[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53280-53285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26089]
[[Page 53279]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Postal Service
_______________________________________________________________________
39 CFR Part 111
Address Correction Information; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 198 / Thursday, October 10, 1996 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 53280]]
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Address Correction Information
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes changing the ancillary service
endorsements that mailers use to request an addressee's new address and
to provide the Postal Service with instructions on how to handle
undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 12, 1996.
ADDRESSES: All written comments should be mailed or delivered to the
Manager, Address Management, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza
SW, Room 7431, Washington, DC 20260-6802. Copies of all written
comments will be available at the above address for inspection and
photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rocky Matthews, (202) 268-5790.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently a wide range of different
ancillary service endorsements are used by mailers to request an
addressee's new address and to provide the Postal Service with detailed
instructions on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail.
The variations of endorsements and the words used (e.g., ``Address
Correction'' or ``Postage Guaranteed'') often confuse mailers, postal
employees, and mail recipients. To eliminate misunderstandings about
the meaning of ancillary endorsements, this rule proposes adopting an
endorsement system that is simpler and more consistent than the current
system.
Under the proposed rule, only three ancillary service endorsements
will be available. Endorsements will consist of one keyword:
``Address,'' ``Return,'' or ``Change,'' followed by the two words
``Service Requested.'' The endorsements will be the same for all
classes of mail. Treatment for each class of mail and applicable
charges will remain unchanged with the following exceptions:
(1) First-Class Mail. All current options will remain available. In
addition, a new option will be available for requesting that the
mailpiece not be forwarded or returned, but that the mailer be provided
with a separate address correction, subject to the address correction
fee. This new option will be available under the endorsement ``Change
Service Requested.''
(2) Standard Mail (A) Single-Piece Rate. Currently, a mailer has
the option of endorsing the mailpiece ``Do Not Forward'' to request
that the Postal Service dispose of the piece if it is undeliverable,
with no forwarding, no return, and no address correction provided.
Under the proposed rule, this option will no longer be available.
Instead, the mailer will be able to choose between using no
endorsement, in which case the piece (if uninsured) will be returned to
the mailer with the new address or reason for nondelivery attached,
subject to return postage at the single-piece rate; or using the
endorsement ``Change Service Requested,'' in which case the Postal
Service will dispose of the piece and provide the mailer with a
separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery, subject to
the address correction fee.
(3) Standard Mail (A). Currently, if a mailpiece weighing 1 ounce
or less is endorsed ``Address Correction Requested,'' the entire piece
is returned to the mailer with the new address or reason for
nondelivery, subject to return postage at the single-piece rate; any
heavier piece bearing that endorsement is disposed of and the mailer is
provided with a separate notice of the new address or reason for
nondelivery, subject to the address correction fee. Under the proposed
rule, the Postal Service will no longer make distinctions based on the
weight of the piece. Regardless of weight, any piece with the
endorsement ``Change Service Requested'' will receive the treatment
currently accorded to a piece weighing more than 1 ounce, that is, the
Postal Service will dispose of the piece and provide the mailer with a
separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery, subject to
the address correction fee. The endorsement ``Return Service
Requested'' will provide, regardless of weight, for the return of the
entire piece to the mailer with the new address or reason for
nondelivery, subject to the appropriate single-piece rate postage.
(4) Standard Mail (A). Currently, a mailer has the option of
endorsing the mailpiece ``Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed'' to
request that the Postal Service forward the piece without providing an
address correction. Under the proposed rule, this option will no longer
be available. Instead, a mailer desiring forwarding will use the
endorsement ``Address Service Requested,'' in which case the Postal
Service will forward the piece and will provide the mailer with a
separate notice of the new address, subject to the address correction
fee.
(5) Standard Mail (B). Currently, a mailer has the option of
endorsing the mailpiece ``Do Not Forward, Do Not Return'' to request
that the Postal Service dispose of the piece if it is undeliverable,
with no forwarding, no return, and no address correction provided.
