[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30542-30544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13029]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Adult Signature Services

AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 503.8, 
to add a new extra service called Adult Signature. This new service has 
two available options: Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature 
Restricted Delivery.

DATES: Effective July 5, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Key at 202-268-7492 or Richard 
Daigle at 202-268-6392.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 28, 2011, the Postal Regulatory 
Commission (PRC) approved Adult Signature as a new extra service which 
will provide a method for customers to obtain a signature (upon 
delivery) from an adult recipient who is 21 years of age or older. This 
new extra service will be available only to commercial and online 
mailers beginning June 5, 2011.
    This is the first time the Postal Service is offering a service 
that includes verification of the age of the recipient at the time of 
delivery. These services will be available to commercial and online 
customers using Express Mail[supreg], Priority Mail[supreg] (including 
Critical Mail\TM\), Parcel Select[supreg] barcoded nonpresort, and 
Parcel Select Regional Ground mailpieces. The requirements for the two 
service offerings are:
     Adult Signature Required--requires the signature of 
someone 21 years of age or older at the recipient's address.
     Adult Signature Restricted Delivery--requires the 
signature of a specific addressee (or authorized agent), who must be 21 
years of age or older.
    Prior to signing for the mailpiece, the recipient must show a 
government-issued photo identification that includes his or her date of 
birth. Adult Signature mailpieces cannot be left at the address without 
first obtaining the signature of an adult who is 21 years of age or 
older.
    Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
are only available for customers who pay for postage and applicable 
fees using any of these methods:
     Click-N-Ship[supreg].
     USPS[supreg]-approved PC Postage[supreg] (registered end-
users only).
     Permit imprint, if the customer electronically submits 
postage statements and mailing documentation.
     USPS-approved Information-Based Indicia (IBI) postage 
meters that print the IBI with the appropriate price marking and 
electronically transmit transactional data to USPS.
    Technical specifications for privately printed Adult Signature 
labels are located in the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode 
Specification and the addendum to Publication 91, Addendum for 
Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) and 3-digit Service Type Code, 
available on the RIBBS[supreg] Web site at http://ribbs.usps.gov.
    Additionally, in combination with Express Mail or Priority Mail and 
postage paid by Click-N-Ship or PC Postage, Adult Signature will 
provide an optional delivery method for the mailing of cigarettes and 
smokeless tobacco under the ``Exception for Certain Individuals'' 
standard as described in DMM section 601.11.
    All other requirements and conditions related to mailing cigarettes 
and smokeless tobacco products under the Prevent All Cigarette 
Trafficking Act (PACT) of 2009 remain in effect; such as:
     Each shipment must be presented via a face-to-face 
transaction with a postal employee.
     No Pickup on Demand or Carrier Pickup options are 
available.
     Each package must bear its own unique exception package 
markings.
    While the minimum age to purchase tobacco in the state or locality 
where the shipment is tendered or delivered may be different from age 
21, if Adult Signature is used, the recipient must be 21 years of age.
    The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), 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:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

200 Commercial Letters and Cards

* * * * *

220 Priority Mail

223 Prices and Eligibility

* * * * *

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail

* * * * *

3.2 Additional Standards for Critical Mail Letters

    [Delete the reference number and heading of 3.2.1, Definition, in 
its entirety, and move the text from 3.2.1 under 3.2.]
    [Delete item 3.2.2, Extra Service with Critical Mail Letters, in 
its entirety.]
* * * * *

300 Commercial Flats

* * * * *

320 Priority Mail

323 Prices and Eligibility

* * * * *

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail

* * * * *

3.2 Additional Standards for Critical Mail Flats

    [Delete the reference number and heading of 3.2.1, Definition, in 
its entirety, and move the text from 3.2.1 under 3.2.]
    [Delete item 3.2.2, Extra Service with Critical Mail Flats, in its 
entirety.]
* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

503 Extra Services

1.0 Extra Services for Express Mail

1.1 Available Services

* * * * *
    [Renumber current items 1.1.5 through 1.1.8 as 1.1.6 through 1.1.9 
and add new 1.1.5 as follows:]

1.1.5 Adult Signature

    Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
are available with Express Mail for mailers who pay commercial or 
online postage

[[Page 30543]]

and applicable fees and produce qualified shipping labels that bear an 
Intelligent Mail package barcode.
* * * * *

3.0 Certified Mail

* * * * *

3.2 Basic Information

* * * * *

3.2.3 Additional Services

    [Revise 3.2.3 as follows:]
    The following services may be combined with Certified Mail if the 
applicable standards for the services are met and additional service 
fees are paid:
    a. Return receipt (not available for Adult Signature).
    b. Restricted delivery (not available for Adult Signature).
    c. Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
(available only for Priority Mail, but not Critical Mail).
* * * * *

