NOTE:

COMMENTS REGARDING ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE MUST BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS
INDICATED IN THE DOCUMENT. ANY COMMENTS ON THE RAPID INFORMATION BULLETIN
BOARD SYSTEM (RIBBS) ABOUT ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES WILL NOT BE USED
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[Federal Register: October 28, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 209)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 55572-55573]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

 
Amendment to International Package Consignment Service to Japan, 
Canada, and United Kingdom (U.K.)

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Amendment to interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is announcing prices for customs 
harmonization of catalog items being delivered via Global Package Link. 
All catalog harmonization performed by the Postal Service for the 
mailer will be billed to the mailer at a rate of $1.25 per

[[Page 55573]]

catalog item. If future catalogs add new items, the $1.25 rate will 
apply to these as well. The mailer has the option of performing their 
own harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the 
Postal Service's Customs Pre-Advisory System (CPAS) software.
    The above rule change will be incorporated into the rules for new 
destination countries announced for Global Package Link.

DATES: The interim regulations take effect as of 12:01 midnight on 
October 30, 1996. Comments must be received on or before December 15, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to 
International Business Unit, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza 
SW, 370 IBU, Washington, DC 20260-6500. Copies of all written comments 
will be available for public inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. 
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Opiela, (202) 314-7134.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Global Package Link is a service that 
assists mail order companies and other customers that send merchandise 
to Japan, Canada, and the U.K. Presently, the Postal Service has Global 
Package Link processing facilities in New York City, Dallas, Miami, 
Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. The service includes expedited 
customs clearance through use of a software-based information system 
containing all the applicable duty and tax rates for specific products 
being mailed to destination countries. In order for a mailer to utilize 
this service, the mailers products must be ``harmonized'' with the 
customs classifications and the applicable duties for each destination 
country and put into an electronic database format for transmission to 
customs officials in the destination country.
    The Postal Service will provide these harmonization services for 
the mailer at a price of $1.25 per catalog item. If catalog items are 
subsequently added or changed in a manner requiring re-classification, 
the $1.25 charge would apply to each changed item. The mailer may 
arrange its own catalog harmonization, provided it is done in a format 
compatible with the Postal Service' proprietary software, known as 
Custom's Pre-Advisory System (CPAS). The CPAS software is an integral 
part of the Global Package Link service and is used to pre-advise 
destination country customs officials of the contents of a Global 
Package Link shipment.
    Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts this amendment to the 
interim rule for Global Package Link to Japan, Canada, and the U.K. 
Although 39 U.S.C. 407 does not require advance notice and opportunity 
for submission of comments, and the Postal Service is exempted by 39 
U.S.C. 410(a) from the advance notice requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act regarding proposed rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 
553), the Postal Service invites interested persons to submit written 
data, views, or arguments concerning the interim rule.
    The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to the 
International Mail Manual, issue 14, which is incorporated by reference 
in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    International postal service, Foreign relations.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408.

    2. Effective October 30, 1996, subchapter 620 of the International 
Mail Manual, Issue 17, is amended as follows:

6 SPECIAL PROGRAMS

* * * * *
620  GLOBAL PACKAGE LINK
* * * * *

626.9  Catalog Harmonization Services

    All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package 
Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a 
rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the 
future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The 
mailer has the option of performing their own harmonization, provided 
it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs 
Pre-Advisory System (CPAS) software.
* * * * *
    3. Effective October 30, 1996, the Individual Country Listing for 
Canada in the International Mail Manual, issue 17, is amended by adding 
the regulations concerning Global Package Link catalog harmonization 
service.
* * * * *

Global Package Link (620)

* * * * *
INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY
* * * * *

Ground Courier Service

    Packages sent through Ground Courier Service include up to $100 
(Canadian) insurance at no additional cost.
* * * * *
CATALOG HARMONIZATION SERVICES
    All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package 
Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a 
rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the 
future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The 
mailer has the option of performing its own harmonization, provided it 
is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre-
Advisory System (CPAS) software.
    4. Effective October 30, 1996, the Individual Country Listing for 
Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the International Mail Manual, 
Issue 17, is amended by adding the regulations concerning Global 
Package Link catalog harmonization services.

Global Package Link (620)

* * * * *
CATALOG HARMONIZATION SERVICES
    All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package 
Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a 
rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the 
future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The 
mailer has the option of performing its own harmonization, provided it 
is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre-
Advisory System (CPAS) software.
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 96-27350 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P