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.


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DATE: Published in the Federal Register December 29, 2008.

New Standards for Letter-Size Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:
On March 14, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 51, pages 13812-13813) an advance notice of our intent to develop new mailing standards for folded self-mailers and booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. In that advance notice, we provided justification for these changes, announced a two-phase testing initiative, and reported the results of the first phase of testing. We invited comments from customers and asked that they suggest alternative booklet designs that could improve mailpiece performance.

The following proposed rule is based on the results of completed testing. We propose revisions to tab size, tab location, paper weight, and dimensions for folded self-mailers and booklets mailed at automation or machinable letter prices.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before January 28, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Thomas, 202-268-7268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Many folded self-mailers and booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices do not process successfully on letter-sorting machines. Unenveloped pieces tend to double feed and jam resulting in damage to the equipment and the mail. These problems and the resulting loss of machine time make it necessary to process some types of folded self-mailers and booklets on flat sorting equipment or in manual operations. Typically these operations are slower and more labor intensive resulting in higher processing costs. To improve efficiency, the USPS® worked with customers to test multiple mailpiece designs and arrived at revised standards that improve automation processing.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 28, 2008.

Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes for Shipping Services

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to the prices and standards for the following Shipping Services:

Express Mail®

Priority Mail®

Parcel Select®

Parcel Return Service®


EFFECTIVE DATES: January 18, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen at 202-268-7276 or Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On November 12, 2008, the Governors of the Postal Service established new prices and product features for Shipping Services. This Federal Register notice describes these price and product changes and the mailing standards to implement them.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 17, 2008.

International Product Change – Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Competitive Services

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service gives notice of its intent to file a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add the Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Competitive Services to the Competitive Products List pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3642.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 17, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret M. Falwell, 703-292-3576

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that it intends to file with the Postal Regulatory Commission, on or about November 14, 2008, a Request of United States Postal Service to Add Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Competitive Services to the Competitive Product List, and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) the Enabling Governors’ Decision and Agreement. Documents are or will be available on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s website, www.prc.gov.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 14, 2008.

International Product Change – Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Market-Dominant Services

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service gives notice of its intent to file a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add the Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Market-Dominant Services to the Market-Dominant Products List pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3642 and of its exercise of its authority to adjust rates for that product pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3622.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 14, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret M. Falwell, 703-292-3576

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that it intends to file with the Postal Regulatory Commission, on or about November 14, 2008, a Request of United States Postal Service to Add Canada Post – United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Market-Dominant Services to the Market-Dominant Product List, Notice of Type 2 Rate Adjustment, and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) Negotiated Service Agreement and Enabling Governors’ Resolution. The Postal Service further provides notice that it has determined to exercise its statutory authority to make a Type 2 rate adjustment for the proposed market dominant postal product. The implementation date for these rates is January 1, 2009. Documents are or will be available at on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s website, www.prc.gov.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register September 29, 2008.

Postage Payment for Bound Printed Matter Limited to Permit Imprint

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
In this final rule, the Postal Service is revising mailing standards for all Bound Printed Matter (BPM). In March we filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission for a classification change requiring all mailings of Bound Printed Matter be paid by permit only. The Commission agreed, and we are moving forward with the change.

Postage payment for BPM mailings: carrier route, presorted, and nonpresorted (single-piece) flats and parcels, regardless of volume, are limited to permit imprint. Mailers can no longer affix postage by adhesive stamps, postage meter, or PC Postage®. BPM will not be accepted at retail counters, in collection boxes, or by carriers and must be deposited and accepted at the Post Office™ facility that issued the permit. Merchandise Return Service (MRS) permit holders may continue to pay nonpresorted BPM prices on eligible items returned with a MRS label.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol A. Lunkins at 202-268-7262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Mailers who are presently authorized to pay postage via permit imprint may use their existing permit to mail BPM at the Post Office where the permit is held. Mailers who wish to obtain a new authorization to pay postage via permit imprint must complete an application and pay a one-time application fee at each office of mailing to mail BPM on or after September 11, 2008. Authorization is obtained by submitting PS Form 3615, Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, and the applicable fee to the Post Office where mailings are to be deposited. As long as a permit remains active, there is no additional fee for use of a permit imprint indicia, but other fees (e.g., an annual destination entry mailing fee) may be due depending on where the mail is deposited.

