[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47394-47399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23738]



[[Page 47394]]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR part 20


International Surface Air Lift Service; Proposed Changes

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes to change the postage rates and 
conditions of service for International Surface Air Lift Service 
(ISAL). In addition to adjusting rates, the Postal Service proposes to 
establish a minimum weight for direct country sacks, establish separate 
direct shipment rates, implement new sortation requirements, and impose 
a maximum on the amount of unsorted mail contained in an ISAL mailing. 
There will no longer be a restricted number of acceptance offices. ISAL 
mailings may be deposited at any post office where bulk mail is 
accepted.

DATES: Comments on the proposed changes must be received on or before 
October 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be directed to the Manager, 
International Pricing, Costing, and Classification, Room 370-IBU, 
International Business Unit, U.S. Postal Service, Washington, DC 20260-
6500. Copies of all written comments will be available for public 
inspection between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the 
International Business Unit, 10th Floor, 901 D Street SW, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Michelson, (202) 268-5731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) is a 
bulk mailing service for international shipment of publications, 
advertising mail, catalogs, directories, books, other printed matter, 
and small packets. The service is available to approximately 125 
countries. To use ISAL, a mailer must send at least 50 pounds of these 
items at one time, presorted by country of destination. Identical piece 
mailings are not required to qualify. Postage for ISAL is calculated 
according to a rate structure including both per-piece and per-pound 
elements with destination countries separated into four rate groups. A 
discount is given to ISAL mail tendered at the Dropship ISAL Service 
Centers (Dropship ISC) (formerly called gateway airport mail 
facilities) at New York (JFK), San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami, or 
when direct shipment (750 pounds or more to a single destination) can 
be arranged from the acceptance city. An additional discount is 
available for M-bags (printed matter to a single addressee).
    The Postal Service reviewed the current ISAL service and is making 
changes to ISAL preparation requirements that will reduce operating 
costs. The Postal Service also proposes rate discounts based on the 
place of mailing, the availability of transportation, and the volume of 
mail. The Postal Service believes these changes make the service 
available to more users at more convenient locations and still will 
cover the cost of providing the service with a reasonable contribution 
to institutional costs. The Postal Service proposed the change to ISAL 
as described below.

Minimum Weight

    Currently there is no required minimum amount of mail per sack 
prepared by the mailer. The mailer merely places the mail for a 
particular country in a mail sack and labels the sack to that country. 
This has resulted in an unacceptable number of sacks containing small 
amounts of mail. In some cases the sack itself weighed more than the 
mail in the sack. This resulted in an excessive number of sacks, higher 
transportation costs, and complaints from other postal administrations. 
Therefore, the Postal Service proposes a minimum weight of 11 pounds (5 
kilograms) for direct country sacks prepared by mailers. When there is 
less than 11 pounds but 10 or more pieces (a package) the mailer will 
prepare this mail in a mixed country package rate group sack. This mail 
will be entitled to the ISAL rate as if it had been placed in the 
direct country sack. Generally, when there are less than 10 pieces to a 
country, this mail will be prepared in ``residual'' sacks by rate 
group. Residual mail cannot exceed 10%, by weight, of the rest of the 
mailing.

Acceptance Cities

    Since the inception of ISAL, the Postal Service has limited the 
number of cities where ISAL mailings could be deposited. This was 
intended to reduce the cost of maintaining an extensive transportation 
network, but many customers not located near an acceptance point could 
not use ISAL. The Postal Service proposes a Full Service rate that will 
be available from all post offices where bulk mail is accepted and will 
make ISAL accessible to all customers. Mailers may still mail at the 
lower Dropship ISC Rate by tendering their mail to a Dropship ISC.

Volume Discount

    The Postal Service proposes discounts based on the amount of 
postage spent by a mailer in the preceding postal fiscal year. For 
example, a mailer spending $2 million or more for ISAL during postal 
fiscal year 1996 (September 16, 1995--September 13, 1996) will receive 
a 5 percent discount on ISAL mailings made during the next fiscal year, 
1997 (September 14, 1996--September 12, 1997). Mailers spending over $5 
million receive a 10 percent discount and a 15% discount for over $10 
million. These discounts apply to Full Service, Direct Shipment, and 
Dropship ISC Rates. The discount is calculated on the mailing 
statement.

