[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57356-57362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26143]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


International Mailing Services: Mailing Services Product and 
Price Changes

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On October 24, 2017, the Postal Service published proposed 
product and price changes to reflect a notice of price adjustments 
filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has found 
that price adjustments and product changes contained in the Postal 
Service's notice may go into effect on January 21, 2018. The Postal 
Service will revise Notice 123, Price List to reflect the new prices 
and Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) to reflect the product changes.

DATES: Effective: January 21, 2018.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Proposed Rule and Response

    In October 2017, the Postal Service filed a notice of mailing 
services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) 
for products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to be 
effective on January 21, 2018. On October 24, 2017, the 
USPSTM published a notice of proposed product and price 
changes in the Federal Register entitled ``International Mailing 
Services: Proposed Product and Price Changes--CPI'' (82 FR 49160). The 
document included price changes that the Postal Service would adopt for 
products and services covered by Mailing Standards of the United States 
Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) and publish in 
Notice 123, Price List, on Postal Explorer[supreg] at pe.usps.com. The 
Postal Service received no comments.

II. Decision of the Postal Regulatory Commission

    As stated in the PRC's Order No. 4215, issued on November 9, 2017, 
the PRC found that the prices in the Postal Service's Notice may go 
into effect on

[[Page 57357]]

January 21, 2018. The new prices will accordingly be posted in Notice 
123, on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com.
    The following product changes to the IMM, conforming to the 
requirements of the Universal Postal Convention limiting the contents 
of First-Class Mail International postcard, letter, and large envelope 
(flat) mail to personal correspondence and non-dutiable documents, were 
also accepted without comment and will accordingly be posted in the 
January 21, 2018, revision of the IMM on Postal Explorer at 
pe.usps.com.
    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.

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)

* * * * *

1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

120 Preparation for Mailing

* * * * *

123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels

123.6 Required Usage

123.61 Conditions

* * * * *
Exhibit 123.61

Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category

* * * * *

[Revise the heading and text for the First-Class Mail International 
section to read as follows:]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Declared value,
            Type of item               weight, or physical      Required PS form       Comment (if applicable)
                                         characteristic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  First-Class Mail International Letters and Large Envelopes (Flats), as well as International Priority Airmail
      (IPA) Letters and Large Envelopes (Flats) and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Envelopes (Flats)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All letter-size and flat-size        Under 16 ounces.......  None..................  See 123.63 for additional
 items, as defined in 241.2,         16 ounces or more.....  2976..................   information concerning
 containing only nondutiable                                                          ``documents.'' Items
 documents.                                                                           containing merchandise
                                                                                      must be mailed using
                                                                                      Global Express Guaranteed
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      Express International
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      International service, or
                                                                                      First-Class Package
                                                                                      International Service;
                                                                                      commercial mailers may
                                                                                      also use IPA packages
                                                                                      (small packets) and ISAL
                                                                                      packages (small packets)
                                                                                      to mail merchandise.
                                                                                      Certain documents
                                                                                      controlled by export
                                                                                      regulatory agencies may
                                                                                      also require customs
                                                                                      documentation. See 510-590
                                                                                      and Publication 699 for
                                                                                      additional information.
All items containing any goods,      Prohibited............  Prohibited............  See 123.63 for additional
 regardless of weight.                                                                information concerning
                                                                                      ``documents'' and
                                                                                      merchandise. Items
                                                                                      containing merchandise
                                                                                      must be mailed using
                                                                                      Global Express Guaranteed
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      Express International
                                                                                      service, Priority Mail
                                                                                      International service, or
                                                                                      First-Class Package
                                                                                      International Service;
                                                                                      commercial mailers may
                                                                                      also use IPA packages
                                                                                      (small packets) and ISAL
                                                                                      packages (small packets)
                                                                                      to mail merchandise.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[Delete the footnote]

* * * * *

[Revise the heading of 123.63 to read as follows (indicating a 
separation of documents and merchandise):]

123.63 Separation of Documents and Merchandise

[Revise the text to read as follows (dividing the section into 
subsections, with 123.631 containing new text that explains the 
separation between documents and merchandise, 123.632 based on the 
first part of the previous 123.63, and 123.633 based on the second part 
of the previous 123.63):]

123.631 Explanation of Separation

    Letter-post mail (First-Class Mail International, IPA and ISAL 
items, and First-Class Package International Service) must be separated 
based on contents into Documents and Merchandise categories. 
Merchandise consists of items other than documents that are considered 
potentially dutiable, as well as documents that may be subject to 
customs duties. Mailers must declare a value and place a customs form 
on each merchandise item. If any item (merchandise or document) weighs 
more than 16 ounces, a mailer must place a customs form on it, 
regardless of the content.

