[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4820-4823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1702]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to revise 
pricing and eligibility standards for commercial First-Class 
Mail[supreg] parcels associated with the January 2011 Postal Service 
filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for Mailing 
Services. We also will implement changes previously proposed to 
eliminate the sale of Standard Mail[supreg] stamped envelopes.

DATES: Effective April 17, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc McCrery at 202-268-2704 or Bill 
Chatfield at 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9, 2010, the Postal Service 
published a Federal Register proposed rule, New Standards for Domestic 
Mailing Services (75 FR 39477-39492), based on a previous price filing 
with the PRC that was not implemented. In that proposal, we included 
the elimination of Standard Mail (including nonprofit) stamped 
envelopes. We received no comments on that proposal or on the proposal 
to establish a separate commercial single-piece price for certain 
First-Class Mail parcels.

First-Class Mail Parcels

    The Postal Service will establish a separate price category for 
commercial single-piece First-Class Mail parcels. Currently, mailers 
who presort a minimum of 500 First-Class Mail parcels pay single-piece 
prices for the residual portion of a presorted mailing after sorting to 
all required area distribution centers (ADCs). We also currently allow 
non-presort mailers access to those prices, with no volume minimum per 
mailing.

Commercial Base

    Mailers will be able to pay commercial single-piece First-Class 
Mail prices for their parcels when they pay postage by any of the 
following three methods: Permit imprint, information-based indicia 
(IBI) meters, or PC Postage[supreg]. Parcels with IBI-metered postage 
or PC postage, claiming a presorted price or the new commercial single-
piece parcel price, must be marked ``CommercialBasePrice'' in addition 
to the First-Class Mail marking. Presorted parcels also must be marked 
``Presorted.'' The ``CommercialBasePrice'' marking may be either within 
or directly below the indicia area. Except for parcels entered at the 
new commercial plus prices, First-Class Mail items cannot exceed 13 
ounces.

Commercial Plus

    The Postal Service also introduces a new price category under 
First-Class Mail, commercial plus pricing for First-Class Mail, 
designed for parcels over 13 ounces but less than 16 ounces. The 
commercial plus pricing option is established for First-Class Mail 
customers who pay postage with permit imprint, meet specific mailing 
requirements, and whose account volume exceeds a minimum threshold. All 
First-Class Mail parcels mailed at commercial plus prices must be 
marked ``CommercialPlusPrice.''
    First-Class Mail commercial plus parcels must be machinable parcels 
that weigh more than 13 ounces but less than 16 ounces. Qualifying 
mailers also will have the option to pay commercial plus parcel prices 
for machinable parcels weighing less than 13 ounces. (with a minimum 
weight of 3.5 ounces the minimum for machinable parcels). A flat 
commercial plus price is charged at a single-piece price and each of 
the following presorted price levels: 5-digit, 3-digit, and ADC. 
Commercial plus parcels may be commingled with other First-Class Mail 
parcels, subject to adequate documentation. First-Class Mail commercial 
plus parcel prices will be available for customers who:
     Establish a customer commitment agreement with the Postal 
Service to mail more than 5,000 First-Class Mail machinable parcels at 
commercial plus prices in a calendar year.
     Pay for postage using a permit imprint.
     Enter a minimum of 500 pieces of mail for each presorted 
mailing or a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail for each 
single-piece mailing.
     Use the Electronic Verification System (eVS[supreg]) or 
submit an electronic postage statement with a computerized manifest.
    Additionally, permit holders using Merchandise Return Service (MRS) 
for First-Class Mail machinable parcels will be eligible for commercial 
plus parcel prices if the total of their First-Class Mail MRS and 
outgoing volume meet the minimum volume commitment.

Discontinuation of Standard Mail Stamped Envelopes

    Standard Mail (including nonprofit) stamped envelopes will no 
longer be available for purchase. Sales of Standard Mail envelopes have 
been declining

[[Page 4821]]

over the past 10 years. Therefore, the Postal Service eliminates 
Standard Mail stamped envelopes from our schedules and inventory lists. 
The eliminated product numbers are: 215100, 215200, 262700, 262800, and 
216400.

Determining Single-Piece Weights for Package Services Flats

    The Postal Service also revises the standards for determining 
single-piece weights for flats mailed at Bound Printed Matter, Media 
Mail, and Library Mail prices to match the change in January 2011 for 
Package Services parcels. All single-piece weights for these types of 
flats will be expressed in pounds calculated to two decimal places 
instead of the current four decimal places.

