[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 85508-85511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26923]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY: Postal Service<SUP>TM</SUP>.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On October 6, 2023, the Postal Service (USPS[supreg]) filed a 
notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory 
Commission (PRC), effective January 21, 2024. This final rule contains 
the revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to implement the changes coincident 
with the price adjustments and other minor DMM changes.

DATES: Effective January 21, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doriane Harley at (202) 268-2537 or 
Dale Kennedy at (202) 268-6592.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 22, 2023, the PRC favorably 
reviewed the price adjustments proposed by the Postal Service. The 
price adjustments and DMM revisions are scheduled to become effective 
on January 21, 2024. Final prices are available under Docket No. R2024-
1 (Order No. 6814) on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website at 
www.prc.gov.

Certificate of Mailing--Automated Solution

    Currently, Certificate of Mailing is processed manually at the BMEU 
for individual pieces of Priority Mail[supreg], First-Class 
Mail[supreg], USPS Marketing Mail[supreg], and Package Services. 
Certificate of Mailing provides evidence of mailing only and does not 
provide a record of delivery.
    The Postal Service is adding an automated option for processing 
forms 3606-D Certificate of Bulk Mailing; 3665 Certificate of Mailing; 
and 3877 Firm Mailing Book for Accountable Mail at the BMEU when 
electronically uploaded to PostalOne! and payment via EPS (Enterprise 
Payment System).

Promotion Eligible Product Identification

    Currently, mailers are unable to see the discount breakdown at 
product level for each promotion; in addition, when a new promotion is 
added or an existing promotion is enhanced, changes applied to the 
product line is not readily available to mailers.
    The Postal Service will implement an update that will enable 
mailers to see promotion discounts at the product level for each 
promotion as well as ensure all updates are applied to applicable 
systems in sync.
    These revisions will provide consistency within postal products and 
add value for customers.

Market Dominant comments on Proposed changes and USPS responses.

    The Postal Service did not receive any formal comments on the 
October 2023 proposed rule (88 FR 71329-71332).
    The Postal Service adopts the described changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. We 
will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect 
these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    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 Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

203 Basic Postage Statement, Documentation, and Preparation Standards

* * * * *

3.0 Standardized Documentation for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS 
Marketing Mail, and Flat-Size Bound Printed Matter

* * * * *

3.2 Format and Content

    For First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, and Bound 
Printed Matter, standardized documentation includes:
* * * * *
    c. For mail in trays or sacks, list these required elements:
* * * * *
    [Revise item 203.3.2c(6) to read as follows:]
    6. For all Periodicals mailings, include a separate ``Entry'' 
column showing the applicable destination entry discount for those 
copies using the entry abbreviations in 3.6.3.
* * * * *
    d. For bundles on pallets, list these required elements:
* * * * *
    [Revise item 203.3.2d(6) to read as follows:]
    6. For all Periodicals mailings, include a separate ``Entry'' 
column showing the entry discount for those copies using the 
abbreviations in 207.17.4.3. Report foreign copies separately.
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of the introductory text of 203.3.2(e) 
to read as follows:]
    e. At the end of the documentation, a summary report of the number 
of pieces mailed at each price for each mailing by postage payment 
method and the number of pieces in each mailing.* * *
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item 203.3.2e(4) to read as follows:]
    4. A summary of the number of copies for each entry price.* * *
* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 3.6 to read as follows:]

[[Page 85509]]

3.6 Detailed Entry Listing for Periodicals

3.6.1 Definition and Retention

    [Revise the text of 3.6.1 to read as follows:]
    The publisher must be able to present documentation to support the 
number of copies of each edition of an issue mailed by entry point at 
In-County and Outside-County prices. This listing is separate from the 
standardized documentation required to support presort and may be 
submitted with each mailing, or a publisher may keep these records for 
2 months after the mailing date. A publisher must be able to submit 
detailed entry listings for specific mailings upon request by the USPS.

