[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30457-30461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14571]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Domestic Mail Manual; Miscellaneous Amendments
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document describes the numerous amendments consolidated
in the Transmittal Letter for Issue 52 of the Domestic Mail Manual,
which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations,
see 39 CFR 111.1. These amendments reflect changes in mail preparation
requirements and other miscellaneous rules and regulations not
previously published in the Federal Register.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Berger, (202) 268-2859.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated
by reference in title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, part 111,
contains the basic standards of the U.S. Postal Service governing its
domestic mail services; descriptions of the mail classes and special
services and conditions governing their use; and standards for rate
eligibility and mail preparation. The document is amended and
republished about every 6 months, with each issue sequentially
numbered.
DMM Issue 52, the next edition of the DMM, is scheduled for release
on July 1, 1997. That issue will include substantive changes to the
following special services: caller service, certified mail, Express
Mail insurance, insured mail, post office box service, registered mail,
return receipt, return receipt for merchandise, and special delivery.
The final rule containing the standards for these changes was published
on May 12, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR 26086-26098), as
approved on May 5, 1997, by the Board of Governors to implement the
Decision of the
[[Page 30458]]
Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended
Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on Special Services Fees and
Classifications, Docket No. MC96-3. Those standards take effect at
12:01 a.m., June 8, 1997.
DMM Issue 52 will also include new experimental nonletter-size
business reply mail categories and fees. The final rule containing the
standards for these new categories and fees was published on May 9,
1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR 25752-25755), as approved on May
5, 1997, by the Board of Governors to implement the Decision of the
Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended
Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on the Experimental Nonletter-
Size Business Reply Mail Categories and Fees, Docket No. MC97-1.
DMM Issue 52 will include the standards for a new ancillary service
endorsement system used by mailers to request address correction,
return, and forwarding services for undeliverable-as-addressed mail.
The final rule containing the standards for this system, which takes
effect July 1, 1997, was published on March 28, 1997, in the Federal
Register (62 FR 15056-15066), with a request for further public
comments on the standards for Single-Piece Standard Mail. A subsequent
final rule was published on May 5, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR
24340-24341).
The following excerpt from section I010, Summary of Changes, of the
transmittal for DMM Issue 52 covers the minor changes not previously
described in final rules or in other interim or final rules published
in the Federal Register. Announcements of these minor changes were
first published in various issues of the Postal Bulletin, an official
biweekly document published by the Postal Service. In addition, the
revised contents of DMM Issue 52 are also presented.
Domestic Mail Manual Issue 52 Summary of Changes
Ancillary Service Endorsement Placement
Sections A010.4.2 and M012.4.0 clarify the required use and
placement of a return address on mail with an ancillary service
endorsement and expand from one to four locations on a mailpiece where
a mailer may print ancillary service endorsements. Effective February
13, 1997 (Postal Bulletin (PB) 21939 (2-13-97)).
Sections M012.4.3 and M012.4.4 relax the standards for one of the
placement locations (to the left of the postage area) and for the
clearance space (\1/4\ inch) required for ancillary service
endorsements. Effective May 22, 1997 (PB 21946 (5-22-97)).
Business Reply Mail Address Block Barcoding
Sections E060.11.4, S922.4.8, and S922.5.0 give any business reply
mail (BRM) permit holder who uses window envelopes or address labels
the option of printing ZIP+4 barcodes as part of the delivery address
block for prebarcoded BRM letter-size and flat-size pieces. Effective
March 1, 1997 (PB 21939 (2-13-97)).
Carrier Route Codes on Container Labels
Exhibit M032.1.3a footnote 2 makes the space between the one-letter
carrier route type code (for example, ``R'' for rural route, ``C'' for
carrier route) and the required three digits representing the route
number optional on barcoded sack and tray labels. Effective July 1,
1997 (PB 21946 (5-22-97)).
Express Mail Corporate Account
Section P500.2.0 ensures proper accounting procedures are in place
to reduce uncollectible Express Mail Corporate Account revenue.
Effective March 27, 1997 (PB 21942 (3-27-97)).
Section P500.2.3 changes the minimum balance that must be
maintained in an Express Mail Corporate Account to the average 1 week's
postage and fees or $100, whichever is higher. Effective April 24, 1997
(PB 21944 (4-24-97)).
