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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31118-31120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12320]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Sack Preparation Changes for Periodicals Nonletter-Size Pieces 
and Periodicals Prepared on Pallets

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise the standards for the 
preparation of nonautomation nonletter-size carrier route Periodicals 
prepared in sacks and the preparation of Periodicals packages and 
bundles on pallets. For Periodicals carrier route mail in sacks, the 
proposed standards would require carrier route sacks to contain a 
minimum of 24 pieces and would make 5-digit scheme carrier route sacks 
a required sack sortation level. All other sack sortation criteria 
would remain unchanged. For Periodicals prepared in packages and 
bundles on pallets, the proposal would require preparation of 5-digit 
scheme pallets.

DATES: Comments on the proposed standards must be received on or before 
June 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
Manager, Mail Preparation and Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 6800, Washington, DC 20260-2405. Copies of all 
written comments will be available for inspection and photocopying at 
USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N, 
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies 
of comments also may be requested via fax or email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Walker, 202-268-3340; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service and the Periodicals 
industry are concerned over recent upward trends in the costs 
associated with processing Periodicals mail and have been studying ways 
to reverse these trends. Several ideas have come out of mutual 
discussions that were based on joint representation from the Postal 
Service and the Periodicals industry. Cost models suggest that we can 
reduce

[[Page 31119]]

handling costs by preparing Periodicals mail in a manner to facilitate 
handling, such as optimizing presort levels and requiring the use of 
scheme sorts.
    In order to reduce processing costs for the handling of Periodicals 
mail, the Postal Service is proposing mail preparation and sortation 
changes for nonautomation nonletter-size Periodicals prepared in sacks. 
Currently, postal standards provide an option for Periodicals mailers 
to prepare carrier route sacks with a minimum of one package. To reduce 
the number of sacks and the processing costs associated with the 
handling of these sacks, the Postal Service is proposing that all 
direct carrier route sacks must contain a minimum of 24 pieces and will 
require the use of 5-digit/scheme carrier routes sorts for 
nonautomation nonletter-size Periodicals prepared in sacks. Carrier 
route packages totaling less than 24 pieces to the same carrier route 
would be placed in 5-digit carrier routes or 5-digit scheme carrier 
routes sacks as appropriate. This proposed change should not have any 
negative impact on service because a direct carrier route sack is 
opened and its contents distributed in the same manner and location as 
5-digit carrier routes and 5-digit scheme carrier routes sacks at the 
delivery unit.
    To increase the number of pallets that can be cross-docked and 
reduce processing costs associated with the handling of pallets of 
Periodicals, the Postal Service proposes to require preparation of both 
5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets when there are 500 pounds of 
Periodicals packages and bundles for a scheme in DMM L001, or for a 
single 5-digit Zip Code not listed in DMM L001.
    The proposed effective date of this change is October 15, 2000.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 410 (a)), the Postal Service 
invites comments on the following proposed revisions to the Domestic 
Mail Manual, incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR part 111.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual as 
follows:

E200  Periodicals

* * * * *

E230  Nonautomation Rates

* * * * *

2.0  CARRIER ROUTE RATES

* * * * *

2.2  Eligibility

    Preparation to qualify eligible pieces for carrier route rates is 
optional and is subject to M200. * * *
    [Amend 2.2a by replacing the last sentence to read as follows:]
    * * * (Preparation of 5-digit/scheme carrier routes sacks is 
required must be done for all 5-digit/scheme destinations.)
* * * * *

M  Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000  General Preparation Standards

M010  Mailpieces

M011  Basic Standards

1.0  TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* * * * *

1.3  Preparation Instructions

    For purposes of preparing mail:
    [Amend 1.3h and 1.3i by replacing the fourth sentence in each to 
read as follows:]
* * * * *
    h. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate 
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size 
Enhanced Carrier Route rate Standard Mail (A) in sacks. * * *
    i. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate 
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size 
Standard Mail (A) prepared as packages on pallets and may not be used 
for other mail prepared on pallets, except for packages of Standard 
Mail (A) irregular parcels that are part of a mailing job that is 
prepared in part as palletized flats at automation rates. * * *
* * * * *

