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###### Postal Service

          - 39 CFR Part 20

# AGENCY:

                        Postal ServiceTM.                    

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Postal Service is revising the                         *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                         International Mail Manual (IMM®) to require all mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces and                               ( print page 52145)                            bearing only postage stamps be presented to an employee at a retail service counter in a Post OfficeTM.                    

# DATES:

*Effective Date:*                         January 4, 2010.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372 or Evans King at 202-268-4982.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    These changes require that all international outbound mailpieces weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps be presented to an employee at a retail service counter in a Post OfficeTM.                

                    The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to                     *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                     International Mail Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in the                     *Code of Federal Regulations. See*39 CFR 20.1.                

# List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

      - Foreign relations
      - International postal services

Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 20 continues to read as follows:

# PART 20—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 20 is revised to read as follows:

Authority:5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 407, 408, 3622, 3632, and 3633.

2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM), as follows: 

## Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)

## 1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

## 120 Preparation for Mailing

* * * * *

## 123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels

* * * * *

## 123.5 Place of Mailing

*[Revise 123.5 as follows:]*

Mailpieces bearing customs declarations have specific deposit requirements based on mail category, shape and weight; see IMM part below for determination:

                        Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces—                        *see*                         215                    

                        Express Mail International mailpieces—                        *see*                         225                    

                        Priority Mail International mailpieces—                        *see*                         235                    

                        First-Class Mail International mailpieces—                        *see*                         245                    

* * * * *

## 123.7 Completing Customs Forms

## 123.71 PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22—Sender's Declaration (green label)

* * * * *

## 123.712 Postal Service Employee's Acceptance of PS Form 2976

* * * * *

*[Delete the**Note**at end of 123.712]*

* * * * *

## 2 Conditions for Mailing

## 210 Global Express Guaranteed

* * * * *

## 215 Mail Entry and Deposit

* * * * *

*[Revise 215.2 as follows:]*

## 215.2 Place of Mailing

## 215.21 Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps

Global Express Guaranteed shipments paid with online postage, postage meters or information-based indicia (IBI) may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a retail counter of any participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Office facility.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand Service (                        *see*                         215.3).                    

                        c. Through Carrier Pickup (                        *see*                         215.4).                    

d. In a collection box served by a participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Office facility.

## 215.22 Items Weighing 13 Ounces or Less—Paid With Postage Stamps

Global Express Guaranteed shipments weighing 13 ounces or less bearing only postage stamps may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a retail counter of any participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Office facility.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand Service (                        *see*                         215.3).                    

c. Through Carrier Pickup (see 215.4).

d. In a collection box served by a participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Office facility.

## 215.23 Items Weighing More Than 13 Ounces—Paid With Postage Stamps

                        A customer may                        *not*                         deposit a Global Express Guaranteed item weighing more than 13 ounces and bearing only postage stamps into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. In addition, these mailpieces are precluded from Pickup on Demand service under 215.3 and Carrier Pickup in 215.4. Customers must present such items to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.                    

## 215.24 Acceptance of Shipments

For purposes of computing the delivery guarantee, Postal Service acceptance of a Global Express Guaranteed shipment occurs when it is received and scanned at a participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Office facility. Collection box deposit and Carrier Pickup do not constitute Postal Service acceptance of a Global Express Guaranteed shipment. Acceptance occurs when the shipment is brought back to the Post Office facility and the acceptance office performs a retail system scan and verifies the weight, dimensions and postage of the shipment. For items paid with Click-N-Ship the customer will receive an e-mail verification of the acceptance date, time, and weight, as well as a verification of the amount of postage applicable for the shipment.

# Note: 

Customers paying postage online must enter their shipment via any of the authorized methods outlined in 215.21 within 24 hours of the time when the label is printed or the transaction will be void.

* * * * *

## 220 Express Mail International

* * * * *

## 225 Mail Entry and Deposit

*[Revise 225.1 as follows:]*

## 225.1 Place of Mailing

## 225.11 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration

                        Except as provided in 225.12, a mailer may not deposit an Express Mail International item that requires a completed customs form into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. In addition, these mailpieces are precluded from Pickup on Demand service under 225.2 and Carrier Pickup in 225.3. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.                              ( print page 52146)    

## 225.12 Exceptional Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration

Express Mail International items paid through an Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA), or items that have the mailing label, customs form (including an electronic round stamp), and postage prepared and paid online through Click-N-Ship service on usps.com, the eBay integrated shipping solution, or an authorized PC Postage vendor Web site may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

b. Through Pickup on Demand service (see 225.2).

c. Through Carrier Pickup (see 225.3).

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

## 225.13 Items Not Requiring a Customs Declaration

## 225.131 Items Weighing 13 Ounces or Less—Paid With Postage Stamps

An Express Mail International item bearing only postage stamps, weighing 13 ounces or less and not requiring a customs declaration (see Individual Country Listing) may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

b. Through Pickup on Demand service (see 225.2).

c. Through Carrier Pickup (see 225.3).

