[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83912-83913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24097]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2025-58; Order No. 7711]


Classification Changes

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is recognizing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning changes in classifications for International Return Receipt. 
This notice informs the public of the filings, invites public comment, 
and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: November 14, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Contents of Filing
III. Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On October 10, 2024, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3040.130 
et seq., the Postal Service filed a request to remove Mail 
Classification Schedule (MCS) section 2615.3 International Return 
Receipt from the Competitive product list in the MCS.\1\ In addition, 
pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632 and 39 CFR 3040.180 et seq., the Postal 
Service requests to make accompanying materials changes to product 
descriptions for certain other Competitive products for which 
international return receipt is listed as an optional feature in MCS 
sections 2310.5, 2315.5, 2335.5, 2510.3, 2510.6, 2510.7, 2510.8, 
2515.6, and 2515.8. Id. at 1, n.1. The Postal Service intends for these 
proposed changes to take effect on January 1, 2025. Id. at 3.
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    \1\ Request of the United States Postal Service to Remove 
International Return Receipt from the Competitive Product List and 
to Make Accompanying Classification Changes, October 10, 2024, at 1 
(Request).
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II. Contents of Filing

    The Postal Service states that the removal of International Return 
Receipt from the relevant MCS sections will align the MCS to changes to 
the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Convention and Convention 
Regulations.\2\ Specifically, the UPU Extraordinary Congress decided 
last year that advice of delivery (which is referred to as 
``International Return Receipt'' in the MCS) will no longer be an 
ancillary service with parcel post effective January 1, 2025, and it 
will no longer be an ancillary service with letter post packets that 
contain goods effective January 1, 2026. Request at 2. Therefore, the 
Postal Service proposes to eliminate International Return Receipt as an 
optional feature of Inbound Parcel Post (at UPU rates) in MCS section 
2310.5 and as an optional feature of Outbound Priority Mail 
International in MCS section 2315.5. Id.; see id. at 1, n.1. In 
addition, the Postal Service proposes to eliminate International Return 
Receipt at an optional feature of Outbound Single-Piece First-Class 
Package International Service in MCS section 2335.5. Id. Although this 
latter change would be made 1 year sooner than the effective date of 
related changes to the UPU Convention that affects letter post packets 
that contain goods, the Postal Service states that having a single 
effective date for all proposed MCS changes is ``desirable to 
streamline outbound product offerings.'' Request at 2.
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    \2\ Id. at 2 (citing Universal Postal Union, International 
Bureau Circular 86, Amendments to the Convention Regulations (and 
their Final Protocol), May 31, 2024).
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    The Postal Service states that the combined effect of these 
proposed changes is the removal of MCS section 2615.3, International 
Return Receipt. Id. at 3. In addition, the Postal Service proposes 
conforming material changes to product descriptions for all relevant 
Competitive products listed in the MCS to reflect that International 
Return Receipt is no longer available. Id. These proposed material 
changes to product descriptions are in MCS sections 2510.3, 2510.6, 
2510.7, 2510.8, 2515.6, and 2515.8. Id. at 1, n.1.
    The Postal Service states that the proposed removal of MCS section 
2615.3, International Return Receipt, satisfies the requirements in 39 
CFR 3040.131(a) through (f) because: (a) it includes the name and class 
of the product that is the subject of the request; (b) it includes a 
copy of Governors' Decision No. 24-6 supporting the request in 
Attachment 1; (c) it indicates that the product to be removed is from 
the Competitive product list; (d) it indicates that the product to be 
removed is not one of the three identified categories subject to unique 
regulatory treatment; (e) it includes a Statement of Supporting 
Justification in Attachment 3, which explains why the requested change 
is not inconsistent with the applicable statutory and regulatory 
requirements; and (f) it includes a copy of the applicable sections of 
the MCS and the proposed changes in legislative format in Attachment 2. 
Id. at 3-4, Attachments 1-3.
    The Postal Service states that the proposed removal of 
International Return Receipt as an optional feature for

[[Page 83913]]

Competitive products listed in MCS sections 2310.5, 2315.5, 2335.5, 
2510.3, 2510.6, 2510.7, 2510.8, 2515.6, and 2515.8 satisfies the 
requirements in 39 CFR 3040.180 and 3040.181 because: (1) the Request 
is submitted no later than 30 days prior to implementing the proposed 
changes; (2) it includes a copy of the applicable sections of the MCS 
and the proposed changes in legislative format in Attachment 2; and (3) 
it provides supporting justification, which includes a description of, 
and rationale for, the proposed changes to product descriptions, 
explains why the changes will not result in the violation of 39 U.S.C. 
3633 and 39 CFR part 3035 for the Competitive products at issue, and 
describes the likely impact that the changes will have on users of the 
product and on competitors. Request at 4-8, Attachment 2.

III. Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2025-58 for consideration 
of matters raised by the Request.
    The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service's 
filing is consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 3642 and 39 CFR 3040.130, 
3040.131, 3040.132, 3040.180, and 3040.181. Comments are due no later 
than November 14, 2024. The public portions of the filings can be 
accessed via the Commission's website (https://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Mallory L. Smith to represent the interests 
of the general public (Public Representative) in this docket, pursuant 
to 39 U.S.C. 505.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2025-58 for 
consideration of matters raised by the Postal Service's Request.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Mallory L. Smith is appointed to 
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments are due no later than November 14, 2024.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-24097 Filed 10-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P