124.52 Antique Firearms. Antique firearms sent as curios or museum pieces may be accepted for mailing without regard to the provisions of 124.513 through 124.516. 124.53 Rifles and Shotguns. While unloaded rifles and shotguns not precluded by 124.511 and 124.512e are mailable, mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618, 18 USC 921, et seq., and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 26 CFR 178, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the Postal Service to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the gun is unloaded and not precluded by 124.512e. It is recommended that all such mailings be sent by registered mail. 124.54 Legal Opinions About Mailing Firearms. Postmasters are not authorized to give opinions concerning the legality of any shipment of rifles or shotguns (see 124.125). 124.55 Switchblade and Ballistic Knives 124.551 When Mailable. Knives (including sharp-pointed instruments such as stilettos which lack cutting edges) having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle, or by operations of inertia, gravity, or both, or having a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism, are mailable only when sent to a. The following designated supply or procurement officers and employees ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives for use in connection with the activities of their respective governments or organizations: (1) Civilian or Armed Forces supply or procurement officers and employees of the Federal Government. (2) Supply or procurement officers of the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the militia of a state, territory, or the District of Columbia. (3) Supply or procurement officers or employees of the municipal government of the District of Columbia or of the government of any state or territory, or of any county, city, or other political subdivision of a state or territory. b. Manufacturers of such knives, or bona fide dealers therein, in connection with a shipment made pursuant to an order from any person designated in 124.551a. (For advertisements for the mailing of switchblade and ballistic knives, see 123.441.) 124.552 Identification of Addressee. When the postmaster of the delivery office, or the carrier responsible for delivering it, has knowledge that a shipment (or parcel) contains an article or articles described in 124.551, before making delivery, he must satisfy himself that the addressee is in one of the categories of 124.551a. This provision does not authorize anyone to open any mail article not addressed to himself (see 115.2). 124.553 Explanation of Mailing. When the postmaster is in doubt as to the mailability of a proposed shipment of ballistic or switchblade knives, in mail which is not sealed against inspection, he may ask the mailer to furnish a written statement explaining how the mailing complies with this section. If the explanation is not satisfactory, the postmaster must forward it to the appropriate rates and classification center, for a ruling. This provision does not authorize the detention of mail which is sealed against inspection (see 115.3). 124.56 Marking Parcels of Firearms or Switchblade or Ballistic Knives. No markings of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any parcel containing firearms or ballistic or switchblade knives. 124.57 Sharp Objects and Knives. Sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instruments such as knives, tools, ice picks, razor blades, which are otherwise mailable, must be wrapped to protect their points and edges from cutting through the outer carton in which they are shipped. 124.6 Perishable Matter 124.61 Time Factor. Mailable, perishable matter may be sent through the mail only if it can reach its destination in good condition in the normal transit time between the mailing and address points. Mailable, perishable foods may be shipped at the mailer's risk, provided they are not subject to rapid decay or do not generate obnoxious odors. Express Mail, Priority Mail, special handling, or special delivery service is recommended. 124.62 Preparation a. Containers used to ship perishable matter must be constructed to protect and securely contain the contents. b. Fruits and vegetables are not mailable unless presented in dry condition. c. Water ice used as a refrigerant must be packed as though it were a liquid in accordance with 121.53. Parcels containing dry ice (carbon dioxide solid) must be packed in containers which permit the release of carbon dioxide gas. If a fiberboard box is used, sufficient insulation is necessary to prevent condensation and wetting of the shipping carton. 