Federal Register Notices
Below is a current list of the Federal Register notices filed by the Mailing Standards Department of the United States Postal Service. To search all USPS Federal Register notices please see: GPO Federal Register Collection.
View Previous Federal Register Notices:
Published in the Federal Register April 1, 2025.
Priority Mail Express Service Standard
AGENCY: Postal Service™.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in various sections to refine the service standard for domestic retail and commercial Priority Mail Express® delivery service.
DATES: Effective Date: April 1, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Knox at (202) 268-5636 or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is refining the service standard for domestic retail and commercial Priority Mail Express service to align with operational initiatives that the Postal Service is implementing on a nationwide basis to fundamentally transform our processing and transportation networks to achieve greater operational precision and efficiency, significantly reduce costs, and enhance service pursuant to the Delivering for America strategic plan (DFA Plan). These operational initiatives will comprehensively transform the Postal Service’s operations to address problems that exist today and create a network that enables the integrated movement of mail and packages in a precise and cost-effective manner consistent with best business practice far into the future. They should also lead to substantial cost savings (conservatively estimated at between $3.6 to $3.7 billion annually), which is critical given the Postal Service’s current poor financial condition, which can be addressed only through comprehensive changes to reduce costs and increase efficiency (in conjunction with the other elements of the DFA Plan). To implement these initiatives and achieve these cost savings, the Postal Service must refine its service standards for all products, including Priority Mail Express.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register March 12, 2025.
Securing Bundles of Flats
AGENCY: Postal Service™.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) in sections 203.4.4, 203.4.5, 203.4.8, 203.4.9, and 245.9.5 to modify the requirements for securing bundles of flats.
DATES: Effective: July 1, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy at (202) 268-6592 or Doriane Harley at (202) 268-2537.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is revising the standards in DMM section 203.4.4 to include an exemption for mailings of 500 flat-sized pieces or fewer entered at the BMEU from bundle preparation. Applicable mailings may be prepared loose in flat trays instead of in bundles. The Postal Service is also revising the standards in sections 203.4.5, 203.4.8, and 203.4.9 to require all bundles of flats to have two or more cross-strapped bands or be shrink-wrapped with one or more cross-strapped bands except for newspapers that are placed in a flat tray and entered as exceptional dispatch. These exceptional dispatch newspapers can use only one strap around the middle to prevent damage. Additionally, the Postal Service is eliminating the use of rubber bands and twine/string for securing bundles of flats except for bundles of First-Class Mail flats placed in flat trays. Furthermore, section 245.9.5(d) will be revised to reflect that shrink-wrapped multi carrier route bundles require two or more cross-strapped bands. These changes become effective on July 1, 2025.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register February 19, 2025.
Cremated Remains Packaging Requirements
AGENCY: Postal Service™
ACTION: Final Rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is amending Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52) by requiring mailers to solely use the Cremated Remains shipping supplies provided by the Postal Service when mailing human or animal cremated remains, also referred to as cremains or ashes, domestically or internationally.
DATES: Effective March 1, 2025.
For Further Information Contact: Dale Kennedy, (202) 268-6592, or Jennifer Cox, (202) 268-2108.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service hereby amends Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52), with the provisions set forth herein. While not codified in Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Publication 52 is a regulation of the Postal Service, and changes to it may be published in the Federal Register. 39 CFR 211.2(a)(2). Moreover, Publication 52 is incorporated by reference into Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.8.1, which is incorporated by reference, in turn, into the Code of Federal Regulations. 39 CFR 111.1 and 111.3. Publication 52 is publicly available, in a read-only format, via the Postal Explorer® website at https://pe.usps.com. In addition, links to Postal Explorer are provided on the landing page of USPS.com, the Postal Service's primary customer-facing website, and on Postal Pro, an online informational source available to postal customers.
Summary of New Measures
The Postal Service will require mailers shipping human or animal cremated remains in any state (e.g. ashes, keepsakes and jewelry) to be shipped in the Cremated Remains packaging supplied by the Postal Service. Previously, mailers were permitted to use any box if it was marked with Label 139 – Cremated Remains.