Under the proposed rule, this option will no longer be available.
Instead, a mailer will be able to use the endorsement ``Change Service
Requested,'' in which case the Postal Service will dispose of the piece
and provide the mailer with a separate notice of new address or reason
for nondelivery, subject to the address correction fee.
The following tables summarize the current and proposed ancillary
service endorsements, along with the corresponding treatment of
undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail bearing those endorsements.
[[Page 53281]]
First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Express Mail
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action Mailer endorsement USPS action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forwarding and Address Months 1 through 12: Address Service No proposed change in USPS
Correction Requested or mailpiece forwarded; no Requested. action.
Forward & Address Correction. charge; separate notice of
new address provided;
address correction fee
charged.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; no
charge
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge
Address Correction Requested Mailpiece returned with new Return Service No proposed change in USPS
or Do Not Forward. address or reason for Requested. action.
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
Change Service Separate notice of new
Requested. address or reason for
nondelivery provided; in
either case, address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
Not available for Priority
Mail or Express Mail. Not
available for mail with
special services
(certified, COD, insured,
registered, special
delivery, special
handling).
No endorsement................ Months 1 through 12: No endorsement........ No proposed change in USPS
mailpiece forwarded; no action.
charge
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; no
charge
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodicals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action Mailer endorsement USPS action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return Postage Guaranteed..... First 60 days: mailpiece Address Service No proposed change in USPS
forwarded; no charge Requested. action.
After 60-day period, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with address
correction or reason for
nondelivery attached;
appropriate Standard Mail
single-piece rate charged
Return Service Not available for
Requested Periodicals.
Change Service Not available for
Requested Periodicals.
No endorsement................ First 60 days: mailpiece No endorsement........ No proposed change in USPS
forwarded; no charge action.
After 60-day period, or if
undeliverable: separate
address correction or
reason for nondelivery
provided; address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 53282]]
Standard Mail (A)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action Mailer endorsement USPS action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forwarding and Return Postage Months 1 through 12: Address Service No proposed change in USPS
Guaranteed, Address mailpiece forwarded; no Requested. action.
Correction Requested or charge; separate notice of
Forward & Address Correction. new address provided;
address correction fee
charged
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
Forwarding and Return Postage Months 1 through 12: Not available (use
Guaranteed. mailpiece forwarded; no ``Address Service
charge Requested'').
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
Do Not Forward, Address Mailpiece returned with new Return Service No proposed change in USPS
Correction Requested, Return address or reason for Requested. action.
Postage Guaranteed or Do Not nondelivery attached; only
Forward--Address Cor--Return return postage at Standard
Guar. Mail (A) single-piece rate
charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
Address Correction Requested.. If mailpiece 1 ounce or Change Service Separate notice of new
less: entire piece Requested. address or reason for
returned with new address nondelivery provided; in
or reason for nondelivery either case, address
attached; only return correction fee charged;
postage at Standard Mail mailpiece disposed of by
(A) single-piece rate USPS.
charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
If mailpiece over 1 ounce: Note: if return of the
address correction or mailpiece is desired, use
reason for nondelivery ``Return Service
provided by Form 3547; Requested,'' subject to
subject to address appropriate Standard Mail
correction fee (A) single-piece rate.
Do Not Forward................ No forwarding or return Not available (use no
service provided endorsement).
No endorsement................ Single-Piece Rate Mail No endorsement........ No proposed change in USPS
Only: mailpiece returned action.
with new address or reason
for nondelivery attached;
only return postage at
Standard Mail (A) single-
piece rate charged
(address correction fee
not charged)
Bulk Rate Mail Only:
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 53283]]
Standard Mail (B)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action Mailer endorsement USPS action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forwarding and Return Postage Months 1 through 12: Address Service No proposed change in USPS
Guaranteed, Address mailpiece forwarded Requested. action.
