Definitions and Features
The purpose of this form is to prove to the entry facility that the mail being presented by the mailer or mailer's agent was verified and paid for at origin.
Plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) enables origin verification and postage payment for shipments that a mailer transports from the mailer's plant to destination Post Offices™ where the prepaid and pre-verified shipments are accepted by the Postal Service™ as mail.
Postal Service employees verify PVDS mailings for classification, rate eligibility, preparation, volume, and presort either at the mailer's plant or at the origin Post Office serving the mailer's plant.
Standards for PVDS shipments are in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM™) 705.15. Information about destination entry discounts for each class of mail are in DMM 200, 300, 400, Enter and Deposit.
Appointments to deposit PVDS mailings at entry offices are required for Standard Mail® and Package Services. Advance notification of Periodicals drop shipments must be provided in the FacilityAccess and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system.
Instructions for Mailer
The mailer must submit an original and at least 1 copy of PS Form 8125, or an approved facsimile with each PVDS mailing presented for verification and postage payment to the origin verifying Post Office (or detached mail unit) completed as described below. Submit the original Form 8125, after being signed and round stamped by the origin verifying Post Office, to the entry Post Office with the PVDS mailing it represents. PS Form 8125 is not required for PVDS mailings sent via Express Mail® or Priority Mail® Open and Distribute.
Completing Form 8125
1.Requested In-Home Delivery Date: If this box is completed, the mailer or mailer's agent should deposit the mailing at the entry office in time to meet the delivery window. Delivery within this window is not guaranteed.
2.Drop ShipmentAppointment Number: The appointment number is required and may be added by the mailer or mailer's agent after the Form 8125 is signed and dated by the origin Post Office but before the PVDS mailing is presented to the destination Post Office.
3-16. The Mailer Information section identifies the mail preparer and appointment scheduler and provides a description of the mail to be deposited at the destination entry facility listed in item 28. The mailer must complete all items in the Mailer Information section except for items 13i-vi. (if pallet presort is known).
•In items 5 & 6 (and items 16a and 16b, if necessary), list the name and telephone number of a mailer contact who is familiar with the subject mailing and who can resolve problems that may arise at the entry office.
•In items 13, report the mail as configured for verification and as it will be presented to the entry office (for example, if trays are on pallets, show the number of pallets with trays). If a mailing consists of a combination of palletized and non-palletized mail, report each segment correctly in this item. Identifying pallet presort levels is optional.
•In item 14, show all entry discounts claimed for pieces in the mailing.Asingle mailing may contain pieces subject to different entry discounts (no more than one entry discount may be claimed for any individual piece).
•In item 15, you may show other mailer information (for example, sequence number for a postage statement, manifest, or PS Form 8125). Mailer must record SCF/ADC/BMC/ASF designator(s) and ZIPCode(s) from the DMM label list for mailing presented or attach register.
28.Enter the facilty name, address, city, state and ZIP+4® code as found in the Drop Ship product where the PVDS mailing will be entered. All entry discounts must be based on entry at this facility. To review facilities entry information, go to https://fast.usps.com/fast/(No login required) and click on Reports and then click on Mail Direction Search - Go.
Submitting Mailing and PS Form 8125 to Entry Post Office
The mailer or mailer's agent must submit original of this Form 8125 (with the original signature and round stamp of the origin Post Office) with the PVDS mailing presented for acceptance to the entry postal facility shown in item 28 . Submit a second copy if you want one signed by the entry office and returned for your records.
The mailing presented to the entry office must be configured as reported under item 13 and must match the other information on PS Form 8125 as validated by the origin Post Office (verifying office).
Mail must not be reconfigured in containers after verification at origin. This ensures that the entry office is able to reconcile the information on the PS Form 8125 with the mail being presented for acceptance. For example, mail verified and reported as non-palletized sacks or trays (rather than as sacks or trays prepared on pallets) must be presented to the entry Post Office in the same configuration.
Consolidators must not take mail received from mailers as non-palletized sacked or trayed mailings (reported on Forms 8125 as non-palletized mailings) and place the mail on pallets or in other containers after verification (for reasons such as facilitating transportation) because the entry office will be unable to reconcile the mail with the PS Forms 8125 representing the mail. For example, if an agent places on pallets 10 sacks from one mailing and 15 sacks from another mailing reported on PS Forms 8125 as non-palletized sacks, then there would be no PS Form 8125 representing one pallet of 25 sacks, and the destination entry office may refuse or delay acceptance of the mail.
Instructions for OriginPost Office (Office Where PVDS Mailing Is Verified)
Be sure the mailer has completed all required items in the Mailer Information section and item 28.
After verifying that all information is correct, complete the Origin Post Office section. Items 23 and 24 are optional.
Sign and round stamp this form. Return original and a copy (if submitted by mailer) to the mailer. Retain a copy in your files for 1 year.
Instructions for Destination Entry Post Office or Delivery Unit
Either remove the PS Forms 8125 for your office from the vehicle or receive them from the mailer or mailer's agent and check that your office is shown as the entry facility under item 28.
Check that the form is completed, signed, and round stamped by the origin Post Office.
Check the integrity of the mail load to be sure that it is safe to unload. Note any load condition irregularities under item 33.
Compare the shipment with the form(s) for class, volume (such as number of containers), processing category, entry rates claimed, etc.
If PS Form 8125 is properly completed and the information on it matches the mail, then accept the shipment. Complete the "Destination" section (items 29 through 34) legibly. Retain PS Form 8125 in your files for 1 year. If the mailer or mailer's agent has presented a second copy, then complete the "Destination" section on the copy and return it to the mailer or mailer's agent who presented it to you.
If the mail is visibly damaged, if the shipment does not match the information on the PS Form 8125, or if the entry facility on the PS Form 8125 is not your facility, then do not accept the mail until the discrepancy is resolved.
•You may need to notify your supervisor of the problem(s).
•Either you or your supervisor may need to contact the origin Post Office (see items 26a, b, c, and d) to resolve the discrepancy.
•Scan the barcode that appears in item 34 using the hand held scanner provided.
