[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 109 (Thursday, June 6, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26345-26347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11821]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 20
International Mailing Services: Mailing Services Product and
Price Changes--CPI
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) favorably reviewed an
updated weight limitation for First-Class Mail International[supreg]
(FCMI) large envelopes (flats) in PRC Order No. 4932, issued December
19, 2018, in PRC Docket No. MC2019-3. On March 11, 2019, in a filing at
the PRC, the Postal Service announced an implementation date of June
23, 2019, for the revised FCMI large envelopes (flats) maximum weight
limitation. The Postal Service has made the accompanying classification
changes to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]) in order to reflect this
revised weight limitation.
DATES: Effective June 23, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Lassiter at 202-268-2914.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is revising several
sections of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual (IMM), to reflect classification changes to
Mailing Services. These changes implement a lower maximum weight limit
on FCMI large envelopes (flats), to bring them closer to limits
established by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
I. Regulatory History
On October 10, 2018, the Postal Service filed a notice with the PRC
in Docket No. R2019-1 of mailing services price adjustments, effective
on January 27, 2019. In addition, on October 17, 2018, the Postal
Service published a notice of proposed product and price changes in the
Federal Register entitled ``International Mailing Services: Proposed
Product and Price Changes--CPI'' (83 FR 52351). In the proposed rule,
the Postal Service stated that on October 10, 2018, it also filed a
notice with the PRC in Docket No. MC2019-3, proposing a change in the
maximum weight limit for FCMI large envelopes (flats) from the current
64 ounces to under 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces,
to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal
places and thus round items that weigh 15.995-15.999 ounces up to 16
ounces). This change would more closely align the Postal Service's
definition of FCMI large envelopes (flats) with the UPU Convention's
weight limit, which allows a maximum weight of 500 grams (17.6 ounces)
for flat-shaped letter post items.
II. Postal Regulatory Commission Orders
Because the proposed change to FCMI large envelopes (flats) upper
weight limit that was the subject of Docket No. MC2019-3 was pending at
the time the PRC was scheduled to complete its review in Docket No.
R2019-1, the PRC issued an interim order on October 19, 2018, in Docket
No. R2019-1. That interim order required the Postal Service to revise
its filing in the R2019-1 docket so that the Postal Service's proposed
changes in the R2019-1 docket would not include the proposed revision
to the FCMI large envelopes (flats) maximum weight limit. See PRC Order
No. 4859, Interim Order Relating to Outbound Single-Piece First-Class
Mail International Flats, Docket No. R2019-1, October 19, 2018. The PRC
subsequently favorably reviewed the revised maximum weight limit for
FCMI large envelopes (flats) in Order No. 4932, issued December 19,
2018, in Docket No. MC2019-3. On March 11, 2019, the Postal Service
announced an implementation date of June 23, 2019, for the revised FCMI
large envelopes (flats) maximum weight limit. See Notice of the United
States Postal Service of Effective Date of Update to the Maximum Weight
Limit for Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International Large
Envelopes (Flats) in the Mail Classification Schedule, PRC Docket No.
MC2019-3 (March 11, 2019).
III. Effective June 23, 2019
As a result, effective June 23, 2019, mailers must mail items
weighing 15.994 ounces or more with First-Class Package International
Service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail
International service. If a mailer, counter to the Postal Service's
regulations, presents an FCMI large envelope (flat) weighing above the
newly established weight limit, the
[[Page 26346]]
Postal Service will offer the customer the option of mailing at the
applicable First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail
Express International service, or Priority Mail International service
price if the item meets the requirements for those mail classes.
International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags,
is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all FCMI
postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume
mailings of FCPIS packages (small packets). IPA shipments are typically
flown to a foreign destination (exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico)
and are then entered into that country's air or surface priority mail
system for delivery. To qualify for IPA service, a mailpiece must
either meet the FCMI characteristics defined in IMM 141.5 or the FCPIS
characteristics as defined in IMM 141.6, except for weight, as follows:
--The maximum weight limit for IPA large envelopes (flats) is 17.6
ounces.
--The maximum weight limit for IPA packages (small packets) is 4.4
pounds.