Correction Requested or locally at no charge;
Forward & Address Correction. forwarded out of town as
postage due; separate
notice of new address
provided; address
correction fee charged
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
After month 18, or if
undeliverable, or
addressee refused to pay
postage due: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
forwarding (where
attempted) and return
postage at appropriate
single-piece rate charged
(address correction fee
not charged)
Forwarding and Return Postage Months 1 through 12: (Same as no endorsement)
Guaranteed. mailpiece forwarded
locally at no charge;
forwarded out of town as
postage due
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
After month 18, or if
undeliverable, or
addressee refused to pay
postage due: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
forwarding (where
attempted) and return
postage at appropriate
single-piece rate charged
(address correction fee
not charged)
Do Not Forward, Address Mailpiece returned with new Return Service No proposed change in USPS
Correction Requested, Return address or reason for Requested. action.
Postage Guaranteed or Do Not nondelivery attached; only
Forward--Address Correction-- return postage at
Return Guar. appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
Do Not Forward, Do Not Return, Separate notice of new Change Service No proposed change in USPS
Address Correction Requested address or reason for Requested. action.
or Do Not Forward or Return nondelivery provided; in
`` Address Cor. either case, address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS
Do Not Forward, Do Not Return. No forwarding or return Not available (use
service provided; ``Change Service
mailpiece disposed of by Requested').
USPS
No endorsement................ Months 1 through 12: No endorsement No proposed change in USPS
mailpiece forwarded action
locally at no charge;
forwarded out of town as
postage due
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with
new address attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged)
After month 18, or if
undeliverable, or
addressee refused to pay
postage due: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
forwarding (where
attempted) and return
postage at appropriate
single-piece rate charged
(address correction fee
not charged)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service
anticipates an effective date of February 1, 1997. In that event, the
Postal Service will honor current endorsements for a period of 6 months
after that date. After September
[[Page 53284]]
1, 1997, these and endorsements other than those adopted will be deemed
invalid. For mail bearing invalid endorsements, the service under
``Address Service Requested'' or ``Return Service Requested'' will be
provided to such mail as appropriate.
Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553 (b), (c)) regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites comments on
the following proposed revisions of the Domestic Mail Manual,
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39
CFR part 111.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
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, 5001.
2. Revise the Domestic Mail Manual as set forth below:
F FORWARDING AND RELATED SERVICES
F000 Basic Services
F010 Basic Information
* * * * *
5.0 TREATMENT--CLASSES OF MAIL
5.1 Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
* * * * *
Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address Service Requested \1\............. Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded; no
charge; separate notice of
new address provided;
address correction fee
charged.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; no
charge.
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
Return Service Requested.................. Mailpiece returned with new
address or reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
Change Service Requested \1\.............. Separate notice of new
address or reason for
nondelivery provided; in
either case, address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
Not available for Priority
Mail or mail with special
services (certified, COD,
insured, registered,
special delivery, special
handling).
No endorsement............................ Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded; no
charge.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; no
charge.
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS)
participating mailpieces.
5.2 Periodicals
Undeliverable Periodicals publications (including publications
pending Periodicals authorization) are treated as described in the
chart below and under these conditions:
* * * * *
e. The publisher may request the return of copies of undelivered
Periodicals publications by printing the endorsement ``Address Service
Requested'' on the envelopes or wrappers, or on one of the outside
covers of unwrapped copies, immediately preceded by the sender's name,
address, and ZIP+4 or 5-digit ZIP Code. The per piece rate charged for
return is the appropriate Standard Mail single-piece rate. When the
address correction is provided incidental to the return of the piece,
there is no charge for the correction. This endorsement obligates the
publisher to pay return postage.
* * * * *
Periodicals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address Service Requested \1\............. First 60 days: mailpiece
forwarded; no charge.
After 60-day period, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with address
correction or reason for
nondelivery attached;
appropriate Standard Mail
single-piece rate charged.
Return Service Requested.................. Not available for
Periodicals.
