DATE: Published in the Federal Register December 28, 2009.

Move Update Assessment Charges for Automation and Presort First-Class Mail and All Standard Mail Mailings

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule, revised.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service issues this notice to revise the final rule that was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 providing new Move Update assessment procedures, and to clarify the Performance-Based Verification process.

DATES: Effective January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In the Federal Register final rule published October 27, 2009 (74 FR 55140-42), the Postal Service provided notice of new Move Update assessment charges to be applied during the acceptance process. On November 25, 2009, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) issued Order No. 348 on Move Update, which modified the Postal Service’s requested Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) language filed on October 15, 2009. A change of address error tolerance of 30 percent was added to the MCS language, for determining whether a mailing fails the Move Update portion of the Performance-Based Verification (PBV) test.

The Commission retained language about a $0.07 Move Update noncompliance charge for Standard Mail®, and stated that this charge, rather than the difference between postage paid and the First-Class Mail® single-piece price, would apply when Standard Mail mailers do not comply with the Move Update standard. The Commission’s modifications affect the Move Update procedures published in the October 27, 2009 final rule. This change is effective January 4, 2010, and will be reflected in the next DMM update on February 1, 2010.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register December 15, 2009.

Advertisements for Animals and Sharp Instruments for Use in Animal Fighting Ventures are Nonmailable

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 601.9.3.1, 601.11.20, and 601.12.5.7, to align our standards with section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Collins at 202-268-5440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Act) which amended certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act pertaining to animal fighting ventures. The 2008 Act’s amendments added prohibitions on using the mail service of the United States (1) to advertise an animal for use in an animal fighting venture, or (2) to advertise a knife, a gaff, or any other sharp instrument attached, or designed or intended to be attached, to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture. The 2008 Act also revised the definition of the term “animal fighting venture” to refer to “any event, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce” involving a fight “conducted or to be conducted” between at least two animals. To implement the 2008 Act’s amendments and to ensure that our standards comport with the current language in section 26 (7 U.S.C. 2156) of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), we are implementing the new standards.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register December 14, 2009.

Eligibility for Commercial Flats Failing Deflection

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is filing this proposed rule to describe the applicable prices for commercial flat-size mail failing to meet new deflection standards, to be effective on June 7, 2010.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before January 13, 2010.

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, 11^th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Email comments concerning the proposed price eligibility, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of "Deflection comments." Faxed comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service's final rule for new mailing standards to be effective in May 2009 was published in the Federal Register (74 FR 15380–15384) on April 6, 2009. The final rule included new deflection standards, previously applicable only to automation flats, for all commercial flat-size mail. The implementation of the new deflection standards was postponed from the May 2009 date and is being deferred further to June 2010. In this notice we provide background, a reiteration of the changes and revision to the applicable prices for pieces that do not meet the deflection standard, followed by changes to the mailing standards in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®).

DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 18, 2009.

Unpaid and Shortpaid Information-Based Indicia Postage Meters and PC Postage Products

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to implement revenue assurance procedures for information-based indicia (IBI) postage generated from postage evidencing systems. An automated process will be implemented to detect mailpieces with unpaid or shortpaid IBI postage. This automated process will supplement and enhance current procedures.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before December 18, 2009. Comments extended to on or before February 17, 2010.

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: C. Scot Atkins 703-280-7841 or Carol A. Lunkins 202-268-7262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This proposed rule includes mailing standards for postage printed using IBI postage meters and PC Postage® products including postage generated from Click-N-Ship® service. These technologies provide convenience and ease of use for printing and payment of postage. However, sufficient revenue assurance procedures and practices must be implemented to ensure all required postage is paid.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 10, 2009.

International 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 changes to the prices for the following Shipping Services:

• Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®)
• Express Mail International® (EMI)
• Priority Mail International® (PMI)

In addition to the above shipping services changes the Postal Service adds an individual country listing for Kosovo to reflect it’s independence from the Republic of Serbia.

We are implementing this international price change concurrent with our domestic shipping services price change. The price increases for retail services average 4.1 percent for GXG service; 2.9 percent for Express Mail International service; and 3.0 percent for Priority Mail International service.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole at 703-292-5260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 22, 2009, the Governors of the Postal Service established new prices for shipping services. The new prices are effective on January 4, 2010. Only the shipping services prices will change in January.

This final rule describes the international price changes and the mailing standards changes required for implementation.

January 2010 Price List – Notice 123

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register November 10, 2009.

