[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24912-24916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08620]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Hardcopy Postage Statements Discontinued

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) in various 
sections to discontinue the use of hardcopy postage statements for 
domestic commercial mailings.

DATES: Effective: January 28, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Filipski at (312) 765-3089 or 
Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 13, 2023, the Postal Service 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (88 FR 9218-9221) to 
discontinue the use of hardcopy postage statements for domestic 
commercial mailings. In response to the proposed rule, the Postal 
Service received 16 comments as follows:
    Comment: Multiple comments stated eliminating hardcopy postage 
statements would make it so we cannot submit bulk mailings any longer.
    Response: The Federal Register Notice proposed rule provided that 
Postal Wizard[supreg] and the Intelligent Mail[supreg] Small Business 
Tool (IMsb) are free and simple electronic documentation solutions 
available to all customers through the Business Customer Gateway, and 
that third-party software and mail preparation options are also 
available on the PostalPro website. In addition, all business mail 
entry unit (BMEU) employees are trained to assist customers with this 
transition.
    Comment: The USPS should improve communications to the field, 
specifically requiring local postmasters where Periodical mail is 
entered to hold in-person meetings with mailers no later than 180 days 
before any implementation date of this proposal.
    Response: Postal Service BMEU employees and managers began reaching 
out to customers and meeting with them well over a year before the date 
where we intend to no longer accept hardcopy postage statements. These 
efforts include weekly informational sessions on using the Intelligent 
Mail for Small Business Tool and Postal Wizard as well as targeted 
outreach to individual customers ensuring they know how to use the free 
electronic documentation options and which third part solutions are 
available. Internal information sessions and material is continually 
provided to all BMEU staff and postmasters to ensure they are aware of 
the changes and can decipher this information to our customers.
    Comment: I do not have a computer and cannot submit my postage 
statement electronically.
    Response: BMEUs where you currently bring your hardcopy statement 
will assist you with submitting a statement electronically.
    Comment: Eliminating hardcopy postage statements will create an 
issue for mailers who mail non-identical pieces and must submit a 
hardcopy manifest.
    Response: Postal Wizard, which is free electronic documentation 
software available on the Business Customer Gateway, allows for non-
identical pieces as do many third-party options listed on PostalPro. 
The hardcopy manifest that must be accompanied with such a mailing will 
still be accepted; this FRN only covers postage statements themselves 
and does not prohibit hardcopy manifests.
    Comment: The transition period should be continued through 2025.
    Response: The Postal Service has ensured the local BMEUs have 
encouraged mailers to transition to electronic documentation for 
several years and official notice was provided 11 months prior to this 
transition. Given this and that there are various free and easy options 
to submit electronic documentation, the Postal Service believes January 
2024 is sufficient time for hardcopy mailers to transfer.
    Comment: The USPS should rapidly enhance the available of service 
data for newspaper mail. Better visibility.
    Response: This comment is beyond the scope of this FRN. However, 
the Postal Service is exploring visibility enhancements for all our 
products.
    The Postal Service is discontinuing the use of hardcopy postage 
statements to improve efficiency by expediting the acceptance of 
commercial mail. Except for Electronic Verification System 
(eVS[supreg]) mailings, all domestic commercial mailings must use an

[[Page 24913]]

approved electronic method to transmit a postage statement to the 
PostalOne! [supreg] system.
    The Postal Service provides free means of electronic postage 
statement submission through the Intelligent Mail for Small Business 
(IMsb) tool and Postal Wizard. There are also approved third party 
software options available on PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com.
    The use of hardcopy postage statements for Every Door Direct Mail--
Retail[supreg] (EDDM-R[supreg]) and international mailings will not be 
affected by this revision.
    We believe this revision will provide customers with a more 
efficient mailing experience.
    The Postal Service adopts 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.
    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.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

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, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.


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

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

* * * * *

200 Commercial Letters, Flats, and Parcels

* * * * *

203 Basic Postage Statement, Documentation, and Preparation Standards

1.0 Postage Statements

1.1 Completing Postage Statements

    [Revise the first sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
    Unless manifested using eVS under 705.2.9, any domestic mailing 
claiming a discount and all permit imprint mailings must be accompanied 
by a completed electronic postage statement (NOTE: Except for Every 
Door Direct Mail--Retail, all commercial references to ``postage 
statements'' in the DMM are electronic.). * * *
* * * * *
    [Delete 1.3, Facsimile Postage Statements, in its entirety.]
* * * * *

3.0 Standardized Documentation for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS 
Marketing Mail, and Flat-Size Bound Printed Matter

* * * * *

3.2 Format and Content

    For First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, and Bound 
Printed Matter, standardized documentation includes:
* * * * *
    e. * * * For Periodicals mailings, documentation also must provide:
* * * * *
    [Delete the last sentence of item e4.]
* * * * *

230 Commercial Mail First-Class Mail

* * * * *

234 Postage Payment and Documentation

* * * * *

2.0 Affixing Postage to Presorted and Automation Letters and Flats

2.1 Affixing Postage for Presorted and Automation First-Class Mail

    Except as permitted under 2.2 or authorized by the director, 
Business Acceptance Solutions, each piece must bear the numerical value 
of postage under one of these conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the last sentence of item b to read as follows:]
    b. * * * Additional postage must be paid at the time of mailing 
with an advance deposit account.