FASTforwardSM
Sections E130.3.3 and E140.1.3 are amended, current sections
F030.3.0 and F030.4.0 are redesignated as sections F030.4.0 and
F030.5.0, respectively, and new section F030.3.0 is added to reflect
the introduction of FASTforwardSM, a computerized system
developed as an additional method of meeting the move update
requirement for Presorted First-Class Mail and automation rate First-
Class Mail. Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Section C830.4.1 clarifies that window envelopes processed on
multiline optical character readers (MLOCRs) using FASTforward software
must meet the FASTforward standards in section F030.3.3. Effective May
22, 1997 (PB 21946 (5-22-97)).
Internet Version of PS Form 3575
Sections A910.2.4, A910.6.2, C032.2.4, D910.2.2, D920.2.2,
F020.1.4, F030.3.2e, R900.8.3, and I021 reflect the approved use of
Internet version PS Form 3575-WWW, Change of Address Order. Effective
March 27, 1997 (PB 21942 (3-27-97)).
Label Barcode Specifications and Use
Section M031.1.4 clarifies the required information on the origin
line (Line 3) of a label. Section M031.1.6 permits the use of the City
State File for city and state abbreviations. Section M031.3.2 makes the
paper stock specifications the same for barcoded and nonbarcoded
labels. Section M032 is reorganized with amendments to the standards
and specifications for barcoded tray and sack labels. Effective
February 13, 1997 (PB 21939 (2-13-97)).
Sections M032.1.1, M032.2.1, M810.1.1, and M820.1.1 delay by 6
months the required use of barcoded tray and sack labels for automation
rate mailings. Originally slated to take effect January 1, 1997, the
date of required use is moved to July 1, 1997. Effective January 1,
1997 (PB 21935 (12-19-96)).
Label Content Lines
Sections M031.5.0, M032.1.3, M045.4.4, M073.3.2, M120.2.8,
M130.2.3, M130.3.3, M130.4.3, M130.5.4, M200.3.2, M200.4.2, M610.3.3,
M610.4.3, M610.5.8, M610.6.3, M620.3.2, M620.4.3, M630.2.7, M630.3.6,
M630.4.6, M630.6.3, M630.8.0, M810.2.3, M810.3.2, M820.2.3, M820.3.3,
M820.4.4 are amended and new exhibit M032.1.3c (later redesignated as
exhibit M032.1.3a) and new section M810.3.3 are added to reflect new
content identifier numbers (CINs) for the content line of tray and sack
labels. Also revised is the human-readable content line information for
most tray and sack labels and for some pallet labels. With these
revisions, label instructions for the content line throughout the mail
preparation sections of module M match the content line of the label
associated with a CIN in new exhibit M032.1.3c (later redesignated as
exhibit M032.1.3a). Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21937 (1-16-97)).
New exhibit M032.1.3c (later redesignated as exhibit M032.1.3a)
changes the human-readable content line for certain international mail
content identifier numbers (CINs) for barcoded tray and sack labels.
Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Labeling Instructions
Section M032.2.4f corrects the content identifier instructions for
barcoded sack labels. Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21938 (1-30-97)).
Section M120.2.3c corrects the Line 1 labeling instruction for the
Priority Mail SCF package sort level from L002,
[[Page 30459]]
Column B, to L002, Column C. Effective January 30, 1997 (PB 21938 (1-
30-97)).
Labeling Instructions for Standard Mail Mixed BMC
Sections L601, M073.3.1d, M610.6.2d, and M630.6.2d clarify and
correct labeling instructions. These amendments specify that ``MXD''
must be added to the beginning of the destination line (Line 1) of
labels in section L601 for mixed BMC sort levels. This change
standardizes the use of the term ``MXD'' on the destination line for
all types of mixed sacks, trays, and pallets. Effective July 1, 1997
(PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Sections L601, M045.4.1e, M045.4.2d, M073.3.1d, M610.6.2d, and
M630.6.2d clarify and correct labeling instructions for Standard Mail
prepared at the mixed BMC sortation level (including palletized mail).
Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21944 (4-24-97)).
Labeling List Changes
Sections L004, L102, and L801 reflect changes in mail processing
operations. Effective January 16, 1997; mandatory March 16, 1997 (PB
21937 (1-16-97)).
Sections L002, L003, L004, L005, L102, L601, L603, L604, L801, and
L803 reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective April 10,
1997; mandatory July 1, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Markings on Automation Mail
Sections M810.1.4 and M820.1.4 clarify the required markings on
letter-size and flat-size mail sent at automation rates. Effective May
22, 1997 (PB 21946 (5-22-97)).
Merchandise Return Service
Section S923.1.0 transfers standards for postage collection
originally contained in Domestic Mail Manual Transition Book (DMMT)
section 919.7. Effective January 16, 1997 (PB 21937 (1-16-97)).
