March 14, 2006

If you haven’t been following the bundle preparation rules lately, you will likely be in for a shock come April 30. Two important changes to flat bundle preparation are both becoming mandatory on that date in order to facilitate processing on the Automated Package Processing System (APPS).

The first change, though really a clarification, deals with address readability. For the APPS machine to be able to read the top label of the bundle and its Optional Endorsement Line (OEL), the address block needs to be un-obscured by opaque strapping or hazy shrink wrap. Of course, the opacity and haziness are a bit subjective. Therefore, the FRN (Doc 05-20924 posted on October 20, 2005) has some specific guidelines. My interpretation is making sure both the strapping and shrink-wrap are completely clear (translate expensive) when preparing bundles.

Now, if you’ve seen that FRN and have already purchased your expensive packaging materials, get ready for round two of the bundle prep rules: double strapping. Posted in the February 24, 2006 FRN (Doc 06-1703), the USPS^® is now calling for double strapping of non-shrink wrapped bundles. The straps must run perpendicular to each other; one around the length and one around the width. Oh, and make sure that the intersection of these straps doesn’t land on top of the address block or you will run into the readability issue again.

Now, I realize that creating these bulletproof bundles sounds expensive and I am sure it is. However, if you get the chance to actually see the APPS machine process these bundles then you will be able to appreciate why the USPS is raising the bar in bundle integrity. The machines run extremely fast and if even one bundle breaks it is an absolute nightmare. The pieces become separated, the machine’s performance drops, and all the postage discounts anticipated are lost.

With the USPS trying to squeeze every fraction of a cent out of their APPS investment, I can certainly see why they are implementing these new rules. The questions now, though, are how much is this new strapping going to cost and what are we going to do with all those rubber bands and twine? Cawker City, Kansas may have the answer (http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Cawker/twine.html).