[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21601-21603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07710]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 6, 2022, the Postal Service (USPS[supreg]) filed a 
notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory 
Commission (PRC), effective July 10, 2022. This proposed rule contains 
revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to coincide with the price 
adjustments.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 12, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected], with a subject line of ``July 2022 Domestic 
Mailing Services Proposal.'' Faxed comments are not accepted. You may 
inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment only, at 
USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor 
North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for review on 
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doriane Harley at (202) 268-2537, 
Jacqueline Erwin at (202) 268-2158, or Dale Kennedy at (202) 268-6592.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed prices will be available under 
Docket No. R2022-1 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website at 
www.prc.gov.
    The Postal Service's proposed rule includes: Changes to prices, 
mail classification updates, product simplification efforts, and minor 
revisions to the DMM.

Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) Uniform Rate

    Currently, the Postal Service has two pricing tiers for QBRM 
letters, one price for up to and including 1 ounce and a separate price 
for up to and including 2 ounces, for both high volume and basic.
    The Postal Service is proposing to replace these pricing tiers with 
a uniform per-piece price for QBRM letters up to and including 3.5 
ounces. The proposal would also allow high-volume business reply mail 
customers to use the QBRM product.
    QBRM customers will be required to have an Intelligent Mail barcode 
(IMb) on their QBRM mailpieces. This allows the Postal Service to 
process the mailers' QBRM letters through the automated accounting 
process.

Direct Container Discount for Marketing Mail High Density Plus and 
Saturation Flats

    The Postal Service is proposing to offer discounts for USPS 
Marketing Mail Saturation Flats (including EDDM, not EDDM Retail) and 
High Density Plus Flats in 5-digit (direct) containers (pallets, sacks, 
and tubs). Currently, the Postal Service offers discounts for Carrier 
Route Flats and High Density Flats on 5-digit (direct) pallets; these 
discounts would now extend to Carrier Route Flats and High Density 
Flats in 5-digit (direct) sacks and tubs.

Round-Trip Mailings With One Optical Disc--Nonautomation Presort

    Currently, the Postal Service offers two prices for nonautomation 
machinable letters: AADC and Mixed AADC.
    The Postal Service is proposing to extend the updated pricing 
structure for nonautomation machinable letters to Round-Trip Mailings 
with One Optical Disc. Letter-shaped mailpieces up to 1 ounce will be 
able to avail themselves of nonautomation machinable letter AADC and 
Mixed AADC prices instead of being limited to one nonautomation presort 
price. Similarly, flat-shaped mailings up to 2 ounces will be able to 
avail themselves to nonautomation machinable letter AADC and Mixed AADC 
prices instead of one nonautomation presort price.

Priority Mail Insurance

    Currently, the Postal Service includes insurance coverage with 
Priority Mail[supreg] against loss, damage, or missing contents limited 
to a maximum liability of $50.00 when the mailer pays retail or 
Commercial Base prices and to a maximum liability of $100.00 when the 
mailer pays Commercial Plus prices. Additionally, the Postal Service 
does not include insurance with Priority Mail Return service pieces.
    The Postal Service is proposing to make the insurance amount 
included with retail and commercial priced Priority Mail limited to a 
maximum liability of $100.00.
    In addition, the Postal Service is proposing to include the $100.00 
of insurance with Priority Mail Return service pieces.
    These proposed revisions will provide consistency within postal 
products and add value for customers.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 
CFR 111.1.
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    The Postal Service proposes the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations 
(see 39 CFR 111.1):

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 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, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to read as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

200 Commercial Mail

* * * * *

230 First-Class Mail

* * * * *

233 Prices and Eligibility

* * * * *

[[Page 21602]]

4.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Nonautomation Machinable 
First-Class Mail

4.3 Price Application--Nonautomation Machinable--Letters

    Nonautomation machinable letters are subject to AADC and mixed AADC 
prices only (including Round-Trip Mailings with One Optical Disc).
* * * * *

240 Commercial Mail USPS Marketing Mail

243 Prices and Eligibility

* * * * *

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Enhanced Carrier Route USPS 
Marketing Mail Letters and Flats

* * * * *

6.3 Basic Price Enhanced Carrier Route Standards

* * * * *
    [Revise the title and text of 6.3.4; to read as follows:]