Payment for postage must be made for each mailing through an advance deposit account before the mailing can be released for processing. Funds to pay postage must be deposited as directed by the USPS®.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register September 23, 2008.

Marking Requirements for Parcel Select

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to the marking requirements of our Shipping Services product, Parcel Select®. On May 21, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 99) the proposed rule describing Parcel Select marking changes. This final rule revises the effective date to October 9, 2008, (proposed rule date was September 30, 2008) when Parcel Select shippers must use one of the following markings, as appropriate, on each Parcel Select package:

For all destination entry packages, use “Parcel Select.”

For BMC presort entry packages, use “Parcel Select BMC Presort” or “Parcel Select BMC PRSRT”

For OBMC presort entry packages (Inter-BMC) packages, use “Parcel Select OBMC Presort” or “Parcel Select OBMC PRSRT”.

For barcoded Intra-BMC and barcoded Inter-BMC packages, use “Parcel Select Barcoded” or “Parcel Select BC”.


EFFECTIVE DATES: October 9, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen at 202-268-7276

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments:
There were no comments received on the May 21, 2008 proposed rule.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 27, 2008.

International Product Change – Global Plus 2 Negotiated Service Agreements

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Notice

SUMMARY:
Postal Service notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add Global Plus 2 Negotiated Service Agreements to the Competitive Products List pursuant to 39 USC §§ 3642 and 3632(b)(3).

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 27, 2008

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret M. Falwell, 703-292-3576.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that it has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a Request of United States Postal Service to Add Global Plus 2 Negotiated Service Agreements to the Competitive Product List, and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) the Enabling Governor's Decision and Two Functionally Equivalent Agreements. Documents are available at www.prc.gov, Docket Nos. MC2008-7, CP2008-16, and CP2008-17.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 27, 2008.

International Product Change – Inbound Direct Entry Contracts

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Notice

SUMMARY:
Postal Service notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with Foreign Postal Administrations to the Competitive Products List pursuant to 39 USC §§ 3642 and 3632(b)(3).

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 27, 2008

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret M. Falwell, 703-292-3576.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice that it has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a Request of United States Postal Service to Add Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with Foreign Postal Administrations to the Competitive Product List, and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) the Enabling Governor's Decision and Two Functionally Equivalent Contracts with Foreign Posts. Documents are available at www.prc.gov, Docket Nos. MC2008-6, CP2008-14, and CP2008-15.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 27, 2008.

New Automation Requirements for Detached Addressed Labels

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Proposed rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) for detached address labels (DALs). To increase efficiency and reduce handling costs, we propose that DALs accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail® flats must be automation-compatible and have a correct delivery point POSTNET™ barcode or Intelligent Mail® barcode with an 11-digit routing code. This proposal would not apply to DALs with simplified addresses.

To be consistent with the current requirement for return addresses, we are proposing to add DALs to DMM 602.1.5.3, Required Use of Return Address.

DATES: : We must receive your comments on or before September 26, 2008.

ADDRESSES: : Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington, DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington, DC. Do not submit comments via fax or e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On June 7, 2007, at the request of many mailers, we revised our standards to allow advertising on the front of DALs provided that the DALs were barcoded and automation-compatible (see Postal Bulletin 22208 and DMM 602.4.2.5.b). This change provided mailers with the ability to offset the DAL surcharge, implemented in May 2007, with new opportunities for advertising revenue.

Except for DALs prepared with simplified addresses, our proposal would require that all DALs accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats, be automation-compatible and have a correct delivery point POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode with an 11-digit routing code.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 21, 2008.

Implementation of New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
On April 30, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 84, pages 23393-23403) proposed mailing standards to require the use of Intelligent Mail® barcodes on all letters and flats mailed at automation prices as of May 2010. We described two options for using Intelligent Mail barcodes as of May 2009: the basic option and the full-service option. In this final rule, we summarize comments received in response to our proposed rule and provide our new mailing standards for the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 11, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield at 202-268-7278 or Karen Zachok at 202-268-8779.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In May 2009, we will implement the following:

Updated requirements for Intelligent Mail barcodes and POSTNET™ barcodes, with delivery point routing information required in barcodes on automation letters and flats and carrier route letters.

