[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63850-63853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31599]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Domestic Mail Manual; Miscellaneous Amendments

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document describes the numerous amendments consolidated 
in the Transmittal Letter for Issue 53 of the Domestic Mail Manual, 
which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations, 
see 39 CFR 111.1. These amendments reflect changes in mail preparation 
requirements and other miscellaneous rules and regulations not 
previously published in the Federal Register.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1998.


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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, (202) 268-6350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated 
by reference in title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, part 111, 
contains: the basic standards of the U.S. Postal Service governing its 
domestic mail services; descriptions of the mail classes and special 
services and conditions governing their use; and standards for rate 
eligibility and mail preparation. The document is amended and 
republished about every 6 months, with each issue sequentially 
numbered.
    DMM Issue 53, the next edition of the DMM, is scheduled for release 
on January 1, 1998. That issue will include changes in Preferred 
postage rates for Periodicals and Standard Mail (A). The final rule 
containing the rates for these changes was published on July 25, 1997, 
in the Federal Register (62 FR 39946-39950), as approved on June 2, 
1997, by the Board of Governors pursuant to its authority under 39 
U.S.C. 3625(f), to implement rate changes effective at 12:01 a.m. on 
October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9).
    DMM Issue 53 will also include the new weight limit for Bound 
Printed Matter. The final rule to increase the weight of Bound Printed 
Matter from 10 pounds to 15 pounds was published on October 1, 1997, in 
the Federal Register (62 FR 51372-51373), as approved on September 8, 
1997, by the Board of Governors, to implement the Decision of the 
Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended 
Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on the Classification Changes, 
Bound Printed Matter, Docket No. MC97-3. This weight increase takes 
effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997.
    DMM Issue 53 will include the standards for the new Bulk Parcel 
Return Service (BPRS) and Shipper Paid Forwarding (SPF). BPRS, which 
takes effect on October 12, 1997, lowers the average cost of return 
service for machinable parcels weighing less than 1 pound. SPF, which 
allows mailers to pay forwarding postage directly through the use of 
the tracking capabilities of the existing electronic Address Change 
Service, takes effect on January 4, 1998. The new standards for BPRS 
and SPF were published on October 15, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 
FR 53539-53541) as approved on October 6, 1997, by the Board of 
Governors on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission in 
Docket No. MC97-2.
    The following excerpt from section I010, Summary of Changes, of the 
transmittal for DMM Issue 53 covers the minor changes not previously 
described in final rules or in other interim or final rules published 
in the Federal Register. Announcements of these minor changes were 
first published in various issues of the Postal Bulletin, an official 
biweekly document published by the Postal Service. In addition, the 
revised contents of DMM Issue 53 are also presented.

Domestic Mail Manual Issue 53 Summary of Changes

Consolidation of Processing of Form 3510

    D230.3.11, D230.6.2, E214.3.2, E214.3.4, E214.3.6, E214.3.7, 
E214.3.8, E270.8.1 and E270.9.1 amend the processing of Form 3510, 
Application for Additional Entry, Reentry, or Special Rate Request for 
Periodicals Publication. In order to improve customer satisfaction and 
to better utilize resources, postal processing of Form 3510 is being 
consolidated at the Memphis Rates and Classification Service Center 
(RCSC). Effective October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-09-97)).

Content Identifier Numbers

    Exhibit M032.1.3a changes certain international mail content 
identifier numbers (CINs) for barcoded tray and sack labels. Effective 
July 3, 1997 (PB 21949 (7-3-97)).

Envelopes and Pieces Sealed on All Sides

    C810.1.0 and C810.7.5 clarify acceptable characteristics of 
automation letter-size mailpieces. Effective October 23, 1997 (PB 21957 
(10-23-97)).

Folded Self-Mailers--Additional Options

    C810.7.2 and C810.7.3 allow mailers to prepare letter-size self-
mailers with the final fold positioned as the right side (leading edge) 
of the piece and to claim an automation rate. In addition, other 
tabbing form designs for self-mailers have been approved for automation 
rates. Effective June 5, 1997 (PB 21947 (6-5-97)).

Labeling List Changes

    L002, L003, L005, L601, L602, L603, L604, and L801 are amended to 
reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective July 3, 1997 
(PB 21949 (7-3-97)).
    L002, L004, L005, L102, L601, L602, L603, L604, L801, and L803 are 
amended to reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective 
October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-9-97)).