123.632 Documents

    In Exhibit 123.61, the ``Type of Item'' column has several 
references to ``documents.'' For this purpose, ``documents'' refers 
only to any piece of written, drawn, or printed information, excluding 
objects of merchandise. Documents do not include digital and electronic 
storage media or devices such

[[Page 57358]]

as CDs, DVDs, or flash drives. Examples of documents include the 
following:
    a. Audit and business records.
    b. Personal correspondence.
    c. Circulars.
    d. Pamphlets.
    e. Advertisements.
    f. Written instruments not intended to be resold.
    g. Money orders, checks, and similar items that cannot be 
negotiated or converted into cash without forgery.

123.633 Customs Forms Required

    The following are examples of items that are required to bear a 
customs declaration form and to declare a value:
    a. CDs, DVDs, flash drives, video and cassette tapes, and other 
digital and electronic storage media--regardless of whether they are 
blank or contain electronic documents or other prerecorded media.
    b. Artwork.
    c. Collector or antique document items.
    d. Books.
    e. Periodicals.
    f. Printed music.
    g. Printed educational or test material.
    h. Player piano rolls.
    i. Commercial engineering drawings.
    j. Commercial blueprints.
    k. Film.
    l. Negatives.
    m. X-rays.
    n. Separation negatives.
    o. Commercial photographs.
* * * * *

141.5 First-Class Mail International

    [Revise the first two sentences to read as follows:]
    First-Class Mail International is a generic term for mailpieces 
that are postcard size, letter-size or flat-size and weigh 4 pounds or 
less. First-Class Mail International items may contain any letter-size 
or flat-size mailable correspondence or nondutiable documents that are 
not prohibited by the destination country. * * *
* * * * *

141.6 First-Class Package International Service

    [Revise the second sentence to replace ``registry'' with 
``Registered Mail,'' to read as follows:]
    At the sender's option, extra services, such as Registered Mail and 
return receipt, may be added on a country-specific basis.
* * * * *

240 First-Class Mail International

* * * * *

242 Eligibility

242.1 Content Eligibility

    [Revise text to read as follows (indicating that only 
correspondence and nondutiable documents may be sent by FCMI)]:
    Subject to applicable weight and size limits, only correspondence 
and nondutiable documents that are otherwise acceptable and not 
prohibited by the Postal Service or the country of destination may be 
mailed at the First-Class Mail International price.
    [Revise the heading of 242.2 to read as follows:]

242.2 Merchandise

    [Replace subsections 242.21 and 242.22 with text to read as follows 
(because no merchandise, neither dutiable as in the previous 242.21 nor 
nondutiable as in the previous 242.22, may be mailed with First-Class 
Mail International service):]
    No merchandise, whether dutiable or nondutiable, may be mailed 
using First-Class Mail International Service. Items containing 
merchandise may be sent by Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority 
Mail Express International service, Priority Mail International 
service, or First-Class Package International Service; commercial 
mailers may also use IPA packages (small packets) and ISAL packages 
(small packets).
* * * * *

243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

243.3 Permit Imprint--General

[Revise the fourth sentence to read as follows (specifying that the 
only First-Class Mail International items that require customs forms 
are letters and flats that weigh more than 16 ounces):]

    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 
152.64 is acceptable. Permit imprints must not denote ``bulk mail,'' 
``nonprofit,'' or other domestic or special mail markings. For items 
requiring a customs form (First-Class Mail International letter-size 
and flat-size mailpieces weighing more than 16 ounces), mailers must 
also meet the following requirements: * * *
* * * * *

Individual Country Listings

* * * * *

[For every country that accepts Free Matter for the Blind service, 
revise the first paragraph of the ``Free Matter for the Blind'' text to 
read as follows (noting that First-Class Mail International service is 
limited to documents only):]

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

    Free when sent as First-Class Mail International (documents only), 
First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International 
Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate 
Priced Boxes. Weight limit: 4 pounds.
* * * * *