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

## 225.132 Items Weighing More Than 13 Ounces—Paid With Postage Stamps

                        A customer may                         *not*                         deposit an Express Mail International item weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps and not requiring a customs declaration (see Individual Country Listing) into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. In addition, these mailpieces are precluded from Pickup on Demand service under 225.2 and Carrier Pickup in 225.3. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.                    

## 225.133 Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps

An Express Mail International item paid with online postage, postage meters or information-based indicia (IBI) and not requiring a customs declaration (See Individual Country Listing) may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand service (                        *see*                         225.2).                    

                        c. Through Carrier Pickup (                        *see*                         225.3).                    

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

* * * * *

## 230 Priority Mail International

* * * * *

## 235 Mail Entry and Deposit

*[Revise 235.1 as follows:]*

## 235.1 Place of Mailing

## 235.11 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration

Except as provided in 235.12, a mailer may not deposit a Priority Mail International item that requires a completed customs form into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. In addition, these mailpieces are precluded from Pickup on Demand service under 235.2 and Carrier Pickup in 235.3. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.

## 235.12 Items Bearing a Completed Customs Declaration With an Electronic Round Date

Priority Mail International items that have the mailing label, customs form (including an electronic round stamp), and postage prepared and paid online through Click-N-Ship service on usps.com, the eBay integrated shipping solution, or an authorized PC Postage vendor Web site may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand service (                        *see*                         235.2).                    

                        c. Through Carrier Pickup (                        *see*                         235.3).                    

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

## 235.13 Flat-Rate Envelopes Not Requiring a Customs Declaration

                        The Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope meeting the conditions in 123.6 is the only Priority Mail International item that can be mailed without a customs labels.                         *See*                         235.131 through 235.133 for specific conditions.                    

##                         235.131 Flat-Rate Envelopes                        **                         Weighing 13 Ounces or Less—Paid With Postage Stamps                    

A Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope bearing only postage stamps, weighing 13 ounces or less and not requiring a customs declaration (see 123.6) may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand service (                        *see*                         235.2).                    

                        c. Through Carrier Pickup (                        *see*                         235.3).                    

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

##                         235.132 Flat-Rate Envelopes                        **                         Weighing More Than 13 Ounces—Paid With Postage Stamps                    

                        A customer may                         *not*                         deposit a Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps and not requiring a customs declaration (see 123.6) into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. In addition, these mailpieces are precluded from Pickup on Demand service under 235.2 and Carrier Pickup in 235.3. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.                    

## 235.133 Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelopes—Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps

                        A Priority Mail flat-rate envelope paid with online postage, postage meters or information-based indicia (IBI) weighing under 16 ounces and not requiring a customs declaration (                        *see*                         123.6) may be deposited by one of the following methods:                    

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

                        b. Through Pickup on Demand service (                        *see*                         235.2).                    

                        c. Through carrier pickup (                        *see*                         235.3).                    

d. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

e. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

f. In a collection box.

g. In a customer mailbox.

* * * * *

## 240 First-Class Mail International

* * * * *
      ( print page 52147)    

## 245 Mail Entry and Deposit

*[Revise 245.1 as follows:]*

## 245.1 Place of Mailing

## 245.11 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration

Except as provided in 245.12, a mailer may not deposit a First-Class Mail International item that requires a completed customs declaration form into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.

## 245.12 Items Bearing a Completed Customs Declaration With an Electronic Round Date

First-Class Mail International items that have the mailing label, customs form (including an electronic round stamp), and postage prepared and paid online through the eBay integrated shipping solution, or an authorized PC Postage vendor Web site may be deposited by one of the following methods:

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

b. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

c. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

d. In a collection box.

e. In a customer mailbox.

## 245.13 Items Not Requiring a Customs Declaration 

## 245.131 Items Weighing 13 Ounces or Less—Paid With Postage Stamps

                        A First-Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size item bearing only postage stamps, weighing 13 ounces or less and not requiring a customs declaration (                        *see*                         123.6) may be deposited by one of the following methods:                    

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

b. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.

c. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

d. In a collection box.

e. In a customer mailbox.

## 245.132 Items Weighing More Than 13 Ounces—Paid With Postage Stamps

                        A customer may                         *not*                         deposit a First-Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size items weighing more than 13 ounces bearing only postage stamps and not requiring a customs declaration (                        *see*                         123.6) into a collection box, Postal Service lobby drop, Automated Postal Center (APC) drop, Postal Service dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location. Customers must present such items to an employee at a at a Post Office retail service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance.                    

## 245.14 Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps

                        First-Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size items paid with online postage, postage meters or information-based indicia (IBI) weighing under 16 ounces and not requiring a customs declaration (                        *see*                         123.6) may be deposited by one of the following methods:                    

a. At a Postal Service retail counter.

b. Into a Postal Service lobby drop

c. Into an Automated Postal Center (APC) drop.

d. In a collection box.

e. In a customer mailbox.

* * * * *

Neva R. Watson,

Attorney, Legislative.

[FR Doc. E9-24331 Filed 10-8-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-12-P