[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 146 (Friday, July 28, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46363-46364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19164]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Line-of-Travel Sequencing for Basic Carrier Route Periodicals

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 basic carrier route Periodicals in line-
of-travel (LOT) order.

EFFECTIVE DATE: A future date that coincides with 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: Anne Emmerth, 202-268-2363; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 18, 2000, the Postal Service 
published for comment in the Federal Register (65 FR 31506) a proposed 
rule requiring that packages of basic carrier route Periodicals be 
sequenced in LOT or walk-sequence order. Mailers would be required to 
use the Postal Service LOT product to sequence their mail no more than 
90 days prior to mailing. Alternately, mailers may prepare mail in walk 
sequence under the standards in M050.
    This final rule is based on a cost analysis that indicated that 
implementing a line-of-travel or walk-sequence requirement for packages 
of basic carrier route Periodicals could produce significant savings.
    The Postal Service received a total of four comments on the 
proposed rule; all of those comments strongly supported the proposal. 
Therefore, the Postal Service will adopt the proposed changes effective 
on the date that coincides with implementation of rates resulting from 
the R2000-1 rate case. Mailers will be notified of the effective date 
through the Federal Register.
    The LOT product is available through the Postal Service National 
Customer Support Center (www.usps.com > address quality > address 
information systems (AIS) products or 1-800-238-3150). New postage 
statements will not be produced until rates are implemented for the 
R2000-1 rate case. Until then, mailers must annotate line 22 (for 
outside-county) and line 53 (for In-county) on the Forms 3541 to show 
the sequencing date.
    On May 16, 2000, the Postal Service published for comment in the 
Federal Register (65 FR 31118) a proposed rule to require that, for 
carrier route Periodicals prepared in sacks, those sacks must contain a 
minimum of 24 pieces and must be sorted to a required 5-digit scheme 
carrier routes sack level using DMM labeling list L001. For Periodicals 
prepared as packages and bundles on pallets, mailers would be required 
to prepare a 5-digit scheme pallet using DMM labeling list L001. 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, DMM 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 four comments in response to the 
proposed rule. The respondents included Periodicals publishers and one 
publisher association. All four respondents expressed strong support of 
the proposal as a way to reduce mail processing costs for Periodicals. 
Two respondents asked for additional changes to the Domestic Mail 
Manual to allow small newspaper publishers to get sequencing 
information through means other than the USPS LOT product. Those 
comments are outside the scope of this final rule and will be taken 
under consideration by the Postal Service for possible future action. 
However, mailers may obtain walk sequence information through the means 
described in DMM M050.
    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 Regulation (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:]

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

* * * * *

[[Page 46364]]

M013  Optional Endorsements Lines

1.0  USE

1.1  Basic Standards

[Amend 1.1 by revising the exhibit to read as follows:]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Sortation level                        OEL example
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       [Replace the second entry in the table with the following:]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrier Route-Periodicals:
    (basic, high density, and            CAR-RT LOT * * C-001
     saturation carrier route).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

M050  Delivery Sequence

* * * * *

3.0  DELIVERY SEQUENCE INFORMATION

* * * * *

3.4  Line-of-Travel Sequence

[Amend 3.4 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:]
    Unless the mail is prepared in carrier walk sequence, LOT sequence 
is required for mailings at Enhanced Carrier Route basic Standard Mail 
(A) rates and carrier route basic Periodicals rates. * * *

4.0  DOCUMENTATION

4.1  General

[Amend 4.1 by revising the fourth sentence to read as follows:]
    *  *  * For Periodicals, the postage statement must be annotated in 
the ``Sequencing Date'' block on each of the lines where basic, high 
density, and saturation per piece rate postage is reported. * * *
* * * * *

M200  Periodicals (Nonautomation)

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *
[Amend 1.3 by revising the heading and the second sentence to read as 
follows:]

1.3  Basic Carrier Route and Walk Sequence

    *  *  * Periodicals for which a carrier route discount is claimed 
must be prepared as a carrier route mailing under this section and 
either the walk sequencing standard or the line-of-travel sequencing 
standard in M050; pieces prepared with a simplified address must also 
meet the standards in A040.
* * * * *
    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. 00-19164 Filed 7-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P