[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76282-76284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30668]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Domestic Shipping Services Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes

AGENCY: Postal Service\TM.\

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service published in the Federal Register of 
November 8, 2010 (75 FR 68430-68447), a document revising Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM[reg]), to reflect changes to prices and mailing standards for the 
following Shipping Services: Express Mail[reg], Priority Mail[reg], 
Parcel Select[reg], and Recipient Services. This document clarifies and 
amends mailing standards and shipping package information.

DATES: Effective Date: January 2, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Gullo at 202-268-8057, or Carol 
Lunkins at 202-268-7262.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service published a document in 
the Federal Register on November 8, 2010, (75 FR 68430-68447), citing 
the standards for the January 2, 2011, Shipping Services price change. 
Under this correction, the Postal Service amends the final rule to make 
revisions to the standards for determining single-piece weight; to 
clarify how to order Critical Mail envelopes; and to clarify the 
eligibility standards for Priority Mail Commercial Plus prices.

Determining Single-Piece Weight

    In the original final rule, the Postal Service outlined the 
procedure for determining single-piece weight for all mail classes. We 
felt this may cause some confusion when, in fact, the intent was to 
show the procedure for determining single-piece weight for Shipping 
Services mailpieces only. The corrected language is shown below and in 
the applicable DMM reference sections.
    To determine single-piece weight for Shipping Services products, 
express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two 
decimal places for all pieces mailed at Express Mail, Priority Mail 
(except for Critical Mail), and Parcel Select prices. Additionally, 
express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to two 
decimal places for parcels mailed at Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, 
Media Mail, and Library Mail prices. Mailers using the Electronic 
Verification System (eVS) may round off to two or four decimals, 
because eVS automatically rounds to the appropriate decimal place. For 
all other mailpieces, express all single-piece weights in decimal 
pounds rounded off to four decimal places.

Critical Mail

    In the preamble of the original final rule, the Postal Service 
indicated that mailers could order the new Critical Mail envelopes from 
the USPS Web site by logging on to http://www.usps.com/shop. The Web 
site is not to be used for ordering the new Critical Mail products, 
because the Postal Service has established a toll-free phone number 
dedicated to authorized Critical Mail customers.
    Critical Mail envelopes are provided free of charge by USPS and 
must be used only for Critical Mail. Authorized customers may order 
these envelopes only by calling Expedited Packaging Supplies at 1-800-
610-8734. These envelopes are not available online or at retail Post 
Office locations.
    Additionally, the original final rule indicated that for Critical 
Mail prices, customers must meet the account volume threshold of 5,000 
barcoded, automation-compatible letter-size and flat-size pieces. This 
amended final rule clarifies that Critical Mail prices are available to 
customers who mail a combined total of 5,000 barcoded, automation-
compatible Critical Mail and Priority Mail letters and flats in the 
previous calendar year. As well, all new Critical Mail customers must 
have a customer commitment agreement with the Postal Service.

Priority Mail Commercial Plus Account Volume Thresholds

    In the original final rule, the Postal Service provided standards 
indicating that the Priority Mail Commercial Plus account volume 
threshold was reduced from 100,000 pieces to 75,000 total pieces of 
Priority Mail. This correction clarifies that the Priority Mail 
Commercial Plus account volume threshold of 75,000 total pieces include 
Critical Mail.
    Additionally, a new alternative threshold was established that 
permits Commercial Plus prices for customers who exceed 5,000 Priority 
Mail letters and flats. Again, to clarify, the Priority Mail Commercial 
Plus account volume threshold includes Critical Mail letters and flats, 
but does not include the Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope, and 
requires a combined total of 5,000 Priority Mail and Critical Mail 
barcoded, automation-compatible letters and flats in the previous 
calendar year.
    The above corrections are being made to the following DMM sections: 
223.1.3.1, 223.1.8, 223.3.1, 313.1.9, 323.1.3.1, 323.1.8, 413.1.9, 
423.1.3.1, 423.1.10, 423.3.1, 453.1.4.1, and 604.7.1.1.
    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:

[[Page 76283]]

