CASS Automation Rate Qualification 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary consequence for a mailer who claims automation postage rates without using CASS-certified software?
- A written warning letter from the local postmaster
- Temporary suspension of the mailer's bulk mailing permit
- Assessment of additional postage at the applicable non-discounted rate plus potential financial penalties (Correct answer)
- A mandatory CASS training and recertification requirement
Correct answer: Assessment of additional postage at the applicable non-discounted rate plus potential financial penalties
Mailers who improperly claim automation rates face postage assessments to recover the discount difference plus possible additional USPS penalties for non-compliance.
Question 2: How frequently must CASS software providers submit their software to the USPS for recertification?
- Every 6 months
- Annually (once per calendar year) (Correct answer)
- Every 2 years
- Every 3 years
Correct answer: Annually (once per calendar year)
CASS certification cycles are annual; software providers must resubmit their products for USPS testing and approval each year to maintain certified status.
Question 3: Which USPS publication is the authoritative source for CASS certification standards and automation rate qualification requirements?
- Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) (Correct answer)
- Postal Operations Manual (POM)
- Administrative Support Manual (ASM)
- Mail Classification Schedule (MCS)
Correct answer: Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) contains the official regulations governing mail preparation, including CASS requirements and automation qualification standards.
Question 4: A mailer discovers after mail deposit that the CASS processing used a ZIP+4 database that had exceeded its allowable age. What is the correct immediate action?
- Take no action since the mailing has already been accepted by the USPS
- Contact the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) promptly to disclose the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Re-process the entire list and re-deposit the mailing at full cost
- Apply retroactively for a CASS certification exemption
Correct answer: Contact the Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) promptly to disclose the discrepancy
The mailer should immediately notify the BMEU so the USPS can assess whether the automation rate claim remains valid and determine any corrective action needed.
Question 5: What is the maximum allowable age of the CASS ZIP+4 database files at the time of mailing to qualify addresses for automation rates?
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 90 days (Correct answer)
- 180 days
Correct answer: 90 days
The USPS requires that the ZIP+4 database used in CASS processing be no more than 90 days (approximately 3 monthly cycles) old at the time the mailing is deposited.
Question 6: During a USPS audit of automation rate claims, which documentation must a mailer be prepared to provide?
- The original, uncleaned mailing list prior to any CASS processing
- PS Form 3553 (CASS Summary Report) along with address correction and match records (Correct answer)
- Customer purchase orders related to the content of the mailed materials
- Delivery confirmation scan records for each piece in the mailing
Correct answer: PS Form 3553 (CASS Summary Report) along with address correction and match records
PS Form 3553 is the CASS certification record and, together with match/correction logs, serves as the primary audit documentation proving that automation standards were properly applied.
Question 7: If a CASS-certified software provider's certification lapses without renewal, what is the impact on mailings processed with that software after the lapse date?
- All previously processed mailings are retroactively disqualified from automation rates
- The software may continue to be used for 30 days after the lapse under a grace period
- Mailings processed after the certification lapses cannot validly claim automation rate discounts (Correct answer)
- The USPS automatically issues a provisional certification to prevent disruption
Correct answer: Mailings processed after the certification lapses cannot validly claim automation rate discounts
Only currently CASS-certified software produces valid certification documentation; if the software's certification has lapsed, mailings processed after that date do not meet USPS automation requirements.
CASS Automation Rate Qualification 5
What is the primary consequence for a mailer who claims automation postage rates without using CASS-certified software?