Nonprofit Standard Mail Low-Cost Products
Section E670.5.10 increases from $6.75 to $6.93 the permitted
amount for low-cost products mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.
Effective January 1, 1997 (PB 21938 (1-30-97)).
Optional Endorsement Lines
Sections M013.1.1 and M013.2.6 require the appropriate 3-digit ZIP
Code prefix or 5-digit ZIP Code for the destination area distribution
center (ADC) or automated area distribution center (AADC) for optional
endorsement lines (OELs) on packages labeled to an ADC, mixed ADC,
AADC, or mixed AADC. Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Penalty Mail Detention
Section E060.5.9 transfers the standard for the detention of
penalty mail from Domestic Mail Manual Transition Book (DMMT) 137.23.
If suspected misuse of the penalty mail privileges occurs, the USPS
does not hold or delay processing the mail but contacts and refers the
matter to the affected government agency for investigation and action.
Effective January 16, 1997 (PB 21937 (1-16-97)).
Periodicals Additional Entry
Sections D230.1.1 and P200.3.0 are amended and sections E250.1.3
and E250.2.4 are removed to clarify revisions to additional entry
standards. Effective April 24, 1997 (PB 21944 (4-24-97)).
Periodicals Documentation
Sections M200.7.0, M810.4.0, M820.5.0, and P012.2.1 change from
January 1 to July 1, 1997, the date when Periodicals mailings must be
prepared with software certified under the Presort Accuracy Validation
and Evaluation (PAVE) program or prepared to meet the criteria for
standardized documentation. Effective January 1, 1997 (PB 21934 (12-5-
96)).
Sections E230.7.4, E250.1.4, E250.2.6, P012.2.2, P012.2.3,
P012.2.4, P012.2.5 and P200.1.5 are amended; section P012.3.0 is
redesignated as P012.4.0 and amended; and section E230.1.5 and new
section P012.3.0 are added, to reflect the standards for use of Presort
Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)-certified software or
standardized documentation for Periodicals. Originally scheduled to
take effect July 1, 1997 (PB 21940 (2-27-97)). A subsequent notice
postponed the effective date to August 1, 1997 (PB 21944 (4-24-97)).
Polywrapped Automation Flats Certification
Section C820.3.1 allows mailers who wish to claim automation rates
for flat-size polywrapped (plastic-covered) barcoded pieces to have
their pieces evaluated and certified by their local USPS mailpiece
design analyst (MDA). Effective March 21, 1997 (PB 21940 (2-27-97)).
Postage Meter New Indicia
Exhibit P030.4.1 adds a new postage meter indicia approved for
Neopost postage meter Model SM26. Effective May 8, 1997 (PB 21945 (5-8-
97)).
Registered Mail Additional Services
Section S911.1.5 is revised, section S911.3.9 is removed, and
section S911.3.10 is redesignated as section S911.3.9 to clarify which
additional special services are available with registered mail.
Effective April 24, 1997 (PB 21944 (4-24-97)).
Reply Mail and Special Mailing Envelopes
Section C100.5.0 is added and sections C810.8.0 and S922.4.10 are
amended and reorganized to provide mailers with specific automation
standards for business reply, meter reply, and courtesy reply mail.
Sections C010.6.0 through C010.9.0 are redesignated as sections
C010.7.0 through C010.10.0, respectively. Current sections C024.15.0
through C024.17.0 are redesignated as new sections C010.6.1 through
C010.6.3, respectively. These new sections present general mailability
standards for envelopes constructed with windows, envelopes printed
with green diamond borders, and envelopes configured as reusable
mailpieces for two-way mailing. Effective April 10, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-
10-97)).
Sexually Oriented Advertisements
Sections C032.2.0, C032.3.1, C032.4.1, C032.6.0, C033.1.0, and
C033.3.0 reflect the centralized processing of customer requests not to
receive sexually oriented advertisements. Two USPS programs help
customers protect themselves and their children against receiving
unwanted sexually oriented advertisements in the mail. G043 provides
the mailing address for the centralized processing center handling
customer requests. I021 adds new Form 1500, Application for Listing
and/or Prohibitory Order, which replaces the previously used Form 2201,
Application for Listing Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3010, and Form 2150,
Notice for Prohibitory Order Against Sender of Pandering Advertisement
in the Mails. Effective December 5, 1996 (PB 21934 (12-5-96)).
