[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22131-22132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08583]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Mail Classification Schedule Changes Pertaining to Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small 
Flat Rate Boxes

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service hereby provides notice that it has filed a 
request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to change the Mail 
Classification Schedule provisions that pertain to Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small 
Flat Rate Boxes.

DATES: Effective date: April 14, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher C. Meyerson, 202-268-7820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 7, 2016, the United States Postal 
Service[supreg] filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) a requested change to the Mail Classification Schedule 
provisions concerning Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes 
and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes. Documents 
pertinent to this request are available at http://www.prc.gov, Docket 
No. MC2016-118. The Governors' Decision in connection with the above 
filing is reprinted below.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.

Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on Mail 
Classification Schedule Changes for Priority Mail International Flat 
Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes 
(Governors' Decision No. 16-1)

March 30, 2016

Statement of Explanation and Justification

    Pursuant to our authority under section 404(b) and Chapter 36 of 
title 39, United States Code, the Governors establish classification 
changes to Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes (PMI FREs) 
and PMI Small Flat Rate Boxes (PMI SFRBs).
    PMI FREs and PMI SFRBs are Postal Service-branded mailing 
containers available at no additional cost and used by customers to 
send documents and small merchandise items abroad. Currently, the 
Postal Service dispatches PMI FREs and PMI SFRBs in the letter post 
stream, while all other PMI items are dispatched in the parcel post 
stream. This results in PMI FREs and PMI SFRBs being subject to 
different market and operational characteristics. The Postal Service 
intends to change the dispatch stream for PMI FREs and PMI SFRBs to the 
international parcel post stream. This change would allow PMI FREs and 
PMI SFRBs to receive expanded access to tracking services and 
insurance, which are not routinely

[[Page 22132]]

available for ordinary letter post items absent a special arrangement 
with the destination postal operator. This change will increase 
delivery costs since foreign postal operators charge higher rates for 
delivery of parcels as compared to letter post pieces; however, this 
change will improve the market features of PMI FREs and PMI SFRBs. We 
have evaluated the classification changes in this context in accordance 
with 39 U.S.C. 3632-3633 and 39 CFR 3015.5 and 3015.7. We approve the 
changes, finding that they are appropriate, and are consistent with the 
regulatory criteria, as indicated by management.

Order

    We direct management to file with the Postal Regulatory Commission 
appropriate notice of these classification changes. The changes in 
classification set forth herein shall be effective on June 3, 2016.

    By The Governors:

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James H. Bilbray
Chairman, Temporary Emergency Committee of the Board of Governors

[FR Doc. 2016-08583 Filed 4-13-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P