[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17072-17081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8861]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Implementation of Global Package Link Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rules with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Global Package Link Service (GPL, formerly known as 
International

[[Page 17073]]

Package Consignment Service) is an international mail service designed 
for companies sending merchandise to other countries. Brazil, Chile, 
and Germany are now being added as additional destination countries. 
The Postal Service is also announcing changes in the minimum annual 
volumes required for GPL. Instead of minimum volume requirements for 
each country to which service is available, the Postal Service is 
establishing an annual minimum volume of 10,000 packages to all 
countries. An interim rule is being announced for merchandise return 
services for customers using GPL service to Japan and the United 
Kingdom. Finally, the Postal Service is reorganizing and simplifying 
the GPL regulations. Interim regulations have been developed and are 
set forth below for comment and suggested revision prior to adoption in 
final form.

DATES: The interim regulations take effect April 9, 1997. Comments must 
be received on or before May 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to Global 
Package Link Service, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 
370 IBU, Washington, DC 20260-6500. Copies of all written comments will 
be available for public inspection and photocopying at the above 
address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Michelson at the above address. 
Telephone: (202) 268-5731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    In late 1994, with implementation of International Package 
Consignment Service (later renamed Global Package Link) to Japan (59 FR 
65961, December 22, 1994), the Postal Service announced that, when 
feasible, it would expand the service to other destination countries 
based on customer requests. The Postal Service later expanded GPL by 
adding Canada and the United Kingdom as destination countries for 
qualifying customers, and is hereby further expanding GPL by adding 
Brazil, Chile, and Germany as destination countries for qualifying 
customers. The Postal Service is also changing other features of GPL. 
First, it is changing the annual minimum volumes per country to a 
single minimum volume of 10,000 packages to all countries. It is also 
establishing a merchandise return service for items sent to the United 
Kingdom and Japan. The Postal Service has also simplified the 
regulations governing GPL to make use of the service to multiple 
countries more uniform. Each of these changes is described below.

II. GPL to Brazil, Chile, and Germany

A. Qualifying Criteria

    A customer who wants to use GPL to Brazil, Chile, and Germany will 
be required to enter into a service agreement with the Postal Service 
agreeing to meet each of the requirements for using GPL service. First, 
the customer must mail at least 10,000 GPL packages a year. (Volumes to 
all GPL countries may be counted toward this minimum. See part IV 
below.) Second, the customer must designate the Postal Service as its 
carrier of choice to each country for which it uses GPL service. Third, 
the customer must link its information systems with those of the Postal 
Service so that the Postal Service and the customer can exchange data 
transmissions concerning the customer's packages, and the Postal 
Service can extract, on an as-needed basis, certain information about 
the package by scanning the customer-provided barcode on each package.
    In general, the information that must be made available to the 
Postal Service includes the order number; the package identification 
number; the buyer's name and address; the recipient's name and address; 
the total weight of the package; the total value of the package 
contents; the number of items in the package; and, for each item in the 
package, its SKU number, its value, and its country of origin. In 
practice, this requirement means that the customer will have to begin 
the necessary systems work by the time it begins using GPL, and then 
will have to assist the Postal Service in completing and maintaining 
the information systems linkages. The Postal Service will use the 
extracted information to prepare the necessary customs forms and 
package labels and to provide user-friendly tracking and tracing.
    Arrangements between the Postal Service and the customer that are 
technical in nature also may appear in the GPL service agreement. For 
instance, the service agreement may describe the electronic data 
interface (EDI) or proprietary file format that will be used to 
transmit data between the customer and the Postal Service, as well as 
the frequency and schedule of transmissions. Similarly, the service 
agreement may describe the formats and frequencies for any exceptions, 
and performance reports that the Postal Service will provide to the 
customer.

B. Processing and Acceptance

    If the plant at which the customer's GPL packages originate is 
located within 500 miles of a GPL processing facility, the Postal 
Service will verify and accept the packages at the customer's plant and 
transport them to the GPL processing facility according to a schedule 
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the mailer.
    If the customer's plant from which the GPL packages will originate 
is located more than 500 miles from a Global Package Link processing 
facility, the customer can choose one of two processing options:
Option One
    The customer will be required to present the packages to the Postal 
Service for verification at the customer's plant and transport them as 
a drop shipment to a GPL processing facility according to a schedule 
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the customer.
Option Two
    The customer will process the packages using Postal Service-
provided computer system workstations and sort and prepare the packages 
as required by the Postal Service. Then, the Postal Service will verify 
and accept the packages at the customer's plant according to a schedule 
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the mailer, and will transport 
the packages to a designated GPL processing facility for dispatch.

C. Customs Forms

    Normally, all necessary customs forms will be automatically 
generated by the Postal Service computer workstations. Packages mailed 
to Brazil, Chile, and Germany through a GPL facility will not be 
required to bear customs forms when they are tendered to the Postal 
Service. The Postal Service will verify, accept, and transport these 
packages to a designated GPL processing facility. After scanning the 
customer-printed barcode on each package and correlating it with the 
package-specific information transmitted by the customer, the Postal 
Service will print the necessary customs forms and affix them to the 
customer's packages as part of the processing operation at the GPL 
Processing Facility. If the customer is more than 500 miles from a 
designated GPL facility and chooses option two, then the customs/GPL 
label will be affixed by the customer using Postal Service provided 
workstations.

