Basic Cover Price - ABC Bulk Distribution

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Basic Cover Price

The Basic Cover Price is the standard published price for an issue against which circulation is reported. 

Principles

1. The Basic Cover Price is a recognised standard price

2. A cover price must be published to claim certain categories of paid circulation

3. Copies reported by rate, comparing price paid with Basic Cover Price

Requirements 

1. The Basic Cover Price is a recognised standard price

1. The Basic Cover Price is the published cover price at which a single copy of the publication may be purchased without limitation and for an on-going duration, in contrast to a short term price or special price only available to a limited class or under limited conditions.

2. A cover price must be published to claim certain categories of paid circulation  

1. The relevant circulation section of these Reporting Standards will stipulate if a cover price must be published for copies to be included in the ABC claim. Where a cover price must be published it must be published on or inside the front or back cover of the publication.

2. If you fail to publish a cover price for an issue (that includes circulation that requires a cover price to be published) then:

   1. You must notify ABC’s Group Executive Director, Standards, Operations & Compliance before the return submission deadline explaining the reasons why it happened and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence.

   2. We may request further information or documentation surrounding the omission.

   3. We will review the circumstances surrounding the omission and if it is decided the occurrence is exceptional and the claim verifiable then the copies may be claimed.

3. Copies reported by rate, comparing price paid with Basic Cover Price

1. Circulation sections will stipulate if copies are reported by rate.

2. For publications reporting on a monthly basis a reduction in cover price will not be accepted as a Basic Cover Price until it has been in place for a minimum of two complete consecutive ABC monthly reporting periods. Note:

   1. A change in the cover price will be ignored for this purpose where:

      • The monetary amount of the change (increase or decrease) wholly reflects the change in a purchase tax (e.g. VAT) levied on the publication; and 

      • The change is made in a timescale that is consistent with it reflecting the tax change. 

Reporting

You will report the following, which will be broken out on the ABC Certificate: 

1. The cover price published on or within the last issue in the period.

Guidance

No additional guidance