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 prices and mailing standards for the following Shipping Services:

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

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Gullo (202) 268-8057, Carol A. Lunkins (202) 268-7262, or Mary Collins (202) 268-5440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 22, 2009, the Governors of the Postal Service established new prices and product features for Shipping Services. This final rule describes price and product changes and the corresponding mailing standards to implement them.

January 2010 Price List – Notice 123

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register October 27, 2009.

Return Address Requirement — Outbound International Commercial Bulk Mailings

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule with comment period.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to require that mailpieces prepared as a commercial bulk mailing must bear a complete U.S. return address.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2010.

ADDRESSES:
Mail or deliver written comments until December 4, 2009 Mail 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. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to MailingStandards@usps.gov with a subject line of ``Return Address Requirement — Outbound International Commercial Bulk Mailings.” Faxed comments will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is making this change to be consistent with the amended regulations of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Proposal 25.123.2 that revises Article RL 123, Paragraph 10 of the UPU Letter Post Regulations. This revision will codify that mailpieces prepared as a commercial bulk mailing must bear a complete return address in the country of origin of the mail. For this purpose, a “bulk mailing” is any International Priority Airmail™ (IPA®) or International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) mailing, or any other mailing paid with an advance deposit account presented to the USPS for weighing and acceptance.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register October 27, 2009.

New Move Update Assessment Procedures for January 2010 for Automation and Presort First-Class Mail and All Standard Mail Items

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission a notice of revisions to policies and procedures for determining postage adjustments for mailings of First-Class Mail® and Standard Mail® pieces that are determined to contain a large number of address inaccuracies. Consistent with the Commission filing, this notice and final rule provides revised mailing standards and procedures for administering the Move Update standards.

DATES: Effective January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service previously published a final rule regarding several changes to mailing standards in support of the May 11, 2009 price change, in the Federal Register on April 6, 2009, and stated: "...Beginning in January, 2010, we establish a charge for Standard Mail mailings not meeting Move Update standards of 7 cents per piece, in addition to the applicable Standard Mail postage." The notice and final rule published today discusses tolerances for determining when the number of change-of-address inaccuracies in a mailing requires additional postage assessments at the time of acceptance, and also discusses how the error rate and additional postage assessment will be calculated for First-Class Mail and Standard Mail items at the time of acceptance.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register October 22, 2009.

Nonmailable Items Prohibited in All Outbound International Mail – Update

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising and adding new standards which codify that replica and inert explosive devices, and counterfeit and pirated items are nonmailable in outbound international mail.

DATES: January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts, 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Consistent with Proposals 20.15.2 and 20.15.6 — adopted by the 24th Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Geneva Switzerland on July 23 – August 12, 2008, — that amend Article 15 of the UPU Convention, we are revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to make replica and inert explosive devices and counterfeit and pirated items nonmailable.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register October 9, 2009.

Customer Deposit of International Mailpieces

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 require all mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces and bearing only postage stamps be presented to an employee at a retail service counter in a Post Office™.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372 or Evans King at 202-268-4982.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
These changes require that all international outbound mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps be presented to an employee at a retail service counter in a Post Office™.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register October 9, 2009.

Stamped Mail Over 13 Ounces Must be Presented at a Retail Service Counter

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 require all mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps be presented to a Postal Service employee at a retail service counter in a Post Office™.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 4, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert Olsen 202-268-7276 or Evans King 202-268-4982.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
These revisions ensure compliance with safety and security directives as required by the Postal Inspection Service.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register September 4, 2009.

U.S. Census Bureau Electronic Export Information Requirements When Sending Shipments Internationally

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
New Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) issued by the U.S. Census Bureau require Postal Service revisions to its mailing standards and customs label requirements for customers mailing items internationally.

DATES: November 2, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 30, 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau implemented statutory requirements for the electronic filing of export information through the Census Bureau’s Automated Export System (AES) or its AESDirect website for various international shipments where a Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) was previously required. The new Foreign Trade Regulations mandate that Electronic Export Information (EEI) be filed when any type of goods contained in a shipment (per Schedule B Export Codes at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b) is valued at more than $2,500 or requires an export license under U.S. law, subject to certain exceptions.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register September 4, 2009.

U.S. Census Bureau Electronic Export Information Requirements When Sending Shipments Between or to U.S. Territories, Possessions, and Freely Associated States

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
New Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) issued by the U.S. Census Bureau require the Postal Service to revise its standards and customs label requirements for customers mailing items between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and from the United States to the Freely Associated States (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau).

