[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 88825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27975]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Use of Foreign Return Addresses on Domestic Mailpieces

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to clarify 
the consequences for using a foreign return address on a domestic 
mailpiece.

DATES: Effective date: January 1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Knox at (202) 268-5636, 
Treishawna Harris at (202) 268-2965, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-
7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 6, 2023, the Postal Service 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (88 FR 76162-76163) to 
further amend subsections 602.1.5.4 and 609.4.3 to clarify the 
procedures applicable to undeliverable domestic mailpieces bearing a 
foreign return address. The Postal Service did not receive any formal 
comments.
    The Postal Service is revising DMM subsections 602.1.5.4, and 
609.4.3, to clarify that undeliverable domestic mailpieces with a 
foreign return address will be handled in accordance with the Postal 
Service's dead mail procedures.
    In a separate rule, the Postal Service will also revise a few 
related sections of the International Mail Manual (IMM) including 
subsection 762.2, Undeliverable Domestic Mail Bearing U.S. Postage and 
a Foreign Return Address.
    We believe these revisions will provide customers with a more 
efficient mailing experience. 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--GENERAL INFORMATION ON POSTAL SERVICE

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, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, 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)

* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

* * * * *

602 Addressing

1.0 Elements of Addressing

* * * * *

1.5 Return Addresses

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]

1.5.4 Use of Foreign Return Addresses

    [Revise the text of 1.5.4 to read as follows:]
    When U.S. postage is applied to a domestic mailpiece, as defined 
under 608.2.1 and 608.2.2, only a domestic return address is 
authorized. An undeliverable domestic mailpiece bearing a foreign 
return address cannot be returned to sender and will be handled as dead 
mail under 507.1.9.
* * * * *

609 Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage

* * * * *

4.0 Claims

* * * * *

4.3 Nonpayable Claims

    Indemnity is not paid for insured mail (including Priority Mail 
Express and Priority Mail), Registered Mail, COD, or Priority Mail and 
Priority Mail Express in these situations:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of 4.3 by adding a new item ``ag'' to read as 
follows:]
    ag. An undeliverable, registered or insured domestic mailpiece 
bearing a foreign return address.
* * * * *

Sarah Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-27975 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P