 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:
* * * * *

200 Commercial Letters and Cards

* * * * *

220 Priority Mail

223 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

1.3 Commercial Plus Prices

1.3.1 Basic Eligibility

    [Revise introductory paragraph of 1.3.1 to include Critical Mail as 
follows:]
    For prices, see Notice 123--Price List. Commercial plus prices are 
available to Priority Mail (including Critical Mail) customers who 
qualify for commercial base prices and whose cumulative account volume 
exceeds a combined total of 5,000 letter-size and flat-size pieces or 
75,000 total pieces (see 423) in the previous calendar year (except 
Priority Mail Open and Distribute) or who have a customer commitment 
agreement with USPS, and are:
* * * * *
    [Renumber current 1.4 through 1.7 as 1.5 through 1.8 and add new 
1.4 as follows:]

1.4 Critical Mail Prices

1.4.1 Basic Eligibility

    Critical Mail letter-size pieces are charged a flat rate regardless 
of domestic destination or weight for barcoded, automation-compatible 
letters up to 3 ounces. Critical Mail letter-size pieces that exceed 3 
ounces in weight, exceed \1/4\ inch thickness, or are not barcoded 
according to 3.2.1, will be charged the Priority Mail Commercial Plus 
Flat Rate Envelope price (volume thresholds apply). Critical Mail 
letter prices are commercial plus prices available to Critical Mail 
customers whose Priority Mail and Critical Mail volume exceeds a 
combined total of 5,000 letter-size and flat-size pieces (including 
Flat Rate Envelopes, but not the Padded Flat Rate Envelope), in the 
previous calendar year or who have a customer commitment agreement (see 
1.3.4) with USPS, and that are:
    a. Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when 
using a qualifying shipping label managed by the PC Postage system 
used.
    b. Permit imprint customers.
* * * * *

1.8 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the current last sentence of renumbered 1.8 and add a new 
last sentence as follows:]
    * * * Except Critical Mail, express all single-piece weights in 
decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places except mailers using 
eVS. Mailers using eVS may round off to two or four decimals, because 
eVS automatically rounds to the appropriate decimal place. If a 
customer is using a manifest mailing system, the manifest weight field 
must be properly completed by adhering to the rules relative to the 
specific manifest.
* * * * *

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail

3.1 Definition

    [Revise 3.1 to add DMM reference numbers to Critical Mail as 
follows:]
    Priority Mail is an expedited service and may contain any mailable 
matter weighing no more than 70 pounds. Lower weight limits apply to 
some commercial mail parcels under 423.1.0; Critical Mail letters and 
flats under 223.1.4 and 323.1.4; APO/FPO mail subject to 703.2.0 and 
703.4.0 and Department of State mail subject to 703.3.0.
* * * * *

300 Commercial Flats

* * * * *

310 Express Mail

313 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *
    [Add new 1.9 as follows:]

1.9 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    When determining single-piece weight, express all weights in 
decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places except mailers using 
eVS. Mailers using eVS may round off to two or four decimals, because 
eVS will automatically round to the appropriate decimal place. When 
using a manifest mailing system, the manifest weight field must be 
properly completed by adhering to the rules relative to the specific 
manifest.
* * * * *

320 Priority Mail

323 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

1.3 Commercial Plus Prices

1.3.1 Basic Eligibility

    [Revise text of 1.3.1 to include Critical Mail as follows:]
    For prices, see Notice 123--Price List. Commercial plus prices are 
available to Priority Mail (including Critical Mail) customers who 
qualify for commercial base prices and whose cumulative account volume 
exceeds a combined total of 5,000 letter-size and flat-size pieces or 
75,000 total pieces (see 423) in the previous calendar year (except 
Priority Mail Open and Distribute) or who have a customer commitment 
agreement with USPS, and are:
* * * * *
    [Renumber current 1.4 through 1.7 as 1.5 through 1.8 and add new 
1.4 as follows:]

1.4 Critical Mail Prices

1.4.1 Basic Eligibility

    Critical Mail flat-size pieces are charged a flat rate regardless 
of domestic destination or weight for barcoded, automation flats up to 
13 ounces. Critical Mail flat-size pieces that exceed 13 ounces in 
weight or exceed \3/4\ inch thickness, or are not barcoded according to 
3.2.1, will be charged the Priority Mail Commercial Plus Flat Rate 
Envelope price (volume thresholds apply). Critical Mail prices for 
flats are available to Critical Mail customers whose Priority Mail and 
Critical Mail volume exceeds a combined total of 5,000 letter-size and 
flat-size pieces (including Flat Rate Envelopes, but not the Padded 
Flat Rate Envelope), in the previous calendar year or who have a 
customer commitment agreement (see 1.4.2) with USPS, and that are:
    a. Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products when 
using a qualifying shipping label managed by the PC Postage system 
used.
    b. Permit imprint customers.
* * * * *

