[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25515-25517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12019]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Implementation of Global Package Link Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rules with request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: Global Package Link Service (formerly known as International 
Package Consignment Service) is an international mail service designed 
for companies sending merchandise to other countries. The People's 
Republic of China (the PRC) is now being added as an additional 
destination country. To use Global Package Link (GPL) Service, a 
customer is required to mail at least 10,000 packages a year to GPL 
destination countries and agree to link its information systems with 
the information systems of the Postal Service. This linkage is 
necessary so that the Postal Service can extract certain information 
about the contents of the customer's packages for customs clearance and 
other purposes. One level of service will be offered to customers for 
the PRC. Service will be available only to the cities of Beijing, 
Guangzhou, and Shanghai. 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 June 9, 1997. Comments must 
be received on or before June 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
International Business Unit, 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 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Michelson at the above address, 
(202) 268-5731, or Marc B. Solnick at the above address, (202) 268-
3916.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    In late 1994, with implementation of International Package 
Consignment Service, later renamed Global Package Link (GPL), 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, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, and Germany as 
destination countries for qualifying customers. The Postal Service is 
hereby further expanding GPL by adding the People's Republic of China 
(the PRC) as a destination country for qualifying customers.

II. GPL to the People's Republic of China

A. Qualifying Criteria

    A customer wishing to use GPL to the PRC will be required to enter 
into a service agreement with the Postal Service providing for the 
following. First, the customer must commit to mail at least 10,000 GPL 
packages a year. (Volumes to all GPL countries are counted toward this 
minimum.) 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 agree to link its information systems with the 
information systems of the Postal Service so that the Postal Service 
and the customer can exchange data transmissions concerning the 
customer's packages. The Postal Service must be able to extract, on an 
as-needed basis, certain information about the packages 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 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

[[Page 25516]]

to provide user-friendly tracking and tracing.
    Arrangements between the Postal Service and the customer that are 
technical in nature may also 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 exception 
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 customer.
    If the plant at which the customer's GPL packages originate is 
located more than 500 miles from a GPL processing facility, the 
customer may 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 customer, and 
will transport the packages to a designated GPL processing facility for 
dispatch.

C. Customs Forms

    Normally, Postal Service computer workstations will automatically 
generate all necessary Chinese customs forms. Packages mailed to the 
PRC through a GPL facility will not be required to bear customs forms 
when they are tendered to the Postal Service. As part of the processing 
operation at the GPL processing facility, the Postal Service will scan 
the customer-printed barcode on each package, correlate the barcode 
with the package-specific information transmitted by the customer, and 
print the necessary customs/GPL labels. The Postal Service will then 
affix the labels to the customer's packages. If the customer is more 
than 500 miles from a designated GPL facility and chooses option two, 
then the customs/GPL labels will be affixed by the customer using 
Postal Service provided workstations.

D. Customs Clearance

    The Postal Service has developed the Customs Pre-Advisory System 
(CPAS) as part of GPL processing. As the packages are processed, this 
electronic system collects the package-specific data necessary to 
satisfy customs requirements. CPAS uses the USPS computer workstations 
located at a GPL facility. The system electronically advises both the 
USPS delivery agent and the customs agency 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 
Chinese 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. The USPS delivery agent in the PRC will collect customs fees 
and any other taxes from the recipient of the shipment.

E. Delivery Options

    The only delivery option the Postal Service offers to the PRC is 
Premium Service. To provide consistent service, the USPS offers GPL 
only to the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. The Premium 
Service option includes home delivery. The weight limit for packages is 
70 pounds. The sum of the length and the greatest circumference 
measured in a direction other than the length shall not exceed 118 
inches. The maximum size for any one dimension is 59 inches. The 
Premium Service provides tracking.
    The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's 
plant, or from the designated GPL processing facility, to the PRC, 
where the packages will receive expeditious customs clearance and be 
released to the delivery agent. Once the delivery agent receives the 
packages, they will be delivered in from one to two days. Normal 
delivery times will be 4 to 5 business days from dispatch from the U. 
S. to final delivery. Insurance up to $500 is included at no additional 
cost.
    The Postal Service intends to expand this service to other areas in 
the PRC outside the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. This 
will proceed 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 
the destination areas needed in the PRC.

F. Rates

    The base rates for GPL service to the PRC are set forth below. The 
Postal Service will charge the base rates, in one pound increments, for 
all packages mailed to the PRC.