Non-Machinable Surcharge--Parcel Post

    E620.2.5 clarifies that a non-machinable surcharge applies only to 
certain listed pieces of Parcel Post if pieces are mailed at the inter-
BMC/ASF Parcel Post rates and no special handling fee is paid. 
Effective August 28, 1997 (PB 21953 (8-28-97)).

Post Office Box and Caller Service--McLean, VA 22103 ZIP Code 
Redesignated as Group C

    Exhibit D910.5.3 and Exhibit D920.4.1 remove the entry ``McLean, VA 
22103'' from the Group B category for post office box service and 
caller service to a Group C category. Effective June 8, 1997 (PB 21948 
(6-19-97)).

Reusable Mailpieces--Optional Preparation

    C010.6.3 and C010.6.4 incorporate optional preparation standards 
for reusable mailpieces that originate as permit imprint mailings. 
Effective August 14, 1997 (PB 21952 (8-14-97)).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Postal Service.

    In consideration of the foregoing, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as 
set forth below:

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, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. The table at the end of Sec. 111.3(f) is amended by adding at 
the end thereof a new entry to read as follows:


Sec. 111.3  Amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

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  Transmittal letter for issue                  Dated                        Federal Register publication       
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53.............................  January 1, 1998....................  62 FR [INSERT PAGE NUMBER].               
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[[Page 63852]]

    3. Section 111.5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 111.5  Contents of the Domestic Mail Manual.

A--ADDRESSING

A000  Basic Addressing

A010  General Addressing Standards
A040  Alternative Addressing Formats
A060  Detached Address Labels (DALs)

A800  Addressing for Automation

A900  Customer Support

A910  Mailing List Services
A920  Address Sequencing Services
A930  Other Services
A950  Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)

C--CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTENT

C000  General Information

C010  General Mailability Standards
C020  Restricted or Nonmailable Articles and Substances
    C021  Articles and Substances Generally
    C022  Perishables
    C023  Hazardous Matter
    C024  Other Restricted or Nonmailable Matter
C030  Nonmailable Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter
    C031  Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter Generally
    C032  Sexually Oriented Advertisements
    C033  Pandering Advertisements
C050  Mail Processing Categories

C100  First-Class Mail

C200  Periodicals

C500  Express Mail

C600  Standard Mail

C800  Automation-Compatible Mail

C810  Letters and Cards
C820  Flats
C830  OCR Standards
C840  Barcoding Standards

D--DEPOSIT, COLLECTION, AND DELIVERY

D000  Basic Information

D010  Pickup Service
D020  Plant Load
D030  Recall of Mail
D040  Delivery of Mail
    D041  Customer Mail Receptacles
    D042  Conditions of Delivery
D070  Drop Shipment
    D071  Express Mail and Priority Mail
    D072  Metered Mail

D100  First-Class Mail

D200  Periodicals

D210  Basic Information
D230  Additional Entry

D500  Express Mail

D600  Standard Mail

D900  Other Delivery Services

D910  Post Office Box Service
D920  Caller Service
D930  General Delivery and Firm Holdout

E--ELIGIBILITY

E000  Special Eligibility Standards

E010  Overseas Military Mail
E020  Department of State Mail
E030  Mail Sent by U.S. Armed Forces
E040  Free Matter for the Blind and Other Handicapped Persons
E050  Official Mail (Franked)
E060  Official Mail (Penalty)
E070  Mixed Classes
E080  Absentee Balloting Materials

E100  First-Class Mail

E110  Basic Standards
E120  Priority Mail
E130  Nonautomation Rates
E140  Automation Rates

E200  Periodicals

E210  Basic Standards
    E211  All Periodicals
    E212  Qualification Categories
    E213  Periodicals Mailing Privileges
    E214  Reentry
    E215  Copies Not Paid or Requested by Addressee
    E216  Publisher Records
E230  Nonautomation Rates
E240  Automation Rates
E250  Destination Entry
E270  Preferred Periodicals

E500  Express Mail

E600  Standard Mail

E610  Basic Standards
    E611  All Standard Mail
    E612  Additional Standards for Standard Mail (A)
    E613  Additional Standards for Standard Mail (B)
E620  Nonautomation Nonpresort Rates
E630  Nonautomation Presort Rates
E640  Automation Rates
E650  Destination Entry
    E651  Regular, Nonprofit, and Enhanced Carrier Route Standard 
Mail
    E652  Parcel Post
E670  Nonprofit Standard Mail

