[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