[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63850-63853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31599]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Domestic Mail Manual; Miscellaneous Amendments
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document describes the numerous amendments consolidated
in the Transmittal Letter for Issue 53 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: January 1, 1998.
[[Page 63851]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, (202) 268-6350.
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 53, the next edition of the DMM, is scheduled for release
on January 1, 1998. That issue will include changes in Preferred
postage rates for Periodicals and Standard Mail (A). The final rule
containing the rates for these changes was published on July 25, 1997,
in the Federal Register (62 FR 39946-39950), as approved on June 2,
1997, by the Board of Governors pursuant to its authority under 39
U.S.C. 3625(f), to implement rate changes effective at 12:01 a.m. on
October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9).
DMM Issue 53 will also include the new weight limit for Bound
Printed Matter. The final rule to increase the weight of Bound Printed
Matter from 10 pounds to 15 pounds was published on October 1, 1997, in
the Federal Register (62 FR 51372-51373), as approved on September 8,
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 Classification Changes,
Bound Printed Matter, Docket No. MC97-3. This weight increase takes
effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997.
DMM Issue 53 will include the standards for the new Bulk Parcel
Return Service (BPRS) and Shipper Paid Forwarding (SPF). BPRS, which
takes effect on October 12, 1997, lowers the average cost of return
service for machinable parcels weighing less than 1 pound. SPF, which
allows mailers to pay forwarding postage directly through the use of
the tracking capabilities of the existing electronic Address Change
Service, takes effect on January 4, 1998. The new standards for BPRS
and SPF were published on October 15, 1997, in the Federal Register (62
FR 53539-53541) as approved on October 6, 1997, by the Board of
Governors on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission in
Docket No. MC97-2.
The following excerpt from section I010, Summary of Changes, of the
transmittal for DMM Issue 53 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 53 are also presented.
Domestic Mail Manual Issue 53 Summary of Changes
Consolidation of Processing of Form 3510
D230.3.11, D230.6.2, E214.3.2, E214.3.4, E214.3.6, E214.3.7,
E214.3.8, E270.8.1 and E270.9.1 amend the processing of Form 3510,
Application for Additional Entry, Reentry, or Special Rate Request for
Periodicals Publication. In order to improve customer satisfaction and
to better utilize resources, postal processing of Form 3510 is being
consolidated at the Memphis Rates and Classification Service Center
(RCSC). Effective October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-09-97)).
Content Identifier Numbers
Exhibit M032.1.3a changes certain international mail content
identifier numbers (CINs) for barcoded tray and sack labels. Effective
July 3, 1997 (PB 21949 (7-3-97)).
Envelopes and Pieces Sealed on All Sides
C810.1.0 and C810.7.5 clarify acceptable characteristics of
automation letter-size mailpieces. Effective October 23, 1997 (PB 21957
(10-23-97)).
Folded Self-Mailers--Additional Options
C810.7.2 and C810.7.3 allow mailers to prepare letter-size self-
mailers with the final fold positioned as the right side (leading edge)
of the piece and to claim an automation rate. In addition, other
tabbing form designs for self-mailers have been approved for automation
rates. Effective June 5, 1997 (PB 21947 (6-5-97)).
Labeling List Changes
L002, L003, L005, L601, L602, L603, L604, and L801 are amended to
reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective July 3, 1997
(PB 21949 (7-3-97)).
L002, L004, L005, L102, L601, L602, L603, L604, L801, and L803 are
amended to reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective
October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-9-97)).
Non-Machinable Surcharge--Parcel Post
E620.2.5 clarifies that a non-machinable surcharge applies only to
certain listed pieces of Parcel Post if pieces are mailed at the inter-
BMC/ASF Parcel Post rates and no special handling fee is paid.
Effective August 28, 1997 (PB 21953 (8-28-97)).
Post Office Box and Caller Service--McLean, VA 22103 ZIP Code
Redesignated as Group C
Exhibit D910.5.3 and Exhibit D920.4.1 remove the entry ``McLean, VA
22103'' from the Group B category for post office box service and
caller service to a Group C category. Effective June 8, 1997 (PB 21948
(6-19-97)).
Reusable Mailpieces--Optional Preparation
C010.6.3 and C010.6.4 incorporate optional preparation standards
for reusable mailpieces that originate as permit imprint mailings.
Effective August 14, 1997 (PB 21952 (8-14-97)).
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(f) 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) * * *
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Transmittal letter for issue Dated Federal Register publication
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53............................. January 1, 1998.................... 62 FR [INSERT PAGE NUMBER].
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[[Page 63852]]
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
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
[[Page 63853]]
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
S924 Bulk Parcel 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. 97-31599 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P