Change Service Requested.................. Not available for
Periodicals.
No endorsement \1\........................ First 60 days: mailpiece
forwarded; no charge.
After 60-day period, or if
undeliverable: separate
address correction or
reason for nondelivery
provided; address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS)
participating mailpieces.
5.3 Standard Mail (A)
Undeliverable Standard Mail (A) is treated as described in the
chart below and under these conditions:
a. Insured Standard Mail (A) is treated as though endorsed
``Address Service Requested.''
* * * * *
e. When a large volume of identical-weight pieces originates from a
single mailer endorsed only ``Return Service Requested,'' the USPS may
use the weight of a sample of at least 25 pieces and divide that weight
by the number of pieces in the sample. After the average per piece
weight is determined, the pieces are weighed in bulk to determine the
number of pieces subject to the single-piece rate for return. Pieces of
identical weight counted in this manner, regardless of weight, are
returned to the mailer with the new address or the reason for
nondelivery endorsed on the piece.
f. The ``weighted fee'' is the appropriate Standard Mail (A)
single-piece rate, multiplied by a factor of 2.472 and rounded to the
next (higher) whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a
cent in the result). The weighted fee is computed (and rounded if
necessary) for each mailpiece individually. Neither the applicable
postage, the factor, nor any necessary rounding is applied cumulatively
to multiple pieces. The fee is used during months 1 through 12 when
forwarding is unsuccessful and the piece is returned to the mailer.
During months 13 through 18, this fee is charged for
[[Page 53285]]
pieces endorsed ``Address Service Requested.''
* * * * *
Standard Mail (A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address Service Requested \1\............. Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded; no
charge; separate notice of
new address provided;
address correction fee
charged.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; only
Standard Mail (A) weighted
fee charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
Return Service Requested.................. Mailpiece returned with new
address or reason for
nondelivery attached; only
return postage at Standard
Mail (A) single-piece rate
charged (address correction
fee not charged).
Change Service Requested \1\.............. Separate notice of new
address or reason for
nondelivery provided; in
either case, address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
No endorsement............................ Single-Piece Rate Mail Only:
mailpiece returned with new
address or reason for
nondelivery attached; only
return postage at Standard
Mail (A) single-piece rate
charged (address correction
fee not charged).
Bulk Rate Mail Only:
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS)
participating mailpieces.
5.4 Standard Mail (B)
* * * * *
Standard Mail (B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address Service Requested \1\............. Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded locally
at no charge; forwarded out
of town as postage due;
separate notice of new
address provided; address
correction fee charged.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
After month 18, or if
undeliverable, or addressee
refused to pay postage due:
mailpiece returned with
reason for nondelivery
attached; only forwarding
(where attempted) and
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
Return Service Requested.................. Mailpiece returned with new
address or reason for
nondelivery attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
Change Service Requested \1\.............. Separate notice of new
address or reason for
nondelivery provided; in
either case, address
correction fee charged;
mailpiece disposed of by
USPS.
No endorsement............................ Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded locally
at no charge; forwarded out
of town as postage due.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; only
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
After month 18, or if
undeliverable, or addressee
refused to pay postage due:
mailpiece returned with
reason for nondelivery
attached; only forwarding
(where attempted) and
return postage at
appropriate single-piece
rate charged (address
correction fee not
charged).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS)
participating mailpieces.
5.5 Express Mail
* * * * *
Express Mail
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailer endorsement USPS action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address Service Requested................. Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded; no
charge; separate notice of
new address provided;
address correction fee
charged.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; no
charge.
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
Return Service Requested.................. Mailpiece returned with new
address or reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
Change Service Requested.................. Not available for Express
Mail.
No endorsement............................ Months 1 through 12:
mailpiece forwarded; no
charge.
Months 13 through 18:
mailpiece returned with new
address attached; no
charge.
After month 18, or if
undeliverable: mailpiece
returned with reason for
nondelivery attached; no
charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 96-26089 Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P