The Postal Service understands the mailing of cremated remains is a sensitive matter and believes this will improve visibility and enhance handling methods throughout processing and transportation.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register February 5, 2025.
Optional 5-Digit/3-Digit/ADC Sortation
AGENCY: Postal Service™.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is proposing to amend Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to change the standards for First-Class Mail® and USPS Marketing Mail® flats from a “required” 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC preparation to an “optional” preparation.
DATES: Submit comments on or before March 7, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the name and address of the commenter and send to PCFederalRegister@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Optional 5-Digit/3-Digit/ADC Sortation”. Faxed comments are not accepted. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment only, at USPS® Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., by calling 202-268-2906.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy at (202) 268-6592 or Doriane Harley at (202) 268-2537.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.
Currently, the standards in DMM sections 235 and 245 require mailers of First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail flats to make a 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC bundle and tray preparation. The Postal Service is proposing to amend the standards in DMM sections 235 and 245 to make the 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC preparation “optional” when preparing bundles and trays of First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail flats.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register January 30, 2025.
International Competitive Services and Price Changes
AGENCY: Postal Service™.
ACTION: Final Rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service™ is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), and Notice 123, Price List, to reflect changes to Competitive Services as established by the Governors of the United States Postal Service.
DATES: Effective: January 19, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy at 202-268-6592 or Kathy Frigo at 202-268-4178.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This final action describes new prices established by the Governors of the United States Postal Service and submitted for review by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in Docket Number CP2025-1, which the PRC favorably reviewed on January 16, 2025, in Order No. 8635 (see https://www.prc.gov/). Also, by notice filed on November 15, 2024, in PRC Docket No. MC2025-424, which the PRC favorably reviewed on January 13, 2025, in Order No. 8573, the Postal Service is changing the country group assignments for St. Pierre and Miquelon. In addition, the Postal Service is also changing the Foreign Office of Exchange Code for International Priority Airmail destined for St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register January 27, 2025.
New Mailing Standards for Hazardous Materials Outer Packaging and Nonregulated Toxic Materials
AGENCY: Postal Service™
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is amending Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52 or Publication 52) by adding new section 131 to require specific outer packaging when mailing most hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or dangerous goods (DG), to remove quantity restrictions for nonregulated toxic materials, and to remove the telephone number requirement from the lithium battery mark.
DATE: Effective January 19, 2025.
For Further Information Contact: Dale Kennedy, (202) 268-6592, or Jennifer Cox, (202) 268-2108.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service amends Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Pub 52 or Publication 52), with the provisions set forth herein. While not codified in Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Publication 52 is a regulation of the Postal Service, and changes to it may be published in the Federal Register. 39 CFR 211.2(a)(2). Moreover, Publication 52 is incorporated by reference into Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.8.1, which is incorporated by reference, in turn, into the Code of Federal Regulations. 39 CFR 111.1 and 111.3. Publication 52 is publicly available, in a read-only format, via the Postal Explorer® website at https://pe.usps.com. In addition, links to Postal Explorer are provided on the landing page of USPS.com, the Postal Service's primary customer-facing website, and on Postal Pro, an online informational source available to postal customers.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT
Published in the Federal Register January 3, 2025
International Return Receipt
AGENCY: Postal Service™.
ACTION: Final Rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service™ is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), and Notice 123, Price List, to reflect changes to international Return Receipt as established by the Governors of the United States Postal Service.
DATES: Effective: January 1, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy at 202-268-6592 or Kathy Frigo at 202-268-4178.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On October 10, 2024, the Postal Service filed a notice in PRC Docket No. MC2025-58, which the PRC favorably reviewed on December 2, 2024, in Order No. 8179, regarding the termination of international Return Receipt as an extra service for Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service, effective January 1, 2025, although international Return Receipt will continue to be eligible when combined with registered letters and flats sent as First-Class Mail International.
Published in the Federal Register TEXT