[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20178-20186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10256]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Changes in International Postal Rates

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Postal Service, after considering the comments submitted 
in response to its request published in the Federal Register on 
December 4, 1998 (63 FR 67017-67026), for comments on proposed changes 
in international postage rates, hereby gives notice that it is 
implementing the proposed rates, except as explained below.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12:01 a.m., Sunday, May 30, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Alepa, (202) 268-4071 and John 
Reynolds, (202) 314-7334.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 4, 1998, the Postal Service 
published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed changes in 
international postage rates (63 FR 67017-67026). The Postal Service 
requested comments by January 4, 1999, and by that date received two 
comments: one from a private individual and one from a mailer using 
printed matter services.
    Comments from the private individual expressed concern about rate 
relationships. The commenter identified five specific areas of 
interest.
    First, it was suggested that there should be some equivalence in 
the postage rates for outbound international mail sent to Canada and 
Mexico. While this observation may appear intuitively correct, it is 
premised on the assumption that the cost basis for setting rates to 
Canada and Mexico are similar. On previous occasions, the Postal 
Service has addressed this concern indicating that the cost of 
providing international mail service to Canada and Mexico are each 
influenced by the cost of delivery assessed separately by each of the 
two administrations, and that their respective delivery costs are not 
the same. In addition, transportation cost, length of haul, and 
associated handling costs incurred to provide service to each of these 
destinations also differ. These cost differences underlie the rate 
differences in the proposed rate levels.
    Second, the commenter questioned the rate relationships between 
letters and printed matter, asserting that they too, should be the 
same. The rates differences as proposed are the result of different 
mark-ups applied to the costs of providing letter and printed matter 
services and the market factors that influence them.
    Third, the commenter noted the existence of cross-overs between air 
and surface parcel post rates. This condition is acknowledged and is 
attributed solely to the cost of providing the respective services. 
Because of the lower volume of surface parcels, non-transportation 
processing costs tend to be higher for surface parcels than the 
comparable processing costs for air parcels. These costs differences 
are reflected in the rate levels proposed, and in part are also 
influenced by the average parcel weight for the two services.
    Fourth, the commenter asserted the belief that rate differences 
between weight steps for a given service should be uniform. Particular 
emphasis on this issue was directed to International Express Mail 
Service (EMS). Rate design does not require that differences between 
weight steps be uniform. Flexibility to design rates that have a taper 
effect better aligns rate levels with market characteristics, and takes 
into account, in this instance, the presence of document and 
merchandise within the same product stream. Where certain cross-overs 
between Global Priority Mail (GPM) and EMS appeared in the notice 
published on December 4, 1998 in section I A at 63 FR 67018, they have 
been revised such that the EMS rate is greater.
    Fifth, the commenter did question the consistency in the proposed 
differences for the Bulk Letter Service to Canada and the corresponding 
single piece letter rates to Canada; namely, it is three or five cents. 
The published notice on December 4, 1998 contained an error in section 
IIB at 63 FR 67020. The difference between the Bulk Letter Service to 
Canada and the corresponding single piece letter rates is five cents.
    The Postal Service is also modifying the notice published on 
December 4, 1998, in section IV A and IV B at 63 FR 67020 with respect 
to GPM. The rates for Canada also apply to Mexico. The rates applicable 
to all other countries, therefore, do not apply to Mexico.
    The mailer using surface printed matter and publishers' periodical 
rates provide three main concerns. First, comment on the general size 
of the rate increase being proposed was offered. While the overall rate 
increase proposed for international mail is 3.3 percent, this mailer 
noted that he was facing a much larger increase. The rate levels for 
printed matter and publishers' periodicals are primarily the result of 
cost increases resulting from revisions in terminal dues. Second, this 
mailer gave his endorsement to the proposed drop ship rates for 
publishers' periodicals. The mailer observed that being able to take 
advantage of the drop ship option would lower his effective rate 
increase to levels equivalent to the domestic rate increases. Lastly, 
the mailer expressed concern that international mail rate changes may 
be timed with the January 10, 1999, implementation date for domestic 
postage and fee changes and therefore could be burdensome. The mailer 
suggested a later implementation date suggesting July 1, 1999 as a 
possibility. The Postal Service believes that the implementation date 
announced in this final rule is sensitive to this concern.
    The notice published on December 4, 1998 contained errors. In 
section V C, Publishers' Periodicals, located at 63 FR 67021 the 3-
pound weight was given as 2 pounds. In section VE 1, Air-Other 
Articles, located at 63 FR 67021 the rate for Mexico for 2 ounces is 
$1.07, not $0.89. In section VI B, Air Parcel Post, located at 63 FR 
67022 the 1-pound rate for Canada is $12.61 since there is a 1-pound 
minimum weight for parcels to that country. It should be noted that, 
with the exception of air letter rates to Canada, the Postal Service is 
not changing air letter rates to the rest of the world.
    After reviewing and considering the comments received, the Postal 
Service adopts the following postage rates and amends the International 
Mail Manual (IMM), 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.

