[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50932-50936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20583]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


Electronic Transmission of Customs Data--Outbound International 
Letter-Post Items

AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.

ACTION: Final rule with comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) 
to require that customs data be electronically transmitted for 
international letter-post mailpieces bearing a customs declaration form 
when the items are paid with a permit imprint.

DATES: Effective Date: November 5, 2012. We must receive your comments 
on or before September 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service[supreg], 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 N., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday. Email comments, containing the name and address 
of the commenter, may be sent to [email protected], with a 
subject line of ``Electronic Transmission of Customs Data.'' Faxed 
comments are not accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the final rule published on December 5, 
2011 (76 FR 75786-75794), the Postal Service announced that, effective 
January 22, 2012, mailers paying the retail price would no longer be 
permitted to enter Express Mail International[supreg] or Priority Mail 
International[supreg] items bearing a permit imprint at a business mail 
entry unit (BMEU) since the information contained on the customs 
declaration was not electronically transmitted. That final rule 
supported policy changes to require the electronic transmission of 
customs data prior to mailing in a greater range of circumstances. 
Electronic transmission of customs data enables the Postal Service and 
other federal agencies to ensure mailers' compliance with federal 
export requirements. Effective November 5, 2012, the same requirements 
will also apply to the following classes of mail when the item bears a 
PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22--Sender's Declaration:
    [ssquf] First-Class Mail International[supreg].
    [ssquf] Airmail M-bags\TM\.
    [ssquf] International Priority Airmail\TM\ (IPA[supreg]), including 
IPA M-bags.
    [ssquf] International Surface Air Lift[supreg] (ISAL[supreg]), 
including ISAL M-bags.
    With this change, customs data must be electronically transmitted 
before a mailer can enter any mailpiece bearing a customs declaration 
at a BMEU. This update will assist the Postal Service and other federal 
agencies to monitor mailers' compliance with federal export regulations 
that, among other things, prohibit certain goods from being sent to 
persons, entities, or countries determined to be adverse to U.S. 
interests. Data required to be transmitted includes the sender's name 
and address, the addressee's name and address, details about the item's 
contents, and the date of mailing. In addition, for IPA and ISAL 
mailings prepared in direct country sacks, we will require mailers to 
generate a receptacle barcode that includes the shipment date and 
permit number. To comply with these standards, mailers must 
electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global 
Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request 
information about either of these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].
    Finally, with this change, the Postal Service is reducing the 
current 5-pound minimum to 3 pounds for mailers preparing IPA and ISAL 
direct country sacks. This change will make it easier for mailers to 
qualify for the lower direct country sack price--currently, when there 
is less than 5 pounds of mail sent to an individual country, these 
sacks can only qualify for the mixed country sack price, or the 
worldwide nonpresort price. In addition, for mailers who currently 
commingle items bearing customs forms with items that do not have 
customs forms (in direct country sacks), this lower limit will assist 
mailers in preparing separate sacks for items bearing a customs form, 
effective November 5, 2012.
    The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail 
Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in

[[Page 50933]]

the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, International postal services.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 20 is amended as follows:

PART 20--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 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, 407, 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, International Mail Manual (IMM), as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International 
Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

240 First-Class Mail International

* * * * *

243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

243.3 Permit Imprint--General

    [Revise 243.3 to read as follows:]
    Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailing identical- or 
nonidentical-weight First-Class Mail International items. Any of the 
First-Class Mail International permit imprint formats shown in Exhibit 
152.44 are acceptable. Permit imprints must not denote ``bulk mail'', 
``nonprofit'', or other domestic or special mail markings. For items 
requiring a customs form, mailers must also meet the following 
requirements:
    a. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit 
account.
    b. Nonidentical-weight items must meet the permit imprint 
requirements under IMM 152.4 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 
604 and DMM 705.
    In addition, for items requiring PS Form 2976 (see Exhibit 123.61), 
mailers must electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-
produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved 
software. To request information about either of these software 
solutions, send an email to [email protected].
* * * * *

