[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 78 (Friday, April 22, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23634-23638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09213]



[[Page 23634]]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


International Product Changes

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to 
reflect classification changes to Competitive Services, as established 
by the Governors of the Postal Service.

DATES: The effective date of this rule is June 3, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: New classification changes are available 
under Docket Number MC2016-118 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's 
Web site at http://www.prc.gov.
    This final rule describes the international classification changes 
and the corresponding mailing standards changes for the following 
Competitive Service:

Priority Mail International

    Priority Mail International[supreg] service provides reliable and 
affordable international delivery service to more than 180 countries. 
The price for Priority Mail International service is unchanged. The 
following classification changes are made to support the shift of 
certain volumes to the air parcel stream:

Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate 
Priced Boxes

    Currently, the Postal Service dispatches Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes in 
the letter post stream, while all other Priority Mail International 
items are dispatched in the air parcel stream. We are moving the 
Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate 
Priced Boxes to the air parcel stream so that these items can receive 
the expanded access to tracking and insurance available to all other 
Priority Mail International items.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, International postal services.

    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 the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1. 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)

* * * * *

1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

120 Preparation for Mailing

* * * * *

123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels

* * * * *

123.6 Required Usage

123.61 Conditions

* * * * *
    [Revise the second sentence of item c to read as follows:]

    c. * * * In certain circumstances, this might require the mailer to 
send the mailpiece via Priority Mail Express International service or 
Priority Mail International service.
    Exhibit 123.61
    Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category

[Revise the noted sections of the Exhibit as follows: (1) Replace the 
three separate Priority Mail International sections with just one 
section; (2) revise the last row of the First-Class Mail International 
section; (3) revise the first row of the First-Class Package 
International Service section; and (4) revise the footnote, all to read 
as follows:]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Declared value,
            Type of item               weight, or physical        Required form        Comment (if applicable)
                                         characteristic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Priority Mail International Items
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority Mail International      All values............  2976-A................  All items mailed in USPS-
 items.                                                                               produced Priority Mail
                                                                                      International packaging
                                                                                      (including Flat Rate
                                                                                      Envelopes and Small Flat
                                                                                      Rate Priced Boxes) or any
                                                                                      other container bearing a
                                                                                      Priority Mail sticker or
                                                                                      marked with the words
                                                                                      ``Priority Mail'' are
                                                                                      considered to be within
                                                                                      the scope of this
                                                                                      requirement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  First-Class Mail International Letters and Large Envelopes (Flats), Including International Priority Airmail
          (IPA) Items and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Items (Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All items containing any goods,                                       * * * * *
 regardless of weight.
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Over $400.............  Prohibited............  Items over $400 must be
                                                                                      mailed using Global
                                                                                      Express Guaranteed
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      Express International
                                                                                      service, or Priority Mail
                                                                                      International service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 23635]]

 
 First-Class Package International Service Packages (Small Packets), Including IPA Items and ISAL Items (Maximum
                                             weight limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All First-Class Package
 International Service packages
 (small packets), as defined in
 251.2, regardless of contents.
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      * * * * *
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Over $400.............  Prohibited............  Items over $400 must be
                                                                                      mailed using Global
                                                                                      Express Guaranteed
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      Express International
                                                                                      service, or Priority Mail
                                                                                      International.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Qualifying items must meet the physical characteristics in 241.235. For example, the following items do not
  meet this requirement and must bear PS Form 2976: (1) First-Class Package International Service items and (2)
  IPA and ISAL packages (small packets) containing only documents.

* * * * *

130 Mailability

* * * * *

134 Valuable Articles

134.1 Service Options

* * * * *
    [Revise item b to read as follows:]
* * * * *
    b. Priority Mail International service.
* * * * *

140 International Mail Categories

141 Definitions

* * * * *

141.4 Priority Mail International

    [Revise 141.4 in its entirety to read as follows:]

    Priority Mail International is subject to the provisions of the 
Universal Postal Union Parcel Convention. This classification is 
primarily designed to accommodate larger and heavier shipments whose 
size and/or weight exceeds the limits for First-Class Mail 
International Service or First-Class Package International Service. For 
countries that offer parcel service, maximum weight limits range from 
22 pounds to 70 pounds. To determine the maximum weight limit for each 
country, see the Individual Country Listings. At the sender's option, 
extra services, such as additional merchandise insurance coverage and 
return receipt service, may be added on a country-specific basis.
    Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate 
Priced Boxes provide customers with an economical means of sending 
correspondence, documents, printed matter, and lightweight merchandise 
items to foreign destinations. The maximum weight limit is 4 pounds. 
Registered Mail service is not available for Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. At 
the sender's option, extra services, such as additional merchandise 
insurance coverage and return receipt service, may be added to Priority 
Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes 
on a country-specific basis.
* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