D. Customs Clearance

    The Postal Service has developed A Customs Pre-Advisory System 
(CPAS)

[[Page 17074]]

as part of GPL processing. This electronic system collects package-
specific data to satisfy customs requirements as packages are processed 
using the USPS computer workstations located at a GPL facility. The 
system electronically advises the USPS delivery agent and customs of 
the contents of each package mailed. Since this advisory information 
arrives before the mail, CPAS facilitates and simplifies customs 
clearance. Electronic pre-notification of the package contents and 
automatic preparation of required customs declarations assures the 
fastest clearance through Brazilian, Chilean, or German customs and 
reduces costs for the customer and the Postal Service. To use CPAS, 
recipients of merchandise must designate the Postal Service and its 
customs broker as their agents for customs clearance.
    Because of customs regulations in these countries concerning 
payment of duties at the time of clearance, the mailer may be asked to 
pre-fund a designated amount of duties before the first shipment, to be 
replenished after each subsequent shipment.

E. Delivery Options

(1) Brazil
    The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in 
Brazil. This option will include home delivery, but will initially be 
limited to addresses in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The 
weight limit for packages will be 66 pounds, and the service will 
provide tracking and tracing.
    The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's 
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Brazil 
overnight, where they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be 
released to the delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive 
courier service and be delivered overnight. Normal delivery times will 
be two to three business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final 
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no 
additional cost.
    The Postal Service intends to expand this service to other areas in 
Brazil outside the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as the 
delivery agent expands its ability to provide an expedited, secure 
delivery service with tracking for individual packages. The Postal 
Service requests comments from customers regarding destination areas 
needed in Brazil.
(2) Chile
    The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in 
Chile. This option will include home delivery, but will initially be 
limited to addresses in the cities of Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina 
del Mar. The weight limit for packages will be 70 pounds, and the 
service will provide tracking and tracing.
    The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's 
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Chile 
overnight, where they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be 
released to the delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive 
courier service and be delivered overnight. Normal delivery times will 
be two to three business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final 
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no 
additional cost.
    The Postal Service intends to expand this service to other areas in 
Chile outside the cities of Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar, as 
the delivery agent expands its ability to provide an expedited, secure 
delivery service with tracking for individual packages. The Postal 
Service requests comments from customers regarding destination areas 
needed in Chile.
(3) Germany
    The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in 
Germany. This option will include home delivery. The weight limit for 
packages will be 70 pounds, and the service will provide tracking and 
tracing.
    The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's 
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Germany, where 
they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be released to the 
delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive courier service 
and be delivered in one to two days. Normal delivery times will be 
three to four business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final 
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no 
additional cost.

F. Rates

    The base rates for GPL service to Brazil, Chile and Germany are set 
forth below. The Postal Service will charge the base rates, in one 
pound increments, for the first 100,000 packages mailed by a customer 
in a 12-month period. Once the customer has mailed 100,000 packages to 
a country, postage for the rest of the customer's packages to that 
country (except Germany) in the remainder of that 12-month period will 
be reduced by 3 percent from the base rates.

III. Merchandise Return Service

    A merchandise return service will be available to GPL customers 
mailing to Japan. The mail order company (MOC) or the Japanese 
recipient will be responsible for payment of shipping costs to the 
designated Japanese return center. The return center will open each 
box, inspect the contents, process the returns, and consolidate for 
shipment back to the United States. MOC will receive electronic 
notification of returns on a daily basis. The consolidated returns will 
be shipped on a mutually agreed upon schedule. The parcels will be 
uniquely identified and upon arrival in the U.S. will be sent to the 
MOC via the domestic parcel network. The return prices, per parcel, are 
detailed in the rate chart.

                        Merchandise Return Rates                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Price 
                           Pounds to                            per item
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................     $7.20
2.............................................................      9.80
3.............................................................     12.40
4.............................................................     15.00
5.............................................................     17.60
6.............................................................     20.20
7.............................................................     22.80
8.............................................................     25.40
9.............................................................     28.00
10............................................................     30.60
11............................................................     33.20
12............................................................     35.80
13............................................................     38.40
14............................................................     41.00
15............................................................     43.70
16............................................................     48.00
17............................................................     50.70
18............................................................     53.50
19............................................................     56.20
20............................................................     58.90
21............................................................     63.90
22............................................................     66.70
23............................................................     69.50
24............................................................     72.30
25............................................................     75.10
26............................................................     77.90
27............................................................     80.70
28............................................................     83.50
29............................................................     86.30
30............................................................     89.10
31............................................................     91.90
32............................................................     94.70
33............................................................     97.50
34............................................................    100.40
35............................................................    103.20
36............................................................    106.00
37............................................................    108.80
38............................................................    111.60
39............................................................    114.40
40............................................................    117.20
41............................................................    120.00
42............................................................    122.80
43............................................................    125.60
44............................................................    128.40
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A return merchandise service will be available to GPL customers 
mailing to the U.K. The returns agent will open each box, inspect the 
contents, and process it for return to the U.S. The returns agent will 
apply for a refund of

