[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44789-44792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22481]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Global Direct--Canada Admail Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rule and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Global Direct--Canada Admail is an international mail service 
primarily intended for major printing firms, direct marketers, mail 
order companies, and other high volume mailers seeking easier access to 
the Canadian domestic postal system. The service is intended to provide 
mail delivery in an average of 5-10 business days in major urban areas 
throughout Canada. Ancillary services for local business reply and the 
return of undeliverable mail are also introduced for use with Global 
Direct--Canada Admail service.

DATES: The interim regulations are effective August 21, 1998. Comments 
must be received on or before September 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Manager, 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 9:00 a.m. and 
4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the International Business Unit, 
10th Floor, 901 D Street SW, Washington DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter J. Grandjean, (202) 314-7256.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In cooperation partnership with Canada Post 
Corporation (CPC), the Postal Service is introducing Global Direct--
Canada Admail. This international mail service is primarily intended 
for major printing firms, direct marketers, mail order companies, and 
other high-volume mailers seeking easier access to the Canadian 
domestic postal system. It is intended to provide mail delivery in an 
average of 5-10 business days in major urban areas throughout Canada. 
Ancillary services for local business reply and the return of 
undeliverable mail are also introduced for use with Global Direct--
Canada Admail.
    Participating mailers must sign a service agreement with the Postal 
Service which defines the conditions of mailing under which they will 
enter Global Direct--Canada Admail. Since all mailings are subject to 
CPC's eligibility and mail preparation requirements for CPC's Addressed 
Admail, they must be sorted on the basis of CPC Letter Carrier Presort 
option or National Distribution Guide Sort option. CPC-certified 
sortation and address accuracy software is required.
    To qualify, mailers must agree to mail a minimum of 25,000 Global 
Direct--Canada Admail items for delivery to Canadian addressees per 
mailing. The mailpieces must bear an authorized CPC or USPS permit 
imprint and be paid for through a USPS advance deposit account. In 
addition, a completed postage statement must accompany each mailing 
that is deposited at a designated acceptance point.
    Mailers who want to establish a local, in-country identity in 
Canada, can place a specified CPC permit imprint on their mailpieces in 
combination with a Canadian return address. All others must use their 
USPS permit imprint in combination with a U.S. domestic return address.
    The service requires participating U.S. mailers to prepare their 
postal items as Canadian domestic mail. The USPS then transports these 
mailpieces to Canada, where they are turned over to CPC for entry into 
Canada's domestic mail system. Mailers must deposit their mail at one 
of six offices.
    Postage rates are determined by the size, weight, and level of 
sortation of the items being mailed. The interim postage rates for 
Global Direct--Canada Admail service are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Letter Carrier Presort     National Distribution 
                                                                        (LCP)                  Guide (NDG)      
                 Weight not over 1.76 ounces                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Standard      Large       Standard      Large   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter Carrier Direct.......................................       $0.216       $0.234          N/A          N/A
Station.....................................................         .223         .245       $0.245       $0.269
Direct Rural................................................         .245         .269         .245         .269
City........................................................         .248         .273         .259         .287
Distribution Center Facility................................         .255         .277         .269         .291
Forward Consolidation Point.................................         .269         .291         .277         .312
Residue.....................................................         .284         .312         .298         .337
Each additional pound over 1.76 ounce.......................         .544         .626         .544        .626 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: A extra charge of 3.5 cents may be charged for the number of items not meeting address accuracy           
  requirements.                                                                                                 

    Every item must meet size and weight requirements for its type. The 
size standards are as follows:

[[Page 44790]]



                                             Weight and Size Limits                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Length                   Width                  Thickness       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           CARDS/ENVELOPES:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                
Standard (Short/Long) Items.                                                                                    
    Minimum..........................  5 \1/2\ in. (140 mm)...  3 \9/16\ in. (90 mm)...  0.007 in. (0.18 mm)    
    Maximum..........................  9 \5/8\ in. (245 mm)...  5 \7/8\ in. (150 mm)...  \3/16\ in. (5 mm)      
    Large (Oversized) Items..........  14 \7/8\ in. (380 mm)..  10 \9/16\ in. (270 mm).  \13/16\ in. (20 mm)    
                                                                                                                
           OTHER ITEMS \1\                                                                                      
                                                                                                                
Standard (Short/Long) Items:                                                                                    
    Minimum..........................  3 \15/16\ in. (100 mm).  2 \3/4\ in. (70 mm)....  0.007 in. (0.18 mm)    
    Maximum..........................  9 \5/8\ in. (245 mm)...  5 \7/8\ in. (150 mm)...  \3/16\ in. (5 mm)      
Large (Oversized) Items..............  14 \7/8\ in. (380 mm)..  10 \9/16\ in. (270 mm).  \13/16\ in. (20 mm)    
Maximum Weight.......................  .......................  17.6 oz.(500 grams)....  .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other items are defined as items other than cards and envelopes.                                            