Direct Shipment Rates

    Direct Shipment rates are still available for mailers tendering 750 
pounds or more to one country at any office from which the Postal 
Service can obtain direct transportation to the destination country. 
However, a new rate schedule has been developed for this service to 
reflect current costs.
    Although 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 public comment at the above address.
    The Postal Service proposes to amend part 246 of 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

    Foreign relations, Incorporation by reference, International postal 
services.

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, 407, 408.

    2. The International Mail Manual will be amended to incorporate 
part 246, International Surface Air Lift Service as follows:

246  International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service

246.1  Definition

    International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) is a bulk mailing system that 
provides fast, economical international delivery of publications, 
advertising mail, catalogs, directories, books, other printed matter, 
and small packets. The cost is lower than airmail and the service is 
faster than surface mail. ISAL shipments are flown to the foreign 
destinations and entered into that country's surface or non-priority 
mail system for delivery.

[[Page 47395]]

246.2  Qualifying Mail and Minimum Quantity Requirements

    Only printed matter as defined in 241 and small packets as defined 
in 260 that meet all applicable mailing standards may be sent in this 
service. There is a minimum volume requirement of 50 pounds per mailing 
except for the Direct Shipment option, which requires a minimum 750 
pounds to a single country destination. Small packets may not be 
enclosed in M-bags and do not qualify for the Full Service, Direct 
Shipment, or Dropship ISC M-bag Rates. Mail is prepared as (1) direct 
country sacks when there are 11 pounds or more to a single country or 
required country separation; (2) mixed country package sacks when there 
are 10 or more pieces to a single country, but less than 11 pounds; and 
(3) residual mail when there is less than 10 pieces to a single 
country. Residual mail not exceeding 10%, by weight, of the mail 
presented in direct country sacks and mixed country package sacks 
qualifies for the appropriate ISAL rate (Full Service, Direct Shipment, 
or Dropship ISC).

246.3  Service Options

246.31  Availability

    ISAL service is available to the foreign countries listed in 
exhibit 246.71 from all post offices where bulk mail is accepted and 
from the Dropship ISCs listed in 246.32.

246.32  Dropship ISAL International Service Centers

    ISAL deposited at the following Dropship ISAL International 
Services Centers qualify for the Dropship ISC rates shown in 246.71:

AMC JFK BUILDING 250, JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JAMAICA NY 11430-9998
SAN FRANCISCO P&DC, 1300 EVANS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94188
AMC SAN FRANCISCO*, BLDG 660 RD 6, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94158-9998
MIAMI P&DC, 2200 NORTHWEST 72 AVE, MIAMI FL 33152
AMC MIAMI*, MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MIAMI FL 33159-9998
CHICAGO O'HARE DROPSHIP ISAL SERVICE CENTER,
INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING CENTER ANNEX, 3333 N MOUNT PROSPECT RD, 
FRANKLIN PARK IL 60131.

    * Plant verified mail is taken directly to these facilities by 
the mailer.

246.4  Special Services

    The special services described in Chapter 3 are not available for 
items sent by ISAL.

246.5  Customs Documentation

    See 244.6 and 264.5 for the requirements for customs forms.

246.6  Permits

    Mailers depositing mail at a Dropship ISC must maintain an advance 
deposit account at that city if postage is paid by advance deposit 
account.

246.7  Postage

246.71  Rates

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Full service per lb.     Direct shipment per lb.    Dropship ISC per lb.  
                          Rate group                            Per piece  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Regular      M-bag *      Regular      M-bag *      Regular      M-bag *  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................         $.25        $3.10        $2.50        $2.35        $1.75        $2.10        $1.50
2............................................................          .10         4.10         2.70         3.35         1.95         3.10         1.70
3............................................................          .10         3.95         3.00         3.20         2.25         2.95         2.00
4............................................................          .10         6.25         4.25         5.50         3.50         5.25        3.25 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Small packets may not be mailed at these rates.                                                                                                       

    See exhibit 246.71 for network countries and individual rates.

