30-Day Grace Period for Implementation of Sack Elimination

Effective: January 22, 2023

As part of its network redesign efforts, the Postal Service is eliminating the use of sacks as containers for Flats acceptance/entry but will continue to allow Flat trays as acceptable containers for acceptance and entry along with bundles on pallets for USPS Marketing Mail and Periodicals flat Mail. Carrier route, 5-digit scheme carrier routes and 5-digit carrier routes USPS Marketing Mail® and Periodicals flat mail will continue to be allowed to use sacks as a handling unit.

The Postal Service is announcing that there will be 30-day Grace Period following the implementation of the new Sack Elimination rules for Periodical and USPS Marketing Mail flats on January 22, 2023.

This grace period is to allow the mailers time to modify their operations, adjust their mailing plans, and any other procedures to accommodate this change. It will also allow for receipt of mail already in transit for drop ship at the time of the implementation.
During the grace period, the Postal Service will continue to accept and process this flat volume in sacks, bundles, or flat trays without penalty or assessment. The grace period will expire February 21, 2023.

At that time, mailers will be required to be in compliance with the new rules.Mailers are able and encouraged to adopt the new rules as soon as they ready. If you have any questions, please contact your local Business Mail Acceptance personnel.