M030  Containers

* * * * *

M033  Sacks and Trays

* * * * *

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.8  Periodicals Flats and Irregular Parcels Origin/Entry SCF Sacks

    [Amend 1.8 by replacing the first sentence to read as follows:]
    For flat-size and irregular parcel-size Periodicals, after all 
carrier route, 5-digit/scheme carrier routes, 5-digit, 3-digit, and 
required SCF sacks are prepared, an SCF sack must be prepared to 
contain any remaining 5-digit and 3-digit packages for the 3-digit ZIP 
Code area(s) served by the SCF serving the post office where the mail 
is verified, and may be prepared for the area served by the SCF/plant 
where mail is entered (if that is different from the SCF/plant serving 
the post office where the mail is verified; e.g., a PVDS deposit site). 
* * *
* * * * *

M040  Pallets

M041  General Standards

* * * * *

5.0  Preparation

* * * * *

5.2  Required Preparation

    These standards apply to:
    [Amend 5.2a by replacing the third sentence and adding a new fourth 
sentence to read as follows:]
    a. Periodicals, Standard Mail (A), and Parcel Post (other than BMC 
Presort, OBMC Presort, DSCF, and DDU rate mail). A pallet must be 
prepared to a required sortation level when there are 500 pounds of 
Periodicals or Standard Mail packages, sacks, or parcels or six layers 
of Periodicals or Standard Mail (A) letter trays. For packages of 
Periodicals flats and irregular parcels on pallets prepared under the 
standards for package reallocation (M045.5), not all mail for a 
required 5-digit/scheme destination is required to be on a 5-digit/
scheme pallet. For packages of Standard Mail (A) flats on pallets, not 
all mail for a required 5-digit destination is required to be on a 5-
digit pallet or optional 5-digit/scheme pallet. * * *

M045  Palletized Mailings

* * * * *

4.0  PALLET PRESORT AND LABELING

4.1  Packages, Bundles, Sacks, or Trays on Pallets

    [Amend 4.1a and b to read as follows:]
    a. 5-digit (For Periodicals sacks or trays and all Standard Mail): 
required for sacks; required for packages and bundles of Standard Mail, 
except for packages and bundles prepared under b;

[[Page 31120]]

optional for trays; for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of 
contents.
    b. 5-digit/scheme: required for Periodicals packages and bundles 
and optional for Standard Mail (A) packages and bundles; for Line 1 for 
5-digit pallets, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of contents; for Line 
1 for 5-digit/scheme pallets, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *

M200  Periodicals (Nonautomation)

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.5  Low-Volume Packages and Sacks

[Amend 1.5 to read as follows:]

    As a general exception to 2.4b through 2.4d, and 3.1a through 3.1e, 
nonletter-size Periodicals may be prepared in carrier route, 5-digit, 
and 3-digit packages containing fewer than six pieces when the 
publisher determines that such preparation improves service, provided 
those packages are placed in carrier route (24 piece minimum), 5-digit 
carrier routes, 5-digit scheme carrier routes, 5-digit, 3-digit, and 
SCF sacks. These low-volume packages may be placed on 5-digit/scheme, 
3-digit, and SCF pallets under M045.
* * * * *

3.0  SACK PREPARATION (FLAT-SIZE PIECES AND IRREGULAR PARCELS)

3.1  Sack Preparation

    Sack size, preparation sequence, and Line 1 labeling:
    [Amend 3.1 by deleting b, re-designating c through h as b through 
g, and rewording a and new b to read as follows:]
    a. Carrier route: required for rate eligibility at 24 pieces, fewer 
pieces not permitted; for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of 
packages, preceded for military mail by the prefixes under M031.
    b. 5-digit/scheme carrier routes (carrier route packages only): 
required for rate eligibility (no minimum); for Line 1 for 5-digit 
carrier routes sacks, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of packages, 
preceded for military mail by the prefixes under M031; for Line 1 for 
5-digit scheme carrier routes sacks, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these 
changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-12320 Filed 5-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
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