[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14025-14029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7587]



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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Expansion of Global Priority Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is expanding Global Priority Mail service 
by increasing the number of acceptance points, countries (annotated in 
bold in the text) and adding weight variable rates for items up to four 
pounds.

DATES: The interim regulations take effect March 25, 1996. Comments 
must be received on or before May 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
Manager, Commercial Products, International Business Unit, US Postal 
Service, Room 370-IBU, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260-
4261. Copies of all written comments will be available for public 
inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Thabet, (202) 268-2269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 17, 1995, the Postal Service 
published in the Federal Register (60 FR 14370) interim regulations 
implementing WORLDPOST Priority Letter and requested comments. A final 
rule adopting the interim rules as final was filed at the Office of the 
Federal Register March 25, 1996. In the final rule the name of the 
service was changed to Global Priority Mail service and additional 
acceptance points were added.
    Global Priority Mail is an expedited airmail service providing fast 
reliable, and economical delivery of all items mailable as letters. 
Although a Global Priority Mail item will travel in the normal airmail 
stream between the United States and the destination country, the item 
will receive priority

[[Page 14026]]
handling in the United States and, typically, in the destination 
country. In the United States, after the item is deposited, the Postal 
Service will transport it in a dedicated stream to the appropriate 
gateway for dispatch. Upon arrival in the destination country, the item 
will also receive priority handling. Service is available only in 
certain ZIP Code areas in the United States and only to certain 
countries.
    The Postal Service is now expanding the number of acceptance points 
to make the service more widely available. The new acceptance points 
are set forth below. The Postal Service is also adding weight variable 
rates. With the new rates, customers may use their own packaging for 
items weighing up to 4 pounds. Each variable weight item must bear a 
Global Priority Mail sticker provided by the Postal Service. These 
changes will make Global Priority Mail available to more customers and 
should make the service more useful, by making it easier to mail items 
other than documents or letters.
    Although 39 U.S.C. 407 does not require advance notice and 
opportunity for submission of comments, and the Postal Service is 
exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410 (a) from the advance notice requirements of 
the Administrative Procedure Act regarding proposed rulemaking (5 U.S.C 
553), the Postal Service invites interested persons to submit written 
data, views, or comments concerning the interim rule.
    The Postal Service adopts the following interim amendments to the 
International Mail Manual, which is incorporated by reference in the 
Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    International postal service, Foreign relations.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408.

    2. Chapter 2 of the International Mail Manual is amended by 
revising part 226 to read as follows:

2  CONDITIONS FOR MAILING

* * * * *

226  Global Priority Mail

226.1  General

226.11  Definition

    Global Priority Mail is an expedited airmail letter service 
providing fast, reliable, and economical delivery of all items mailable 
as letters or merchandise up to 4 pounds. Global Priority Mail items 
receive priority handling in the United States and in destination 
countries. Service is available only to destination countries 
identified in 226.2, from post offices identified in 226.3.

226.12  Permissible Items

    All items sent as letter class mail (see 221.1) are accepted in 
Global Priority Mail provided the contents are mailable and fit 
securely in the envelope. Global Priority Mail items may contain 
dutiable merchandise unless the country of destination specifically 
prohibits dutiable merchandise in letters (see 224.51). Any item that 
is prohibited in international mail is prohibited in Global Priority 
Mail. Refer to the ``Country Conditions of Mailing'' in the individual 
country listings for individual country prohibitions.

226.13  Packaging

    Items must fit comfortably within the flat-rate envelope without 
distorting or bursting the container. No excessive use of tape to keep 
the envelopes from bursting, only one piece of tape may be used to 
secure the flap.

226.2  Availability

    Global Priority Mail is available to the following additional 
countries:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Western Europe               Pacific Rim        North America  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austria.........................  Australia.........  Canada.           
Belgium.........................  Hong Kong.........                    
Denmark.........................  Japan.............                    
Finland.........................  Korea, Republic of                    
France..........................  New Zealand.......                    
Germany.........................  Philippines.......                    
Iceland.........................  Singapore.........                    
Ireland.........................  Taiwan............                    
Luxembourg......................  Thailand..........                    
Netherlands, The................  Vietnam...........                    
Norway.                                                                 
Portugal.                                                               
Spain.                                                                  
Sweden.                                                                 
Switzerland.                                                            
United Kingdom.*                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes all points in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland,    
  Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.                                

226.3  Mailing Locations

226.31  Acceptance Offices and Pickup Service Locations

    Global Priority Mail service is available only through the 
designated post offices and the additional post offices listed in 
226.32. Pickup Service is available for an additional fee. (See 
226.83.)

