EXTRACT Domestic Mail Manual
SECTION 604 Postage Payment Methods s/s 3.0 Precanceled Stamps
http://pe.usps.com/widgets/hyperlin...NCEL%20#hit03.1.1 Definition
Precanceling is the cancellation of adhesive postage, stamped envelopes, or stamped cards before mailing. Precanceling may be done by the mailer under a postal permit, or mailers may purchase precanceled stamps bearing a price category from the USPS.
3.1.2 Use of Precanceled Stamps
Precanceled postage is an optional postage payment method for mailings at Presorted and automation First-Class Mail prices and at all Standard Mail prices.
3.1.5 Amount of Postage
The value of precanceled stamps affixed to each piece in a mailing must be either the exact amount due or the exact monetary value of the USPS precanceled stamp appropriate to the price category of the mailpiece. Unless permitted by other standards or Business Mailer Support authorization, the same monetary value of stamp(s) must be affixed to every piece in the mailing. Refunds for overpayment must meet the standards in 9.0.
3.1.6 Depositing Precanceled Stamp Mailings
Mail bearing precanceled postage must be presented to the Post Office where the permit is held, at the times and places designated by the postmaster. Mail bearing precanceled postage must not be deposited in street collection boxes.
3.1.7 Combining Precanceled Stamps With Other Postage Payment Methods
Precanceled mail may be combined in a mailing with mail paid with other means only if authorized by the USPS.
3.2
Permit to Use Precanceled Stamps
3.2.1 Authorization to Use Precanceled Stamps
A mailer who wants to use USPS-precanceled stamps and stamped envelopes must complete Form 3615 and file it at the Post Office where mailings are to be deposited. If an applicant has a completed Form 3615 on file for other services, precanceled authorization is annotated on the existing application. There is no fee for this permit.
3.2.2 Revocation of Precanceled Stamp Permit
A permit may be revoked if used in operating any unlawful scheme or enterprise, or for buying or acquiring stamps or mailer's precancel postmarks for other than mailing, or for failing to comply with the format requirement or instructions on Form 3615. The permit holder has 10 days to file a written statement showing why the permit should not be revoked. The manager, customer service support (district), issues the decision on such appeals.
3.3
USPS Precanceled Stamps
USPS precanceled stamps are preprinted with a price category as the precancellation method. The following also applies:
a. Unless used to pay single-piece postage under 3.3d. or to pay postage under 3.5 or 3.6, or permitted by other standards or Business Mailer Support authorization, only one USPS precanceled stamp may be affixed to each piece in a mailing.
b. Mailpieces bearing a USPS precanceled stamp must include the return address.
c. If the return address is not within the delivery area of the Post Office of mailing, the mailer must place a cancellation endorsement on the piece or provide mailing information to the Post Office shown in the return address.
d. USPS precanceled stamps may be used to pay single-piece postage if the piece bearing the stamps has the correct marking (e.g., "First-Class Mail#65533;?) immediately under the postage.
3.4
Precancellation of Stamps by Mailer
3.4.1 Definition of Stamps Precanceled by Mailer
A mailer meeting the standards in 3.4 may precancel adhesive stamps, stamped cards, and stamped envelopes with a mailer's precancel postmark. Mailers authorized under 3.4 may precancel one or more postage stamps provided the total of the postage on the mailpiece equals the exact monetary value of the corresponding USPS precanceled stamp appropriate to the price category of the mailpiece. Stamped cards are precanceled at the time of printing and do not require a mailer's precancel postmark.
3.4.2 Authorization to Precancel Stamps
A mailer must request authorization to preprint price markings on precanceled stamps or to use a precancel postmark on adhesive stamps, stamped cards, and stamped envelopes. The applicant must submit a specimen mailpiece showing the preprinting method or proposed precancel postmark. If more than one preprinted marking is prepared or more than one format is used, a specimen for each must be submitted. Form 3615 must be endorsed "Preprinting of Price Markings,#65533;? or "Mailer's Precancel Postmark,#65533;? or both, as appropriate. The application and format samples must be submitted to the postmaster of the office where the precanceled mailings are to be deposited for approval by the district Business Mail Entry manager. If the application and samples are approved, the applicant receives written notice of approval from the postmaster and a unique permit number assigned by the postmaster.
3.4.6 Design and Content of Mailer's Postmark
The mailer's precancel postmark must contain specific elements:
a. The mailing date (day, month, and year) if used on First-Class Mail; the month and year of mailing may be shown on Standard Mail.
b. The words "Mailer's Postmark#65533;? followed by the permit number and enough lines to deface (cancel) the postage.
c. Either the city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code of the Post Office where the precancel permit is held and the mailing is to be deposited, or the words "Mailed From ZIP Code#65533;? followed by the 5-digit ZIP Code of the mailing office. (If that Post Office is assigned more than one 5-digit ZIP Code, the precancel postmark must show the 5-digit ZIP Code assigned to the postmaster.)
3.4.7 Price Marking
The precancel postmark may include the words or authorized abbreviations of the price marking required for the price claimed. Alternatively, if authorized under 3.4.2, the mailer may preprint price markings required by other standards on adhesive stamps to be used for mailings at the corresponding prices. Such preprinted markings must be in uppercase letters of at least 6-point type, printed in black indelible ink on the stamp where optimum contrast is possible. A preprinted price marking applied by the mailer, by itself or with a precancel postmark, must not obscure other printing on the stamp that is part of the USPS design (e.g., "USA#65533;?).
3.4.8 Cancellation of Stamps
Black ink must be used for cancellation. It must provide enough indelibility and contrast to prevent reuse of the stamps. The precancel permit number must not be obscured by the cancellation.
3.4.9 Required Format
A mailer must use one of the Format A designs in Exhibit 3.4.9. Format B may be used only by a mailer previously authorized to do so and who has the necessary die. The only permissible alternative or modification to any format is the addition of a price marking permitted by 3.4.7.
Exhibit 3.4.9 Format for Mailer's Precancel Postmarks
By USPS Definition Precancel Stamps & MPP Stamps fall under the same regulation.
Now, I hope you understand.
Hal
P.S. I am a retired Direct Mail Marketer that used precancelled stamps and MMP's to do mailings for over 30 years.
You may not want to consider them the same -- BUT the USPS does.
Posted 11/08/2015 7:48 pm