246.711  Full Service Rates

    ISAL mailings presented at any post office which accepts bulk mail, 
other than a Dropship ISC listed in 246.32, and not eligible for the 
direct shipment rate are paid at the Full Service rates. Postage for 
regular ISAL is paid on a per piece and a per pound basis. M-bags are 
subject to the M-bag pound rate only. Small packets are ineligible for 
the M-bag rates and may not be included in M-bags.

246.712  Direct Shipment Rates

    Mailers are eligible for the direct shipment rates from the 
acceptance post office (except Dropship ISCs) when the Postal Service 
is able to arrange direct transportation from the origin office to the 
destination country. To qualify, mailers must present a minimum of 750 
pounds to each destination country. Mailers must contact the post 
office of mailing at least 14 days before the first desired mailing 
date. A postal employee must complete PS Form 3655 and fax it to the 
distribution network office (DNO) to obtain a contract for 
transportation. If the DNO cannot arrange direct transportation, the 
direct shipment rate does not apply. The Postal Service may cancel 
direct shipment rates and service when direct transportation is no 
longer available.

246.713  Dropship ISC Rates

    ISAL mailings transported by the mailer to the Dropship ISC's 
listed in 246.32 are eligible for the Dropship ISC rate.

246.714  Volume Discount

    Mailers who spend $2 million or more on ISAL in the preceding 
postal fiscal year may receive discounts off the rates shown in 246.71, 
as follows:
    a. $2 million to $5 million: 5% discount
    b. over $5 million to $10 million: 10% discount
    c. over $10 million: 15% discount
    Mailers entitled to these discounts must place the full per piece 
rate on each piece of mail if payment is by postage meter or mailer-
precanceled stamps. The discount is calculated on the statement of 
mailing.

               Exhibit 246.71.--International Surface Air Lift Service Network Countries and Rates              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Country                               City                         Code              Rate group
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albania..................................  Tirana......................  TIA                                   1
Algeria..................................  Algiers.....................  ALG                                   4
Angola...................................  Luanda......................  LAD                                   4
Argentina................................  Buenos Aires................  BUE                                   2

[[Page 47396]]

