[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9420-9423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4824]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Increase of Maximum Size and Weight Limits To Existing Global 
Package Link Premium Service to Japan

AGENCY: Postal Service.


[[Page 9421]]


ACTION: Interim rules with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Global Package Link (GPL) is an international mail service 
designed for companies sending merchandise to other countries. Current 
size allowances for GPL and returns services to Japan will be increased 
to U.S. domestic limits.

DATES: The interim regulations take effect February 25, 1998. Comments 
must be received on or before March 27, 1998.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Michelson at the above 
address. Telephone: (202) 268-5731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    GPL service to Japan is currently limited to packages weighing up 
to 44 pounds and those with dimensions up to 60 inches per any side or 
total length plus girth of up to 108 inches. These size restrictions 
prevent existing mailers as well as potential new customers, with 
package dimensions larger than these limits, from using GPL to Japan. 
In response to requests from these mailers, size allowances on GPL and 
returns services to Japan will be increased to the domestic limits of 
70 pounds and 108 inches (length plus girth combined).

II. GPL Size Increase to Japan

A. Qualifying Criteria

    Customers wishing to send GPL packages to Japan that are larger 
than the current size restrictions of 44 pounds and maximum length of 
60 inches will need to use GPL Premium Oversize service. GPL Premium 
Oversize service will include those packages longer than 60 inches on a 
side or weighing more than 44 pounds. Premium Oversize service will 
accommodate packages that fall within domestic limits of length plus 
girth up to 108 inches and weight up to 70 pounds. It will be the 
responsibility of the customer to choose the Premium Oversize option. 
Failure to choose the Premium Oversize option when dimensions or weight 
are over 60 inches per any side or over 44 pounds will result in the 
package being returned to the mailer for remailing as GPL Premium 
Oversize.

B. Delivery

    GPL Premium Oversize service to Japan is an extension of the GPL 
Premium service. It will have the same attributes including 
trackability and up to $500 insurance at no additional cost.

C. Returns Service

    The returns service weight allowance from Japan will be increased 
from the current 44-pound maximum to a 70-pound maximum. The maximum 
size will be increased to 108 inches (combined length plus girth).

D. Rates

    The base rates for Premium Oversize GPL and extended returns 
service to Japan are set forth in the interim regulations below.

III. Conclusion

    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts this size increase 
for GPL service and Returns service to Japan on an interim basis, at 
the rates set forth in the schedule below. 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 persons to submit written data, views, or arguments 
concerning this interim rule.
    The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to the 
International Mail Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in 
the Code of Federal Regulations (39 CFR 20.1).

List 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 immediately, (February 25, 1998), subchapter 620 of 
the International Mail Manual, Issue 19, is amended as follows:
6  Special Programs
* * * * *

623.3  Size and Weight Limits

623.31  Weight Limits

    The weight limits for Global Package Link service are 70 pounds for 
Chile, China, and Germany; 66 pounds for Brazil, Canada, France, 
Singapore, and the United Kingdom; 64 pounds for Mexico; and 44 pounds 
for Japan with the Premium service.
    GPL Premium packages to Japan weighing more than 44 pounds up to a 
maximum of 70 pounds must be mailed as GPL Premium Oversize. To use the 
GPL Premium Oversize service, the mailer has the responsibility to 
select GPL Premium Oversize service when selecting the class of service 
and use the corresponding GPL Premium Oversize rates chart. GPL Premium 
packages weighing more than 44 pounds, up to a maximum of 70 pounds, 
will be returned to the mailer for remailing if GPL Premium Oversize 
service is not selected.

623.32  Size Limits

    The maximum length of GPL packages is 60 inches. The maximum length 
and girth combined is 108 inches. Exceptions: maximum size for Germany 
is length 47 inches, height 23 inches, width 23 inches; for Japan 
standard packages weighing less than 1 pound, the maximum length is 24 
inches with a combined maximum height, depth, and length of 36 inches.
    GPL Premium packages to Japan whose length is more than 60 inches 
up to a maximum length plus girth of 108 inches must be mailed as GPL 
Premium Oversize. To use the GPL Premium Oversize service, the mailer 
has the responsibility to select GPL Premium Oversize service when 
selecting the class of service and use the corresponding GPL Premium 
Oversize rates chart. GPL Premium packages longer than 60 inches up to 
length plus girth of 108 inches will be returned to the mailer for 
remailing if GPL Premium Oversize service is not selected.
    All GPL packages must be large enough to accommodate the necessary 
labels and customs forms on the address side.
* * * * *

[[Page 9422]]



