[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72686-72688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29801]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open and 
Distribute

AGENCY: Postal Service.\TM\

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 705.16 to 
require the use of a single-ply address label containing a service 
barcode with unique Service Type Code ``723'' or a ``DB'' prefix along 
with new Tag 257, Tag 267, or Label 257S, on all Express Mail[supreg] 
Open and Distribute containers. The Postal Service is also revising the 
service commitment for Express Mail Open and Distribute as a guaranteed 
end of day product; and adding a five-pound minimum weight requirement 
for Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail[supreg] Open and 
Distribute sacks.

DATES: Effective Date: January 2, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jewelyn Harrington at 202-268-7648 or 
Garry Rodriguez at 202-268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  On September 17, 2010, the Postal Service 
published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (75 FR 56920-56922) 
to change the standards for Express Mail Open and Distribute. After 
reviewing the comments, and upon further consideration of the proposed 
revisions, the Postal Service has decided to adopt the proposed 
regulations with a minor revision.

Comments

    The Postal Service received three comments and a request for 
clarification:
    1. All three comments raised concerns about the five-pound minimum 
weight limit for Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail 
Open and Distribute sacks. As a result, the Postal Service is making a 
minor revision to allow an Open and Distribute sack to be less than 5 
pounds if the sack contains mail in a qualifying tray.
    2. One commenter also requested a clarification of the end of day 
service commitment for Express Mail Open and

[[Page 72687]]

Distribute shipments. The end of day (11:59 p.m.) service commitment 
guarantees delivery of the Express Mail Open and Distribute container 
to the designated entry Postal facility. Upon entry, the enclosed mail 
is processed for delivery according to the service standards for the 
product.

Summary

Express Mail

    The Postal Service is requiring mailers to place a single-ply 
address label with a service barcode on all Express Mail Open and 
Distribute containers and to submit an electronic file. The service 
barcode is required to be a USS 128 or Code 39 barcode with a ``DB'' 
prefix, or Intelligent Mail package barcode (eVS[supreg] approved 
mailers) symbology with a unique Service Type Code (STC) ``723''. The 
text, ``USPS SCAN ON ARRIVAL,'' must appear above the barcode. This 
requirement is in accordance with instructions for barcode 
specifications, electronic file format and testing, and the 
certification process in Publication 91, Confirmation Services 
Technical Guide.
    The Postal Service is also replacing Tag 157 with Tag 257 (DDU), 
Tag 267 (SCF, NDC), and Label 257S (DDU) for all Express Mail Open and 
Distribute containers.
    In addition, the Postal Service revises the service commitment to 
end of day (11:59 p.m.) for Express Mail Open and Distribute shipments.

Express Mail and Priority Mail

    The Postal Service is establishing a five-pound minimum weight 
requirement for all Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail 
Open and Distribute sacks, except for sacks containing qualified trays 
(trays prepared under the standards for the applicable class of mail).
    The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

0
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, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.


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

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

16.0 Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open and 
Distribute

16.1 Prices and Fees

16.1.1 Basis of Price

[Revise 16.1.1 as follows:]

    Mailers must pay Express Mail and Priority Mail postage based on 
the weight of the contents of the Open and Distribute shipment. Do not 
include the tare weight of the external container. Do not apply 
Priority Mail dimensional weight pricing or Periodicals container 
prices to the external container. The minimum weight requirement for 
Open and Distribute sacks is five pounds, except for Open and 
Distribute sacks that contain qualified trays (trays prepared under the 
standards for the applicable class of mail). The maximum weight for 
each container is 70 pounds.