2.2 Affixing Postage at Less Than Full Price to All Pieces

* * * * *

2.2.1 Lowest Price

    A mailer may affix postage evidencing postage at the lowest price 
as follows:
* * * * *
    [Revise the last sentence of item b to read as follows:]
    b. Additional postage: * * * The total additional postage must be 
paid by advance deposit account.
* * * * *

2.2.2 Mixed Price Alternative

    [Revise the last sentence of 2.2.2 to read as follows:]
    * * * The total additional postage must be paid by advance deposit 
account.
* * * * *

240 Commercial Mail USPS Marketing Mail

243 Prices and Eligibility

* * * * *

3.3 Additional Basic Standards for USPS Marketing Mail

    Each USPS Marketing Mail mailing is subject to these general 
standards:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
    h. A completed postage statement using the correct USPS form must 
be submitted with each mailing. * * *
* * * * *

244 Postage Payment and Documentation

* * * * *

2.0 Additional Postage Payment Standards

2.1 Identical-Weight Pieces

    [Revise the third sentence in 2.1 to read as follows:]
    * * * If exact postage is not affixed, all additional postage and 
surcharges must be paid at the time of mailing with an advance deposit 
account. * * *
* * * * *

3.0 Affixing Postage at Less Than Full Price

* * * * *

3.2 Lowest Price

    A mailer may affix metered postage at the lowest price on 
identical-weight pieces as follows:
* * * * *
    [Revise the last sentence of item c to read as follows:]
    c. Additional postage: * * * The total additional postage must be 
paid by advance deposit account.
* * * * *

3.3 Mixed Price Alternative for Letters and Flats

    [Revise the last sentence of 3.3 to read as follows:]
    * * * The total additional postage must be paid by advance deposit 
account.
* * * * *

245 Mail Preparation

* * * * *

6.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Letters

* * * * *

[[Page 24914]]

6.9 Delivery Sequence Documentation

6.9.1 Basic Standards

    [Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 6.9.1 to 
read as follows:]
    * * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail 
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *

9.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Flats

* * * * *

9.10 Delivery Sequence Documentation

9.10.1 Basic Standards

    [Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 9.10.1 to 
read as follows:]
    * * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail 
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *

12.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Product Sample Parcels

* * * * *

12.7 Delivery Sequence Documentation

12.7.1 General Standards

    [Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 12.7.1 to 
read as follows:]
    * * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail 
is presented to the
    USPS. * * *
* * * * *

250 Commercial Mail Parcel Select

* * * * *

254 Postage Payment and Documentation

* * * * *

2.0 Mailing Documentation

2.1 Completing Postage Statements

    [Revise the first sentence of 2.1 to read as follows:]
    All metered and permit imprint mailings of 50 pieces or more, 
except manifested mail using eVS under 705.2.9, must be accompanied by 
a completed postage statement. * * *
* * * * *

602 Addressing

* * * * *

5.0 Move Update Standards

* * * * *

5.4 Mailer Certification

    [Revise the text of 5.4 to read as follows:]
    The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that the Move Update standard has been met for the address 
records, including each address in the corresponding mailing presented 
to the Postal Service.
* * * * *

6.0 ZIP Code Accuracy Standards

* * * * *

6.3 Mailer Certification

    [Revise the text of 6.3 to read as follows:]
    The mailer`s electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that the ZIP Code accuracy standard has been met for each 
address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
* * * * *

7.0 Carrier Route Accuracy Standard

* * * * *

7.4 Mailer Certification

    [Revise the text of 7.4 to read as follows:]
    The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that the carrier route accuracy standard has been met for 
each address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
* * * * *

8.0 Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)

8.1 Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)

* * * * *

8.1.2 Process

    [Revise the second and third sentence of 8.1.2 to read as follows:]
    * * * Vendors process the test file(s) through their presort 
software or hardware and return the resulting presort documentation to 
the USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for evaluation of the 
answers. Each test file is evaluated for its accuracy of presort, 
compliance with current DMM standards, accuracy of sack/tray/pallet tag 
labels, and general acceptability of presort documentation. * * *
* * * * *

9.0 Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)

* * * * *

9.3 Date of Address Matching and Coding

9.3.1 Update Standards

    [Revise the seventh sentence in the introductory text of 9.3.1 to 
read as follows:]
    * * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission 
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail 
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *

9.5 Documentation

9.5.1 Form 3553

    [Revise the last sentence of 9.5.1 to read as follows:]
    * * * The mailer certifies compliance with electronic confirmation 
during eDoc submission.
* * * * *

