lol I think I'll keep the link for reference material but aint no way I'ma gonna get through all that stuff in a single sitting! Thank you Hal.

The original questions were (1) why do precancels exist; and (2) what is to prevent the user from re-using them.

Although the above posts accurately explain the use of precancels today, one must remember that the original concept goes back nearly a century ago when precancels named with specific cities and states were commonplace. Here's a brief summary of some of the beginning reasons for precancels and, yes, even back in those days, re-use was a concern, but was considered less of problem given the effort one would have to go through to re-use the precanceled stamps:

http://www.shaulisstamps.com/tips/Precancels.htm

Hey Hal...haha.. This sort of muddies the waters up a bit and I know it's a play on words and not the same animal but I noticed this stamp today and it almost immediately reminded me of you!