6574 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

POSTAL SERVICE 

39 CFR Part 111 

New Mailing Standards for Domestic 

Mailing Services Products 

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: In January 2015, the Postal 

ServiceTM filed a notice of mailing 

services price adjustments with the 

Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), 

effective April 26, 2015. This proposed 

rule contains the revisions to Mailing 

Standards of the United States Postal 

Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 

that we would adopt to implement the 

changes coincident with the price 

adjustments. 

DATES: We must receive comments on or 

before March 9, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written 

comments to the manager, Product 

Classification, U.S. Postal Service®, 475 

L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, 

Washington DC 20260–5015. You may 

inspect and photocopy all written 

comments at USPS® Headquarters 

Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th 

Floor N, Washington, DC, by 

appointment only between the hours of 

9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, by calling 1–202–268–2906 in 

advance. Email comments, containing 

the name and address of the commenter, 

may be sent to: ProductClassification@

usps.gov, with a subject line of ‘‘April 

2015 Domestic Mailing Services 

Proposal.’’ Faxed comments are not 

accepted. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Karen Key, 202–268–7492, John Rosato, 

202–268–8597, or Suzanne Newman, 

202–695–0550. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed 

prices (CPI prices plus Exigent 

surcharges) will be available in 

Attachment A, Part II in the Postal 

Service’s Notice, which was filed under 

Docket Number R2015–4. Materials 

related to this Docket are available on 

the Postal Regulatory Commission’s 

Web site at www.prc.gov. 

The Postal Service’s proposed rule 

includes: Changes to prices (not every 

price being changed is highlighted, see 

www.prc.gov for complete listing of the 

proposed prices), several mail 

classification and preparation changes, 

modifications to mailpiece 

characteristics and additional services, 

multiple product and service 

simplification efforts, and revisions to 

the DMM to condense language and 

eliminate redundancy to improve its 

ease of use without changing the 

mailing standards. 

Proposed Changes for First-Class Mail 

Letters and Flats 

To better manage the customer 

experience, the Postal ServiceTM

proposes maintaining the First-Class 

MailTM single-piece stamp price at 49 

cents. Likewise, single-piece flats up to 

one ounce will be kept at 98 cents, 

preserving the convenience to 

consumers of using two letter stamps for 

postage. The single-piece additional 

ounce and non-machinable surcharge 

prices will increase one cent to 22 cents. 

Last year, we introduced a Metered 

Mail price to provide greater flexibility 

to price stamps, single-piece Metered 

Mail, and presort mail to reflect their 

different costs and markets. The 

Metered Mail price will increase 

modestly but will still remain below the 

single-piece stamp price. 

Proposed Changes for Parcels 

First-Class Mail Parcels 

In November 2014, the Governors 

approved filing for the transfer of FirstClass Mail parcels to a competitive 

product. The pleading was filed with 

the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) 

on November 14, 2014, Docket No. 

MC2015–7. As discussed in the filing, 

First-Class Mail parcels compete with 

an assortment of comparable products 

with fast delivery offered by competitors 

for mailable matter weighing less than 

13 ounces. Since First-Class Mail 

parcels fulfill all of the criteria for 

competitive products, and recognizing 

the competitive nature of the 

marketplace that these parcels fulfill, 

the Postal Service plans to remove FirstClass Mail parcels from the market 

dominant product list, and add it as a 

retail subcategory of the existing FirstClass Package® Service competitive 

product. If this is adopted, the new 

First-Class Package Service category 

would maintain First-Class Mail service 

standards and pricing structure. 

Because the Commission has not yet 

ruled on this proposal, we propose an 

above average price increase to improve 

the cost coverage since First-Class Mail 

parcels have an exceptionally low cost 

coverage for a First-Class Mail product. 

Package Services 

Package Services now consists of 

Alaska Bypass, Bound Printed Matter 

flats, Bound Printed Mailer parcels, 

Media Mail, and Library Mail. Bound 

Printed Matter flats consist primarily of 

heavy catalogs, and Bound Printed 

Matter parcels consist primarily of 

product order fulfillment. We are 

proposing to increase Media Mail and 

Library Mail (whose prices are linked by 

law) by more than average because these 

products continue to not cover their 

costs. We are proposing to increases to 

Bound Printed Matter parcels prices, 

(and minimally to Bound Printed Matter 

flats prices as mentioned under 

Proposed Changes for Flats). 

Returns Simplification 

The Postal Service proposes several 

changes to our merchandise return 

options to make it easier for customers 

to do business with us. Changes will 

include the ability for customers to 

establish a single Return Services 

permit, and pay a single Return Services 

annual account maintenance fee at any 

Post Office, to receive any one, or 

combination of, the following returns 

offerings: Merchandise return service 

(MRS) (including USPS Returns paid 

using a scan-based payment method), or 

Parcel Return Service (PRS). 

Further, upon annual renewal, the 

Return Services permit and annual 

accounting fees will be waived for those 

mailers showing outbound package 

volume paid using their outbound 

permit imprint account within the prior 

year. The Postal Service feels that this 

waiver of fees will incentivize new 

customers to use USPSTM for returns in 

addition to their outbound shipments, 

and will encourage our existing mailers 

to continue doing business with us. 

Additional changes proposed will 

align the availability of insurance for 

purchase with returns with that of 

outbound as detailed under the extra 

services section of this proposed rule. 

Finally, in response to limited customer 

use of the Parcel Return Service b Full 

Network product made available 

January 27, 2013, the Postal Service will 

eliminate it as a general offering, but 

will retain it as an option for customers 

under a customized Negotiated Service 

Agreement (NSA). 

Merchandise Return Service 

The Postal Service continues its 

efforts to simplify and streamline its 

product and service offerings. Currently, 

merchandise return service (MRS) 

provides multiple competitive and 

market dominant products available to 

business customers to transport their 

return merchandise. With the expansion 

and availability of various commercial 

returns services including Parcel Return 

Service, USPS Returns (a subcategory of 

MRS paid using a scan based payment 

method), Bulk Parcel Return Service, 

and Business Reply Mail® parcels, 

customers have multiple commercially 

priced returns options. To that end, the 

Postal Service is contemplating 

replacing the use of market dominant 

First-Class Mail parcels, Package 

Services (Media Mail, Library Mail, and 


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Bound Printed Matter), and Standard 

PostTM (recently moved to competitive 

but as a retail-only product) for MRS 

with competitively priced First-Class 

Package Service and Parcel Select®

Nonpresort (ground) products. 

The Postal Service believes that our 

business mailers using MRS today can 

receive the same or more customized 

handling and delivery options when 

using our commercially priced 

products, or one of the other existing 

returns offerings. The Postal Service 

also anticipates that this change would 

result in the induction of more parcel 

volumes priced to cover their costs, 

unlike First-Class Mail parcels and most 

of the Package Service products, 

without compromising service. 

Additional changes to MRS include 

eliminating the ability to fax barcoded 

MRS labels. Since MRS now requires an 

Intelligent Mail® package barcode 

(IMpb) with imbedded USPS Tracking®

on all labels, and standards already 

prohibited faxing MRS labels with USPS 

Tracking barcodes, this means of label 

production would be removed as an 

option. 

Bulk Parcel Return Service 

The Postal Service proposes to revise 

standards for Bulk Parcel Return Service 

(BPRS) to eliminate the BPRS annual 

permit and account maintenance fees as 

a requirement for the service. 

Additionally, in support of our visibility 

initiatives, we propose requiring an 

IMpb on all BPRS labels. This change 

will align with the requirement of an 

IMpb on all other return services labels 

for parcels, and on all outbound 

commercial parcels. All other 

requirements for participation will 

remain unchanged. 

Return Call Tag (Print and Deliver 

Return Label Service) 

On September 7, 2014, the Postal 

Service implemented a return call tag 

(label) option for permit holders to 

electronically request an applicable 

USPS return label for their permit to be 

generated and delivered by USPS to 

their customer (label end-user). This 

article serves to notify customers that 

the Postal Service will now refer to Call 

Tag Return Service as Print and Deliver 

Return Label Service. Future 

enhancements being considered within 

this offering includes the ability for 

outbound shipping labels to be 

generated and delivered by USPS to a 

permit holder’s customer (label enduser). 

Extra Services 

The focus of the Postal Service on 

extra services is simplification, which is 

designed to reduce redundancy and 

improve customer ease of use. To 

accomplish this, we are proposing 

changes to extra services as follows: 

USPS Tracking 

The Postal Service continues its 

efforts to provide visibility and scan 

data for mailers using USPS to send 

their shipments. As a result, USPS 

Tracking will be included at no 

additional charge for the following 

market dominant products: First-Class 

Mail parcels, Media Mail, Library Mail, 

and Bound Printed Matter. USPS 

Tracking will still be available for 

purchase with Standard Mail parcels. 

An IMpb will be required on the 

mailpiece in order to provide the 

included tracking service. 

Return Receipt for Merchandise 

The Postal Service believes Return 

Receipt for Merchandise no longer 

provides a unique service otherwise 

unavailable in the past. Signature 

ConfirmationTM available for parcels 

provides the same or equivalent service 

for a lower price. Declining volumes of 

Return Receipt for Merchandise coupled 

with the increase of mailer use of 

Signature Confirmation supports this 

transition. 

For these reasons, on December 18, 

2013 (78 FR 76533), the Postal Service 

provided advance notice of plans to 

discontinue offering Return Receipt for 

Merchandise service in July 2014. 

Although the date for this change was 

temporarily deferred, the Board of 

Governors approved filing for the 

elimination of Return Receipt for 

Merchandise as a special service in 

November 2014 and a pleading was 

filed with the PRC on November 17, 

2014 (Docket No. MC2015–8). 

On January 15, 2015, the Postal 

Service received conditional approval to 

remove Return Receipt for Merchandise 

from the Mail Classification Schedule. 

The Postal Service is studying the order 

and will evaluate whether or not Return 

Receipt for Merchandise service will be 

eliminated. Depending on the Postal 

Service’s decision, Return Receipt for 

Merchandise service may be eliminated 

as an extra service on April 26, 2015. 

The Postal Service shall notify the 

Commission of its election no later than 

January 28, 2015. 

Insurance 

The Postal Service proposes to 

eliminate separate price tables for 

domestic Priority Mail Express®

merchandise insurance and domestic 

general insurance. By combining the 

insurance price tables, it is expected 

that mailer choices will be simplified. 

No changes will be made to insurance 

included with Priority Mail Express and 

Priority Mail®, or the options for 

purchasing additional insurance for any 

applicable outbound product. However, 

plans are to also expand the availability 

of insurance coverage for purchase to all 

returns services. Currently, in some 

cases only the sender may purchase 

insurance for his or her return item, or 

insurance is limited to coverage for 

$200.00 or less, or no insurance option 

is available at all. This change will align 

insurance options available for purchase 

for returns with that of outbound 

shipments (excluding standards already 

disallowing any ‘included’ insurance 

coverage for returns). 

Furthermore, the Postal Service plans 

to adjust the insurance threshold for 

capturing the recipient’s signature at the 

time of delivery from items insured for 

more than $200.00, to items insured for 

more than $500.00. Additionally, the 

delivery record (including a copy of the 

recipient’s signature) would be provided 

at no additional charge for items insured 

for more than $500.00. Customers who 

want a signature for items insured for 

$500 or less can purchase Signature 

Confirmation service. 

Certified Mail 

The Postal Service plans to introduce 

three new combined offerings under 

Certified Mail®: Certified Mail 

Restricted Delivery (available through 

all channels), and both Certified Mail 

Adult Signature Required and Certified 

Mail Adult Signature Restricted 

Delivery (available online and to 

commercial mailers). This change will 

allow customers to choose the combined 

service as opposed to purchasing the 

services separately. 

Restricted Delivery 

The Postal Service plans to eliminate 

restricted delivery service as a separate 

add-on extra service with its own 

separate price and instead offer 

restricted delivery as a blended service 

under the extra services with which it 

can be purchased with today. Customers 

will be able to choose from the 

following combinations of services that 

include restricted delivery: 

• Certified Mail Restricted Delivery. 

• Certified Mail Adult Signature 

Restricted Delivery. 

• Collect on Delivery (COD) 

Restricted Delivery. 

• Insurance (over $500.00) Restricted 

Delivery. 

• Registered MailTM Restricted 

Delivery. 

• Signature Confirmation Restricted 

Delivery. 


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6576 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Additionally, Signature Confirmation 

Restricted Delivery will be expanded 

from online only, to include availability 

through retail and commercial channels. 

Return Receipt 

The Postal Service plans to align the 

availability of a domestic return receipt 

from items insured for more than 

$200.00, to items insured for more than 

$500.00, which aligns with the changes 

to obtaining the delivery record (that 

includes the recipient’s signature) for 

insured mail. Additionally, the 

hardcopy return receipt (PS Form 3811, 

Domestic Return Receipt), or any USPSapproved facsimile, would include an 

IMpb that will be electronically linked 

to the IMpb of the extra service on the 

mailpiece. The IMpb on the return 

receipt will provide the tracking 

visibility to mailers similar to tracking 

now provided for all other extra services 

requiring an IMpb. Additionally, the 

option for purchasing a return receipt 

after mailing will be eliminated. Mailers 

wishing to receive a copy of the delivery 

record, including the recipient’s 

signature obtained at the time of 

delivery, will still be able to do so by 

purchasing the applicable extra service 

at the time of mailing. 

USPS Signature Services 

The Postal Service plans to introduce 

a USPS Signature service umbrella 

which will encompass the various extra 

services that provide electronic 

signature data (including the recipient’s 

signature obtained at the time of 

delivery). The basic standards for the 

extra services will remain unchanged. 

The USPS Signature services umbrella 

will encompass: 

• Signature Confirmation. 

• Signature Confirmation Restricted 

Delivery. 

• Adult Signature Required. 

• Adult Signature Restricted Delivery. 

Except for Signature Confirmation 

and Signature Confirmation Restricted 

Delivery, the remaining USPS Signature 

services are only available through 

online or commercial channels. 

Adult Signature 

Adult Signature Required and Adult 

Signature Restricted Delivery would be 

expanded to include availability with 

First-Class Package Service and Parcel 

Select Lightweight® pieces purchased 

through commercial channels if this 

proposed rule is adopted. Customers 

would be able to choose either Adult 

Signature Required (delivery to an 

individual with identification showing 

they are at least 21 years of age) or Adult 

Signature Restricted Delivery (delivery 

to an individual specified by name with 

identification showing who they are, 

and that they are at least 21 years of age) 

for these additional products. 

Certificate of Mailing 

Changes are being made to certificate 

of mailing services to provide additional 

piece level visibility by leveraging 

technology advancements available 

today and to minimize the 

administrative costs associated with 

providing these services. The Postal 

Service plans to redesign the 

commercial offering of certificate of 

mailing by introducing a new firm 

sheet, barcoded PS Form 3665, 

Certificate of Mailing—Firm, for three or 

more mailpieces presented at one time 

and a new barcoded PS Form 3606–D, 

Certificate of Bulk Mailing. The new PS 

Form 3665 (or USPS-approved mailer 

generated facsimile) and the PS Form 

3606–D (or USPS-approved mailer 

generated facsimile) will include an 

IMpb appended to the IMb (or IMpb, for 

parcels with included tracking only) on 

the mailpieces manifested to the form. 

Mailers must submit an electronic 

manifest to USPS (using mail.dat or 

mail.xml, or a shipping services file as 

appropriate for the type of pieces 

appending to the form) which reconciles 

with all of the items represented, or 

listed, on the associated Form 3606–D. 

Additional changes to certificate of 

mailing will limit PS Form 3817 use to 

less than three pieces presented at retail 

at one time and PS Form 3665–Firm to 

three or more pieces presented at one 

time. Mailers will be permitted to 

present Form 3665–Firm or Form 3606– 

D at retail Post OfficeTM locations when 

presenting less than 50 pieces or 50 

pounds (whichever amount is met first) 

of corresponding articles at one time, 

and at a Business Mail Entry Unit 

(BMEU) or USPSTM authorized DMU 

(Detached Mail Unit) when at least 50 

pieces or 50 pounds (whichever amount 

is met first) of corresponding articles are 

presented at one time. Due to the 

electronic enhancements for PS Form 

3665–Firm, duplicate copies of PS Form 

3665–Firm after mailing will not be 

offered; however, duplicate copies of PS 

Form 3817 after mailing will still be 

offered. 

Collect on Delivery (COD) 

The PS Form 3816, COD Mailing and 

Delivery Receipt, used for COD service 

will be revised to include a Hold For 

Pickup and a Street Delivery option to 

mailers using online and commercial 

payment methods. Additionally, mailers 

will have the option to obtain electronic 

funds transfer (EFT), in lieu of a postal 

money order, for remittance for COD 

payments made by cash. No fee is 

associated with obtaining the remittance 

using an EFT; however, mailers must by 

authorized by USPS to participate in the 

EFT option. 

Special Handling 

The Postal Service will redesign 

special handling service by eliminating 

the weight threshold for special 

handling, and creating content-specific 

identifiers, and in some cases, 

additional fees. If this proposed rule is 

adopted, only the Fragile category will 

include a fee; however, the Postal 

Service expects to add the following 

content-specific handling service codes 

under the special handling umbrella: 

• Hazardous Material Transportation. 

• Fragile. 

• Perishable. 

Competitive Post Office (PO) Box 

Services 

The Postal Service plans to include 

clarifying language to DMM standards 

for competitive PO BoxTM service when 

box holders in these locations use the 

optional street addressing enhancement. 

Customers who choose to use this 

designation also have the option of 

receiving packages from private carriers 

at their Post Office BoxTM address. 

Packages from private carriers being 

delivered to a customer at a competitive 

Post Office Box service location, when 

using the street addressing designation 

option, do not require U.S. Postage to be 

affixed. 

Changes to Flats 

Incentivize Flats Sequencing System 

Preparation 

In order to incentivize flats 

sequencing system (FSS) preparation in 

Standard Mail, Periodicals and Bound 

Printed Matter Flats, we are proposing 

pricing for FSS Scheme Bundles entered 

at an FSS facility. We are also proposing 

pricing for FSS prepared mail entered at 

non-FSS locations. 

As background, the Postal Service 

introduced optional flats sequencing 

system (FSS) preparation standards 

August 23, 2010 [75 FR 51668–51671] 

effective January 2, 2011. These FSS 

preparation standards were developed 

in collaboration with the mailing 

industry group; including mail owners 

and mail service providers. The results 

of the industry group efforts determined 

that the preparation of the bundles and 

pallets specifically for FSS processing 

could lead to greater efficiencies and 

cost savings for both the USPS and the 

mailing industry. As of January 26, 

2014, the Postal Service required bundle 

and pallet preparation of flat-size 

Standard Mail, Periodicals, and Bound 

Printed Matter mailpieces prepared for 


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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6577 

delivery within the ZIP CodesTM served 

by FSS processing. This allowed mailers 

to optionally prepare qualified basic, 

high density, and high density plus 

carrier route flat mailpieces into the FSS 

sortation. The mailers were charged a 

‘‘default’’ price that required the FSS 

sortation to be made for these ZIP 

Codes, however, the FSS pieces were 

charged the applicable CR, 5D, and 3D 

price that they would have been charged 

if they had not presorted to the FSS 

requirements. There was also limited 

FSS entry pricing that included 

discount related pricing on Standard 

Mail and Periodicals FSS-schemed flats 

that were entered at FSS facilities on 

pallets only. 

Effective April 26, 2015, the Postal 

Service will create an FSS piece price 

for all FSS qualifying pieces. We are 

proposing to add new FSS piece level 

prices for machinable barcoded 

(automation) flats and machinable nonbarcoded/nonautomation flats. Sorting 

of saturation, high density and high 

density plus carrier route flat mailpieces 

may be included in FSS scheme bundles 

and reported on either the FSS scheme 

barcoded or non-barcoded postage lines. 