[[Page 20179]]

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    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.

    The International Mail Manual is amended to incorporate the 
following postal rates:

New International Postage Rates

(See section VII for rate groups for individual countries.)

I. Express Mail International Service

A. On Demand Service

1. Country-Specific Rates

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Country
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Weight not over (lbs.)                                           Great
                                                    Canada       Mexico      Britain       China        Japan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5............................................       $15.50       $15.50       $18.50       $15.00       $15.00
1..............................................        18.00        18.00        22.50        18.00        17.50
2..............................................        21.50        21.50        26.50        21.00        21.50
3..............................................        25.00        25.00        30.50        28.00        28.00
4..............................................        28.50        28.50        34.50        34.00        34.00
5..............................................        32.00        32.00        38.50        37.00        37.00
6..............................................        34.50        34.50        42.50        39.50        39.00
7..............................................        37.00        37.00        46.50        44.00        43.50
8..............................................        39.50        39.50        50.50        48.50        48.00
9..............................................        42.00        42.00        54.50        53.00        52.50
10.............................................        44.50        44.50        58.50        57.50        57.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction of a pound...        $2.50        $2.50        $4.00        $4.50        $4.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Rate Group Countries

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Rate group
      Weight not over (lbs.)       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1            2            3            4            5            6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5...............................       $19.00       $21.00       $15.00       $19.00       $18.00       $20.00
1.................................        21.50        24.50        19.00        23.00        21.00        22.50
2.................................        25.50        28.50        23.00        27.50        24.50        26.50
3.................................        29.50        32.50        28.00        32.00        28.00        30.50
4.................................        34.00        37.00        34.00        36.50        34.00        35.00
5.................................        39.00        41.50        38.00        41.00        35.00        39.50
6.................................        43.50        45.50        42.50        45.00        38.00        44.00
7.................................        48.00        49.50        47.00        49.00        41.00        48.50
8.................................        52.50        53.50        51.50        53.00        44.00        53.00
9.................................        57.00        57.50        56.00        57.00        47.00        57.50
10................................        61.50        61.50        60.50        61.00        50.00        62.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction         $4.50        $4.00        $4.50        $4.00        $3.00        $4.50
 of a pound.......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Custom Designed Service

1. Country-Specific Rates

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Country
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
             Weight not over (lbs.)                                           Great
                                                  Canada \1\     Mexico      Britain       China        Japan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5............................................  ...........       $23.50       $26.50       $23.00       $23.00
1..............................................  ...........        26.00        30.50        26.00        25.50
2..............................................  ...........        29.50        34.50        29.00        28.50
3..............................................  ...........        33.00        38.50        33.00        32.50
4..............................................  ...........        36.50        42.50        38.00        37.50
5..............................................  ...........        40.00        46.50        43.00        42.50
6..............................................  ...........        42.50        50.50        47.50        47.00
7..............................................  ...........        45.00        54.50        52.00        51.50
8..............................................  ...........        47.50        58.50        56.50        56.00
9..............................................  ...........        50.00        62.50        61.00        60.50
10.............................................  ...........        52.50        66.50        65.50        65.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction of a pound...  ...........        $2.50        $4.00        $4.50        $4.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Custom designed service not available.