DATES: November 2, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On September 30, 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau implemented statutory requirements for the electronic filing of export information through the Census Bureau’s Automated Export System (AES) or its AESDirect website for various international shipments where a Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) was previously required. The new Foreign Trade Regulations mandate that Electronic Export Information (EEI) be filed when any type of goods contained in a shipment (per Schedule B Export Codes at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b) is valued at more than $2,500 or requires an export license under U.S. law, subject to certain exceptions.

The Postal Service standards are consistent with the Foreign Trade Regulations (15 C.F.R. Part 30) and 13 U.S.C. Chapter 9, as amended by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2002, P.L. 107-228.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register September 2, 2009.

First-Class Mail Incentive Program

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 add section 709.3 which introduces new standards for a special volume incentive program for mailers of commercial (automation and/or Presort) First-Class Mail® cards, letters and/or flats with mail volume exceeding their individual USPS®-determined threshold levels. The program period will be from October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey at 202-268-7442 or Kevin Gunther at 202-268-7208.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is implementing a volume incentive program for qualified mailers of commercial (automation and/or Presort) First-Class Mail cards, letters and/or flats, for volume mailed during the program period, above their USPS-determined threshold level.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register August 3, 2009.

Advertisements For Animals And Sharp Instruments For Use In Animal Fighting Ventures Are Nonmailable

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service proposes to revise our mailing standards pertaining to animal fighting ventures. We intend to harmonize our standards with section 26 (7 USC 2156) of the Animal Welfare Act as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 2, 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: Bert Olsen, 202-268-7276

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On June 18, 2008, Congress enacted the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Act) which amended certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act pertaining to animal fighting ventures. The 2008 Act’s amendments added prohibitions on using the mail service of the United States (1) to advertise an animal for use in an animal fighting venture, or (2) to advertise a knife, a gaff, or any other sharp instrument attached, or designed or intended to be attached, to the leg of a bird for use in an animal fighting venture. The 2008 Act also revised the definition of the term “animal fighting venture” to refer to “any event, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce” involving a fight “conducted or to be conducted” between at least two animals. To implement the 2008 Act’s amendments and to ensure that our standards comport with the current language in section 26 (7 USC 2156) of the Animal Welfare Act, we propose the new standards below.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register July 22, 2009.

Express Mail Refunds for Shipments of Live Animals

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising its standards for postage refunds for Express Mail® shipments of live animals in an effort to maintain the economic viability of shipping animals via Express Mail service.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 8, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Joel Rosen, 202-268-4329 or Monica Grein, 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On April 14, 2009, the Postal Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (74 FR 17128-17129) inviting comments on a revision to change the postage refund standards for Express Mail shipments of live animals delivered or attempted to be delivered within 3 days of the date of mailing. After reviewing the comments, and upon further consideration of the proposed revisions, the Postal Service has decided to adopt the proposed regulations with minor revisions.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register July 15, 2009.

Price Marking Requirements for Commercial Base and Commercial Plus Pricing

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is implementing new price marking requirements on Express Mail® and Priority Mail® pieces mailed at commercial base and commercial plus prices. The new markings are needed to fulfill our revenue reporting and revenue assurance requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 2, 2009

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On April 3, 2009, the Postal Service published a Federal Register proposed rule (Volume 74, Number 63, pages 15226–15227) inviting comments on a revision to require price markings on Express Mail and Priority Mail pieces mailed at commercial base and commercial plus prices. We received two sets of comments. After reviewing those comments, and upon further consideration of the proposed revisions, the Postal Service has decided to adopt the proposed regulations with no revisions.

As noted in the Supplementary Information section of the proposed rule, the Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to require price markings on Express Mail and Priority Mail pieces mailed at the commercial base or the commercial plus prices. The new markings will help us determine which price was applied to these pieces, and verify that the pieces qualify for the price claimed. The markings must appear on pieces paid by any means except permit imprint or Express Mail Corporate Account.

Under this final rule, mailers must print — or produce as part of the meter imprint or PC Postage® indicia — “Commercial Base Price,” “Commercial Base Pricing,” or ”ComBasPrice,” for pieces paid at the Commercial Base price; and “Commercial Plus Price,” “Commercial Plus Pricing,” or ”ComPlsPrice” for pieces paid at the Commercial Plus price. The appropriate marking must appear directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register June 5, 2009.

