Rule2026-17884
Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 1, 2026
Effective
October 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Postal Service
Abstract
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to clarify the applicability of the Hazmat Handling Fee, and to require a parcel barcode, on parcels mailed as Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons (Free Matter).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 168 (Tuesday, September 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 168 (Tuesday, September 1, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56052-56053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17884]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped
Persons
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to clarify
the applicability of the Hazmat Handling Fee, and to require a parcel
barcode, on parcels mailed as Free Matter for the Blind and Other
Physically Handicapped Persons (Free Matter).
DATES: Effective date: October 4, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Mills at (202) 268-7433 or
Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 12, 2026, the Postal Service
introduced two new fees, the Hazmat Handling Fee for packages
containing hazardous materials to cover the additional costs of
transporting these items and the Hazmat Noncompliance Fee that will be
applied when we detect a package that contains hazardous materials and
that the customer did not appropriately declare and label.
The Postal Service is clarifying that pieces mailed under the
standards for Free Matter will not be subject to the Hazmat Handling
Fee. However, pieces mailed by commercial mailers under the standards
for Free Matter are subject to the Hazmat Noncompliance Fee.
In addition, the Postal Service is adding to the standards
governing Free Matter a requirement that all parcels bear an
Intelligent Mail[supreg] package barcode (IMpb[supreg]) and an
Intelligent Mail matrix barcode (IMmb<SUP>TM</SUP>). The requirement to
include the barcodes will benefit mailers and the Postal Service. It
will provide customers the ability to track their packages and it will
give the Postal Service better visibility in processing these packages
to achieve the expected expeditious handling and delivery of the
mailpiece.
The barcode will require mailers to use specific HAZMAT Service
Type Codes (STC). This requirement will improve processing and
transportation
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safety, also beneficial to achieving the expected expeditious handling
and delivery of the mailpiece.
Commercial mailers of mailpieces not meeting the requirement for
using a unique IMpb and IMmb, as outlined in the DMM and Publication
199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for
Confirmation Services and Electronic Payment Systems, will be subject
to the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee provided in the Notice 123-
Price List.
The Postal Service adopts the described changes to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. We
will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect
these changes.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, the Postal Service amends Mailing Standards of the
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations as follows (see 39 CFR
111.1):
PART 111--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.
0
2. Revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail
Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
703 Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail and Other Unique Eligibility
* * * * *
5.0 Free Matter for the Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons
5.1 Basic Information
5.1.1 General
[Revise the first sentence of 5.1.1 to read as follows:]
Subject to the standards below, matter may be entered free of
postage and is not subject to the Hazmat Handling Fee if mailed by or
for the use of blind or other persons who cannot read or use
conventionally printed materials due to a physical handicap. * * *
* * * * *
5.4 Preparation
5.4.1 Basic Standards
All matter mailed under this standard:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of 5.4.1 by adding a new item d to read as
follows:]
d. Parcels mailed under this standard (outbound and returns) must
bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) and an Intelligent Mail
matrix barcode (IMmb) prepared under 204.2.0. Commercial mailers of
mailpieces not meeting the requirements for using a unique IMpb and
IMmb, as outlined in 204.2.1.6 and Publication 199, Intelligent Mail
Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for Confirmation Services
and Electronic Payment Systems, will be subject to the Package Quality
Noncompliance Fee (See Notice 123-Price List.). For details see
PostalPro at <a href="https://postalpro.usps.com">https://postalpro.usps.com</a>.
* * * * *
Colleen Hibbert-Kapler,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2026-17884 Filed 8-31-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 1, 2026.
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