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-
bags, is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all FCMI
postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume
mailings of FCPIS packages (small packets). ISAL shipments are
typically flown to a foreign destination (exceptions apply to Canada
and Mexico) and are then entered into that country's surface
nonpriority mail system for delivery. To qualify for ISAL service, a
mailpiece must meet either the FCMI characteristics defined in IMM
141.5 or the FCPIS characteristics as defined in IMM 141.6, except for
weight, as follows:
--The maximum weight limit for ISAL large envelopes (flats) is 17.6
ounces.
--The maximum weight limit for ISAL packages (small packets) is 4.4
pounds.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated, the Postal Service has adopted
the following changes to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal
Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), which is incorporated
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations in accordance with 39
CFR 20.1, along with associated changes to Notice 123, Price List.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20
Foreign relations, International postal services.
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 First-Class Mail International section to read as
follows:]
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Declared value, weight,
Type of item or physical Required PS form Comment (if
characteristic applicable)
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* * * * * * *
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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) Letters and Large Envelopes
(Flats)
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All First-Class Mail International Under 16 ounces \1\.... None \2\................. See 123.63 for
letter-size and flat-size items, as additional
defined in 241.2, containing only information
nondutiable documents. concerning
``documents.'' Items
containing
merchandise are
prohibited in First-
Class Mail
International.\3\
All IPA and ISAL letter-size and Under 16 ounces \1\.... None \2\................. See 123.63 for
flat-size items, as defined in 16 ounces to 17.6 2976..................... additional
241.2, containing only nondutiable ounces. information
documents. concerning
``documents.'' Items
containing
merchandise are
prohibited in IPA/
ISAL letters and
large envelopes
(flats).\3\
All items containing any goods, Prohibited............. Prohibited............... See 123.63 for
regardless of weight. additional
information
concerning
``documents'' and
merchandise. Items
containing
merchandise are
prohibited in First
Class Mail
International and in
IPA/ISAL letters and
large envelopes
(flats).\3\
* * * * * * *
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[Below Exhibit 123.61, add three footnotes to read as follows:]
\1\ The actual weight is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places
and thus round items that weight 15.995-15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces.
\2\ Certain nonnegotiable documents controlled by export regulatory agencies may require customs documentation.
See 510-540 and Publication 699 for additional information.
\3\ Items containing merchandise are mailable 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).
[[Page 26347]]
* * * * *
140 International Mail Categories
141 Definitions
* * * * *
141.5 First-Class Mail International
[Revise the first sentence (changing the weight limit) 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 less than
16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate
Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus
round items that weigh 15.995-15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces).* * *
* * * * *
2 Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
240 First-Class Mail International
241 Description and Physical Characteristics
* * * * *
241.2 Physical Characteristics
* * * * *
241.23 Physical Standards -- Large Envelopes (Flats)
241.231 Weight Limit
[Revise the text to read as follows (changing the weight limit):]
The weight limit for a First-Class Mail International large
envelope (flat) is less than 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is
15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to
three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995-15.999
ounces up to 16 ounces).
* * * * *
243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
* * * * *
243.3 Permit Imprint--General
[Revise the fourth sentence to read as follows:]
* * *For items requiring a customs form (First-Class Mail
International letter-size and flat-size mailpieces containing
nonnegotiable documents controlled by export regulatory agencies,
covered in IMM 510-540), mailers must also meet the following
requirements:* * *
* * * * *
Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
* * * * *
[Revise footnote 3 to read as follows:]
\3\ First-Class Mail International maximum weights: Letters, 3.5
ozs.; Large Envelopes (flats), under 16 ounces (the actual weight limit
is 15.994 ounces to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to
three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995-15.999
ounces up to 16 ounces). First-Class Package International Service
maximum weight: 4 lbs.
[In the table, in the second header row in the farthest column on
the right, revise ``Max. Wt. (ozs./lbs)3'' to just ``Max. Wt.,'' and
revise all of the entries in that column (except Somalia) to read as
follows (with the entry for Afghanistan as an example) (the entry for
Somalia remains ``n/a''):]
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Global express Priority mail express international Priority mail international First-class mail international and first-
guaranteed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ class package international service
-------------------------- PMI flat ---------------------------------------------
PMEI flat rate
Country Max. Wt. rate Max. Wt. envelopes
Price group Max. Wt. Price group (lbs.) envelopes Price group (lbs.) and boxes Price group Max. Wt.
(lbs.) price group price group
\1\ \2\
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Afghanistan............................... 6 70 n/a n/a n/a 6 66 8 6 See Note 3.
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
Brittany M. Johnson,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2019-11821 Filed 6-5-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P