230 Priority Mail International

231 Description and Physical Characteristics

231.1 General

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]

    Priority Mail International service is considered a parcel stream 
for mail exchange purposes.
* * * * *

232 Eligibility

    [Revise the title and text of 232.1 in its entirety to read as 
follows (replacing current section 232.11 and deleting current section 
232.12):]

232.1 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat 
Rate Priced Boxes--General

    Correspondence, negotiable and nonnegotiable documents, printed 
matter, and lightweight merchandise items may be sent in Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes 
provided the contents are mailable, they fit securely in the envelope 
or box, and they are entirely confined within the container with the 
provided adhesive as the means of closure. The flap must close within 
the prefabricated fold. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for 
closure or for reinforcement, provided the design of the container is 
not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the 
container in any way. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for 
additional prohibitions for each country. Priority Mail International 
Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing 
merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to 
$200 at no additional charge. Additional merchandise insurance may be 
available, depending on country and value. Priority Mail International 
Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing only 
nonnegotiable documents are insured against loss, damage, or missing 
contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no additional 
charge. See Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for 
insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered Mail 
service is not available.
* * * * *

232.6 Customs Forms Required

232.61 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat 
Rate Priced Boxes

    [Revise the text in its entirety to read as follows:]

    Each Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope and each 
Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Box must bear a 
properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
* * * * *

232.7 Mail Sealed Against Inspection

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]


[[Page 23636]]


    No Priority Mail International items (USPS-produced Flat Rate 
Boxes, Flat Rate Envelopes, and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes; USPS-
produced Tyvek envelopes; or customer-supplied boxes and envelopes) are 
sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing 
of Priority Mail International items constitutes consent by the mailer 
to inspection of the contents.

232.8 Priority International Insurance and Indemnity

232.81 Indemnity

    [Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]

    Priority Mail International items containing merchandise are 
insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no 
additional charge.* * *
* * * * *

232.9 Extra Services

    [Delete 232.91 ``Certificate of Mailing'' and 232.93 ``Registered 
Mail Service,'' renumber 232.92 as 232.91, and renumber 232.94 as 
232.92:]

    232.91 Merchandise Insurance

    [Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]

    Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the 
included $200 merchandise insurance is available for Priority Mail 
International items to many countries. * * *
* * * * *

232.92 Return Receipt Service

    [Revise the text in its entirety to read as follows:]

    Return receipt service is available for purchase to certain 
destinations (see the Individual Country Listings for availability) for 
Priority Mail International items, including Priority Mail 
International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, and Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes. See 340 for preparation procedures.
* * * * *

240 First-Class Mail International

* * * * *

242 Eligibility

* * * * *

242.2 Customs Forms Required

242.21 Dutiable Merchandise

    The following conditions apply to dutiable merchandise mailed with 
First-Class Mail International service:
* * * * *
    [Revise item d to read as follows:]

    d. The maximum value for dutiable merchandise is $400. Items 
exceeding $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, 
Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail 
International service.
* * * * *

250 First-Class Package International Service

* * * * *

252 Eligibility

252.1 Content

    [Revise the last sentence to read as follows:]

* * * * *
    * * * Items exceeding $400 must be mailed using Global Express 
Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or 
Priority Mail International service.
* * * * *

270 Free Matter for the Blind

* * * * *

272 Eligibility

* * * * *

272.6 Extra Services

* * * * *
    [Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

    a. Registered Mail service for First-Class Mail International items 
and First-Class Package International Service items.
    b. Additional merchandise insurance service for Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes up 
to 4 pounds and Priority Mail International items up to 15 pounds.
* * * * *

3 Extra Services

310 Certificate of Mailing

311 Individual Pieces

* * * * *

311.2 Availability

311.21 At Time of Purchase

* * * * *
    [Delete items e and f and redesignate item g as item e
* * * * *

312 Bulk Quantities--Certificate of Mailing

* * * * *

312.2 Availability

312.21 At Time of Entry

    [Delete items e and f and redesignate item g as item e]
* * * * *

320 Insurance

* * * * *

323 Priority Mail International Insurance

323.1 Description

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]