Additionally, all FSS Scheme 

containers (including sacks and flat 

trays) entered at an FSS facility will be 

eligible for the DFSS entry price for all 

three mail classes of flats. We are also 

allowing mailers that are preparing FSS 

facility containers can now enter those 

containers at FSS sites and the pieces on 

these FSS facility containers would be 

eligible for DSCF prices for all FSS ZIPs 

processed at that site. The Postal Service 

is also adding destination entry pricing 

(DFSS) for eligible FSS scheme and 

facility containers for qualifying FSS 

Periodicals flats. 

Periodicals In-County priced mail is 

still optional to presort to the FSS sort 

scheme. This includes up to 5,000 

copies of outside-county pieces that are 

also included in that mailing issue. We 

also recommend that all unbound, nonstapled, newspaper-type, Periodicals, 

and Standard Mail flat-sized mailpieces, 

not be presorted to the FSS sort scheme. 

FSS scheme bundles of Bound Printed 

Matter (BPM) flats will also have the 

DFSS entry with scheme bundles on/in 

any container (FSS Sch Container) and 

FSS scheme bundles on/in any facility 

container. Also, a minor change to BPM 

flats FSS Presorted to FSS scheme will 

still permit BPM carrier route flats in 

the FSS sortation, but will then be 

reported as FSS scheme as either: Origin 

entry (None) zones 1–9, DNDC entry 

zones 1–5, DSCF entry; or DFSS entry 

in a FSS scheme bundles in/on a FSS 

scheme container; or in a FSS scheme 

bundles in/on a FSS facility container. 

FSS scheme bundles of Standard Mail 

flats will also still permit Standard Mail 

Carrier Route mail in the FSS sortation 

but will then be reported as FSS Scheme 

Pallet, FSS Other, FSS Scheme 

container or FSS Facility Container 

depending on the Entry. 

Incentivize 5-Digit Pallets of Carrier 

Route Bundles 

We also are proposing a new 

incentive for Periodicals and Standard 

Mail flats, 5-digit and/or 5-digit scheme 

carrier routes pallets which consist 

entirely of carrier route bundles for the 

same 5-digit or 5-digit scheme. 

Bound Printed Matter Flats Prices 

We are proposing minimal increases 

to Bound Printed Matter flats prices. 

Standard Mail 

Standard Mail® is primarily 

advertising mail and includes some 

lightweight parcels. Several changes to 

Standard Mail are being proposed to 

include: 

Separate Flats Sequencing System (FSS) 

Pricing Structure 

In 2014 the Postal Service required 

that flats to be processed on FSS 

machines comply with FSS preparation 

guidelines. We now are proposing a 

separate price structure for FSS that 

provides the lowest per piece price to 

FSS scheme bundles on scheme 

containers, and prices for FSS facility 

containers at the SCF price. These 

prices will apply to all preparation 

levels for FSS volume, including High 

Density and High Density Plus. 

Enhanced Carrier Route Bundle Pricing 

for Non-FSS Flats 

Approximately 86 percent of Carrier 

Route bundles are entered at postal 

facilities on 3-Digit pallets. These 

pallets are more expensive to process 

than Carrier Route bundles entered on 

5-Digit and Carrier Route pallets. In 

order to encourage mailers to prepare 

more direct pallets, we propose a new 

price for Standard Mail flats prepared in 

Carrier Route bundles on a 5-Digit 

Pallet. This will be the lowest price 

available for Non-FSS Standard Mail 

flats. 

Standard Mail Flat Prices 

We propose to exceed the PRC 

requirement to increase Standard Mail 

flats by at least 1.05 times the average 

Standard Mail price increase. This 

increase will improve the cost coverage 

of Standard Mail flats; however, because 

catalogs are ‘‘anchors in the mailbox’’ 

that customers look forward to 

receiving, we want to improve cost 

coverage while preventing price shock 

from increasing prices too quickly. 

Standard Mail Parcel Prices 

Standard Mail parcels currently have 

lower cost coverage than Standard Mail 

flats. The price increases in the product 

focus on Standard Mail Marketing 

Parcels, which account for 98 percent of 

the volume in the category. This price 

increase is expected to improve cost 

coverage. 

Standard Mail Marketing Parcels 

Clarifying language will be added to 

the standards for Standard Mail 

Marketing Parcels that (bulk) insurance 

does not extend to Marketing Parcels as 

already excluded by standards for items 

bearing alternate address format. 

Periodicals 

Separate FSS Pricing Structure 

In 2014, the Postal Service required 

that flats that will be processed on FSS 

machines comply with FSS preparation 

guidelines. This year, we are proposing 

a separate price structure for FSS that 

provides the lowest combined price to 

FSS scheme bundles on scheme 

containers. 

Enhanced Carrier Route Bundle Pricing 

for Non-FSS Flats 

Approximately 88 percent of 

Periodicals Carrier Route bundles are 

entered at postal facilities on SCF and 

3-Digit pallets. Carrier Route bundles on 

these pallets are more expensive to 

process than those entered on 5-Digit 

and pure Carrier Route pallets. 

Periodicals Prices 

In FY 2013, the cost coverage for 

Periodicals, which includes magazines 

and newspapers, was well below 100 

percent. The PRC asked the Postal 

Service to use its pricing flexibility to 

improve the efficiency of Periodicals 

pricing. To that end, we are proposing 

significantly higher than average 

increases on bundles and pallets in 

order to ensure that these elements 

cover their costs. We expect modest 

improvements in preparation, leading to 

somewhat lower costs and improved 

cost coverage. Under today’s high-speed 

automation conditions, this option 

merely provides for inefficiency and 

higher processing and handling costs, as 

these non-machinable flats must be 

segregated from staging for automated 

processing, and instead worked in a 

single-piece manual operation. We are 

also proposing a slightly higher than 

average increase in piece prices and a 

lower than average increase for both 

advertising and editorial pound rates. 

Combined together, we expect that these 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6578 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

measures will improve the cost coverage 

for Periodicals. 

Other Changes 

Expedited Markings on Mailpieces 

Clarifications will be made to the 

mailing standards for use of expedited 

attention, handling or delivery markings 

(e.g., ‘‘Urgent,’’ ‘‘Rush Delivery,’’ 

‘‘Expedited,’’ ‘‘Time Sensitive’’) on 

mailpieces. Over time, some mailers 

have expanded the use of these 

markings to classes of mail other than 

Standard Mail paid by permit imprint, 

as originally intended and described in 

the standards. Additionally, in some 

cases the wording used has been 

expanded, risking or creating trademark 

infringements and false advertising. 

This rule change serves to provide all 

mailers with more detailed standards for 

use of expedited handling or delivery 

markings across all products and 

mailpieces. 

Change of Address Orders by Phone 

The DMM is being revised to update 

standards for Change of Address Orders 

made by phone. USPS no longer accepts 

change of address orders, requiring 

customer authorization using a credit 

card, through the corporate call center. 

Mailers may continue to make Change 

of Address Orders online at https://

moversguide.usps.com (which requires 

customer verification using a credit 

card, with a minimal validation fee), by 

submitting PS Form 3575, Change of 

Address Order, or other written notice, 

to any Post Office. 

Indemnity Claims and Refunds 

The Postal Service continues its 

efforts to streamline and improve the 

refunds and claims processes for our 

customers. As a result, mailer’s paying 

postage for extra services using any 

payment method, will now file their 

requests for any applicable extra service 

fee refunds using the online application 

at: www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/

online.htm, instead of submitting their 

requests in hardcopy to the local 

Postmaster for adjudication. 

Additionally, we are proposing revised 

DMM language to clarify claims 

standards and to eliminate outdated or 

duplicate claims information. For proof 

of value: Invoices or bill of sales must 

be paid receipts, not solely a customer’s 

statement and a picture from a catalog 

showing proof of value of an item. For 

payable claims: The USPS is not 

presumed to be at fault without any 

physical damage to the package for live 

bees, crickets and poultry. For complete 

loss: If the insured, registered, or COD 

article is lost (not damaged) the 

payment includes an additional amount 

for the postage (not fee) paid by the 

sender. 

Ancillary Service Endorsements 

Late Fees for Address Correction 

Service Past Due 

To provide consistency in covering 

costs incurred from collecting Address 

Correction Service (ACSTM) fee 

deficiencies, the Postal Service proposes 

to adopt an annual assessment of 

approximately 10% per year on any 

overdue charges for ACS notices 

provided to the mailer for the preceding 

billing period. The fee would be applied 

on any ACS fees more than one month 

overdue. 

Change Service Requested Option 2 

The standards for the treatment of 

Standard Mail letters and flats, and 

Bound Printed Matter flats will be 

revised to allow mailers an additional 

ancillary service endorsement option. 

2015 Promotions 

The Postal Service has been offering 

seasonal and promotional prices to 

increase the value of mail to both the 

senders and receivers of mailpieces. The 

Postal Service proposes to offer four 

mailing promotions in three categories 

in calendar year 2015, and will share 

the details of these promotions on the 

USPSTM RIBBS Web site soon. An 

overview of the planned promotions 

follows: 

Mobile Technology 

These two promotions will build 

upon previous promotions and continue 

our strategy to encourage mailers to 

integrate direct mail with mobile 

technology, using best practices in 

mobile marketing. 

1. Emerging and Advanced 

Technologies Promotion; April 1– 

September 30 

2. Mail Drives Mobile Engagement 

Promotion; July 1–December 31 

Technology Drives Relevance 

This promotion leverages the value of 

innovative direct mail techniques that 

are less widely used, but have been 

shown to increase the effectiveness of 

mail campaigns. 

3. Color Transpromo Promotion; June 1– 

November 30 

Leverage Value of First-Class Mail 

This promotion category is intended 

to slow the declining volume trends for 

First-Class Mail. As technology 

continues to disrupt the mail volume, 

the Postal Service will ensure Courtesy 

Reply Mail remains a relevant part of 

the First-Class Mail marketing mix. 

4. Earned Value Promotion; April 1– 

June 30 

Advance Notices 

Periodicals-Pending 

The Postal Service plans to improve 

the costly, over-complicated calculation 

process for mailers in a Periodicals 

pending status to determine applicable 

class postage costs. This improvement 

will allow both the Postal Service and 

Periodicals publishers to use a pro-rated 

percent equation based on the difference 

between Periodicals and the applicable 

class and subclass prices, to then 

determine the higher amount of pending 

postage. Today, the complexity requires 

hundreds of lines of costly coding and 

programming each applicable price cell 

for each price change, which provides 

more detail than needed by the Postal 

Service or the publishers. 

Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter 

Flats 

Additionally, the Postal Service is 

contemplating changes to mailing 

standards to reduce programming and 

align the physical standards for ‘flats’ 

across all mail classes. The change 

would remove the non-machinable 

distinction for the Periodicals class and 

the non-automation distinction for 

Bound Printed Matter, and require all 

‘flats’ not meeting the applicable flats 

requirements in DMM 201 (including 

weight by class and subclass), to be 

considered as parcels. 

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Postal Service. 

Although we are exempt from the 

notice and comment requirements of the 

Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 

553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 

rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we 

invite public comments on the 

following proposed revisions to Mailing 

Standards of the United States Postal 

Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 

incorporated by reference in the Code of 

Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1. 

Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is 

proposed to be amended as follows: 

PART 111—[AMENDED] 

■ 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. 

■ 2. Revise the following sections of 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM), as follows: 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6579 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM) 

* * * * * 

100 Retail Letters, Cards, Flats, and 

Parcels 

* * * * * 

102 Elements on the Face of a 

Mailpiece 

* * * * * 

3.0 Placement and Content of Mail 

Markings 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 3.5 to read as follows:] 

3.5 Marking Expedited Handling on 

Mail 

Mailpieces bearing references to 

expedited handling or delivery (e.g., 

‘‘Urgent,’’ ‘‘Rush Delivery,’’ 

‘‘Expedited,’’ ‘‘Time Sensitive’’) must 

meet the same conditions as provided 

under 604.5.3.5. 

* * * * * 

133 Prices and Eligibility 

1.0 First-Class Mail Prices and Fees 

1.1 First-Class Mail Single-Piece Price 

Application 

[Revise the entire text of 1.1 to read 

as follows:] 

The single-piece retail prices for FirstClass Mail and First-Class Package 

Service are provided in Notice 123— 

Price List and are applied as follows: 

a. The First-Class Mail card price 

applies to a card meeting the standards 

in 101.6.2. 

b. The First-Class Mail letter price 

applies to letter-size pieces meeting the 

standards in 101.1.1 and weighing 3.5 

ounces or less, and that are not eligible 

for the card price. There are separate 

prices for stamped letters, and for letters 

with postage affixed (other than regular 

stamps) or imprinted (permit imprint) 

by the mailer (Metered Mail price). 

c. The First-Class Mail flat price 

applies to flat-size pieces that meet the 

standards in 101.2.0. 

d. The First-Class Package Service 

parcel price applies to parcel-size pieces 

under 101.3.0 and to flat-size pieces that 

do not meet the standards in 101.2.0. 

1.2 Price Computation for First-Class 

Mail 

[Revise the text of 1.2 to read as 

follows:] 

Single-piece First-Class Mail and 

First-Class Package Service retail prices 

are charged per ounce or fraction 

thereof; any fraction of an ounce is 

considered a whole ounce. For example, 

if a piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight 

(postage) increment is 2 ounces. The 

minimum postage per addressed piece 

is that for a piece weighing 1 ounce. To 

determine single-piece weight in any 

mailing of nonidentical-weight pieces, 

weigh each piece individually. To 

determine single-piece weight in a 

mailing of identical-weight pieces, 

weigh a sample group of at least 10 

randomly selected pieces and divide the 

total sample weight by the number of 

pieces in the sample. Express all singlepiece weights in decimal pounds 

rounded off to four decimal places. 

[Delete 1.3, Determining Single-Piece 

Weight, in its entirety (text relocated to 

1.2), then, renumber current 1.4 and 1.5 

as new 1.3 and 1.4.] 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.4 to 

read as follows:] 

1.4 Nonmachinable Surcharge 

The nonmachinable surcharge is 

charged per piece and applies only to 

letter-size pieces that meet one or more 

of the nonmachinable characteristics in 

101.1.2. An envelope weighing no more 

than one ounce with one enclosed 

standard optical disc no larger than 12 

centimeters in diameter that is mailed as 

letter-size BRM or PRM under 505 and 

addressed to a company who sent the 

disc and BRM or PRM envelope to a 

subscriber as part of a round-tripmailing under 233.2.8 is not subject to 

the nonmachinable surcharge. 

2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

First-Class Mail 

[Revise the text of 2.1 to read as 

follows:] 

2.1 Description of Service 

First-Class Mail letters and flats and 

First-Class Package Service parcels 

receive expeditious handling and 

transportation. Service objectives for 

delivery are 1 to 3 days; however, 

delivery time is not guaranteed. 

2.2 Defining Characteristics 

2.2.1 Inspection of Contents 

[Revise the text of 2.2.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Except for First-Class Package Service 

pieces paid at commercial base prices, 

all other First-Class Mail is closed 

against postal inspection. 

* * * * * 

2.2.3 Extra Services 

[Revise the text of 2.2.3 to read as 

follows:] 

First-Class Mail (including First-Class 

Package Service and Priority Mail) is the 

only class of mail eligible to receive the 

following extra services: Registered Mail 

service and Certified Mail service (see 

503 for additional information). 

3.0 Content Standards 

* * * * * 

3.2 Bills and Statements of Account 

[Revise introductory text of 3.2 to read 

as follows:] 

Bills and statements of account must 

be mailed as First-Class Mail, First-Class 

Package Service at retail prices, Priority 

Mail, or Priority Mail Express and are 

defined as follows: 

* * * * * 

3.3 Personal Information 

[Revise the first sentence of 3.3 to read 

as follows:] 

Mail containing personal information 

must be mailed as First-Class Mail, 

First-Class Package Service at retail 

prices, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail 

Express.* * * 

3.4 Handwritten and Typewritten 

Material 

[Revise the text of 3.4 to read as 

follows:] 

Mail containing handwritten or 

typewritten material must be mailed as 

First-Class Mail, First-Class Package 

Service at retail prices, Priority Mail, or 

Priority Mail Express. 

* * * * * 

134 Postage Payment Methods 

1.0 Postage Payment Methods for 

First-Class Mail 

1.1 Payment Method 

[Revise 1.1 by inserting a new second 

sentence to read as follows:] 

* * * Postage for single-piece FirstClass Package Service (parcels) must be 

paid at a retail post office location, 

station or branch, or with affixed 

postage stamps, postage evidencing 

system indicium, permit imprint, or 

precanceled stamps, (see 604 for 

additional information on postage 

payment methods). 

* * * * * 

1.3 More Than One Mailer 

[Revise the text of 1.3 to read as 

follows:] 

When two or more individuals or 

organizations, or a party acting as their 

agent, mail in one package the bills, 

statements of account, or other letters of 

the individuals or organizations, to an 

addressee in common, First-Class Mail 

or First-Class Package Service postage 

may be paid based on the weight and 

dimensions of the entire package of 

aggregated mail. Postage is not required 

on each individual piece of First-Class 

Mail. 

* * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6580 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

135 Mail Preparation 

1.0 Preparation for First-Class Mail 

The following standards apply to 

single-piece First-Class Mail: 

[Revise the text of 1.0 item a to read 

as follows:] 

a. Each piece must have a delivery 

address but is not required to bear the 

marking ‘‘First-Class’’, ‘‘First-Class 

Mail’’ or ‘‘First-Class Package Service’’, 

as appropriate for the mailpiece, 

(presuming the numerical value of 

postage is affixed). 

* * * * * 

136 Deposit 

1.0 Deposit for First-Class Mail 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.0 to read 

as follows:] 

Single-piece First-Class Mail letters 

and cards and single-piece retail priced 

First-Class Package Services (parcels) 

weighing less than 13 ounces may be 

deposited into any collection box, mail 

receptacle, or at any place where mail 

is accepted if the full required postage 

is paid with adhesive stamps.* * * 

* * * * * 

200 Commercial Letters, Cards, Flats, 

and Parcels 

* * * * * 

201 Physical Standards 

* * * * * 

3.0 Physical Standards for 

Machinable and Automation Letters 

and Cards 

* * * * * 

3.18 Enclosed Reply Cards and 

Envelopes 

[Revise the second sentence of 3.18 to 

read as follows:] 

* * * For Business Reply Mail (BRM) 

see 505.1.0, for pre-paid reply mail (also 

known as Metered Reply Mail) or 

Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM) see 505.2.0. 

4.0 Physical Standards for Flats 

* * * * * 

4.7 Flat-Size Pieces Not Eligible for 

Flat-Size Prices 

Flat-size mailpieces that do not meet 

the standards in 4.3 through 4.6 must 

pay applicable higher prices as noted in 

either 4.7a. or 4.7b. below. 

* * * * * 

[Revise item b of 4.7 to read as 

follows:] 

b. * * *Under the column heading 

‘‘eligibility as presented,’’ flats will be 

considered to be presented as 

automation flats only if they meet all 

other eligibility standards for 

automation flats. 

[Revise Exhibit 4.7b, Pricing for Flats 

Exceeding Maximum Deflection, to read 

as follows:] 

EXHIBIT 4.7B PRICING FOR FLATS EXCEEDING MAXIMUM DEFLECTION

[see 4.6] 

FIRST–CLASS MAIL AUTOMATION 

*******

FIRST–CLASS MAIL PRESORTED (NONAUTOMATION) 

*******

PERIODICALS OUTSIDE COUNTY 

Piece price eligibility as presented ........................................................... Piece price eligibility with failed deflection 

Basic Carrier Route flat, if not entered at a DDU .................................... Machinable 5-digit flat 

Machinable barcoded FSS ....................................................................... Nonmachinable barcoded 5-digit flat 

Machinable barcoded 5-digit flat .............................................................. Nonmachinable barcoded 5-digit flat 

Machinable barcoded 3-digit flat .............................................................. Nonmachinable barcoded 3-digit flat 

Machinable barcoded ADC flat ................................................................. Nonmachinable barcoded ADC flat 

Machinable barcoded MADC flat .............................................................. Nonmachinable barcoded MADC flat 

Machinable nonbarcoded FSS ................................................................. Nonmachinable nonbarcoded 5-digit flat 

Machinable nonbarcoded 5-digit flat ........................................................ Nonmachinable nonbarcoded 5-digit flat 

Machinable nonbarcoded 3-digit flat ........................................................ Nonmachinable nonbarcoded 3-digit flat 

Machinable nonbarcoded ADC flat ........................................................... Nonmachinable nonbarcoded ADC flat 

Machinable nonbarcoded MADC flat ........................................................ Nonmachinable nonbarcoded MADC flat 

Nonmachinable barcoded or nonbarcoded flat ........................................ Price claimed, if otherwise eligible 

PERIODICALS IN–COUNTY 

*******

STANDARD MAIL 

Eligibility as presented .............................................................................. Eligibility with failed deflection 

Basic Carrier Route flat, if not entered at a DDU .................................... Nonautomation 5-digit flat 

Automation FSS Sch Pallet ...................................................................... Nonautomation FSS Sch Pallet 

Automation FSS Other ............................................................................. Nonautomation FSS Other 

Automation FSS Sch Cont. ...................................................................... Nonautomation FSS Sch Cont. 

