Package Services —A class of mail that comprises four subclasses: Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail. There is no minimum weight limit for Package Services.
Pallet —A reusable platform on which mail is stacked to be moved as a single unit. Pallets are made of rigid material designed for four-way forklift entry and capable of handling loads of up to 65 cubic feet and 2,200 pounds. A USPS pallet measures 48 by 40 inches. Also see copalletize and top cap.
Parcel —Mail that does not meet the mail processing category of letter-size mail or flat-size mail. It is usually enclosed in a mailing container such as a box.
Parcel Airlift (PAL) —A service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis to or from military Post Offices outside the 48 contiguous states.
PC Postage System —A postage system used to purchase and print postage with a personal computer, a printer, and Internet access.
Penalty Mail —Official mail sent without postage prepayment by officers of the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. Government, by departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, and by specifically authorized individuals. Agencies then reimburse the USPS for the penalty mail service they receive. The term comes from the endorsement “Penalty for Private Use” printed on the mail. Compare to franked mail.
Periodicals —A class of mail consisting of magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specified intervals (frequency) from a known office of publication. Periodicals usually must have a legitimate list of subscribers and requesters.
Permit —Any authorization required for specific types of preparation or postage payment. Specifically, an authorization to mail without postage affixed by using indicia or an imprint. Payment is made against an advance deposit account that is established with the USPS for postage and services. Permits also are required to participate in certain programs such as Business Reply Mail.
Permit Imprint —Printed indicia, instead of an adhesive postage stamp or meter stamp, that shows postage prepayment by an authorized mailer.
Piece —An individually addressed mailpiece. This definition also applies when the term “piece” is used in eligibility standards. Quantities indicated for optional or required sortations always refer to pieces unless specifically excepted.
Piece Price —For some mail classes, the postage charged for each mailpiece in addition to the pound price charge.
Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) —A procedure that enables origin verification and postage payment for shipments transported by the mailer from the mailer’s plant to destination Post Offices for USPS acceptance as mail. PVDS is typically used for mailings for which a destination entry discount is claimed.
Postage —Payment for delivery service that is affixed or imprinted to a mailpiece, usually in the form of a postage stamp, permit imprint, or meter stamp.
Postage Statement —Documentation provided by a mailer to the USPS that reports the volume of mail being presented and the postage payable or affixed, and certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility standards for the price claimed.
Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET) —The barcode system used on letter-size and flat-size mailpieces for encoding the delivery point information and ZIP+4 code information. Also see delivery point barcode (DPBC).
Postcard —A privately printed mailing card. Compare to stamped card.
Precancel —To cancel postage stamps or stamped envelopes before mailing. If authorized, bulk mailers may precancel their own postage.
Precanceled Stamp —A postage stamp canceled by marking across the face before it is sold to mailers for use with discount mailings. Also, a stamp designated by the USPS as a precanceled stamp without cancellation marks. The USPS sells precanceled stamps for Presorted First-Class Mail and regular and nonprofit Standard Mail. Mailpieces with these stamps do not go through a canceling machine at the time of mail processing. Also see precancel.
Presort —The process by which a mailer groups mail by ZIP Code so that it is sorted to the finest extent required by the standards for the price claimed. Generally, presort is performed sequentially, from the lowest (finest) level to the highest level, to those destinations specified by standard and is completed at each level before the next level is prepared. Not all presort levels are applicable to all mailings.
Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE) —A program that evaluates presort software and determine its accuracy in sorting address files under DMM standards. An overview of the program and a list of PAVE certified vendors are available on ribbs.usps.gov.
Presorted Standard —The postage price for Standard Mail pieces that are part of a mailing and that meet minimum volume and preparation requirements.
Price List (Notice 123) —The Price List is a 44-page publication that contains domestic and international prices and fees in a concise and accessible manner.
Pricing and Classification Service Center —A USPS field office that provides guidance to employees and customers on mail classification, postage prices, and mail preparation.
Printed Matter —Paper on which words, letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of them) not having the character of a bill or statement of account, or of actual and personal correspondence, have been reproduced by any process other than handwriting or typewriting.
Priority Mail —First-Class Mail that weighs more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer’s option, any other mail matter weighing less than 13 ounces mailed at Priority Mail prices. Priority Mail provides expedited delivery. Any mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail.
Priority Mail Express —A mail class that provides expedited delivery service. This is the fastest mail service offered by the USPS. Priority Mail Express International Service is available between the United States and most other countries.
Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) —A Priority Mail Express service available between the United States and designated APO and FPO addresses that provides Department of Defense and other authorized personnel stationed overseas with expedited delivery service to or from the United States.
Processing and Distribution Center/Facility (P&DC/F) —A central mail facility that processes and dispatches part or all of both incoming mail and outgoing mail for a designated service area. It also provides instructions on the preparation of collection mail, dispatch schedules, and sorting plan requirements to mailers. The facility is usually a sectional center facility or a general mail facility, but it can also be a dedicated mail processing facility without a Post Office station or branch.
Prohibited Matter —Any material that is illegal to mail because it can kill or injure an individual or damage other mail. This includes certain poisons and controlled substances and certain flammable or hazardous matter.