[[Page 17075]]

duties and taxes from U.K. Customs. The packages will then be sent to 
the mailer's designated center for returns in the U.S. The return 
prices, per parcel, are detailed in the rate chart.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Return 
                   Weight not over (pounds)                       price 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................     $6.93
2.............................................................      7.40
3.............................................................      8.79
4.............................................................      9.26
5.............................................................     10.66
6.............................................................     11.12
7.............................................................     12.52
8.............................................................     12.99
9.............................................................     14.38
10............................................................     14.85
11............................................................     15.32
12............................................................     16.72
13............................................................     17.18
14............................................................     18.58
15............................................................     19.05
16............................................................     20.44
17............................................................     20.91
18............................................................     22.31
19............................................................     22.77
20............................................................     24.17
21............................................................     24.64
22............................................................     25.10
23............................................................     26.50
24............................................................     26.97
25............................................................     28.37
26............................................................     28.83
27............................................................     30.23
28............................................................     30.70
29............................................................     32.09
30............................................................     32.56
31............................................................     33.96
32............................................................     34.42
33............................................................     34.89
34............................................................     36.29
35............................................................     36.75
36............................................................     38.15
37............................................................     38.62
38............................................................     40.02
39............................................................     40.48
40............................................................     41.88
41............................................................     42.35
42............................................................     43.74
43............................................................     44.21
44............................................................     44.68
45............................................................     46.07
46............................................................     46.54
47............................................................     47.94
48............................................................     48.40
49............................................................     49.80
50............................................................     50.27
51............................................................     51.67
52............................................................     52.13
53............................................................     53.53
54............................................................     54.00
55............................................................     54.46
56............................................................     55.86
57............................................................     56.33
58............................................................     57.72
59............................................................     58.19
60............................................................     59.59
61............................................................     60.05
62............................................................     61.45
63............................................................     61.92
64............................................................     63.32
65............................................................     63.78
66............................................................     64.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Minimum Volumes

    Minimum volumes to all GPL countries are now being set at a uniform 
level of 10,000 packages during a 12-month time period. In addition, 
volumes to any or all GPL destination countries will be applied toward 
fulfillment of this minimum. This is being done because the rationale 
for a minimum is that there are fixed costs involved in linking mailers 
to the GPL system and in providing transportation. Because these fixed 
costs do not vary depending upon the destination country, a uniform 
minimum is justifiable.

V. Reorganization of Global Package Link Regulations

    The present GPL regulations are found in part 620 of the 
International Mail Manual and in the Country Pages of the IMM. 
Particularly with respect to the regulations in the Country Pages, the 
regulations are redundant and could be consolidated. All regulations 
that can be consolidated will now be found in 620. Only the GPL rate 
schedules and associated information will be included in the Country 
Pages. No substantive changes are made in this consolidation.

VI. Conclusion

    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts GPL service to 
Brazil, Chile, and Germany, and merchandise return service from Japan 
and the United Kingdom, on an interim basis, at the rates set forth in 
the schedules below. The Postal Service also adopts on an interim basis 
the reorganization of the GPL regulations set forth below. 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 
arguments concerning this interim rule.
    The Postal Service adopts the following 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. Effective May 9, 1997, subchapter 620 of the International Mail 
Manual, Issue 17, is amended as follows:

6  Special Programs

* * * * *

621.3  Availability

    Global Package Link service is available only to Brazil, Canada, 
Chile, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.

622  Qualifying Mailers

622.1  General

    To qualify for Global Package Link service, a mailer must
    a. Send a minimum of 10,000 packages a year;
    b. Link its information system with that of the Postal Service;
    c. Meet the general and specific preparation requirements for each 
country;
    d. Designate the Postal Service as its carrier of choice to each 
country for which it uses Global Package Link service; and
    e. Enter into a service agreement with the Postal Service.
    Each service agreement must contain the following:
    The customer's commitment to send at least 10,000 packages to any 
one or more Global Package Link destination country(s) by Global 
Package Link during the next 12 months. Combined volumes to any GPL 
destination country will count toward this 12-month minimum. A 
customer's failure to meet original volume requirements may result in 
termination, by the Postal Service, of the right to mail to other 
destination countries.
    If the combined volume of packages to any or all Global Package 
Link Destination country(s) does not meet the minimum volume for the 
first 12 months following the effective date of the agreement, the USPS 
may terminate this agreement by giving the mailer 60 days written 
notice that it intends to terminate, unless the mailer can demonstrate 
how it will meet the minimum volume by country within the next year. If 
the volume frequently fails to meet the minimum volume requirement, 
this agreement shall be terminated by the USPS upon written notice 30 
days in advance of the termination.

622.2  Linking Information Systems

    The mailer must link its information system to that of the Postal 
Service so that (1) The Postal Service and the mailer can exchange data 
transmissions concerning the mailer's packages, and (2) by scanning the 
mailer provided

[[Page 17076]]

barcode on each package, the Postal Service can extract, on an as-
needed basis, the following information about each package to produce 
necessary customs forms and package labels and to provide tracking and 
tracing:
    a. Order number.
    b. Package identification number.
    c. Delivery option used for package if more than one level of 
service is available.
    d. Buyer's name and address.
    e. Recipient's name and address.
    f. Total weight of package.
    g. Total value of the package's contents.
    h. Total number of items in each package.
    i. Numbers of each item in package.
    j. SKU or key-word description of each item.
    k. Value of each item.
    l. Country of origin of each item.

