Scheme —Systematic plan for the distribution of mail to its destination.
Scheme Sort —The distribution of mail to its destination according to a systematic plan determined by the mail processing functional area. Typically, a scheme sort allows mailers to combine pieces addressed to two or more 5-digit or 3-digit ZIP Code areas.
Science-of-Agriculture Price —A Periodicals price that is available to an authorized mailer of agriculture publications.
Sectional Center Facility (SCF) —A postal facility that serves as the processing and distribution center (P&DC) for Post Offices in a designated geographic area as defined by the first three digits of the ZIP Codes of those offices. Some SCFs serve more than one 3-digit ZIP Code range.
Secure Destruction - The United States Postal Service (USPS) is evaluating a new Secure Destruction mail service option. With this new option, mailers can have First-Class letter mail disposed of in a secure manner when the mailpiece is determined to be Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA) and would have resulted in the mailpiece being returned to the sender
Shipper Paid Forwarding (SPF) —An address change service (ACS) fulfillment vehicle. It allows mailers of Standard Mail machinable parcels and most Package Services pieces to pay forwarding charges via approved ACS participant code(s).
Shortpaid Mail —Mail on which additional postage is collectible on final delivery.
Signature Confirmation —A service that provides information to the mailer about the date and time of delivery, including the recipient’s signature or the date and time of the delivery attempt. This service may be obtained in two forms: (1) an electronic option for mailers who apply identifying barcodes to each piece, provide an electronic file, and retrieve delivery status information electronically; and (2) a retail option for mailers who retrieve delivery status through the Internet at www.usps.com or by calling 800-222-1811.
Single-Piece —A postage price available for individual pieces of Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, Standard Post, Media Mail, and Library Mail. It is not available for Periodicals except under the price category of basic. This type of price contrasts with prices available for commercial mail.
Skew —The misalignment or slant of a character, bar, line of characters, or barcode with respect to the bottom or top edge of the mailpiece.
Sleeve —A paperboard jacket that fits over the four sides (top, bottom, and two parallel sides) of a letter tray in order to keep the mail inside the tray from falling out.
Stamped Card —A postcard sold by the USPS (as distinguished from a privately printed postcard) with a printed or impressed postage stamp. Compare to postcard.
Standard Mail —A class of mail that weighs less than 16 ounces. It comprises the subclasses of Regular Standard Mail, Nonprofit Standard Mail, Carrier Route Standard Mail, and Nonprofit Carrier Route Standard Mail. These subclasses include circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, newsletters, direct mail, and merchandise. Standard Mail may be sent at Carrier Route, automation, nonautomation, and Not Flat-Machinable prices.
Standard Post —A separate product offered only at retail with prices based generally on weight and zone.
Subclass —A subdivision of a mail class, usually based on the consideration of a physical characteristic rather than content.