Standard Mail Nonmachinable Letters

    We also make slight revisions to DMM 201 to coordinate changes 
implemented in January to refer to prices for Standard Mail 
nonmachinable letters over 3.3 ounces as nonmachinable letter prices 
rather than nonautomation flats prices.
    The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to the 
Mailing Services of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:
* * * * *

100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels

101 Physical Standards

* * * * *

6.0 Additional Physical Standards for First-Class Mail

6.1 Maximum Weight and Size

    [Revise the first two sentences of 6.1 as follows:]
    First-Class Mail cannot exceed 13 ounces, except for First-Class 
Mail commercial plus parcels (see 433). First-Class Mail weighing more 
than 13 ounces that is not entered at commercial plus parcel prices is 
Priority Mail. * * *
* * * * *

130 First-Class Mail

133 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees for First-Class Mail

* * * * *

1.2 Price Computation for First-Class Mail

    [Revise 1.2 as follows:]
    Except for parcels, First-Class Mail prices are charged per ounce 
or fraction thereof; any fraction of an ounce is considered a whole 
ounce. For example, if a piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight (postage) 
increment is 2 ounces. The minimum postage per addressed letter or flat 
piece is that for a piece weighing 1 ounce. The minimum postage per 
addressed parcel is that for a 3-ounce parcel.
* * * * *

200 Commercial Letters and Cards

201 Physical Standards

* * * * *

2.0 Physical Standards for Nonmachinable Letters

* * * * *

2.1 Criteria for Nonmachinable Letters

    [Revise the last sentence of 2.1 to reposition the 3.5 ounce phrase 
as follows:]
    * * * In addition, a letter-size piece is nonmachinable if it 
weighs more than 3.3 ounces, unless it has a barcode, weighs no more 
than 3.5 ounces, and is eligible for and claims automation letter 
prices or Standard Mail Carrier Route (barcoded) letter prices.
* * * * *

2.3 Additional Criteria for Standard Mail Nonmachinable Letters

    [Revise the last sentence of 2.3 to agree with the current text of 
243.3.2.1, to read as follows:]
    * * * Mailers must prepare all nonmachinable letters as described 
in 245.5.0, and pay nonmachinable letter prices for pieces over 3.3 
ounces.
* * * * *

300 Commercial Flats

301 Physical Standards

* * * * *

2.0 Physical Standards for Nonautomation Flats

2.1 First-Class Mail

    These additional standards apply to First-Class Mail flat-size 
pieces:
    [Revise 2.1a as follows:]
    a. First-Class Mail flats cannot exceed 13 ounces. First-Class Mail 
flats weighing more than 13 ounces are Priority Mail.
* * * * *

360 Bound Printed Matter

363 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Price and Fees for Bound Printed Matter

* * * * *

1.2 Commercial Bound Printed Matter

* * * * *

1.2.7 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the text of 1.2.7 as follows:]
    To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of nonidentical-
weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece 
weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample of at 
least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by 
the number of pieces. Express all single-piece weights in decimal 
pounds rounded off to two decimal places.
* * * * *

370 Media Mail

373 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees for Media Mail

* * * * *

1.6 Computing Postage for Media Mail

1.6.1 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the text of 1.6.1 as follows:]
    To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of nonidentical-
weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece 
weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample of at 
least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by 
the number of pieces. Express all single-piece weights in decimal 
pounds rounded off to two decimal places.
* * * * *

380 Library Mail

383 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees for Library Mail

* * * * *

[[Page 4822]]

1.6 Computing Postage for Library Mail

1.6.1 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the text of 1.6.1 as follows:]
    To determine single-piece weight in a mailing of nonidentical-
weight pieces, weigh each piece individually. To determine single-piece 
weight in a mailing of identical-weight pieces, weigh a sample of at 
least 10 randomly selected pieces and divide the total sample weight by 
the number of pieces. Express all single-piece weights in decimal 
pounds rounded off to two decimal places.
* * * * *

400 Commercial Parcels

401 Physical Standards

* * * * *

2.0 Additional Physical Standards by Class of Mail

* * * * *

2.3 First-Class Mail Parcels

2.3.1 Weight

    [Revise 2.3.1 as follows:]
    First-Class Mail cannot exceed 13 ounces, except for First-Class 
Mail commercial plus parcels. First-Class Mail weighing more than 13 
ounces that is not entered at commercial plus parcel prices is Priority 
Mail.
* * * * *
    [Delete current 2.3.2, Surcharge, in its entirety and renumber 
current 2.3.3 as new 2.3.2.]