623  General

623.1  Special Services

    [No change.]

623.2  Customs Documentation

    Except for the acceptance option in 625.22, customs documentation 
will be produced by the Postal Service from data transmitted by the 
mailer. Mailers using the procedures in 625.22 are required to produce 
and affix customs documentation using the workstation provided by the 
Postal Service.

623.3  Size and Weight Limits

    The weight limits for Global Package Link service are 70 pounds for 
Chile and Germany; 66 pounds for Brazil, Canada, and the United 
Kingdom; and 44 pounds for Japan. The Japan Economy Service maximum is 
4 pounds. Japan Standard and Economy packages weighing less than 1 
pound must bear the ``SMALL PACKET'' marking.
    The maximum length of GPL packages is 60 inches and the maximum 
length and girth combined is 108 inches with the following exceptions: 
Maximum size for Germany is length 47 inches, height 23 inches, width 
23 inches. Japan Economy maximum length is 24 inches; height, depth, 
and length combined is 36 inches. Japan Standard packages weighing less 
than 1 pound must adhere to the Economy size limitations. All packages 
must be large enough to accommodate the necessary labels and customs 
forms on the address side.

623.4  Postage

* * * * *

623.44  Base Rates

    The Postal Service will charge the base rates, in 1-pound 
increments, for the first 100,000 packages mailed by the customer 
during a 12-month period.

                             Rate Reductions                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Number of packages                    Percent discount      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 100,000.............................  Base Rate.                  
Over 100,000..............................  3% off base rates (except   
                                             Germany and U.K.: Germany, 
                                             no discount; U.K., 2%). For
                                             Japan discounts see rate   
                                             table in Japan Country     
                                             page.                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

624  Preparation Requirements

    [No change.]

625  Acceptance

625.1  Within 500 Miles of a Global Package Link Processing Facility

    If the plant from which the customer's Global Package Link packages 
originate is located within 500 miles of a Global Package Link 
processing facility, the Postal Service will accept the packages at the 
customer's plant and transport them by truck to the Global Package Link 
processing facility according to a schedule agreed upon by the Postal 
Service and the customer.

625.2  More Than 500 Miles From a Global Package Link Processing 
Facility

    If the customer's plant from which the Global Package Link packages 
will originate is located more than 500 miles from an Global Package 
Link processing facility, the customer may choose one of two processing 
options.

625.21

    The customer will present the packages to the Postal Service for 
verification at the customer's plant and transport them as a drop 
shipment to a Global Package Link processing facility according to a 
schedule agreed upon by the Postal Service and the customer.

625.22

    The customer will process the packages using Postal Service-
provided computer system workstations and will sort and prepare the 
packages as required by the Postal Service. The Postal Service accepts 
the packages at the customer's plant and transports them to a 
designated air mail facility or air exchange office for onward 
conveyance according to a schedule agreed upon by the Postal Service 
and the customer.

626  Services Available

626.1  Delivery Options

    Delivery options vary according to destination country, as set 
forth below.

626.11  Premium Service

    Premium service is available to all countries (Air Courier for 
Canada). Packages sent through premium service are transported to the 
destination country by air where they receive special handling and 
expedited delivery. The mailer can track premium service packages 
through delivery. Reports of delivery performance are furnished to the 
mailer in the formats and at the frequencies agreed upon by the Postal 
Service and the mailer.

626.12  Standard Service

    Standard service is available to Japan, Canada (Ground Courier for 
Canada), and the United Kingdom. Packages sent through standard service 
are transported to the destination country by air (or a combination of 
air/ground to Canada) for delivery. The mailer can track standard 
service packages through dispatch from the Global Package Link 
processing facility for Japan and through delivery for Canada and the 
United Kingdom.

626.13  Economy Service

    Economy service is available to Japan and the United Kingdom. 
Packages sent through economy service are transported to the 
destination country by air for delivery. Tracking for Economy Service 
is not available in Japan and available only through the hand-over to 
the global partner in the United Kingdom.

626.14  Canada Ground Service

    Ground Gateway Service will offer ground service to Canada from the 
designated Ground Gateway facilities and ground transportation to final 
destination in Canada. It will receive the same expeditious customs 
clearance as the Ground Courier Service (Standard). For details on 
special requirements of the Ground Gateway Service, see the Canada 
Country Page.

626.15  Processing Facilities

    Global Package Link packages are processed at a designated Global 
Package Link processing facility. The Postal Service currently operates 
Global Package Link processing facilities at JFK International Airport 
in NYC and near or at airports in Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami, 
Seattle, and San Francisco. Buffalo, NY serves as a facility for Ground 
Gateway-Canada service only. Seattle also serves as a

[[Page 17077]]

Ground Gateway-Canada facility. Other satellite facilities may be used 
as needed.