[[Page 20180]]

2. Rate Group Countries

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Rate group
      Weight not over (lbs.)       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1            2            3            4            5            6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5...............................       $27.00       $29.00       $23.00       $27.00       $26.00       $28.00
1.................................        29.50        32.50        27.00        31.00        29.00        30.50
2.................................        33.50        36.50        31.00        35.50        32.50        34.50
3.................................        37.50        40.50        36.00        40.00        36.00        38.50
4.................................        42.00        45.00        41.00        44.50        39.50        43.00
5.................................        47.00        49.50        46.00        49.00        43.00        47.50
6.................................        51.50        53.50        50.50        53.00        46.00        52.00
7.................................        56.00        57.50        55.00        57.00        49.00        56.50
8.................................        60.50        61.50        59.50        61.00        52.00        61.00
9.................................        65.00        65.50        64.00        65.00        55.00        65.50
10................................        69.50        69.50        68.50        69.00        58.00        70.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction         $4.50        $4.00        $4.50        $4.00        $3.00        $4.50
 of a pound.......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Letters and Letter Packages

A. Canada

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Weight  Not Over
-------------------------------------------------          Rate
         (lbs.)                   (ozs.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0......................                 0.5                   $0.48
0......................                 1                      0.55
0......................                 1.5                    0.67
0......................                 2                      0.76
0......................                 3                      1.00
0......................                 4                      1.20
0......................                 5                      1.40
0......................                 6                      1.60
0......................                 7                      1.80
0......................                 8                      2.00
0......................                 9                      2.19
0......................                10                      2.39
0......................                11                      2.59
0......................                12                      2.79
1......................                 0                      3.59
1......................                 8                      4.52
2......................                 0                      5.44
2......................                 8                      6.36
3......................                 0                      7.29
3......................                 8                      8.21
4......................                 0                      9.14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A 4-pound maximum applies except for registered items sent to 
Canada. Canada-bound registered items may weigh up to 66 pounds. For 
registered items weighing over 4 pounds, the rate is $1.85 for each 
additional pound up to the 66-pound limit.

B. Bulk Letter Service to Canada

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Weight not over ozs.                         Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5........................................................        $0.43
1..........................................................         0.50
1.5........................................................         0.62
2..........................................................         0.71
3..........................................................         0.95
------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Postal Cards/Postcards and Aerogrammes

A. Postal Cards/Postcards

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Country                                Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada.....................................................        $0.45
Mexico.....................................................         0.40
All others.................................................         0.55
------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Aerogrammes

    All countries: $0.60 each.

IV. Global Priority Mail (GPM)

A. GPM--Flat-Rate Envelope Postage Rates

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Destination \1\                    Small        Large
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada & Mexico...............................        $4.00        $7.00
All other countries...........................         5.00         9.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum Weight: 4 lbs.

B. GPM--Variable Weight Option Postage Rates

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Canada &    All other
                                                   Mexico     countries
               Weight (lbs.) \1\               -------------------------
                                                    Rate         Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5...........................................        $6.00        $8.00
1.0...........................................        10.00        13.00
1.5...........................................        15.00        18.00
2.0...........................................        17.00        21.00
2.5...........................................        19.00        25.00
3.0...........................................        21.00        28.00
3.5...........................................        23.00        32.00
4.0...........................................        25.00        34.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maximum Weight: 4 lbs.