Two options for using Intelligent Mail barcodes - the basic option and the full-service option.

For full-service implementation, we will require:

Unique identification in Intelligent Mail barcodes on letters and flats.

Intelligent Mail tray labels, with unique barcodes, used on trays and sacks.

Intelligent Mail container placards, with unique barcodes, affixed on the outside of pallets and placed on containers (if the mail is containerized).

Electronic postage statements and documentation (when documentation is required).

Full-service mailers will enjoy the following benefits:

Address correction information for letters and flats using OneCode ACS at no charge (subject to approval by the Governors).

"Start-the-clock" information that will document when the Postal Service has taken possession of each mailing.


In May 2010, we will require the Intelligent Mail barcode on QBRM letters and on Permit Reply Mail pieces.

As part of the annual price adjustment announcement in 2009, we will recommend to the Board of Governors that letters and flats requiring a barcode and mailed under the full-service option of Intelligent Mail pay lower automation prices in the Fall of 2009 than pieces mailed under the basic option or with POSTNET barcodes.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 21, 2008.

Waiver of Signature Delivery Process

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to update the standards regarding delivery of Express Mail® items with waiver of signature and return receipt for merchandise items with waiver of signature. Delivery employees deliver these items to the addressee’s mail receptacle or other secure location without first attempting to obtain a signature from the addressee.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 21, 2008

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Waiver of signature authorizes delivery to be made without obtaining the signature of the addressee or addressee’s agent as long as the delivery employee establishes the article can be left in the addressee’s mail receptacle or other secure location. By waiving signature, the sender agrees to accept the delivery time and date scan information as valid record of delivery.

When Express Mail® items with waiver of signature and return receipt for merchandise items with waiver of signature are delivered, the delivery employee will sign the PS Form 3849, Sorry We Missed You, without attempting to obtain a signature from the addressee. After signing the PS Form 3849, the delivery employee delivers the item to the addressee’s mail receptacle or other secure location. This process expedites delivery time because the delivery employee is not required to try to obtain a signature from the addressee or addressee’s agent, when a waiver of signature is indicated.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 19, 2008.

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Debit Added as New Method of Payment for Express Mail Corporate Account Customers

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
This final rule revises Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), by making Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit a new method of payment for Express Mail® Corporate Account (EMCA) customers and eliminating the option to open new local trust accounts. The ACH system is a secure, private network that connects banks to one another by way of the Federal Reserve Board. This network enables electronic payments, such as ACH debits, to be handled and processed. EMCA customers will continue to have a total of three options to fund their accounts: participate in the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS); use a personal or business credit card; or authorize the USPS® to originate an ACH debit from a specified bank account. Existing EMCA customers that fund their account from a local trust account will still be required to maintain minimum balances.

This final rule also revises the DMM by adding provisions to close an EMCA funded by ACH debit payments.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grace Letto, 202-268-7247 or Garry Rodriguez, 202-268-7281, United States Postal Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is providing ACH debit as a new method of payment for EMCA customers and eliminating the option to open a new EMCA using a local trust account funded by cash and/or check deposits as part of the Postal Service's ongoing mission to help grow revenue in a competitive market by increasing efficiencies, enhancing financial controls, and reducing costs.

By using an electronic payment option, customers will no longer have to go to a Post Office™ to make deposits into their EMCA trust accounts. This new payment option enhances financial control by reducing risk.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register July 9, 2008.

Treatment of Undeliverable Books and Sound Recordings

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Proposed rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is proposing to revise the mailing standards for the treatment of books and sound recordings that are found loose in the mail or undeliverable as addressed. The revision would eliminate confusion and simplify procedures.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before August 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: : Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Do not submit comments via fax or e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen at 202-268-7276.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 507.1.9.2, as originally written (under the section titled Dead Mail), was intended to facilitate a process for identifying and returning to the original publisher or distributor books and recordings that had become undeliverable as a result of being “loose in the mail” (contents separated from packaging and other address information). Unpredictably, the rule has been misinterpreted by some publishers and distributors as allowing them to reclaim ownership of all UAA mail and not just mail that was truly identified as “loose” in the mail. Practically speaking, there are very few commercially mailed books and sound recordings found loose in the mail. Books and sound recordings seldom separate from their outer wrappings. The vast majority of pieces that are not delivered are pieces that the Postal Service attempted to deliver but were refused by the addressee.

