[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43561-43562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18085]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Proposed Eligibility Criteria for Bound Printed Matter Parcels
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is considering the adoption of a new
criterion for eligibility of Bound Printed Matter (BPM) parcels by
adding a physical density threshold for individual mailpieces.
DATES: Comments on this advance notice are due September 10, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written
comments at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW.,
11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only between the hours
of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 1-202-268-2906 in
advance for an appointment. Email comments, containing the name and
address of the commenter, may be sent to: [email protected],
with a subject line of ``New Eligibility for BPM Parcels.'' Faxed
comments are not accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Dobbs at 202-268-6753, or Wm.
Kevin Gunther at 202-268-7208.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BPM parcels is an economical ground-based
product containing qualifying bound printed matter, weighing no more
than 15 pounds and requiring postage payment by permit imprint. BPM is
primarily used by commercial shippers who do not require expedited
delivery. This product is not available for purchase at Post
OfficeTM retail units and is not typically used by non-
business mailers.
Statutory requirements under title 39, U.S. Code, require that each
class of mail or type of mail service bear the direct and indirect
costs attributable to that class or service. In this regard, the Postal
Service expenses related to the BPM parcel product continues to exceed
the revenues generated by its sales. In fiscal year 2011, BPM parcels
realized a 98.8% cost coverage.
Greater efficiency in the packaging of BPM parcels will provide for
more expedient handling of BPM parcels and will contribute to the cost
coverage of the BPM product. To that end, the Postal Service is
considering the implementation of a new minimum mailpiece density
requirement for BPM parcels, with an effective date targeted for July,
2013.
Less densely prepared parcels also tend to result in a higher
incidence of conveyance problems on automated
[[Page 43562]]
parcels processing equipment, increasing the need for extra handling.
If the Postal Service proceeds with its plan to adopt a new density
eligibility requirement for BPM parcels, parcels will be required to
meet or exceed the minimum physical density threshold to qualify for
BPM parcel pricing. The proposed density requirement will not be
applicable to Bound Printed Matter flats.
The principal intent of the Postal Service in proposing this new
requirement is to provide guidance for mailers to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness in the packaging of BPM parcels. The
Postal Service also hopes to provide a mechanism for mailers to self-
regulate the content of BPM parcels, as books and similar printed
matter are naturally dense products.
To calculate density, first the length, height and width of each
parcel is measured in inches, and then multiplied to obtain cubic
inches. To determine the volume in cubic feet, the cubic inches product
is then divided by 1,728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot). The weight of
the mailpiece, in pounds, is then divided by the product of the prior
calculation (the mailpiece volume in cubic feet) to yield a density
value of the parcel, measured in pounds/cubic foot. For example, the
density of a BPM parcel weighing 10 pounds and measuring 12 inches in
length, 8 inches in height, 10 inches in width, would have a density of
approximately 17.9 pounds/cubic foot, calculated as follows: 12 x 8 x
10 = 960 cubic inches, 960/1728 = .56 cubic feet, 10/.56 = 17.9 pounds/
cubic foot. If this standard is adopted, to be eligible for BPM
pricing, parcels must demonstrate a density of at least 10.0 pounds/
cubic foot. BPM parcels with densities under 10.0 pounds/cubic foot
would not be eligible for BPM parcel pricing. When parcels intended for
mailing at BPM prices are identified as falling below the minimum
density threshold, the mailer will be provided with the option either
to repackage the contents more efficiently to meet the minimum density
requirement, or mail the item using another mail class as applicable.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012-18085 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P