V. Other Articles (AO)

A. Regular Printed Matter and Small Packets--Surface

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Weight not over                     Mexico  All other
-------------------------------------------------------------- Countries
                                                                 except
                                                                 Canada
                   (lbs.)                     (ozs.)    Rate  ----------
                                                                  Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                  1    $0.60     $0.70
0                                                  2     0.80      1.04
0                                                  3     1.06      1.30
0                                                  4     1.25      1.45
0                                                  5     1.50      1.96
0                                                  6     1.50      1.96
0                                                  7     1.85      2.46
0                                                  8     1.85      2.46
0                                                  9     2.19      2.96
0                                                 10     2.19      2.96
0                                                 11     2.47      3.47
0                                                 12     2.47      3.47
0                                                 13     2.81      3.97
0                                                 14     2.81      3.97
0                                                 15     3.14      4.48
1                                                  0     3.14      4.48
1                                                  2     3.43      4.84
1                                                  4     3.72      5.20
1                                                  6     4.01      5.56
1                                                  8     4.30      5.92
1                                                 10     4.58      6.28
1                                                 12     4.87      6.64
1                                                 14     5.16      7.00
2                                                  0     5.45      7.36
3                                                  0     7.37      9.66
4                                                  0     9.29     11.96
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
                                                        $1.92     $2.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. ValuepostTM/Canada

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Weight                                Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter-size:
     1 ounce or less......................  $0.42
    Over 1 ounce..........................  0.39 plus $0.51 per pound or
                                             fraction of a pound.

[[Page 20181]]

 
Flat-size:
    5 ounces or less......................  0.71.
    Over 5 ounces.........................  0.43 plus $1.16 per pound or
                                             fraction of a pound.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Publishers' Periodicals--Surface

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Weight not over                     Mexico  All other
-------------------------------------------------------------- Countries
                                                                 except
                                                                 Canada
                   (lbs.)                     (ozs.)    Rate  ----------
                                                                  Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                  1    $0.40     $0.38
0                                                  2     0.50      0.48
0                                                  3     0.65      0.62
0                                                  4     0.75      0.72
0                                                  5     0.94      0.91
0                                                  6     0.94      0.91
0                                                  7     1.13      1.10
0                                                  8     1.13      1.10
0                                                  9     1.31      1.30
0                                                 10     1.31      1.30
0                                                 11     1.50      1.49
0                                                 12     1.50      1.49
0                                                 13     1.69      1.68
0                                                 14     1.69      1.68
0                                                 15     1.88      1.87
1                                                  0     1.88      1.87
1                                                  2     2.05      2.05
1                                                  4     2.23      2.23
1                                                  6     2.40      2.41
1                                                  8     2.58      2.59
1                                                 10     2.75      2.77
1                                                 12     2.93      2.95
1                                                 14     3.10      3.13
2                                                  0     3.28      3.31
3                                                  0     4.48      4.46
4                                                  0     5.68      5.61
5                                                  0     6.88      6.76
6                                                  0     8.08      7.91
7                                                  0     9.28      9.06
8                                                  0    10.48     10.21
9                                                  0    11.68     11.36
10                                                 0    12.88     12.51
11                                                 0    14.08     13.66
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: There is a $0.25 per pound Drop Shipment Discount for 
publishers' periodicals that are made up to country and tendered at 
the New Jersey International and Bulk Mail Center (NJI & BMC).

D. Books and Sheet Music--Surface

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Mexico     All other
                                               -------------  countries
                                                                except
            Weight not over (lbs.)                              Canada
                                                    Rate    ------------
                                                                 Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................        $1.88        $1.87
2.............................................         3.28         3.31
3.............................................         4.48         4.46
4.............................................         5.68         5.61
5.............................................         6.88         6.76
6.............................................         8.08         7.91
7.............................................         9.28         9.06
8.............................................        10.48        10.21
9.............................................        11.68        11.36
10............................................        12.88        12.51
11............................................        14.08        13.66
------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Air--Other Articles (Printed Matter, Matter for the Blind, and Small 
Packets)

1. Canada and Mexico--Air

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Weight not over                      Canada   Mexico
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (lbs.)                      (ozs.)    Rate     Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                  0.5    $0.60    $0.60
0                                                    1     0.69     0.76
0                                                  1.5     0.84     0.91
0                                                    2     0.85     1.07
0                                                    3     1.26     1.30
0                                                    4     1.50     1.56
0                                                    5     1.74     1.82
0                                                    6     1.84     2.08
0                                                    7     2.06     2.34
0                                                    8     2.29     2.60
0                                                    9     2.51     2.86
0                                                   10     2.74     3.12
0                                                   11     2.96     3.38
0                                                   12     3.19     3.64
1                                                    0     4.09     4.68
1                                                    8     4.68     6.76
2                                                    0     5.60     8.84
2                                                    8     6.52    10.92
3                                                    0     7.44    13.00
3                                                    8     8.36    15.08
4                                                    0     9.28    17.16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional 1/2-pound or fraction of 1/2-pound
                                                          $0.92    $2.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Parcel Post

    (Note: The weight limit for parcel post varies by country. 
Parcels mailed to Canada must weigh a minimum of 1 pound.)