260 Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (M-bags)

* * * * *

264 Mail Preparation

* * * * *

264.3 Customs Forms Required

    [Revise 264.3 to read as follows:]
    M-bags must be accompanied by a fully completed PS Form 2976, which 
is to be affixed to PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag. The maximum 
allowable value is $400. When paying with a permit imprint, mailers 
must electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global 
Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request 
information about either of these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].
* * * * *

290 Commercial Services

* * * * *

292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service

292.1 Description

* * * * *

292.13 IPA M-bags

    [Delete the current text from 292.13 and insert new 292.131 and 
292.132 to read as follows:]

292.131 IPA M-bags--General

    IPA M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be 
entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing, are subject to the 
provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that 
are referenced in Exhibit 292.452. When using this method of mail 
preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 115, International 
Priority Airmail, and PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be 
securely attached to the neck of the sack.

292.132 IPA M-bags--Customs Forms

    IPA M-bags always require a fully completed PS Form 2976, which is 
to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically transmit 
customs data by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or 
other USPS-approved software. To request information about either of 
these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].

292.2 Eligibility

* * * * *

292.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements

* * * * *

292.232 Presort Eligibility--Full Service

    [Revise 292.232 to read as follows:]
    Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 3 pounds 
qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared 
and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.

292.233 Presort Eligibility--ISC Drop Shipment

    [Revise 292.233 to read as follows:]
    Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 3 pounds or a 
mixed country sack containing a minimum of 5 pounds qualifies for the 
presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the 
worldwide nonpresort price.
* * * * *

292.25 Customs Forms Requirements

    [Revise 292.25 to read as follows:]
    For items requiring a PS Form 2976 (see 123.61), mailers must 
electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global 
Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request 
information about either of these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].
* * * * *

292.4 Mail Preparation

* * * * *

292.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles

* * * * *
    [After item d, insert a ``Note'' to read as follows:]

    Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.

292.45 Sortation

292.451 Presort Mailings--General

    [Revise 292.451 in its entirety to read as follows:]
    Follow these steps when preparing IPA presort mail:
    a. Full Service.
    1. Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that 
contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. 
Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared 
and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle 
letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 292.44. Letters and 
flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be 
commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that 
cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be 
placed loose in the sack.

[[Page 50934]]

    2. Mailers must sack separately, items bearing customs forms from 
items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually 
meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
    b. ISC Drop Shipment--Direct country sacks.
    1. Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that 
contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. 
Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared 
and entered at the mixed country or worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers 
must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 292.44. 
Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical 
pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size 
pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics 
must be placed loose in the sack.
    2. Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from 
items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually 
meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
    c. ISC Drop Shipment--Mixed country sacks. Mixed county sacks can 
be prepared only after all possible direct country sacks have been 
prepared. Only countries in price groups 11-15 are eligible for mixed 
country sack pricing. Mailers must sort individual countries within a 
single price group that contain 5 pounds or more into mixed country 
sacks. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country sacks 
or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide 
nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces 
as defined in 292.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, 
although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these 
categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their 
physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.

    Note: There are separate preparation requirements for mail to 
Canada. See 292.47.

292.452 Presorted Mail--Direct Country Bundle Label

    [Revise the first sentence of 292.452 to read as follows:]
    Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for 
mixed country sacks require a label (facing slip).* * *
* * * * *

292.453 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail--Bundles

* * * * *
    [Revise 292.453 to read as follows:]
    Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 
292.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although 
nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. 
Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical 
characteristics must be placed loose in the sack. Labels (facing slips) 
are not required on any bundles.

