Is Bound Printed Matter truly not returned to sender?

#1

At least one poster has stated on this forum that parcels mailed at the Bound Printed Matter class will not be returned to the sender if ultimately deliverable. But is that really true? I searched the Domestic Mail Manual and could not find anywhere that it states Bound Printed Matter is not returnable. Has anyone sent something by BPM and had it disappear or, conversely, had it returned as undeliverable?

Since Amazon shipping began offering BPM, I have used it on a few packages with no problems whatsoever, and it has traveled at the same rate as Media Mail (I sell primarily books and have used BPM on a few low-priced items). I do worry, however, that if the Postal Service begins seeing a lot more BPM, it might start treating it differently, i.e. setting it aside and making it a lower priority.

Any insight would be appreciated.

#2

You have to pay return postage on Media Mail items, so I would expect the same of BPM. I’ve mailed thousands of Media Mail parcels over the past 17 years and never written “return postage guaranteed” or “return service requested,” or anything of the sort, and my undeliverable Media Mail packages are returned with no problem. I’ve never had a Media Mail item destroyed; that happens only if you just never pick it up or actually refuse to pay the return postage.

I know someone posted recently that some postal worker TOLD them the item would be destroyed without something written on the package, but I think that postal worker was spouting inaccurate information.

Does anyone have any actual experience with return – or non-return – of a Bound Printed Matter parcel? I’m just wondering if the assertion that BMP isn’t returned is based on anything official from the USPS. I would ask at my post office, but I’ve found that postal workers’ knowledge is highly inconsistent. The average postal worker is not familiar with each and every rule, and in my experience they just tell you something off the top of their head to get you to go away.

#3

You need to label BPM “return postage guaranteed” if you want it to be sent back if undeliverable. You will need to pay additional postage to get the items back, otherwise they are just destroyed.

#4

BPM is not returned by USPS unless labeled “return postage guaranteed”. Unlike MM, BPM is automatically discarded unless marked as above. That’s why it’s cheaper.

  1. I’ve sold books for 19 years.

  2. My husband has worked for USPS for 27 years.

#5

https://pe.usps.com/text/DMM300/507.htm

That’s the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM). It doesn’t get any more official than that.

Section 1.5.4 and Exhibit 1.5.4 discuss Bound Printed Matter.

No endorsement: “Bound Printed Matter with USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation service, but with no other extra service is disposed of by USPS.”

If you want your BPM package returned and want to pay return postage, I believe the current endorsement language is “Return Service Requested”.

#6

They down vote because they dislike the correct answer.

#7

I do not know why people mark/downvote the correct answer which has been told to you, but Oh Well.
If you want it back you have to mark it Return Postage Guaranteed.

#8

Well, technically, “Return Postage Guaranteed” was the correct language 5 or 10 years ago; now it’s “Return Service Requested”. Same meaning, different words.

#9

Sorry I am that old school.

#10

Bound printed matter is to be used for things like catalogs. I’m surprised your PO is allowing you to use it for shipping books

#11

Thank you, quirkybooksabq, for finding it in the DMM. I could not find it in the DMM, but you did. Thank you for citing a credible source, unlike posters who cite no source and sometimes give wrong information on these forums.

#12

Answers get downvoted because they are either completely false, questionable, irrelevant or not backed up by credible sources. That’s the case with far too many posts on the Seller Forums. I was asking for actual personal experience and/or a citation from the DMM. I got it from another poster.

#13

From the DMM
"Bound Printed Matter (BPM) is a subclass of Package Services and must:
… Meet the basic standards in 3.0.
… Weigh no more than 15 pounds. Pieces might be subject to other minimum weights or dimensions based on the standards for specific prices.
C. Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of such material).

#14

The untrue statement that BPM cannot be used for books is a prime example of the type of bad information spread on these boards. “Editorial matter” does not mean the opinion pages of newspapers; it is a broad term that includes many things, including books.

#15

I have had many Media Mail packages returned and have never ever been charged a return postage. I rarely use BPM as the guidelines for what can be shipped using that service does not include books.

#16

The official (DMM) definition of BPM includes “editorial matter,” which is what books contain. The USPS unofficial guidelines specifically mention books.

For example:

…

Megasellers almost always use presorted BPM to ship books. The USPS employees who accept presorted mailings are absolute sticklers for compliance with the rules and regulations; they would not let a mailing of books get through if books were not allowed.

Edited by: SusanH@SellerSupport on Sep 1, 2017 11:17 AM
removed offsite URLs

#17

Then your local post office is screwing up.

> I rarely use BPM as the guidelines for what can be shipped using that service does not include books.

See my post above.

#18

Apparently Amazon policy is that only bad information should be posted here, since my links to USPS policy have been deleted.

I will make sure not to post any accurate responses in the future.

#19

According to UPS, Bound Printed Matter is defined as advertising, promotional, directory, editorial material or any combination of such material. It must be securely bound by permanent fastenings such as staples, spiral binding, glue or stitching. Loose-leaf binders and similar fastenings are not considered permanent and are not considered Bound Printed Matter. In addition, 90% of the sheets in a package considered to be Bound Printed Matter must be imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting. It must not contain personal correspondence, nor can it be stationery (such as pads of blank printed forms).

When you send Bound Printed Matter, there are presorted rates, carrier route rates and destination entry discounts available. The minimum quantity for shipping Bound Printed Matter is 300 pieces.

Media Mail shipping is a cost-effective way to send educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below: Books (at least 8 pages). Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs. Media Mail packages may not contain advertising. Comic books do not meet this standard. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and sound recordings may contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings. In accordance with standards in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), Section 170, Media Mail packages must have a delivery address and the sender’s return address and are subject to inspection by the Postal Service™.

Whether or not a package will be returned is up to the carrier’s policy. Many carriers will return the package to the sender if a delivery is not made. Some carriers charge a fee for the return. I suggest contacting the carriers you use and what their return policies are regarding this type of situation.

Enough said…

#20

Amazon removing the link you posted has nothing to do with whether you were correct or not.

It has to do with forum rules…you cannot post any off site link. Go to the top of this page and click on Forums Guidelines for more info.