3.6.2 Characteristics

    Report the number of copies mailed to each 3-digit ZIP Code area 
using either one of the following formats:
    [Revise the text of 203.3.6.2(a) and (b) to read as follows:]
    a. Report copies by each 3-digit ZIP Code in ascending numeric 
order. Include columns for: 3-digit ZIP Code, entry, and number of 
copies per entry. Include a summary of the number of copies at each 
entry price at the end of the report. A 3-digit ZIP Code may appear 
more than once if there are copies at different entry prices (e.g., In-
County and Outside-County copies) for that 3-digit ZIP Code.
    b. Report copies by each entry and by 3-digit ZIP Code in ascending 
numeric order. For each entry, include columns for: 3-digit ZIP Code 
and number of copies. Include a summary of the total number of copies 
for each entry at the end of each entry listing. A 3-digit ZIP Code may 
appear under more than one entry if there are copies at different entry 
prices for that 3-digit ZIP Code.
    [Revise the heading of 3.6.3 to read as follows:]

3.6.3 Entry Abbreviations

    [Revise the text of 3.6.3 to read as follows:]
    Use the actual price name or the authorized entry abbreviation in 
the listings in 3.0 and 207.17.4.2:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Entry abbreviation                    Price equivalent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICD..................................  In-County, DDU.
IC...................................  In-County, All Others.
DDU..................................  Outside-County, DDU.
SCF..................................  Outside-County, DSCF.
ADC..................................  Outside-County, DADC.
OC...................................  Outside-County, All Others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

207 Periodicals

* * * * *

2.0 Price Application and Computation

2.1 Price Application

* * * * *

2.1.4 Applying Pound Price

    Apply pound prices to the weight of the pieces in the mailing as 
follows:
    [Revise items a and b to read as follows:]
    a. Outside-County (including Science-of-Agriculture) pound prices 
are based on the weight of the advertising portion sent to each 
destination entry and the weight of the nonadvertising portion to a 
destination entry.
    b. In-County pound prices consist of a DDU entry price and a Non-
DDU entry price for eligible copies delivered to addresses within the 
county of publication.
* * * * *

2.1.5 Computing Weight of Advertising and Nonadvertising Portions

    [Revise the text of 2.1.5 to read as follows:]
    The pound price charge is the sum of the charges for the computed 
weight of the advertising portion of copies to each destination entry, 
plus the sum of the charges for the computed weight of the 
nonadvertising portion of copies to each destination entry. The 
following standards apply:
    a. The minimum pound price charge for any entry level to which 
copies are mailed is the 1-pound price. For example, three 2-ounce 
copies for an entry are subject to the minimum 1-pound charge.
    b. Authorized Nonprofit and Classroom publications with an 
advertising percentage that is 10% or less are considered 100% 
nonadvertising. When computing the pound prices and the nonadvertising 
adjustment, use ``0'' as the advertising percentage. Authorized 
Nonprofit and Classroom publications claiming 0% advertising must pay 
the nonadvertising pound price for the entire weight of all copies.
* * * * *

2.2 Computing Postage

* * * * *

2.2.3 Computing Other Weights

    [Revise the text of 2.2.3 to read as follows:]
    To find the total weight of mailed copies per entry level, multiply 
the corresponding number of copies by the computed weight per copy. 
Round off each result to the nearest whole pound, except that when the 
result is under 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound. To find the weight of the 
advertising portion for each entry, where applicable, multiply the 
total weight of copies for that entry by the percentage of advertising. 
Round off each result to the nearest whole pound, except that when the 
result is under 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound. To find the weight of the 
nonadvertising portion, subtract the total weight of the advertising 
portion to all entry levels from the total weight of copies to all 
entry levels. To find the weight of In-County price copies, multiply 
the number of copies by the weight per copy and round off the total 
weight to the nearest whole pound, except that when the result is less 
than 0.5 pound, round to 1 pound.
* * * * *

5.0 Applying for Periodicals Authorization

* * * * *

5.2 Mailing While Application Pending

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 5.2.2 to read as follows:]