226.32  Service Areas

    Service is available only from the metropolitan areas as defined by 
the ZIP Code ranges shown below. If Global Priority Mail is presented 
at a non-participating retail unit, advise the customer that the item 
cannot be accepted as Global Priority Mail. Refer customer to the 
nearest Global Priority Mail retail acceptance unit. Within these 
service areas, prepaid items may be given to carriers, deposited in 
Express Mail collection boxes, or mailed at post offices, stations, and 
branches.

Global Priority Mail Acceptance Cities and Three-Digit ZIP Codes

ALABAMA

Anniston: 362
Birmingham: 352
Huntsville: 356, 357, 358
Mobile: 366
Montgomery: 361, 368

ARIZONA

Phoenix: 850, 852, 853
Tucson: 857

ARKANSAS

Little Rock: 722
West Memphis: 723

CALIFORNIA

Industry: 917, 918
Inglewood: 902, 903, 904, 905
Long Beach: 906, 907, 908
Los Angeles: 900, 901
North Bay: 949
Oakland: 945, 946, 947, 948,
Pasadena: 910, 911, 912
Salinas: 939
San Diego: 919, 920, 921
San Francisco: 940, 941, 943, 944
San Jose: 950, 951
Santa Ana: 926, 927, 928
Van Nuys: 913, 914, 915, 916

COLORADO

Brighton: 806
Colorado Springs: 808, 809
Denver: 800, 801, 802, 803
Longmont: 805
Pueblo: 810

CONNECTICUT

Hartford: 060, 061, 062
New Haven: 063, 064, 065, 066
Stamford: 068, 069
Waterbury: 067

DELAWARE

Wilmington: 197, 198, 199

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, DC)

Washington: 200, 202, 203, 204, 205

FLORIDA

Daytona Beach: 321
Fort Myers: 339
Ft. Lauderdale: 333
Gainesville: 326, 344
Jacksonville: 320, 322
Lakeland: 338
Manasota: 342
Miami: 331, 332
Mid-Florida: 327

[[Page 14027]]

Orlando: 328, 329, 347
South Florida: 330
St. Petersburg: 337
Tallahassee: 323
Tampa: 335, 336, 346
West Palm Beach: 334, 349

GEORGIA

Albany: 317
Athens: 306
Atlanta: 303, 311
Augusta: 298, 308, 309
Columbus: 318, 319
Macon: 310, 312
North Metro: 300, 301, 302, 305
Savannah: 299, 313, 314
Swainsboro: 304
Valdosta: 316
Waycross: 315

INDIANA

Bloomington: 474
Columbus: 472
Evansville: 424, 476, 477
Fort Wayne: 467, 468
Gary: 463, 464
Indianapolis: 460, 461, 462
Kokomo: 469
Lafayette: 479
Muncie: 473
South Bend: 465, 466
Terre Haute: 478
Washington: 475

ILLINOIS

Bloomington: 617
Carbondale: 629
Carol Stream: 601, 603
Centralia: 628
Chicago: 606, 607, 608
Effingham: 624
Champaign: 618, 619
Fox Valley: 605
Galesburg: 614
Kankakee: 609
La Salle: 613
Palatine: 600, 602
Peoria: 615, 616
Quincy: 623, 634, 635
Rockford: 610, 611
Rock Island: 612
Springfield: 625, 626, 627
South Suburban: 604

IOWA

Burlington: 526
Cedar Rapids: 522, 523, 524
Davenport: 527, 528
Des Moines: 500, 501, 502, 503, 509
Dubuque: 520
Mason City: 504
Ottumwa: 525
Sioux City: 510, 511
Waterloo: 506, 507

KANSAS

Fort Scott: 667
Kansas City: 660, 661, 662
Hays: 676
Salina: 674
Topeka: 664, 665, 666, 668
Wichita: 672

KENTUCKY

Ashland: 411, 412
Bowling Green: 421, 422
Campton: 413, 414
Elizabeth: 427
Evansville: 424, 476
Louisville: 400, 401, 402, 471
Lexington: 403, 404, 405, 406
Owensboro: 423
Pikeville: 415, 416

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge: 707, 708
New Orleans: 700, 701
Hammond: 704
Thibodaux: 703

MAINE

Bangor: 044, 046, 047
Portland: 040, 041, 042, 043, 045, 048, 049

MARYLAND

Baltimore: 210, 211, 212, 214, 219
Cumberland: 215, 267
Easton: 216
Frederick: 217
Salisbury: 218
Southern: 206, 207
Suburban: 208, 209

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston: 021, 022
Brockton: 020, 023, 024
Buzzard Bay: 025, 026
Middlesex-Essex: 018, 019
Pittsfield: 012
Springfield: 013, 010, 011
Worchester: 014, 015, 016, 017