124.63 Live Animals a. Live Day-Old Poultry. Live day-old chickens, ducks, geese, partridges, pheasants,* guinea fowl, quail, and turkeys are acceptable in the mail only under the conditions listed below. (*Pheasants may only be mailed during the period April through August.) (1) They must be presented for mailing in the original unopened hatchery box from the hatchery of origin. (2) The date and hour of hatching must be noted on the box by a representative of the hatchery who has personal knowledge thereof. (In the case of COD shipments made by a hatchery for the account of others, the name or initials and address of the hatchery or the post office box number and address of the hatchery must be prominently shown in connection with this requirement.) (3) They must not be over 24 hours old. (4) The box must be properly ventilated and of proper construction and strength to bear safe transmission in the mail. (These boxes must not be stacked more than 10 high.) (5) They can be delivered to the addressee within 72 hours of the time of hatching, regardless of whether the addressee resides in town or on a rural or highway contract route. (6) They must be mailed sufficiently early in the week to avoid receipt at the office of address, in case of missed connections, on a Sunday, on a national holiday, or on the afternoon preceding a Sunday or holiday. (7) Shipments must not be forwarded to the addressee from the office of origin address nor returned to mailer if delivery cannot be made to either the addressee or sender within 72 hours of the time of hatching, but must be disposed of in accordance with 159.437b(1). Shipments delayed beyond the 72-hour limit by washouts, snow blockades, wrecks, and the like, must be disposed of by postmasters in accordance with 159.437b(1). (8) If a COD shipment is received at the office of address and it is not promptly accepted by the addressee, it must be held for delivery until the expiration of the 72-hour period from the time of hatching, if there is a possibility that delivery may be made within that period. If, at the expiration of the 72-hour period, the shipment has not been accepted, it will be sold. COD shipments are not sold to the original addressee unless paid for in full, including all postal service charges. If the parcel is sent as ordinary or insured mail, it must be disposed of in accordance with 159.437b(1). (9) Boxes of day-old poultry of approximately identical size, securely fastened together to prevent separation in transit, may be accepted for mailing as a single parcel, provided such parcel does not exceed 100 inches in length and girth combined. (10) Day-old poultry, originally shipped by air express or air cargo and then presented for mailing, must be in first-class condition, and prepared in accordance with paragraphs 124.63a(1) through 124.63a(6). (11) The shipments must bear special delivery or special-handling postage in addition to regular postage, except those sent at the First-Class Mail rate. (12) Day-old poultry vaccinated with Newcastle Disease (live virus) are nonmailable. (13) Each box should bear, in addition to the address label on top, another address label on the side, or the narrow end if the box is rectangular in shape, to eliminate unnecessary handling when boxes are stacked. (14) Whenever live, day-old poultry is to be transported by aircraft, all provisions of the airline tariffs must be met and air carriers must have equipment available to safely deliver shipments within the specified time limitations, allowing for delays en route in air and ground transportation. (15) Day-old pheasants may only be accepted in the mail during the period April through August each year. b. Other Animals (1) Mailable (a) Small, harmless, coldblooded animals (except snakes and turtles) which do not require food or water or attention during handling in the mail and which do not create sanitary problems or obnoxious odors are mailable. For example, the following are mailable: baby alligators and caymans not exceeding 20 inches in length, bloodworms, earthworms, mealworms, salamanders, leeches, lizards, snails, and tadpoles. (b) Adult chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and quail, as well as ducks, geese, and swans sent by Express Mail in biologically secure containers approved by the Office of Classification and Rates Administration are mailable, if next day delivery is available, if the number of birds per parcel is in accordance with the container manufacturer limits, and if individual birds weigh more than 6 ounces. Indemnity is paid only for loss, damage, or rifling, as provided in 295.3 and 295.4. Note: Animals mailed into the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands require a permit issued by the Director of Agriculture of that Territory. (2) Nonmailable. No warmblooded animals, except the specified birds under specific conditions, are acceptable. The following are examples of animals which are not mailable: hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs, squirrels, parakeets, and canaries (see also 124.141b). Note: Animals are restricted in the mail, because of health, humane treatment, handling and transportation feasibility, and related cost considerations. c. Insects (1) Bees are acceptable in the continental surface mail when shipped in accordance with Federal and state regulations to ensure that they are free of disease. Packages of honeybees must bear special delivery or special handling postage, except those sent at the First-Class Mail rate. Only