A. Surface Parcel Post

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Canada    Bahamas \1\   All other
                                  --------------------------  countries
      Weight not over (lbs.)                                ------------
                                       Rate         Rate         Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2................................       $11.33       $14.65       $15.70
3................................        11.69        15.34        16.60
4................................        13.13        16.01        17.47
5................................        13.51        16.65        18.32
6................................        13.90        18.85        20.88
7................................        14.28        19.52        21.75
8................................        15.88        20.17        22.59
9................................        16.30        20.80        23.42
10...............................        16.71        21.42        24.22
11...............................        18.45        23.86        27.10
12...............................        18.89        24.51        27.93
13...............................        19.34        25.14        28.76
14...............................        19.79        25.77        29.57
15...............................        20.23        26.38        30.36
16...............................        20.68        26.99        31.15
17...............................        21.13        27.59        31.93
18...............................        21.57        28.18        32.69
19...............................        22.02        28.77        33.45
20...............................        22.47        29.35        34.20
21...............................        22.91        29.93        34.94
22...............................        23.36        30.50        35.68
23...............................        23.81        31.07        36.41
24...............................        24.25        31.63        37.14
25...............................        26.03        33.42        39.09
26...............................        26.48        33.98        39.80
27...............................        26.92        34.53        40.51

[[Page 20182]]

 
28...............................        27.37        35.07        41.22
29...............................        27.82        35.62        41.92
30...............................        28.27        36.16        42.61
31...............................        28.71        36.70        43.31
32...............................        29.16        37.24        44.00
33...............................        29.61        37.77        44.68
34...............................        30.05        38.30        45.37
35...............................        30.50        38.83        46.05
36...............................        30.95        39.36        46.73
37...............................        31.39        39.89        47.40
38...............................        31.84        40.41        48.07
39...............................        32.29        40.93        48.75
40...............................        32.73        41.45        49.41
41...............................        33.18        41.97        50.08
42...............................        33.63        42.49        50.75
43...............................        34.07        43.01        51.41
44...............................        34.55        43.52        52.07
Each additional pound or fraction        $0.50        $0.60       $0.70
 of a pound......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Also Bermuda, Caribbean Islands, Central America, Mexico, and St.
  Pierre adn Miquellon.