    Mailers who are interested in using the service must furnish the 
following information to the Postal Service at least 14 days prior to 
their planned first mailing date and enter into a service agreement:
    1. Customer's name and address.
    2. Proposed initial mailing date and frequency.
    3. Mailing location.
    4. The type of items, including size and weight, that will be 
mailing.
    5. Number of items in the proposed mailing.
    6. Mail sort option used.
    7. The mailing equipment that the customer intends to use to 
prepare items.
    8. Ancillary services used.
    Concurrent with the establishment of a service agreement, the 
designated post office of entry is instructed to accept and verify the 
customer's mail prior to its being dispatched to Canada.
    In addition to mail service, the Postal Service is offering a local 
Canadian business reply service. Under this service the mailer may 
distribute pre-addressed cards and letters to addressees in Canada. 
Customers then mail these items, without prepayment of postage, to an 
address in Canada. The Postal Service has an arrangement with CPC to 
have the mail delivered to the U.S. addressee at which time the 
addressee will pay the postage. The rates for this service are $0.45 
for items not weighing over 1.06 ounces (30 grams) and $0.65 for items 
weighing over 1.06 ounces (30 grams) but not over 1.76 ounces (50 
grams). Specifications for this service are contained in Publication 
524, Global Direct--Canada Admail Service Guide.
    If a mailer using a Canadian identity (Canadian postage indicia and 
return address) wants undeliverable Canada Admail items returned 
through the Postal Service, the items must be endorsed ``Return Postage 
Guaranteed.'' The mail must bear the return address specified by the 
Postal Service and will be returned to the U.S. mailer. The rates for 
this service are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Weight (not over)                          Rate 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.52 oz. (100 grams)............................................   $0.80
7.04 oz. (200 grams)............................................    1.32
17.60 oz.(500 grams)............................................    2.09
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a U.S. permit is used, returned items are subject to the 
applicable surface printed matter postage that would have been paid 
from the United States to Canada.
    Although the Postal Service is exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410(a) from 
the advance notice requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act 
regarding rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553), interested parties are invited to 
submit written data, views, or comments regarding this interim rule to 
the address above.
    The Postal Service is adopting the following interim amendments to 
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, International postal service.

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. Chapter 6 of the International Mail Manual is amended by 
changing the title of 610, re-numbering old or current 610 as 611, and 
adding new part 612 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 6--SPECIAL PROGRAMS

610  Global Direct Service

611  Global Direct--Mexico Direct

* * * * *

612  Global Direct--Canada Admail

612.1  Description

    Global Direct--Canada Admail is an international mail service that 
is available on the basis of a service agreement between the Postal 
Service and a qualifying mailer. Under this service a mailer must enter 
identical printed matter items that meet the applicable eligibility, 
makeup, and preparation requirements for Canadian Post domestic 
Addressed Admail service. The Postal Service transports the items to 
Canada for entry into that country's domestic mail system. The mailer 
is responsible for ensuring that the items meet Canada Post 
Corporation's makeup and preparation requirements.

612.2  Qualifying Mailers and Mailing Locations

612.21  Qualifying Mailers

    Qualifying mailers must agree to mail a minimum of 25,000 Admail 
items for delivery to Canadian addressees per mailing. All tendered 
mailpieces must conform to the applicable makeup and preparation 
requirements for Canadian domestic mail, as specified by Canada Post 
Corporation (CPC). CPC-certified sortation and address accuracy 
software is required.

612.22  Mailing Locations

    Mailings may be deposited only at the following offices as 
specified in the service agreement:

John F Kennedy Airport Mail Center, John F Kennedy International 
Airport, Building 250, Jamaica NY 11430-9998
New Jersey International Bulk Mail Center, U.S. Postal Service, 80 
County RD, Jersey City NJ 07097-9998
Buffalo Auxiliary Service Facility, Buffalo Processing and Distribution 
Center, 1200 William ST, Buffalo NY 14240-9998

[[Page 44791]]

Detroit Processing and Distribution Center, U.S. Postal Service, 1401 W 
Fort, Detroit MI 48233-9997
AMC O'Hare International Annex, US Postal Service, 3333 Mount Prospect 
RD, Franklin Park IL 60131-1347
Seattle Processing and Distribution Center, U.S. Postal Service, 2454 
Occidental Ave S, Seattle WA 98134-9997

612.3  Postage

612.31  Rate

    The rate of postage is determined by the size, weight, and level of 
sortation of the items being mailed as specified below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Letter Carrier Presort     National Distribution 
                                                                        (LCP)                  Guide (NDG)      
                 Weight not over 1.76 ounces                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Standard      Large       Standard      Large   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter Carrier Direct.......................................       $0.216       $0.234          N/A          N/A
Station.....................................................         .223         .245         .245         .269
Direct Rural................................................         .245         .269         .245         .269
City........................................................         .248         .273         .259         .287
Distribution Center Facility................................         .255         .277         .269         .291
Forward Consolidation Point.................................         .269         .291         .277         .312
Residue.....................................................         .284         .312         .298         .337
each additional pound over 1.76 ounces......................         .544         .626         .544        .626 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: A extra charge of 3.5 cents may be charged for the number of items not meeting address accuracy           
  requirements.                                                                                                 