[For the following countries, revise the applicable text as noted:]

Afghanistan

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Traveler's checks, precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable 
articles are admitted only in registered First-Class Package 
International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Aruba

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency; securities of any kind payable to 
bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or 
not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, unless 
they are sent by First-Class Package International Service with 
Registered Mail Service.
* * * * *

Benin

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    1. First-Class Package International Service items containing 
dutiable articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency; securities of any kind payable to 
bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or 
not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, unless 
they are sent in First-Class

[[Page 57359]]

Package International Service with Registered Mail service.
* * * * *

Brazil

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Postage stamps are admitted only in First-Class Package 
International Service with Registered Mail service shipments.
* * * * *

Burkina Faso

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    1. First-Class Package International Service items containing 
dutiable articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Burma

(Myanmar)

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the first entry to read as follows;]

    1. The following may not be sent as merchandise with First-Class 
Package International Service if they are liable to customs duty: Works 
of art (including photographs), printed forms, account books, 
manuscript books, labels, advertising matter (except trade catalogs and 
circulars), picture books, almanacs, maps, old paper, and old 
newspapers serving as packing paper.
* * * * *

Cameroon

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes; currency notes; and securities payable to bearer may be 
sent only as First-Class Package International Service with Registered 
Mail service.
* * * * *

Canada

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; 
traveler's checks; gold, silver, platinum, manufactured or not; 
jewelry; and other valuable articles may be sent only by First-Class 
Package International Service with Registered Mail service.
Exceptions
    Coins sent to or from collectors or dealers may be mailed in 
ordinary (uninsured) parcels.
* * * * *

Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    1. First-Class Package International Service items containing 
dutiable articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Curacao

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency; securities of any kind payable to 
bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or 
not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, unless 
they are sent in registered First-Class Package International Service.
* * * * *

Faroe Islands

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable 
to bearer; traveler's checks; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, 
gold, silver; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, 
may only be sent in registered First-Class Package International 
Service or insured parcels.
* * * * *

French Guiana

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable 
to bearer; traveler's checks; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, 
gold, silver; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, 
may only be sent in registered First-Class Package International 
Service shipments.
* * * * *

French Polynesia (Includes Tahiti)

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes admitted only in registered First-Class Package 
International Service.
* * * * *

Gambia

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; traveler's 
checks; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, silver; 
precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may be sent only 
in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Ghana

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes, treasury notes, currency notes, and coins may only be 
sent in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments 
from one bank to another.
* * * * *

Greece

Prohibitions

* * * * *

[Revise the third entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; traveler's checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or 
not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, except 
banknotes, currency notes (paper money), and securities payable to 
bearer may be sent in registered First-Class Package International 
Service shipments.
* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes, currency notes; and securities payable to bearer may 
only be sent in registered First-Class Package International Service 
shipments.
* * * * *

Guadeloupe (Includes Saint Bartholomew and Saint Martin)

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; 
traveler's

[[Page 57360]]

checks; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, gold, and silver; 
precious stones; jewels; expensive jewelry; and other valuable articles 
may only be sent in registered First-Class Package International 
Service shipments.
* * * * *

Israel

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable 
to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or 
not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be 
sent in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

[Revise the fifth entry to read as follows:]

    Records, films, recording wire, computer cards, QSL cards, and 
magnetic film are admitted only if sent in First-Class Package 
International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Italy

* * * * *

Restrictions

* * * * *

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Postage stamps for philatelic purposes are admitted in registered 
First-Class Package International Service shipments on condition that 
the package bears a completed PS Form 2976 and the addressee complies 
with the Italian financial regulations.
* * * * *

Japan

* * * * *

Restrictions

* * * * *

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable 
to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or 
not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be 
sent in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments 
or insured Priority Mail International parcels.
* * * * *

Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; paper currency; banknotes; currency notes; securities 
payable to bearer; jewelry; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, 
gold, and silver; precious stones; and other valuable articles are 
admitted only if sent in registered First-Class Package International 
Service shipments.
* * * * *

Libya

* * * * *

Observations

* * * * *

[Revise the third entry to read as follows:]

    3. In accordance with Executive Order 12543 of January 7, 1986, 
merchandise is limited to donations of articles of food, clothing, 
medicines, and medical supplies that are intended strictly for medical 
purposes. First-Class Package International Service items and 
International Priority Airmail (IPA) items are subject to the content 
restriction. ISAL service is suspended because transportation is not 
available.
* * * * *