                                                                                                                
Aruba....................................  Oranjestad..................  AUA                                   2
Australia................................  Sydney......................  SYD                                   3
Austria..................................  Vienna......................  VIE                                   1
Bahrain..................................  Bahrain.....................  BAH                                   4
Bangladesh...............................  Dhaka.......................  DAC                                   4
Belgium..................................  Brussels....................  BRU                                   1
Belize...................................  Belize City.................  BZE                                   2
Benin....................................  Cotonou.....................  COO                                   4
Bolivia..................................  La Paz......................  LPB                                   2
Brazil...................................  Rio de Janeiro..............  RIO                                   2
Bulgaria.................................  Sofia.......................  SOF                                   1
Burkina Faso.............................  Ouagadougou.................  OUA                                   4
Burundi \1\..............................  Bujumbara...................  BJM                                   4
Cameroon.................................  Douala......................  DLA                                   4
Central African Republic.................  Bangui......................  BGF                                   4
Chile....................................  Santiago....................  SCL                                   2
China....................................  Beijing (Peking)............  PEK                                   3
Colombia.................................  Bogota......................  BOG                                   2
Congo, Dem. Rep. of......................  Kinshasa....................  FIH                                   4
Congo, Rep. of \1\.......................  Brazzaville.................  BZV                                   4
Costa Rica...............................  San Jose....................  SJO                                   2
Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory)....................  Abidjan.....................  ABJ                                   4
Cuba.....................................  Havana......................  HAV                                   2
Czech Republic...........................  Prague......................  PRG                                   1
Denmark..................................  Copenhagen..................  CPH                                   1
Dominican Republic.......................  Santo Domingo...............  SDQ                                   2
Ecuador..................................  Guayaquil...................  GYE                                   2
Egypt....................................  Cairo.......................  CAI                                   4
El Salvador..............................  San Salvador................  SAL                                   2
Ethiopia.................................  Addis Ababa.................  ADD                                   4
Fiji.....................................  Nadi........................  NAN                                   3
Finland..................................  Helsinki....................  HEL                                   1
France...................................  Paris.......................  PAR                                   1
French Guiana............................  Cayenne.....................  CAY                                   2
Gabon....................................  Libreville..................  LBV                                   4
Germany..................................  Frankfurt...................  FRA                                   1
Ghana....................................  Accra.......................  ACC                                   4
Great Britain............................  London......................  LON                                   1
Greece...................................  Athens......................  ATH                                   1
Guatemala................................  Guatemala City..............  GUA                                   2
Guyana...................................  Georgetown..................  GEO                                   2
Haiti....................................  Port-au-Prince..............  PAP                                   2
Honduras.................................  Tegucigalpa.................  TGU                                   2
Hong Kong................................  Hong Kong...................  HKG                                   3
Hungary..................................  Budapest....................  BUD                                   1
Iceland..................................  Reykjavik...................  REK                                   1
India....................................  Mumbai......................  BOM                                   4
Indonesia................................  Jakarta.....................  JKT                                   3
Iran.....................................  Tehran......................  THR                                   4
Ireland..................................  Dublin......................  DUB                                   1
Israel...................................  Tel Aviv....................  TLV                                   4
Italy....................................  Rome........................  ROM                                   1
Jamaica..................................  Kingston....................  KIN                                   2
Japan \2\................................  Tokyo.......................  TYO                                   3
Japan \2\................................  Osaka.......................  OSA                                   3
Jordan...................................  Amman.......................  AMM                                   4
Kenya....................................  Nairobi.....................  NBO                                   4
Korea, Rep. of (South)...................  Seoul.......................  SEL                                   3
Kuwait...................................  Kuwait City.................  KWI                                   4
Lebanon..................................  Beirut......................  BEY                                   4
Liechtenstein............................  Basel.......................  BSL                                   1
Luxembourg...............................  Luxembourg..................  LUX                                   1
Madagascar...............................  Antananariva................  TNR                                   4
Malaysia.................................  Kuala Lumpur................  KUL                                   3
Mali.....................................  Bamako......................  BKO                                   4
Mauritania...............................  Nouakchott..................  NKC                                   4
Mauritius................................  Port Louis..................  MRU                                   4
Mexico...................................  Mexico City.................  MEX                                   2
Morocco..................................  Casablanca..................  CAS                                   4
Mozambique...............................  Maputo......................  MPM                                   4
Netherlands..............................  Amsterdam...................  AMS                                   1
Netherlands Antilles.....................  Curacao.....................  CUR                                   2

[[Page 47397]]