612.32  CPC Size Definitions

    Every item must meet size and weight requirements for its type. The 
size standards are as follows:

                                             Weight and Size Limits                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Length                   Width                  Thickness       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           CARDS/ENVELOPES:                                                                                     
Standard (Short/Long) Items:                                                                                    
    Minimum..........................  5\1/2\ in. (140 mm)....  3\9/16\ in. (90 mm)....  .007 in. (0.18 mm.)    
    Maximum..........................  9\5/8\ in. (245 mm)....  5\7/8\ in. (150 mm)....  \3/16\ in. (5 mm)      
Large (Oversized) Items..............  14\7/8\ in. (380 mm)...  10\9/16\ in. (270 mm)..  \13/16\ in. (20 mm)    
           OTHER ITEMS \1\                                                                                      
Standard (Short/Long) Items:                                                                                    
    Minimum..........................  3\15/16\ in. (100 mm)..  2\3/4\ in. (70 mm).....  .007 in. (0.18 mm)     
    Maximum..........................  9\5/8\ in. (245 mm)....  5\7/8\ in. (150 mm)....  \3/16\ in. (5 mm)      
Large (Oversized) Items..............  14\7/8\ in. (380 mm)...  10\9/16\ in. (270 mm)..  \13/16\ in. (20 mm)    
Maximum Weight.......................  .......................  17.6 oz.(500 grams)....  .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Other items are defined as items other than cards and envelopes.                                            

612.33  Postage Payment Method

    Postage must be paid through an advance deposit account. Qualifying 
mailers have the option of placing a CPC permit imprint on their 
mailpieces in combination with a Canadian return address or a customer 
specific USPS permit imprint in combination with a domestic U.S. return 
address.

612.34  Postage Statement

    Mailers must compute the total postage on PS Form 3656, Postage 
Statement--Global Direct Canada Admail, furnished by the Postal 
Service. A separate postage statement must be prepared for each 
individual mailing.

612.4  Preparation Requirements

    Mailers are responsible for ensuring that items tendered under the 
Global Direct--Canada Admail service comply with CPC's domestic mail 
preparation requirements.

612.5  Ancillary Services 612.51 Business Reply Service

    This service provides for the return of Canadian business reply 
mail through the Postal Service to a specified address in Canada. 
Detailed specifications for this service are contained in Publication 
524, Global Direct--Canada Admail Service Guide. The rates for this 
service are $0.45 for items not weighing over 1.06 ounces (30 grams) 
and $0.65 for items weighing over 1.06 ounces (30 grams) but not over 
1.76 ounces (50 grams).

612.52  Return of Undeliverable Mail

    Mailers using a Canadian identity (Canadian indicia and return 
address) may have undeliverable items returned to the U.S. through a 
Canadian return address. The sender must endorse items ``Return Postage 
Guaranteed'' and use the return address specified by the Postal 
Service. The rates are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Weight (not over)                          Rate 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.52 oz. (100 grams)............................................   $0.80
7.04 oz. (200 grams)............................................    1.32
17.60 oz.(500 grams)............................................    2.09
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a U.S. permit is used, returned items are subject to the 
applicable surface printed matter postage that would have been paid 
from the United States to Canada.

612.6  Advance Notification

    Mailers who are interested in using the Global Direct--Canada 
Admail service must furnish the following information to the Postal 
Service at least 10 business days prior to their first planned mailing 
date:
    1. Customer's name and address.

[[Page 44792]]

    2. Proposed initial mailing date and frequency.
    3. Mailing location.
    4. The type of items, including size and weight, that will be 
mailing.
    5. Number of items in the proposed mailing.
    6. Mail sort option used.
    7. The mailing equipment that the customer intends to use to 
prepare items.
    8. Ancillary services used.
    All correspondence pertaining to Global Direct--Canada Admail 
service should be directed to:
Market Segment Manager Publishing, International Business Unit, US 
Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plz SW 370 IBU, Washington DC 20260-6500

612.7  Service Agreement

    Based on the mailer's input, the Postal Service prepares a service 
agreement to cover the projected mailing(s). This agreement stipulates 
the conditions of mailing. Concurrent with the preparation of the 
service agreement, instructions are issued to the designated post 
office of entry regarding the acceptance and verification of the 
prospective customer's mailpieces.
* * * * *
    A transmittal letter changing the relevant pages in the 
International Mail Manual will be published and automatically 
transmitted to all subscribers. Notice of issuance of the transmittal 
will be published in the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 20.3.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 98-22481 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P