F--FORWARDING AND RELATED SERVICES

F000  Basic Services

F010  Basic Information
F020  Forwarding
F030  Address Correction, Address Change, FASTforward<SUP>SM</SUP>, 
and Return Services

G--GENERAL INFORMATION

G000  The USPS and Mailing Standards

G010  Basic Business Information
    G011  Post Offices and Postal Services
    G013  Trademarks and Copyrights
G020  Mailing Standards
G030  Postal Zones
G040  Information Resources
    G041  Postal Business Centers
    G042  Rates and Classification Service Centers
    G043  Address List for Correspondence
G090  Experimental Classifications and Rates
    G091  Barcoded Small Parcels
    G092  Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail

G900  Philatelic Services

L--LABELING LISTS

L000  General Use

L002  3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Matrix
L003  3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--3-Digit Scheme Sortation
L004  3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--ADC Sortation
L005  3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--SCF Sortation

L100  First-Class Mail

L102  ADCs--Presorted Priority Mail

L600  Standard Mail

L601  BMCs--Machinable Parcels
L602  BMCs--DBMC Rates
L603  ADCs--Irregular Parcels
L604  Originating ADCs--Irregular Parcels

L800  Automation Rate Mailings

L801  AADCs--Letter-Size Mailings
L802  BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A)
L803  Non-BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A)

M--MAIL PREPARATION AND SORTATION

M000  General Preparation Standards

M010  Mailpieces
    M011  Basic Standards
    M012  Markings and Endorsements
    M013  Optional Endorsement Lines
    M014  Carrier Route Information Lines
M020  Packages and Bundles
M030  Containers
    M031  Labels
    M032  Barcoded Labels
    M033  Sacks and Trays
M040  Pallets
    M041  General Standards
    M045  Palletized Mailings
M050  Delivery Sequence
M070  Mixed Classes
    M071  Basic Information
    M072  Express Mail and Priority Mail Drop Shipment
    M073  Combined Mailings of Standard Mail Machinable Parcels
M074  Plant Load Mailings

M100  First-Class Mail (Nonautomation)

M120  Priority Mail
M130  Presorted First-Class Mail

M200  Periodicals (Nonautomation)

M500  Express Mail

M600  Standard Mail (Nonautomation)

M610  Single-Piece and Nonautomation Standard Mail (A)
M620  Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail
M630  Standard Mail (B)

M800  All Automation Mail

M810  Letter-Size Mail
M820  Flat-Size Mail

P--POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS

P000  Basic Information

P010  General Standards
    P011  Payment

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    P012  Documentation
    P013  Rate Application and Computation
    P014  Refunds and Exchanges
P020  Postage Stamps and Stationery
    P021  Stamped Stationery
    P022  Adhesive Stamps
    P023  Precanceled Stamps
P030  Postage Meters and Meter Stamps
P040  Permit Imprints
P070  Mixed Classes

P100  First-Class Mail

P200  Periodicals

P500  Express Mail

P600  Standard Mail

P700  Special Postage Payment Systems

P710  Manifest Mailing System (MMS)
P720  Optional Procedure (OP) Mailing System
P730  Alternate Mailing Systems (AMS)
P750  Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS)
P760  First-Class or Standard Mail Mailings With Different Payment 
Methods

R--RATES AND FEES

R000  Stamps and Stationery

R100  First-Class Mail

R200  Periodicals

R500  Express Mail

R600  Standard Mail

R900  Services

S--SPECIAL SERVICES

S000  Miscellaneous Services

S010  Indemnity Claims
S020  Money Orders and Other Services
S070  Mixed Classes

S500  Special Services for Express Mail

S900  Special Postal Services

S910  Security and Accountability
    S911  Registered Mail
    S912  Certified Mail
    S913  Insured Mail
    S914  Certificate of Mailing
    S915  Return Receipt
    S916  Restricted Delivery
    S917  Return Receipt for Merchandise
S920  Convenience
    S921  Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail
    S922  Business Reply Mail (BRM)
    S923  Merchandise Return Service
    S924  Bulk Parcel Return Service
S930  Handling

I--INDEX INFORMATION

I000  Information

I010  Summary of Changes
I020  References
    I021  Forms Glossary
    I022  Subject Index
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-31599 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P