604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds

* * * * *

3.0 Precanceled Stamps

3.1 General Information

* * * * *

3.1.8 Return Address

    * * * Mailpieces bearing precanceled stamps and any return 
addresses outside the Post Office of mailing must meet one of the 
following standards:
* * * * *
    [Revise item a to read as follows:]
    a. At the time of mailing, the mailer must submit a copy of the 
postage statement and a sample mailpiece, enclosed in a stamped 
envelope and addressed to the postmaster at the Post Office of the 
return address.
* * * * *

607 Mailer Compliance and Appeals of Classification Decisions

1.0 Mailer Compliance With Mailing Standards

1.1 Mailer Responsibility

    [Revise the third sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
    * * * For mailings that require a postage statement, the mailer 
certifies compliance with all applicable postal standards with 
electronic confirmation during eDoc submission. * * *

1.2 Postage Payment

    [Revise the last sentence of 1.2 to read as follows:]
    * * * A USPS employee's acceptance of the postage statement and the 
subsequent acceptance of the mailing does not constitute verified 
accuracy of that statement and does not limit the

[[Page 24915]]

ability of the USPS to demand proper payment after acceptance when it 
becomes apparent such payment was not made.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

2.0 Manifest Mailing System

* * * * *

2.2 Basic Standards

* * * * *

2.2.7 Postage Statement

    [Revise the text of 2.2.7 by deleting the last two sentences.]
* * * * *

9.0 Combining Bundles of Automation and Nonautomation Flats in Trays 
and Sacks

9.1 First-Class Mail

9.1.1 Basic Standards

    Bundles of flats in an automation price mailing prepared under 
235.6.5 must be cotrayed with bundles of flats in a Presorted price 
mailing under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
    h. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *

9.3 USPS Marketing Mail

9.3.1 Basic Standards

    Bundles of flats in an automation price mailing must be cosacked 
with bundles of flats in a Presorted price mailing under the following 
conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
    h. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form, 
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *

9.4 Bound Printed Matter

9.4.1 Basic Standards

    Bundles of flat-size pieces in a Presorted price mailing qualifying 
for and claiming the barcode discount under 263.3.0, 263.2.0, and 
263.5.0 must be cosacked with bundles of flat-size pieces from a 
Presorted price mailing (not claiming the barcode discount) under the 
following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
    h. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form, 
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *

10.0 Merging Bundles of Flats Using the City State Product

10.1 Periodicals

10.1.1 Basic Standards

    * * * Carrier route bundles in a carrier route mailing may be 
placed in the same sack or on the same pallet as 5-digit bundles from 
machinable (barcoded or nonbarcoded) price mailings (including pieces 
cobundled under 11.0) under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item i to read as follows:]
    i. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form, 
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *

10.2 USPS Marketing Mail

10.2.1 Basic Standards

    Carrier route bundles from a carrier route price mailing may be 
placed in the same sack or on the same pallet as 5-digit bundles from 
an automation price mailing and 5-digit bundles from a Presorted price 
mailing (including pieces cobundled under 11.0) under the following 
conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item k to read as follows:]
    k. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *

12.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using a 5% Threshold

12.1 Periodicals

12.1.1 Basic Standards

    * * * Five-digit bundles from a barcoded price mailing and 5-digit 
bundles from a nonbarcoded price mailing (including pieces cobundled 
under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route bundles 
under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence in the introductory text of item f to 
read as follows:]
    f. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
accompany each mailing job. * * *
* * * * *

12.2 USPS Marketing Mail

12.2.1 Basic Standards

    * * * Five-digit bundles from an automation price mailing and 5-
digit bundles from a Presorted price mailing (including pieces 
cobundled under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route 
bundles under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item j to read as follows:]
    j. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
be submitted for each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *

13.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using the City State Product 
and a 5% Threshold

13.1 Periodicals

13.1.1 Basic Standards

    * * * Five-digit bundles from a barcoded price mailing and 5-digit 
bundles from a nonbarcoded price mailing (including pieces cobundled 
under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route bundles 
under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence in the introductory text of item g to 
read as follows:]
    g. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
be submitted for each mailing job. * * *
* * * * *

13.2 USPS Marketing Mail

13.2.1 Basic Standards

    * * * Five-digit bundles from an automation price mailing and 5-
digit bundles from a Presorted price mailing (including pieces 
cobundled under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route 
bundles under the following conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item k to read as follows:]
    k. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must 
be submitted for each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *

17.0 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment

* * * * *

17.2 Program Participation

* * * * *

[[Page 24916]]

17.2.3 Verification at Origin BMEU

    PVDS verification can be performed at the origin business mail 
entry unit (BMEU) under these conditions:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item d to read as follows:]
    d. Form 8125 accompanies each PVDS (or segment, if the PVDS is 
contained in more than one vehicle).
* * * * *

Tram T. Pham,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-08620 Filed 4-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P