   Global Package Link to the People's Republic of China Rate Chart *   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Rate  (all  
             Weight not to exceed  (pounds)                  volumes)   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................           12.75
2.......................................................           15.50
3.......................................................           18.30
4.......................................................           21.10
5.......................................................           26.85
6.......................................................           29.65
7.......................................................           32.45
8.......................................................           35.20
9.......................................................           38.00
10......................................................           40.80
11......................................................           43.60
12......................................................           46.40
13......................................................           49.20
14......................................................           51.95
15......................................................           54.75
16......................................................           57.55
17......................................................           60.35
18......................................................           63.15
19......................................................           65.95
20......................................................           68.70
21......................................................           71.50
22......................................................           74.30
23......................................................           77.10
24......................................................           79.90
25......................................................           82.70
26......................................................           85.45
27......................................................           88.25
28......................................................           91.05
29......................................................           93.85
30......................................................           96.65
31......................................................           99.45
32......................................................          102.20
33......................................................          105.00
34......................................................          107.80
35......................................................          110.60
36......................................................          113.40
37......................................................          116.20
38......................................................          118.95
39......................................................          121.75
40......................................................          124.55
41......................................................          127.35
42......................................................          130.15
43......................................................          132.95
44......................................................          135.70
45......................................................          138.50
46......................................................          141.30
47......................................................          144.10
48......................................................          146.90
49......................................................          149.70
50......................................................          152.45
51......................................................          155.25
52......................................................          158.05
53......................................................          160.85

[[Page 25517]]

                                                                        
54......................................................          163.65
55......................................................          166.45
56......................................................          169.25
57......................................................          172.00
58......................................................          174.80
59......................................................          177.60
60......................................................          180.40
61......................................................          183.20
62......................................................          186.00
63......................................................          188.75
64......................................................          191.55
65......................................................          194.35
66......................................................          197.15
67......................................................          199.95
68......................................................          202.75
69......................................................          205.50
70......................................................          208.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Service to the People's Republic of China is limited to the cities of 
  Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.                                     

III. Conclusion

    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts GPL service to the 
PRC, on an interim basis, at the rates set forth in the schedules 
above. 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 rule making (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 June 9, 1997, subchapter 620 of the International Mail 
Manual Issue 17 is amended as follows:

6  Special Programs

* * * * *

620  Global Package Link

* * * * *


621.3  Availability.

    Global Package Link service is available only to Brazil, Canada, 
Chile, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of 
China. Service to the People's Republic of China is limited to the 
cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
* * * * *


623.3  Size and Weight Limits.

    The weight limits for Global Package Link service are 70 pounds for 
Chile, Germany, and the People's Republic of China; 66 pounds for 
Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom; and 44 pounds for Japan for 
Premium service and 6 pounds for Standard service.
    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; maximum size for the People's Republic of China for any one 
dimension is 59 inches; the sum of the length and the greatest 
circumference measured in a direction other than the length shall not 
exceed 118 inches; Japan Standard packages weighing less than 1 pound, 
the maximum length is 24 inches with a height and depth and length 
combined maximum of 36 inches. All packages must be large enough to 
accommodate the necessary labels and customs forms on the address side.
* * * * *


626.432  Japan and the People's Republic of China.

    In Japan and the People's Republic of China, any customs duties and 
fees will be collected from the recipient at the time of delivery.
* * * * *
    Amend the Individual Country Listing for China by adding the 
following information about Global Package Link to the end of the 
listing:

China, People's Republic of Country Page Global Package Link Rate Chart*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Rate  (all  
             Weight not to exceed  (pounds)                  volumes)   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................................           12.75
2.......................................................           15.50
3.......................................................           18.30
4.......................................................           21.10
5.......................................................           26.85
6.......................................................           29.65
7.......................................................           32.45
8.......................................................           35.20
9.......................................................           38.00
10......................................................           40.80
11......................................................           43.60
12......................................................           46.40
13......................................................           49.20
14......................................................           51.95
15......................................................           54.75
16......................................................           57.55
17......................................................           60.35
18......................................................           63.15
19......................................................           65.95
20......................................................           68.70
21......................................................           71.50
22......................................................           74.30
23......................................................           77.10
24......................................................           79.90
25......................................................           82.70
26......................................................           85.45
27......................................................           88.25
28......................................................           91.05
29......................................................           93.85
30......................................................           96.65
31......................................................           99.45
32......................................................          102.20
33......................................................          105.00
34......................................................          107.80
35......................................................          110.60
36......................................................          113.40
37......................................................          116.20
38......................................................          118.95
39......................................................          121.75
40......................................................          124.55
41......................................................          127.35
42......................................................          130.15
43......................................................          132.95
44......................................................          135.70
45......................................................          138.50
46......................................................          141.30
47......................................................          144.10
48......................................................          146.90
49......................................................          149.70
50......................................................          152.45
51......................................................          155.25
52......................................................          158.05
53......................................................          160.85
54......................................................          163.65
55......................................................          166.45
56......................................................          169.25
57......................................................          172.00
58......................................................          174.80
59......................................................          177.60
60......................................................          180.40
61......................................................          183.20
62......................................................          186.00
63......................................................          188.75
64......................................................          191.55
65......................................................          194.35
66......................................................          197.15
67......................................................          199.95
68......................................................          202.75
69......................................................          205.50
70......................................................          208.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Service to the People's Republic of China is limited to the cities of 
  Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.                                     

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-12019 Filed 5-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P