Therefore, the Postal Service is proposing to remove DMM Section 507.1.9.2 in its entirety. To clarify their preferences regarding UAA pieces, mailers are encouraged to use appropriate ancillary service endorsements.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register July 9, 2008.

Waiver of Signature Delivery Process

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Proposed rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to update the standards regarding delivery of Express Mail® items with waiver of signature requested, and return receipt for merchandise items with waiver of signature requested. We propose that employees deliver these shipments without first attempting to obtain a signature from the addressee.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before July 24, 2008.

ADDRESSES: : Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Do not submit comments via fax or e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Currently, the delivery employee attempts to obtain a signature from the addressee even when the sender has authorized a waiver of signature for Express Mail items or items mailed with a return receipt for merchandise. Waiver of signature authorizes delivery to be made without obtaining the signature of the addressee or addressee’s agent as long as the delivery employee establishes the article can be left in the addressee’s mail receptacle or other secure location. By requesting waiver of signature, the sender agrees to accept the delivery time and date scan information as valid record of delivery.

The new process will allow a delivery employee to sign the PS Form 3849, Sorry We Missed You, without attempting to obtain a signature from the addressee. After signing the PS Form 3849, the delivery employee will deliver the item to the addressee’s mail receptacle or other secure location. This process will expedite delivery time because the delivery employee will not be required to try to obtain a signature from the addressee or addressee’s agent, when a waiver of signature is authorized.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register June 6, 2008.

Address Facing Standards for Presort Bundles on Pallets

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising the mailing standards requiring mailers to place presort bundles on pallets with the addresses facing up.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Gunther at 202-268-7208.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is in the process of implementing technological changes to automate delivery sequencing for flat-size mail, through the deployment of the Flats Sequencing System (FSS). FSS will sort flat-size mailpieces into delivery sequence, increasing the efficiency of letter carriers by reducing time in sorting mail, and allowing delivery to begin earlier in the day.

Placement of presort bundles on pallets with the address side up is needed to improve efficiencies in today’s processing environment and for automated preparation and induction for FSS in the future.

In today’s processing applications, this new standard will aid in validating that bundles are placed on the correct pallet, improving the manual distribution of these bundles.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register May 21, 2008.

Mailing Requirement Changes for Parcel Select

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:
This proposal would revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to the mailing requirements of our Shipping Services product, Parcel Select®, by requiring new markings on BMC-Presort or OBMC-Presort (Inter-BMC), and origin-entered Barcoded Intra-BMC and Barcoded Inter-BMC packages.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before June 20, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen at 202-268-7276

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Parcel Select has been redefined as a Shipping Services product using permit imprint or metered postage when mailing 50 pieces or more. In addition to destination-entered packages, Parcel Select will include BMC-Presort or OBMC-Presort (Inter-BMC), and origin-entered Barcoded Intra-BMC and Barcoded Inter-BMC packages. To support the expanded product make-up and the separation of Parcel Select from Parcel Post®, effective September 30, 2008, the "Parcel Post" marking will not be allowed on any Parcel Select package. We encourage shippers to begin using the following markings as soon as possible, but no later than September 30, 2008:

Destination Entry – “Parcel Select.”

BMC – “Parcel Select BMC Presort” or “Parcel Select BMC PRSRT”.

OBMC Presort (Inter-BMC) – “Parcel Select OBMC Presort” or “Parcel Select OBMC PRSRT”.

Barcoded Intra-BMC and Barcoded Inter-BMC – “Parcel Select Barcoded” or “Parcel Select BC”.


Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register May 15, 2008.

