[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5458-5460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2527]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Global Priority Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This interim rule sets forth the International Mail Manual 
(IMM) regulations and rates pertaining to a new Global Priority Mail 
preprinted flat-rate box.

DATES: Effective February 3, 1998. Comments must be received on or 
before April 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
Manager, Expedited Products Group, International Business Unit, U.S. 
Postal Service, Room 370-IBU, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 
20260-6500. Copies of all written comments will be available for public 
inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Thabet, (202) 268-2269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Global Priority Mail is an expedited airmail

[[Page 5459]]

letter service providing fast, reliable, and economical delivery of all 
items mailable as letters or merchandise up to 4 pounds. Global 
Priority Mail items receive priority handling in the United States and 
destination countries. Service is limited to the 34 destination 
countries identified in IMM 226.2. Service is available from designated 
post offices identified in IMM 226.32.
    The weight limit for Global Priority Mail items is 4 pounds. The 
Postal Service offers two sizes of preprinted flat-rate envelopes. The 
rates for these envelopes are based on a geographic rate zone 
regardless of the actual weight. Although these envelopes are valid for 
weights of up to 4 pounds, the practical limitations of the envelopes 
limit the weight to less than 4 pounds. There also are weight-based 
rates for use when customers use their own packaging materials. There 
also are volume rates associated with this option when customers mail 
five or more of the variable weight option items at a time.
    Recognizing the customer need for convenient packaging, the Postal 
Service is introducing a preprinted Global Priority Mail flat-rate box 
for weights of up to 4 pounds. Like the preprinted flat-rate envelopes, 
the rates for this box are based on geographic rate zones regardless of 
the actual weight. The maximum weight allowable remains at 4 pounds
    The rates are:

                Global Priority Mail Flat Rate Box Rates                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Destination                            Postage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Europe................................................       $22
North America.................................................        22
South America.................................................        22
Middle East...................................................        22
Pacific Rim...................................................        30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Weight limit 4 lbs.
    There are also Global Priority Mail flat-rate box volume rates, for 
customers mailing 10 or more pieces in one mailing. Refer to IMM 
226.45.
    The rates are as follows:

            Global Priority Mail, Flat-Rate Box Volume Rates            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      (10-14       (15-19    (20 or more
        Geographic region            pieces)      pieces)      (pieces) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Europe...................       $19.50       $18.50       $17.50
North America....................        19.50        18.50        17.50
South America....................        19.50        18.50        17.50
Middle East......................        19.50        18.50        17.50
Pacific Rim......................        27.00        25.50        24.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Weight limit 4 lbs.
    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts the following 
regulations on an interim basis. 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 rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553), the Postal Service invites 
interested parties to submit written data, views, or comments 
concerning the interim regulations.
    The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to the IMM, 
which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. 
See 39 CFR 20.1.

Lists 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 February 3, 1998, section 226 of IMM issue 19 is 
amended as follows:
* * * * *
2  CONDITIONS FOR MAILING
* * * * *

226  Global Priority Mail

* * * * *

226.12  Permissible Items

    All items sent as letter-class mail (see 221.1) are accepted in 
Global Priority Mail, provided that the contents are mailable and fit 
securely in the envelope or box. Global Priority Mail items may contain 
dutiable merchandise unless the country of destination specifically 
prohibits dutiable merchandise in letters (see 224.51). Any item that 
is prohibited in international mail is prohibited in Global Priority 
Mail. Refer to the ``Country Conditions of Mailing'' in the Individual 
Country Listings for individual country prohibitions.

226.13  Packaging

    Items must fit comfortably within the envelope or box without 
distorting or bursting the container. Do not use excessive tape to keep 
the envelope or box from bursting. Use only one piece of tape to secure 
the flap.
* * * * *

226.4  Postage

* * * * *

226.44  Global Priority Mail, Flat-Rate Box

    Each Global Priority Mail flat-rate box is charged at a flat rate. 
The rate is based on the geographic rate zone regardless of its actual 
weight. Postage is required for each piece (See Exhibit 226.44).

       Exhibit 226.44.--Global Priority Mail, Flat-Rate Box Rates       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Destination                            Postage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Europe................................................       $22
North America.................................................        22
South America.................................................        22
Middle East...................................................        22
Pacific Rim...................................................        30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Weight limit 4 lbs.

226.45  Global Priority Mail, Flat-Rate Box Volume Rate

226.451  Minimum Quantity Requirements

    The mailer must have a minimum of 10 or more pieces to one or more 
Global Priority Mail countries. The minimum does not apply to each 
geographic rate zone (See Exhibit 226.45).

226.452  Mailing Statement

    Postage for volume rate mail and permit imprint must be computed on 
Form 3653, Global Priority Mail Statement of Mailings.

[[Page 5460]]



    Exhibit 226.45.--Global Priority Mail, Flat-Rate Box Volume Rates   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      (10-14       (15-19    (20 or more
        Geographic region            pieces)      pieces)      (pieces) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Europe...................       $19.50       $18.50       $17.50
North America....................        19.50        18.50        17.50
South America....................        19.50        18.50        17.50
Middle East......................        19.50        18.50        17.50
Pacific Rim......................        27.00        25.50        24.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Weight limit 4 lbs.
* * * * *

226.62  Marking

    Global Priority Mail items must be mailed in special envelopes (EP-
15A, EP-15B), a flat rate box (01099X), or with the Global Priority 
Mail sticker (DEC-10) provided by the Postal Service. (These supplies 
may be obtained by calling 800-222-1811). Unmarked pieces are subject 
to the applicable LC/AO airmail regular rates and treatment. Pieces 
paid at the Global Priority Mail sticker rate must have the DEC-10 
sticker affixed to the address side of the package.
* * * * *

226.7  Size and Weight Limits

226.71  Size Limits

* * * * *

226.714  Global Priority Mail, Flat Rate Box

    The dimensions of the Global Priority Mail 4 pound box are: 12\5/
16\x9\1/4\x2 inches.

226.72  Weight Limit

    Items sent as Global Priority Mail in envelopes or boxes, or using 
the variable weight option, must not exceed 4 pounds.
* * * * *

226.8  Mailer Preparation

* * * * *

226.82  Deposit of Mail

    Global Priority Mail single-piece variable weight option pieces, 
Global Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes and Global Priority Mail flat-
rate boxes with postage affixed may be deposited wherever Express Mail 
is accepted. These include: post office windows, handed to a letter 
carrier, placed in an Express Mail street collection box (only if less 
than 1 pound) or by calling 1-800 222-1811 for pickup. Global Priority 
Mail pieces paid by permit imprint and pieces mailed at the Global 
Priority Mail volume rates must be deposited at a business mail 
acceptance unit as authorized by the postmaster in the designated 
Global Priority Mail sites for acceptance. Metered mail must be 
deposited in locations under the jurisdiction of the licensing post 
office except as permitted under Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) P030.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 98-2527 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P