Small Flats Test
Section C820.2.3 allows mailers to claim the automation rate for
flats for flat-size pieces prepared as booklets, catalogs, and
magazines measuring at least 53/8 inches long when these pieces are no
more than 91/2 inches high. These pieces may not be enclosed in
polywrap (plastic) material. Effective July 1, 1997 (PB 21946 (5-22-
97)).
Tan Label MXD
Sections M130.2.1d, M130.4.1d, M130.5.2d, M200.2.4f, M610.3.1d,
M610.5.3d, M820.2.1d, M820.3.1d, and
[[Page 30460]]
M820.4.1d change the acronym from ``MS'' (for mixed states) to ``MXD''
(for mixed ADCs) for the tan-colored pressure-sensitive label used to
identify packages of mixed ADC mail. Effective January 1, 1997 (PB
21936 (1-2-97)).
Unnumbered Insured Articles
Sections S010.4.1 and S010.4.2 provide that a customer claim for an
unnumbered insured article lost or damaged in the mail is adjudicated
by the local post office where the claim is received. Section G043
revises the mailing address for the Office of Claims Appeals at the St.
Louis Accounting Service Center. Effective March 29, 1997 (PB 21941 (3-
13-97)).
Value Added Refunds
Section P014.4.0 clarifies authorization procedures for refunds
requested for excess postage at the time of mailing (termed value added
refunds). Effective April 10, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
Written Additions--Circulars
Section E612.2.1 clarifies that a circular may be mailed as
Standard Mail (A) even if it includes handwritten or typewritten dates
or addresses on the piece or handwritten or typewritten corrections of
typographical errors. Effective April 10, 1997 (PB 21943 (4-10-97)).
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
In consideration of the foregoing, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as
set forth below:
PART 111--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. The table at the end of Sec. 111.3(e) is amended by adding at
the end thereof a new entry to read as follows:
Sec. 111.3 Amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Register
Transmittal letter for issue Dated publication
------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.............................. July 1, 1997...... 62 FR [insert page
number]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
3. Section 111.5 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 111.5 Contents of the Domestic Mail Manual.
A--Addressing
A000 Basic Addressing
A010 General Addressing Standards
A040 Alternative Addressing Formats
A060 Detached Address Labels (DALs)
A800 Addressing for Automation
A900 Customer Support
A910 Mailing List Services
A920 Address Sequencing Services
A930 Other Services
A950 Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
C--Characteristics and Content
C000 General Information
C010 General Mailability Standards
C020 Restricted or Nonmailable Articles and Substances
C021 Articles and Substances Generally
C022 Perishables
C023 Hazardous Matter
C024 Other Restricted or Nonmailable Matter
C030 Nonmailable Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter
C031 Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter Generally
C032 Sexually Oriented Advertisements
C033 Pandering Advertisements
C050 Mail Processing Categories
C100 First-Class Mail
C200 Periodicals
C500 Express Mail
C600 Standard Mail
C800 Automation-Compatible Mail
C810 Letters and Cards
C820 Flats
C830 OCR Standards
C840 Barcoding Standards
D--Deposit, Collection, and Delivery
D000 Basic Information
D010 Pickup Service
D020 Plant Load
D030 Recall of Mail
D040 Delivery of Mail
D041 Customer Mail Receptacles
D042 Conditions of Delivery
D070 Drop Shipment
D071 Express Mail and Priority Mail
D072 Metered Mail
D100 First-Class Mail
D200 Periodicals
D210 Basic Information
D230 Additional Entry
D500 Express Mail
D600 Standard Mail
D900 Other Delivery Services
D910 Post Office Box Service
D920 Caller Service
D930 General Delivery and Firm Holdout
E--Eligibility
E000 Special Eligibility Standards
E010 Overseas Military Mail
E020 Department of State Mail
E030 Mail Sent by U.S. Armed Forces
E040 Free Matter for the Blind and Other Handicapped Persons
E050 Official Mail (Franked)
E060 Official Mail (Penalty)
E070 Mixed Classes
E080 Absentee Balloting Materials
E100 First-Class Mail
E110 Basic Standards
E120 Priority Mail
E130 Nonautomation Rates
E140 Automation Rates
E200 Periodicals
E210 Basic Standards
E211 All Periodicals
E212 Qualification Categories
E213 Periodicals Mailing Privileges
E214 Reentry
E215 Copies Not Paid or Requested by Addressee