MICHIGAN

Detroit: 481, 482
Flint: 484, 485
Gaylord: 497
Grand Rapids: 493, 494, 495
Jackson: 492
Kalamazoo: 490, 491
Lansing: 488, 489
Royal Oak: 480, 483
Saginaw: 486, 487
Traverse City: 496

MINNESOTA

Detroit Lakes: 565
Duluth: 558
Mankato: 560
Minneapolis: 553, 554f
Rochester: 559
Saint Cloud: 563
St. Paul: 550, 551, 540
Thief River Falls: 567
Willmar: 562
Windom: 561

MISSISSIPPI

Grenada: 389
Gulf Port: 395
Hattiesburg: 394
Jackson: 392
McComb: 396

MISSOURI

Cape Girardeau: 636, 637, 638, 639
Chillicothe: 646
East St. Louis: 622
Harrisonville: 647
Kansas City: 640, 641
Mid-Missouri: 650, 651, 652, 653
Saint Joseph: 644, 645
Springfield: 648, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658
St. Louis: 620, 630, 631, 633

MONTANA

Billings: 591

NEBRASKA

Lincoln: 683, 684, 685
Norfolk: 686, 687
Omaha: 515, 516, 680, 681

NEVADA

Las Vegas: 891

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester: 030, 031, 032, 033, 034
Portsmouth: 038, 039

NEW JERSEY

Hackensack: 076
Kilmer: 088, 089
Monmouth: 077
Newark: 070, 071, 072, 073
Paterson: 074, 075
South Jersey: 080, 081, 082, 083, 084
Trenton: 085, 086, 087
West Jersey: 078, 079

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque: 871

NEW YORK

Albany: 120, 121, 122, 123
Binghamton: 137, 138, 139
Bronx: 104
Brooklyn: 112
Buffalo: 140, 141, 142, 143
Elmira: 148, 149
Glen Falls: 128
Jamestown: 147
Long Island: 111
Mid-Hudson: 124, 125, 126, 127
Mid Island: 119
New York: 100, 101, 102
Plattsburgh: 129
Queens: 110, 113, 114, 116
Rochester: 144, 145, 146
Rockland: 109
Staten Island: 103
Syracuse: 130, 131, 132
Utica: 133, 134, 135
Watertown: 136
Westchester: 105, 106, 107, 108
Western Nassau: 115

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville: 287, 288, 289
Charlotte: 280, 281, 282, 297
Greensboro: 270, 271, 272, 273, 274
Hickory: 286
Raleigh: 275, 276, 277

NORTH DAKOTA

Bismarck: 585
Dickinson: 586
Devils Lake: 583
Fargo: 580, 581
Grand Forks: 582
Jamestown: 584
Minot: 587
Williston: 588

OHIO

Akron: 442, 443
Athens: 457
Canton: 446, 447
Chillicothe: 456
Cincinnati: 410, 450, 451, 452, 470
Cleveland: 440, 441
Columbus: 430, 431, 432, 433
Dayton: 453, 454, 455
Lima: 458
Mansfield: 448, 449
Steubenville: 439
Toledo: 434, 435, 436

[[Page 14028]]

Youngstown: 444, 445
Zanesville: 337-338

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore: 734
Clinton: 736
Durant: 747
Enid: 737
Lawton: 735
McAlester: 745
Muskogee: 744
Oklahoma City: 730, 731
Ponca City: 746
Poteau: 749
Shawnee: 748
Tulsa: 740, 741, 743
Woodard: 738

OREGON

Portland: 972

PENNSYLVANIA

Altoona: 166, 168
Bradford: 167
Dubois: 158
Erie: 164, 165
Greensburg: 156
Harrisburg: 170, 171, 172, 178
Johnstown: 155, 157, 159
Lancaster: 173, 174, 175, 176
Lehigh Valley: 180, 181, 183
New Castle: 160, 161, 162
Oil City: 163
Philadelphia: 190, 191
Pittsburgh: 150, 151, 152, 153, 154
Reading: 179, 195, 196
Scranton: 184, 185, 188
Southeastern: 189, 193, 194
Wilkes-Barre: 182, 186, 187

PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS

San Juan: 006, 007, 008, 009

RHODE ISLAND

Providence: 027, 028, 029

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston: 294
Columbia: 290, 291, 292
Florence: 295
Greenville: 293, 296

SOUTH DAKOTA

Aberdeen: 574
Dakota Central: 572, 573
Mobridge: 576
Pierre: 575
Rapid City: 577
Sioux Falls: 570, 571

