[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5960]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Postage and Fees Refunds; Unused Adhesive Stamps and Stamps 
Affixed to Unmailed Matter

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule; comments acceptable.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending a portion of its rule on 
postage and fees refunds, to clarify that payments may be made in some 
cases for unused adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to 
unmailed matter. The purpose of this change is to allow the Postal 
Service to test market programs that involve the use of postage stamps 
to pay for goods and services.

DATES: Effective March 9, 2000. Comments must be received on or before 
April 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to Manager, Advertising 
Mail, USPS Headquarters, Room 5413, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, 
DC 20260-2690. Copies of all written comments will be available for 
inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris C. Conboy, (202) 268-3120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section P014.2.7 of the Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM), the Postal Service currently disallows refunds for unused 
adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter. While 
this policy is necessary to promote the efficiency of ordinary retail 
postal operations, the current DMM language hampers the testing and 
development of innovative marketing programs such as the Micropayment 
Program. Under this program, vendors would be allowed to receive 
payment for goods and services, priced between $1.00 and $10.00, in the 
form of postage stamps affixed to a postcard or a similar item. The 
vendors, in turn, would return the stamps to the Postal Service and 
receive payments in an amount less than the face value of the stamps. 
As amended, section P014.2.7 of the DMM will more clearly allow payment 
for unused adhesive stamps and stamps affixed to unmailed matter in 
connection with marketing programs approved by the Senior Vice 
President for Marketing, thus allowing tests of the Micro Payment 
Program and similar initiatives to proceed.

List of Subjects 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby amends section P014.2.7 of 
the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), which is incorporated by reference in 
the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 111.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.


    2. Amend section P014.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to read 
as follows:

P  POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS

P000  Basic Information

P010  General Standards

* * * * *

P014  Refunds and Exchanges

* * * * *
2.0  POSTAGE AND FEES REFUNDS
* * * * *

2.7  Unallowable Refunds

    Refunds are not made for the following:
    a. An application fee to use permit imprints.
    b. Collect on delivery (COD), Express Mail insurance, insured, and 
registered fees after the USPS accepts the article, even if the article 
is later withdrawn from the mail.
    c. Unused adhesive stamps (may be exchanged under 1.1 through 1.5).
    d. Adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter.
    These limits on refunds are not intended to prohibit payments for 
unused adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter 
in connection with an authorized marketing program.
* * * * *

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-5960 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P