Published in the Federal Register December 13, 2017.

Revenue Deficiency

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^â) to clarify the Postal Service revenue deficiency policy.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before January 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Verification Standards”. 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Janet Meddick at (202) 268-2652, Pierre DeFelice at 724-993-3596, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service is proposing to amend DMM section 604.10.0, Revenue Deficiency, to update the definition of a revenue deficiency, as well as the designation of Postal Service contacts for submitting appeals. The Postal Service also proposes to add sections to provide the definition of a mailer, the description of assessments and mailer’s responsibilities, and the policy on assessed revenue deficiencies. We believe that these revisions will ensure the proper payment of postage while providing a superb customer experience from sender to receiver.

Additionally, the Postal Service will revise subsection 607.2.1 to include the relocation of subsection 604.10.2, Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail, as new 607.2.1.2, Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Decision.

Published in the Federal Register December 5, 2017.

International Mailing Services:  Mailing Services Product and Price Changes

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Final Rule.

SUMMARY:

On October 24, 2017, the Postal Service published proposed product and price changes to reflect a notice of price adjustments filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has found that price adjustments and product changes contained in the Postal Service’s notice may go into effect on January 21, 2018. The Postal Service will revise Notice 123, Price List to reflect the new prices and Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®) to reflect the product changes.

DATES:  Effective:  January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

I.  Proposed Rule and Response

In October 2017, the Postal Service filed a notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), to be effective on January 21, 2018. On October 24, 2017, the USPS™ published a notice of proposed product and price changes in the Federal Register entitled “International Mailing Services:  Proposed Product and Price Changes--CPI” (82 FR 49160). The notice included price changes that the Postal Service would adopt for products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®) and publish in Notice 123, Price List, on Postal Explorer^® at pe.usps.com. The Postal Service received no comments.

Published in the Federal Register November 27, 2017.

New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:  On October 6, 2017, the Postal Service (USPS^®) filed a notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in Docket No. R2018-1. On October 13, 2017 the Postal Service published a proposed rule containing the revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) that we planned to adopt to implement rule changes coincident with the price adjustments.

DATES:  Effective:  January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158, or Lizbeth Dobbins at (202) 268-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

On November 9, 2017, the PRC found that the price adjustments proposed by the Postal Service may take effect as planned. The price adjustments and DMM revisions are scheduled to become effective on January 21, 2018.Final prices are available under Docket No. R2018-1 (Order No. 4215) on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s Web site at www.prc.gov. The Postal Service's final rule includes: a change to the pallet preparation for Carrier Route (CR)  Pallets in Non-FSS Zones, a change to add Bound Printed Matter Flats up to 24 ounces to comail with USPS Marketing Mail and Periodicals (DSCF or DDU only),  and a Zone chart revision for Priority Mail to APO/FPO/DPO processing at Chicago ISC.

Published in the Federal Register October 31, 2017.

eInduction Option, Seamless Acceptance Program, and Full-Service Automation Option, Verification Standards

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^â), sections 705.20, eInduction Option, 705.22, Seamless Acceptance Program, and 705.23, Full-Service Automation Option, to add the verification standards.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before November 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Verification Standards”. 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Heather Dyer at (207) 482-7217, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service is proposing to amend DMM sections 705.20, eInduction Option, 705.22, Seamless Acceptance Program, and 705.23, Full-Service Automation Option, to add the applicable verification descriptions, error thresholds, and postage assessments, standards.  These standards have been made available to the public via Publication 6850, Publication for Streamlined Mail Acceptance for Letters and Flats, available at https://postalpro.usps.com, which also contains additional information on the verification processes.

Published in the Federal Register October 24, 2017.

International Mailing Services: Proposed Product and Price Changes - CPI

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed Rule with a request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), to reflect changes in the prices, product features, and classification changes to Mailing Services. These changes would also implement a restriction on the contents of First-Class Mail International^® to documents only, to comply with standards established by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before November 24, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver comments to the manager, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service^®, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, RM 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS^® Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11^th Floor N, Washington DC by appointment only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday by calling 1-202-268-2906 in advance. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, to: ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “January 2018 International Mailing Services Price Change – CPI.” Faxed comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Compliance with UPU Standards