Customs Label Requirements When Mailing Items Internationally

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service has revised its customs label requirements when mailing items internationally.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Rick Klutts, 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) part 123 and sections 217.3, 232.4, 244.5, and 276 to comply with Article RL 152.5 of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Letter Post Regulations. Under that provision, all small packet items must bear customs declarations CN 22 (PS Form 2976) or CN 23 (PS Form 2976-A), depending on value and regardless of whether the items are ordinarily subject to customs control in the destination country. Small packets are Letter Post items that are not letters, cards, or flats, and that typically contain merchandise or other goods.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register May 15, 2009.

Standard Mail Volume Incentive Program (aka Summer Sale)

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 add section 709.2 which introduces new standards for a special volume incentive program for mailers of Standard Mail® letters and flats with mail volume exceeding their individual USPS™-determined threshold levels. The program period will be from July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service is implementing a volume incentive program for qualified high-volume mailers of commercial or Nonprofit Standard Mail letters and flats, for volume mailed between July 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009, above their USPS-determined threshold level. This program encourages mailers to provide new volume and to take advantage of our current excess capacity to process and deliver additional volume.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 23, 2009.

International Product and Price Changes; Correction

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service published in the Federal Register of February 25, 2009, a document concerning international product and price changes for implementation in May 2009. Inadvertently, Exhibit 292.452 included in that document, did not include all destination countries and price groups. This document corrects the table.

DATES: This correction is effective and is applicable on May 11, 2009. We will implement this international price change concurrent with our domestic Mailing Services price change on May 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service published a document in the Federal Register on February 25, 2009, (74 FR 8473) amending sub-section 292 of the International Mail Manual (IMM®). In FR doc. 36-8473, published in the Federal Register of February 25, 2009, (74 FR 8473) sub-section 292.452 was inadvertently published without a complete list of IPA destination countries. This amendment corrects Exhibit 292.452 published on February 25, 2009.

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 15, 2009.

New Standards for Letter-Sized Booklets

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service adopts new Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to reflect changes to the construction and sealing of letter-sized booklets mailed at automation, presorted machinable or carrier route letter prices. We also adopt a definition of booklets and clarify weight standards for letter-sized mail.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 8, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Krista Finazzo, 202-268-7304; Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278; or Susan Thomas, 202-268-7268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On December 29, 2008, a proposed rule was published in Federal Register (73 FR 79430-79435), that provided information on changes to tab placement and construction of folded self-mailers and booklets. The proposed rule followed two years of collaborative work with mailers to analyze and test a wide variety of letter-size booklets and other letter-size mailpiece designs. In response to the proposed rule, the Postal Service received more than 900 comments.

On February 3, 2009, a revision to our original proposal was announced in the DMM Advisory and PCC Insider indicating that the design and tab placement changes for folded self-mailers would become optional recommendations instead of requirements. Current standards for folded self-mailers will remain in effect and we will continue to work with the mailing community to test various folded self-mailer designs. Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) member associations that have an interest in folded self-mailers will coordinate the opportunity to participate in our research. We will publish recommendations regarding folded self-mailers in September 2009. An additional proposed rule for folded self-mailers will be published upon completion of the test of mailer-supplied sample pieces.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 14, 2009.

Express Mail Refunds for Shipments of Live Animals

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service proposes to revise its refund guarantees for Express Mail® shipments of live animals in an effort to maintain the economic viability of shipping animals as a service.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 14, 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, 11^th Floor N, Washington DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of "Express Mail Refunds for Shipments of Lives Comments." Faxed comments will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Rosen, 202-268-4329 or Monica Grein, 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service proposes to revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) by changing the refund guarantees for Express Mail shipments of live animals delivered within 3 days of the date of mailing. In some instances, the Postal Service must reroute Express Mail shipments of live animals to alternative flights or routes in order to protect the well-being of the live animals. This is particularly necessary if other shipments on the same flight contain dry ice or solid carbon dioxide, which will evaporate en route and may displace oxygen. If live animals were shipped in the same cargo hold, the carbon dioxide could cause asphyxiation. The use of alternative flights and rerouting to protect the well-being of the live animals can delay shipments. Therefore, even though the live animals arrive as promptly as possible and in good health, these shipments may not meet normal Express Mail service guarantees. In those instances, some mailers then apply for full postage refunds.