B. Air Parcel Post

(See section VII for country rate groups.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Weight not over (lbs.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Rate groups                Canada     Mexico       A          B          C          D          E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................     $12.61      $9.98     $10.86     $11.76     $13.80     $15.11     $16.69
2..................................      12.61      12.12      13.71      15.42      17.28      19.83      20.68
3..................................      13.28      13.36      15.57      18.01      19.51      23.19      23.15
4..................................      15.11      15.82      18.87      22.31      23.55      28.76      27.75
5..................................      15.84      17.16      20.88      25.12      25.96      32.40      30.43
6..................................      16.56      18.50      22.89      27.92      28.37      36.03      33.11
7..................................      17.29      19.84      24.90      30.73      30.78      39.67      35.79
8..................................      19.40      22.81      28.99      36.11      35.75      46.63      41.42
9..................................      20.18      24.26      31.15      39.13      38.34      50.55      44.30
10.................................      20.97      25.70      33.31      42.15      40.94      54.47      47.19
11.................................      21.75      27.15      35.48      45.17      43.54      58.38      50.07
12.................................      22.53      28.59      37.64      48.19      46.14      62.30      52.95
13.................................      23.32      30.04      39.81      51.21      48.73      66.21      55.84
14.................................      24.10      31.48      41.97      54.23      51.33      70.13      58.72
15.................................      24.88      32.93      44.14      57.25      53.93      74.04      61.60
16.................................      25.66      34.37      46.30      60.27      56.52      77.96      64.49
17.................................      26.45      35.82      48.47      63.29      59.12      81.88      67.37
18.................................      27.23      37.26      50.63      66.31      61.72      85.79      70.25
19.................................      28.01      38.71      52.80      69.33      64.32      89.71      73.14
20.................................      28.79      40.15      54.96      72.35      66.91      93.62      76.02
21.................................      29.58      41.60      57.13      75.37      69.51      97.54      78.90
22.................................      30.36      43.04      59.29      78.39      72.11     101.45      81.79
23.................................      31.14      44.49      61.46      81.41      74.70     105.37      84.67
24.................................      31.92      45.93      63.62      84.43      77.30     109.29      87.55
25.................................      34.04      48.71      67.12      88.76      81.23     114.53      91.61
26.................................      34.82      50.15      69.28      91.78      83.83     118.44      94.49
27.................................      35.60      51.60      71.45      94.80      86.42     122.36      97.38
28.................................      36.38      53.04      73.61      97.82      89.02     126.27     100.26
29.................................      37.17      54.49      75.78     100.84      91.62     130.19     103.14
30.................................      37.95      55.93      77.94     103.86      94.21     134.11     106.03
31.................................      38.73      57.38      80.11     106.88      96.81     138.02     108.91
32.................................      39.51      58.83      82.27     109.90      99.41     141.94     111.79
33.................................      40.30      60.27      84.44     112.92     102.00     145.85     114.68
34.................................      41.08      61.72      86.60     115.94     104.60     149.77     117.56
35.................................      41.86      63.16      88.77     118.96     107.20     153.68     120.44
36.................................      42.65      64.61      90.93     121.98     109.80     157.60     123.33
37.................................      43.43      66.05      93.10     125.00     112.39     161.52     126.21
38.................................      44.21      67.50      95.26     128.02     114.99     165.43     129.09
39.................................      44.99      68.94      97.43     131.04     117.59     169.35     131.98
40.................................      45.78      70.39      99.59     134.06     120.18     173.26     134.86
41.................................      46.56      71.83     101.76     137.08     122.78     177.18     137.74
42.................................      47.34      73.28     103.92     140.10     125.38     181.09     140.63
43.................................      48.12      74.72     106.09     143.12     127.98     185.01     143.51

[[Page 20183]]

 
44.................................      48.91      76.17     108.25     146.14     130.57     188.95     146.39
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each additional pound or fraction        $0.80  .........      $1.50      $3.00      $2.60      $4.00      $3.00
 of a pound........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Minimum parcel post weight to Canada is 1 pound.

VII. Country Table

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Country                            Express mail rate group     Air parcel post rate group
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afghanistan \1\......................................  ............................  E
Albania..............................................  4 \2\.......................  D
Algeria..............................................  6 \2\.......................  D
Andorra..............................................  4...........................  B
Angola...............................................  6...........................  D
Anguilla.............................................  5...........................  A
Antigua and Barbuda..................................  ............................  A
Argentina............................................  5...........................  E
Armenia..............................................  4...........................  E
Aruba................................................  5...........................  B
Ascension............................................  ............................  ...........................
Australia............................................  3...........................  D
Austria..............................................  2...........................  D
Azerbaijan...........................................  4...........................  A
Azores...............................................  4...........................  D
Bahamas..............................................  5...........................  A
Bahrain..............................................  6...........................  C
Bangladesh...........................................  1...........................  B
Barbados.............................................  5...........................  A
Belarus..............................................  4...........................  C
Belgium..............................................  2...........................  D
Belize...............................................  5...........................  A
Benin................................................  6...........................  A
Bermuda..............................................  5...........................  C
Bhutan...............................................  1 \2\.......................  D
Bolivia..............................................  5...........................  C
Bosnia-Herzegovina...................................  2...........................  A
Botswana.............................................  6...........................  D
Brazil...............................................  5...........................  E
British Virgin Islands...............................  ............................  A
Brunei Darussalam....................................  1...........................  A
Bulgaria.............................................  4...........................  D
Burkina Faso.........................................  6...........................  D
Burma................................................  ............................  B
Burundi \1\..........................................  6...........................  B
Cambodia.............................................  1...........................  B
Cameroon.............................................  6...........................  D
Canada...............................................  Country-Specific Rate \2\...  Country-Specific Rate
Cape Verde...........................................  6...........................  D
Cayman Islands.......................................  5...........................  A
Central African Republic.............................  6...........................  E
Chad.................................................  6...........................  D
Chile................................................  5...........................  C
China................................................  Country-Specific Rate.......  D
Colombia.............................................  5...........................  B
Comoros..............................................  ............................  B
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the \1\..........................  6...........................  B
Congo, Rep. of the (Brazzaville).....................  6...........................  E
Corsica..............................................  4...........................  D
Costa Rica...........................................  5...........................  A
Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)..........................  6...........................  C
Croatia..............................................  4...........................  C
Cuba.................................................  ............................  ...........................
Cyprus...............................................  4...........................  C
Czech Republic.......................................  4...........................  C
Denmark..............................................  2...........................  C
Djibouti.............................................  6...........................  D
Dominica.............................................  ............................  A
Dominican Republic...................................  5...........................  A
Ecuador..............................................  5...........................  B
Egypt................................................  6...........................  D
El Salvador..........................................  5...........................  A