Repositionable Notes Transitioned from an Experimental Test to a Permanent Classification

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
On February 27, 2008, the Postal Service™, in accordance with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, gave notice to the Postal Regulatory Commission, that the Governors of the Postal Service established Repositionable Notes (RPNs) as a permanent classification. The 3” by 3” removable, paper notes are an optional feature for commercial First-Class Mail®, Periodicals, and Standard Mail®.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 15, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol A. Lunkins at 202-268-7262

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Over a three-year testing period, RPNs have proven compatible with postal automation letter and flat processing equipment. The removable notes can be mailed on postcards, envelopes, flats, catalogs, magazines, and newspapers to highlight important information or special offers. The notes are easily removed so that customers can keep the information handy.

RPNs add to the value of mail as an advertising medium and contribute directly to net postal revenue. The use of RPNs has aided postal customers with increasing brand awareness and generated sales and repeat business for their organizations.


Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register May 7, 2008.

New Address Requirements for Automation, Presorted, and Carrier Route Flat-Size Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service adopts new address placement and formatting requirements for Periodicals, Standard Mail®, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail®, and Library Mail flat-size pieces sent at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. We also adopt related revisions for automation and presorted First-Class Mail® flats.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 29, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Witt, 202-268-7279.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is implementing a new technology, the Flats Sequencing System (FSS), to automate delivery sequencing for flat-size mail. Currently, flat-size mail is sorted mechanically only to the 9-digit ZIP Code™ or carrier level, and then manually sorted into delivery order by carriers. FSS can sort flat-size mailpieces into delivery sequence, increasing efficiency by reducing carriers’ time sorting mail, and allowing carriers to begin delivering mail earlier in the day.


Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 30, 2008.

Implementation of New Standards for Intelligent Mail® Barcodes

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Proposed rule

SUMMARY:
On January 7, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 4) an advance notice of our intention to require the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on all letters and flats mailed at automation prices as of January, 2009. We presented our Intelligent Mail vision and asked for comments from our customers. We described two options for using Intelligent Mail barcodes: the basic option and the full-service option. In this proposed rule, we have summarized comments and are now publishing our revised mailing standards for the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before May 30, 2008. Early comments are encouraged. Commenters may submit additional comments any time before May 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278, Karen Zachok, 202-268-8779, or Uni Han-Norton, 202-268-8437.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Current mailing standards for automation prices require either POSTNET™ barcodes or Intelligent Mail barcodes on letters and flats. Both barcode formats contain routing information, but Intelligent Mail barcodes offer much more. They can include indicators for added services such as Address Change Service and Confirm®, and enable tracking of individual mailpieces throughout our processing system. This additional visibility will enable us to improve service and efficiency, as well as add value to the mail.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 16, 2008.

Pricing and Requirement Changes for Competitive Products

AGENCY: Postal Service™

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to the prices and standards for the following competitive products, now referred to as Shipping Services:

  • Express Mail®
  • Priority Mail®
  • Parcel Select®
  • Parcel Return Service®

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 12, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen at 202-268-7276 or Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) gives the Postal Service increased flexibility in pricing, product enhancements, and product introductions. On March 4, 2008, the Governors of the Postal Service established new prices and product features for Shipping Services. This Federal Register notice describes these price and product changes and the mailing standards changes needed to implement them.


Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register March 14, 2008.

Letter-Size Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is developing new mailing standards for folded self-mailers, booklets, and folded booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. This notice provides advance information about the mail preparation changes to help mailers plan for future mailings.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 14, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Walsh, 202-268-7595, or Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register March 7, 2008

New Standards Prohibit the Mailing of Replica or Inert Munitions

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Proposed rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is proposing new standards to prohibit the mailing of replica or inert munitions such as grenades or other simulated explosive devices.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before April 7, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington, DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael F. Lee, 202-268-7263.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Current Postal Service standards do not prohibit look-alike weapons from the mail. In order to ensure safety of postal employees and prevent damage to postal property or other mailpieces, inert munitions have been handled as “live ammunition” when found in the mail. In the past, facilities have been evacuated when inert replicas have been identified in the mailstream. In 2006, the Postal Service recorded 849 suspicious incidents involving mail that exhibited characteristics of possible explosives. Postal facilities were evacuated on 100 separate occasions due to these occurrences. Postal Inspectors or local emergency first responders reacted to each of these occurrences to assess the items. Evacuations cost the Postal Service time and money, create unnecessary stress for employees, and can impact service commitments.