queen honeybees may be shipped by aircraft. (2) Other live, nonpoisonous, and nondisease-conveying insects may be sent through the mail when properly prepared for mailing and when shipped in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When such insects are mailed into the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, they are also subject to regulations of the Director of Agriculture of that Territory. d. Live Scorpions. Live scorpions which are to be used for purposes of medical research or for the manufacture of antivenom are accepted only in the continental surface mail when packaged in a double mailing container, both parts of which are closed or fastened to prevent escape of the scorpions. The inner container must be of material which cannot be punctured by the scorpions and must be plainly marked "Live Scorpions." Cushioning materials must be used when necessary to prevent shifting of the inner container. The outer container must be of sufficient strength to prevent crushing of the package or exposure of the contents during normal handling in the mail, and also must be plainly marked "Live Scorpions." e. Packaging. Shipping containers for mailable animals must be, at a minimum, made of 275-pound test, double wall, corrugated, weather-resistant fiberboard (W5c) or equivalent and must be adequately ventilated. They must be constructed to prevent escape of the animals while in the mail and to preclude the container and its contents from being crushed in normal handling. They must be marked with a return address and a description of the contents. Packages marked "If Undeliverable, Abandon" shall not be accepted. f. Acceptance. Postmasters must not accept any shipment of animals that they reasonably believe cannot reach its destination in a viable condition. In addition to the requirements of 124.63a through 124.63e, in determining whether to accept live animals for mailing, postmasters must consider the following: (1) Expected temperatures (weather conditions) while in the mail; (2) Types of vehicles on which they are to be transported; (3) Expected transit time; and (4) Types of packaging, including protection against suffocation, crushing, and handling impacts. g. Disposal. Parcels of live animals that cannot be delivered to the addressee or returned to the sender within 72 hours (in the case of live day-old poultry) or the timeframe specified for delivery indicated on the parcel (for other animals), must be immediately disposed of in accordance with 159.437b(1). Undeliverable parcels containing other live animals, not subject to an indicated timeframe must be immediately disposed of in accordance with 159.437b(1), if it reasonably appears that the animals cannot be returned to the sender in a viable condition. 124.64 Dead Wild Animals. The dead bodies, or parts thereof, of any wild animals, wild birds, or eggs are acceptable for mailing only when they have been lawfully killed or taken, and their shipment is not prohibited by law of the United States or of the state, territory, district, or foreign country or subdivision thereof in which killed or taken or offered for shipment. Mailing of fresh game is also subject to requirements of 124.64. 124.65 Furs, Hides, Skins, or Pelts a. Parcels containing fur, hides, skins, or pelts of wild animals are mailable only when their contents are properly dried or cured, have no offensive odor, and are plainly marked, labeled, or tagged on the outside with the names and addresses of the shipper and addressee, together with such endorsement, if any, as may be required by state laws. b. Hides and pelts must be wrapped when necessary to prevent damage to other mail. 124.66 Mailing Plants (39 USC 3014; 18 USC 1716B) 124.661 General. In general, plants and plant products are mailable within the United States and its territories and possessions. However, to prevent the spread of plant pests, diseases, and insect infestations, the movement of plants, plant pests, plant products, and other related matter, through the mail and otherwise, is subject to certain restrictions and prohibitions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 124.662 Mailing Restrictions. As provided in 39 USC 3014(b), any plant, plant product, or other article capable of carrying a dangerous plant disease or insect infestation is nonmailable from a quarantined area, if the movement of any such item by common carrier is prohibited by a USDA quarantine that has been established pursuant to 7 USC 161. 124.663 Exceptions. Any such plant, plant product, or other article is mailable from a quarantined area if (a) its movement by common carrier is allowed under conditions prescribed in the notice of quarantine or in other USDA regulations, issued under 7 USC 161, governing its inspection, disinfection, certification, and other conditions for its movement and (b) if its movement by mail complies with all such conditions. 124.664 Penalties. 18 USC 1716B provides criminal penalties for mailing anything nonmailable under 39 USC 3014(b), unless the item is excepted under postal regulations. 