E216 Publisher Records
E230 Nonautomation Rates
E240 Automation Rates
E250 Destination Entry
E270 Preferred Periodicals
E500 Express Mail
E600 Standard Mail
E610 Basic Standards
E611 All Standard Mail
E612 Additional Standards for Standard Mail (A)
E613 Additional Standards for Standard Mail (B)
E620 Nonautomation Nonpresort Rates
E630 Nonautomation Presort Rates
E640 Automation Rates
E650 Destination Entry
E651 Regular, Nonprofit, and Enhanced Carrier Route Standard
Mail
E652 Parcel Post
E670 Nonprofit Standard Mail
F--Forwarding and Related Services
F000 Basic Services
F010 Basic Information
F020 Forwarding
F030 Address Correction, Address Change, FASTforwardSM,
and Return Services
G--General Information
G000 The USPS and Mailing Standards
G010 Basic Business Information
G011 Post Offices and Postal Services
G013 Trademarks and Copyrights
G020 Mailing Standards
G030 Postal Zones
G040 Information Resources
G041 Postal Business Centers
G042 Rates and Classification Service Centers
G043 Address List for Correspondence
G090 Experimental Classifications and Rates
G091 Barcoded Small Parcels
G092 Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail
G900 Philatelic Services
L--Labeling Lists
L000 General Use
L002 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Matrix
L003 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--3-Digit Scheme Sortation
[[Page 30461]]
L004 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--ADC Sortation
L005 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--SCF Sortation
L100 First-Class Mail
L102 ADCs--Presorted Priority Mail
L600 Standard Mail
L601 BMCs--Machinable Parcels
L602 BMCs--DBMC Rates
L603 ADCs--Irregular Parcels
L604 Originating ADCs--Irregular Parcels
L800 Automation Rate Mailings
L801 AADCs--Letter-Size Mailings
L802 BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A)
L803 Non-BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A)
M--Mail Preparation and Sortation
M000 General Preparation Standards
M010 Mailpieces
M011 Basic Standards
M012 Markings and Endorsements
M013 Optional Endorsement Lines
M014 Carrier Route Information Lines
M020 Packages and Bundles
M030 Containers
M031 Labels
M032 Barcoded Labels
M033 Sacks and Trays
M040 Pallets
M041 General Standards
M045 Palletized Mailings
M050 Delivery Sequence
M070 Mixed Classes
M071 Basic Information
M072 Express Mail and Priority Mail Drop Shipment
M073 Combined Mailings of Standard Mail Machinable Parcels
M074 Plant Load Mailings
M100 First-Class Mail (Nonautomation)
M120 Priority Mail
M130 Presorted First-Class Mail
M200 Periodicals (Nonautomation)
M500 Express Mail
M600 Standard Mail (Nonautomation)
M610 Single--Piece and Nonautomation Standard Mail (A)
M620 Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail
M630 Standard Mail (B)
M800 All Automation Mail
M810 Letter-Size Mail
M820 Flat-Size Mail
P--Postage and Payment Methods
P000 Basic Information
P010 General Standards
P011 Payment
P012 Documentation
P013 Rate Application and Computation
P014 Refunds and Exchanges
P020 Postage Stamps and Stationery
P021 Stamped Stationery
P022 Adhesive Stamps
P023 Precanceled Stamps
P030 Postage Meters and Meter Stamps
P040 Permit Imprints
P070 Mixed Classes
P100 First-Class Mail
P200 Periodicals
P500 Express Mail
P600 Standard Mail
P700 Special Postage Payment Systems
P710 Manifest Mailing System (MMS)
P720 Optional Procedure (OP) Mailing System
P730 Alternate Mailing Systems (AMS)
P750 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS)
P760 First-Class or Standard Mail Mailings With Different Payment
Methods
R--Rates and Fees
R000 Stamps and Stationery
R100 First-Class Mail
R200 Periodicals
R500 Express Mail
R600 Standard Mail
R900 Services
S--Special Services
S000 Miscellaneous Services
S010 Indemnity Claims
S020 Money Orders and Other Services
S070 Mixed Classes
S500 Special Services for Express Mail
S900 Special Postal Services
S910 Security and Accountability
S911 Registered Mail
S912 Certified Mail
S913 Insured Mail
S914 Certificate of Mailing
S915 Return Receipt
S916 Restricted Delivery
S917 Return Receipt for Merchandise
S920 Convenience
S921 Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail
S922 Business Reply Mail (BRM)
S923 Merchandise Return Service
S930 Handling
I--Index Information
I000 Information
I010 Summary of Changes
I020 References
I021 Forms Glossary
I022 Subject Index
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-14571 Filed 6-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P