1.8 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the last sentence of renumbered 1.8 and add a new last 
sentence as follows:]
    * * * Except for Critical Mail, express all single-piece weights in 
decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places except mailers using 
eVS. Mailers using eVS may round off to two or four decimals, because 
eVS will automatically round to the

[[Page 76284]]

appropriate decimal place. If a customer is using a manifest mailing 
system, the manifest weight field must be properly completed by 
adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
* * * * *

400 Commercial Parcels

* * * * *

410 Express Mail

413 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

 1.9 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Delete current item 1.9 in its entirety and add new 1.9 as 
follows:]
    When determining single-piece weight, express all weights in 
decimal pounds rounded off to two decimal places except mailers using 
eVS. Mailers using eVS may round off to two or four decimals, because 
eVS automatically rounds to the appropriate decimal place. When using a 
manifest mailing system, the manifest weight field must be properly 
completed by adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
* * * * *

420 Priority Mail

423 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

1.3 Commercial Plus Prices

    [Revise the title and text of 1.3.1 to include Critical Mail as 
follows:]

1.3.1 Commercial Plus Price Eligibility

    For prices, see Notice 123--Price List. Commercial plus prices are 
available to Priority Mail (including Critical Mail) customers who 
qualify for commercial base prices and whose cumulative account volume 
exceeds 75,000 pieces or a combined total of 5,000 letter-size and 
flat-size pieces in the previous calendar year (except Priority Mail 
Open and Distribute) or who have a customer commitment agreement with 
USPS, and are:
    a. Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products.
    b. Permit imprint customers.
    c. Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) customers whose account 
volume exceeds 600 PMOD containers (see 705.16.5.1).
    d. Permit holders using MRS for Priority Mail items.
    e. Customers using USPS-approved IBI postage meters that print the 
IBI with the appropriate price marking (see 402.2.1) and electronically 
transmit transactional data daily to USPS for all mailpieces and mail 
categories.
* * * * *

1.10 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the last sentence of renumbered 1.10 as follows:]
    * * * Express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded 
off to two decimal places except mailers using eVS. Mailers using eVS 
may round off to two or four decimals, because eVS automatically rounds 
to the appropriate decimal place. If a customer is using a manifest 
mailing system, the manifest weight field must be properly completed by 
adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
* * * * *

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail

3.1 Definition

    [Revise text of 3.1 to change Critical Mail reference numbers as 
follows:]
    * * * Lower weight limits apply to commercial plus cubic (see 1.4); 
Regional Rate Boxes (see 1.2.2); Critical Mail (see 223.1.4 and 
323.1.4); APO/FPO mail subject to 703.2.0 and 703.4.0; and Department 
of State mail subject to 703.3.0.
* * * * *

450 Parcel Select

453 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

1.4 Computing Postage

1.4.1 Determining Single-Piece Weight

    [Revise the last sentence of 1.4.1 as follows:]
    * * * Except for mailers using eVS, when determining single-piece 
weight for Parcel Select mailpieces, express all weights in decimal 
pounds rounded off to two decimal places. Mailers using eVS may round 
off to two or four decimals, because eVS automatically rounds to the 
appropriate decimal place. If a customer is using a manifest mailing 
system, the manifest weight field must be properly completed by 
adhering to the rules relative to the specific manifest.
* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

* * * * *

604 Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

7.0 Computing Postage

7.1 General Standards

7.1.1 Determining Single-Piece Weight for Retail and Commercial Mail

    [Revise the last sentence of 7.1.1 as follows:]
    * * * Express all single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded 
off to two decimal places for the following mailpieces: Express Mail, 
Priority Mail (except Critical Mail), Parcel Select, Parcel Post, Bound 
Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail prices. Mailers using eVS 
may round off to two or four decimals, because eVS automatically rounds 
to the appropriate decimal place. For all other mailpieces, express all 
single-piece weights in decimal pounds rounded off to four decimal 
places.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR Part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2010-30668 Filed 12-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P