124.665 USPS Regulations. Publication 14, Mailing Plants, describes pertinent portions of these restrictions and prohibitions, and prescribes procedures for their application consistent with the mail security regulations in DMM 115. It also prescribes packaging requirements for plants allowed in the mail. 124.666 USDA Notices and Regulations. USDA quarantine notices, issued under 7 USC 161, are prominently displayed at post offices within the respective quarantined areas. They are also published in the Federal Register and codified in 7 CFR (see, e.g., 7 CFR 301 and 318). Detailed information concerning them, as well as other USDA regulations, may be obtained by writing to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (for address, see Address List in Appendices). 124.7 Building Construction Materials. Building construction materials are not mailable if their acceptance and processing are likely to damage or injure mail, postal employees, or postal property. Factors considered include but are not limited to whether the matter may pose potential storage problems at the facilities that may handle and store the matter; whether the volume of materials may impede the flow of mail in Postal Service transportation or mail distribution systems; whether the volume of materials may lead to security problems; and whether the processing of the matter may create safety hazards for postal employees. 125 Mail Addressed From, To, or Between Military Post Offices Overseas 125.1 Preparation and Handling 125.11 Postage. See 780 for parcels sent by surface mail and 383 for parcels sent by air. 125.12 Packaging Requirements. In addition to meeting the requirements in 121 and specific packaging requirements for items mailable under 124, packages addressed from, to, or between overseas military post offices must, as a minimum, be packed in containers equivalent to the fiberboard boxes specified in 121.321c. Wood, metal, or plastic containers of similar strength are equally acceptable. All containers of liquids and substances which easily liquefy must be packed, with sufficient absorbent material to take up all leakage in case of breakage, inside a second sealed waterproof container. 125.13 Addressing. See 122.8. 125.14 Weight and Size. See 751 for parcels sent by surface mail and 351 for parcels sent as First-Class zone-rated (Priority) Mail, if there is no exception to the size and weight limitations. 125.15 Airlift Mail 125.151 First-Class letter mail, including postal cards and postcards, and sound-recorded communications having the character of personal correspondence are given airlift service on a space-available basis between overseas military post offices outside the 48 contiguous States, and between those military post offices and the point of embarkation or debarkation of such mail within the 50 States. See 134.2 for these same articles mailed by certain servicemen. When postage is paid on sound recordings, they must be marked by the mailer on the address side "Sound Recorded Personal Correspondence" to ensure airlift service. Those mailed free under 134.2 must be marked only as required by that section. 125.152 Parcels of any class paid at surface postage rates not exceeding the weight and size limits in 125.152a and 125.152b are airlifted to, from, or between overseas military post offices outside the 48 contiguous States. These parcels must be marked with the large letters SAM (space available mail) on the address side, preferably below the postage and above the name of the addressee. Postal employees must place these letters on all such parcels at the time of acceptance a. when mailed from the 48 contiguous States, the weight and size limits are not more than 15 pounds in weight and not more than 60 inches in length and girth combined; and b. when mailed from an APO or FPO outside the 48 contiguous States, the weight and size limits are not more than 70 pounds in weight and not more than 100 inches in length and girth combined. 125.153 Mail sent either thirdor fourth-class may qualify for parcel airlift service (PAL), which provides for air transportation on a space-available basis to or from military post offices outside the contiguous 48 States. An additional fee is charged for PAL services (see 918). 125.154 Airlift service in 125.152 and 125.153 is not provided for mailings of publications sent in bulk to exchanges or news agents for subsequent resale or distribution. 125.155 Second-class publications published once each week or more frequently and featuring principally current news of interest to members of the Armed Forces and the general public, which are mailed at or addressed to any Armed Forces post office outside the 48 contiguous States, are given the airlift service provided in 125.152. 125.16 General Restrictions 125.161 Hazardous, restricted, or perishable materials mailed to, from, and between overseas military post offices are subject to the mailability conditions of the International Mail Manual, 130. Also, see Publication 52, Acceptance of Hazardous, Restricted, or Perishable Matter, 630. 