2.4 Standard Mail Parcels and Not-Flat Machinable Pieces

    [Delete 2.4.3, Surcharge, in its entirety.]
* * * * *

402 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

* * * * *

2.0 Placement and Content of Markings

* * * * *
    [Renumber current 2.4 through 2.8 as new 2.5 through 2.9 and add 
new 2.4 as follows:]

2.4 First-Class Mail Markings

2.4.1 Placement and Content

    Markings must be placed as follows:
    a. Basic Marking. The basic required marking ``Presorted (or 
``PRSRT'') First-Class Mail'' must be printed or produced as part of; 
directly below; or to the left of the permit imprint or the affixed 
postage on presorted parcels.
    b. Other Markings. In addition to the basic marking in 2.4.1a, 
First-Class Mail parcels claiming commercial parcel prices must be 
marked as follows in a prominent location on the address side of the 
parcel:
    1. Except for parcels paid for by permit imprint postage, parcels 
claiming commercial base prices must be marked ``CommercialBasePrice'' 
or ``ComBasePrice.''
    2. All parcels claiming presorted commercial plus prices must be 
marked ``CommercialPlusPrice'' or ``ComPlsPrice.''
    [Revise the title and text of renumbered 2.5 as follows:]

2.5 Standard Mail Markings

2.5.1 Placement and Content

    Markings must be placed as follows:
    a. Basic Marking. The basic required marking that indicates the 
class of mail must be printed or produced as part of; directly below; 
or to the left of the permit imprint or affixed postage as follows:
    1. ``Standard,'' ``STD,'' ``Presorted Standard,'' or ``PRSRT STD''
    2. ``Nonprofit Organization,'' ``Nonprofit Org.,'' or ``Nonprofit''
    b. Other Markings. Price-specific markings for Standard Mail are 
``ECRLOT,'' ``ECRWSH,'' ``ECRWSS,'' and ``Customized MarketMail'' (or 
``CMM''). Place price-specific markings in one of the following 
locations:
    1. In the location specified in 2.5.1a.
    2. In the address area on the line directly above or two lines 
above the address if the marking appears alone or included in an 
optional endorsement line or with carrier route information. If 
preceded by two asterisks, the price marking may be included in a 
mailer or manifest keyline or in an MLOCR ink-jet-printed date 
correction/meter drop shipment line.
* * * * *

430 First-Class Mail

433 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees for First-Class Mail

1.1 Price Application

    [Add new last sentence to 1.1 as follows:]
    * * * For prices, see Notice 123-Price List.

1.2 Price Computation for First-Class Mail Parcels

    [Revise 1.2 as follows:]
    First-Class Mail parcel prices, except for commercial plus prices, 
are charged per ounce or fraction thereof after the first 3 ounces; any 
fraction of an ounce over 3 ounces is considered a whole ounce. For 
example, if a piece weighs 3.2 ounces, the weight (postage) increment 
is 4 ounces. The minimum postage per addressed piece is that for a 
piece weighing 3 ounces. First-Class Mail parcels mailed at commercial 
plus prices pay one price per sortation level, regardless of weight 
(minimum weight of 3.5 ounces up to less than 16 ounces per parcel).
    [Revise title and text of 1.3 to add eligibility standards for the 
single-piece commercial base parcel price to read as follows:]

1.3 Commercial Base Parcel Prices

    For prices, see Notice 123-Price List. First-Class Mail presorted 
parcels are eligible for commercial base prices. USPS-approved IBI 
postage meters must print the IBI with the appropriate price marking 
and electronically transmit transactional data daily to USPS. 
Nonpresorted First-Class Mail parcels mailed under the following 
conditions are eligible for single-piece commercial base parcel prices:
    a. The residual portion of a presorted mailing prepared under 
435.4.0.
    b. Nonpresorted mailings for which the postage is paid by permit 
imprint, IBI meter, or PC Postage. Mailings using permit imprints must 
contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds.

    [Renumber current 1.4 through 1.7 as new 1.5 through 1.8 and add 
new 1.4 as follows:]

1.4 Commercial Plus Prices

    For prices, see Notice 123-Price List. Presorted First-Class Mail 
machinable parcels weighing over 13 ounces, but less than 16 ounces, 
are eligible for commercial plus prices. Customers mailing presorted 
machinable parcels less than 13 ounces may optionally pay commercial 
plus prices instead of commercial base prices. Permit holders using 
Merchandise Return Service (MRS) for First-Class Mail machinable 
parcels are eligible for commercial plus parcel prices if the total of 
their First-Class Mail MRS and outgoing volume meet the minimum volume 
commitment. First-Class Mail presorted parcels over 13 ounces that do 
not meet all the standards for commercial plus prices must bear postage 
at the applicable Priority Mail prices. Commercial plus prices are 
available for customers presenting mailings of 500 or more presorted 
parcels who:
    a. Establish a customer commitment agreement with the Postal 
Service to mail more than 5000 First-Class Mail machinable parcels at 
commercial plus prices in a calendar year. Customers may contact their 
account manager or the manager, Shipping Support (see

[[Page 4823]]

608.8.0 for address) for additional information.
    b. Pay for postage by using a permit imprint.
    c. Enter a minimum of 500 pieces of mail for each presorted mailing 
or a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail for each single-piece 
mailing.
    d. Use the Electronic Verification System (eVS) or submit an 
electronic postage statement with a computerized manifest.