On May 31, 2017 (82 FR 24913), the Postal Service filed an advance notice of rulemaking with a request for comments, providing notification of our intention to limit the contents of First-Class Mail International to documents only, in accordance with recent Universal Postal Union (UPU) deliberations. We received one set of comments, requesting that the Postal Service clearly define the difference between documents and merchandise and also requesting that we continue to permit “goods of nominal value” in First-Class Mail International. As we move forward with this initiative, with the anticipated effective date of January 21, 2018, to fulfill our commitments under the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Acts, we are clearly defining the difference between documents and merchandise in our revisions to the International Mail Manual; however, we are unable to continue to permit “goods of nominal value” sent by known mailers in First-Class Mail International items because, to be consistent with the UPU requirements, we must eliminate goods of any kind from First-Class Mail International letters and flats. Commercial mailers may continue to mail “goods of nominal value” in First-Class Package International^® Service packages (small packets),  International Priority Airmail^® (IPA^®) service packages (small packets) and International Surface Airlift^® (ISAL^®) service packages (small packets).

Published in the Federal Register October 24, 2017.

Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process

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 include a new method of Move Update verification and assessment procedure for evaluating address quality, the “Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process.” This new procedure is applicable to mailers who enter eligible letter- and flat-size pieces of First-Class Mail^® and USPS Marketing Mail^™ that meet the requirements for Basic or Full Service mailings. In addition, the Postal Service is extending no-fee Address Correction Service (ACS^™) to mailers who enter qualifying mailpieces.

DATES:  Effective:  January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Heather Dyer, USPS Mail Entry,

Phone:  (207) 482-7217, Email:  heather.l.dyer@usps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

On June 30, 2017, the Postal Service filed a notice of price adjustment with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) seeking approval of price and classification changes related to the Address Quality Measurement and Assessment Process, and the extension of no-fee ACS to mailers who enter qualifying mailpieces.

On August 23, 2017, the PRC approved the price and classification changes related to the Address Quality Assessment and Measurement Assessment Process, including the 0.5 percent error threshold, and Move Update assessment charge. In addition, the PRC approved extending no-fee ACS to certain Basic automation and non-automation mailpieces that are submitted by qualifying mailers. The prices approved by the PRC are available under Docket Number R2017-7 on the PRC's website at www.prc.gov, and these changes will take effect on January 21, 2018. This final rule adopts the conforming changes to the DMM, which were previously noticed for public comment in a proposed rule (79 FR 76930–76931) and two subsequent revisions.

The Postal Service issued its first revised proposed rule on July 6, 2016 (81 FR 43965–43971). Subsequently, on February 27, 2017, the Postal Service elected to issue a second, revised proposed rule (82 FR 11871-11878) in order to further clarify the proposal, more thoroughly respond to mailer comments, and clearly outline the ways in which the proposal had changed since the previous proposed rule. In response, the Postal Service received valuable feedback from the mailing industry. Although the substance of the Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process has not changed since the proposed rule of February 27, 2017, the Postal Service has buttressed the level of detail provided on the mechanics of the Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process in DMM 602.5.3, given that it now has obtained regulatory approval.

The following subheadings are intended to provide a snapshot of the forthcoming Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process.

Published in the Federal Register October 23, 2017.

International Competitive Services Product 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^®), to reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to Competitive Services, as established by the Governors of the Postal Service.

DATES:  Effective:  January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  New prices will be posted under Docket Number CP2018-8 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website at http://www.prc.gov.

This final rule describes the international price and classification changes and the corresponding mailing standards changes for the following Competitive Services: 

• Global Express Guaranteed^® (GXG^®).
• Priority Mail Express International^®.
• Priority Mail International^®.
• First-Class Package International Service^® (FCPIS^®).
• International Priority Airmail^® (IPA^®).
• International Surface Air Lift^® (ISAL^®).
• Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bag^® services).
• The following international extra services and fees:
• International Insurance.
• International Certificate of Mailing.
• International Registered Mail.
• International Return Receipt.
• International Postal Money Orders.
• International Money Order Inquiry Fee.
• International Money Transfer Service.
• Customs Clearance and Delivery Fee.

New prices will be located on the Postal Explorer^® website at http://pe.usps.com.

Published in the Federal Register October 13, 2017.

New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY: Postal Service^™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

On October 3, 2017, the Postal Service (USPS) filed a notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The proposed price adjustments are scheduled to become effective on January 21, 2018. This proposed rule contains the revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) that we would adopt to implement rule changes coincident with the price adjustments.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “January 2018 Domestic Mailing Services Proposal.” 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158, or Lizbeth Dobbins at (202) 268-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed prices will be available under Docket No. R2018-1 on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s Web site at www.prc.gov. The Postal Service's proposed rule includes: Changes to prices, mail classification updates, modifications to mail preparation standards, and minor revisions to the DMM to condense language and/or eliminate redundancy.

