Domestic Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

Published

Nov 4, 2026

Effective

Nov 4, 2026

Citation

91 FR 69505

Final rule.

Summary

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has officially updated its Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), the set of rules that define how letters, packages, and other items must be prepared, labeled, and processed for domestic delivery. The update clarifies standards for size, weight, address formatting, and handling requirements, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce processing errors, and keep the mailing system aligned with current technology and customer needs. The rule is issued by the Postal Service and applies to anyone who sends mail within the United States—including businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private individuals—as well as USPS employees who enforce the standards. By incorporating the revised DMM “by reference” into the Code of Federal Regulations, the changes become part of the formal regulatory framework that courts and regulators can rely on. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2026 (91 FR 69505) and took effect the same day, November 4, 2026. With the rule now in force, senders must follow the updated mailing requirements; the USPS will begin applying the new standards to all domestic mail processed after that date. No further comment period is open, but the agency will monitor implementation and may issue additional guidance or future updates as needed.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

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