5.2.2 Pending Periodicals Prices

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 5.2.3 to read as follows:]

5.2.3 Pending Periodicals Postage

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of Exhibit 5.2.3 to read as follows:]

Exhibit 5.2.3 Pending Periodicals Postage

* * * * *

8.0 Record Keeping Standards for Publishers

8.1 Basic Standards

* * * * *

8.1.2 Information Required

    Records must be available so that the USPS can determine: * * *
    [Delete item c and renumber items (d and e) as (c and d)]
* * * * *

8.2 Verification

8.2.1 Purpose

    [Revise the text of 8.2.1 to read as follows]
    A publisher must make records available for USPS review and 
verification on a periodic basis to evaluate indications of 
ineligibility for Periodicals entry, to verify that the postage 
statement shows the correct number of copies mailed and the correct

[[Page 85510]]

postage, and to confirm that publications authorized to carry general 
advertising meet the applicable circulation standards.
* * * * *

11.0 Basic Eligibility

11.1 Outside-County Prices

11.1.1 General

    [Revise the text of 11.1.1 to read as follows:]
    Outside-County prices apply to copies of an authorized Periodicals 
publication mailed by a publisher or news agent that are not eligible 
for In-County prices under 11.3. Outside-County prices consist of an 
addressed per piece charge, an entry level charge for the weight of the 
advertising portion of the publication, an entry level charge for the 
weight of the nonadvertising portion, and a bundle and container 
charge.
* * * * *

17.0 Documentation

* * * * *

17.2 Additional Standards for Postage Statements

* * * * *

17.2.3 Waiving Nonadvertising Prices

    [Revise the first sentence of 17.2.3 to read as follows:]
    Instead of marking a copy of each issue to show the advertising 
portion, the publisher may pay postage at the advertising prices on 
both portions of all issues or editions of a Periodicals publication 
(except a requester publication).* * *
* * * * *
    [Revise 17.2.7 to read as follows:]

17.2.7 News Agent's Statement

    A news agent presenting Periodicals matter subject to ``All Other'' 
prices must provide a statement showing the percentages of such matter 
devoted to advertising and nonadvertising.
* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 17.4 to read as follows:]

17.4 Detailed Entry Listing for Periodicals

17.4.1 Basic Standards

    [Revise the text of 17.4.1 to read as follows:]
    The publisher must be able to present documentation to support the 
actual number of copies of each edition of an issue, by entry level, at 
DDU, DSCF, DADC, All Others, and In-County prices. This listing is 
separated from the standardized presort documentation required under 
17.3. This listing may be submitted with each mailing, or a publisher 
may keep such records for each mailing for 2 months after the mailing 
date. A publisher must be able to submit detailed entry listings for 
specific mailings when requested by the USPS.

17.4.2 Format

    [Revise the text of 17.4.2 to read as follows:]
    Report the number of copies mailed to each 3-digit ZIP Code area at 
entry prices using one of the following formats:
    a. Report copies by 3-digit ZIP Code, in ascending numeric order, 
for all ZIP Codes in the mailing. The listing must include these 
columns: 3-digit ZIP Code, entry level, and number of copies. Include a 
summary of the number of copies at each entry price at the end of the 
report. A 3-digit ZIP Code may appear more than once if there are 
copies at different entry prices for that ZIP Code (for example, In-
County and Outside-County copies).
    b. Report copies by zone (In-County DDU, In-County others, Outside-
County DDU, Outside-County DSCF, Outside-County DADC and Outside-County 
All Others) and by 3-digit ZIP Code, in ascending numeric order, for 
each entry level. For each entry level, the listing must include these 
columns: 3-digit ZIP Code and number of copies in the mailing. Include 
a summary of the total number of copies for each entry level at the end 
of each entry listing. A 3-digit ZIP Code may appear under more than 
one entry level if there are copies at different entry prices for that 
ZIP Code.
    [Revise the heading of 17.4.3 to read as follows:]