Macao

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes; traveler's checks; securities 
payable to bearer; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not; 
precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be sent 
in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Mali

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    1. First-Class Package International Service items and Priority 
Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes containing dutiable articles 
must be registered.
* * * * *

Namibia

Prohibitions

* * * * *

[Revise the fourth entry to read as follows:]

    Diamonds or precious stones except in registered First-Class 
Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Niger

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    First-Class Package International Service items containing dutiable 
articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Oman

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    First-Class Package International Service items containing dutiable 
articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Reunion

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes; currency notes; and securities payable to bearer may 
only be sent in registered First-Class Package International Service 
shipments.
* * * * *

Rwanda

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins, banknotes, currency notes (paper money), traveler's checks, 
and securities payable to bearer except in registered First-Class 
Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

San Marino

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Postage stamps for philatelic purposes are admitted in registered 
First-Class Package International Service shipments on condition that 
the package bears a completed PS Form 2976 and the addressee complies 
with the Italian financial regulations.
* * * * *

Senegal

* * * * *

[[Page 57361]]

Observations

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    First-Class Package International Service items containing dutiable 
articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Sierra Leone

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Postage stamps, whether used or not, except in registered First-
Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Restrictions

* * * * *

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Coins or precious metal sent in registered First-Class Package 
International Service shipments may not exceed L5 in value.
* * * * *

Singapore

Prohibitions (130)

* * * * *

[Revise the fifth entry to read as follows:]

    Coins except coins for purposes of ornament; banknotes; currency 
notes; traveler's checks; securities payable to bearer; precious 
stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles. However, unmounted 
precious stones may be sent in registered First-Class Package 
International Service shipments if authorization is obtained from the 
Postmaster General of Singapore.
* * * * *

Sint Maarten

Prohibitions (130)

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency; securities of any kind payable to 
bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or 
not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, unless 
they are sent in registered First-Class Package International Service.
* * * * *

Somalia

Prohibitions (130)

* * * * *

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency; securities of any kind payable to 
bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or 
not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles.
* * * * *

South Africa

Prohibitions (130)

* * * * *

[Revise the fourth entry to read as follows:]

    Diamonds or precious stones except in registered First-Class 
Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Observations

* * * * *

[Revise the third entry to read as follows (specifying that only FCPIS 
with Registered Mail service may be used):]

    3. Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); traveler's 
checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or not); precious 
stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles are admitted only in 
First-Class Package International Service with Registered Mail service 
shipments.
* * * * *

Sudan

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes greater than 2 Sudanese pounds in value are admitted ONLY 
in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Taiwan

* * * * *

Observations

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    1. First-Class Package International Service items containing 
dutiable articles must be registered.
* * * * *

Tanzania

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the entry to read as follows:]

    Coins must not exceed 100 shillings in value and must be sent in 
registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Togo

Prohibitions (130)

* * * * *

[Revise the third entry to read as follows:]

    Banknotes, currency notes, securities payable to bearer, traveler's 
checks, may only be sent in registered First-Class Package 
International Service shipments.
* * * * *
* * * * *

Uganda

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable 
to bearer; traveler checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or 
not; precious stones, jewelry; and other valuable articles, may only be 
sent in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Ukraine

* * * * *

Restrictions

[In the first entry, revise item e to read as follows:]

    1. In order to be admissible, the food items listed below must * * 
* (e) be shipped in quantities not to exceed 2 kilograms (4 pounds) 
when enclosed in a First-Class Package International Service shipment * 
* *.
* * * * *

Yemen

* * * * *

Restrictions

* * * * *

[Revise the second entry to read as follows:]

    Coins, banknotes, currency notes, securities payable to bearer, and 
traveler's checks may only be sent in registered First-Class Package 
International Service shipments.
* * * * *

Zambia

* * * * *

Restrictions

[Revise the first entry to read as follows:]

    Coins; paper currency; banknotes; currency notes; securities 
payable to bearer; jewelry; manufactured and unmanufactured platinum, 
gold, and silver; precious stones; and other valuable articles are 
admitted only if

[[Page 57362]]

sent in registered First-Class Package International Service shipments.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-26143 Filed 12-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-12-P