[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18174-18176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9194]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation Services With 
First-Class Mail and Package Services Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
to clarify when it is permissible to use Delivery Confirmation service 
and Signature Confirmation service, particularly the limitation of 
these services to parcel-shaped mail for First-Class Mail and Package 
Services mail.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing 
Standards, ATTN: Neil Berger, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 N. Lynn Street, 
Room 3025, Arlington, VA 22209-6038. Written comments may be submitted 
via fax to 703-292-4058. 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 Postal Service Headquarters Library, 475 
L'Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, Washington, DC 20260-1540.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Berger at (703) 292-3645.

[[Page 18175]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior to the implementation of Docket No. 
R2001-1 on June 30, 2002, customers and shippers wanting to mail 
lightweight parcels weighing 13 ounces or less and receive Delivery 
Confirmation or Signature Confirmation service could not choose First-
Class Mail, even though the parcels otherwise would qualify for First-
Class Mail based on their weight.
    The Postal Service proposed in its Docket No. R2001-1 Request to 
extend Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to First-Class 
Mail parcels as a way of providing all parcel customers and shippers 
the opportunity to benefit from Delivery Confirmation and Signature 
Confirmation services without affecting their choice of subclass. The 
Postal Service believed that this change would increase not only the 
customer value of those special services but also the customer value of 
First-Class Mail as an effective class of mail for sending and 
receiving lightweight merchandise in parcels.
    The extension of the two special services to First-Class Mail 
parcels was implemented on June 30, 2002. 67 FR 18684-18771 (April 16, 
2002). This extension provided parcel customers with Delivery 
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation options afforded other parcel 
shippers using Priority Mail, Standard Mail, or Package Services. With 
a wide range of classes of mail and subclasses now eligible for these 
two services, shippers now have greater flexibility in determining 
which class to use for their parcels in order to meet particular 
customer requirements.
    Another change resulting from proposals in Docket No. R2001-1 was 
the restriction of Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to 
parcels within the Package Services class of mail, which comprises the 
four subclasses of Parcel Post (including Parcel Select), Bound Printed 
Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail. See 67 FR 18694-95. This 
restriction reflects operational concerns about the way the various 
processing categories of mail are sorted, distributed, and delivered, 
and the ability to provide Delivery Confirmation and Signature 
Confirmation services consistently. Before that change, all Package 
Services mail was eligible to use Delivery Confirmation and Signature 
Confirmation services, even though the two services could not be 
effectively provided to flat-size mail.
    Both the First-Class Mail and Package Services changes addressed 
operational difficulties in isolating letter-size and flat-size mail 
for purposes of Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation 
scanning, as well as the goal of offering Delivery Confirmation and 
Signature Confirmation to all parcel-shaped mail. The restriction of 
the two special services to parcels within Package Services and First-
Class Mail is in line with the need for the Postal Service to identify 
Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation mailpieces for proper 
scanning by the delivery employee. Unlike letter-size mail and flat-
size mail, Priority Mail (regardless of shape) and parcels of all other 
classes are held out at the delivery units and handled separately by 
clerks and carriers. This is not the case for letter-size and flat-size 
mail, which is generally processed on automated equipment and receives 
minimal manual handling, especially for firms that receive large 
quantities of mail daily.
    For Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, and nearly all 
special services requiring accountability at the time of delivery such 
as a customer signature, parcels predominate. For the two conspicuous 
exceptions, Certified Mail and Registered Mail, the letter-size or 
flat-size mailpieces are designed and handled so that they are 
separated from other letter-size and flat-size mail before the point of 
handling in delivery operations. On the other hand, Delivery 
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation rely on manual separation of 
parcel mail and recognition of the special services on that mail by the 
postal employee at the delivery unit for proper handling.
    In order to implement the Docket No. R2001-1 limitation of Delivery 
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation services to ``parcel-shaped'' 
mail, for all subclasses but Priority Mail, and to restrict Delivery 
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to shapes that are readily 
identified for scanning, the Postal Service defined the term ``parcel'' 
in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) (sections C100.5.0 and C700.1.0h), 
with regard to using either of those two special services with First-
Class Mail and Package Services mail, as follows:
    a. Has an address side with enough surface area to fit the delivery 
address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and 
special service label; and,
    b. Is in a box or, if not in a box, is more than \3/4\ inch thick 
at its thickest point.