125.162 Firearms are subject to the provisions of 124. a. To export firearms not specifically prohibited by footnote F of Conditions Applied to Mail Addressed to Military Post Offices Overseas, see Postal Bulletin 21658, 2-11-88, pages 3-10. A mailer exporting permissible firearms must present an export license from the Office of Munitions Control, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-0001 (see the International Mail Manual). b. The following provisions govern the importation of firearms by military personnel by mail from overseas military post offices in accordance with Revenue Ruling 69-309, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF): (1) Incident to a permanent change of duty or release from active duty, any member of the Armed Forces who has been stationed on active duty outside the United States for the preceding 60 days may, without an import permit, present up to three rifles or shotguns, mailable under 124.5 to the appropriate Armed Forces transportation officer to be forwarded to the member's residence as unaccompanied baggage officially shipped through the U.S. Mail. Firearms imported in this manner must be intended for the member's personal use. (2) Any member of the Armed Forces who wishes to import more than three firearms, mailable under 124.5, must prepare ATF Form 6 and comply with Department of Defense regulation 5030.49-R and other appropriate military directives. (3) The three-firearm limitation does not apply to firearms, mailable under 124.5, for which the member of the Armed Forces has proof of prior ownership in the United States. The member may personally mail these other firearms back into the United States or any of its possessions, if he can establish to the satisfaction of the U.S. Customs Service that he previously took the firearms out of the United States or any of its possessions. (4) Any member of the Armed Forces importing firearms under paragraphs 125.162b(1), 125.162b(2), or 125.162b(3) of this subsection must prepare ATF Form 6-A under 27 CFR 178.114(b), and he or his authorized agent must furnish this form and associated certification to the Customs officer releasing the firearms. 125.163 For regulations on the importation of animal and plant products, see Publication 4, Importing Animal and Plant Products Through Overseas Military Post Offices. 125.164 Mail addressed for delivery to retirees at military post offices overseas is limited to less than 1 pound in weight when the designation "Box R" is part of the address or when the letter "R" precedes the APO or FPO number. This restriction does not apply to mail which is endorsed "Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped." 125.2 Conditions Prescribed by the Department of Defense. See Conditions Applied to Mail Addressed to Military Post Offices Overseas in the Postal Bulletin. This table is published in its entirety approximately twice a year. Changes to the table are published in the Bulletin as they occur. 125.3 Military Ordinary Mail (MOM) 125.31 The letters MOM are an acronym for military ordinary mail. This is a category of overseas military mail authorized by the Department of Defense (DOD) for use on mail originated by elements of DoD or by contractors to whom MOM privileges are granted by DOD. DOD limits the use of MOM to official mail sent at second-, third-, or fourth-class postage rates but which, in accordance with DOD criteria, is determined to require faster service over that of sealift transportation to, from, and between overseas points. 125.32 DOD requires the sender to identify each piece of official mail for which MOM service is intended by applying the letters MOM on the address side of each mailpiece, below the postage or penalty mail indicia and above the name of the addressee. The letters MOM shall be of a size, shape, or color that make them obvious. 125.33 The size and weight limitations of MOM parcels are the same as those for ordinary second-, third-, or fourth-class mail. 125.34 Postal Service transportation of MOM is by surface means. Expedited service for MOM is determined and provided by and at the expense of DOD. 125.4 Privacy of Mail in the Military Postal System Overseas. Information about mail security and mail cover regulations prescribed by the Department of Defense for mail in the military postal system overseas may be obtained from the Department of Defense. 126 Mail Sent via Department of State to U.S. Government Personnel Abroad 126.1 Availability 126.11 General. The Department of State makes its facilities available for the transmission of certain types of personal mail to authorized U.S. citizen employees of the Federal Government stationed in other countries. Authorized use of these facilities permits the mailer to pay domestic instead of international postage rates and to avoid foreign customs clearance requirements. Mailers should recognize, however, that the Department of State prescribes certain service limitations and requirements which are subject to change and which may differ among Foreign Service posts. The Department generally does not accept dangerous or fragile material or goods from sources outside of the United States. 