[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 98 (Monday, May 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27904-27905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10857]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2021-91; Order No. 5894]


Mail Classification Schedule

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is acknowledging a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning classification changes to the Mail Classification Schedule 
related to International Mail. This document informs the public of the 
filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: May 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Commission Action
IIII. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On May 13, 2021, the Postal Service filed a request with the 
Commission pursuant to 39 CFR 3040.180 to make changes to the 
classification of Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Package 
International Service (FCPIS).\1\ In support of its Request, the Postal 
Service filed the following documents:
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    \1\ Request of the United States Postal Service for 
Classification Changes Concerning Outbound Single-Piece First-Class 
Package International Service, May 13, 2021 (Request). The Postal 
Service filed errata to the Request on May 14, 2021. Notice of 
Errata to Request of the United States Postal Service for 
Classification Changes Concerning Outbound Single-Piece First-Class 
Package International Service, May 14, 2021 (Errata).
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     Attachment 1 to the Request--Decision of the Governors of 
the United States Postal Service on Mail Classification Schedule 
Changes Related to the Outbound Commercial Provider Initiative, May 6, 
2021 (Governors' Decision No. 21-4) and Draft Mail Classification 
Schedule (MCS) language; and
     Attachment 1 to the Errata--Certification of Governors' 
Vote on Governors' Decision No. 21-4.
    The Postal Service describes the proposed classification changes as

[[Page 27905]]

necessary to facilitate the implementation of the Outbound Commercial 
Provider Initiative (OCPI) which would offer delivery of outbound 
international service in foreign countries through use of a commercial 
delivery supplier in lieu of the destination country postal operator. 
Request at 2-3. The Postal Service states that OCPI will be offered 
with Priority Mail Express International (PMEI), Priority Mail 
International (PMI), and FCPIS. Id. at 2. The Postal Service asserts 
that the existing classification language for PMEI and PMI is 
sufficiently broad to enable implementation of OCPI, and thus its 
Request only seeks changes to the classification language for FCPIS. 
Id. at 2-3. The Postal Service notes that the requested MCS revisions 
do not require implementation of OCPI. Id. at 3. Specifically, the 
requested MCS revisions are:
     Removal from MCS section 2335.1a of the provision that 
FCPIS be subject to the provisions of the Universal Postal Convention;
     Deletion from MCS section 2335.1a of the phrase ``that are 
not entered as Priority Mail International''; and
     Revision to MCS section 2335.1c to state ``Outbound 
Single-Piece First-Class Package International Service pieces that are 
undeliverable-as-addressed may be forwarded if applicable or returned 
to the sender.''

Id.
    In support of the Request, the Postal Service notes that OCPI is 
intended primarily to take advantage of advantageous rates negotiated 
with commercial suppliers, and thus these classification changes should 
not result in any violation of the standards of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 
CFR part 3035. Request at 4-5. The Postal Service notes, however, that 
in some cases the use of OCPI suppliers may be desirable to ensure 
stable and consistent service abroad, rather than exclusively as a 
cost-saving measure. See id. The Postal Service states that because 
OCPI is in its preliminary stages and it has yet to be determined 
whether OCPI will be offered in conjunction with FCPIS, it is not 
possible at this time to generate detailed financial workpapers showing 
the impact of OCPI on the cost coverage of FCPIS. Id. at 5.
    The Postal Service describes the impact of the proposed changes on 
the users of FCPIS as positive by permitting the Postal Service to use 
OCPI providers to remain competitive in cross-border shipping, enabling 
continuity of service where issues arise with foreign postal operators, 
and providing the possibility of offering additional services or 
improved service performance. Id. at 6. The Postal Service also notes 
how the use of OCPI providers may result in differences in the handling 
of FCPIS pieces that are undeliverable as addressed. Id. at 7. The 
Postal Service describes competitors as affected by the Postal 
Service's implementation of OCPI, but notes that by relying on 
commercial customs practices in the destination country, shipments 
delivered by an OCPI provider would be subject to same practices as 
shipments originating with competing private sector entities. Id. at 6.

II. Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2021-91 to consider the 
Postal Service's proposals described in its Request. Interested persons 
may submit comments on whether the Request is consistent with the 
policies of 39 CFR 3040.180. Comments are due by May 25, 2021.
    The Request and related filings are available on the Commission's 
website (http://www.prc.gov). The Commission encourages interested 
persons to review the Request for further details.
    The Commission appoints Gregory Stanton to serve as Public 
Representative in this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2021-91 for 
consideration of the matters raised by the Request of the United States 
Postal Service for Classification Changes Concerning Outbound Single-
Piece First-Class Package International Service, filed May 13, 2021.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Gregory Stanton is appointed to serve 
as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons are due by May 25, 2021.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-10857 Filed 5-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P