Proposed Changes

    This current definition of ``parcel'' has created some uncertainty, 
particularly within First-Class Mail with the definition of a box. The 
Postal Service therefore proposes a revision to this DMM language to 
clarify the definition of a ``parcel.'' The proposal uses, with some 
additions, the current mail processing category definitions in DMM C050 
for machinable parcel, irregular parcel (a nonmachinable parcel), and 
outside parcel (a nonmachinable parcel). An outside parcel can consist 
of such items as automobile tires and partially wrapped nursery trees 
that are generally not placed entirely in a sack or other mailing 
container.
    Until now, these parcel categories have been used only in 
conjunction with mail preparation standards for Standard Mail and 
Package Services mail and for the application of the nonmachinable 
surcharge to certain Parcel Post pieces. As presented in this proposed 
rule, the current definitions of a parcel are modified solely for the 
purposes of using Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation 
services, including removing the 6-ounce minimum weight limit for so-
called ``machinable'' parcels sent as First-Class Mail, and adding a 
rigidity requirement for machinable parcels measuring no more than \3/
4\ inch thick. This proposal does not modify any of the criteria in DMM 
C050 as they currently apply to the definition of Standard Mail and 
Package Services parcel mail preparation.
    By using the existing standards and readily known parcel 
definitions, the Postal Service would more clearly define what 
constitutes a parcel for purposes of Delivery Confirmation and 
Signature Confirmation services, and their use would reduce the 
subjectivity of determining what distinguishes a ``box'' from a 
``flat'' or a ``letter.'' At the same time, while ensuring, by the use 
of current parcel definitions in the DMM, that letter-size mail and 
flat-size mail are not construed as a parcel, the proposed revision 
would also ensure that shippers would benefit from a wide range of 
dimensions for various types of parcels. For example, a machinable 
parcel can measure as little as 6 inches long and 3 inches high if it 
is more than \1/4\ inch thick. On the other hand, a Parcel Post outside 
parcel (nonmachinable) can weigh as much as 70 pounds and measure up to 
130 inches in combined length and girth.
    For the reasons above, the Postal Service proposes revising and 
clarifying the definition of a First-Class Mail parcel and a Package 
Services parcel solely for the purposes of using Delivery Confirmation 
or Signature Confirmation with either of those two mail classes. The 
proposed language adopts the current definitions in DMM C050 for the

[[Page 18176]]

parcel mail processing category, and specifies some additional 
requirements to ensure that the services are available only for parcels 
if First-Class Mail or Package Services are used. For example, for 
machinable parcels measuring \3/4\ inch thick or less, only packaging 
that would maintain its parcel shape and integrity throughout 
processing and handling would be permitted.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C. of 553(b), (c)] regarding 
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites 
public comment on the following proposed revisions to the Domestic Mail 
Manual, incorporated in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 
111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    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, 
416, 3001-3011, 3201'3219, 3403'3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Amend the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
as set forth below:

Domestic Mail Manual

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

* * * * *
[Amend C100 by removing current 5.0 and by redesignating current 6.0 as 
5.0.]

C100 First-Class Mail

* * * * *

C700 Package Services

[Amend 1.0 by revising heading and by removing 1.0h.]
1.0 DIMENSIONS
* * * * *

S Special Services

* * * * *

S900 Special Postal Services

S910 Security and Accountability

* * * * *

S918 Delivery Confirmation

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION
* * * * *
[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]

1.2 Eligible Matter

    Delivery Confirmation service is available for First-Class Mail 
parcels defined in C050 as machinable, irregular, or outside parcels, 
with no minimum weight for such parcels; for all Priority Mail pieces; 
for Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge 
(electronic option only); and for Package Services parcels defined in 
C050 as machinable, irregular, and outside parcels. For the purposes of 
using Delivery Confirmation service with First-Class Mail and Package 
Services, a parcel must meet these additional requirements:
    a. The surface area of the address side of the parcel must be large 
enough to contain completely and legibly the delivery address, return 
address, postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and 
special service labels.
    b. Except as provided in 1.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel 
must be greater than \3/4\ inch thick at its thickest point.
    c. If the mailpiece is a machinable parcel under DMM C050 and no 
greater than \3/4\ inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a 
strong and rigid fiberboard or similar container or in a container that 
becomes rigid after the contents are enclosed and the container 
secured. The parcel must be able to maintain its shape, integrity, and 
rigidity throughout processing and handling without collapsing into a 
letter-size or flat-size piece.
[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]

1.3 Ineligible Matter

    Delivery Confirmation service is not available for the following:
    a. Express Mail and Periodicals pieces.
    b. First-Class Mail letter-size and flat-size pieces.
    c. Standard Mail pieces not subject to the residual shape surcharge 
and all Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail pieces.
    d. Package Services flat-size pieces.
    e. Mail paid with precanceled stamps.
    f. Mail addressed to APO/FPO destinations.
    g. Mail addressed to any U.S. territory, possession, or Freely 
Associated State listed in G011, with the exception of Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* * * * *

S919 Signature Confirmation

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION
* * * * *
[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]

1.2 Eligible Matter

    Signature Confirmation service is available for First-Class Mail 
parcels defined in C050 as machinable, irregular, or outside parcels, 
with no minimum weight for such parcels; for all Priority Mail pieces; 
and for Package Services parcels defined in C050 as machinable, 
irregular, and outside parcels. For the purposes of using Signature 
Confirmation service with First-Class Mail and Package Services, a 
parcel must meet these additional requirements:
    a. The surface area of the address side of the parcel must be large 
enough to contain completely and legibly the delivery address, return 
address, postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and 
special service labels.
    b. Except as provided in 1.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel 
must be greater than \3/4\ inch thick at its thickest point.
    c. If the mailpiece is a machinable parcel under DMM C050 and no 
greater than \3/4\ inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a 
strong and rigid fiberboard or similar container or in a container that 
becomes rigid after the contents are enclosed and the container 
secured. The parcel must be able to maintain its shape, integrity, and 
rigidity throughout processing and handling without collapsing into a 
letter-size or flat-size piece.
[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]

1.3 Ineligible Matter

    Signature Confirmation service is not available for the following:
    a. Express Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail.
    b. First-Class Mail letter-size and flat-size pieces.
    c. Package Services flat-size pieces.
    d. Mail paid with precanceled stamps.
    e. Mail addressed to APO/FPO destinations.
    f. Mail addressed to any U.S. territory, possession, or Freely 
Associated State listed in G011, with the exception of Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect the changes 
will be published if this proposed rule is adopted.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 03-9194 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P