    Priority Mail International shipments containing merchandise are 
insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no 
additional charge. Priority Mail International shipments containing 
only nonnegotiable documents are insured against loss, damage, or 
missing contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no 
additional charge. Indemnity is paid by the U.S. Postal Service as 
provided in 933. For a fee, the sender may purchase additional 
insurance to protect against loss, damage, or missing contents for 
Priority Mail International items containing merchandise, subject to 
individual country limitations. Additional document reconstruction 
insurance may not be purchased. If the item has been lost, or if it has 
been delivered to the addressee in damaged condition or with missing 
contents, payment is made to the sender unless the sender waives the 
right to payment, in writing, in favor of the addressee.

323.2 Availability

    [Revise the text in its entirety to read as follows:]

    Merchandise insurance above the included $200 amount is available 
for all Priority Mail International items, to certain countries. See 
Exhibit 322.2.
* * * * *

330 Registered Mail

* * * * *

332 Availability

    [Revise the text to read in its entirety to read as follows:]

    Customers may purchase Registered Mail service for items that weigh 
up to 4 pounds. Registered Mail service is not available with Global 
Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, or Priority 
Mail International service or any type of M-bag service. See Individual 
Country Listings for additional country-specific prohibitions and 
restrictions. Registered Mail service is available for the following 
types of mail:

[[Page 23637]]

    a. First-Class Mail International items, including Free Matter for 
the Blind items.
    b. First-Class Package International Service items, including Free 
Matter for the Blind items.
* * * * *

340 Return Receipt

341 Description

    [Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]

    PS Form 2865, Return Receipt for International Mail (Avis de 
Reception), is a pink card that is attached to a registered item or a 
Priority Mail International item at the time of mailing and that is 
removed and signed at the point of delivery and returned to the sender. 
* * *

342 Availability

    [Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
    Return receipts can be purchased only at the time of mailing and 
are available only for a registered item or a Priority Mail 
International item. * * *

4 Treatment of Outbound Mail

* * * * *

420 Unpaid and Shortpaid Mail

* * * * *

423 Shortpaid Mail

* * * * *

423.2 Disposition

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading for 423.23 to read as follows:]

423.23 Priority Mail International Items

423.231 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint or USPS-Produced PVI Label

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]
    Regardless of the amount of deficiency, consider as paid in full 
each shortpaid Priority Mail International item that is paid with a 
permit imprint or USPS-produced postage validation imprinter (PVI) 
label, and dispatch it to the appropriate International Service Center 
(ISC).

423.232 Items Paid With Any Other Postage Payment Method

    [Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]

    The disposition of a shortpaid Priority Mail International item 
paid with a postage payment method other than a permit imprint or USPS-
produced PVI label is based on the amount of the deficiency, as 
follows: * * *
* * * * *
    [After item b2, delete the Note]
    [Revise the heading of 423.24 to read as follows:]

423.24 First-Class Mail International Items (including Postcards), 
First-Class Package International Service Items, and Airmail M-bags

423.241 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint or USPS-Produced PVI Label

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]

    Regardless of the amount of deficiency, consider as paid in full 
each shortpaid First-Class Mail International item (including a 
postcard), First-Class Package International Service item, and Airmail 
M-bag that is paid with a permit imprint or USPS-produced postage 
validation imprinter (PVI) label, and dispatch it to the appropriate 
International Service Center (ISC).

423.242 Items Paid With Any Other Postage Payment Method

    [Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]

    The disposition of a shortpaid First-Class Mail International item 
(including a postcard), First-Class Package International Service item, 
and Airmail M-bag that is paid with a postage payment method other than 
a permit imprint or USPS-produced PVI label is based on the amount of 
the deficiency, as follows: * * *
* * * * *

7 Treatment of Inbound Mail

* * * * *

770 Undeliverable Mail

771 Mail of Domestic Origin

* * * * *

771.5 Return Charges for Letter-post Items

771.51 General

* * * * *
    [In the list, omit items a and b, and redesignate items c through g 
as items a through e]
* * * * *

9 Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds

* * * * *

920 Inquiries and Claims

921 Inquiries

* * * * *

921.2 Initiating an Inquiry

    [Revise the first two sentences to read as follows:]

    Inquiries can be initiated for Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) 
items, Priority Mail Express International items, Priority Mail 
International items, and registered items. Inquiries are not accepted 
for ordinary letters or M-bags. * * *
    Exhibit 921.2