Most importantly, employee safety can be jeopardized when facsimiles of potentially dangerous items are permitted in the mail. Both real and replica explosives have been found in the mail and the replicas often are not readily distinguishable from the real articles. The Postal Service is concerned that without prohibition of these types of mail pieces, continued exposure to replicated munitions, over time, will lead to desensitized reactions should an employee encounter items in the mail that should be regarded as dangerous.

This proposed rule is part of our ongoing commitment to increase the safety of the mail and provide a safe working environment for our employees.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 20, 2008

Periodicals - Limited Circulation Rate

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
This final rule revises the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to provide the eligibility standards for the Outside-County Limited Circulation rate, which has been approved by the Governors of the United States Postal Service.

Eligible issues of publications entitled to use this rate will receive a 5% discount on qualifying Outside-County copies. As set forth in the new standards, publications in each of the qualification categories may be eligible for the rate; issues of these publications will qualify if eligible copies are mailed at In-County rates and the total number of Outside-County copies mailed for that issue is less than 5,000.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 20, 2008

Revised Standards for First-Class Mail International™

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service will adopt new mailing standards and prices for First-Class Mail International in May, 2008 which reflects current First-Class Mail domestic shape-based standards.

Our revisions recognize that each mailpiece shape — letter, flat, and parcel — has substantially different processing costs that needs to be covered. Currently, the First-Class Mail International pricing structure shows no distinction between letter-size, flat-size, and package (small packet) pricing.

Note: Table headings corrected February 21, 2008.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 1, 2008

Express Mail Sunday/Holiday Delivery Premium

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service™ is revising Express Mail® service to reflect a premium of $12.50 in addition to current postage for guaranteed Sunday or holiday delivery of Express Mail pieces.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 1, 2008

Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box – Domestic APO/FPO

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
This final rule revises the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to add the new, Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box that has been approved by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.

The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box is approximately 50 percent larger than the regular flat-rate boxes currently available. The prices for shipping a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to an APO/FPO ZIP Code™ destination address, or to a domestic ZIP Code address are as follows:

• $10.95 to APO/FPO destination addresses.
• $12.95 to domestic addresses.

The new flat-rate box is identified by the words “Large Flat-Rate Box” printed on the packaging.

Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in the Priority Mail large flat-rate box or in a special version of the box identified with the additional logo: “Americasupportsyou.mil.”
The Priority Mail large flat-rate box also may be used for mailing to international destinations at large flat-rate box prices specific to international items.

Domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply to the special version of the APO/FPO flat-rate box if used for non-APO/FPO addresses.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 1, 2008

Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box – International

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY:
This final rule revises the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), to add a new Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box that has been approved by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service for domestic and international Priority Mail shipments.

The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box is approximately 50 percent larger than the regular flat-rate boxes currently available. Two prices will apply to the large flat-rate box when mailed to international destinations:

• $29.95 for Priority Mail International™ service to Canada and Mexico.
• $49.95 for Priority Mail International service to all other countries.

The larger flat-rate box is identified by the words “Large Flat-Rate Box” printed on the packaging.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


DATE: Published in the Federal Register January 7, 2008

IMPLEMENTATION OF INTELLIGENT MAIL® BARCODES

AGENCY: Postal Service

ACTION: Advance Notice

SUMMARY:
In January 2009, mailers will be required to use Intelligent Mail barcodes to access automation prices for letters and flats. To access automation prices, mailers will be required to meet one of two options using Intelligent Mail barcodes. The first option, referred to as "Full Service" Intelligent Mail, will require the use of unique Intelligent Mail barcodes applied to letter and flat mailpieces, trays, sacks, and containers, such as pallets, and the submission of electronic mailing documentation. The second option, or "Basic" Intelligent Mail, will only require mailers to apply Intelligent Mail barcodes on mailpieces and not on trays and containers. Automation prices will no longer be available for the use of the POSTNET barcode. This Federal Register notice provides advance information to help mailers understand the mail preparation requirements when using Intelligent Mail barcodes and offers insight into the additional information that will be available to mailers that comply with these requirements.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT


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