17.4.3 Entry Abbreviations

    [Revise the text of 17.4.3 to read as follows:]
    Use the actual price name or the authorized entry abbreviation in 
the listings in 17.3 and 17.4.2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Entry abbreviation                    Price equivalent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICD..................................  In-County, DDU.
IC...................................  In-County, All Others.
DDU..................................  Outside-County, DDU.
SCF..................................  Outside-County, DSCF.
ADC..................................  Outside-County, DADC.
OC...................................  Outside-County, All Others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

26.0 Physical Criteria for Nonmachinable Flat-Size Periodicals

* * * * *

26.2 Weight and Size

    [Revise to first sentence of 26.2 to read as follows:]
    The maximum weight is 4.4 pounds for pieces prepared in 5-digit 
bundles only.* * *
* * * * *

28.0 Enter and Deposit

* * * * *

28.3 Exceptional Dispatch

* * * * *

28.3.2 Intended Use

    [Revise the first sentence of 28.3.2 to read as follows:]
    The provision for exceptional dispatch is intended for local 
distribution (In-County and DDU) of publications with total circulation 
of no more than 25,000 and is not to be used to circumvent additional 
entry standards.* * *
* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

503 Extra Services

* * * * *

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra Services

* * * * *

1.10 Receipts

    [Add a sentence after the fourth sentence to read as follows:]
    * * * When used for commercial mailings, Form 3877 (firm sheet) may 
be submitted electronically to PostalOne! and processed at the BMEU.* * 
*
* * * * *

5.0 Certificates of Mailing

5.1 Basic Standards

5.1.1 Description--Individual Pieces

    [Add a sentence at the end of 5.1.1 to read as follows:]
    * * * Form 3665 (firm sheet) may be submitted electronically to 
PostalOne! and processed at the BMEU.

5.1.2 Paying Fees

    [Add a sentence at the end of 5.1.2 to read as follows:]
    * * * When electronically submitted, postage for Form 3665-Firm 
must be paid with an EPS (Electronic Payment System) account.
* * * * *

5.1.6 Acceptance

    [Revise the last sentence of 5.1.6 to read as follows:]
    * * * Certificate of Mailing Form 3665 (including USPS-approved 
privately printed versions and

[[Page 85511]]

electronic Form 3665) with mailings of at least 50 pieces or 50 pounds 
of corresponding articles presented at one time must be presented to a 
Post Office business mail entry unit (BMEU) or authorized detached mail 
unit (DMU).
* * * * *

5.2 Other Bulk Quantities--Certificate of Bulk Mailing

5.2.1 Description

    [Add text at the end of 5.2.1 to read as follows:]
    * * * Mailers must upload the electronic Form 3606-D prior to 
presenting the mailing at the BMEU for processing. Each electronic Form 
3606-D will receive a watermark date stamped receipt after finalization 
of the mailing.

5.2.2 Paying Fees

    [Add a sentence at the end of 5.2.2 to read as follows:]
    * * * Mailers submitting electronic Form 3606-D must pay 
certificate of mailing fees, at the time of mailing, using an EPS 
account.

5.2.3 Acceptance

    [Revise the last sentence of 5.2.3 to read as follows:]
    * * * Certificate of Bulk Mailing Form 3606-D (including USPS-
approved facsimiles and electronic Form 3606-D) with identical-weight 
mailings of at least 50 pieces or 50 pounds must be presented to a 
business mail entry unit (BMEU) or authorized detached mail unit (DMU).
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

15.0 Combining USPS Marketing Mail Flats, Bound Printed Matter Flats, 
and Periodicals Flats

15.1 Basic Standards

* * * * *

15.1.3 Documentation

    Mailers must present standardized electronic documentation 
according to 203.3.0. This documentation must accurately reflect the 
final piece count in the combined mailing. In addition, mailers must 
provide:
* * * * *
    [Revise item (e) to read as follows:]
    e. Documentation to support entry and bundle totals, if requested.
* * * * *

Notice 123 (Price List)

    [Revise prices as applicable.]
* * * * *

Sarah Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-26923 Filed 12-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P