Automation FSS Facility Cont. ................................................................. Nonautomation FSS Facility Cont. 

Automation 5-digit flat ............................................................................... Nonautomation 5-digit flat 

Automation 3-digit flat ............................................................................... Nonautomation 3-digit flat 

Automation ADC flat ................................................................................. Nonautomation ADC flat 

Automation MADC flat .............................................................................. Nonautomation MADC flat 

Nonautomation flat (all sort levels) ........................................................... Nonautomation MADC flat 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6581 

EXHIBIT 4.7B PRICING FOR FLATS EXCEEDING MAXIMUM DEFLECTION—Continued 

[see 4.6] 

BOUND PRINTED MATTER 

Eligibility as presented .............................................................................. Eligibility with failed deflection 

Carrier Route flat, if not entered at a DDU .............................................. Carrier Route parcel 

Barcoded presorted flat ............................................................................ Presorted parcel 

Barcoded FSS Sch flat ............................................................................. Presorted parcel 

FSS Sch Container ................................................................................... Presorted parcel 

FSS Facility Container .............................................................................. Presorted parcel 

Nonbarcoded nonpresorted flat ................................................................ Price as claimed, if otherwise eligible 

* * * * * 

202 Elements on the Face of a 

Mailpiece 

* * * * * 

3.0 Placement and Content of Mail 

Markings 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 3.5 to read as follows:] 

3.5 Marking Expedited Handling on 

Mail 

Mailpieces bearing references to 

expedited handling or delivery (e.g., 

‘‘Urgent,’’ ‘‘Rush Delivery,’’ 

‘‘Expedited,’’ ‘‘Time Sensitive’’) must 

meet the same conditions as provided 

under 604.5.3.5. 

* * * * * 

207 Periodicals 

* * * * * 

2.0 Price Application and 

Computation 

* * * * * 

2.0 Price Application and 

Computation 

2.1 Price Application 

* * * * * 

2.1.2 Applying Outside-County Piece 

Prices 

* * *Apply piece prices for OutsideCounty mail as follows: 

* * * * * 

b. Machinable flats. 

[Delete the second sentence of 2.1.2 

item b.1.] 

1. Apply the ‘‘Machinable Flats— 

Barcoded’’ prices to pieces that meet all 

of the standards for automation flats in 

201.6.0 and include a barcode. 

* * * * * 

2.2 Computing Postage 

* * * * * 

2.2.8 Total Postage 

[Revise the text of 2.2.8 to read as 

follows:] 

Total Outside-County postage is the 

sum of the per pound and per piece 

charges, the bundle charges, the 

container charges, and any Ride-Along 

charges, minus all discounts, rounded 

off to the nearest whole cent. Total InCounty postage is the sum of the per 

pound and per piece charges, and any 

Ride-Along charges, less all discounts, 

rounded off to the nearest whole cent. 

* * * * * 

12.0 Nonbarcoded (Presorted) 

Eligibility 

* * * * * 

12.3 Prices—In-County 

12.3.1 Five-Digit Prices 

5-digit prices apply to: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 12.3.1c to read as 

follows:] 

c. Qualifying flats sorted to a FSS 

scheme under 705.14.0. 

12.3.2 Three-Digit Prices 

3-digit prices apply to: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 12.3.2 item c in its entirety] 

* * * * * 

13.0 Carrier Route Eligibility 

* * * * * 

13.2 Sorting 

13.2.1 Basic Standards 

* * *Carrier route prices apply to 

copies that are prepared in carrier route 

bundles of six or more addressed pieces 

each, subject to these standards: 

* * * * * 

b. Nonletter-size mailings. Carrier 

route prices apply to carrier route 

bundles that are sorted in one of the 

following ways: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 13.2.1b item 4 in its entirety] 

* * * * * 

13.3 Walk-Sequence Prices 

13.3.1 Eligibility 

[Revise the second sentence of 13.3.1 

to read as follows:] 

* * *High density and saturation 

mailings must be prepared in carrier 

walk sequence according to USPS 

schemes see 23.8. 

* * * * * 

14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Eligibility 

14.1 Basic Standards 

All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded 

(automation) mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.1 item d to read as follows:] 

d. Be marked, sorted, and 

documented as specified in 705.8.0 (if 

palletized); or 24.0 (for letters) or 25.0 

(for flats) or; for nonletter-size mail, 

705.9.0, 705.10.0, 705.12.0, or 705.13.0; 

or for nonletter-size mail, bundles 

prepared on or in pallets, trays, sacks or 

other approved container under 

705.14.0. 

* * * * * 

14.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation Periodicals 

All pieces entered under the fullservice automation option must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.2 item c to read as follows:] 

c. Be scheduled for an appointment 

through the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking (FAST) system 

when deposited as a DNDC, DADC, 

DSCF, or DFSS drop shipment. 

14.4 Prices—In-County 

14.4.1 Five-Digit Prices 

5-digit automation prices apply to: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.4.1 item c to read as 

follows:] 

c. Qualifying flats sorted to a FSS 

scheme bundle under 705.14.0. 

14.4.2 Three-Digit Prices 

3-digit automation prices apply to: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 14.4.2 item c in its entirety] 

* * * * * 

17.0 Documentation 

* * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6582 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

17.4 Detailed Zone Listing for 

Periodicals 

17.4.1 Basic Standards 

[Revise the first sentence 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 point, mailed to each 

zone, at DDU, DSCF, DADC, DFSS and 

In-County prices. 

* * * * * 

17.4.2 Format 

Report the number of copies mailed to 

each 3-digit ZIP Code area at zone prices 

using one of the following formats: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the first sentence of 17.4.2 

item b to read as follows:] 

b. Report copies by zone (In-County 

DDU, In-County others, Outside-County 

DDU, Outside-County DFSS, OutsideCounty DSCF, and Outside-County 

DADC) and by 3-digit ZIP Code, in 

ascending numeric order, for each zone. 

* * * 

17.4.3 Zone Abbreviations 

[Revise the text of 17.4.3 to read as 

follows:] 

Use the actual price name or the 

authorized zone abbreviation in the 

listings in 17.3 and 17.4.2. 

Zone abbreviation Price equivalent 

ICD ............................ In-County, DDU. 

IC ............................... In-County, Others. 

DDU .......................... Outside-County, 

DDU. 

FSS ........................... Outside-County, 

DFSS. 

SCF ........................... Outside-County, 

DSCF. 

ADC ........................... Outside-County, 

DADC. 

1–2 or 1/2 .................. zones 1 and 2. 

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (as applicable).zones 3 through 8 (as 

applicable). 

M ............................... mixed zones. 

* * * * * 

18.0 General Mail Preparation 

* * * * * 

18.3 Presort Terms 

Terms used for presort levels are 

defined as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Redesignate current items 18.3c 

through 18.3t as new items 18.3d 

through 18.3u, then, add new item18.3c 

to read as follows:] 

c. FSS scheme for flats: the ZIP Code 

in the delivery address on all pieces in 

the FSS bundle is one of the 5-digit ZIP 

Codes processed by the USPS as one 

scheme as shown in L006. 

* * * * * 

18.5 FSS Preparation 

[Revise the text of 18.5 to read as 

follows:] 

Flat sized Periodicals In-County 

priced mailings, and Outside-County 

mailings of up to 5,000 pieces, may be 

optionally sorted under FSS preparation 

standards. 

* * * * * 

26.0 Physical Criteria for 

Nonmachinable Flat-Size Periodicals 

* * * * * 

26.3 Flexibility and Deflection 

[Revise the text of 26.3 to read as 

follows:] 

Nonmachinable flats (under 26.0) are 

not subject to flexibility standards or 

deflection standards in 201.4.0. 

* * * * * 

29.0 Destination Entry 

29.1 Basic Standards 

* * *The following standards apply: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 29.1 item c to read as follows:] 

c. The advertising and nonadvertising 

portions may be eligible for DADC, 

DSCF, DFSS or DDU pound prices based 

on the entry facility and the address on 

the piece. 

* * * * * 

29.5 Destination Flat Sequencing 

System (DFSS) Entry 

29.5.1 Definition 

[Revise 29.5.1 to read as follows:] 

For this standard, destination Flat 

Sequencing System (DFSS) refers to the 

facilities listed in L006, Scheme, 

Column B or Facility, Column C. 

29.5.2 Eligibility 

[Revise 29.5.2 to read as follows:] 

DFSS prices apply to pieces deposited 

at a USPS-designated FSS processing 

facility and correctly placed in a flat 

tray, sack, alternate approved container 

or on a pallet, labeled to a FSS scheme 

processed by that facility, under 

labeling list L006. These pieces must 

include a complete address and meet 

the physical standards for machinable 

flats in 201. 

* * * * * 

240 Commercial Mail Standard Mail 

* * * * * 

243 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

3.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Standard Mail 

* * * * * 

3.2 Defining Characteristics 

* * * * * 

3.2.2 Standard Mail Marketing 

Parcels 

[Revise 3.2.2 by inserting a new last 

sentence to read as follows:] 

USPS Tracking is the only extra 

service available for Standard Mail 

Marketing parcels. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Nonautomation Standard Mail 

Letters, Flats, and Presorted Standard 

Mail Parcels 

* * * * * 

5.6 Nonautomation Price 

Application—Flats 

[Redesignate current items 5.6.1, 5- 

Digit Prices for Flats, through 5.6.4, 

Mixed ADC Prices for Flats, as new 

items 5.6.5 through 5.6.8, then, insert 

new items 5.6.1 through 5.6.4 as 

follows:] 

5.6.1 FSS Scheme Pallet Prices for 

Flats 

The FSS Scheme Pallet price applies 

to flat-sized pieces on a FSS Scheme 

pallet with bundles of 10 or more FSS 

scheme pieces prepared under 705.14.0. 

5.6.2 FSS Other Container Prices for 

Flats 

The FSS Other container price applies 

to flat-sized pieces in or on a container 

in bundles of 10 or more FSS scheme 

pieces properly prepared under 

705.14.0. 

5.6.3 FSS Scheme Container Price for 

Flats 

The FSS Scheme Container price 

applies to flat-sized pieces in or on a 

FSS scheme container, with bundles of 

10 or more FSS schemed pieces 

properly prepared under 705.14.0, 

entered at a DFSS entry. 

5.6.4 FSS Facility Container Prices for 

Flats 

The FSS Facility Container prices 

applies to flat-sized pieces in or on a 

FSS facility container, with bundles of 

10 or more FSS schemed pieces 

properly prepared under 705.14.0, 

entered at a DFSS entry. 

5.6.5 5-Digit Prices for Flats 

The 5-digit price applies to flat-size 

pieces: 

* * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6583 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.6.5 

item a to read as follows:] 

a. In a 5-digit/scheme bundle of 10 or 

more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as 

applicable; properly placed in a 5-digit/ 

scheme sack containing at least 125 

pieces or 15 pounds of pieces. 

* * * * * 

5.6.6 3-Digit Prices for Flats 

The 3-digit price applies to flat-size 

pieces: 

* * * * * 

[Delete renumbered 5.6.6 item c in its 

entirety] 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 5.6.8 to read as follows:] 

5.6.8 Mixed ADC Prices for Flats 

Mixed ADC prices apply to flat-size 

pieces in bundles that do not qualify for 

5-digit, 3-digit, or ADC prices; placed in 

mixed ADC sacks or on ASF, NDC, or 

mixed NDC pallets under 705.8.0. 

* * * * * 

6.3 Basic Price Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standards 

* * * * * 

6.3.3 Basic Price Eligibility—Flats 

Basic prices apply to each piece in a 

carrier route bundle of 10 or more 

pieces that is: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 6.3.3 item e in its entirety] 

[Add new item 6.3.4 as follows:] 

6.3.4 Basic Carrier Route Bundles on 

a 5-Digit Pallet (Basic—CR Bundles/

Pallet) Price Eligibility—Flats 

Basic—CR Bundles/Pallet prices 

apply to each piece in a carrier route 

bundle of 10 or more pieces that are 

palletized under 705.8.0 to a 5-digit or 

5-digit scheme destination and entered 

at an Origin (None), DNDC, DSCF or 

DDU entry. 

* * * * * 

7.0 Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

* * * * * 

7.5 Price Application for Automation 

Flats 

Automation prices apply to each 

piece properly sorted into qualifying 

groups: 

[Redesignate current 7.5 items a 

through d as new items e through h, 

then, insert new items a through d to 

read as follows:] 

a. The FSS Scheme Pallet price 

applies to flat-sized pieces on a FSS 

scheme pallet with bundles of 10 or 

more FSS-schemed pieces properly 

prepared under 705.14.0. 

b. The FSS Other price applies to flatsized pieces in or on a container with 

bundles of 10 or more FSS-schemed 

pieces properly prepared under 

705.14.0. 

c. The FSS Scheme Container price 

applies to flat-sized pieces on orin a FSS 

scheme container with bundles of 10 or 

more FSS- schemed pieces properly 

prepared under 705.14.0 and dropped at 

a DFSS. 

d. The FSS Facility Container price 

applies to flat-sized pieces in or on a 

FSS facility container with bundles of 

10 or more FSS-schemed pieces 

properly prepared under 705.14.0 and 

dropped at a DFSS. 

[Revise text of renumbered item e to 

read as follows:] 

e. The 5-digit price applies to flat-size 

pieces in a 5-digit/scheme bundle of 10 

or more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as 

applicable. 

[Revise text of renumbered item f to 

read as follows:] 

f. The 3-digit price applies to flat-size 

pieces in a 3-digit/scheme bundle of 10 

or more pieces. It also applies to 

residual pieces not qualifying for carrier 

route. 

* * * * * 

245 Mail Preparation 

1.0 General Information for Mail 

Preparation 

* * * * * 

1.6 FSS Preparation 

[Revise the text of 1.6 to read as 

follows:] 

Except for Standard Mail flats mailed 

at Saturation, High Density or HighDensity Plus prices, all Standard Mail 

flats destinating to a FSS scheme in 

accordance with labeling list L006 must 

be prepared under 705.14.0. 

* * * * * 

246 Enter and Deposit 

* * * * * 

4.0 Destination Sectional Center 

Facility (DSCF) Entry 

* * * * * 

4.2 Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.2.2 Flats 

Pieces in a mailing that meets the 

standards in 2.0 and 4.0 are eligible for 

the DSCF price, as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise text of 4.2.2 item c to read as 

follows:] 

c. DSCF prices apply to all pieces on 

or in a FSS Scheme or non-FSS 

container when entered at a DSCF 

facility and any of the pieces on or in 

the container are addressed for delivery 

within that DSCF’s service area. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 6.0 to read as 

follows:] 

6.0 Destination Flat Sequencing 

System (DFSS) Entry 

6.1 Definition 

[Revise the text of 6.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Destination Flat Sequencing System 

(DFSS) refers to the facilities listed in 

L006. 

6.2 Eligibility 

[Revise the text of 6.2 to read as 

follows:] 

DFSS prices apply to pieces deposited 

at a USPS-designated FSS processing 

site and correctly placed in or on a 

container labeled to a FSS scheme or 

FSS Facility processed by that site 

under labeling list L006 (Column B or 

Column C). These pieces must include 

a full delivery address and meet the 

physical standards for FSS 

machinability in 705.14.0. 

* * * * * 

260 Commercial Mail Bound Printed 

Matter 

263 Prices and Eligibility 

1.0 Prices and Fees for Bound Printed 

Matter 

1.1 Nonpresorted Bound Printed 

Matter 

[Delete item 1.1.4 in its entirety, then, 

renumber current 1.1.5 as new 1.1.4.] 

* * * * * 

1.2 Commercial Bound Printed Matter 

* * * * * 

1.2.3 Price Application 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.2.3 to 

read as follows:] 

The presorted, FSS scheme, FSS 

scheme container and FSS facility 

container Bound Printed Matter price 

has a per piece charge and a per pound 

charge.* * * 

[Revise the title and text of 1.2.4 to 

read as follows:] 

1.2.4 Bound Printed Matter Carrier 

Route Prices 

Each piece is subject to both a piece 

price and a pound price. 

1.2.5 Bound Printed Matter 

Destination Entry Prices 

[Delete the second sentence of 1.2.5 in 

its entirety.] 

* * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6584 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

1.2.8 Computing Postage for Permit 

Imprint 

[Revise introductory text of 1.2.8 to 

read as follows:] 

Presorted, FSS scheme, FSS scheme 

container and FSS facility container and 

Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter 

mailings paid with permit imprint are 

charged a per pound price and a per 

piece price as follows: 

* * * * * 

4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed 

Matter 

4.1 Price Eligibility 

* * * Price categories are as follows: 

[Renumber current 4.1 items c and d 

as new items d and e, then, insert new 

item c to read as follows:] 

* * * * * 

c. FSS Scheme, FSS Container and 

FSS Facility Container Price. These 

prices apply to BPM flats prepared in a 

mailing of at least 300 BPM pieces, 

prepared and presorted as specified in 

705.14.0. 

[Delete renumbered item e in its 

entirety.] 

* * * * * 

265 Mail Preparation 

1.0 General Information for Mail 

Preparation 

* * * * * 

1.6 FSS Preparation 

[Revise text of 1.6 as follows:] 

BPM flats claiming FSS scheme, FSS 

Sch Container or FSS Facility Container 

prices, meeting the standards in 201.0 

and destinating to a FSS scheme in 

accordance with labeling list L006, must 

be prepared under 705.14.0. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Preparing Presorted Flats 

* * * * * 

5.3 Sacking 

* * * * * 

5.3.4 Cosacking Presorted Mail With 

Barcoded Mail 

[Revise the entire text of 5.3.4 to read 

as follows:] 

The following standards apply if the 

mailing job contains a carrier route 

mailing, and a Presorted mailing, then 

the carrier route mailing must be 

prepared under 6.0, and the Presorted 

mailing must be co-sacked under 

705.9.0. Bundled pieces must be cosacked under 705.9.0. 

266 Enter and Deposit 

* * * * * 

5.0 Destination Sectional Center 

Facility (DSCF) Entry 

5.1 Eligibility 

Bound Printed Matter pieces in a 

mailing meeting the standards in 3.0 are 

eligible for the DSCF price when they 

meet all of the following additional 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

b. Are deposited at: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 5.1b item 2 to read 

as follows:] 

2. DSCF prices apply to all pieces on 

or in a FSS Scheme, FSS Facility, or 

non-FSS container when entered at a 

DSCF facility when the pieces on or in 

the container are addressed for delivery 

within that DSCF’s service area. 

* * * * * 

500 Additional Mailing Services 

503 Extra and Additional Services 

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra 

Services 

* * * * * 

1.3 Paying Fees and Postage 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.3 to read 

as follows:] 

Except as provided under 604.6.1 and 

for official mail of federal government 

agencies collected under 703.7.0 (for 

Department of State, see 703.3.0), 

postage and extra service fees are paid 

at the time of mailing.* * * 

1.4 Matter Eligible for Extra Services 

1.4.1 Eligible Matter 

One or more of the following extra or 

additional services may be added at the 

time of mailing, if the standards for the 

services are met and the applicable fees 

are paid, as follows: 

Exhibit 1.4.1 Eligible Matter— 

Domestic Destinations 

[Revise the entire Exhibit 1.4.1, 

Eligible Matter—Domestic Destinations, 

to read as follows:] 

Extra service Eligible mail class Additional combined services 

Registered Mail 

Registered Mail Restricted Delivery 

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Collect on Delivery (COD) 

Return Receipt 

Signature Confirmation. 