126.12 Compliance. The Department of State opens and inspects mail sent to it for transmission abroad to determine whether the mail complies with this regulation and with the Department of State's further requirements. Mail which does not comply may be returned by the Department of State to the Postal Service for appropriate disposition. 126.13 If Not Available. If the facilities of the Department of State are not available, senders may write or mail articles to the addressee directly, using either regular international mail services (see the International Mail Manual) or, if the addressee has been assigned an APO or FPO address, using applicable military mail services (see 125). Information on whether the addressee has an APO or FPO address is obtained directly from the addressee. 126.14 Further Information. Current information on services provided to particular Foreign Service posts abroad via the facilities of the Department of State should be obtained by writing to the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Pouch Division (for address, see Address List in Appendices) or telephoning (202) 647-6575. 126.2 Mailing Conditions for Authorized Mail 126.21 Mailability. Postal mailability standards (see International Mail Manual, 130) apply to mail sent to the Department of State for transmission abroad, in addition to any restrictions imposed by the Department of State on what may be transmitted abroad through its facilities. 126.22 Addressing 126.221 The following form of address must be used for all envelopes and for packages weighing 2 pounds or less authorized for transmission by the Department of State: ] ] NAME FOREIGN CITY (omit name of country) DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON DC 20520] 126.222 Magazines, newspapers, and packages over 2 pounds authorized for transmission by the Department of State must be addressed as above with ZIP Code 20521. 126.223 Mail addressed for delivery through the Agency for International Development (AID) using the ZIP Code 20523 is subject to the requirements of this section. 126.23 Special Services Not Available. Registry, insurance, special delivery, special handling, return receipt for merchandise, Express Mail, and COD services are not available for mail transmitted through Department of State facilities. When addressed for transmission via the Department of State, mail sent by any special service above is returned to the sender endorsed "Service Not Available." 126.24 Weight and Size Limits. No package may weigh more than 40 pounds or exceed 24 inches in length or 62 inches in length and girth combined. 126.25 Postage Rates. Postage for mail sent abroad via the facilities of the Department of State is to be paid at the applicable domestic rate for the class of mail and the type of service desired. For mail subject to zone rates, the postage rates from the mailing office to Washington, DC, apply. 126.26 International Postal Forms. Customs declarations, stickers, etc., are not required on mail sent through Department of State facilities. 126.3 Prohibited Materials 126.31 Dangerous or Fragile Material. The Department of State does not accept dangerous or fragile materials for transmission through its facilities. The Department maintains examples of such materials in its regulations. These include materials not mailable under International Mail Manual, 130, as well as glass containers, and any parcels not meeting the Department's size and weight limitations set out in 126.24. Also, see Publication 52, Acceptance of Hazardous, Restricted, or Perishable Matter, 630. 126.32 Other Prohibitions. The Department of State's regulations as of June 1980 also contained the following list of materials which it does not accept for transmission: a. The personal effects of deceased U.S. citizens. b. Any item which is illegal to import into the receiving country or export from the sending country. c. Any goods from third-country sources addressed to the Department of State requiring clearance by customs authorities before onward shipment to posts abroad. d. Alcoholic beverages, plants, and animals. e. Foodstuffs in excess of 25 pounds per authorized individual per calendar year. f. Any items shipped to circumvent the weight limitations provided for household effects, air freight, and food allowances. The prohibition in 126.32f does not preclude the occasional shipment of clothing, gifts, printed materials, personal necessities, or household wares. 126.33 Current Information. Current information on prohibitions maintained by the Department of State should be obtained from the office listed in 126.14. 126.4 Security of Mail Sent via Department of State. The Department of State does not assume any liability for loss or damage to any mail it accepts for transmission abroad. The sender, by using the Department's facilities, consents to examination by the Department by means such as x-ray; letter-bomb detector; and opening, searching, and divulging the contents of any package. The Department of State will not open a sealed envelope which it believes to contain only correspondence or documents, except with the consent of the sender or addressee or under a Federal search warrant. 