[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52702-52703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25782]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Mailing Restrictions for Domestic Packages Weighing 16 Ounces or 
More

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule sets forth revised Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
standards adopted by the Postal Service to implement restrictions on 
the deposit into collection receptacles of domestic packages weighing 
16 ounces (1 pound) or more that bear postage stamps. This final rule 
extends provisions previously adopted for similar packages sent to 
international and APO/FPO destinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Orlando or William F. 
Carleton, (202) 268-4360.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 27, 1995, the Postal Service 
published a final rule in the Federal Register announcing restrictions 
on the mailing of packages weighing 16 ounces or more to international 
and APO/FPO destinations (60 FR 49755-49758). These restrictions were 
promulgated to enhance airline security measures and to protect the 
traveling public, postal employees, and postal contractors who 
transport U.S. mail. The Postal Service developed these changes in 
package collection procedures in consultation with the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA).
    The Postal Service has now determined, for the same reasons, to 
extend similar restrictions to packages that are deposited into 
collection receptacles and mailed to domestic addresses. These added 
provisions will affect only First-Class/Priority Mail packages weighing 
16 ounces or more that bear postage stamps and that are mailed from 
domestic addresses. These new restrictions do not affect Express Mail, 
Periodicals (former second-class mail), or Standard Mail (B) (former 
fourth-class mail) at any weight up to the maximum of 70 pounds; any 
item weighing less than 16 ounces; and any package, regardless of 
weight, for which postage is paid with a postage meter or a permit 
imprint.
    Under the revised standards set forth below, domestic First-Class/
Priority Mail packages bearing postage stamps and weighing 16 ounces or 
more may not be deposited into collection receptacles, including 
street, lobby, and apartment boxes, or left in rural mailboxes. 
Instead, these packages must be presented by the sender at the local 
post office. A sender known to a Postal Service delivery employee may 
also give such packages to a city, rural, or highway contract letter 
carrier.
    Any affected package weighing 16 ounces or more that requires air 
transportation and that is deposited into a collection receptacle will 
be returned to the sender with a note asking the sender to present the 
package personally at the local post office or to a city, rural, or 
highway contract letter carrier if the sender is known to the carrier. 
Postage on an item improperly deposited into a collection receptacle 
may be used when the item is remailed at the post office. A sender who 
does not wish to remail a returned item may apply for a postage refund 
for the item at any post office. Any piece without a return address 
will be sent to a Postal Service mail recovery center to determine the 
identity of the sender for appropriate return.
    These changes will remain in effect until further notice. For most 
consumers and businesses, there should be little impact because the 
Postal Service believes that less than one percent of its package 
volume is in the affected

[[Page 52703]]

categories. Although some customers may view these changes as an 
inconvenience, the Postal Service believes that the increased security 
these additional procedures may bring about outweigh their negative 
impact. In addition, as discussed above, customers will retain the 
opportunity to obtain a full range of package services at their local 
post offices or from their rural letter carriers. In view of these 
factors, the Postal Service has determined that this change to its 
regulations is primarily a matter of internal practice and procedures 
that will not substantially affect the rights or obligations of private 
parties. Moreover, because of the need to act expeditiously in this 
matter to protect the safety of the public and postal employees and 
contractors, the Postal Service has determined that the notice and 
public comment procedure on this change would be impracticable and 
inconsistent with the public interest and that this change should take 
effect immediately.

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 following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual as set 
forth below:

D  DEPOSIT, COLLECTION, AND DELIVERY

* * * * *

D100  First-Class Mail

* * * * *

2.0  MAIL DEPOSIT

[Revise 2.1 and 2.3 and add new 2.6 to read as follows:]

2.1  Single-Piece and Card Rates

    Single-piece rate and card rate First-Class Mail, and single-
piece rate Priority Mail weighing less than 16 ounces, may be 
deposited into any collection box, mailchute, or mail receptacle or 
at any place where mail is accepted if the full required postage is 
paid with adhesive stamps. Metered mail must be deposited in 
locations under the jurisdiction of the licensing post office, 
except as permitted under P030. Permit imprint mail must be 
presented at a post office under P040 or P700.
* * * * *

2.3  Zoned Rate Priority Mail

    Unless restricted by 2.6, pickup service for Priority Mail is 
available under D010. Single-piece rate Priority Mail paid with 
adhesive stamps and weighing 16 ounces or more must be presented at 
a post office retail counter or handed to a postal carrier as 
prescribed by 2.6. Metered mail must be deposited in locations under 
the jurisdiction of the licensing post office, except as permitted 
under P030. Permit imprint mail must be presented at a post office 
under P040 or P700.
* * * * *

2.6  Restriction

    Single-piece rate Priority Mail weighing 16 ounces or more must 
be presented at a post office retail counter if postage is paid with 
adhesive stamps. The sender may be required to provide 
identification before the mail is accepted by the USPS. Such mail 
may be presented by a sender known to the postal carrier at the 
sender's residence or place of business. Priority Mail weighing 16 
ounces or more and not complying with the requirements of this 
section is returned to the sender for proper deposit.
* * * * *

E  ELIGIBILITY

E000  Special Eligibility Standards

E010  Overseas Military Mail

1.0  BASIC INFORMATION

* * * * *
[Add new 1.7 to read as follows:]

1.7  Restriction

    Regardless of postage payment method, the following types of 
mail weighing 16 ounces or more must be presented at a post office 
retail counter: all single-piece rate Priority Mail; all single-
piece rate Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Special Standard 
Mail; and all Library Mail. The sender may be required to provide 
identification before the mail is accepted by the USPS. Such mail 
may be presented by a sender known to the postal carrier at the 
sender's residence or place of business. Mail not complying with the 
requirements of this section and requiring air transportation is 
returned to the sender for proper deposit.
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 96-25782 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P