Published in the Federal Register October 13, 2017.

Domestic Competitive Products Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^â), to reflect changes to prices for competitive products. There are no mailing standards changes scheduled for competitive products.

DATES:  Effective:  January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Karen Key at (202) 268-7492, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This final rule describes new prices for competitive products, by class of mail, established by the Governors of the United States Postal Service^â. New prices are available under Docket Number CP2018-8 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) web site at http://www.prc.gov, and also located on the Postal Explorer^® website at http://pe.usps.com.

The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), to reflect changes to prices for the following competitive products:

• Priority Mail Express^®.
• Priority Mail^®.
• First-Class Package Service – Retail^®.
• First-Class Package Service – Commercial^®.
• Parcel Select^®.
• USPS Retail Ground^®.
• Extra Services.
• Return Services.
• Mailer Services.
• Recipient Services.

Published in the Federal Register October 3, 2017.

Overweight Parcels

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Request for Comments.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is contemplating amendment of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®), to address the challenges presented by overweight parcels that make their way into the postal network.  To aid us in this effort, we are requesting comments from the postal community regarding a variety of suggested actions to resolve or ameliorate this problem.  Overweight parcels for the purpose of this notice are defined as anything in excess of 70 pounds or the maximum weight allowed for HAZMAT.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before November 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Overweight Parcels.” 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

For Further Information Contact:  Direct questions or comments to Lizbeth J. Dobbins by email at lizbeth.j.dobbins@usps.gov or phone (202) 268-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Challenge of Overweight Parcels:

Overweight parcels should never be accepted for delivery into the postal network. On occasion an item, such as a returns parcel, gets into the Postal network and arrives at a destination plant or post office. It is unsafe to return the item back through the postal network so the receiving office contacts the customer and asks the customer to pick up the package. Sometimes the package is abandoned which creates another safety issue trying to dispose of the overweight item.

Published in the Federal Register August 23, 2017.

First-Class Package Service - Retail

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service^TM is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®), in various sections, as a result of the transfer of First-Class Mail^® Parcels, a market-dominant product, to the competitive product list.

DATES:  Effective Date:  September 3, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Karen Key at (202) 268-7492, Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On July 20, 2017, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) conditionally approved the Postal Service’s request to transfer First-Class Mail Parcels, a market-dominant retail product for lightweight parcels, to the competitive product list.  The PRC’s approval was conditioned on the subsequent proposal, review, and approval of prices for the transferred product.

Published in the Federal Register July 26, 2017.

Revision to Mailing Standards for Lithium Batteries

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Notice

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is revising Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, in various sections to provide new mailing standards for lithium batteries. Publication 52 was developed to provide expanded requirements for the mailing of hazardous, restricted, and perishable materials.

DATES:  Anticipated date of publication in the Postal Bulletin:  August 17, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Michelle Lassiter 202-268-2914, or Kevin Gunther (202) 268-7208.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

Pursuant to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) 601.8.2, Publication 52 provides mailing standards specific to hazardous, restricted and perishable items and materials, including lithium batteries. Publication 52 is provided in its entirety on the Postal Explorer^® website at http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm.

Published in the Federal Register June 27, 2017.

International Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service announces the issuance of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®) dated January 22, 2017, and its incorporation by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

DATES:  This final rule is effective on June 27, 2017.  The incorporation by reference of the IMM is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 27, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Lizbeth Dobbins, (202) 268-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The International Mail Manual was issued on January 22, 2017, and was updated with Postal Bulletin revisions through January 5, 2017.  It replaced all previous editions.  The IMM continues to enable the Postal Service to fulfill its long-standing mission of providing affordable, universal mail service.  It continues to:  (1) increase the user’s ability to find information; (2) increase the user’s confidence that they have found the information they need; and (3) reduce the need to consult multiple sources to locate necessary information.  The provisions throughout this issue support the standards and mail preparation changes implemented since the version of July 11, 2016.  The International Mail Manual is available to the public on the Postal Explorer^® Internet site at http://pe.usps.com.

Published in the Federal Register June 23, 2017.