127 Minimum Sizes The following minimum size standards apply to all mailable matter: a. All mailpieces must be at least 0.007 inch thick. b. All mailpieces (other than keys and identification devices mailed pursuant to 611.13) which are 1/4 inch thick or less must be (1) rectangular in shape, (2) at least 3-1/2 inches high, and (3) at least 5 inches long. c. Except for pieces mailed at third-class carrier-route rates, the placement (orientation) of the address on the mailpiece establishes which dimensions are its height and length. The length is the dimension that is parallel to the address as read; the height is perpendicular to the length. d. Because of the placement (orientation) of the address, a mailpiece may not meet the minimum size standards in 127b. Except for keys and identification devices (see 611.3), all pieces that do not meet the minimum size standards in 127a and 127b are nonmailable and prohibited from the mail. Use Notice 5, Return to Sender, to return to the sender any nonmailable piece found in the mailstream. Process pieces that lack a return address as provided in 159. e. Because of the placement (orientation) of the address, a mailable piece of First-Class Mail or single-piece rate third-class mail weighing 1 ounce or less may be subject to a nonstandard surcharge (see 353 or 629.23). f. Determine the processing category of a mailpiece (see 128) solely by its physical dimensions regardless of the placement of the address. 128 Processing Categories 128.1 General a. Separate all mail into one of five processing categories. The criteria for each category are based solely on the physical dimensions of a mailpiece, regardless of the placement (orientation) of the address on the piece. The five categories are (1) letter size, (2) flat size, (3) machinable parcels, (4) irregular parcels, and (5) outside parcels. b. Unless specifically permitted by regulations, bulk mailings may not consist of pieces from more than one category. 128.2 Letter Size. Letter-size mail is matter with the following dimensions: A. Minimum (inches) Length - 5 in. Height - 3-1/2 in. Thickness - .007 in. B. Maximum (inches) Length - 11-1/2 in. Height - 6-1/8 in. Thickness - 1/4 in. 128.3 Flat Size. Flat-size mail is unwrapped, paper-wrapped, sleeve-wrapped, and enveloped matter exceeding one or more of the maximum dimensions for letter-size mail (see 128.2) but not exceeding any of the maximum dimensions for flat-size mail. A. Minimum (inches) Length - over 11-1/2 in., or Height - over 6-1/8 in., or Thickness - over 1/4 in. B. Maximum (inches) Length - 15 in. Height - 12 in. Thickness - 3/4 in. 128.4 Machinable (Regular) Parcels 128.41 Criteria. Machinable pieces are those that can be processed by bulk mail center parcel sorters. This includes parcels meeting the following minimum and maximum criteria and not having any characteristics that would make them flat size (128.3), irregular parcels (128.5), or outside parcels (128.6). A. Minimum (inches/ounces) Length - 6 in. Width - 3 in. Height/Thickness - 1/4 in. Weight - 8 oz. Note: Pieces weighing between 6 and 8 ounces are machinable, if all sides are rectangular in shape. B. Maximum (inches/pounds) Length - 34 in. Width - 17 in. Height/Thickness - 17 in. Weight - 35 lbs. Note: For books or other printed matter, the maximum weight is 25 pounds. 128.42 Soft Goods in Paper Bags or Plastic Bags. Soft goods wrapped in paper bags or plastic bags are machinable, provided a. all other machinability criteria of 128.4 are met, and b. the parcels conform to the packaging requirements and guidelines of 121.74 for soft goods. 128.43 Enveloped Printed Matter. Enveloped printed matter weighing up to 5 pounds is machinable, providing a. all other machinability criteria of 128.4 are met, and b. the parcels conform to the packaging requirements of 121.324. 128.44 Exceptions. Some parcels which do not meet all the general criteria may be successfully processed on BMC parcel sorters. For example, a film case may be a machinable parcel. A BMC general manager may authorize mailers to enter such parcels as machinable parcels rather than as irregular parcels, if properly labeled. Film cases must be identified as required by 753.2m. 128.45 Exclusions. Pieces meeting the criteria of flat size (see 128.3), irregular parcels (see 128.5), or outside parcels (see 128.6) are not machinable. Specific items which are not machinable are a. rolls and tubes, b. paper-wrapped or sleeve-wrapped printed matter, c. merchandise samples which are not individually addressed, d. enveloped materials not reinforced with tape or not meeting the requirements of 128.43, e. articles not securely packaged, and f. unpackaged articles. 