16.1.2 Zone Prices

[Revise 16.1.2 as follows:]

    Compute zone prices, for the applicable class of mail, from the 
accepting Post Office to the destination facility for the container 
(not the destination Post Office for the enclosed mail).
* * * * *

16.1.5 Payment Method

[Revise the text in 16.1.5 as follows:]

    Postage payment methods are as follows:
    a. Postage on the enclosed mail may be paid by any method permitted 
for that mail class, except for ordinary postage stamps requiring 
cancellation.
    b. Express Mail postage may be paid under any of the options listed 
in 414.1.1, except Click-N-Ship. Express Mail postage must be affixed 
to blue Tag 257, to yellow Tag 267, to the Open and Distribute tray 
box, or be part of the address label.
    c. Priority Mail postage may be paid under 424.1.1. Priority Mail 
postage must be affixed to or hand-stamped on green Tag 161, pink Tag 
190, the Open and Distribute tray box, or be part of the address label.
* * * * *

16.2 Basic Standards

* * * * *

16.2.2 Content Standards

[Revise the DMM reference numbers in the parentheses at the end of the 
first sentence of 16.2.2 as follows:]

    * * * (see 410 for Express Mail standards and 420 for Priority Mail 
standards).* * *

[Revise the last sentence of 16.2.2 as follows:]

    * * * Mailers are not required to place bundles of mail in sacks or 
trays when all of the mail enclosed in an Open and Distribute sack is 
destined to a 5-digit facility and the Open and Distribute sack weighs 
at least five pounds.

16.3 Additional Standards for Express Mail Open and Distribute

16.3.1 Service Objectives

[Revise the first sentence in 16.3.1 as follows:]

    The Express Mail service guarantee for Express Mail Open and 
Distribute is receipt by end of day (11:59 p.m.) and ends upon receipt 
by scan of the Express Mail Open and Distribute container at the 
destination postal facility. * * *
* * * * *

16.5 Preparation

16.5.1 Containers for Expedited Transport

    Acceptable containers for expedited transportation are as follows:

[Revise item 16.5.1a to reflect new tags as follows:]

    a. An Express Mail Open and Distribute shipment must be contained 
in a USPS-approved sack using Tag 257 or Tag 267 or in a USPS-provided 
Express Mail Open and Distribute tray box (Tag 257 and Tag 267 are not 
required for tray boxes; only the 4x6 address label should be applied), 
except as provided in 16.5.1c and 16.5.1d.
* * * * *

[Revise item 16.5.1c to reflect new labels as follows:]

    c. An Express Mail or Priority Mail Open and Distribute shipment 
destined to a DDU may be contained in a USPS-provided Express Mail Flat 
Rate Envelope using Label 257S or Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope and 
boxes using Label 190S.
* * * * *

[[Page 72688]]

[Revise the heading of 16.5.2 as follows:]

16.5.2 Express Mail and Priority Mail Sack Labels

[Revise the text in 16.5.2 as follows:]

    Labels for Express Mail or Priority Mail sacks containing Open and 
Distribute shipments must be barcoded and meet the requirements in 
708.6.0. All lines of information must be completely visible when 
inserted into the label holder. Label sacks as follows:
    a. Line 1 (destination line) provides information on the 
destination entry office where the enclosed mail is to be distributed.
    1. For destination delivery unit (DDU) distribution, use the 
facility name and ZIP Code found in the Drop Shipment Address File 
available at the USPS FAST Web site at https://fast.usps.com (click 
Resources in the left-hand navigation bar, then ``Go'' for ``Drop Ship 
Product File Download'').
    2. For SCF distribution, use the destination in L005, Column B.
    3. For ADC distribution, use the destination in L004, Column B 
(Priority Mail Open and Distribute Only).
    4. For NDC distribution, use the destination in L601, Column B.
    5. For ASF distribution, use L602, Column B (Priority Mail Open and 
Distribute Only).
    b. For Line 2 (content line), print ``EXPRESS MAIL OPEN AND DIST'' 
or ``PRIORITY MAIL OPEN AND DIST,'' as applicable.
    c. For Line 3 (origin line), show the city and state of the entry 
Post Office or the mailer's name and the city and state of the mailer's 
location. It is recommended that the mailer's name also appear with the 
city and state of the entry Post Office. See 708.6.2.5 for additional 
standards.