Certified Mail 

Certified Mail—Restricted Delivery 

Certified Mail—Adult Signature 1

Certified Mail—Adult Signature Restricted 1

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Return Receipt (Form 3811 only if with Adult Signature options 1). 

Insurance 

Insurance Restricted Delivery (If insured 

>$500.00.) 

(Note: Priority Mail Express includes $100.00 of insurance and Priority Mail includes either $100.00 

or $50.00 of insurance (see 503.4.0), insurance 

>$500.00 includes Signature Confirmation.) 

Priority Mail Express 

Priority Mail 

Critical Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Standard Post 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Parcel Select 

Parcel Select 

Lightweight (bulk insurance only) 

Standard Mail (bulk insurance for (nonprofit) parcels only) 

USPS Tracking 

Signature Confirmation (available if insured for 

<$500; included if insured for >$500.00.) 

Adult Signature Requested 1

Adult Restricted Delivery 1

Return Receipt (if insured >$500.00, Form 3811 

only.) 

Fragile 

Parcel Airlift (PAL). 

Certificate of Mailing 

(Form 3817 or Form 3665–Firm) for individual 

pieces only; Form 3665–Firm is for 3 or more 

pieces presented at one time and requires an 

IMpb linked to IMb on mailpieces (see 5.0). 

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Fragile 

Parcel Airlift (PAL). 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6585 

Extra service Eligible mail class Additional combined services 

Certificate of Bulk Mailing 

(Form 3606; only evidence of number of identical 

weight piece mailed, Form 3606 requires an 

IMpb linked to IMb on mailpieces (see 5.0). 

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Parcel Select 

Parcel Select 

Lightweight 

Standard Mail 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Fragile 

Parcel Airlift (PAL). 

Return Receipt 

(Form 3811 must bear an IMpb linked to the IMb 

for the host extra service for the appended 

mailpiece.) 

Priority Mail Express (Form 3811 only) 

Priority Mail 2

First-Class Mail 2

First-Class Package Service 

Standard Mail (parcels only) 2 3

Parcel Select 4

Parcel Select 

Lightweight 3

Standard Post 4

Bound Printed Matter 4

Library Mail 4

Media Mail 4

USPS Tracking (when purchased for Standard 

Mail parcels 2) 

Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery 

Signature Confirmation Special Handling 

Adult Signature Requested 1 (Form 3811) 

Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 1 (Form 3811) 

Parcel Airlift (PAL). 

USPS Signature Services: 

Signature Confirmation Priority Mail 

Critical Mail 

First-Class Mail (parcels only; electronic option only) 

First-Class Package Service (electronic 

option only) 

Standard Post 

Parcel Select 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Collect on Delivery (COD) 

Insurance 

Registered Mail 

Return Receipt (Form 3811 only) 

Special Handling 

Hold For Pickup 

Special Handling. 

Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery Priority Mail 3

First-Class Mail 2 3

First-Class Package Service 

Standard Mail 2 4

Standard Post 5

Parcel Select 5

Parcel Select Lightweight 4

Bound Printed Matter 5

Library Mail 5

Media Mail 5

Adult Signature Required 1

Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 1

Priority Mail Express 

Priority Mail 

Critical Mail 

First-Class Mail 2

First-Class Package Service 3

Parcel Select Nonpresort 

Bound Printed Matter 2

Library Mail 2

Media Mail 2

Insurance 

Return Receipt (Form 3811 only) 

Hold For Pickup (under 508.7.0). 

USPS Tracking 

(USPS Tracking is provided at no additional 

charge for all class of mail, when the applicable 

standards are met, except Standard Mail parcels; excludes Periodicals.) 

Standard Mail (parcels only; electronic 

option only 1 2) 

Insurance (bulk insurance (for Standard Mail 

(nonprofit) parcels) only 1 2). 

Collect on Delivery (COD) 

COD Restricted Delivery 

Priority Mail Express 

(1-Day and 2-Day only) 

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Standard Post 

Parcel Select 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Registered Mail 

Return Receipt 

Signature Confirmation 2 (not available for purchase with Priority Mail Express COD) 

Special Handling 

Hold For Pickup. 

Special Handling: 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6586 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Extra service Eligible mail class Additional combined services 

Fragile Priority Mail Express 

Priority Mail 

First-Class Mail 

First-Class Package Service 

Standard Post 

Parcel Select 

Bound Printed Matter 

Library Mail 

Media Mail 

Collect On Delivery (COD) 

Insurance 

Signature Confirmation 2

Parcel Airlift (PAL). 

1. Not at retail. 

2. Parcels only. 

3. If purchased with Certified Mail, COD, insurance over $500.00 or Registered Mail. 

4. If purchased with bulk insurance over $500.00. 

5. If purchased with COD or insurance over $500.00. 

1.4.2 Offshore Domestic Destinations 

As provided for the classes of mail 

under 1.4.1, and unless otherwise 

restricted (see ‘‘Overseas Military/ 

Diplomatic Mail’’ section of the Postal 

Bulletin), extra services are available for 

mail addressed to APO/FPO/DPO 

destinations (also see 703), and to ZIP 

Codes in U.S. territories and possessions 

(also see 608.2.0), or Freely Associated 

States (also see 608.2.0), as follows: 

Exhibit 1.4.2 Eligible Matter— 

Offshore Domestic Destinations 

[Revise Exhibit 1.4.2, Eligible 

Matter—Offshore Domestic 

Destinations, to read as follows:] 

Extra service APO/FPO/DPO U.S. Territories 

and possessions Freely associated states 

Registered Mail ................................................... Limited 1 .................................

(Available only to select APO/ 

FPO/DPO destinations.).

Yes ........................................ Yes. 

Certified Mail ....................................................... Yes ........................................ Yes ........................................ Yes. 

Certified Mail Restricted Delivery ........................ Yes ........................................ Yes ........................................ Yes. 

Certified Mail Adult Signature Required .............. No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

Certified Mail Adult Signature Restricted Delivery.No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

Insurance ............................................................. Yes ........................................ Yes ........................................ Yes. 

Insurance Restricted Delivery ............................. Limited 2 ................................. Yes ........................................ Limited.3

Certificate of Mailing ............................................ Yes ........................................ Yes ........................................ Yes. 

USPS Tracking .................................................... Limited 1 ................................. Yes ........................................ Limited 2

USPS Signature Service: 

Signature Confirmation ................................ No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

Adult Signature Requested .......................... No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

Adult Signature Restricted Delivery ............. No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Limited.2

COD ..................................................................... No .......................................... Yes ........................................ Yes (except for items sent to 

Marshall Islands and the 

Federated States of Micronesia). 

Special Handling ................................................. Yes ........................................ Yes ........................................ Yes. 

Return Receipt .................................................... Yes (Form 3811 only) ........... Yes (Form 3811 only) ........... Yes (Form 3811 only). 

1. Availability of electronic information regarding an event scan may be limited. 

2. Excludes Palau, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (ZIP Codes 96939, 96944, 96960, 96970). 

3. If insured for more than $500.00, signature service provided only if hardcopy return receipt (form 3811) is also purchased. 

1.4.3 Domestic Returns 

Return service Eligible extra services 

(paid by permit holder) 

Eligible extra services 

(paid by permit holder or sender) 

Merchandise Return Service ...................................................... Registered Mail ....................................

Insurance 1, 2 ........................................

Special Handling ..................................

Registered Mail 

Insurance 1, 2

Special Handling 

Certificate of Mailing 3

Priority Mail Return Service ........................................................ Insurance2 ............................................ Insurance2

First-Class Package Return Service 

Ground Return Service 

Parcel Return Service ................................................................. Insurance 2 ........................................... Insurance 2

Certificate of Mailing 3


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6587 

Extra services for return mailpieces 

are available as follows: 

Exhibit 1.4.3 Eligible Matter— 

Domestic Returns 

1. Insurance may be combined with 

USPS Tracking or Special Handling or 

both. 

2. Insurance must be purchased; no 

included insurance is provided for 

returns. 

3. Individual pieces using Form 3817 

or Form 3877 by sender only. 

* * * * * 

1.7 Forms and Labels 

* * * * * 

1.7.2 Privately Printed Forms or 

Labels 

[Revise the third sentence of 1.7.2 to 

read as follows:] 

* * *Customers affixing both a 

barcoded address label and a barcoded 

extra service label on the same 

mailpiece must ensure that the barcodes 

on both labels match.* * * 

* * * * * 

1.7.4 Acceptance 

Customers must also meet the 

following requirements when presenting 

mail bearing an extra service IMpb for 

acceptance: 

[Revise the text of 1.7.4 item a to read 

as follows:] 

a. Certificates of mailing using Form 

3655-Firm or Form 3606–D for more 

than 49 pieces presented at one time, or 

for presorted or permit imprint mailings 

containing pieces with extra services, 

must be presented to a Post Office 

business mail entry unit (BMEU) or 

authorized detached mail unit (DMU). 

* * * * * 

1.8 Obtaining Delivery Information 

and Delivery Records 

Delivery records for extra services are 

available as follows: 

[Revise the text of 1.8 items a and c 

to read as follows:] 

a. Information by article number can 

be retrieved at www.usps.com or by 

calling 1–800–222–1811. A proof of 

delivery letter (including recipient’s 

signature, when available) may be 

provided by email. 

* * * * * 

c. A return receipt (hardcopy Form 

3811) may be purchased at the time of 

mailing and is received by mail. 

* * * * * 

1.10 Receipts 

[Revise the text of the first and third 

sentence of 1.10, then, insert a new final 

sentence of 1.10 to read as follows:] 

Except when using certificate of 

mailing Form 3655–Firm and Form 

3606–D for less than 50 pieces 

presented at one time, the mailer 

receives a USPS sales receipt and the 

postmarked (round-dated) extra service 

form for services purchased at retail 

channels.* * * For three or more pieces 

with extra or accountable services 

presented for mailing at one time, the 

mailer uses Form 3877 (firm sheet) or 

USPS-approved privately printed firm 

sheets in lieu of the receipt portion of 

the individual form.* * * Except for 

Registered Mail and COD items, the 

USPS keeps no mailing records for 

pieces bearing extra services. 

[Delete current 1.11, USPS Mailing 

Records, in its entirety (text relocated to 

1.10).] 

2.0 Registered Mail 

2.1 Basic Standards 

2.1.1 Description 

[Revise the introductory text of 2.1.1 

to read as follows:] 

Registered Mail is subject to the basic 

standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for eligible 

matter. Registered Mail is the most 

secure service that the USPS offers. It 

incorporates a system of receipts to 

monitor the movement of the mail from 

the point of acceptance to delivery. 

Registered Mail provides the sender 

with a mailing receipt and, upon request 

(see 1.8), electronic verification that an 

article was delivered or that a delivery 

attempt was made. Customers may 

obtain a record of delivery (which 

includes the recipient’s signature) by 

purchasing a return receipt (6.0), at the 

time of mailing. Customers may direct 

delivery of Registered Mail only to the 

addressee (or addressee’s authorized 

agent) using Registered Restricted 

Delivery (2.1.4). Postal insurance is 

included in the fee for articles with a 

value of at least $0.01 up to a maximum 

insured value of $50,000.00. Postal 

insurance is not available for articles 

with no value ($0.00). The fees for 

articles valued over $50,000.00 include 

insurance up to $50,000.00, and 

increasingly higher fees for handling 

costs. The face (address side) of a 

registered article must be at least 5 

inches long and 31⁄2 inches high, 

regardless of thickness. Registration may 

not be obtained for the following item 

if: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of item c to read as 

follows:] 

c. Prepared improperly or packed 

inadequately to withstand normal 

handling (see 2.3.4). 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of item f. to read as 

follows:] 

f. A class of mail not listed under 

eligible matter (see 1.4). 

2.1.2 Label 200 

[Revise the first sentence of 2.1.2 to 

read as follows:] 

Registered Mail must bear the 

barcoded red Label 200 (see forms at 

http://pe.usps.gov/), or a non-barcoded 

red Label 200–N (when a mailergenerated shipping label bearing an 

IMpb (under 708.5.0) is also affixed on 

the same mailpiece). * * * 

* * * * * 

[Insert new items 2.1.4 and 2.1.5 to 

read as follows:] 

2.1.4 Additional Standards for 

Registered Mail Restricted Delivery 

Registered Mail Restricted Delivery 

permits a mailer to direct delivery only 

to the addressee (or addressee’s 

authorized agent). The addressee must 

be an individual (natural person) 

specified by name. The mailer may 

request Registered Mail Restricted 

Delivery at the time of mailing by 

advising the USPS clerk or by marking 

the mail ‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ above the 

address and to the right of the return 

address, and paying the applicable fee. 

A firm mailer must enter the proper fee 

in the correct column of the firm sheet 

and place the required endorsement on 

the mail. Customers may obtain a record 

of delivery (which includes the 

recipient’s signature) by purchasing a 

return receipt (6.0). If a return receipt is 

requested, the correct block on Form 

3811 must be checked to show that 

restricted delivery is also required. Mail 

marked ‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ is 

delivered under the conditions in 

508.1.1.7 and 1.1.8. 

2.1.5 Registered COD Mail 

Sealed domestic mail bearing FirstClass Mail, First-Class Package Service, 

or Priority Mail postage may be sent as 

registered COD mail when meeting the 

standards in 9.0 and as follows: 

a. Such mail is handled the same as 

other Registered Mail. 

b. The maximum amount collectible 

from the recipient on one article is 

$1,000.00. Indemnity is available up to 

the registry limit of $50,000.00 by 

paying the registry fee for the value 

declared. The total fees charged for 

registered COD service include the 

proper registry fee for the value declared 

plus the registered COD fee. The mailer 

must declare the full value of the article 

being mailed, regardless of the amount 

to be collected from the recipient. 

c. The registered label and the COD 

form must be affixed to each article. The 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6588 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

registration number is used for delivery 

receipt and indemnity claims. 

* * * * * 

3.0 Certified Mail 

3.1 Basic Standards 

3.1.1 Description 

[Revise the text of 3.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Certified Mail is subject to the basic 

standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for eligible 

matter. Certified Mail provides the 

sender with a mailing receipt and, upon 

request, electronic verification that an 

article was delivered or that a delivery 

attempt was made. Customers can 

retrieve the delivery status as provided 

in 1.9. Certified Mail is dispatched and 

handled in transit as ordinary mail. 

Except for Priority Mail pieces with 

included insurance, no insurance 

coverage is provided when purchasing 

Certified Mail. USPS maintains a record 

of delivery (which includes the 

recipient’s signature). Customers may 

obtain a delivery record by purchasing 

a return receipt (6.0) at the time of 

mailing. Customers may direct delivery 

of Certified Mail only to the addressee 

(or addressee’s authorized agent) using 

Certified Mail Restricted Delivery 

(3.2.2); or to an adult using Certified 

Adult Signature Required or Certified 

Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 

when meeting the applicable standards 

for Adult Signature under 8.1.1e and 

8.1.3. 

3.2 Mailing 

3.2.1 Form 3800 

* * * A mailer of Certified Mail 

must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 3.2.1 item e to read 

as follows:] 

e. For Certified Mail Restricted 

Delivery, meet the additional standards 

under 3.2.2). 

[Insert new item 3.2.2 to read as 

follows:] 

3.2.2 Additional Standards for 

Certified Mail Restricted Delivery 

Certified Mail Restricted Delivery 

permits a mailer to direct delivery only 

to the addressee (or addressee’s 

authorized agent). The addressee must 

be an individual (natural person) 

specified by name. The mailer may 

request Certified Mail Restricted 

Delivery at the time of mailing by 

advising the USPS clerk or by marking 

the mail ‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ above the 

address and to the right of the return 

address and paying the applicable fee. A 

firm mailer must enter the proper fee in 

the correct column of the firm sheet and 

place the required endorsement on the 

mail. Customers may obtain a record of 

delivery (which includes the recipient’s 

signature) by purchasing a return receipt 

(6.0). If a return receipt is requested, the 

correct block on Form 3811 must be 

checked to show that restricted delivery 

is also required. Mail marked 

‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ is delivered under 

the conditions in 508.1.1.7 and 1.1.8. 

4.0 Insured Mail 

* * * * * 

4.1.1 Additional Insurance—Priority 

Mail Express 

[Revise the text of 4.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Additional insurance, up to a 

maximum coverage of $5,000.00, may be 

purchased for merchandise valued at 

more than $100.00 sent by Priority Mail 

Express. The additional insurance fee is 

in addition to postage and other fees. 

See Notice 123—Price List. The 

insurance fee is entered in the block 

marked ‘‘Insurance’’ on the mailing 

label. If the label does not contain this 

block, the mailer uses the ‘‘COD’’ block 

by crossing out ‘‘COD,’’ writing ‘‘INS’’ to 

the right, and entering the fee for the 

coverage. Coverage is limited to the 

actual value of the contents, regardless 

of the fee paid, or the highest insurance 

value increment for which the fee is 

fully paid, whichever is lower. When 

‘‘signature required’’ service is not 

requested or when ‘‘waiver of signature’’ 

is requested, additional insurance is not 

available. 

[Delete 4.1.2, Fees for Priority Mail 

Express Insurance, in its entirety (text 

relocated to 4.1.1).] 

4.2 Insurance Coverage—Priority Mail 

Priority Mail pieces bearing an 

Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) 

or USPS retail tracking barcode (see 

4.3.4) are insured against loss, damage, 

or missing contents, up to a maximum 

of $50.00 or $100.00, subject to the 

following: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 4.2 item e in its entirety, then, 

renumber current items f and g as new 

items e and f.] 

* * * * * 

4.3 Basic Standards 

4.3.1 Description 

[Revise the introductory text of 4.3.1 

to read as follows:] 

Insured mail is subject to the basic 

standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for eligible 

matter. The following additional 

standards apply to insured mail: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 4.3.1 item c to read 

as follows:] 

c. Insured mail provides the mailer 

with a mailing receipt. No record of 

insured mail is kept at the office of 

mailing; however, the USPS maintains 

insured mail delivery records for a 

period of time. An item insured for 

$500.00 or less receives a delivery scan. 

An item insured for more than $500.00 

receives a delivery scan and the USPS 

obtains and provides the recipient’s 

signature as the delivery record to the 

mailer electronically. Customers may 

obtain a delivery record by purchasing 

a return receipt (6.0). Customers may 

direct delivery of mail insured for more 

than $500.00 only to the addressee (or 

addressee’s authorized agent) using 

Insurance Restricted Delivery (4.5); 

* * * * * 

4.3.2 Ineligible Matter 

The following types of mail may not 

be insured: 

* * * * * 

[Delete 4.3.2 item e in its entirety 

(eligible matter provided under 1.4), 

then, renumber item f as new item e.] 

f. Matter mailed at First-Class Mail 

prices (including Priority Mail) that 

consists of items described in 

123.3.0,133.3.0, 233.2.0, and 283.2.0, 

and required to be mailed at First-Class 

Mail prices. 

* * * * * 

4.3.4 Markings and Forms 

[Revise the introductory text of 4.3.4 

to read as follows.] 