                                                                                                                
New Zealand..............................  Auckland....................  AKL                                   3
Nicaragua................................  Managua.....................  MGA                                   2
Niger....................................  Niamey......................  NIM                                   4
Nigeria..................................  Lagos.......................  LOS                                   4
Norway...................................  Oslo........................  OSL                                   1
Oman.....................................  Muscat......................  MCT                                   4
Pakistan.................................  Karachi.....................  KHI                                   4
Panama...................................  Panama City.................  PTY                                   2
Papua New Guinea.........................  Port Moresby................  POM                                   3
Paraguay.................................  Asuncion....................  ASU                                   2
Peru.....................................  Lima........................  LIM                                   2
Philippines..............................  Manila......................  MNL                                   3
Poland...................................  Warsaw......................  WAW                                   1
Portugal.................................  Lisbon......................  LIS                                   1
Qatar....................................  Doha........................  DOH                                   4
Reunion Island...........................  St Denis....................  RUN                                   4
Romania..................................  Bucharest...................  BUH                                   1
Russia...................................  Moscow......................  MOW                                   1
San Marino...............................  Rome........................  ROM                                   1
Saudi Arabia.............................  Dhahran.....................  DHA                                   4
Senegal..................................  Dakar.......................  DKR                                   4
Serbia-Montenegro \1\....................  Belgrade....................  BEG                                   1
Sierra Leone \1\.........................  Freetown....................  FNA                                   4
Singapore................................  Singapore...................  SIN                                   3
Somalia \1\..............................  Mogadishu...................  MEQ                                   4
South Africa.............................  Johannesburg................  JNB                                   4
Spain \3\................................  Madrid......................  MAD                                   1
Sri Lanka................................  Colombo.....................  CMB                                   4
Sudan....................................  Khartoum....................  KRT                                   4
Suriname.................................  Paramaribo..................  PBM                                   2
Sweden...................................  Stockholm...................  STO                                   1
Switzerland..............................  Basel.......................  BSL                                   1
Syria....................................  Damascus....................  DAM                                   4
Taiwan...................................  Taipei......................  TPE                                   3
Tanzania.................................  Dar es Salaam...............  DAR                                   4
Thailand.................................  Bangkok.....................  BKK                                   3
Togo.....................................  Lome........................  LFW                                   4
Trinidad and Tobago......................  Port of Spain...............  POS                                   2
Tunisia..................................  Tunis.......................  TUN                                   4
Turkey...................................  Istanbul....................  IST                                   1
Uganda...................................  Kampala.....................  KLA                                   4
United Arab Emirates.....................  Dubai.......................  DXB                                   4
Uruguay..................................  Montevideo..................  MVD                                   2
Venezuela................................  Caracas.....................  CCS                                   2
Yemen....................................  Sanaa.......................  SAH                                   4
Zambia...................................  Ndola.......................  NLA                                   4
Zimbabwe.................................  Harare......................  HRE                                  4 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:                                                                                                          
\1\ Service currently suspended.                                                                                
\2\ To expedite service, Japan Post has requested that ISAL shipments to Japan be separated by two destination  
  delivery zones as follow: Osaka (OSA) for postal codes 52-79, 91, and Tokyo (TYO) for all other postal codes. 
\3\ Including the Canary Islands.                                                                               

246.72  Payment Methods

246.721  Postage Meter, Permit Imprint, or Precanceled Stamps

    Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or mailer-
precanceled stamps. Postage is computed on PS Form 3650, Statement of 
Mailing--International Surface Air Lift. PS Form 3650 is required for 
all ISAL mailings.

246.722  Piece Rate

    The applicable per piece postage must be affixed to each piece 
(except M-bags, see 246.723) by meter or mailer-precanceled stamps, 
unless postage is paid by permit imprint. Mailers may use a permit 
imprint only with identical weight pieces unless authorized under the 
postage mailing systems in DMM P710, P720, or P730. Any of the permit 
imprints for printed matter shown in exhibit 152.3 are acceptable.

246.723  Pound Rate

    Postage for the pound rate portion must be paid either by meter 
stamp(s) attached to the finance copy of the mailing statement or from 
the mailer's advance deposit account.

246.8  Weight and Size Limits

    Any item sent by ISAL must conform to the weight and size limits 
for the types of printed matter described in 243 or for small packets 
in 263.

246.9  Preparation Requirements

246.91  Addressing

    See 122.

246.92  Marking

    Items must be endorsed with the appropriate markings as shown in 
244.2 for printed matter and in 264.2 for small packets. For 
publishers' periodicals

[[Page 47398]]

(Periodicals Mail), the imprint authorized under 244.211c(2) or 
244.211c(3) may be used in place of the ``PRINTED MATTER--`` 
PERIODICALS'' endorsement. Individual items paid by meter postage or 
mailer-precanceled stamps must be endorsed ``International Surface Air 
Lift'' or ``ISAL.''

246.93  Sealing and Packaging

    Printed matter must be prepared to protect the contents and permit 
easy inspection. If not contained in envelopes or wrappers, folded 
items must have the open edges secured by tape, tabs, or wafer seals of 
sufficient quantity and strength to keep the items from opening during 
postal handling.