Currently, postage refunds for Express Mail shipments of live animals are granted based on the next day or second day delivery guarantee provided at the time of mailing. This current postage refund policy does not account for the flight changes that may occur to protect the well-being of the animals. Therefore, the Postal Service is proposing that Express Mail shipments containing live animals be exempt from the next day or second day delivery guarantee and that the delivery commitment for Express Mail of live animals be extended to within 3 days of the date of mailing. Postage refund requests for Express Mail shipments of live animals delivered after 3 days of the date mailing would still be granted.

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 6, 2009.

New Pricing Eligibility, Intelligent Mail, and Move Update Standards for Domestic Mailing Services and Shipping Services - Revised Final

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule; revised.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service filed a notice of domestic Mailing Services (and selected Shipping Services) price adjustments with related changes to mailing standards, effective in May 2009, with the Postal Regulatory Commission on February 10, 2009. This notice provides revisions to that final rule.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service's final rule published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 34, pages 8009-8033) included revised eligibility standards directly related to prices established by the USPS® Governors. This revised final rule contains corrections to those standards. There have been three pricing changes: to Confirm pricing and eligibility; to Move Update compliance; and to prices for nonmachinable Standard Mail letters over 3.3 ounces. Additionally, we note several corrections to the mailing standards from the February 23, 2009 final rule.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 6, 2009.

New Standards for Domestic Mailing 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 products now referred to as Mailing Services.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On January 29, 2009 the Postal Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number, pages 5130-5137) that included several mail classification changes, modifications to mailpiece characteristics, and changes in classification terminology. A supplemental proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 24, pages 6250-6257) amending and clarifying certain standards. This final rule contains revisions that will be effective on May 11, 2009. We additionally describe those standards that were proposed for May 11, 2009 for which we will delay implementation until September 8, 2009.

For May 2010, we proposed: elimination of the Standard Mail® Not Flat-Machinable category, restriction on inserts in flats, and a new flexibility or foldability standard for flats. These items will be included in a new, separate proposal at a later date.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register April 3, 2009.

Price Marking Requirements for Commercial Base and Commercial Plus Pricing

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service proposes new price markings on Express Mail® and Priority Mail® pieces mailed at commercial base and commercial plus prices. The new markings are needed to fulfill our revenue reporting and revenue assurance requirements.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 3, 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. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of "CBP and CPP Markings Comments." Faxed comments are not accepted.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service proposes to revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to require price markings on Express Mail and Priority Mail pieces mailed at the commercial base or the commercial plus price. The new markings will help us determine which price was applied to these pieces, and verify that the pieces qualify for the price claimed. The markings must appear on pieces paid by any means except permit imprint or Express Mail Corporate Account.

Under our proposal, mailers must print — or produce as part of the meter imprint or PC Postage® indicia — “Commercial Base Price,” “Commercial Base Pricing,” or ”ComBasPrice” for pieces paid at the Commercial Base price, and “Commercial Plus Price,” “Commercial Plus Pricing,” or ”ComPlsPrice” for pieces paid at the Commercial Plus price. The appropriate marking must appear directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage.

We propose to allow mailers 90 days after the publication date of the final rule to comply with the new standards, to afford mailers time to exhaust any label stock and reprogram systems.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register March 20, 2009.

International Product and Price Changes; Correction

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

SUMMARY:

The Postal Service published in the Federal Register of February 25, 2009, a document concerning international product and price changes for implementation in May 2009. Inadvertently, Exhibit 293.452 included in that document, did not include all destination countries. This document corrects the table.

DATES: This correction is effective and is applicable on May 11, 2009. We will implement this international price change concurrent with our domestic Mailing Services price change on May 11, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole at 703-292-5260 or Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Postal Service published a document in the Federal Register on February 25, 2009, (74 FR 8473) amending sub-section 293 of the International Mail Manual (IMM®). In FR doc. 36-8473, published in the Federal Register of February 25, 2009, (74 FR 8473) sub-section 293.452 was inadvertently published without a complete list of ISAL destination countries. This amendment corrects Exhibit 293.452 published on February 25, 2009.

DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 25, 2009.

International Product and Price Changes - Updated 2/19/2009

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 changes to the prices and product features for Mailing and Shipping Services.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 11, 2009. We will implement this international price change concurrent with our domestic Mailing Services price change.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole at 703-292-5260 or Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Governors of the Postal Service established new prices and product features for some of our Mailing and Shipping Services. This Federal Register final rule describes the international price and product changes by mail category.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 25, 2009.

