[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 146 (Friday, July 28, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46361-46363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19163]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Sack Preparation Changes for Periodicals Nonletter-Size Pieces 
and Periodicals Prepared on Pallets

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule sets forth changes to the Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM) for the preparation of nonautomation nonletter-size carrier route 
Periodicals prepared in sacks and the preparation of Periodicals 
packages and bundles on pallets. For Periodicals carrier route mail 
prepared in sacks, the changes require carrier route sacks to contain a 
minimum of 24 pieces and make the use of 5-digit scheme carrier routes 
sacks, using DMM labeling list L001, a required sortation level. All 
other sack sortation criteria remain unchanged. For Periodicals 
prepared as packages and bundles on pallets, the changes require 
preparation of 5-digit scheme pallets, using DMM labeling list L001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: A future date that coincides with the implementation of 
rates resulting from the R2000-1 rate case. A document announcing the 
effective date will be published in the Federal Register at a later 
date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Walker, 202-268-3340; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 16, 2000, the Postal Service 
published for comment in the Federal Register (65 FR 31118-31120) a 
proposed rule to change preparation requirements for nonautomation 
nonletter-size carrier route Periodicals prepared in sacks and for 
Periodicals packages and bundles prepared on pallets.
    The Postal Service proposed that all direct carrier route sacks 
must contain a minimum of 24 pieces and proposed to require the use of 
5-digit/scheme carrier routes sortation using DMM L001 for 
nonautomation nonletter-size Periodicals prepared in sacks. In 
addition, the Postal Service proposed to require preparation of both 5-
digit scheme and 5-digit pallets when there are 500 pounds of 
Periodicals packages and bundles for a scheme under DMM L001, or for a 
single 5-digit ZIP Code not listed in DMM L001.
    The Postal Service received a total of five comments on the 
proposed rule. All comments supported the rule, with two comments 
highly in favor. Therefore, the Postal Service will adopt, without 
revision, the proposed changes effective at a future date that 
coincides with implementation of rates resulting from the R2000-1 rate 
case.
    On May 18, 2000, the Postal Service published for comment in the 
Federal Register (65 FR 31506) a proposed rule to require that packages 
of basic carrier route Periodicals be sequenced in line-of-travel or 
walk sequence order. As described in detail in an accompanying final 
rule, the Postal Service will adopt those proposed changes on the same 
date as the preparation changes described in this final rule.
    Because some of these rules overlap (specifically, E230.2.2a), this 
final rule is written to include the standards that are included in the 
other final rule.

Summary of Comments

    The Postal Service received five comments on the proposed rule. The 
respondents included individual publishers, publisher associations, and 
mailing agents. Although in favor of the proposed rule, two respondents 
voiced opposition to any future proposal to change the standards for 
low-volume packages and sacks (fewer than six pieces) or the current 
minimum volume sack standards for Periodicals. In addition, the two 
respondents voiced a concern that not all publishers will be able to 
incorporate L001 into their software by the proposed October 15, 2000, 
effective date. Therefore, the Postal Service has revised the effective 
date of the proposed rule. Mailers have the option to use these 
preparation standards now and will be required to use these standards 
with the date that coincides with implementation of rates resulting 
from the R2000-1 rate case. Mailers not currently using these standards 
are encouraged to begin using them as soon as possible.
    One respondent offered three comments that are outside the scope of 
the proposed rule. The first comment expressed continued support for an 
option for mailers to label sacks to a carrier route rather than to 
``mixed carrier routes'' when the sack contains mail only to a single 
carrier route, but less than 24 pieces. The next comment expressed 
support for the design and implementation of a new container (mini-
pallet), and the last suggested that these rule changes be expanded to 
Standard Mail (A) flat-size mail.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service adopts the 
following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is incorporated 
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 CFR part 111).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

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 the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
as follows:
E  ELIGIBILITY
* * * * *

E200  Periodicals

* * * * *

E230  Nonautomation Rates

* * * * *

2.0  CARRIER ROUTE RATES

* * * * *
[Amend 2.2 by revising the heading and item a, redesignating item b as 
item c, and adding a new item b to read as follows:]

[[Page 46362]]

2.2  Sequencing

    Preparation to qualify eligible pieces for carrier route rates is 
optional and is subject to M200. Carrier route sort need not be done 
for all carrier routes in a 5-digit area. Specific rate eligibility is 
subject to these standards:
    a. The carrier route rates apply to copies in carrier route 
packages of six or more letter-size pieces each that are sorted to 
carrier routes, 5-digit carrier routes, or 3-digit carrier routes 
trays; and six or more flat-size pieces or irregular parcel-size pieces 
each that are sorted to carrier route, 5-digit, or 5-digit scheme 
carrier routes sacks. Preparation of 5-digit scheme carrier routes 
sacks is required for all 5-digit scheme destinations. The applicable 
sequencing requirements in M050 and in 2.2b or 2.2c also must be met.
    b. Basic carrier route rate mail must be prepared either in carrier 
walk sequence or in line-of-travel (LOT) sequence according to LOT 
schemes prescribed by the USPS (M050).
    c. The high density and saturation rates apply to pieces that are 
eligible for carrier route rates under 2.2a, are prepared in carrier 
walk sequence, and meet the applicable density standards in 6.0 for the 
rate claimed.
* * * * *
M  MAIL PREPARATION AND SORTATION