6.3.4 Basic Carrier Route Bundles on a 5-Digit/Direct Container 
(Basic--CR Bundles/Container) Price Eligibility--Flats

    The Basic--CR Bundles/Container discount applies to each piece in a 
carrier route bundle of 10 or more pieces that are palletized under 
705.8.0 on a 5-digit carrier route or 5-digit scheme carrier route 
pallet entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU entry or 
palletized under 705.14.0 on a FSS scheme pallet (in a FSS Scheme 
bundle), or in a Carrier Route sack or tub under 245.9.3 and entered at 
an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU.
* * * * *

6.5 High Density and High Density Plus (Enhanced Carrier Route) 
Standards--Flats

* * * * *
    [Revise the title and text of 6.5.3; to read as follows:]

6.5.3 High Density Carrier Route Bundles on a 5-Digit/Direct Container 
(High Density--CR Bundles/Container Discount Eligibility)--Flats

    High Density--CR Bundles/Container discount applies to 125 or more 
High Density--eligible pieces that are palletized under 705.8.0 on a 5-
digit carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, or 5-digit scheme carrier 
route pallet entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU entry, or 
palletized under 705.14.0 on a FSS scheme pallet (in a FSS scheme 
bundle), or in a Carrier Route sack or tub under 245.9.3 and entered at 
an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU.
    [Add new section 6.5.4; to read as follows:]

6.5.4 High Density Plus Carrier Route Bundles on a 5-Digit/Direct 
Container (High Density Plus--CR Bundles/Container Discount 
Eligibility)--Flats

    High Density Plus--CR Bundles/Container discount applies to 300 or 
more High Density Plus eligible pieces that are palletized under 
705.8.0 on a 5-digit carrier route, 5-digit carrier routes, or 5-digit 
scheme carrier route pallet entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or 
DDU entry, or palletized under 705.14.0 on a FSS scheme pallet (in a 
FSS scheme bundle) or in a Carrier Route sack or tub under 245.9.3 and 
entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU.
* * * * *

6.7 Saturation Enhanced Carrier Route Standards--Flats

* * * * *
    [Add new section 6.7.3; to read as follows:]

6.7.3 Saturation--(including EDDM) Carrier Route Bundles on a 5-digit/
Direct Container (Saturation-CR Bundles/Container Discount 
Eligibility)--Flats

    Saturation-CR Bundles/Container discount applies to at least 90% or 
more of the active residential addresses or 75% or more of the total 
number of active possible delivery addresses on each carrier route that 
are palletized under 705.8.0 on a 5-digit carrier route, 5-digit 
carrier routes, or 5-digit scheme carrier route pallet entered at the 
origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, or DDU entry, or palletized under 705.14.0 
on a FSS scheme pallet (in a FSS scheme bundle), or in a Carrier Route 
sack or tub under 245.9.3 and entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF, 
or DDU.
* * * * *

500 Additional Services

* * * * *

503 Extra Services

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra Services

* * * * *

1.4 Eligibility for Extra Services

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.4.1 Eligibility--Domestic Mail

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            Extra service                         Eligible mail              Additional combined extra services
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                                                  * * * * * * *
Insurance
Insurance Restricted Delivery
[Revise the ``Note:'' under
 ``Insurance'' to read as follows:]
Note: Priority Mail Express includes
 $100.00 of insurance and Priority
 Mail includes $100.00 of insurance;
 see 503.4.0.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
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4.0 Insured Mail

* * * * *

4.2 Insurance Coverage--Priority Mail

    [Revise the introductory text of 4.2 to read as follows:]
    Priority Mail pieces, including Priority Mail Return service, are 
insured against loss, damage, or missing contents, up to a maximum of 
$100.00, subject to the following:
    [Revise the text of item a to read as follows:]
    a. Insurance coverage is provided against loss, damage, or missing 
contents and is limited to a maximum liability of $100.00 when the 
Priority Mail pieces bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) or 
USPS retail tracking barcode (see 4.3.4) and the mailer pays retail or 
commercial prices.