292.46 Sacking Requirements

    [Revise the title to 292.461 to read as follows:]

292.461 Direct Country Sack (3 Pounds or More)

* * * * *
    The following standards apply:
    [Revise 292.461a and b(1) to read as follows (note that we have 
used bold text in this article to indicate revised text, but the text 
in the actual revised IMM will not appear in bold):]
    a. General. Mailers must sack separately, items bearing customs 
forms from items not bearing customs forms. When there are 3 pounds or 
more of mail addressed to the same country, the mail must be enclosed 
in a direct country sack. All types of mail, including letter-size 
bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the 
same sack for each destination and counted toward the 3-pound minimum, 
provided items bearing a customs form are sacked separately from items 
not bearing customs forms. The maximum weight of the sack and contents 
must not exceed 66 pounds.
    b. Direct Country Sack Tags. For each direct country sack, the 
mailer must do the following:
    1. Complete PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), 
which is a white tag designed to route the sack to a specific country. 
The mailer must complete the ``To'' block showing the destination 
country and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 
292.452. In addition, mailers must apply to the tag a barcode that 
indicates the mailer's permit number, the product code, the service 
type code, the receptacle type, the destination office of exchange, and 
the serial number of the sack. To request technical specifications for 
the barcode, send, an email to [email protected]. Postal 
Service personnel--not the mailer--must complete the blocks for date, 
weight, and dispatch information.
* * * * *

292.47 Mail Preparation for Canada

    [Revise the intro and items a and b of 292.47 to read as follows 
(note that we have used bold text in this article to indicate revised 
text, but the text in the actual revised IMM will not appear in bold):]
    Mailers must sack separately, items bearing customs forms from 
items not bearing customs forms. Mailers must prepare letter-size, 
flat-size, and package-size items destined to Canada in separate 
containers as defined in items a through c. To qualify for the presort 
price, the same eligibility requirements apply as for full service (see 
292.232) or ISC drop shipment (see 292.233). If the total mailing 
contains less than 3 pounds of mail for Canada, then the mail qualifies 
only for the worldwide nonpresort price but may be included with mail 
for other countries. Mailings that exclusively contain worldwide 
nonpresort mail to Canada have a 50-pound minimum, and mailers must 
prepare them under 292.453 and 292.463. Mailers must prepare presorted 
IPA mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price) to Canada as 
follows:
    a. Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail. Prepare letter-size items in 
letter trays, either 1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare 
flat-size items in flat trays. Face all letter-size items and flat-size 
items in the same direction. Ensure that all trays are full enough to 
keep the mail from mixing during transportation. Cover (i.e., 
``sleeve'') all letter-size and flat-size trays and secure them with 
strapping. Do not prepare the content of trays in bundles. In addition, 
the mailer must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 
must write ``Canada'' on the front side of the tag, and must tape the 
tag to the tray sleeve. In addition, mailers must apply to the tag a 
barcode that indicates the mailer's permit number, the product code, 
the service type code, the receptacle type, the destination office of 
exchange, and the serial number of the tray. To request technical 
specifications for the barcode, send an email to 
[email protected].
    b. Packages. Prepare package-size items (i.e., items that cannot be 
prepared in trays because of their size or shape) loose in sacks. Affix 
PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), to the neck of 
the sack and write Canada in the ``To'' block of the tag. In addition, 
affix PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, to the neck of the 
sack and write ``Canada'' on the back of the tag. In addition, mailers 
must apply to the tag a barcode that indicates the mailer's permit 
number, the product code, the service type code, the receptacle type, 
the destination office of exchange, and the serial number of the sack. 
To request technical

[[Page 50935]]

specifications for the barcode, send an email to 
[email protected].
* * * * *

293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service

293.1 Description

* * * * *

293.13 ISAL M-bags

    [Delete the current text from 293.13 and insert new items 293.131 
and 293.132 to read as follows:]

293.131 ISAL M-bags--General

    ISAL M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may 
be entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing, are subject to the 
provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that 
are referenced in Exhibit 293.452. When using this method of mail 
preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, 
and PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to 
the neck of the sack.

293.132 ISAL M-bags--Customs Forms

    ISAL M-bags always require a fully completed PS Form 2976, which is 
to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically transmit 
customs data by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or 
other USPS-approved software. To request information about either of 
these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].