1.5 Surcharge

    Unless prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers, presorted parcels are 
subject to a surcharge if any of the following characteristics apply:
    [Revise 1.5 by deleting current item a in its entirety and 
redesignating current items b and c as new items a and b, and revise to 
read as follows:]
    a. The parcels do not bear a GS1-128 or Intelligent Mail package 
barcode.
    b. The parcels weigh less than 2 ounces or are irregularly shaped, 
such as rolls, tubes, and triangles.
* * * * *

3.0 Basic Standards for First-Class Mail Parcels

3.1 Description of Service

    [Delete the heading of current 3.1.1, Service Objectives, in its 
entirety and make the text of current 3.1.1 the new text of 3.1.]
    [Delete the current 3.1.2, Price Options, in its entirety.]
* * * * *

4.0 Price Eligibility for Presorted First-Class Mail Parcels

* * * * *

4.4 Single-Piece Price

    [Revise the text of 4.4 as follows:]
    Single-piece prices apply to presorted parcels in a mixed ADC sack, 
with no minimum volume requirement. Nonpresorted parcels are also 
eligible for commercial single-piece parcel prices. See 1.3b for 
commercial base eligibility and 1.4 for commercial plus eligibility.

434 Postage Payment and Documentation

1.0 Basic Standards for Postage Payment

1.1 Postage Payment Options

    [Revise the text of 1.1 as follows:]
    Postage for presorted First-Class Mail parcels must be paid with 
affixed postage or permit imprint as specified below. All pieces in a 
mailing must be paid with the same method unless otherwise authorized 
by Business Mailer Support (see 608.8.0 for address).

    [Revise the title of 2.0 as follows:]

2.0 Postage Payment for Presorted First-Class Mail Parcels

    [Revise the title and text of 2.1 as follows:]

2.1 Permit Imprint Postage

    All presorted First-Class Mail parcels may bear permit imprint 
postage under 604.5.0. Parcels entered at commercial plus prices and 
all mail manifested using the Electronic Verification System (eVS) 
under 705.2.9 must be paid using a permit imprint. A permit imprint may 
be used for mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces only if authorized 
by Business Mailer Support.

2.2 Affixed Postage for Presorted First-Class Mail

    [Revise the text of 2.2 as follows:]
    Each presorted First-Class Mail parcel bearing affixed postage (not 
allowed for commercial plus parcels) must bear:
    a. The full postage at the First-Class Mail price for which it 
qualifies.
    b. A precanceled stamp (see 604.3.0) or the full postage at the 
lowest applicable First-Class Mail 1-ounce price, and full postage on 
pieces with postage evidencing imprints (see 604.4.0) for additional 
ounce(s) and any fees.
    c. Postage in an amount not less than the lowest applicable First-
Class Mail parcel price if authorized by Business Mailer Support, plus 
full postage for additional ounces.

2.3 Additional Postage

    [Revise the text of 2.3 as follows:]
    Additional postage for pieces with insufficient postage must be 
paid using an advance deposit account or a meter stamp affixed to the 
postage statement.
* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

* * * * *

604 Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

2.0 Stamped Stationery

2.1 Plain Stamped Envelope

* * * * *

2.1.2 Availability

    [Revise 2.1.2 by deleting item b in its entirety and incorporating 
item a into the introductory text to read as follows:]
    Plain stamped envelopes are available at all Post Offices. Only 
sizes 6\3/4\ and 10 envelopes are sold in less than full box lots (a 
full box contains 500 envelopes).
* * * * *

2.2 Personalized Stamped Envelopes

* * * * *

2.2.6 Optional Information

    The following endorsements and instructions printed in at least 8-
point type may be included as part of the return address:
* * * * *
    [Revise item 2.2.6b as follows:]
    a. Any sender instruction that specifies a period for holding mail, 
not fewer than 3 and not more than 30 days. The instruction must appear 
directly above the return address.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2011-1702 Filed 1-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P