The treatment of pieces is determined 

by the insurance amount as described in 

4.3.1c and under the following 

conditions: 

[Revise the text of 4.3.4 items a and 

b to read as follows:] 

a. For retail pieces insured for $500.00 

or less, the mailer must affix a barcoded 

Form 3813 (see forms at http://

pe.usps.gov/) to each piece above the 

delivery address and to the right of the 

return address. 

b. For retail pieces insured for more 

than $500.00, the mailer must affix a 

barcoded Form 3813–P (see forms at 

http://pe.usps.gov/) to each piece above 

the delivery address and to the right of 

the return address. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the second sentence of 4.3.4 

item d to read as follows:] 

d. * * * Mailing receipts are 

provided under 1.10. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 4.4, Bulk Insurance 

for Standard Mail, as follows:] 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6589 

4.4 Bulk Insurance for Standard Mail 

and Parcel Select Lightweight 

4.4.1 Eligibility 

[Revise the introductory text of 4.4.1 

to read as follows:] 

To mail at the bulk insurance prices, 

for Standard Mail (except Marketing 

Parcels) and Parcel Select Lightweight, 

mailers must obtain an authorization 

under 4.4.2 and meet the following 

criteria: 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 4.5 as follows:] 

4.5 Additional Standards for 

Insurance Restricted Delivery 

Insurance Restricted Delivery permits 

a mailer to direct delivery only to the 

addressee (or addressee’s authorized 

agent). The addressee must be an 

individual (natural person) specified by 

name. The mailer may request Insured 

Restricted Delivery at the time of 

mailing by advising the USPS clerk or 

by marking the mail ‘‘Restricted 

Delivery’’ above the address and to the 

right of the return address and paying 

the applicable fee. A firm mailer must 

enter the proper fee in the correct 

column of the firm sheet and place the 

required endorsement on the mail. 

Customers may obtain a record of 

delivery (which includes the recipient’s 

signature) by purchasing a return receipt 

(6.0). If a return receipt is requested, the 

correct block on Form 3811 must be 

checked to show that restricted delivery 

is also required. Mail marked 

‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ is delivered under 

the conditions in 508.1.1.7 and 1.1.8. 

[Revise the title of 5.0 to read as 

follows:] 

5.0 Certificates of Mailing 

5.1 Basic Standards 

5.1.1 Description—Individual Pieces 

[Revise the introductory text of 5.1.1 

to read as follows:] 

Certificates of mailing are subject to 

the basic standards in 1.0, see 1.4 for 

eligible matter. Certificates of mailing 

(Form 3817 and barcoded Form 3665– 

Firm, including USPS-approved 

facsimiles) are available only at the time 

of mailing and provide evidence that 

individual mailpieces have been 

presented to the USPS for mailing. 

Certificates of mailing do not provide a 

record of delivery, and the Postal 

Service does not retain copies of either 

form. Form 3817 is available for less 

than three individual pieces, presented 

at one time at a retail post office, station 

or branch). Form 3665–Firm is available 

for three or more pieces, but less than 

50 pieces or 50 pounds (whichever 

amount is met first), presented at one 

time at a retail post office, station or 

branch, or for three or more pieces, but 

at least 50 pieces or 50 pounds 

(whichever amount is met first), 

presented at a BMEU or USPS 

authorized DMU). Each individual Form 

3817 or the Form 3665–Firm (in 

addition to scanning the barcode) is 

postmarked (round-dated) at the time of 

mailing; the form(s) are then returned to 

the mailer and become the mailer’s 

receipt. 

[Delete 5.1.2, Eligible Matter—Single 

Piece, in its entirety (context of text 

already under 1.4 for eligible matter), 

then, renumber current 5.1.3 through 

5.1.7 as new 5.1.2 through 5.1.6.] 

5.1.2 Paying Fees 

[Revise the first sentence of 

renumbered 5.1.2 to read as follows:] 

For certificate of mailing, in addition 

to the correct postage, the applicable 

certificate of mailing fee must be paid 

for each article on Form 3817 or listed 

on Form 3665–Firm and for duplicate 

copies of either form.* * * 

5.1.3 Mailer Preparation 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.1.3 to 

read as follows:] 

A certificate of mailing must be 

completed by the mailer and all entries 

must be typed or printed in ink, by 

ballpoint pen, or computer-generated; 

the form or firm sheets become the 

mailer’s receipts. Individual certificate 

and firm mailings must show the names 

and addresses of the sender and 

addressee (if Form 3665–Firm is being 

used, the mailer must include the 

corresponding IMb (for letters and flats) 

or IMpb (for parcels) for each article 

listed) and may show the amount of 

postage paid. The mailer may also place 

identifying invoice or order numbers on 

the certificate as a reference. 

[Revise the title of renumbered 5.1.4 

to read as follows:] 

5.1.4 Firm Mailings—Three or More 

Pieces 

When the number of articles 

presented justifies such action, the 

mailer must comply with these 

standards: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 5.1.4 item b to read 

as follows:] 

b. When the mailer describes and lists 

three or more individual pieces on Form 

3665–Firm, but does not present the 

pieces in the order shown on the sheets, 

the mailer must consecutively number 

each entry line on the sheet and lightly 

number each piece to show both the 

corresponding sheet and line number. 

[Insert a new item c under 5.1.4 to 

read as follows:] 

c. Firm mailers using Form 3665– 

Firm, or USPS approved facsimiles, 

must submit an electronic manifest to 

USPS (using mail.dat or mail.xml, or a 

shipping services file as appropriate for 

the type of pieces appending to the 

form) which reconciles with all of the 

items listed on the associated Form 

3665–Firm. 

5.1.5 Duplicate Copies—After Mailing 

[Revise the first sentence of 

renumbered 5.1.5 to read as follows:] 

To obtain a duplicate copy of the 

certificate after mailing (Form 3817 

only), the mailer must present the 

original postmarked certificate and an 

additional certificate endorsed 

‘‘Duplicate’’ or a copy showing the 

original dates of mailing. * * * 

5.1.6 Presenting to Rural Carrier 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.1.6 to 

read as follows:] 

For certificate of mailing (Form 3817 

only), a mailer may provide mail to the 

rural carrier with the fee for the 

certificate. The carrier obtains the 

certificate at the Post Office, attaches the 

stamps, obtains the postmark (rounddate) on the certificate on the day of 

mailing, and delivers the certificate to 

the mailer on the next trip. 

5.2 Other Bulk Quantities—Certificate 

of Bulk Mailing 

5.2.1 Description 

[Revise the text of 5.2.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Certificate of Bulk Mailing is subject 

to the basic standards in 1.0, see 1.4 for 

eligible matter. Barcoded Form 3606–D, 

or USPS approved facsimile, is available 

only at the time of mailing and is used 

to specify only the number of identicalweight pieces mailed; it does not 

provide evidence that a piece was 

mailed to a particular address. The 

Form 3606–D IMpb is scanned and 

postmarked (round-dated) at the time 

the mailing is presented and returned to 

the mailer as their receipt. Bulk mailers 

must submit an electronic manifest to 

USPS (using mail.dat or mail.xml, or a 

shipping services file as appropriate for 

the type of pieces appending to the 

form) which reconciles with all of the 

items represented on the associated 

Form 3606–D. Form 3606–D is available 

for identical-weight mailings of less 

than 50 pieces or 50 pounds (whichever 

amount is met first) presented at any 

retail Post Office, station or branch, or, 

for mailings of at least 50 pieces or 50 

pounds (whichever amount is met first) 

presented at a BMEU or USPS 

authorized DMU. Certificate of bulk 

mailing service does not provide a 

record of delivery and the Postal Service 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6590 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

does not retain any copies of Form 

3606–D. The Form 3606–D cannot be 

used as a certificate of mailing of 

individual mailpieces or itemized lists 

or if presented in combination with 

mailpieces already presented for 

mailing under an approved manifested 

mailing system under 705. 

5.2.2 Paying Fees 

[Revise the text of 5.2.2 to read as 

follows:] 

The applicable certificate of bulk 

mailing fee must be paid for mailings of 

identical-weight pieces reported on 

Form 3606–D, or for additional copies of 

the form if requested at the time of 

mailing, in addition to the correct 

postage. Mailers using Form 3606–D 

may affix ordinary stamps or postage 

evidencing indicia on the form to pay 

the fee. When postage evidencing 

indicia are used, they must bear the full 

numerical value of the fee in the 

imprint. Mailers using Form 3606–D 

with a permit imprint mailing also may 

pay certificate of mailing fees, at the 

time of mailing, using the same permit 

imprint. 

6.0 Return Receipt 

6.1 Basic Standards 

6.1.1 Description 

[Revise the text of 6.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Return Receipt service is subject to 

the basic standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for 

eligible matter. A return receipt may be 

purchased at the time of mailing and 

provides a mailer with evidence of 

delivery (to whom the mail was 

delivered and date of delivery), and 

information about the recipient’s actual 

delivery address. A mailer purchasing a 

return receipt may choose to receive the 

return receipt by mail (Form 3811) or 

electronically (by email, or by signature 

extract file format under 1.8). A 

complete return address is required on 

the mailpiece when a return receipt is 

requested. For Priority Mail Express 

(Form 3811 option only), the return 

address on the Priority Mail Express 

label meets this requirement. 

* * * * * 

6.2 Obtaining Service 

* * * * * 

[Delete items 6.2.2, After Mailing, and 

6.2.3, Time Limit, in their entirety.] 

6.3 Other Requests for Delivery 

Information 

6.3.1 Receipt Not Received 

[Revise the text of 6.3.1 to read as 

follows:] 

A mailer who did not receive a return 

receipt (Form 3811) for which the 

mailer had paid may request 

information from the delivery record 

within 90 days of the date of purchase 

using Form 3811–A. The mailer must 

complete Form 3811–A, at any Post 

Office, station or branch, and produce 

their receipt showing that the applicable 

return receipt fee was paid. 

[Delete 6.3.2, Form 3811–A, in its 

entirety (text relocated to 6.3.1).] 

[Delete sections 7.0, Restricted 

Delivery, through 9.0 Return Receipt for 

Merchandise, in their entirety, then, 

renumber current 10.0 through 15.0 as 

new 7.0 through 12.0.] 

* * * * * 

7.0 USPS Tracking 

7.1 Basic Standards 

7.1.1 Description 

[Revise the text of renumbered 7.1.1 to 

read as follows:] 

USPS Tracking is subject to the basic 

standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for eligible 

matter. USPS Tracking provides the 

mailer with information about the date 

and time an article was delivered or the 

date and time of the delivery attempt. 

See 1.9 to obtain delivery information. 

USPS Tracking is available only at the 

time of mailing. No record is kept at the 

office of mailing. USPS Tracking does 

not include insurance, but insurance 

may be purchased as an additional 

service unless otherwise restricted. 

Some statutes governing the mailing of 

legal documents may require the use of 

Certified Mail or Registered Mail, rather 

than USPS Tracking. 

[Revise the title of and insert a new 

first and second sentence to renumbered 

7.1.2 as follows:] 

7.1.2 Electronic Option USPS 

Tracking for Standard Mail Parcels 

Electronic option USPS Tracking may 

be purchased for Standard Mail parcels 

for mailers using privately printed forms 

or labels, or Label 400, and who 

establish an electronic link with the 

USPS to exchange acceptance and 

delivery data. Mailers wishing to obtain 

a mailing receipt may use Form 3877. 

* * * 

* * * * * 

7.1.3 Additional Physical Standards 

[Revise the introductory text of 

renumbered 7.1.3 to read as follows:] 

In addition to the applicable 

standards in 101, 201.7.0, and 201.8.0, 

all parcels must be large enough to hold 

the required delivery address, return 

address, mailing labels, postage, 

barcode, endorsements, and other mail 

markings on the address side of the 

parcel. In addition to the applicable 

standards in 101 and 201 and for the 

purposes of USPS Tracking with 

Standard Post, Media Mail, Library 

Mail, Bound Printed Matter, or Parcel 

Select, the parcel must meet these 

additional requirements: 

[Delete 7.1.3 item a in its entirety 

(context of text relocated to introductory 

text), then, renumber current items b 

and c as new a and b.] 

* * * * * 

[Delete renumbered 7.1.4, Service 

Options, in its entirety (appropriate text 

relocated to either 7.1.2 or 7.2.1 as only 

electronic option remains).] 

7.2 Labels 

7.2.1 Types of Labels 

[Revise the text of renumbered 7.2.1 to 

read as follows:] 

Mailers using privately printed USPS 

Tracking labels must meet the 

requirements in 1.8. Mailers not 

printing their own privately printed 

labels must use one of the label options 

as follows: 

a. Label 400 may be used by: 

Electronic option mailers, USPS retail 

associates when affixed to mailpieces at 

a Post Office, station, or branch, or by 

mailers when affixed to mailpieces with 

postage and fees prepaid by metered 

indicia or ordinary stamps. A mailing 

receipt is provided to mailers who 

present mailpieces with an affixed Label 

400 at a Post Office, branch, or station, 

or to their USPS carrier. A mailer may 

also present mailpieces to a retail 

employee at a Post Office, station, or 

branch; and the retail associate will affix 

a USPS Tracking label to the item. 

b. Unique, product specific USPSprovided tracking labels are for use by 

electronic option mailers. The labels are 

populated with the product service type 

code and customer’s Mailer 

Identification (MID) number in the 

Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb). 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of renumbered 8.0 to 

read as follows:] 

8.0 USPS Signature Services 

8.1 Basic Standards 

8.1.1 Description 

[Revise the entire text of renumbered 

8.1.1 to read as follows:] 

USPS Signature Services include 

Signature Confirmation, Signature 

Confirmation Restricted Delivery, Adult 

Signature Required, and Adult 

Signature Restricted Delivery, all of 

which are subject to the basic standards 

in 1.0; see 1.4 for eligible matter. Some 

statutes governing the mailing of legal 

documents may require the use of 

Certified Mail or Registered Mail rather 

than USPS Signature Services. USPS 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6591 

Signature Services are available as 

follows: 

a. Signature Confirmation provides 

the mailer with information about the 

date and time an article was delivered 

or the date and time of the delivery 

attempt. A delivery record (including 

the recipient’s signature) is maintained 

by the USPS and is available 

electronically or by email, upon request. 

The Signature Confirmation is available 

as a Retail option: Available at Post 

Offices at the time of mailing; a mailing 

receipt is provided. Electronic option: 

Available to mailers who establish an 

electronic link with the USPS to 

exchange acceptance and delivery data; 

no mailing receipt is provided. 

b. Signature Confirmation Restricted 

Delivery provides the same service as 

provided under item a. and permits a 

mailer to direct delivery only to the 

addressee (or addressee’s authorized 

agent). The addressee must be an 

individual (natural person) specified by 

name. The mailer may request Insured 

Restricted Delivery at the time of 

mailing by advising the USPS clerk or 

by marking the mail ‘‘Restricted 

Delivery’’ above the address and to the 

right of the return address and paying 

the applicable fee. A firm mailer must 

enter the proper fee in the correct 

column of the firm sheet and place the 

required endorsement on the mailpiece. 

c. Adult Signature service provides 

electronic confirmation of the delivery 

or attempted delivery of the mailpiece 

and signature of the recipient, who must 

be 21 years of age or older. Prior to 

delivery, the recipient must furnish 

proof of age via a driver’s license, 

passport, or other government-issued 

photo identification that lists age or date 

of birth. The USPS maintains a record 

of delivery (including the recipient’s 

signature) for two years. The Adult 

Signature options are: 

1. Adult Signature Required— 

provides delivery to a person who is 21 

years of age or older. Upon delivery, an 

adult who is 21 years of age or older 

must provide one of the forms of 

identification listed above and provide 

a signature for receipt of the mailpiece. 

2. Adult Signature Restricted 

Delivery—provides Adult Signature 

Required with the additional restriction 

of limiting delivery to a specific 

addressee or authorized agent who is 21 

years of age or older. If the specific 

individual is not 21 years of age or 

older, the mailpiece will be returned to 

sender. 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 8.1.2 to read as follows:] 

8.1.2 Additional Standards for 

Signature Confirmation 

For Signature Confirmation with 

Standard Post, Media Mail, Library 

Mail, Bound Printed Matter, or Parcel 

Select, the parcel must meet these 

additional requirements: 

a. The surface area of the address side 

of the parcel must be large enough to 

contain completely and legibly the 

delivery address, return address, 

postage, and any markings, 

endorsements, and extra service labels. 

b. Except as provided in (12.1.2c.) for 

machinable parcels, the parcel must be 

greater than 3⁄4 inch thick at its thickest 

point. 

c. If the mailpiece is a machinable 

parcel under 201.7.0 and no greater than 

3⁄4 inch thick, the contents must be 

prepared in a strong and rigid fiberboard 

box or similar container or in a 

container that becomes rigid after the 

contents are enclosed and the container 

is secured. The parcel must be able to 

maintain its shape, integrity, and 

rigidity throughout processing and 

handling without collapsing into a 

letter-size or flat-size piece. 

d. Mailers must use one of the 

following labels: 

1. Form 153 (see forms at http://

pe.usps.gov/), obtained from the Post 

Office at no charge, may be used only 

with the retail option. 

2. Label 315 electronic Signature 

Confirmation is available to electronic 

option mailers. 

3. Privately printed barcoded labels 

must meet the requirements in 1.8. On 

the Priority Mail label, mailers must use 

the registered trademark symbol 

following the Priority Mail text or add 

the following statement at the bottom of 

the label in at least 6-point Helvetica 

type: ‘‘Priority Mail is a registered 

trademark of the U.S. Postal Service.’’ 

See Parcel Labeling Guide or 

Publication 97 available on RIBBS. 

e. The barcoded label section of Label 

315 or Form 153 (see forms at http://

pe.usps.gov/) must be placed completely 

on the address side either above the 

delivery address and to the right of the 

return address, or to the left of the 

delivery address. A privately printed 

Signature Confirmation label that is 

separate from a privately printed 

address label must be placed in close 

proximity to the address label. 

[Delete renumbered 8.1.3, Service 

Options, in its entirety (context of text 

relocated to 8.1.2), then insert new 8.1.3 

as follows:] 

8.1.3 Additional Standards for Adult 

Signature Service 

Customers may obtain Adult 

Signature Required and Adult Signature 

Restricted Delivery by producing 

qualified shipping labels with 

Intelligent Mail package barcodes. The 

Adult Signature Required or Adult 

Signature Restricted Delivery fee must 

be paid in addition to the correct 

postage using Click-N-Ship, PC Postage, 

Permit imprint (if the customer 

electronically submits postage 

statements and mailing documentation) 

or IBI postage meter. Conditions in 8.3.1 

and 8.3.2 also apply to Adult Signature 

Restricted Delivery items. A shipment of 

cigarettes and smokeless tobacco with 

Adult Signature service, mailed by 

certain individuals under 601.9.0, 

requires the mailer to present items at 

a retail counter. 

[Delete renumbered 8.2, Labels, in its 

entirety (context of text relocated to 

8.1.2).] 

9.0 Collect on Delivery (COD) 

9.1 Basic Standards 

9.1.1 Description 

[Revise the text of renumbered 9.0 to 

read as follows:] 

Collect on delivery (COD) is subject to 

the basic standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for 

eligible matter. Any mailer may use 

COD to mail an article (using a unique 

COD number for each article) for which 

the mailer has not been paid and have 

its price and the cost of the postage 

collected (not to exceed $1,000.00) from 

the addressee (or agent). COD service 

provides the mailer with a mailing 

receipt and the USPS maintains a record 

of delivery (including the recipient’s 

signature). The recipient has the option 

to pay the COD charges (with one form 

of payment) by cash, or a personal check 

or money order made payable to the 

mailer (accepted by the USPS employee 

upon the recipient’s presentation of 

adequate identification). The USPS 

forwards the check or money order to 

the mailer. If payment is made by cash, 

a money order fee is included in the 

amount collected from the recipient 

(unless the mailer is authorized to 

participate in EFT for the remittance), in 

addition to the COD amount. The Postal 

Service cannot intervene in disputes 

between mailers and recipients of COD 

mail after payment was returned to the 

mailer. Customers may obtain a delivery 

record by purchasing a return receipt. 

Bulk proof of delivery service (7.0) is 

also available if electronic return receipt 

service is purchased at the time of 

mailing. 

* * * * * 

9.1.3 Registered COD Mail 

[Revise the text of renumbered 9.1.3 to 

read as follows (text relocated under 

2.1.5, Registered COD):] 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6592 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Sealed domestic mail bearing FirstClass Mail, First-Class Package Service, 

or Priority Mail postage may be sent as 

registered COD mail as provided under 

9.0 and 2.1.5. 

