Mailers have many options to choose from when sending large volumes of mail. However, occasionally, the need to expedite Standard Mail to its destination presents a challenge when the mail is on one side of the country and the destination is on the other.

This issue can be solved when using Open and Distribute, a service allowing customers to expedite the transportation of shipments of other classes of mail to destination facilities using Express Mail or Priority Mail service. Once the Open and Distribute shipment arrives at its destination, the sack or tray box is opened and the mail is processed and distributed based on the class of mail inside.

In April, the Postal Service updated standards to allow mailers the option to place their letter trays for Open and Distribute into new tray boxes. Mailers also have the option to place their mail in sacks.

Previously, customers using USPS-provided letter trays were concerned that the sleeve over the letter tray would not maintain the integrity of the mail during processing. With the advent of the new tray boxes, customers have the option to place the letter trays in either sacks or in the new tray box, which is much more secure than the letter tray.

The Open and Distribute tray boxes are provided free of charge by the Postal Service to all Open and Distribute customers, and are available for both half-size and full-size trays.

With the introduction of tray boxes, Label 23, Priority Mail Open and Distribute (an adhesive label placed on the outside of the letter tray), is no longer needed and the Postal Service is discontinuing its use.

Customers are reminded that Open and Distribute containers must remain unsealed until business mail entry verification and acceptance of the contents has been completed, unless accepted under an alternate procedure authorized by Business Mailer Support.