[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5860-5861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2339]



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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Revisions to Weight and Preparation Standards for Barcoded Letter 
Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amends the final rule published on December 22, 1994, to 
detail the rate applicable to pieces that cannot qualify for a Barcoded 
First-Class rate because of presort. Basically, this amendment allows 
such pieces to qualify for the Nonpresorted ZIP+4 rate on an 
exceptional basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 16, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony M. Pajunas, (202) 268-3669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1994, the Postal Service 
published in the Federal Register (59 FR 65967-65971) a final rule to 
amend the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) standards for the physical 
characteristics of automation-compatible barcoded letter-size mail. For 
a period of up to 1 year, beginning January 16, 1995, the Postal 
Service will conduct a test of live barcoded bulk third-class regular 
rate letter mail weighing between 3.0 and 3.3071 ounces, and barcoded 
bulk third-class nonprofit rate, First-Class and second-class letter 
mail weighing between 3.0 and 3.3376 ounces.
    The revised DMM standards implemented for this test of ``heavy 
letter mail'' included that each such mailpiece be part of a mailing 
that is 100 percent delivery point barcoded; have the barcode in the 
address block; be in an envelope that has no open windows; and not be 
bound or have stiff enclosures.
    Although Barcoded rates would apply to all pieces in such mailings 
at second- and third-class rates (level A, B3, and B5 Barcoded second-
class rates, and basic, 3-, and 5-digit Barcoded third-class rates), 
pieces in the residual portion of First-Class mailings (i.e., those 
that could not qualify for the 3- or 5-digit Barcoded rates because of 
presort). Accordingly, under the final rule, these First-Class heavy 
letter mailpieces would not be eligible for another ``basic'' Barcoded 
rate. (The First-Class nonpresorted Barcoded rates are available only 
for flats and cards.)
    The amendment to the final rule appearing below corrects this 
oversight by adding language in the DMM that makes it clear that the 
rate applicable to such pieces is the nonpresorted ZIP+4 rate, the same 
rate available to other barcoded letter-size First-Class Mail in 
[[Page 5861]] similar presort circumstances. For clarity, the revised 
text of DMM C810.1.5 below replaces the text of DMM C810.1.5 and 1.6 
that appeared in the final rule, and amends the reference in DMM 
C810.2.3 for consistency; the revised text of DMM E147.1.1c also 
removes an erroneous reference to ZIP+4 barcodes.
    This revision does not alter the thickness standards for heavy 
letter mail or other mail at a ZIP+4 or Barcoded rate; does not affect 
the weight or other eligibility criteria for nonpresorted ZIP+4 mail 
generally; and does not extend the availability of the nonpresorted 
ZIP+4 or any other ZIP+4 rate to other delivery point barcoded pieces 
weighing more than 3 ounces or non-delivery point barcoded pieces 
weighing more than 2.5 ounces. The revised rule allows the nonpresorted 
ZIP+4 rate for pieces weighing more than 3 ounces only if those pieces 
are delivery point barcoded and part of an otherwise correctly prepared 
Barcoded rate mailing of heavy letter mail prepared for this test.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Postal Service.

    For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts 
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 
CFR part 111).

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the Domestic Mail Manual as noted below:

C810 Letters and Cards

1.0  GENERAL DIMENSIONS
* * * * *

1.5  Barcoded

    The weight of each piece in a Barcoded rate mailing must not exceed 
3 ounces, except that until January 14, 1996, the maximum weight is 
3.3363 ounces (or 3.3067 ounces if mailed at regular bulk third-class 
rates) for heavy letter mail (i.e., pieces that meet additional 
barcoding standards in C840, are prepared in an envelope, and are part 
of a 100% delivery point barcoded mailing).
2.0  PROHIBITIONS
* * * * *

2.3  Heavy Letter Mail

    Heavy letter mail (under 1.5) may not be prepared as a self-mailer 
or bound or booklet-type mailpiece.
* * * * *

E147  Nonpresorted ZIP+4 Rate

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

1.1  All Pieces

* * * * *
    c. Meet the physical standards in C810, except:
    (1) The maximum weight of each piece is 3 ounces if at least 85% of 
all pieces in the mailing are correctly delivery point barcoded.
    (2) The maximum weight of each piece is 3.3376 ounces for pieces in 
the residual portion of a 3- or 5-digit Barcoded rate mailing of heavy 
letter mail, as defined in C810.
* * * * *

R100  First-Class Mail

* * * * *

                                                                        
 Weight Not Over                                                        
    (ounces)                        Nonpresorted--ZIP+4                 
                                                                        
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
4 [ounces]        $0.995                                                
                  (Weight not to exceed 2.5 ounces except under E147)   
                                                                        
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                                                                        

    A transmittal letter making these changes in the pages of the 
Domestic Mail Manual will be published and will be transmitted to 
subscribers automatically. Notice of issuance will be published in the 
Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 111.3.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 95-2339 Filed 1-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P