* * * * * 

10.0 Special Handling 

10.1 Basic Standards 

10.1.1 Description 

[Revise the first and last sentences of 

renumbered 10.1.1 to read as follows:] 

Special Handling is subject to the 

basic standards in 1.0; see 1.4 for 

eligible matter.* * * There are unique 

service codes included in the IMpb for 

the content categories (Fragile, 

Hazardous Material Transportation, Live 

Animal Transportation, Perishables, and 

Cremated Remains (only available with 

Priority Mail Express)) of special 

handling. 

10.1.2 Bees and Poultry 

[Revise the text of renumbered 10.1.2 

to read as follows:] 

Unless sent Priority Mail Express, 

Priority Mail, First-Class Mail or FirstClass Package Service, special handling 

is required for parcels containing 

honeybees or baby poultry. 

10.1.3 Marking 

[Revise the text of renumbered 10.1.3 

to read as follows:] 

Except for cremated remains 

(accordingly marked or with Label 139 

affixed) the marking ‘‘Special Handling’’ 

must appear prominently above the 

address and to the right of the return 

address on each piece for which special 

handling service is requested. 

[Delete item 14.1.4, Parcel Select— 

Nonmachinable Parcels, in its entirety 

(the Parcel Select nonmachinable 

surcharge was eliminated in a prior 

price change).] 

* * * * * 

505 Return Services 

1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM) 

1.1 Business Reply Mail (BRM) Prices 

and Fees 

[Revise the title and text of 1.1.1 to 

read as follows:] 

1.1.1 General BRM Charges 

For BRM cards, letters and flats, an 

annual permit fee under 1.2 is required, 

and a per-piece fee under 1.1.8 is 

applied to each mailpiece, in addition to 

the applicable First-Class Mail or 

Priority Mail postage. See Notice 123— 

Price List for applicable prices and fees. 

[Revise the title and text of 1.1.2 

(context of deleted text relocated to 

1.1.1) to read as follows:] 

1.1.2 High-Volume Basic BRM 

An annual account maintenance fee is 

required for high-volume BRM. 

[Revise the text of 1.1.3 (context of 

deleted text relocated to 1.1.1) to read 

as follows:] 

1.1.3 Basic Qualified BRM (QBRM) 

In addition to prices and fees under 

1.1.1, an annual account maintenance 

fee is required for basic QBRM (which 

applies to a card meeting the applicable 

standards in 1.6 and 201.1 or a letter 

meeting the applicable standards in 1.6 

that is not eligible for and claimed at the 

QBRM price for cards). 

[Revise the text of 1.1.4 (context of 

deleted text relocated to 1.1.2) to read 

as follows:] 

1.1.4 High-Volume Qualified BRM 

In additional to 1.1.1, annual permit 

and account maintenance fees, and a 

quarterly fee, are required for highvolume QBRM. 

[Revise the text of 1.1.5 (context of 

deleted text relocated to 1.1.1) to read 

as follows:] 

1.1.5 Bulk Weight Averaged 

Nonletter-Size BRM 

In addition to 1.1.1, permit holders 

participating in bulk weight averaged 

nonletter-size BRM under 1.8 must pay 

an annual account maintenance fee, and 

a monthly maintenance fee. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 1.1.7 through 1.1.11 as 

follows (these relocated sections all 

have to do with prices and fees):] 

1.1.7 Postage 

Each piece of returned BRM is 

charged the applicable single-piece 

First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage 

(423.1.0, and 133.1.0). Cards must meet 

the standards in 201.1.0 to qualify for 

card price postage. Any card larger than 

those dimensions is charged the 

applicable First-Class Mail letter price. 

For Priority Mail or First-Class Mail 

BRM pieces exceeding 13 ounces in 

weigh, if the zone cannot be determined 

from a return address or cancellation, 

then the permit holder is charged zone 

4 postage based on the weight of the 

piece. For QBRM, see 1.6.3. 

1.1.8 Per Piece Fees 

Per piece fees listed in 1.1 are charged 

for each piece of returned BRM 

postcard, letter or flat (in addition to 

postage in 1.1.1). If a permit holder has 

not paid an annual account 

maintenance fee and established a BRM 

advance deposit account, then the basic 

(higher) BRM per piece fee must be 

paid. If a permit holder has paid the 

annual account maintenance fee and has 

established a BRM advance deposit 

account, then the high-volume (lower) 

BRM per piece fee is paid. For QBRM, 

see 1.6.4. 

1.1.9 Advance Deposit Account and 

Annual Account Maintenance Fee 

A permit holder may choose to pay an 

annual account maintenance fee and 

establish an advance deposit account, 

which qualifies returned BRM pieces for 

the high-volume per piece fee. The 

account maintenance fee must be paid 

once each 12-month period at each Post 

Office where a permit holder holds an 

advance deposit account. Payment of 

the account maintenance fee is based on 

the anniversary date of the initial 

payment. The fee may be paid in 

advance only for the next 12-month 

period and only during the last 60 days 

of the current 12-month period. The fee 

charged is that which is in effect on the 

date of payment. A separate advance 

deposit account solely for BRM is not 

required. An advance deposit account 

can be used for BRM under these 

conditions: 

a. For each withdrawal, only one 

statement is provided for each annual 

account maintenance fee paid. 

b. If a permit holder distributes BRM 

with different addresses (including Post 

Office box numbers) under the same 

permit number going to the same 

delivery unit and has only one business 

reply account, then the BRM is 

separated by each different address but 

only one statement is provided and only 

one annual account maintenance fee is 

paid. 

c. The permit holder must pay an 

annual account maintenance fee for 

each separate statement (accounting) 

requested. If only one annual account 

maintenance fee is paid, then the permit 

holder receives only one statement. 

d. The permit holder must maintain a 

sufficient balance in the BRM advance 

deposit account to cover postage and 

per piece fees for returned mailpieces. 

The permit holder is notified if funds 

are insufficient. After 3 calendar days, if 

no funds are deposited, then the BRM 

on hand is charged the basic BRM per 

piece fee and postage and charges are 

collected from the permit holder (e.g., in 

cash) prior to delivery. 

e. BRM addressed to several different 

firms at the same delivery unit may be 

delivered to an agent authorized by a 

valid BRM permit holder. The agent 

pays one annual account maintenance 

fee for all the firms represented by the 

agent in the same delivery unit. If the 

agent, or any of the firms represented by 

the agent, wants a separation of charges, 

then separate (additional) account 

maintenance fees must be paid. 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6593 

1.1.10 Renewal of Annual Account 

Maintenance Fee 

An annual renewal notice is provided 

to each BRM permit holder with a BRM 

advance deposit account. The notice 

and the payment for the next 12 months 

must be returned by the expiration date 

to the Post Office that holds the advance 

deposit account. After the expiration 

date, if the permit holder has not paid 

the annual account maintenance fee but 

still has a valid BRM permit, returned 

BRM pieces no longer qualify for the 

high-volume BRM per piece fee and are 

charged the basic BRM per piece fee in 

1.1.8. 

1.1.11 Payment Options 

Permit holders may pay for postage 

and per piece fees on returned pieces by 

cash or check upon delivery, through a 

regular postage due account (604.6.3), or 

through a BRM advance deposit account 

(1.1.9). A regular postage due account is 

not charged an annual account 

maintenance fee and does not qualify 

the permit holder for high-volume BRM 

per piece fees. 

[Delete 1.2 Qualified Business Reply 

Mail (QBRM) Prices, and 1.3, Qualified 

Business Reply Mail (QBRM), in their 

entirety, (1.2 is already stated in 505.1.1 

and 1.3 relocated to 1.10, Additional 

Standards for QBRM.), then, insert new 

1.2, Permits, (relocated from current 1.5) 

to read as follows:] 

1.2 Permits 

1.2.1 Required 

Any mailer who wants to distribute 

BRM must apply for and receive a 

permit. The permit number, city, and 

state where the permit is held must 

appear on all pieces of BRM. 

1.2.2 Application Process 

The mailer may apply for a BRM 

permit by submitting a completed Form 

3615 to the Post Office issuing the 

permit and paying the annual permit 

fee. If a completed Form 3615 is already 

on file for the mailer for other permits 

at that office, then the mailer must 

submit the annual BRM permit fee and 

the USPS amends Form 3615 by adding 

the BRM authorization. 

1.2.3 Annual Permit Fee 

A permit fee must be paid once each 

12-month period at each Post Office 

where a BRM permit is held. Payment 

of the permit fee is based on the 

anniversary date of the permit’s 

issuance. The fee may be paid in 

advance only for the next 12 months 

and only during the last 60 days of the 

current service period. The fee charged 

is that which is in effect on the date of 

payment. Agents authorized by a permit 

holder under 1.7 are not required to pay 

an annual permit fee at the Post Office 

where their BRM is received. 

1.2.4 Renewal of Annual Permit Fee 

An annual renewal notice is provided 

to each BRM permit holder by the 

USPS. The notice and the payment for 

the next 12 months must be returned by 

the expiration date to the Post Office 

that issued the permit. After the 

expiration date, if the permit holder has 

not paid the annual permit fee, then 

returned BRM pieces are treated as 

follows: 

a. Postcards of no obvious value are 

treated as waste and disposed of at the 

delivery unit. 

b. Letter and flat pieces with a return 

address are endorsed ‘‘Business Reply 

Permit Canceled’’ and are returned to 

the sender. 

c. Pieces without a return address are 

endorsed ‘‘Business Reply Permit 

Canceled’’ and forwarded to the mail 

recovery center for handling. 

1.2.5 Other Post Offices 

A permit holder may distribute BRM 

through any Post Office for delivery at 

any Post Office under 1.7. 

1.2.6 Revocation of a Permit 

The USPS may revoke a BRM permit 

because of format errors or for refusal to 

pay permit fees (annual, accounting, 

quarterly, or monthly), postage, or per 

piece fees. If the permit was revoked 

due to format errors, then a former 

permit holder may obtain a new permit 

and permit number by completing and 

submitting a new Form 3615, paying the 

required BRM annual permit fee, paying 

a new annual account maintenance fee 

(if applicable), and, for the next 2 years, 

submitting two samples of each BRM 

format to the appropriate Post Office for 

approval. 

[Renumber current 1.4 through 1.12 

as new 1.3 through 1.8.] 

[Revise the title (to align with other 

titles in 505) of renumbered 1.3 as 

follows:] 

1.3 Basic Standards 

1.3.1 Description 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.3.1 to 

read as follows:] 

Business Reply Mail (BRM) service 

enables a permit holder to receive FirstClass Mail and Priority Mail back from 

customers. The permit holder 

guarantees payment of the applicable 

First-Class Mail or Priority Mail postage, 

plus a per piece fee, on all returned 

BRM which includes any incomplete, 

blank, or empty BRM cards and 

envelopes and any mailable matter with 

a BRM label affixed. BRM cards, 

envelopes, self-mailers, and flats may be 

distributed by a BRM permit holder in 

any quantity for return to any Post 

Office in the United States and its 

territories and possessions, including 

military Post Offices overseas. HighVolume BRM under 1.1.2 is a subset of 

BRM that qualify pieces for a reduced 

per piece fee. QBRM, under 1.1.3, 1.1.4 

and 1.6, is a subset of BRM available for 

specific automation-compatible lettersize pieces that qualify for an 

automation postage price and a reduced 

per piece fee. Domestic BRM may not be 

distributed to foreign countries (see the 

International Mail Manual for 

International Business Reply Service 

(IBRS)). BRM may not be used for any 

purpose other than that intended by the 

permit holder, even when postage is 

affixed. In cases where a BRM card or 

letter is used improperly as a label, the 

USPS treats the item as waste. 

[Delete renumbered 1.3.2, Payment 

Guarantee, in its entirety, (text relocated 

under 1.3.1, Description), then, 

renumber recently renumbered 1.3.3, 

Services, through 1.3.8, Error 

Notification, as new 1.3.2 through 

1.3.7.] 

[Revise the title and text of newly 

renumbered 1.3.2 as follows:] 

1.3.2 Extra Services 

No extra services are permitted with 

BRM, except for BRM parcels bearing an 

Intelligent Mail package barcode with 

imbedded USPS Tracking service. 

[Delete renumbered 1.3.3, Address, in 

its entirety, (text relocated more 

appropriately under 1.8.6, Format 

Elements), then, renumber recently 

renumbered 1.3.4, through 1.3.7 as new 

1.3.3 through 1.3.6.] 

[Delete recently renumbered 1.3.4, 

Intentions of the Permit Holder, in its 

entirety, (text relocated in 1.3.1, 

Description) and renumber recently 

renumbered 1.3.5 through 1.3.6 as new 

1.3.4 through 1.3.5.] 

1.3.4 Samples 

[Revise the text of newly renumbered 

1.3.4 to read as follows:] 

Prior to printing, permit holders are 

encouraged, but not required, to submit 

preproduction samples of BRM to the 

USPS for approval. QBRM pieces 

require USPS approval (1.6). 

1.3.5 Error Notification 

[Revise the text of newly renumbered 

1.3.5 to read as follows:] 

If the USPS discovers a BRM format 

error, the responsible permit holder or 

authorized agent receives written 

notification of the error. The permit 

holder must correct the error and make 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6594 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

sure that all future BRM pieces meet 

appropriate specifications. The repeated 

distribution of BRM with format errors 

is grounds for revoking a BRM permit 

(1.2.6). 

[Delete renumbered 1.4, Permits, in its 

entirety (relocated to new 1.2.] 

[Delete renumbered 1.5, Postage, Per 

Piece Fees, and Account Maintenance 

Fees, and 1.5.1, Postage through 1.5.4, 

Renewal of Annual Account 

Maintenance Fee, (all text relocated 

within 1.1) in their entirety.] 

[Renumber 1.5.5 through 1.5.7 as new 

1.3.6 through 1.3.8.] 

1.3.6 Combined Pieces as a Single 

Item 

Two or more BRM pieces may be 

mailed as a single piece if the BRM 

pieces are identically addressed and 

prepared for mailing in accordance with 

201.1.0. The permit holder is charged 

postage based on the total weight of the 

combined piece plus one per piece fee. 

If the combined pieces become 

separated, then the permit holder must 

pay postage and a per piece fee for each 

individual piece. Combined pieces are 

not eligible for QBRM postage prices or 

per piece fees. 

1.3.7 With Postage Affixed 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.3.7 to 

read as follows:] 

BRM with postage affixed is handled 

the same as other BRM. No effort is 

made to identify or separate BRM pieces 

with postage affixed. The amount of 

affixed postage is not deducted from the 

postage or per piece fees owed. The 

permit holder may request a credit or 

refund for postage affixed to BRM under 

604.9.2. 

[Delete newly renumbered 1.3.8 in its 

entirety (context of text relocated to 

1.1.11 under BRM Prices and Fees).] 

1.4 Mailpiece Characteristics 

* * * * * 

1.4.5 Window Envelopes 

The following standards apply to 

BRM prepared in an open-panel or a 

covered window envelope: 

* * * * * 

c. Open panel window envelopes: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of renumbered 

1.4.5c.2 to read as follows:] 

2. Other required and optional 

elements in 1.5 may be printed on the 

insert appearing through the address 

window. 

1.4.6 Self-Mailers and Reusable 

Mailpieces 

[Revise the first sentence of 

renumbered 1.4.6 to read as follows:] 

In addition to the standards in 1.4 and 

1.5, self-mailers and reusable mailpieces 

must meet the standards in 201.3.14 and 

601.6.5 (or 601.6.6).* * * 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 1.4.8 to read as follows:] 

1.4.8 Labels for Letter-Size Pieces 

The minimum size of a BRM label for 

use on letter-size pieces is 2 inches high 

and 3 inches long. BRM labels on 

ordinary letter-size pieces are not 

required to have a FIM or a ZIP+4 

barcode, but all other format standards 

in 1.5 must be met. In cases where a 

BRM card or letter is used improperly 

as a label, the USPS treats the item as 

waste. The following standards apply to 

BRM labels for use on letter-size pieces: 

a. The minimum size of a BRM label 

is 25⁄8 inches high and 41⁄4 inches long. 

All format elements, including a FIM, 

must be printed on the label. Exception: 

The vertical series of horizontal bars 

must be at least 3⁄4-inch high. Horizontal 

bars may be omitted on BRM letter-size 

pieces bearing Intelligent Mail barcodes. 

The back of the label must be coated 

with a permanent adhesive strong 

enough to firmly attach the label to an 

envelope. 

b. The permit holder must provide 

instructions to the user describing how 

the label should be applied to a 

mailpiece and what precautions must be 

observed when applying the label (see 

Exhibit 1.4.8a). A pictorial diagram 

showing proper placement of the label 

must be included with the instructions. 

At a minimum, the instructions must 

include the following directions: 

1. Place the label squarely in the 

upper right corner of the envelope. 

2. Do not write on the envelope or 

label. 

3. Do not use a window envelope, an 

envelope that is less than 1 inch higher 

than the label an envelope that is more 

than 41⁄2 inches high, or an envelope 

with any printing other than a return 

address. 

4. Do not use tape to affix the label. 

c. When the label is affixed to an 

envelope, the address must be placed 

within the OCR read area (see 202.2.1). 

d. Pieces with business reply labels 

cannot qualify for QBRM prices. 

Exhibit 1.4.8a Instructions for Affixing 

Business Reply Label 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2EP05FE15.002</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6595 

[Delete 1.4.9, Labels for Letter-Size 

Pieces, in its entirety (context of text 

relocated to 1.4.8).] 

1.5 Format Elements 

1.5.1 General 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.5.1 to 

read as follows:] 

Except for BRM parcels under 3.0, all 

pieces of BRM are subject to these 

format elements. The USPS may revoke 

a BRM permit because of format errors 

under 1.2.6. An Intelligent Mail barcode 

(IMb) is not required, except for QBRM 

prices; if an IMb is used, it must be 

printed and placed under 1.5.10 and as 

shown in Exhibit 1.5.1a. Pieces of 

QBRM and bulk weight averaged 

nonletter-size BRM are subject to 

additional format standards listed in 1.6 

and 1.8. BRM format elements are 

shown in Exhibit 1.5.1a. 

Exhibit 1.5.1a Business Reply Mail 

Format 

1.5.2 Printing and Print Reflectance 

[Revise the second sentence of 

renumbered 1.5.2 to read as follows:] 

* * *Handwriting, typewriting, and 

hand stamping may not be used to 

prepare BRM. Printed borders are not 

permitted on letter-size BRM, but are 

permitted on envelopes greater than 61⁄8

inches high or 111⁄2 inches long or 1⁄4

inch thick. * * * 

* * * * * 

1.5.4 Business Reply Legend 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.5.4 to 

read as follows:] 

The legend ‘‘BUSINESS REPLY 

MAIL’’ or ‘‘BUSINESS REPLY LABEL’’, 

as appropriate, must appear on all 

pieces. * * * 

* * * * * 

1.5.6 Delivery Address 

[Add a new first sentence to and 

revise item d of renumbered 1.5.6 to 

read as follows:] 

The delivery address on a piece of 

BRM may not be altered to redirect the 

mailpiece to any address other than the 

one preprinted on the piece. * * * 

* * * * * 

[Renumber current 1.9 as new 1.5.10, 

then, revise the title and text of 

renumbered 1.5.10 to read as follows:] 

1.5.10 Additional Standards for 

Letter-Size and Flat-Size BRM Bearing 

an IMb 

When an Intelligent Mail barcode is 

printed on any BRM pieces, it must 

contain the barcode ID, service type ID, 

and correct ZIP+4 routing code, as 

specified under 708.4.3. The IMb must 

be placed on the address side of the 

piece and positioned as part of the 

delivery address block under 202.5.7 or 

within the barcode clear zone in the 

lower right corner of the piece if printed 

directly on the piece. 

1.6 Additional Standards for 

Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) 

1.6.1 Description 

[Revise renumbered 1.6.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Qualified business reply mail (QBRM) 

is a subset of business reply mail. 