4.0 Insured Mail

* * * * *

4.2 Basic Information

* * * * *

4.2.4 Additional Services

    [Revise the introductory text of 4.2.4 as follows:]
    Insuring an item for more than $200.00 allows customers to purchase 
restricted delivery or return receipt. The following services may be 
combined with insurance if the applicable standards for the services 
are met and additional service fees are paid:
* * * * *
    [Add new item 4.2.4f as follows:]
    f. Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
are available for insured Express Mail, Priority Mail (including 
Critical Mail), Parcel Select barcoded nonpresort, and Parcel Select 
Regional Ground.
* * * * *
    [Renumber 8.0 through 14.0 as new 9.0 through 15.0 and add new 8.0 
as follows:]

8.0 Adult Signature

8.1 Prices

8.1.1 Adult Signature Fees and Postage

    The fees for Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature 
Restricted Delivery are in addition to postage and other fees, and are 
charged per piece. See Notice 123--Price List.

8.1.2 Postage

    The Adult Signature Required or Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
fee must be paid in addition to the correct postage. The fee and 
postage may be paid with:
    a. Click-N-Ship.
    b. PC Postage.
    c. Permit imprint, if the customer electronically submits postage 
statements and mailing documentation.
    d. IBI postage meter.

8.1.3 Refund

    Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
fees are refunded only if the USPS fails to provide the service.

8.2 Basic Information

8.2.1 Description

    Adult Signature provides electronic confirmation of the delivery or 
attempted delivery of the mailpiece and, upon request, the recipient's 
signature. The service has two options: Adult Signature Required and 
Adult Signature Restricted Delivery. The recipient must furnish proof 
of age via a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued 
photo identification that lists age or date of birth prior to delivery. 
The USPS maintains a record of delivery (which includes the recipient's 
signature) for a specified period of time.

8.2.1.1 Adult Signature Required

    Adult Signature Required provides delivery to a person who is 
confirmed to be 21 years of age or older. Upon delivery, an adult who 
is 21 years of age or older must provide a driver's license, passport, 
or other government-issued photo identification that lists age or date 
of birth and provide a signature for receipt of the mailpiece.

8.2.1.2 Adult Signature Restricted Delivery

    Adult Signature Restricted Delivery provides the same service as 
Adult Signature Required with the additional restriction of limiting 
delivery to a specific addressee or authorized agent who is 21 years of 
age or older. If the specific addressee is not 21 years of age or 
older, the mailpiece will be returned to sender.

8.2.2 Obtaining Service

    Customers may obtain Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature 
Restricted Delivery by paying postage (see 8.1.2) and producing 
qualified shipping labels with Intelligent Mail package barcodes.

8.2.3 Eligible Matter

    Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
are available for:
    a. Express Mail.
    b. Priority Mail (including Critical Mail).
    c. Parcel Select barcoded nonpresort.
    d. Parcel Select Regional Ground.

8.2.4 Ineligible Matter

    Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 
are not available for:
    a. First-Class Mail.
    b. Standard Mail.
    c. Package Services.
    d. Periodicals.
    e. Parcel Select destination entry, NDC Presort, and ONDC presort 
pieces.
    f. Mail addressed to restricted APO, FPO, and DPO destinations.
    g. Mail addressed to the Department of State in accordance with 
703.3.
    h. Mail addressed to ZIP Codes in the following U.S. territories or 
Freely Associated States:

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                                          TWO-LETTER STATE
              ZIP CODE                      ABBREVIATION                 CITY                   TERRITORY, POSSESSION OR FREELY  ASSOCIATED STATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96939...............................  PW.....................  PALAU..................  PALAU.
96940...............................  PW.....................  PALAU..................  PALAU.
96941...............................  FM.....................  POHNPEI................  FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.
96942...............................  FM.....................  CHUUK..................  FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.
96943...............................  FM.....................  YAP....................  FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.
96944...............................  FM.....................  KOSRAE.................  FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.
96960...............................  MH.....................  MAJURO.................  MARSHALL ISLANDS.
96970...............................  MH.....................  EBEYE..................  MARSHALL ISLANDS.
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[[Page 30544]]

8.2.5 Confirmation of Delivery

    Confirmation of delivery information for Adult Signature is 
available as follows:
    a. Information by article number can be retrieved at http://www.usps.com or by calling 800-222-1811. A letter providing evidence of 
delivery may be provided via fax, e-mail, or mail upon request.
    b. Letters providing evidence of delivery can be obtained in CD-ROM 
or Signature Extract File formats. For additional information, see 
Publication 80, Bulk Proof of Delivery Program.