International 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 changes to the prices and product features for the following Shipping Services:

We are implementing this international price change concurrent with our domestic shipping services price change. The total international price increase is approximately 8.5 percent.

EFFECTIVE DATES: January 18, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole at 703-292-5260, Janet Mitchell at 202-268-7522, or, Larry Richardson at 202-268-5315.

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

The number of country price groups for Express Mail International and Priority Mail International is expanded from 9 price groups to 10 price groups. The new country price group 10 is established for items sent to Australia and New Zealand.

Priority Mail International service is expanded by adding a new small flat-rate box. The small flat-rate box follows the mailing standards for the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope, not the Priority Mail International regular or large flat-rate box.

Commercial base pricing for Global Express Guaranteed (GXG), Express Mail International, and Priority Mail International is expanded to include qualifying end-user customers that pay postage using Information-Based Indicia (IBI) postage meters and transmit customs forms electronically. IBI is a digitally-generated indicia that includes a two-dimensional barcode.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 23, 2009.

New Pricing Eligibility, Intelligent Mail, and Move Update Standards for Domestic Mailing Services and Shipping Services

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is filing a notice of domestic Mailing Services (and selected Shipping Services) price adjustments, effective in May 2009, with the Postal Regulatory Commission. This final rule provides revised eligibility standards related to the new prices in May 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 11, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service's final rule includes revised eligibility standards directly related to prices established by the Governors. We are including a new incentive program for Standard Mail® saturation mailers. The final rule also contains modifications regarding the implementation of full-service Intelligent Mail® and an update to Move Update standards. Additional mail classification changes have been published in a separate Federal Register proposed rule (Volume 74, Number 24, pages 6250-6257).

We summarize revisions by shape of mail, and then provide updates to Intelligent Mail and Move Update, followed by changes to the mailing standards in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®).

May 2009 Price List – Notice 123

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register February 6, 2009.

New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services, Revised Proposal

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Proposed rule; revised.

SUMMARY:
On January 29, 2009, the Postal Service published a proposed rule to provide mailing standards that would accompany new prices for mailing services in 2009 and 2010. Federal Register 74 FR 5130. Upon further review, the Postal Service has determined that it is appropriate to make certain changes in its initial proposal. In particular, language has been inserted to clarify that proposed new standards relating to static charge and coefficient of friction standards for automation and machinable letters would be recommended, not mandatory, and a proposal to revise the standards for window envelopes on letter-size envelopes has been removed. For purposes of clarity and convenience, the entire revised version of the proposed rule is being published for comment.

DATES: We must receive your comments on or before March 9, 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. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of "Price-related Proposal Comments." Faxed comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Postal Service's proposed rule includes: several mail classification changes, modifications to mailpiece characteristics, and changes in classification terminology. 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 the new prices. Additional changes will be included in a separate final rule to support prices established by the Governors.

We think it is vital to share proposed modifications to mailing standards as far in advance as possible; therefore, included are additional proposed revisions scheduled for implementation in May 2010. We summarize the revisions by shape for 2009 and 2010, and provide proposed changes to the mailing standards in the DMM. We invite your comments on the proposed standards.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT

DATE: Published in the Federal Register January 16, 2009.

New Automation Requirements for Detached Addressed Labels

AGENCY: Postal Service™.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY:
To make Detached Address Labels (DALs) accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail® flats more compatible with our processing equipment, they must be automation-compatible and have a correct delivery point POSTNET® barcode or Intelligent Mail® barcode with an 11-digit routing code. This requirement does not apply to DALs with simplified addresses. Also, for consistency, we are requiring return addresses on DALs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 2, 2009.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On August 27, 2008, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 167, pages 50584-50585), requiring DALs to be automation-compatible and bear a delivery point barcode when used with saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats.

Except for DALs prepared with simplified addresses, all 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. Automation-compatible and barcoded DALs may be processed in a manner that is more consistent with today’s operating environment.

We suggest that mailers work with the local Postal Service mailpiece design analyst (MDA) to ensure that all DALs accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats meet the new standards. Saturation flats mailings presented with DALs that are not automation-compatible and barcoded will not qualify for saturation prices but may be entered at the basic carrier route price for Periodicals mailings or the basic Enhanced Carrier Route price for Standard Mail mailings.

We received comments from five respondents on the proposal: two from a mailer association, two from mailers that use DALs, and one from a USPS® postmaster.

Published in the Federal Register TEXT