Permit holders distribute automationcompatible letter-size pieces that qualify 

for automation postage prices and 

reduced per piece fees. In addition to 

meeting the eligibility requirements 

below, the authorization to participate 

in QBRM under 1.6.2, and the format 

standards in 1.5, QBRM is First-Class 

Mail that: 

a. Is letter-size and is prepared to 

meet the automation compatibility 

requirements in 201.3.0 (except 

201.3.13.1). 

b. Meets all the Business Reply Mail 

(BRM) standards in 1.3 through 1.8. 

c. Has postage and per piece charges 

deducted from a BRM advance deposit 

account. 

d. Is authorized to mail at QBRM 

prices and fees under 1.6.2. During the 

authorization process, a proper ZIP+4 

Code is assigned to the mailer (under 

1.6.2) for each price category of QBRM 

to be returned under the system (one for 

card priced pieces, one for letter-size 

pieces weighing 1 ounce or less, and 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2EP05FE15.003</GPH>
6596 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

one for letter-size pieces weighing over 

1 ounce up to and including 2 ounces). 

e. Bears the proper ZIP+4 Code, 

assigned by USPS for the appropriate 

price category, in the address of each 

piece. The ZIP+4 Codes assigned for this 

program must be used only on the 

organization’s appropriate QBRM 

pieces. 

f. Bears the correct Intelligent Mail 

barcode, correctly prepared under 1.9 

and 708.4.0, that corresponds to the 

unique ZIP+4 code in the address on 

each piece distributed. 

g. Bears a properly prepared facing 

identification mark (FIM) C on each 

piece distributed (see 708.9.0). 

[Delete renumbered 1.6.2, Eligibility, 

in its entirety (text in ‘‘1.3’’ as reference 

in 1.10.2 relocated to 1.10.1 (1.10.1 

subsequently renumbered as new 

1.6.1)), then, renumber recently 

renumbered 1.6.3 through 1.6.8 as new 

1.6.2 through 1.6.7.] 

1.6.2 Authorization 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.6.2 to 

read as follows:] 

To participate in QBRM, a mailer with 

a valid BRM permit and having paid the 

annual account maintenance fee, must 

submit Form 6805 to the Postmaster or 

manager, Business Mail Entry for the 

Post Office to which the QBRM pieces 

are to be returned. USPS assigns to the 

mailer a proper BRM ZIP+4 Code, as 

applicable, reviews Form 6805 and 

preproduction samples provided by the 

mailer for compliance with relevant 

standards, and if approved, issues the 

mailer an authorization via the Form 

6805. 

* * * * * 

1.6.4 Per Piece Fees 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.6.4 to 

read as follows:] 

Per piece fees are charged for each 

piece of returned QBRM (in addition to 

postage in 1.6.3). Pieces that do not 

meet the format requirements for QBRM 

cannot qualify for QBRM per piece fees 

and are charged the high-volume BRM 

per piece fees in 1.1.2. 

1.6.5 Annual Account Maintenance 

Fee and Advance Deposit Account 

[Revise the text of renumbered 1.6.5 to 

read as follows:] 

Permit holders are required to pay 

QBRM postage and per piece fees 

through a BRM advance deposit 

account, which requires payment of an 

annual account maintenance fee (see 

1.1.9). 

* * * * * 

[Revise the complete text of 

renumbered 1.7 to read as follows 

(incorporating the text and sections 

1.11.2 through 1.11.6 as new 1.7.1 items 

a through e.):] 

1.7 BRM Distributed and Received by 

Agents of a Permit Holder 

1.7.1 Description 

Permit holders may give permission 

to subsidiary offices, agents, or 

authorized representatives to distribute 

and receive BRM using a single 

(corporate) permit number. BRM pieces 

are distributed by and returned to 

agents, who pay postage and per piece 

fees on those returned pieces. Agents 

may use any type of BRM service 

meeting the applicable standards in 1.0 

and under the following additional 

conditions: 

a. Permit—The main permit holder or 

‘‘corporate’’ office applies for the permit 

number and pays the permit fee. The 

agent must present a letter of 

authorization from the permit holder 

showing the name, address, and 

telephone number of the local agent 

authorized to receive the BRM to the 

Post Office where the BRM is to be 

returned. Any time there is a change to 

the original permit application or the 

authorization letter, each agent must 

provide an amended letter of 

authorization to their local Post Office. 

b. Annual Permit Fee—Agents do not 

pay a separate annual permit fee but 

must submit evidence (usually a copy of 

Form 3544) to the local office once each 

12-month period to show that the 

annual permit fee has been paid. This 

evidence is not required if-the permit 

holder has a centralized account 

processing system (CAPS) account, 

through which the local Post Office can 

determine that the permit fee has been 

paid. 

c. Postage, Per Piece Fees, and Annual 

Account Maintenance Fees—Agents 

receiving BRM or QBRM are responsible 

for paying all the postage and per piece 

fees, and applicable annual account 

maintenance fees, under 1.1 for the type 

of service received. 

d. Payment Guarantee—The permit 

holder is ultimately responsible for 

postage and per piece fees for all pieces 

returned under that permit number. If a 

local agent refuses or neglects to pay 

postage or per piece fees on returned 

pieces, then those pieces are forwarded 

to the Post Office that issued the 

original permit for collection of postage 

and per piece fees from the permit 

holder. Once forwarded to the permit 

holder, these pieces cannot qualify for 

QBRM postage and per piece fees. The 

permit holder’s refusal to accept and 

pay the required postage and per piece 

fees for BRM offered for delivery is 

grounds for immediate revocation of the 

BRM permit (1.5.6). 

e. Format—BRM distributed by agents 

must meet all required format standards 

in 1.4 and 1.5. Authorized 

representatives distributing BRM on 

behalf of a permit holder must have the 

permit holder’s name and permit 

number printed on the BRM and their 

own names and addresses printed below 

the permit holder’s name, except: 

1. When the agent is a branch of an 

authorized business. 

2. The permit holder notifies a Post 

Office that authorized representatives 

may use the permit holder’s permit 

number without printing the permit 

holder’s name. 

1.8 Bulk Weight Averaged Nonlettersize BRM 

* * * * * 

1.8.3 Postage, Per Piece Fees, and 

Other Fees 

[Revise the last sentence of 

renumbered 1.8.3 to read as follows:] 

* * * Permit holders participating in 

bulk weight averaged nonletter-size 

BRM must pay an annual account 

maintenance fee and a monthly 

maintenance fee (see 1.1.5). 

[Revise the title of 1.8.4, Application 

Procedures, to read as follows:] 

1.8.4 Application Process 

[Revise the introductory text of 

renumbered 1.8.4 to read as follows:] 

A permit holder who wants to use 

bulk weight averaged BRM for nonlettersize pieces must submit a written 

request to the Postmaster of the office 

where the BRM permit is held. The 

Postmaster forwards this information to 

the manager, Customer Service 

Standardization, USPS Headquarters 

(see 608.8.0 for address). The request 

must include the following information: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 1.8.4d read as 

follows:] 

d. Based on the estimated volume in 

1.8.4c, a 24-hour estimate and a 30-day 

estimate of postage and per piece fees 

using the postage and charges listed in 

1.1.5. 

* * * * * 

1.8.7 Revoking Authorization 

[Revise the introductory text of 

renumbered 1.8.7 to read as follows:] 

A Postmaster may terminate 

authorization for bulk weight averaged 

BRM by sending written notice to the 

permit holder, for any of the following 

reasons: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the heading of 2.0, Permit 

Reply Mail, to read as follows:] 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6597 

2.0 Permit, Pre-paid (Metered), and 

Courtesy Reply Mail 

[Revise the title of 2.1, General 

Information, to read as follows;] 

2.1 Permit Reply Mail 

2.1.1 Description 

[Revise the second sentence of 2.1.1 to 

read as follows:] 

* * * Mailers must distribute PRM 

pieces as part of the contents of an 

outgoing First-Class Mail mailing (see 

230) only by using a valid permit 

imprint (604.5.0) account. 

[Revise the title of 2.1.2, Services, as 

follows;] 

2.1.2 Extra Services 

* * * * * 

[Delete 2.1.3, Address, in its entirety 

(text relocated to 2.3.6), then renumber 

current 2.1.4 through 2.1.5 as new 2.1.3 

through 2.1.4.] 

* * * * * 

2.3.6 Delivery Address 

[Revise the text of 2.3.6 to read as 

follows:] 

The complete address (including the 

permit holder’s name, delivery address, 

city, state, and ZIP+4 Code) must be 

printed on the piece. The delivery 

address on a PRM mailpiece may not be 

altered to redirect it to any address other 

than the one preprinted on the piece. 

PRM pieces must bear an Intelligent 

Mail barcode meeting the standards in 

202.5.0 and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

2.3.8 Company Logo 

[Revise the text of 2.3.8 to read as 

follows:] 

A company logo is permitted on 

letter-size PRM, provided the logo is 

placed no lower than 5⁄8 inch from the 

bottom edge of the piece and it does not 

interfere with any required format 

element. 

[Delete 2.4, Permit Imprint Account, 

in its entirety (relocated the last 

sentence to 2.1.1, Description, and the 

rest of this text is already stated in 

2.1.1), then, renumber current 2.5 and 

2.6 as new 2.4 and 2.5.] 

* * * * * 

[Renumber recently renumbered 2.5, 

Courtesy Reply Mail, as new 2.7.] 

[Insert new section 2.6 (relocated 

more appropriately here from 604.4.5.2) 

to read as follows:] 

2.6 Prepaid (Metered) Reply Mail 

2.6.1 Description 

Mailers may use indicia generated by 

any postage evidencing system (see 

604.4) to prepay reply postage on 

Priority Mail Express, on Priority Mail 

when the price is the same for all zones, 

on First-Class Mail, and on single-piece 

price Media Mail and Library Mail 

under the following conditions. 

a. The postage amount must be 

sufficient to prepay the full postage due. 

b. Print indicia directly on the 

mailpiece or on a label, and place 

indicia under 201.4.3.3. 

c. Indicia used to prepay reply 

postage must not show the date. 

d. Pre-address the mailpiece for return 

to the authorized user only. 

e. Print the words ‘‘NO POSTAGE 

STAMP NECESSARY POSTAGE HAS 

BEEN PREPAID BY’’ directly above the 

address. 

f. Mailers may use FIM A on barcoded 

letter-size First-Class Mail reply mail 

except when using PC Postage. 

g. When using PC Postage, mailers 

must use FIM D for prepaid reply mail 

when the indicium is printed directly 

on the mailpiece. 

h. The address side must appear as 

described in this section and shown in 

the illustration below. Nothing may be 

added except a return address, FIM, or 

barcode. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 2.8 (context of text 

relocated from 201.3.18) to read as 

follows:] 

2.8 Enclosed Reply Cards and 

Envelopes 

Mailers may enclose reply cards or 

envelopes (i.e. BRM under 1.0; Permit 

Reply Mail under 2.1 and 2.4, Prepaid 

(Metered) Reply under 2.6, or Courtesy 

Reply Mail under 2.7), addressed for 

return to a domestic delivery address, 

within automation mailings subject to 

provisions in 201.3.0 for enclosures. 

[Revise the title of 3.0 to read as 

follows:] 

3.0 Merchandise Return Service 

(MRS) 

3.1 Prices and Fees 

3.1.1 Permit Fee 

[Revise the text of 3.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

An annual Returns Services permit 

fee must be paid once each 12-month 

period at each Post Office where a 

Merchandise Return Service (MRS) 

permit is held. The fee (in effect on the 

date of the payment) may be paid for the 

next 12 months, during the last 60 days 

of the service period, before the 

anniversary of the permit’s issuance. An 

approved merchandise return permit on 

Form 3615 must be on file at every Post 

Office to which parcels are returned. 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2EP05FE15.004</GPH>
6598 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

3.1.2 Advance Deposit Account and 

Account Maintenance Fee 

[Revise the entire text of 3.1.2 

(including relocated text from 3.2.9, 

Multiple Accounts) to read as follows:] 

There is an annual Returns Services 

account maintenance fee for the 

advance deposit account. The permit 

holder must pay postage and extra 

service fees through an advance deposit 

account and must pay an annual 

account maintenance fee. When an 

advance deposit account is kept at each 

entry location, a separate permit (except 

as provided under 3.2.11 and for 

qualified national permit holders using 

scan based payment for returns) is 

needed and the annual merchandise 

return service permit and annual 

account maintenance fees must be paid 

at each Post Office. The fee (in effect on 

the date of the payment) may be paid for 

the next 12 months, during the last 60 

days of the service period, before the 

anniversary date of the initial fee 

payment. A separate advance deposit 

account for MRS is not required; the 

annual account maintenance fee is 

charged if MRS postage and fees are 

paid from an existing account: 

a. For each withdrawal, only one 

statement is provided for each annual 

account maintenance fee paid. 

b. The permit holder must pay an 

annual account maintenance fee for 

each separate statement (accounting) 

requested. 

* * * * * 

3.1.5 Priority Mail Commercial Base 

and Commercial Plus Prices 

Priority Mail Commercial Base and 

Commercial Plus prices are available to 

MRS permit holders when the following 

criteria are met: 

[Revise the text of 3.1.5 item a by 

deleting the second sentence.] 

* * * * * 

3.2 Basic Standards 

3.2.1 Description 

[Revise the text of 3.2.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Merchandise return service allows an 

authorized Returns Services permit 

holder to pay the postage and extra 

service fees on single-piece priced 

Priority Mail, or First-Class Package 

Service or ground return service parcels 

(Parcel Select Nonpresort) that are 

returned to the permit holder by the 

permit holder’s customers via a special 

barcoded label (see 3.5.10) produced by 

the permit holder. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 3.2.5, IMpb Standards, in its 

entirety, (context of text in new item j. 

under 3.5.10, Label Format Elements) 

then, renumber current 3.2.6 through 

3.2.14 as new 3.2.5 through 3.2.13.] 

* * * * * 

3.2.6 Application Process 

[Revise the text of 3.2.6 to read as 

follows:] 

The applicant must submit a 

completed Form 3615 and the annual 

permit fee to the Post Office issuing the 

permit, or amend an existing Form 3615 

on file at that office by adding the 

merchandise return service 

authorization to existing Returns 

Service permit authorizations. Except 

for MRS labels generated by the USPS 

Application Program Interface (API), 

Form 3615 must be accompanied by 

copies of the MRS labels (including 

printed copies of labels intended to be 

faxed to customers or transmitted to 

customers electronically) and the 

instructions provided to the permit 

holder’s customers. All MRS labels that 

have preprinted USPS Tracking 

barcodes must be approved by the 

USPS. If articles are to be returned from 

customers as Registered Mail, the 

applicant must indicate ‘‘Registered 

Mail’’ on the application. After a MRS 

permit is obtained, any change to label 

formats or customer instructions must 

be approved by the Post Office where 

the permit is held. The permit is valid 

for 12 months after the approval date of 

the application. 

[Delete renumbered 3.2.7, Procedure, 

(text relocated in 3.1.1), 3.2.8, Multiple 

Accounts, (text relocated in 3.1.2) in 

their entirety, then renumber recently 

renumbered 3.2.9 through 3.2.13 as new 

3.2.7 through 3.2.11.] 

[Revise the title and text of newly 

renumbered 3.2.7, Renewal, to read as 

follows:] 

3.2.7 Permit Renewal 

To renew the MRS permit, the permit 

holder must send the annual fees (under 

3.1.1 and 3.1.2) to the issuing Post 

Office by the expiration date of the 

permit, or authorize the Postmaster to 

deduct the fee from the advance deposit 

account, or establish a CAPS link for 

EFT. If a permit holder’s outbound 

permit account shows any amount of 

outbound parcel volumes, the annual 

Returns Services permit and account 

maintenance fees may be waived at the 

time of renewal. Written authorization 

is not needed for permit renewal if there 

is no change to the authorization on file 

at the delivery unit. 

3.2.8 Nonrenewed Permit 

[Revise the text of 3.2.8 to read as 

follows:] 

If the permit is not renewed, 

merchandise return mail bearing the 

sender’s return address is returned to 

the sender; otherwise, it is treated as 

dead mail. 

3.2.9 Permit Cancellation 

[Revise the text of 3.2.9 to read as 

follows:] 

The USPS may cancel a MRS permit 

if the permit holder refuses to accept 

and pay postage and fees on 

merchandise return service parcels, fails 

to keep sufficient funds in the advance 

deposit account to cover postage and 

fees, or distributes merchandise return 

labels or tags that do not meet USPS 

standards. 

3.2.10 Reapplying After Cancellation 

[Revise the text of 3.2.10 to read as 

follows:] 

To receive a new MRS permit at the 

same Post Office after a merchandise 

return permit is canceled, the applicant 

must amend the Form 3615 on file at 

that office to reflect the new application 

date; pay a new permit fee; submit for 

approval two samples of any label 

format to be used; provide evidence that 

the reasons for the permit cancellation 

are corrected; and provide and keep 

funds in an advance deposit account to 

cover normal returns for at least 2 

weeks. 

3.2.11 Using Other Post Offices 

[Revise the text of 3.2.11 to read as 

follows:] 

The permit holder may distribute 

merchandise return labels for return 

through other Post Offices (i.e. stations 

or branches under a Main Post Office) 

without paying an additional permit fee 

if the permit holder opens and keeps 

their advance deposit account at the 

Post Office where the permit is issued 

and supplies that Postmaster the name, 

address, and telephone number of a 

representative in each additional station 

or branch if different from the 

information on the application. 

[Revise the title of 3.3, Additional 

Standards for Permit Holder, to read as 

follows:] 

3.3 Additional Standards for MRS 

[Revise the title and text of 3.3.1 to 

read as follows:] 

3.3.1 Extra and Additional Services 

The MRS permit holder may obtain 

extra and additional services with MRS 

as follows: 

a. Insurance—Which may be 

combined with special handling) for 

MRS containing only matter not 

required to be mailed at First-Class Mail 

prices under 133.3.0. To request 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6599 

insurance, the permit holder must 

preprint or rubber-stamp ‘‘Insurance 

Desired by Permit Holder for $lll 

(value)’’ to the left of and above the 

‘‘Merchandise Return Label’’ legend and 

below the ‘‘Total Postage and Fees Due’’ 

statement on the merchandise return 

label. The value part of the 

endorsement, showing the dollar 

amount of insurance for the article, may 

be handwritten by the permit holder. If 

insurance is paid for by the MRS permit 

holder, then only the MRS permit 

holder may file a claim (609). 

b. Registered Mail—May be obtained 

by the MRS permit holder under the 

following conditions: 

1. The customer using the MRS label 

must declare the full value of the article 

to be registered when presented at the 

Post Office. Registered Mail service may 

be obtained only on articles returned at 

Priority Mail or First-Class Package 

Service prices and may not be combined 

with any other extra service. 

2. A permit holder wanting to add 

Registered Mail service under an 

existing permit must submit a written 

request to the Post Office where the 

permit is held, with samples of the 

merchandise return labels and a copy of 

the instructions to be provided to the 

permit holder’s customers. The permit 

holder must not distribute labels that 

request Registered Mail service before 

receiving USPS written approval. 

c. Special Handling—The permit 

holder may obtain special handling 

service with MRS. 

d. Pickup on Demand Service—The 

permit holder may obtain Pickup on 

Demand service with MRS. Pickup on 

Demand service may be combined with 

Certified Mail (Priority Mail only), 

USPS Tracking, and special handling. 

e. USPS Tracking—(which may be 

combined with insurance and special 

handling or both) is included with MRS 

when the MRS labels are properly 

formatted under 3.5.10. 

f. Mailing Acknowledgment—The 

permit holder may prepare a detachable 

mailing acknowledgment form, subject 

to these conditions: 

1. The acknowledgment must not bear 

adhesive but must be attached to the 

label and perforated or designed for easy 

separation at the time of mailing. 

2. The acknowledgment establishes 

no USPS liability for the parcel if 

damaged, lost, or stolen. 

3. The acknowledgment provides 

documentation for account management 

between the mailing customer and the 

permit holder. The USPS charges no fee, 

keeps no records, and does not provide 

copies of or further information about 

the acknowledgment. 

