[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33142-33144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16004]
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POSTAL SERVICE
Changes in Domestic Mail Rates and Classifications
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Notice of implementation of changes in domestic mail rates for
Classroom Periodicals.
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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the changes in permanent rates for
Classroom Periodicals to be implemented as a result of a decision of
the Governors of the Postal Service in Docket No. MC96-2, and the
resulting changes in temporary rates for Classroom Periodicals to be
implemented concurrent with the movement to the next step of phasing.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 5, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Koetting, (202) 268-2992.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 4, 1996, pursuant to its authority
under 39 U.S.C. 3621 et seq., the Postal Service filed with the Postal
Rate Commission (PRC) a request for a recommended decision on a number
of mail classification reform proposals regarding certain types of
preferred rate mail (``Classification Reform II (Nonprofit Mail)'', PRC
Docket No. MC96-2). The PRC published a notice in the Federal Register
on April 11, 1996 (61 FR 16129-16146) describing the Postal Service's
request and offering interested parties an opportunity to intervene.
On July 19, 1996, the PRC issued its first Opinion and Recommended
Decision in Docket No. MC96-2. The PRC's recommendations very closely
tracked the Postal Service's proposals, with the exception that the
Commission deferred action on the changes proposed regarding the
Classroom subclass of Periodicals mail. On August 5, 1996, the
Governors of the Postal Service, pursuant to their authority under 39
U.S.C. 3625, approved the permanent
[[Page 33143]]
rate and classification changes recommended by the PRC at that time. 61
FR 42464-42476 (August 15, 1996). Following subsequent proceedings, the
PRC on May 14, 1997, issued its Further Opinion and Recommended
Decision in Docket No. MC96-2, which pertained exclusively to Classroom
Periodicals. On June 2, 1997, the Governors of the Postal Service
approved the permanent rates for Classroom Periodicals recommended by
the PRC. A copy of the attachment to that Decision, presenting the
permanent rate changes approved by the Governors, is set forth below.
Also on June 2, 1997, the Board of Governors of the Postal Service,
pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), determined to
implement the permanent rate changes approved by the Governors
effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9). The
Board also determined in Resolution No. 97-9 to exercise its authority
under 39 U.S.C. 3642 to establish temporary phased rates for Classroom
Periodicals for FY 1998 at Step 5 of the phasing schedule attached to
the Resolution, a copy of which is also set forth below. The Step 5
rates for Classroom Periodicals will be implemented on October 5, 1997.
Under both the new permanent and temporary rate schedules for
Classroom Periodicals, no discount will be available for ZIP+4 Letter
mail. In this respect, Classroom will join the other preferred
subclasses of Periodicals, for which the ZIP+4 letter discount category
was eliminated in the earlier portion of Docket No. MC96-2. Over the
years, only a minute portion of Classroom mail has qualified for the
ZIP+4 Letter discount.
In accordance with the Decision of the Governors and Resolution No.
97-9, the Postal Service hereby gives notice that the rate changes set
forth below will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
Attachment to the Decision of the Governors, Docket No. MC96-2
Attachment to Resolution No. 97-9
Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publication\10\
[Full Rates)\1\
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Postage rate unit (cents)
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Per Pound:
Nonadvertising position............................ Pound....................................... 14.2
Advertising portion:\9\
Delivery Office\2\............................. Pound....................................... 16.9
SCF\3\..................................... Pound....................................... 19.0
1&2........................................ Pound....................................... 21.4
3.......................................... Pound....................................... 22.4
4.......................................... Pound....................................... 25.1
5.......................................... Pound....................................... 29.2
6.......................................... Pound....................................... 33.6
7.......................................... Pound....................................... 38.8
8.......................................... Pound....................................... 43.2
Per Piece:
Less Nonadvertising Factor of\4\................... ............................................ 4.2
Required Preparation\5\............................ Piece....................................... 21.9
Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit.................. Piece....................................... 17.4
Presorted to Carrier Route......................... Piece....................................... 10.7
Discounts:
Prepared to Delivery Office\2\..................... Piece....................................... 1.2
Prepared to SCF\3\................................. Piece....................................... 0.6
High Density\6\.................................... Piece....................................... 0.7
Saturation\7\...................................... Piece....................................... 2.1
Automation Discounts for Automation Compatible Mail:
\8\
From Required:
Prebarcoded Letter Size........................ Piece....................................... 3.0
Prebarcoded Flats.............................. Piece....................................... 2.4
From 3/5 Digit:
3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size.................... Piece....................................... 2.3
5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size.................... Piece....................................... 2.3
Prebarcoded Flats.................................. Piece....................................... 2.4
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Schedule 423.4 Notes
\1\ Charges are computed by adding the appropriate per-piece charge to the sum of the nonadvertising portion and
the advertising portion, as applicable.
\2\ Applies to carrier route (including high density and saturation) mail delivered within the delivery area of
the originating post office.
\3\ Applies to mail delivered within the SCF area of the originating SCF office.
\4\ For postage calculation, multiply the proportion of nonadvertising content by this factor and subtract from
the applicable piece rate.
\5\ Mail presorted to 3-digit (other than 3-digit city), SCF, states, or mixed states.
\6\ Applicable to high density mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate.
\7\ Applicable to saturation mail, deducted from carrier route presort rate.
\8\ For automation compatible mail meeting applicable Postal Service regulations.
\9\ Not applicable to publications containing 10 percent or less advertising content.
\10\ If qualified, Classroom Mail may use Within-County rates for applicable portions of a mailing.
[[Page 33144]]
Phasing Schedule; Periodicals; Rate Schedule 423.4; Classroom Publications
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Step 5 Step 6
Postage rate unit (cents) (cents)
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Per Pound:
Nonadvertising portion....................... Pound.................................. 14.3 14.2
Advertising portion:
Delivery Office.......................... Pound.................................. 16.9 16.9
SCF.................................. Pound.................................. 19.0 19.0
1&2.................................. Pound.................................. 21.4 21.4
3.................................... Pound.................................. 22.4 22.4
4.................................... Pound.................................. 25.1 25.1
5.................................... Pound.................................. 29.2 29.2
6.................................... Pound.................................. 33.6 33.6
7.................................... Pound.................................. 38.8 38.8
8.................................... Pound.................................. 43.2 43.2
Per Piece:
Less Nonadvertising Factor of................ ....................................... 4.2 4.2
Required Preparation......................... Piece.................................. 21.1 21.9
Presorted to 3-digit city/5-digit............ Piece.................................. 16.0 17.4
Presorted to Carrier Route................... Piece.................................. 11.5 10.7
Discounts:
Prepared to Delivery Office.............. Piece.................................. 0.6 1.2
Prepared to SCF.......................... Piece.................................. 0.4 0.6
High Density............................. Piece.................................. 0.2 0.7
Saturation............................... Piece.................................. 0.8 2.1
Automation Discounts for Automation
Compatible Mail
From Required:
Prebarcoded Letter Size.............. Piece.................................. 2.0 3.0
Prebarcoded Flats.................... Piece.................................. 2.7 2.4
From 3/5 Digit:
3-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size...... Piece.................................. 1.2 2.3
5-Digit Prebarcoded Letter Size...... Piece.................................. 2.0 2.3
Prebarcoded Flats.................... Piece.................................. 1.8 2.4
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[FR Doc. 97-16004 Filed 6-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P