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga: 307, 373, 374
Columbia: 384
Cookeville: 385
Jackson: 383
Johnson City: 376
Knoxville: 377, 378, 379
McKenzie: 382
Memphis: 380, 381, 386
Nashville: 370, 371, 372

TEXAS

Abilene: 768, 795, 796
Amarillo: 791
Austin: 786, 787, 789
Beaumont: 776, 777
Bryan: 778
Corpus Christi: 784
Dallas: 751, 752, 753
El Paso: 799
Fort Worth: 760, 761, 762, 764
Greenville: 754
Houston: 770, 772
Longview: 756
Lubbock: 794
Lufkin: 759
North Houston: 773, 774, 775
North Texas: 750
Palestine: 758
San Angelo:769
San Antonio: 780, 781, 782, 788
Texarkana: 755
Tyler: 757
Waco: 765, 766, 767
Wichita Falls: 763

UTAH

Provo: 845, 846, 847
Salt Lake City: 840, 841, 843, 844

VERMONT

Burlington: 054, 056
White River Junction: 035, 036, 037, 050,
051, 052, 053, 057, 058, 059

VIRGINIA

Charlottesville: 228, 229, 244
Culpeper: 227
Farmville: 239
Northern Virginia: 201, 220, 221, 222, 223
Norfolk: 233, 234, 235, 236, 237
Richmond: 224, 225, 230, 231, 232, 238
Winchester: 226

WASHINGTON

Everett: 982
Olympia: 985
Seattle: 980, 981
Tacoma: 983, 984
Wenatchee: 988
Yakima: 989

WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston: 250, 251, 252, 253
Huntington: 255, 256, 257
Martinsburg: 254
Wheeling: 260

WISCONSIN

Eau Claire: 547
Green Bay: 543
La Crosse: 546
Madison: 537
Milwaukee: 530, 531, 532
Oshkosh: 549
Racine: 534
Spooner: 548

WYOMING

Cheyenne: 820

226.4  Postage

226.41  Flat Rate Envelopes Postage

    Each Global Priority Mail flat rate envelope is charged at a flat 
rate. The rate is based on the geographic rate zone regardless of its 
actual weight. Postage is required for each piece.

                             Exhibit 226.41                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Small     Large 
                     Destination                      envelope  envelope
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Europe *....................................     $3.75     $6.95
Canada *............................................      3.75      6.95
Pacific Rim *.......................................      4.95      8.95
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* See 226.2 for listing.                                                

226.42  Variable Weight Option Postage--Single Piece Rates

    Global Priority Mail variable weight rates are calculated in half 
(or fraction thereof) increments based on the weight of each piece the 
destination geographic rate zone up to four pounds. (See Exhibit 
226.42.)

          Exhibit 226.42.--Variable Weight Rate Sticker Postage         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Western   Pacific          
            Weight level (lbs.)              Europe      Rim     Canada 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5.......................................     $7.00     $8.00     $5.95
1.0.......................................     10.50     12.50     10.00
1.5.......................................     12.50     16.95     13.50
2.0.......................................     15.00     21.00     16.50
2.5.......................................     17.50     23.95     18.00
3.0.......................................     19.95     27.25     19.50
3.5.......................................     22.00     31.50     21.00
4.0.......................................     24.75     34.50     22.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

226.43  Global Priority Mail Sticker--Volume Rates

226.431  Minimum Quantity Requirement

    The mailer must have a minimum of 5 or more pieces to one or more 
Global Priority Mail countries. The minimum does not apply to each 
geographic zone rate.

226.432  Mailing Statement

    Postage for volume rate mail and permit imprint must be computed on 
Form 3653, Global Priority Mail Statement of Mailings.

      Exhibit 226.43.--Variable Weight Sticker Option--Volume Rates     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Western   Pacific          
               Weight level                  Europe      Rim     Canada 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5.......................................     $5.95     $6.95     $5.00
1.0.......................................      8.50     10.00      7.50
1.5.......................................     10.00     13.50     10.00
2.0.......................................     12.00     16.95     12.50
2.5.......................................     14.00     19.25     13.50
3.0.......................................     16.95     21.95     14.50
3.5.......................................     19.95     25.50     15.50
4.0.......................................     22.50     27.75     16.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

226.5  Payment Methods

226.51  Postage Payment Methods

    Nonidentical weight piece mailings must have the applicable postage 
affixed by adhesive stamps, meter stamps or if

[[Page 14029]]
presented at a post office, postal validation imprinter (PVI labels). 
Identical weight piece mailings may be paid by meter stamps, adhesive 
stamps, PVI labels or permit imprint subject to certain standards. To 
use permit imprint, the mailing must consist of 200 or more pieces and 
be of identical weight. The 200 pieces criteria for permit imprint 
applies to both volume rate and flat rate mail. Mailers may use permit 
imprint with nonidentical weight items only if authorized by the USPS 
under a Manifest Mailing System (MMS), in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
P710.