[[Page 20184]]

 
Equatorial Guinea....................................  6...........................  B
Eritrea..............................................  6...........................  D
Estonia..............................................  4 \2\.......................  D
Ethiopia.............................................  6...........................  B
Falkland Islands.
Faroe Islands........................................  2...........................  C
Fiji.................................................  1 \2\.......................  A
Finland..............................................  2...........................  A
France (incl. Monaco)................................  4 \2\.......................  D
French Guiana........................................  5 \2\.......................  E
French Polynesia.....................................  1...........................  E
Gabon................................................  6...........................  D
Gambia...............................................  ............................  A
Georgia, Republic of.................................  4...........................  E
Germany..............................................  2 \2\.......................  A
Ghana................................................  6...........................  D
Gibraltar............................................  ............................  B
Great Britain and Northern Ireland...................  Country-Specific Rate.......  D
Greece...............................................  2...........................  A
Greenland............................................  ............................  C
Grenada..............................................  5...........................  A
Guadeloupe...........................................  5 \2\.......................  E
Guatemala............................................  5...........................  A
Guinea...............................................  6...........................  A
Guinea-Bissau \1\....................................  6...........................  A
Guyana...............................................  5...........................  A
Haiti................................................  5...........................  A
Honduras.............................................  5...........................  A
Hong Kong............................................  3...........................  D
Hungary..............................................  2...........................  C
Iceland..............................................  2...........................  A
India................................................  1...........................  D
Indonesia............................................  1...........................  D
Iran.................................................  ............................  E
Iraq.................................................  6.
Ireland..............................................  4...........................  A
Israel...............................................  6...........................  D
Italy................................................  2...........................  A
Jamaica..............................................  5...........................  A
Japan................................................  Country-Specific Rate.......  D
Jordan...............................................  6...........................  B
Kazakhstan...........................................  4...........................  B
Kenya................................................  6...........................  D
Kiribati.............................................  ............................  A
Korea, Dem. People's Rep. (North).
Korea, Republic of (South)...........................  3...........................  B
Kuwait...............................................  6...........................  D
Kyrgyzstan...........................................  4...........................  C
Laos.................................................  1...........................  E
Latvia...............................................  4...........................  B
Lebanon..............................................  ............................  A
Lesotho..............................................  6...........................  D
Liberia \1\..........................................  6.
Libya................................................  ............................  ...........................
Liechtenstein........................................  2...........................  C
Lithuania............................................  4...........................  D
Luxembourg...........................................  4...........................  C
Macao................................................  1...........................  D
Macedonia............................................  4...........................  C
Madagascar...........................................  6...........................  E
Madeira Islands......................................  4...........................  D
Malawi...............................................  6...........................  D
Malaysia.............................................  1...........................  B
Maldives.............................................  1...........................  E
Mali.................................................  6...........................  D
Malta................................................  2...........................  D
Martinique...........................................  5 \2\.......................  E
Mauritania...........................................  6...........................  A
Mauritius............................................  6...........................  B
Mexico...............................................  Country-Specific Rate.......  Country-Specific Rate
Moldova..............................................  4...........................  D
Mongolia.............................................  1...........................  D
Montserrat...........................................  ............................  A