128.5 Irregular Parcels. Irregular parcels are parcels which cannot be processed by BMC parcel sorters. This includes parcels with any of the following characteristics: a. Length less than 6 inches. b. Width less than 3 inches. c. Height/thickness less than 1/4 inch. d. Weight less than 8 ounces. Exception: Pieces weighing between 6 and 8 ounces are machinable if all sides are rectangular in shape. e. Rolls and tubes up to 26 inches long. f. Merchandise samples which are not individually addressed. g. Unwrapped, paper-wrapped, or sleeve-wrapped articles which are not letter size (see 128.2) or flat size (see 128.3). h. Articles enclosed in envelopes which are not letter size (see 128.2), flat size (see 128.3), or machinable parcels (see 128.4). 128.6 Outside Parcels. Outside parcels are those parcels which because of size, shape, density, container, or contents cannot be processed in postal sacks. They include parcels having any of the following characteristics: a. Length over 34 inches. b. Width over 17 inches. c. Height/thickness over 17 inches. d. Weight over 35 pounds. Exception: Cartons of books and other printed matter weighing over 25 pounds are outside parcels. e. High-density parcels weighing more than 15 pounds and exerting more than 60 pounds per-square-foot (.4167 pound per-square-inch) pressure on their smallest side; e.g., metal castings, hardware, machine parts, auto parts, and similar heavy items. Exception: This provision does not apply to books and other printed matter. To determine if a parcel exerts more than 60 pounds per-square-foot pressure on its smallest side, (1) determine the weight of the parcel and the surface area of the smallest side in square inches, and (2) divide the weight of the parcel by the number of square inches on the smallest side of the parcel. A result of more than .4167 pound per square inch indicates that the parcel exerts a pressure of more than 60 pounds per square foot on its smallest side. Examples: MeasurementPressure Weight ofof smallestSquareper square Parcelside (inches)inchesinch 1. 25 lbs6 X 636.6944 2. 30 lbs12 X 896.3125 3. 25 lbs12 X 672.3472 Note: See 121.73 for packaging high-density parcels. f. Liquids. The following liquid containers are outside parcels (see 121.53 for packaging to ensure mailability): (1) Cartons containing over 24 ounces of liquid in one or more glass containers. (2) Cartons containing 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers. (3) Cans, paints. g. Rolls and tubes longer than 26 inches. h. Metal-band strapped boxes, metal boxes, and wood boxes. i. Articles outside of boxes or other containers, including tires, trailer hitches, exhaust pipes, shrubs, and trees. j. Harmful matter and hazardous materials. (See 124 for mailability requirements.) k. Containers with all dimensions exceeding the minimum dimensions for a machinable (regular) parcel, if their coefficient of friction or ability to slide on a smooth, hard surface is not similar to that of a domestic-class fiberboard box of the same approximate size and weight. 129 Envelopes and Cards 129.1 Color. Only light-colored envelopes and cards which do not interfere with the reading of the address and postmark should be used. Do not use brilliant colors. 129.2 Quality. Envelopes and cards should be constructed of paper strong enough to withstand normal handling. Highly glazed paper or paper with an overall design is not satisfactory. 129.3 Window Envelopes. Window envelopes, or open-panel envelopes, may be used under the following conditions: a. The address window on all letter-size envelopes should be located within the area described in 122.33. The window can be placed 1/2 inch from the bottom of the envelope, but 5/8 inch is preferred. (See 122.141 regarding address position.) The address window must be parallel with any edge of the envelope on flat-size mail (see 128.3). (See 122.39 for recommendations; 127 for size standards.) b. The window must be of sufficient size and transparency so that each character in the address and optional endorsement line (if used) is visible throughout an insert's movement within its envelope. Mail which does not conform to this standard may be rejected or returned. c. The provisions in 122 governing addressing also apply to window envelopes. Nonaddress printing, computer-punched holes, or other extraneous information should not be placed alongside or below the city, state, or ZIP Code lines of the address. d. The return address should appear in the upper left corner. If there is no return address and the delivery address does not show through the window, the piece must be handled as dead mail. e. The address disclosed through the window must be on white paper or paper of a very light color. f. When used for registered mail, window envelopes must conform with the conditions in 911.35. g. When used for business reply mail, window, or open-panel envelopes must conform to the conditions of 917.56. 129.4 Green-Border Envelopes and Cards. The use of envelopes and cards bearing a green border must be used for First-Class Mail only. All envelopes and cards bearing a green border are charged postage equivalent to the First-Class rate. When printed on letter-size mail (128.2), green borders must not enter the barcode area as defined in 122.33.