626.2  Merchandise Return Service

626.21  Japan

    Merchandise return service is available from Japan. The mailer or 
the recipient is responsible for returning merchandise to the 
designated Japanese return center where packages will be opened and the 
contents consolidated for return to the United States. The mailer will 
receive a daily electronic notification of returns. Returned 
merchandise will be shipped to the mailer on a mutually agreed upon 
schedule.

626.22  United Kingdom

    A return merchandise service will be available to Global Package 
Link customers mailing to the United Kingdom. The returns agent will 
open and inspect the contents of each box and process for return back 
to the U.S. The returns agent may apply for a refund of duties and 
taxes from United Kingdom Customs. The packages will then be sent to 
the mailer's designated center for returns in the U.S. The return 
prices, per parcel, are detailed in the Global Package Link rate charts 
in the Country Pages.

626.23  Canada

    A return merchandise service will be available to GPL--Canada 
customers. The mailer or the Canadian recipient will be responsible for 
shipment costs back to the designated Canadian return center. The 
return center will open each box, inspect the contents, and process it 
for return back to the U.S., including applying to Revenue Canada for a 
refund of duties and taxes to. Upon arrival in the U.S., the parcels 
will be sent back to the mailer via the domestic parcel network. The 
return prices, per parcel, are detailed in the Canada Country page.

Insurance and Indemnity

626.31  Premium Service

    Packages sent through premium service are insured against loss, 
damage, or rifling at no additional cost. Indemnity will be paid by the 
Postal Service in accordance with Domestic Mail Manual S500. Premium 
service packages are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither 
indemnity payments nor postage refunds will be made in the event of 
delay.

626.32  Standard Service

626.321  Japan and Canada

    Packages sent through standard service to Japan that weigh more 
than one pound may be insured at an additional cost (See 320). Packages 
sent through standard service and Ground Gateway service to Canada are 
insured for the declared value, up to $100 Canadian. Standard service 
packages are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity 
payments nor postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.

626.322  United Kingdom

    Packages sent through standard service to the United Kingdom are 
insured against loss, damage, or rifling at no additional cost. 
Indemnity up to $500.00 will be paid by the Postal Service in 
accordance with Domestic Mail Manual S500. Standard service packages 
are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity payments 
nor postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.

626.33  Economy Service

626.331  Japan

    Packages sent through economy service to Japan may not be insured.

626.332  United Kingdom

    Packages sent through economy service to the United Kingdom may be 
insured at an additional cost (see 320). Economy service packages are 
not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity payments nor 
postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.

626.4  Customs Clearance

626.41  Customs Forms

    Normally all necessary customs forms will be automatically 
generated by the Postal Service computer workstations. Packages mailed 
through a Global Package Link processing facility will not be required 
to bear customs forms when they are tendered to the Postal Service. 
After scanning the customer-printed barcode on each package and 
correlating it with the package-specific information transmitted by the 
customer, the Postal Service will print the necessary customs forms and 
affix them to the customer's packages as part of the processing 
operation at the Global Package Link processing facility. A customer 
utilizing the Global Package Link work station at a location more than 
500 miles from a Global Package Link processing facility will be 
required to affix the customs documentation produced by the Global 
Package Link work station to each package.

626.42  Customs Clearance

    The Postal Service has developed the Customs Pre-Advisory System 
(CPAS) as part of Global Package Link processing. This electronic 
system collects package-specific data to satisfy customs requirements 
as packages are processed using the USPS computer workstations located 
at Global Package Link processing facilities. The system electronically 
advises agents in the destination country of the contents of each 
package mailed. Mailers must provide the Postal Service with the 
harmonized customs codes for their merchandise for assessing duty. 
Mailers may obtain harmonized codes themselves or the Postal Service 
will obtain codes for them. Recipients of merchandise must designate 
the Postal Service and its agents as the recipients agents for customs 
clearance.

626.421  Catalog Harmonization Services

    [Move from 626.9 to 626.421.]
    All catalog harmonization services performed for the Global Package 
Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a 
rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the 
future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. Mailers 
have the option of performing their own harmonization, provided it is 
done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre-
Advisory System (CPAS) software.

626.43  Payment of Customs Duty

626.431  All Countries Except Japan

    For all countries except Japan, the Postal Service will arrange 
payment of customs duty on behalf of the recipient at the time the 
merchandise enters the country of destination. Any banking costs or 
foreign exchange fees applicable to the customs payments will be 
charged back to the mailer. The Postal Service will notify the mailer 
electronically of the amount of duty and fees paid and the mailer will 
reimburse the Postal Service in a manner and within a time agreed 
between the mailer and the Postal Service. Because of the need to have 
funds available for customs at the time of clearance in Brazil, Chile 
and Germany, mailers must make an advance deposit prior to first 
mailing to cover anticipated duties and taxes in addition to postage. 
For subsequent mailings, this account must be replenished by the mailer 
after the actual amount of duties and taxes are assessed. The mailer is 
responsible for collecting duties and taxes from the recipient (this 
can be effected when payment for the order is made).

[[Page 17078]]

626.432  Japan

    In Japan, any customs duties and fees will be collected from the 
recipient at the time of delivery.
    [Delete 626.5 through 627. Section 629.9, Catalog Harmonization, 
moves to 626.421.]
    3. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for 
Brazil in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding 
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the 
listing.