[[Page 21603]]

    [Delete item b in its entirety and renumber items c through f as b 
through e, respectively.]
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item d (as renumbered) to read as follows:]
    d. Insurance coverage under 4.2a is not provided for Priority Mail 
pieces mailed as Priority Mail Open and Distribute or Premium 
Forwarding Service.
* * * * *

505 Return Services

1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM)

* * * * *

1.6 Additional Standards for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)

1.6.1 Description

* * * * *
    [Revise the text of 1.6.1a, through 1.6.1e; to read as follows:]
    a. Meets all the Business Reply Mail (BRM) standards in 1.3 through 
1.8.
    b. Has postage and per piece charges deducted from a BRM advance 
deposit account.
    c. Is a letter weighing 3.5 ounces or less or card that is prepared 
to meet the automation compatibility requirements in 201.3.0.
    d. Is authorized to mail at QBRM prices and fees under 1.6.2. 
During the authorization process, a proper ZIP+4 code is assigned to 
the mailer (under 1.6.2) for each QBRM to be returned under the system 
(one for card priced pieces and one for letter-size pieces weighing up 
to and including 3.5 ounces).
    e. Bears the proper ZIP+4 code, assigned by USPS, in the address of 
each piece. The ZIP+4 codes assigned for this program must be used only 
on the organization's appropriate QBRM pieces.* * *
* * * * *

3.0 USPS Returns Service

3.1 Basic Standards

* * * * *

3.1.3 Postage and Prices

* * * * *
    [Revise item c1 to read as follows:]
    1. Insurance is available for USPS Returns service (see 503.4). 
Insurance is not included with the postage for Priority Mail Return 
service (see 503.4.2). Insurance for First-Class Package Return service 
and Ground Return service, and additional insurance for Priority Mail 
Return service is available to the account holder for a fee on packages 
that have the applicable STC embedded into the IMpb on the authentic 
USPS label with valid postage, and for which the account holder has 
provided electronic data that supports the value of the merchandise 
(see 503.4.3.1a). Only the account holder of record may file a claim 
(see 609). Except for Priority Mail Return service, mailers mailing a 
USPS Returns service package may obtain insurance at their own expense 
at the time of mailing by presenting an authentic USPS Returns label 
with valid postage affixed to the package at a Post Office retail unit 
to obtain the service.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

8.0 Preparing Pallets

* * * * *

8.10 Pallet Presort and Labeling

* * * * *

8.10.3 USPS Marketing Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight--Bundles, 
Sacks, or Trays

    [Revise the second sentence to read as follows:]
    * * * For USPS Marketing Mail High Density and High Density Plus 
flats price eligibility, only 5-digit pallets under 8.10.3a-c are 
allowed, and the pallets must be entered under None, DNDC, DSCF or DDU 
standards. (Use ``HD/HD+ DIRECT'' for one route and ``HD/HD+ CR-RTS'' 
for multiple routes on the line 2 contents description). * * *
    [Revise item a2 to read as follows:]
    * * * 2. Line 2: ``STD'' followed by ``FLTS''; followed by ``HD/
HD+'' for High Density and High Density Plus flats pricing eligibility; 
followed by ``CARRIER ROUTES'' (or ``CR-RTS''); followed by ``SCHEME'' 
(or ``SCH''). * * *
    [Revise item b2 to read as follows:]
    * * * 2. Line 2: For flats and Marketing parcels (Product Samples 
only), ``STD FLTS'' or ``STD MKTG,'' as applicable; followed by ``HD/
HD+'' for High Density and High Density Plus flats pricing eligibility; 
followed by ``CARRIER ROUTES'' (or ``CR-RTS''). For letters, ``STD 
LTRS''; followed by ``CARRIER ROUTES'' (or ``CR-RTS''); followed by 
``BC'' if the pallet contains barcoded letters; followed by ``MACH'' if 
the pallet contains machinable letters; followed by ``MAN'' if the 
pallet contains nonmachinable letters.
    [Revise item c to read as follows:]
    c. 5-digit carrier routes, required for High Density and High 
Density Plus flats pricing eligibility, permitted for bundles. Pallet 
must contain only carrier route mail for one carrier and same 5-digit 
ZIP Code. Labeling:* * *
* * * * *

Notice 123 (Price List)

    [Revise prices as applicable.]
* * * * *

Sarah E. Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2022-07710 Filed 4-8-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P