                                       Global Package Link to Japan Rates                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Premium               
                   Weight not over (lbs.)                       Premium      Standard     oversize     Returns  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................................        14.50         5.50        27.50         7.20
2...........................................................        16.50         8.50        31.00         9.80
3...........................................................        19.00        13.00        34.50        12.40
4...........................................................        21.50        16.50        38.00        15.00
5...........................................................        24.00        22.00        42.50        17.60
6...........................................................        27.00        25.00        47.00        20.20
7...........................................................        29.50        \1\ 6        51.50        22.80
8...........................................................        32.00  ...........        55.00        25.40
9...........................................................        34.50  ...........        58.00        28.00
10..........................................................        37.00  ...........        60.50        30.60
11..........................................................        39.50  ...........        63.00        33.20
12..........................................................        42.00  ...........        66.00        35.80
13..........................................................        44.50  ...........        68.50        38.40
14..........................................................        47.00  ...........        71.00        41.00
15..........................................................        49.50  ...........        73.00        43.70
16..........................................................        52.00  ...........        75.50        48.00
17..........................................................        54.50  ...........        78.00        50.70
18..........................................................        57.00  ...........        80.00        53.50
19..........................................................        59.50  ...........        83.00        56.20
20..........................................................        62.00  ...........        85.00        58.90
21..........................................................        64.50  ...........        87.00        63.90
22..........................................................        67.00  ...........        89.00        66.70
23..........................................................        69.50  ...........        91.00        69.50
24..........................................................        72.00  ...........        93.00        72.30
25..........................................................        74.50  ...........        95.00        75.10
26..........................................................        77.00  ...........        97.00        77.90
27..........................................................        79.50  ...........        99.00        80.70
28..........................................................        82.00  ...........       101.00        83.50
29..........................................................        84.50  ...........       103.00        86.30
30..........................................................        87.00  ...........       104.00        89.10
31..........................................................        89.50  ...........       106.00        91.90
32..........................................................        92.00  ...........       108.00        94.70
33..........................................................        94.50  ...........       110.00        97.50
34..........................................................        97.00  ...........       112.00       100.40
35..........................................................        99.50  ...........       114.00       103.20
36..........................................................       102.00  ...........       116.00       106.00
37..........................................................       104.50  ...........       117.00       108.80
38..........................................................       107.00  ...........       118.00       111.60
39..........................................................       109.00  ...........       119.00       114.40
40..........................................................       112.00  ...........       120.00       117.20
41..........................................................       114.50  ...........       121.00       120.00
42..........................................................       117.00  ...........       122.00       122.80
43..........................................................       119.50  ...........       123.00       125.60
44..........................................................       122.00  ...........       124.00       128.40
45..........................................................       \1\ 44  ...........       125.00       \1\ 44
46..........................................................  ...........  ...........       126.00             
47..........................................................  ...........  ...........       127.00             
48..........................................................  ...........  ...........       128.00             
49..........................................................  ...........  ...........       129.00             
50..........................................................  ...........  ...........       130.00             
51..........................................................  ...........  ...........       131.00             
52..........................................................  ...........  ...........       132.00             
53..........................................................  ...........  ...........       134.00             
54..........................................................  ...........  ...........       136.00             
55..........................................................  ...........  ...........       138.00             
56..........................................................  ...........  ...........       140.00             
57..........................................................  ...........  ...........       142.00             
58..........................................................  ...........  ...........       144.00             
59..........................................................  ...........  ...........       146.00             
60..........................................................  ...........  ...........       148.00             
61..........................................................  ...........  ...........       150.00             
62..........................................................  ...........  ...........       152.00             
63..........................................................  ...........  ...........       154.00             
64..........................................................  ...........  ...........       156.00             
65..........................................................  ...........  ...........       158.00             
66..........................................................  ...........  ...........       161.00             
67..........................................................  ...........  ...........       163.00             
68..........................................................  ...........  ...........       165.00             
69..........................................................  ...........  ...........       167.00             
70..........................................................  ...........  ...........       169.00             
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\1\ lb. max.                                                                                                    


[[Page 9423]]

    Discounts for GPL service to Japan are 3 percent off the base rates 
for those packages sent over 100,000 during a 12-month period. Parcels 
sent via the Premium Oversize service weighing less than 15 pounds but 
measuring more than 84 inches in length and girth combined are 
chargeable with a minimum rate equal to that for a 15-pound parcel.

    * Weights over 44 pounds, use Premium Oversize service.
    ** Weights over 6 pounds, use Premium service.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 98-4824 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P