       Global Package Link to Brazil Rate Chart (Premium Service)       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Annual volumes  
                                                     -------------------
                                                         No             
            Weight not to exceed (pounds)             discount    More  
                                                        under     than  
                                                       100,000   100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................................     12.45     12.08
2...................................................     14.32     13.89
3...................................................     17.01     16.50
4...................................................     18.87     18.31
5...................................................     21.59     20.94
6...................................................     23.45     22.75
7...................................................     26.14     25.36
8...................................................     28.01     27.17
9...................................................     30.70     29.78
10..................................................     32.56     31.59
11..................................................     34.43     33.39
12..................................................     37.14     36.02
13..................................................     39.00     37.83
14..................................................     41.70     40.44
15..................................................     43.56     42.25
16..................................................     46.25     44.86
17..................................................     48.12     46.67
18..................................................     50.17     48.67
19..................................................     52.04     50.47
20..................................................     54.67     53.03
21..................................................     56.53     54.84
22..................................................     58.40     56.65
23..................................................     61.05     59.22
24..................................................     62.92     61.03
25..................................................     65.57     63.60
26..................................................     67.43     65.41
27..................................................     70.07     67.97
28..................................................     71.93     69.77
29..................................................     74.59     72.35
30..................................................     76.45     74.16
31..................................................     79.10     76.73
32..................................................     80.97     78.54
33..................................................     82.83     80.35
34..................................................     85.49     82.92
35..................................................     87.35     84.73
36..................................................     90.00     87.30
37..................................................     91.87     89.11
38..................................................     94.52     91.69
39..................................................     96.39     93.49
40..................................................     99.04     96.07
41..................................................    100.90     97.88
42..................................................    103.56    100.45
43..................................................    105.42    102.26
44..................................................    107.29    104.07
45..................................................    109.94    106.64
46..................................................    111.80    108.45
47..................................................    114.46    111.02
48..................................................    116.32    112.83
49..................................................    118.98    115.41
50..................................................    120.84    117.21
51..................................................    123.49    119.79
52..................................................    125.36    121.60
53..................................................    128.01    124.17
54..................................................    129.87    125.98
55..................................................    131.74    127.79
56..................................................    134.39    130.36
57..................................................    136.26    132.17
58..................................................    138.91    134.74
59..................................................    140.77    136.55
60..................................................    143.43    139.13
61..................................................    145.29    140.93
62..................................................    147.95    143.51
63..................................................    149.81    145.32
64..................................................    152.46    147.89
65..................................................    154.33    149.70
66..................................................    156.19    151.51
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    4. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for 
Chile in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding 
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the 
listing.

        Global Package Link to Chile Rate Chart (Premium Service)       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Annual volumes  
                                                     -------------------
                                                         No             
            Weight not to exceed (pounds)             discount    More  
                                                        under     than  
                                                       100,000   100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...................................................      9.70      9.41
2...................................................     11.74     11.39
3...................................................     13.97     13.56
4...................................................     16.02     15.53
5...................................................     18.25     17.70
6...................................................     20.29     19.68
7...................................................     22.52     21.85
8...................................................     24.56     23.83
9...................................................     26.80     25.99
10..................................................     28.84     27.97
11..................................................     30.88     29.95
12..................................................     33.11     32.12
13..................................................     35.15     34.10
14..................................................     37.39     36.26
15..................................................     39.43     38.24
16..................................................     41.66     40.41
17..................................................     43.70     42.39
18..................................................     45.93     44.56
19..................................................     47.98     46.54
20..................................................     50.21     48.70
21..................................................     52.25     50.68
22..................................................     54.29     52.66
23..................................................     56.52     54.83
24..................................................     58.56     56.81
25..................................................     60.80     58.97
26..................................................     62.84     60.95
27..................................................     65.07     63.12
28..................................................     67.11     65.10
29..................................................     69.35     67.27
30..................................................     71.39     69.25
31..................................................     73.62     71.41
32..................................................     75.66     73.39
33..................................................     77.70     75.37
34..................................................     79.94     77.54
35..................................................     81.98     79.52
36..................................................     84.21     81.68
37..................................................     86.25     83.66
38..................................................     88.48     85.83
39..................................................     90.52     87.81
40..................................................     92.76     89.98
41..................................................     94.80     91.95
42..................................................     97.03     94.12
43..................................................     99.07     96.10
44..................................................    101.11     98.08
45..................................................    103.35    100.25
46..................................................    105.39    102.23
47..................................................    107.62    104.39
48..................................................    109.66    106.37
49..................................................    111.89    108.54
50..................................................    113.94    110.52
51..................................................    116.17    112.68
52..................................................    118.21    114.66
53..................................................    120.44    116.83
54..................................................    122.48    118.81
55..................................................    124.52    120.79
56..................................................    126.76    122.96
57..................................................    128.80    124.93
58..................................................    131.03    127.10
59..................................................    133.07    129.08
60..................................................    135.31    131.25
61..................................................    137.35    133.23
62..................................................    139.58    135.39
63..................................................    141.62    137.37
64..................................................    143.85    139.54
65..................................................    145.90    141.52
66..................................................    147.94    143.50
67..................................................    150.17    145.66
68..................................................    152.21    147.64
69..................................................    154.44    149.81
70..................................................    156.48    151.79
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for 
Germany in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding 
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the 
listing.