246.94  Makeup Requirements for ISAL

246.941  Packaging

    All ISAL mail must be prepared in packages within sacks as 
appropriate. Packages and sacks must be prepared and labeled as 
described below. All mail pieces in a package must be ``faced'' in the 
same direction (i.e., arranged so that the addresses read in the same 
direction, with an address visible on the top piece). Pieces that 
cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics may be 
placed loose in the sack.
    Packages of letter-size mail should be no thicker than 
approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches). Packages of flat-size 
mail may be thicker than 6 inches but should not weigh more than 20 
pounds. Each package must be securely tied. Placing rubber bands around 
the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing 
packages of letter-size mail. Plastic strapping placed around the 
length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing packages 
of flat-size mail.
    a. Direct Country Packages. When there are 10 or more pieces to the 
same country, such pieces must be prepared as a direct country package. 
If there are less than 11 pounds of mail to the same country, then the 
direct country package must be labeled with a facing slip showing the 
destination country or country separation. The facing slip must be 
placed on the address side of the top piece of each package in such a 
manner that it will not become separated from the package. (The 
pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used 
domestically for presort mail are prohibited for International Surface 
Airlift Mail.)
    b. Residual Packages. If there is not enough mail to prepare a 
direct country package (less than 10 pieces), the mail is considered 
residual mail. When there are less than 10 pieces to the same country, 
then such pieces should be combined in packages with other mail for 
countries within the same rate group that similarly have fewer than 10 
pieces. Such mixed country packages must be labeled with a facing slip 
marked ``Residual--Rate Group ______''. The designated rate group 
(1,2,3, or 4) must be inserted as appropriate. The facing slip must be 
placed on the address side of the top piece of each package in such a 
manner that it will not become separated from the package. The 
pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used 
domestically for presort mail are prohibited for International Surface 
Airlift Mail.
    Exception: When there are fewer than 10 pieces to the same country 
which combined weigh more than 11 pounds, the pieces should be packaged 
together as a direct country package and placed in a direct country 
sack. This mail is not considered ``residual.'' Pieces that cannot be 
bundled because of their physical characteristics may be placed loose 
in the sack.
    Sacking.
    Once packages of ISAL mail are prepared, the packages are then 
placed into one of three types of designated sacks as follows:
    a. Direct Country Sack. Prepare a direct country sack if there are 
at least 11 pounds of mail to the same country. The mail must be 
packaged and enclosed in a gray plastic ISAL sack and labeled to the 
country with Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail. The maximum weight of a 
direct country sack must not exceed 66 pounds.
    b. Mixed Country Package Sack. Prepare a mixed country package sack 
for direct country packages where there is less than 11 pounds of mail 
to the same country. The mail must be packaged as direct country 
packages, identified with a facing slip showing the destination country 
or country separation, and enclosed in a green pouch appropriately 
labeled to the dropship ISAL service center. Tag 155, Surface Airlift 
Mail, must also be attached to the sack. Prepare a mixed country 
package sack for each of the respective rate groups for which there is 
a direct country package and label as follows:

Rate group 1--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate group 2--AMC Miami 33159
Rate group 3--AMC San Francisco 941
Rate group 4--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003

    c. Residual Sack. Prepare a residual sack for those packages of 
mail that contain less than 10 pieces to any one country (residual 
packages). The mail must be packaged as residual packages, 
appropriately identified with a facing slip, and enclosed in a green 
pouch appropriately labeled to the dropship ISAL service center. Tag 
155, Surface Airlift Mail, must also be attached to the sack. You must 
prepare a residual sack for each of the respective rate groups for 
which there is a residual package and label it as follows:

Rate group 1--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate group 2--AMC Miami 33159
Rate group 3--AMC San Francisco 941
Rate group 4--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003

246.943  Sack Labeling

    a. Direct Country Sack. For a direct country sack, use a gray 
plastic ISAL sack. Use Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, to label each 
sack with the destination country's name. Mailers must complete four 
blocks on Tag 155:
    1. To (Pour) Block: enter the name of the ISAL country foreign 
exchange office, its three-letter exchange office code, and the 
country's name. See Exhibit A for the name of the foreign exchange 
office and its three-letter exchange office code. As an example, for 
Japan, this block will be one of two options, as follows:

Osaka  OAS  Japan  (for postal codes 52-79 and 91)
Tokyo  TYO  Japan  (for all other postal codes)

    2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter your 10-digit ISAL permit or 
customer identification number.
    3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined weight of the sack and its 
contents in kilograms (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).
    4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on PS Form 3650, Statement of 
Mailing--International Surface Air Lift.
    After completing the above items on Tag 155, attach it to the neck 
of the sack.
    b. Mixed Country Package Sack. For a mixed country package sack, 
use a domestic green nylon pouch and label it to the appropriate 
dropship ISAL service center as follows:

Rate group 1--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate group 2--AMC Miami 33159
Rate group 3--AMC San Francisco 941
Rate group 4--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003

    Labels are prepared as follows:

    Content:

Line 1: Dropship ISAL Service Center
Line 2: ISAL DRX
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

    Example:

AMC KENNEDY--JFK 003
ISAL DRX
ABC COMPANY, NEW YORK, NY

    For the mixed country package sack label, use Content 
Identification Number (CIN) 753.
    In addition, use Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, to label each sack 
with the

[[Page 47399]]

appropriate dropship ISAL service center. Mailers must complete four 
blocks on Tag 155:
    To (Pour) Block: enter the name of the dropship ISAL service center 
and rate group:

AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate Group 1

AMC Miami 33159
Rate Group 2

AMC San Francisco 941
Rate Group 3

AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate Group 4

    2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter your 10-digit ISAL permit or 
customer identification number.
    3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined weight of the sack and its 
contents in kilograms (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).
    4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on PS Form 3650, Statement of 
Mailing--International Surface Air Lift.
    After completing the above items on Tag 155, attach it to the sack.
    Residual Sack. For a residual sack, use a domestic green nylon 
pouch and label it to the appropriate dropship ISAL service center as 
follows:

Rate group 1--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003

Rate group 2--AMC Miami 33159
Rate group 3--AMC San Francisco 941
Rate group 4--AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
    Labels are prepared as follows:
    Content:

Line 1: Dropship ISAL Service Center
Line 2: ISAL WKG
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

    Example:

AMC KENNEDY--JFK 003
ISAL WKG
ABC COMPANY, NEW YORK, NY

    For the residual sack label, use Content Identification Number 
(CIN) 754.
    In addition, use Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, to label each sack 
with the appropriate dropship ISAL service center. Mailers must 
complete three blocks on Tag 155:
    To (Pour) Block: enter the name of the dropship ISAL service center 
and rate group:

AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate Group 1

AMC Miami 33159
Rate Group 2

AMC San Francisco 941
Rate Group 3

AMC Kennedy--JFK 003
Rate Group 4

    2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter your 10-digit ISAL permit or 
customer identification number.
    3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined weight of the sack and its 
contents in kilograms (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).
    4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on PS Form 3650, Statement of 
Mailing--International Surface Air Lift.
    After completing the above items on Tag 155, attach it to the sack.

246.944  Sack Separation

    When presenting an ISAL shipment to the Postal Service, the mailer 
must physically separate the sacks of mail by type (direct, mixed, 
residual) and rate group (1, 2, 3, 4) at time of mailing.

246.945  Direct Sacks to One Addressee (M-bags) for ISAL

    M-bags may be sent in the ISAL service to all ISAL destination 
countries. Weight, makeup, sacking, and sorting requirements must 
conform to part 245. Tag 158 must show the complete address of the 
addressee and the sender and be attached securely to the neck of each 
sack in addition to Tag 155. M-bags may not contain small packets.

246.95  Mailer Notification

    Mailers who wish to mail shipments that weigh over 750 pounds but 
who are not eligible for direct shipment rates must notify the ISAL 
coordinator at the office of mailing at least 4 days before the planned 
date of mailing. Specific country information and weight per country 
must be provided. No prior notification is required for mailers with 
750 pounds or less.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-23738 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P