8.2.6 Additional Services

    Adult Signature may also be combined with:
    a. Certified Mail (available with Priority Mail, but not Critical 
Mail).
    b. Insured Mail.
    c. Hold for Pickup.
    1. Express Mail (commercial mail only, see 413.4.2.4 and 
413.4.3.4).
    2. Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail).
    3. Parcel Select barcoded nonpresort.
    4. Parcel Select Regional Ground.

8.3.0 Basic Delivery Standards

    Items with Adult Signature require a recipient who is 21 years of 
age or older to sign at the time of delivery.

8.3.1 Additional Delivery Conditions

    Mail endorsed ``Adult Signature Required'' is delivered to anyone 
who is confirmed to be 21 years of age or older and provides a 
signature at the time of delivery. Mail endorsed ``Adult Signature 
Restricted Delivery'' is delivered only to the addressee or authorized 
agent who is confirmed to be 21 years of age or older. If the specific 
addressee is not 21 years of age or older, the mailpiece will be 
returned to sender. Conditions in 7.4 also apply to Adult Signature 
Restricted Delivery items.

8.3.2 Identification

    The USPS requires a driver's license, passport, or other 
government-issued photo identification that lists age or date of birth 
to provide proof of age for Adult Signature Required or proof of age 
and identity for Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.

8.3.3 Agent Authorization

    An addressee who regularly receives any mail that includes a 
restricted delivery may authorize an agent to accept mail on their 
behalf by using Form 3801 or by letter to the postmaster. The 
authorized agent must be 21 years of age or older. The addressee must 
make the notation ``this authorization is extended to include Adult 
Signature Restricted Delivery mail'' on Form 3801 (in the area for 
signatures of authorized agents) or in the letter to the postmaster. If 
the Post Office has no standing delivery order or letter on file, a 
Form 3849, completed by the addressee, may be left for this 
authorization. The addressee enters the name of the agent on the back 
of Form 3849 in the space provided and signs the form. For receipt of 
the article, the agent must sign on the back of the form.

8.4.0 Privately Printed Labels

    Technical specifications for privately printed Adult Signature 
labels is located in the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode Specification 
and the addendum to Publication 91, Addendum for Intelligent Mail 
Package Barcode (IMpb) and 3-digit Service Type Code, available on the 
RIBBS Web site at http://ribbs.usps.gov.

8.5.0 Where To Mail

    Except for shipments of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco by certain 
individuals under 601.11, which requires mailers to present items at a 
retail counter, mailers may deposit mailpieces (not bearing a permit 
imprint) with Adult Signature at a Post Office lobby drop, collection 
box, or with a USPS carrier. Mail bearing a permit imprint must be 
deposited and accepted at the Post Office that issued the permit, at a 
time and place designated by the postmaster, except as otherwise 
provided for plant-verified drop shipments.

8.6.0 Firm Sheets--Three or More Pieces

    If three or more mailpieces are presented for mailing at one time, 
the mailer may use Form 3877. Privately printed or computer-generated 
firm sheets that contain the same information as Form 3877 may be used 
if approved by the local postmaster. The mailer may omit columns on 
Form 3877 that are not applicable to Adult Signature. Required elements 
are the package identification code (PIC), address, 5-digit destination 
ZIP Code, and applicable fees. To obtain firm sheets receipted by the 
USPS, the mailer must present the firm sheets with the mailpieces at 
the time of mailing. Alterations must be initialed by the mailer and 
accepting postal employee. All unused portions of the addressee column 
must be obliterated with a diagonal line.
* * * * *

508 Recipient Services

* * * * *

7.0 Hold for Pickup

* * * * *

7.2 Basic Information

* * * * *

7.2.6 Extra Services

    Hold for Pickup may be combined with:
* * * * *
    [Insert new items 7.2.6d as follows:]
    d. Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery
* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

601 Mailability

* * * * *

11.0 Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco

* * * * *

11.6 Exception for Certain Individuals

* * * * *

11.6.2 Mailing

    * * * Each mailing under the ``certain individuals'' exception 
must:
    [Revise 11.6.2a as follows:]
    a. Be entered as Priority Mail with an Adult Signature extra 
service (see 503.8), Express Mail with an Adult Signature extra service 
or Express Mail with Hold for Pickup service (waiver of signature and 
pickup services not permitted); unless shipped to APO/FPO/DPO addresses 
under 11.6.4.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

703 Nonprofit Standard Mail and Other Unique Eligibility

* * * * *

3.0 Department of State Mail

* * * * *

3.2 Conditions for Authorized Mail

* * * * *

3.2.6 Extra Services

    * * * (Mailers may request other extra services under 503.)
* * * * *
    [Add new item 3.2.6f as follows:]
    f. Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2011-13029 Filed 5-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P