[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43559-43560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15528]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. MC2022-81 and MC2022-82; Order No. 6230]


Classification Changes

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is recognizing recent Postal Service filings 
requesting the removal of USPS Retail Ground from the competitive 
product list and a set of changes for First-Class Package Service and 
Parcel Select. This notice informs the public of the filings, invites 
public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: August 31, 2022.

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. Summary of Changes
III. Notice of Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On July 13, 2022, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3040.130 et 
seq., the Postal Service filed a request to remove USPS Retail Ground 
from the competitive product list.\1\ To support this request, the 
Postal Service filed a copy of the Governors' Decision supporting the 
request, a Statement of Supporting Justification in accordance with 39 
CFR 3040.132, and proposed changes to the Mail Classification Schedule 
(MCS). See USPS Retail Ground Request, Attachments A-C.
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    \1\ Docket No. MC2022-81, USPS Request to Remove USPS Retail 
Ground from the Competitive Product List, July 13, 2022 (USPS Retail 
Ground Request).
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    Also on July 13, 2022, pursuant to 39 CFR 3035.104, 3040.212, and 
3040.180 et seq., the Postal Service filed a notice of a set of changes 
for First-Class Package Service and Parcel Select.\2\ The Postal 
Service filed a copy of the supporting Governors' Decision and proposed 
changes to the MCS. See Competitive Classification Notice, Attachments 
A-B.
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    \2\ Docket No. MC2022-82, USPS Notice of Changes in 
Classifications of General Applicability for Competitive Products, 
July 13, 2022 (Competitive Classification Notice).
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II. Summary of Changes

    The Postal Service requests to remove USPS Retail Ground from the 
competitive product list effective January 8, 2023. See USPS Retail 
Ground Request at 1. The Postal Service also provides notice proposing 
to remove the Parcel Select Ground price category from Parcel Select 
and make enhancements to First-Class Package Service effective January 
8, 2023. Competitive Classification Notice at 1. The enhancements to 
First-Class Package Service include: expanding the product weight limit 
to 70 pounds; updating size (dimension) limitations; adding $100 of 
insurance; adding cubic pricing tiers, along with Oversized, 
Dimensional Weight, and Nonstandard Fees. See id. at 1-2. In addition, 
the Postal Service will retain the Limited Overland Routes price 
category, but shift it under First-Class Package Service. See id. at 2.
    The Postal Service proposes these changes ``to simplify and 
streamline [its] ground competitive package offerings under one 
product.'' USPS Retail Ground Request, Attachment A at 1; see also 
Competitive Classification Notice at 2. In the view of the Postal 
Service, ``retail and commercial customers will all benefit from this 
simplified and streamlined ground package offering, and from the 
overall enhanced First-Class Package Service product.'' USPS Retail 
Ground Request, Attachment A at 1; see also Competitive Classification 
Notice, Attachment A at 1. According to the Postal Service, ``these 
classification changes will have a positive impact on users of the 
Postal Service's ground package offerings and will have a minimal 
impact on competitors and the broader package market. Ground package 
shippers, particularly retail customers and small businesses, will 
benefit from a simplified and streamlined offering.'' Competitive 
Classification Notice at 3 (citation omitted); see also USPS Retail 
Ground Request, Attachment B at 3-4.
    The Postal Service asserts that its request to remove USPS Retail 
Ground from the competitive product list is consistent with applicable 
law and regulation. See USPS Retail Ground Request, Attachment B at 1. 
The Postal Service further asserts that none of these classification 
changes will result in the violation of 39 U.S.C. 3633 because 
competitive products are still expected to cover their costs and 
contribute an appropriate share to institutional costs. See id. 
Attachment B at 2; Competitive Classification Notice at 2.

III. Notice of Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2022-81 to consider matters 
raised by the USPS Retail Ground Request and Docket No. MC2022-82 to 
consider matters raised by the Competitive Classification Notice. See 
39 CFR 3040.133, 3040.182. The instant dockets involve related issues 
pertaining to product consolidation. Accordingly, the Commission will 
consolidate them. See 39 CFR 3010.104.
    Pursuant to 39 CFR 3040.133, the Commission has posted the USPS 
Retail Ground Request on its website. Pursuant to 39 CFR 3040.182, the 
Commission has posted the Competitive Classification Notice on its 
website. The Commission invites comments on the USPS Retail Ground 
Request and the Competitive Classification Notice. Comments are due no 
later than August 31, 2022. The filings can be accessed via the 
Commission's website (http://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Samuel M. Poole to represent the interests 
of the general public (Public Representative) in these dockets.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2022-81 to consider 
matters raised by the USPS Retail Ground Request.
    2. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2022-82 to consider 
matters raised by the Competitive Classification Notice.
    3. The Commission consolidates Docket Nos. MC2022-81 and MC2022-82.
    4. Comments by interested persons are due by August 31, 2022.
    5. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Samuel M. Poole is appointed to serve 
as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in these proceedings.

[[Page 43560]]

    6. The Commission directs the Secretary of the Commission to 
arrange for prompt publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-15528 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P