226.52  Postal Marking Related to Volume Rate Postage

    When pieces are paid at the volume rate and paid by stamps or meter 
impression, each piece must be legibly marked with the words ``Volume 
Rate Global Priority Mail.'' If stamps are used the endorsement must 
appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a 
printing press, hand stamp or other similar printing device. If meter 
impression is used the endorsement must be in the ad plate or the slug 
area. If part of the slug, the abbreviation GPM Vol. Rate may be used. 
See DMM P030.4.14 for specification of size requirements.

226.53  Permit Imprint Content and Format

    All permit imprints on Global Priority Mail must show city and 
state, ``Global Priority Mail,'' U.S. Postage Paid, and permit number. 
They may show the mailing date, amount of postage paid or the number of 
ounces for each postage.

226.54  Meter Stamps Content

    At a minimum, a meter stamp must show the month, day and year in 
the postmark, city and state designation of the licensing post office, 
the number, and the amount of postage. See DMM P030.4.6.

226.6  Preparation Requirements

226.61  Addressing

    All items must bear the complete delivery address of the addressee 
and the full name (no abbreviations) of the destination country. See 
122.

226.62  Marking

    Global Priority Mail items must be mailed in special envelopes (EP-
15A, EP-15B) or with the Global Priority Mail sticker (DEC-10) provided 
by the Postal Service. (These supplies may be obtained by calling 800-
222-1811.) Unmarked pieces are subject to the applicable LC/AO airmail 
regular rates and treatment. Pieces paid at the Global Priority Mail 
sticker rate must be affixed to the address side of the package.

226.63  Customs

    A green customs label must be affixed if the package is 1 pound or 
more, regardless of its contents. Only documents and correspondence 
under 1 pound do not require a customs form.

226.7  Size and Weight Limits

226.71  Size Limits

226.72  Flat-Rate Envelope Sizes

    a. Small Size: 6 x 10 inches.
    b. Large Size: 9\1/2\ x 12\1/2\ inches.

226.73  Package Sizes for Variable Weight Option

    a. Minimum length and height: 5\1/2\ x 3\1/2\ inches.
    b. Minimum depth (thickness): .007 inches.
    c. Maximum length: 24 inches.
    d. Maximum length, height, depth (thickness) combined: 36 inches.

226.74  Rolls

    a. Minimum length: 4 inches.
    b. Minimum length plus twice the diameter combined: 6\3/4\ inches.
    c. Maximum length: 36 inches.
    d. Maximum length plus twice the diameter combined: 42 inches.

226.75  Weight Limits

    Items sent as Global Priority Mail in envelopes and the variable 
weight option must not exceed 4 pounds.

226.76  Special Services

    Mailers may obtain certificates of mailing (see 310). No other 
special services such as registry, insurance, restricted delivery, 
return receipt, or recorded delivery are available.

226.8  Mailer Preparation

226.81  Mailer Requirement

    Global Priority Mail claimed at the volume rate must be separated 
by geographic rate zone (Western Europe, Pacific Rim, and Canada) when 
presented to the business mail entry unit unless otherwise authorized 
by the USPS. All pieces in a permit imprint mailing and metered mail 
must be facing the same direction.

226.82  Deposit Of Mail

    Global Priority Mail pieces paid by permit imprint and pieces 
claimed at the Global Priority Mail volume rates must be deposited at a 
business mail acceptance unit as authorized by the postmaster in the 
designated Global Priority Mail sites for weighing. Flat rate envelopes 
with postage affixed may be deposited in any Express Mail Street 
collection or other such place where Express Mail is accepted. Metered 
mail must be deposited in locations under the jurisdiction of the 
licensing post office except as permitted under DMM P030.

226.83  Pickup Service

    On call and scheduled pickup service are available for Global 
Priority Mail from the designated Global Priority Mail acceptance 
cities. There is a charge of $4.95 for each pickup stop, regardless of 
the number of pieces picked up. (See DMM D010 for standards of pickup 
service.) Pickup is not available for Global Priority Mail pieces if 
paid by permit imprint or claimed at the volume rate.
* * * * *
    A transmittal letter making the changes in the pages of the 
International Mail Manual will be published and transmitted 
automatically to subscribers. Notice of issuance of the transmittal 
letter will be published in the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 
20.3.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 96-7587 Filed 3-26-96; 10:30 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P