[Revise the tag numbers in the heading of 16.5.3 as follows:]

16.5.3 Tags 257 and 267--Express Mail Open and Distribute

[Revise the text in 16.5.3 as follows:]

    Tag 257 and Tag 267 provide a place to affix Express Mail postage 
and the address label for the destination facility. Tag 257 or Tag 267 
must be attached to each Express Mail sack, in addition to the Express 
Mail sack label, to identify it as an Express Mail Open and Distribute 
shipment as follows:
    a. Attach Tag 267 to sacks used as Express Mail Open and Distribute 
containers destined to a NDC or SCF facility.
    b. Attach Tag 257 to sacks used as Express Mail Open and Distribute 
containers destined to a DDU. Label 257S may be affixed to containers 
used for Express Mail Open and Distribute shipments prepared under 
16.5.1c or 16.5.1d.

16.5.4 Tags 161 and 190--Priority Mail Open and Distribute

    * * * Tag 161 or Tag 190 must be attached to each Priority Mail 
sack, in addition to the Priority Mail sack label, or container to 
identify it as a Priority Mail Open and Distribute shipment as follows:
* * * * *

[Revise the last sentence in item 16.5.4b as follows:]

    b. * * * Label 190S may be affixed to containers used for Priority 
Mail Open and Distribute shipments prepared under 16.5.1c or 16.5.1d.
* * * * *

16.5.6 Address Labels

[Revise the first sentence in 16.5.6 as follows:]

    In addition to Tag 257, Tag 267, Tag 161, or Tag 190, USPS-provided 
containers and envelopes and mailer-supplied containers used for 
Express Mail Open and Distribute or Priority Mail Open and Distribute 
must bear an address label that states ``OPEN AND DISTRIBUTE AT:'' 
followed by the facility name.* * *

16.5.7 Address Label Service Barcode Requirement

[Revise the introductory text of 16.5.7 as follows:]

    An electronic service barcode using the USS 128, USS 39, or 
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) (eVS approved mailers) 
symbology for Express Mail Open and Distribute, and the concatenated 
GS1-128 or IMpb symbology for Priority Mail Open and Distribute, must 
be incorporated in the address label. Mailers must prepare address 
labels using the formats in 16.5.8 through 16.5.12. The labels must 
include either a service type code ``723'' with an IMpb or ``DB'' 
prefix with a USS 128 or USS 39 barcode for Express Mail Open and 
Distribute or service type code ``55'' with a concatenated GS1-128 
barcode or ''123'' with an IMpb for Priority Mail Open and Distribute, 
to identify the service. The human-readable text ``USPS SCAN ON 
ARRIVAL'' must appear above the barcode. USPS certification is required 
from the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for each printer used 
to print barcoded open and distribute address labels, except for 
barcodes created using USPS Shipping Assistant. NCSC contact 
information, formatting specifications for barcodes and electronic 
files, and certification, are included in Publication 91, Confirmation 
Services Technical Guide. Mailers can use the following options 
available to create a label with a service barcode for Express Mail 
Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open and Distribute address 
labels:
* * * * *

16.5.9 SCF Address Labels

* * * * *

Exhibit 16.5.9 SCF Address Label

[Replace Exhibit 16.5.9 with an Express Mail Open and Distribute SCF 
label.]

* * * * *

16.5.11 NDC Address Labels

* * * * *

Exhibit 16.5.11 NDC Address Label

[Replace Exhibit 16.5.11 with an Express Mail Open and Distribute NDC 
label.]

* * * * *

16.6 Enter and Deposit

* * * * *

16.6.2 Entry

[Revise the first sentence of 16.6.2 as follows:]

    A PS Form 3152, Confirmation Services Certification, (Priority Mail 
Open and Distribute) or PS Form 3152-E (Express Mail Open and 
Distribute) must accompany each Open and Distribute shipment. * * *
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR Part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2010-29801 Filed 11-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P