                Global Package Link to Germany Rate Chart               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Rate all
                 Weight not to exceed (pounds)                   volumes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................     10.74
2.............................................................     12.35
3.............................................................     13.96
4.............................................................     15.57
5.............................................................     17.18
6.............................................................     18.80
7.............................................................     20.41
8.............................................................     22.02
9.............................................................     23.63

[[Page 17079]]

                                                                        
10............................................................     25.24
11............................................................     26.86
12............................................................     28.47
13............................................................     30.08
14............................................................     31.69
15............................................................     33.30
16............................................................     34.92
17............................................................     36.53
18............................................................     38.14
19............................................................     39.75
20............................................................     41.36
21............................................................     42.98
22............................................................     44.59
23............................................................     46.20
24............................................................     47.81
25............................................................     49.42
26............................................................     51.04
27............................................................     52.65
28............................................................     54.26
29............................................................     55.87
30............................................................     57.48
31............................................................     59.10
32............................................................     60.71
33............................................................     62.32
34............................................................     63.93
35............................................................     65.54
36............................................................     67.16
37............................................................     68.77
38............................................................     70.38
39............................................................     71.99
40............................................................     73.60
41............................................................     75.22
42............................................................     76.83
43............................................................     78.44
44............................................................     80.05
45............................................................     81.66
46............................................................     83.28
47............................................................     84.89
48............................................................     86.50
49............................................................     88.11
50............................................................     89.72
51............................................................     91.34
52............................................................     92.95
53............................................................     94.56
54............................................................     96.17
55............................................................     97.78
56............................................................     99.40
57............................................................    101.01
58............................................................    102.62
59............................................................    104.23
60............................................................    105.84
61............................................................    107.46
62............................................................    109.07
63............................................................    110.68
64............................................................    112.29
65............................................................    113.90
66............................................................    115.52
67............................................................    117.13
68............................................................    118.74
69............................................................    120.35
70............................................................    121.96
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    6. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for 
Great Britain in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by 
deleting all Global Package Link regulations and replacing the rate 
chart for Global Package Link with the following rate chart, including 
rates for merchandise.

                      Global Package Link to Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rate Chart                      
                                [Replace current rate table with the following:]                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Price per item                  
                  Weight not over (pounds)                   ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Premium      Standard     Economy      Returns  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................       $13.87       $11.17        $9.95        $6.93
2...........................................................        15.21        12.46        11.19         7.40
3...........................................................        16.54        13.75        12.43         8.79
4...........................................................        17.88        15.04        13.67         9.26
5...........................................................        19.21        16.32        14.91        10.66
6...........................................................        20.55        17.61        16.15        11.12
7...........................................................        21.88        18.90        17.39        12.52
8...........................................................        23.71        20.18        18.63        12.99
9...........................................................        25.08        21.47        19.87        14.38
10..........................................................        26.63        22.76        21.11        14.85
11..........................................................        28.00        24.05        22.35        15.32
12..........................................................        29.37        25.33        23.59        16.72
13..........................................................        30.96        26.62        24.82        17.18
14..........................................................        32.34        27.91        26.06        18.58
15..........................................................        33.96        29.20        27.30        19.05
16..........................................................        35.35        30.48        28.54        20.44
17..........................................................        36.99        31.77        29.78        20.91
18..........................................................        38.66        33.06        31.02        22.31
19..........................................................        40.61        34.35        32.26        22.77
20..........................................................        42.04        35.63        33.50        24.17
21..........................................................        43.47        36.92        34.74        24.64
22..........................................................        44.90        38.21        35.98        25.10
23..........................................................        46.33        39.49        37.22        26.50
24..........................................................        47.76        40.78        38.46        26.97
25..........................................................        49.19        42.07        39.70        28.37
26..........................................................        50.62        43.36        40.94        28.83
27..........................................................        53.44        44.64        42.18        30.23
28..........................................................        54.91        45.93        43.42        30.70
29..........................................................        56.38        47.22        44.66        32.09
30..........................................................        57.85        48.51        45.90        32.56
31..........................................................        59.31        49.79        47.14        33.96
32..........................................................        60.78        51.08        48.38        34.42
33..........................................................        62.25        52.37        49.62        34.89
34..........................................................        63.72        53.65        50.86        36.29
35..........................................................        65.19        54.94        52.10        36.75
36..........................................................        66.66        56.23        53.34        38.15
37..........................................................        68.13        57.52        54.58        38.62
38..........................................................        69.59        58.80        55.82        40.02

[[Page 17080]]