293.2 Eligibility

* * * * *

293.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements

* * * * *

293.232 Presort Eligibility--Full Service

    [Revise 293.232 to read as follows:]
    Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 3 pounds 
qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared 
and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.

293.233 Presort Eligibility--ISC Drop Shipment

    [Revise 293.233 to read as follows:]
    Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 3 pounds or a 
mixed country sack containing a minimum of 5 pounds qualifies for the 
presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the 
worldwide nonpresort price.
* * * * *

293.25 Customs Forms Requirements

    [Revise 293.25 to read as follows:]
    For items requiring a customs form (see 123.61), mailers must 
electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global 
Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request 
information about either of these software solutions, send an email to 
[email protected].
* * * * *

293.4 Mail Preparation

* * * * *

293.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles

    The following standards apply:
* * * * *
    [After item d, insert a ``Note'' to read as follows:]

    Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.

293.45 Sortation

293.451 Presort Mailings--General

    [Revise 293.451 in its entirety to read as follows:]
    Follow these steps when preparing ISAL presort mail:
    a. Full Service.
    1. Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that 
contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. 
Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared 
and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle 
letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. Letters and 
flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be 
commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that 
cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be 
placed loose in the sack.
    2. Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from 
items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually 
meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
    b. ISC Drop Shipment--Direct country sacks.
    1. Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that 
contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. 
Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared 
and entered at the mixed country or worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers 
must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. 
Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical 
pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size 
pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics 
must be placed loose in the sack.
    2. Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from 
items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually 
meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
    c. ISC Drop Shipment--Mixed country sacks. Mixed county sacks can 
be prepared only after all possible direct country sacks have been 
prepared. Only countries in price groups 11-15 are eligible for mixed 
country sack pricing. Mailers must sort individual countries within a 
single price group that contain 5 pounds or more into mixed country 
sacks. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country sacks 
or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide 
nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces 
as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, 
although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these 
categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their 
physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.

293.452 Presorted Mail--Direct Country Bundle Label

    [Revise the first sentence of 293.452 to read as follows:]
    Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for 
mixed country sacks require a label (facing slip). * * *
* * * * *

293.453 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail--Bundles

* * * * *
    [Revise 293.453 to read as follows:]
    Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 
293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although 
nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. 
Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical 
characteristics must be placed loose in the sack. Labels (facing slips) 
are not required on any bundles.

293.46 Sacking Requirements

    [Revise the title to 293.461 to read as follows:]

293.461 Direct Country Sack (3 Pounds or More)

    The following standards apply:
* * * * *
    [Revise items 293.461a and b(1) to read as follows (note that we 
have used bold text in this article to indicate revised text, but the 
text in the actual revised IMM will not appear in bold):]

[[Page 50936]]

    a. General. Mailers must sack separately, items bearing customs 
forms from items not bearing customs forms. When there are 3 pounds or 
more of mail addressed to the same country, the mail must be enclosed 
in a direct country sack. All types of mail, including letter-size 
bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the 
same sack for each destination and counted toward the 3-pound minimum, 
provided items bearing a customs form are sacked separately from items 
not bearing customs forms. The maximum weight of the sack and contents 
must not exceed 66 pounds.
    b. Direct Country Sack Tags. For each direct country sack, the 
mailer must do the following:
    1. Complete both sides of PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, which 
identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the 
front of the tag, the mailer must identify the destination country and 
the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 293.452. On 
the back of the tag, the mailer must specify the price group as listed 
in Exhibit 293.452. In addition, mailers must apply to the tag a 
barcode that indicates the mailer's permit number, the product code, 
the service type code, the receptacle type, the destination office of 
exchange, and the serial number of the sack. To request technical 
specifications for the barcode, send an email to 
[email protected].
* * * * *
    We will publish an amendment to 39 CFR part 20 to reflect these 
changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012-20583 Filed 8-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P