Domestic Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service announces the issuance of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) dated January 22, 2017, and its incorporation by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

DATES:  This final rule is effective on June 23, 2017.  The incorporation by reference of the DMM dated January 22, 2017, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 23, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Lizbeth Dobbins (202) 268-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The most recent issue of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) is dated January 22, 2017.  This issue of the DMM contains all Postal Service domestic mailing standards, and continues to:  (1) increase the user’s ability to find information; (2) increase confidence that users have found all the information they need; and (3) reduce the need to consult multiple chapters of the Manual to locate necessary information.  The issue dated January 22, 2017, sets forth specific changes, including new standards throughout the DMM to support the standards and mail preparation changes implemented since the version issued on July 11, 2016.

Published in the Federal Register May 31, 2017.

International Mailing Services:  Mailing Services Rules Changes

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.

SUMMARY:  The Postal Service is considering limiting First-Class Mail International^® service to documents only.

DATES:  Comments on this advance notice are due July 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS^® Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 1-202-268-2906 in advance for an appointment. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to:  ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “First-Class Mail International.” Faxed comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mico Milanovic at (202) 268 5348 or Sylvia Baylis at (202) 268-6464.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  This is an advance notice of the Postal Service’s intent to modify some of its International Mailing rules to conform with the new Universal Postal Union (UPU) requirements for certain Letter Post mail, effective January 1, 2018. After lengthy deliberations, UPU member countries voted to identify and separate items by content as documents versus goods, for purposes of adopting a universal, world-wide standard.

Published in the Federal Register March 1, 2017.

Electronic Induction (eInduction^®) Option

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) to add an option to streamline the processing of drop shipments and expedited plant load mailings.

DATES:  Effective Date: March 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Heather Dyer at (207) 482-7217 or Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking on January 9, 2017, (82 FR 2293 - 2294) to add an option to streamline the processing of drop shipments and expedited plant load mailings, which included a 30-day comment period. The Postal Service received one customer comment.

Comments on Proposed Changes and USPS Response

The Postal Service received 1 formal response on the proposed general language for the eInduction Option proposal. The responder was seeking additional information on a related technical guide to the programming intricacies for qualifying for the eInduction option. Since the general language for the DMM does not include nor will it incorporate technical guidance, the comments are not relevant to this Final Rule. The commentary was shared with the appropriate postal personnel for response.

Published in the Federal Register March 1, 2017.

Seamless Acceptance Program

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) to add the mail preparation requirements governing participation in the Seamless Acceptance Program.

DATES: Effective Date: March 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Heather Dyer at (207) 482-7217 or Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking on January 13, 2017, (82 FR 4231 – 4232) to add the mail preparation requirements governing participation in the Seamless Acceptance Program, which included a 30-day comment period. The Postal Service received one customer comment.

Comments on Proposed Changes and USPS Response

The Postal Service received 1 formal response on the proposed general language for the Seamless Acceptance Program proposal. The responder was seeking additional information on a related technical guide to the programming intricacies for qualifying for the Seamless option. Since the general language for the DMM does not include nor will it incorporate technical guidance, the comments are not relevant to this Final Rule. The commentary was shared with the appropriate postal personnel for response.

Published in the Federal Register February 27, 2017.

Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process

AGENCY: Postal Service^™.

ACTION: Proposed rule; revision; additional comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is revising its pending proposal to amend Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®), to introduce a newly proposed measurement and assessment procedure for evaluating address quality for mailers who enter eligible letter- and flat-size pieces of First-Class Mail^® (FCM) and USPS Marketing Mail^™ (formerly Standard Mail^®) that meet the requirements for Basic or Full-Service mailings. In addition, the Postal Service is proposing to extend free Address Change Service (ACS^™) to mailers who enter qualifying mailpieces.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 29, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process.” Faxed comments are not accepted.

You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment only, at the USPS^® Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, 11^th Floor

North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Dyer, USPS Mail Entry,

Phone: (207) 482-7217, Email: heather.l.dyer@usps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On December 23, 2014, the Postal Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking (79 FR 76930-76931) to add a process for measuring address quality. In response to that proposed rule, the mailing industry provided many valuable comments, which prompted the Postal Service to issue a revised proposed rule on July 6, 2016 (81 FR 43965-43971). In response to the revised proposed rule, the Postal Service again received valuable feedback from the mailing industry. The Postal Service has elected to issue a second revised proposed rule in order to further clarify our proposal, more thoroughly respond to mailer comments, and clearly outline the ways in which the proposal has changed since the revised notice of proposed rulemaking was published on July 6, 2016.