[[Page 20185]]

 
Morocco..............................................  6...........................  C
Mozambique...........................................  6...........................  E
Namibia..............................................  6...........................  D
Nauru................................................  1\2\........................  B
Nepal................................................  1...........................  D
Netherlands..........................................  2\2\........................  B
Netherlands Antilles.................................  5...........................  B
New Caledonia........................................  1...........................  E
New Zealand..........................................  1...........................  D
Nicaragua............................................  5...........................  A
Niger................................................  6...........................  C
Nigeria..............................................  6...........................  D
Norway...............................................  2...........................  D
Oman.................................................  1...........................  B
Pakistan.............................................  1...........................  D
Panama...............................................  5...........................  A
Papua New Guinea.....................................  1...........................  E
Paraguay.............................................  5...........................  C
Peru.................................................  5...........................  C
Philippines..........................................  1...........................  D
Pitcairn Island......................................  ............................  D
Poland...............................................  4...........................  C
Portugal.............................................  4...........................  D
Qatar................................................  6...........................  B
Reunion..............................................  ............................  E
Romania..............................................  4...........................  D
Russia...............................................  4...........................  E
Rwanda...............................................  6...........................  D
Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis..............  5...........................  B
Saint Helena.........................................  ............................  C
Saint Lucia..........................................  5...........................  A
Saint Pierre and Miquelon............................  ............................  B
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.....................  5...........................  C
San Marino...........................................  ............................  A
Sao Tome and Principe................................  ............................  B
Saudi Arabia.........................................  6...........................  B
Senegal..............................................  6...........................  D
Serbia-Montenegro \1\................................  4...........................  B
Seychelles...........................................  6...........................  C
Sierra Leone \1\.....................................  6...........................  D
Singapore............................................  3...........................  D
Slovak Republic......................................  4...........................  B
Slovenia.............................................  2...........................  C
Solomon Islands......................................  1...........................  B
Somalia \1\..........................................  6.
South Africa.........................................  6...........................  D
Spain................................................  4...........................  B
Sri Lanka............................................  1...........................  B
Sudan................................................  6...........................  B
Suriname.............................................  ............................  A
Swaziland............................................  6...........................  B
Sweden...............................................  2 \2\.......................  E
Switzerland..........................................  2...........................  C
Syrian Arab Republic.................................  6...........................  C
Taiwan...............................................  3...........................  D
Tajikistan...........................................  4...........................  C
Tanzania.............................................  6...........................  C
Thailand.............................................  3...........................  B
Togo.................................................  6...........................  D
Tonga................................................  ............................  A
Trinidad and Tobago..................................  5...........................  A
Tristan da Cunha.....................................  ............................  A
Tunisia..............................................  6...........................  B
Turkey...............................................  6...........................  B
Turkmenistan.........................................  4...........................  D
Turks and Caicos Islands.............................  ............................  A
Tuvalu...............................................  ............................  A
Uganda...............................................  6...........................  D
Ukraine..............................................  4...........................  D
United Arab Emirates.................................  6...........................  C
Uruguay..............................................  5...........................  C
Uzbekistan...........................................  ............................  E
Vanuatu..............................................  1 \2\.......................  A

[[Page 20186]]

 
Vatican City.........................................  ............................  A
Venezuela............................................  5...........................  A
Vietnam..............................................  1...........................  B
Wallis and Futuna Islands............................  ............................  E
Western Samoa........................................  1...........................  B
Yemen................................................  6...........................  C
Zambia...............................................  6...........................  D
Zimbabwe.............................................  6...........................  E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ All mail service is currently suspended.
\2\ On Demand service only.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 99-10256 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P