Time Limits for Inquiries

    [Revise the last row to read as follows:]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   When to file an inquiry (from mailing date)
       Product or extra service                  Who           -------------------------------------------------
                                                                     No sooner than           No later than
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Mail International or         Sender or Addressee 4..  7 days.................  6 months.
 Registered Mail.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

921.4 Inquiry Process

    [Revise the second sentence to read as follows:]

    * * * For inquiries on Priority Mail International items or 
Registered Mail items, customers must allow foreign posts approximately 
60 days to research and respond to the International Research Group. * 
* *

921.5 General Procedures

921.51 Nondelivery

    [Revise the text to read as follows:]

    The U.S. Postal Service will initiate an inquiry within the time 
frames

[[Page 23638]]

specified in 921.2 with the destination postal administration in any 
case involving a Priority Mail Express International item, a registered 
item, or a Priority Mail International item that has not been 
delivered. Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letters or M-bags. 
For nondelivery of Global Express Guaranteed shipments, see 212.46.
* * * * *

Country Price Groups and Weight Limits

* * * * *
    [Revise footnote 4 to apply only to Cuba; delete footnote 5; revise 
the information for Ascension, Bolivia, the Falkland Islands, and 
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North Korea):]

    \4\ Cuba: only Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and 
Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes (maximum weight: 4 lbs. each) may be used.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Global express          Priority mail express         Priority mail  international       First-class mail
                                               guaranteed                international          ----------------------------------   international and
                                          ------------------------------------------------------                       PMI flat     first-class package
                                                                                     PMEI flat                           rate      international service
                 Country                                                               rate        Price   Max. wt.    envelopes  ----------------------
                                             Price   Max. wt.    Price   Max. wt.    envelopes     group    (ozs./     and boxes               Max. wt.
                                             group    (lbs.)     group    (lbs.)    price group              lbs.)    price group    Price   (ozs./lbs.)
                                                                                        \1\                               \2\        group       \3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ascension................................       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a         7        3.5/4
Bolivia..................................         8        70         9        66             2       n/a       n/a           n/a         9        3.5/4
Cuba.....................................       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a       n/a       n/a         \4\ 8         9        3.5/4
Falkland Islands.........................       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a         9        3.5/4
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of          n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a       n/a       n/a           n/a         6        3.5/4
 (North Korea)...........................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

Priority Mail International (230)

* * * * *
    [For each country that lists Priority Mail International insurance, 
change the parenthetical cross-reference in the heading to ``232.91'' 
and revise the text to read as follows:]

Insurance (232.91)

    Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see 
323.72 for markings)
* * * * *

Customs Forms Required (123)

    [For each country that lists Priority Mail International, revise 
the text to read as follows:]
    All Priority Mail International items:
    PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
* * * * *

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

* * * * *
    [For each country that lists Free Matter for the Blind, revise the 
second sentence to read as follows:]
    Free when sent as Priority Mail International parcels. Weight 
limit: 15 pounds.
* * * * *

Customs Form Required (123)

    [For each country that lists Free Matter for the Blind customs form 
information, revise the text to read as follows:]
    First-Class Mail International items or First-Class Package 
International Service items:
    PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)
    Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail 
International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small 
Flat Rate Priced Boxes):
    PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
* * * * *

Extra Services

* * * * *

Registered Mail (330)

* * * * *
    [For each country that lists Registered Mail service, revise the 
``availability'' paragraph to read as follows:]
    Available only for First-Class Mail International, including 
postcards, First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter 
for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International and First-Class 
Package International Service.
* * * * *

Return Receipt (340)

* * * * *
    [For each country that lists Return Receipt service, revise the 
``availability'' paragraph to read as follows:]
    Available for Registered Mail and Priority Mail International only.

Ascension

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *
    [Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as 
follows:]

Priority Mail International (230)

    Not Available.
* * * * *

Bolivia

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *
    [Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]

Priority Mail International service is suspended due to lack of 
available air transportation. This suspension of service does not 
affect other international mail categories currently available.

* * * * *
    [Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as 
follows:]

Priority Mail International (230)

    Not Available.
* * * * *

Falkland Islands

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *
    [Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as 
follows:]

Priority Mail International (230)

    Not Available.
* * * * *

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North Korea) Country Conditions 
for Mailing

* * * * *
    [Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as 
follows:]

Priority Mail International (230)

    Not Available.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 20 to 
reflect these changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-09213 Filed 4-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-12-P