Published in the Federal Register February 22, 2017.

Revision to Mailing Standards for the Transport of Lithium Batteries

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Notice of prospective revision of standards; invitation to comment.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service is preparing to revise Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, in various sections to provide new mailing standards for lithium batteries. Prior to making these revisions, the Postal Service believes that it is appropriate to invite comments regarding the nature and scope of the contemplated changes.

DATES:  The Postal Service must receive written comments on or before March 24, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 postal address of the commenter and send to ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “ATTN: Lithium Batteries.”  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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260.  These records are available for review Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Michelle Lassiter (202) 268-2914, or Kevin Gunther (202) 268-7208.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

Pursuant to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®), section 601.8.2, Publication 52 provides mailing standards specific to hazardous, restricted and perishable items and materials, including lithium batteries.  As discussed in more detail below, the Postal Service is preparing to make revisions to Publication 52 in order to align its mailing standards for shipments of lithium batteries with the regulations of the applicable regulatory agencies. The Postal Service believes these changes are necessary to facilitate the movement of mailpieces containing lithium batteries in USPS networks, including contracted transportation services obtained from commercial sources.

Published in the Federal Register January 5, 2017.

International Mailing Services:  Mailing Services Price Changes

AGENCY:  Postal Service™.

ACTION:  Notice of approval of price changes for mailing services.

SUMMARY:

On October 17, 2016, the Postal Service published a notice of proposed price adjustments to reflect a notice of price adjustments filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has found that price adjustments contained in the Postal Service’s notice may go into effect on January 22, 2017. The Postal Service will revise Notice 123, Price List to reflect the new prices.

DATES:  Effective date:  January 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I.  Proposed Rule and Response

On October 12, 2016, the Postal Service filed a notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), to be effective on January 22, 2017. In addition, on October 17, 2016, the USPS™ published a notice of proposed price changes in the Federal Register entitled “International Mailing Services: Proposed Price Changes” (81 FR 71427). The notice included price changes that we would adopt for products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®) and publish in Notice 123, Price List, on Postal Explorer^® at pe.usps.com. We received no comments.

Published in the Federal Register January 9, 2017.

Electronic Induction (eInduction^®) Option

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) to add an option to streamline the processing of drop shipments and expedited plant load mailings.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before February 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “eInduction Option.” 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Direct questions or comments to Heather Dyer by email at heather.l.dyer@usps.gov or phone (207) 482-7217, or Jacqueline Erwin by email at jacqueline.r.erwin@usps.gov or phone (202) 268-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The Electronic Induction (eInduction) option is a process that streamlines the preparation and induction (how and where the mail physically enters the Postal Service mailstream) of drop shipments and expedited plant load mailings. eInduction links scans of Intelligent Mail container barcodes (IMcb) to the electronic documentation (eDoc) information, allowing the Postal Service to verify that postage was paid prior to accepting a mailer shipped container. eInduction eliminates the need for paper PS Forms 8125, 8125-CD, and 8017, and manual reconciliation at the entry facility. Correct postage payment is verified both at the entry facility and during post-induction processing in PostalOne!.

Published in the Federal Register January 13, 2017.

Seamless Acceptance Program

AGENCY:  Postal Service^™.

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) to add the mail preparation requirements governing participation in the Seamless Acceptance Program.

DATES:  Submit comments on or before February 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES:  Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, 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 ProductClassification@usps.gov, with a subject line of “Seamless Acceptance Program.” 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, 11^th Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for review on Monday through Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Direct questions or comments to Heather Dyer by email at heather.l.dyer@usps.gov or phone (207) 482-7217, or Jacqueline Erwin by email at jacqueline.r.erwin@usps.gov or phone (202) 268-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Seamless Acceptance is an option for entering commercial mailings. It leverages full-service mailing technology by using scans from USPS^® mail processing equipment and hand held devices to automate verification and payment for commercial First-Class Mail cards, letters, and flats, Periodicals, Standard Mail letters and flats, and Bound Printed Matter Flats.   Mailers may participate in the Seamless Acceptance Program by contacting the PostalOne! Helpdesk at 1-800-522-9085.  To participate in the Seamless Acceptance Program, mailers must meet the standards in DMM 705.22.0. Additional information, including information regarding verification and associated assessments under the Seamless Acceptance Program, is provided in Publication 6850, Publication for Streamlined Mail Acceptance for Letters and Flats, at https://postalpro.usps.com/node/581.