[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 152 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48171-48172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19393]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Express Mail International Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 407, the Postal 
Service will offer a 5 percent discount off of regular postage for all 
Express Mail International Service (EMS) shipments paid for by an 
Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) or made by federal agencies using 
the federal financial system. The discount would apply only to the 
basic postage portion of EMS published rates. It would not apply to 
pick-up service charges, additional merchandise insurance coverage 
fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail 
agreement.

DATES: Effective: August 12, 2000. Comments on the interim rule must be 
received on or before September 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Manager, 
International Products, International Business, U.S. Postal Service, 
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 370-IBU, Washington DC 20260-6500. Copies 
of all written comments will be available for public inspection between 
9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in International Business, 
10th Floor, 901 D Street SW, Washington DC 20260-6500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angus MacInnes, (202) 268-2268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is changing conditions 
for certain mailing categories to automatically reduce every payment 
transaction by 5 percent for all EMS purchased at basic published 
prices and paid through an EMCA.
    An EMCA is an advance deposit account developed for Express Mail, 
which enables customers to deposit funds with the Postal Service for 
payment of anticipated future Express Mail mailings. Express Mail 
Corporate Accounts can be used for domestic and international Express 
Mail. The discount will be available only for Express Mail sent 
internationally. Federal agencies will also be eligible for the 
discount. The discount will be deducted from the total postage amount 
on the mailer's monthly account rather than from each piece.
    The 5 percent discount will be offered on postage only; it does not 
apply to pickup fees, any special fees, nor postage for shipments being 
made under an International Customized Mail agreement.
    As required under the Postal Reorganization Act, these changes will 
result in conditions of mailing that do not apportion the costs of the 
service, so the overall value of the service to users is fair and 
reasonable, and not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or 
preferential.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, international postal services.

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. Amend the International Mail Manual by revising section 2 to 
read as follows:
2  CONDITIONS FOR MAILING

210  Express Mail International Service

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[[Page 48172]]

212  Postage

212.1  Rates

212.11  Country Rates

    See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer 
Express Mail International Service.

212.12  Express Mail Corporate Account Discount Rates

    Express Mail International Service (EMS) rates will be reduced by 5 
percent for all payments made through an Express Mail Corporate Account 
(EMCA) or through the federal agency payment system. The discount 
applies only to the postage portion of EMS rates. It does not apply to 
pickup service charges (212.24), additional merchandise insurance 
coverage fees (211.51), or shipments made under an International 
Customized Mail agreement.
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Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-19393 Filed 8-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P