                                                                                                                
39..........................................................        72.45        60.09        57.06        40.48
40..........................................................        73.94        61.38        58.30        41.88
41..........................................................        75.44        62.67        59.54        42.35
42..........................................................        76.94        63.95        60.77        43.74
43..........................................................        78.44        65.24        62.01        44.21
44..........................................................        79.93        66.53        63.25        44.68
45..........................................................        81.43        67.82        64.49        46.07
46..........................................................        82.93        69.10        65.73        46.54
47..........................................................        84.42        70.39        66.97        47.94
48..........................................................        85.92        71.68        68.21        48.40
49..........................................................        87.42        72.96        69.45        49.80
50..........................................................        88.91        74.25        70.69        50.27
51..........................................................        90.41        75.54        71.93        51.67
52..........................................................        91.91        76.83        73.17        52.13
53..........................................................        93.41        78.11        74.41        53.53
54..........................................................        94.90        79.40        75.65        54.00
55..........................................................        96.40        80.69        76.89        54.46
56..........................................................        97.90        81.98        78.13        55.86
57..........................................................        99.39        83.26        79.37        56.33
58..........................................................       100.89        84.55        80.61        57.72
59..........................................................       102.39        85.84        81.85        58.19
60..........................................................       103.89        87.13        83.09        59.59
61..........................................................       105.38        88.41        84.33        60.05
62..........................................................       106.88        89.70        85.57        61.45
63..........................................................       108.38        90.99        86.81        61.92
64..........................................................       109.87        92.27        88.05        63.32
65..........................................................       111.37        93.56        89.29        63.78
66..........................................................       112.87        94.85        90.53        64.25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for 
Japan in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding 
the following rate chart for Global Package Link, including rates for 
merchandise return service.

                                          Global Package Link to Japan                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Price per item ($)                
                  Weight not over (pounds)                   ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Premium      Standard     Economy      Returns  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................        14.35         6.64         5.43         7.20
2...........................................................        15.69         9.23         9.35         9.80
3...........................................................        17.80        13.63        13.27        12.40
4...........................................................        19.91        15.74        17.20        15.00
5...........................................................        22.02        20.14  ...........        17.60
6...........................................................        27.03        24.93  ...........        20.20
7...........................................................        29.39        29.86  ...........        22.80
8...........................................................        31.76        32.22  ...........        25.40
9...........................................................        34.12        37.15  ...........        28.00
10..........................................................        36.49        39.52  ...........        30.60
11..........................................................        38.85        41.88  ...........        33.20
12..........................................................        41.21        46.81  ...........        35.80
13..........................................................        43.58        49.17  ...........        38.40
14..........................................................        45.94        54.10  ...........        41.00
15..........................................................        48.31        56.47  ...........        43.70
16..........................................................        54.29        65.78  ...........        48.00
17..........................................................        56.82        68.32  ...........        50.70
18..........................................................        59.36        73.60  ...........        53.50
19..........................................................        61.89        76.13  ...........        56.20
20..........................................................        64.42        81.42  ...........        58.90
21..........................................................        71.42        89.55  ...........        63.90
22..........................................................        74.12        92.25  ...........        66.70
23..........................................................        76.83        97.88  ...........        69.50
24..........................................................        79.53       100.58  ...........        72.30
25..........................................................        82.23       106.22  ...........        75.10
26..........................................................        84.93       108.92  ...........        77.90
27..........................................................        87.63       114.56  ...........        80.70
28..........................................................        90.34       117.26  ...........        83.50
29..........................................................        93.04       122.89  ...........        86.30
30..........................................................        95.74       125.59  ...........        89.10
31..........................................................       104.59       139.43  ...........        91.90

[[Page 17081]]

                                                                                                                
32..........................................................       107.47       142.30  ...........        94.70
33..........................................................       110.34       145.17  ...........        97.50
34..........................................................       113.21       151.16  ...........       100.40
35..........................................................       116.08       154.03  ...........       103.20
36..........................................................       118.95       160.02  ...........       106.00
37..........................................................       121.82       162.89  ...........       108.80
38..........................................................       124.69       168.88  ...........       111.60
39..........................................................       127.56       171.75  ...........       114.40
40..........................................................       130.43       177.73  ...........       117.20
41..........................................................       141.15       191.23  ...........       120.00
42..........................................................       144.19       197.57  ...........       122.80
43..........................................................       147.23       200.61  ...........       125.60
44..........................................................       150.27       203.65  ...........       128.40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Discounts for GPL service to Japan are as follows:

a. 25,000 to 100,000 packages: 0%
b. 100,001 to 250,000 packages: 4.75%
c. 250,001 to 500,000 packages: additional 5.75%
d. 500,001 to 1,000,000 packages: additional 6.00%
e. More than 1,000,000 packages: additional 6.25%

    8. Effective April 9, 1997, the individual country listing for 
Canada is amended by removing the following Global Package Link 
information:

DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY OPTIONS, PROCESSING FACILITIES, PROCESSING AND 
ACCEPTANCE [Only the part not referring to Ground Gateway Acceptance], 
REQUIRED PACKAGE SPECIFIC INFORMATION, INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY, CATALOG 
HARMONIZATION, POSTAGE, SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS, CUSTOMS and PREPARATION 
REQUIREMENTS.

[The following items will be retained in the country page:]

PROCESSING AND ACCEPTANCE [Only the part explaining the Ground Gateway 
acceptance, including within 500 Miles and More than 500 miles.]
The Rate Chart [With the three levels of service, Air Courier, Ground 
Courier, Ground Gateway and return service rates.]
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-8861 Filed 4-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P