[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57506-57507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19934]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Elimination of Cash and Check Deposits Into Local Trust Accounts 
for Express Mail Corporate Accounts

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes to revise its Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) by 
providing Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit as a new method of 
payment for Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) customers. The ACH 
system is a secure, private network that connects banks to one another 
by way of the Federal Reserve Board. This network enables electronic 
payments, such as debit card purchases, to be handled and processed. 
This proposed rule would also eliminate cash and check deposits made 
into local trust accounts. EMCA customers would still have three 
options to fund their accounts: Participate in the Centralized Account 
Processing System (CAPS), use a personal or business credit or debit 
card, or authorize the USPS to originate an ACH debit from a specified 
bank account.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing 
Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 3436, 
Washington, DC 20260-3436. Written comments may also be submitted via 
fax to 202-268-4955. 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 20260-0004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Owens, 202-268-7460, or Garry A. 
Rodriguez, 202-268-7281, United States Postal Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is proposing to eliminate 
cash and check deposits in local trust accounts and to provide 
Automated Clearing House (ACH) as a new method of payment for Express 
Mail Corporate

[[Page 57507]]

Account (EMCA) customers as part of the Postal Service's ongoing 
mission to help grow revenue in a competitive market by increasing 
efficiencies, enhancing financial controls, and reducing costs.
    Currently EMCA customers may use one of the following payment 
methods to fund their accounts:
    a. Participate in the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS).
    b. Use a personal or business credit card.
    c. Make an initial deposit with cash or by check of $250, or the 
total postage and fees expected during the first 4 weeks of account 
usage, whichever is higher.
    After the first 4 weeks, the minimum balance in the account must 
equal an average week's postage and fees, or $100, whichever is higher.
    Under this proposal, cash and check deposits would be eliminated 
and customers would be provided with an ACH payment method as a new 
option.
    Effective December 1, 2007, new EMCA customers would be required to 
fund their accounts using one of the following payment methods:
    a. Use a personal or business credit or debit card.
    b. Authorize the USPS to originate an ACH debit from a specified 
bank account.
    c. Participate in the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS) 
debit only if combined with other PostalOne[supreg] accounts such as 
permit imprint, Periodicals, business reply mail, and Address Element 
Correction.
    By using an electronic payment option, customers will no longer 
have to go to a Post OfficeTM to make deposits into their 
EMCA trust accounts. This new payment option enhances financial control 
by reducing risk and eliminating the administrative costs of pursuing 
negative balance or delinquent EMCA accounts.
    Existing EMCA customers who deposit cash and checks in local trust 
accounts will be transitioned to electronic payment methods during the 
next year. Details of this effort will be directly communicated to 
current EMCA customers.
    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 Mailing Standards 
of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, incorporated 
in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1, 111.4.

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 Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as set forth below:
* * * * *

100 Retail Mail

* * * * *

110 Express Mail

* * * * *

114 Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

2.0 Corporate Accounts

* * * * *

2.4 Minimum Balance

    For opening and maintaining an account, the mailer may do any of 
the following: [Revise the text in items a, b, and c as follows:]
    a. Use a personal or business credit or debit card.
    b. Authorize the USPS to originate an ACH debit from a specified 
bank account.
    c. Participate in the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS) 
debit only if combined with other PostalOne[supreg] accounts such as 
permit imprint, Periodicals, business reply mail, and Address Element 
Correction.
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these 
changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
 [FR Doc. E7-19934 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P