M000  General Preparation Standards

M010  Mailpieces

M011  Basic Standards

1.0  TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* * * * *

1.3  Preparation Instructions

    For purposes of preparing mail:
[Amend items h and i by revising the fourth sentence in each to read as 
follows:]
* * * * *
    h. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate 
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size 
Enhanced Carrier Route rate Standard Mail (A) in sacks. * * *
    i. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate 
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size 
Standard Mail (A) prepared as packages on pallets and may not be used 
for other mail prepared on pallets, except for packages of Standard 
Mail (A) irregular parcels that are part of a mailing job that is 
prepared in part as palletized flats at automation rates. * * *
* * * * *

M030  Containers

* * * * *

M033  Sacks and Trays

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.8  Periodicals Flats and Irregular Parcels Origin/Entry SCF Sacks

[Amend 1.8 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:]
    For flat-size and irregular parcel-size Periodicals, after all 
carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, 5-digit scheme carrier routes, 
5-digit, 3-digit, and required SCF sacks are prepared, an SCF sack must 
be prepared to contain any remaining 5-digit and 3-digit packages for 
the 3-digit ZIP Code area(s) served by the SCF serving the post office 
where the mail is verified, and may be prepared for the area served by 
the SCF/plant where mail is entered (if that is different from the SCF/
plant serving the post office where the mail is verified; e.g., a PVDS 
deposit site). * * *
* * * * *

M040  Pallets

M041  General Standards

* * * * *

5.0  PREPARATION

* * * * *

5.2  Required Preparation

    These standards apply to:
[Amend item a by revising the third sentence and adding a new fourth 
sentence to read as follows:]
    a. Periodicals, Standard Mail (A), and Parcel Post (other than BMC 
Presort, OBMC Presort, DSCF, and DDU rate mail). A pallet must be 
prepared to a required sortation level when there are 500 pounds of 
Periodicals or Standard Mail packages, sacks, or parcels or six layers 
of Periodicals or Standard Mail (A) letter trays. For packages of 
Periodicals flats and irregular parcels on pallets prepared under the 
standards for package reallocation (M045.5), not all mail for a 
required 5-digit scheme destination is required to be on a 5-digit 
scheme pallet. For packages of Standard Mail (A) flats on pallets, not 
all mail for a required 5-digit destination is required to be on a 5-
digit pallet or optional 5-digit/scheme pallet.* * *
* * * * *

M045  Palletized Mailings

* * * * *

4.0  PALLET PRESORT AND LABELING

4.1  Packages, Bundles, Sacks, or Trays on Pallets

    Preparation sequence and Line 1 labeling:
[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]
    a. 5-digit (for Periodicals sacks or trays and all Standard Mail): 
required for sacks; required for packages and bundles of Standard Mail, 
except for packages and bundles prepared under b; optional for trays; 
for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of contents.
    b. 5-digit scheme: required for Periodicals packages and bundles 
and optional for Standard Mail (A) packages and bundles; for Line 1 for 
5-digit pallets, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of contents; for Line 
1 for 5-digit scheme pallets, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *

M200  Periodicals (Nonautomation)

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.5  Low-Volume Packages and Sacks

[Amend 1.5 by revising package and sack levels to read as follows:]
    As a general exception to 2.4b through 2.4d, and 3.1a through 3.1e, 
nonletter-size Periodicals may be prepared in carrier route, 5-digit, 
and 3-digit packages containing fewer than six pieces when the 
publisher determines that such preparation improves service, provided 
those packages are placed in 5-digit carrier routes, 5-digit scheme 
carrier routes, 5-digit, 3-digit, and SCF sacks. These low-volume 
packages may be placed on 5-digit, 5-digit scheme, 3-digit, and SCF 
pallets under M045.
* * * * *

3.0  SACK PREPARATION (FLAT-SIZE PIECES AND IRREGULAR PARCELS)

3.1  Sack Preparation

Sack size, preparation sequence, and Line 1 labeling:
[Amend 3.1 by removing b, redesignating c through h as b through g 
respectively, and revising a and new b to read as follows:]
    a. Carrier route: Required for rate eligibility at 24 pieces, fewer 
pieces not permitted; for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of 
packages, preceded for military mail by the prefixes under M031.
    b. 5-digit/scheme carrier routes (carrier route packages only): 
Required for rate eligibility (no minimum); for Line 1 for 5-digit 
carrier routes sacks, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of packages, 
preceded for military mail by

[[Page 46363]]

the prefixes under M031; for Line 1 for 5-digit scheme carrier routes 
sacks, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *
    This change will be published in a future issue of the Domestic 
Mail Manual. An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111.3 to reflect these 
changes will be published.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-19163 Filed 7-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P