4. A merchandise return service 

parcel containing the detachable 

mailing acknowledgment form must be 

presented to the USPS acceptance 

employee at the time of mailing to be 

executed. 

5. Each mailing acknowledgment part 

of the label must include a unique 

parcel identification number assigned 

by the permit holder; the return address 

of the customer mailing the parcel, in 

the upper part of the detachable form; 

the permit holder’s address, in the lower 

part of the form; an initials section in 

the acknowledgment portion for use by 

the USPS acceptance employee; and 

space in the acknowledgment part 

where the USPS acceptance employee 

places the date stamp. 

[Delete 3.3.2, Registered Mail, through 

3.3.7, Mailing Acknowledgment, in their 

entirety (context of text relocated to 

3.3.1).] 

3.4 Additional Standards for Permit 

Holder’s Customer 

3.4.1 Customer Options 

[Revise the text of 3.4.1 to read as 

follows:] 

If the permit holder has not indicated 

the extra services listed in 3.3.1a 

through 3.3.1d a customer may request 

the extra services listed in 3.3.1a 

through 3.3.1d at their own expense. 

3.4.2 Insurance 

[Revise the text of 3.4.2 to read as 

follows:] 

If insurance is paid by the customer, 

then only the customer may file a claim. 

3.4.3 Certificate of Mailing 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 3.5, Preparation, to 

read as follows:] 

3.5 Labels 

3.5.1 Distribution of Labels 

[Revise the text of 3.5.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Merchandise return service labels 

may be distributed to customers as an 

enclosure with merchandise, as a 

separate item (including when 

requested electronically through the 

Business Customer Gateway for printing 

and delivery to the end-user by USPS), 

as part of a double postcard subject to 

201.1.2.8 and the approval of the PCSC, 

as an electronic transmission for 

customer downloading and printing, or 

through one of the permit holder’s 

designated pickup facilities. Any such 

label distributed to a customer must 

meet the format standards in 3.5.10, 

including the requirement to furnish 

instructions. 

[Delete 3.5.2, Labels, in its entirety 

(text relocated to introductory text of 

renumbered 3.5.10, Label Format 

Elements); then, renumber 3.5.3 through 

3.5.14 as new 3.5.2 through 3.5.13.] 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 3.5.2 to read as follows:] 

3.5.2 Mailer Price Markings 

It is recommended that permit holders 

preprint a price marking on the 

merchandise return service labels they 

distribute to ensure that returned 

parcels will be given service and 

charged postage according to the wishes 

of the permit holder. Regardless of 

weight, all unmarked parcels will be 

treated as Standard Post and charged 

Parcel Select Nonpresort prices. 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 3.5.3 to read as follows:] 

3.5.3 Label Preparation 

Any photographic, mechanical, or 

electronic process or any combination of 

such processes other than typewriting or 

handwriting may be used to prepare the 

MRS label and detachable 

acknowledgment form. The background 

may be any light color (excluding 

brilliant colors) that allows the address, 

postmark, and other endorsements to be 

readily discerned. If labels are faxed to 

customers or electronically transmitted 

to customers for their local printing, the 

permit holder must advise their 

customers of these preparation 

requirements as part of the required 

instructions required under 3.5.5. All 

MRS labels bearing the required IMpb 

(with imbedded USPS Tracking) must 

be certified for use by the USPS prior to 

distribution. Labels with USPS Tracking 

barcodes cannot be faxed to customers. 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 3.5.4 to read as follows:] 

3.5.4 Labeling Methods 

If all applicable content and format 

standards are met (including the written 

instructions required by 3.5.5), a 

merchandise return service label may be 

produced by any of the following 

methods: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of renumbered 3.5.4 

item c to read as follows:] 

c. Printed and delivered by USPS to 

the customer (end-user) when requested 

electronically by the permit holder or its 

agents through the Business Customer 

Gateway. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of renumbered 3.5.5 

to read as follows:] 

3.5.5 Labeling Instructions 

Written instructions must be provided 

with the label that, at a minimum, 

directs the customer to do the following: 

* * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6600 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

[Revise renumbered 3.5.5 item d by 

changing any blue colored text to black.] 

d. ‘‘Mail the labeled parcel at a Post 

Office, drop it in a collection box, leave 

it with your letter carrier, or schedule a 

package pickup at usps.com.’’ 

[Delete renumbered 3.5.6, Insured 

Markings, in its entirety (context of text 

relocated more appropriately under 

3.5.8); then, insert new 3.5.6 to read as 

follows:] 

3.5.6 Special Handling Endorsement 

To request special handling, the 

permit holder must preprint or rubberstamp ‘‘Special Handling Desired by 

Permit Holder’’ to the left of and above 

the ‘‘Merchandise Return Label’’ legend 

and below the ‘‘Total Postage and Fees 

Due’’ statement on the merchandise 

return label. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 3.5.8 to read as follows:] 

3.5.8 Placement of Extra Service 

Labels 

The permit holder must either leave a 

clear space on the merchandise return 

label to the right of the return address 

for the placement of the applicable extra 

service label (see 503.1.7.2 for 

additional standards for extra service 

labels) or instruct the customer to affix 

the merchandise return label to the 

article so that the USPS acceptance 

employee can place the extra service 

label on the article directly above the 

merchandise return label. 

[Delete renumbered 3.5.9, Placement 

of Return Receipt for Merchandise 

Label, (context of text relocated more 

appropriately under 3.5.8) and 3.5.10, 

Special Handling Endorsement, (context 

of text relocated to 3.5.6) in their 

entirety; then, renumber newly 

renumbered 3.5.11 through 3.5.13 as 

new 3.5.9 through 3.5.11.] 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 3.5.9 to read as follows:] 

3.5.9 Additional Standards for Special 

Handling Labels 

In addition to meeting the standards 

under 3.5.6 and 3.5.8, as applicable, the 

permit holder must provide ‘‘Special 

Handling’’ labels with instructions to 

customers about their placement on the 

parcel. 

[Revise the title, complete text, and 

exhibits, of newly renumbered 3.5.10 to 

read as follows:] 

3.5.10 Label Format Elements 

The label used for merchandise return 

service must meet the standards in the 

Parcel Labeling Guide available on 

RIBBS. 

[Delete renumbered 3.5.11, Certificate 

of Mailing, in its entirety (already stated 

in 505.3.4.3).] 

3.6 Enter and Deposit 

3.6.1 Customer Mailing Options 

[Revise the last section of the first 

sentence of 3.6.1 to read as follows:] 

* * *; or at any place designated by 

the Postmaster for the receipt of mail. 

* * * 

[Insert new 3.7 to read as follows:] 

3.7 Additional Standards for USPS 

Return Services 

3.7.1 Permit and Account Fees 

An annual Returns Services permit 

fee, under 3.1.1, and annual account 

maintenance under 3.1.2, are is required 

for the USPS Return Services described 

in 3.7. 

3.7.2 Extra Services 

USPS insurance is the only extra 

service that can be purchased for USPS 

Returns (Priority Mail Return Service, 

First-Class Package Return Service and 

Ground Return Service). There is no 

included insurance provided for Priority 

Mail Return Service pieces. 

3.7.3 Prices 

Commercial Base prices are available 

for permit holders receiving Priority 

Mail Return Service and First-Class 

Package Return Service mailpieces 

under 3.7. Permit holders may combine 

cumulative volumes for Priority Mail 

Return Service and First-Class Package 

Return Service. Eligibility for 

Commercial Plus prices are available to 

permit holders who qualify for 

Commercial Base prices, and at least 

one of the following: 

a. Have cumulative Priority Mail 

Return Service, First-Class Package 

Return Service, and Ground Return 

Service volume exceeding a combined 

total of 25,000 return pieces in the 

previous calendar year. 

b. Have cumulative returns 

Commercial Plus cubic (see 1.1.4) 

volume exceeding a combined total of 

85,000 pieces returned in approved 

packaging in the previous calendar year. 

c. Have cumulative returns and 

outbound volume exceeding a combined 

total of 90,000 pieces in the previous 

calendar year. 

d. Have a signed Commercial Plus 

returns customer commitment 

agreement with USPS. 

e. Have a signed commercial plus 

Critical Mail commitment agreement 

with USPS. 

3.7.4 Postage 

Postage is calculated based on the 

weight of the parcel and zone, except for 

First-Class Package Return Service, for 

which postage is based on the weight of 

the parcel and Critical Mail returns, for 

which postage is based on flat rate 

pricing. Customers must pay postage 

under a scan based payment program 

(705.24.0) and using an eVS/CAPS 

account. 

3.7.5 Description 

Priority Mail Return Service 

(including Critical Mail), First-Class 

Package Return Service and Ground 

Return Service provide return service 

options to customers who meet the 

applicable standards in 3.0. Except for 

restricted material described in 

Publication 52, any mailable matter may 

be mailed using any of the USPS Return 

Service options. Any content that 

constitutes First-Class Mail matter may 

only be mailed using Priority Mail 

Return Service or using First-Class 

Package Return Service at Commercial 

Plus prices. 

3.7.6 Labels 

USPS Return Service labels must meet 

the standards in the Parcel Labeling 

Guide available on RIBBS. USPS Return 

Services standard label sizes are 3 

inches by 6 inches, 4 inches by 4 inches, 

or 4 inches by 6 inches and must be 

certified by the USPS for use prior to 

distribution. All other label sizes require 

written approval from the National 

Customer Support Center (NCSC). The 

label must include an Intelligent Mail 

package barcode, accommodate all 

required elements, be legible, and be 

prepared in accordance with 708.5.0 

and Publication 205 at https://ribbs/evs/ 

documents/tech_guides/pubs/

Pub205.PDF. Permit holders or their 

agents may distribute approved USPS 

Return Service labels and instructions 

by means listed under 3.5.4. Permit 

holders or their agents must provide 

written instructions to the label enduser (mailer) as provided under 3.5.5. 

The label used for USPS Returns must 

meet the standards in the Parcel 

Labeling Guide available on RIBBS. 

3.7.7 Additional Standards for 

Priority Mail Return Service 

Priority Mail Return Service may 

contain any mailable matter weighing 

no more than 70 pounds. Lower weight 

limits apply to Commercial Plus cubic 

(see 1.1.4), APO/FPO mail is subject to 

703.2.0 and 703.4.0, and Department of 

State mail is subject to 703.3.0. Priority 

Mail Return Service receives 

expeditious handling and 

transportation, with service standards in 

accordance with Priority Mail. Priority 

Mail Return Service items mailed under 

a specific customer agreement is 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6601 

charged postage according to the 

individual agreement. Otherwise 

Priority Mail Return Service eligibility 

is under 3.7.3. Commercial Base and 

Commercial Plus prices are the same as 

for outbound Priority Mail in Notice 

123—Price List. 

3.7.8 Additional Standards for FirstClass Package Return Service 

First-Class Package Return Service 

handling, transportation, and eligibility 

of contents is the same as for outbound 

First-Class Package Service parcels 

under 433. Parcels weighing more than 

13 ounces but less than 16 ounces may 

be included in the eligibility calculation 

for Commercial Plus prices and parcels 

weighing 13 ounces or less are eligible 

for Commercial Base prices. 

3.7.9 Additional Standards for 

Ground Return Service 

Ground Return Service provides 

ground transportation for mailpieces 

containing mailable matter weighing no 

more than 70 pounds and meeting the 

content standards in 153.3.0. Ground 

Return Service assumes the handing and 

transportation and service objectives for 

delivery of Standard Post. 

[Delete current 4.0, USPS Returns, in 

its entirety; then, renumber current 5.0, 

Parcel Return Service, as new 4.0.] 

4.0 Parcel Return Service 

[Deleted renumber 4.1, Basic 

Information, in its entirety, (text 

relocated to new 4.3).] 

[Renumber and retitle the 4.2 heading 

to read as follows:] 

4.1 Prices and Fees 

[Deleted 4.2.1, Postage, in its entirety 

(text relocated to new 4.1.3).] 

[Renumber and retitle 4.2.2 as 

follows:] 

4.1.1 Permit and Account Fees 

[Revise renumbered 4.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

The participant must pay an annual 

permit fee at the Post Office where the 

PRS permit is held, and must pay 

postage through an advance deposit 

account by paying an annual account 

maintenance fee. See Notice 123—Price 

List for applicable fees. 

[Delete renumbered 4.2.3, Advance 

Deposit Account and Annual Account 

Maintenance Fee, in its entirety, 

(context of text relocated to renumber 

4.1.2).] 

[Delete the renumbered heading 4.3, 

Prices.] 

[Renumber 4.3.1, Parcel Return 

Service Prices, as 4.1.2; then, delete 

4.3.2 through 4.3.3 (text relocated to 

new 4.1.2); then revise the entire text to 

read as follows:] 

4.1.2 Parcel Return Service Prices 

Parcel Return Service prices are based 

on the price that applies to the weight 

increment of each addressed piece, and 

on the designated return facility, RDU, 

RSCF, or RNDC. The price is charged 

per pound or fraction thereof; any 

fraction of a pound is considered a 

whole pound. For example, if an item 

weighs 4.225 pounds, the weight 

increment is 5 pounds. The minimum 

price per piece is the 1-pound price and 

these additional standards apply: 

a. Parcel Return Service— 

Nonmachinable Prices: Parcels 

exceeding the maximum machinable 

dimensions in 401.1.5 or are considered 

an outside parcel under 401.1.7 are 

subject to nonmachinable prices. 

b. Balloon and Oversized Prices: 

RSCF and RNDC parcels that weigh less 

than 20 pounds but measure more than 

84 inches in combined length and girth 

are charged the applicable price for a 

20-pound parcel (balloon price). 

Regardless of weight, any parcel that 

measures more than 108 inches (but not 

more than 130 inches) in combined 

length and girth must pay the oversized 

price. 

c. Standard Post Prices: PRS-labeled 

parcels shipped from origin ZIP Codes 

006–009, 967–969, and 995–999 that are 

picked up at an RNDC are subject to 

retail Standard Post prices. 

[Insert new 4.1.3 as follows:] 

4.1.3 Postage 

There are three PRS price categories: 

a. Parcel Return Service—RDU. 

Parcels returned as Standard Post to, 

and retrieved in bulk from, a designated 

delivery unit. 

b. Parcel Return Service—RSCF. 

Parcels returned as Standard Post to, 

and retrieved in bulk from, a designated 

SCF. 

c. Parcel Return Service—RNDC. 

Parcels returned as Standard Post to, 

and retrieved in bulk from, a designated 

NDC. 

[Renumber current 4.3.5, 

Noncompliant Labels, as new 4.3.11.] 

[Insert new 4.2 to read as follows:] 

4.2 Basic Standards 

4.2.1 Description 

Parcel Return Service (PRS) applies to 

parcels that are picked up in bulk by 

authorized permit holders or their 

agents. Permit holders guarantee 

payment of postage for all parcels 

mailed with a PRS label. By providing 

an approved PRS label to its customers, 

the merchant or other party designates 

the permit holder identified on the label 

as their agent for receipt of mail bearing 

that label, and authorizes the USPS to 

provide that mail to the permit holder 

or its designee. The permit holder must 

retrieve parcels at each of the return 

network distribution centers (RNDC). 

For this purpose, an RNDC is each NDC 

as noted in L601. PRS permit holders 

also may retrieve parcels at one or more 

designated return sectional center 

facilities (RSCFs) or designated return 

delivery units (RDUs). Payment for 

parcels returned under PRS is deducted 

from a separate advance deposit 

(postage-due) account funded through 

the Centralized Account Processing 

System (CAPS). The permit holder must 

be authorized to use eVS (see 705.2.9). 

4.2.2 Conditions for Mailing 

Parcels may be mailed as PRS when 

all of the following conditions apply: 

a. Parcels contain eligible matter as 

described in 153.3.0 and 153.4.0. 

b. Parcels bear a PRS label that meets 

the standards in 5.4. 

c. Parcels show the permit number, 

and the permit holder has paid the 

annual PRS permit fee and the annual 

PRS account maintenance fee. 

4.2.3 Customer Mailing Options 

Returned parcels may be deposited as 

follows: 

a. At any Post Office, station, or 

branch. 

b. In any collection box (except a 

Priority Mail Express box). 

c. With any letter carrier. 

d. As part of a collection run for other 

mail (special arrangements may be 

required). 

e. At any place designated by the 

postmaster for the receipt of mail. 

4.2.4 Application Process 

Companies who wish to participate in 

PRS must send a request on company 

letterhead to the manager, Business 

Mailer Support (see 608.8.0 for address). 

The request must contain the following 

information: 

a. Company name and address. 

b. An individual’s contact name, 

telephone number, fax number, and 

email address. 

c. The price category or categories to 

be used, and the proposed retrieval 

locations (delivery units, sectional 

center facilities, and network 

distribution centers). 

d. A description of the electronic 

returns manifesting system to be used to 

document returns listed by location and 

price eligibility. 

4.2.5 Approval 

The manager, Business Mailer 

Support reviews each request and 

proceeds as follows: 

a. If the applicant meets the criteria, 

the manager, Business Mailer Support 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6602 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

approves the letter of request and sends 

an authorization letter outlining the 

terms and conditions for the program. 

b. If the application does not meet the 

criteria, the manager, Business Mailer 

Support denies the request and sends a 

written notice to the applicant with the 

reason for denial. 

4.2.6 Permit Cancellation 

USPS may cancel a PRS permit for 

any of the following reasons: 

a. The permit holder fails to pay the 

required postage and fees for returned 

parcels. 

b. The permit holder does not 

maintain adequate available funds to 

cover postage and fees for returned 

parcels. 

c. The permit holder does not fulfill 

the terms and conditions of the PRS 

permit authorization. 

d. The return labels do not conform to 

the specifications in 5.4. 

4.2.7 Reapplying After Cancellation 

To receive a new PRS permit after 

cancellation under 5.1.7, the mailer 

must: 

a. Submit a letter to the manager, 

Business Mailer Support requesting a 

permit and a new agreement. 

b. Pay a new permit fee. 

c. Provide evidence showing that the 

reasons for cancellation no longer exist. 

d. Maintain adequate available funds 

to cover the expected number of returns. 

4.2.8 Extra Services and Endorsement 

Pieces using PRS may not bear an 

ancillary service endorsement (see 

102.4.0 and 507.1.5). See 503.0 for 

available extra services for PRS. 

4.2.9 Pickup Schedule and Location 

Permit holders or their agents must 

set up recurring or standing 

appointments to retrieve PRS parcels. If 

the permit holder (or agent) has existing 

appointments to deliver Parcel Select 

parcels to destination facilities and 

those facilities are one of the NDCs, 

designated RSCFs, or designated RDUs, 

those appointments can be used for 

retrieving PRS parcels at the same time. 

Permit holders or their agents must 

retrieve parcels on a regular schedule as 

follows: 

a. From RNDCs, at a minimum of 

every 48 hours, excluding Sundays and 

USPS holidays. 

b. From all listed RSCFs, at a 

minimum of every 24 hours, excluding 

Saturdays, Sundays, and USPS 

holidays. The Postal Service maintains 

a list of active RSCFs and provides 

permit holders 30-day notice of changes 

to the list. This list is available on the 

Facility Access and Shipment Tracking 

system (FAST) at https://fast.usps.com/ 

fast/. 

c. From RDUs, according to the 

authorization letter. The USPS 

maintains a list of active RDUs and 

provides permit holders 30-day notice 

of changes to the list. This list is 

available on the Facility Access and 

Shipment Tracking system (FAST) at 

https://fast.usps.com/fast/. 

d. For parcels picked up from RNDCs 

and that are shipped from origin ZIP 

Codes 006–009, 967–969, and 995–999, 

see 5.3. 

4.2.10 Parcels Endorsed Hold for 

Pickup 

PRS participants must pay the 

appropriate Parcel Return Service RDU 

price under 5.3 for any unclaimed, 

refused, undeliverable as addressed, or 

recalled parcels that are endorsed ‘‘Hold 

For Pickup’’ (under 508.7.0) and that 

bear the marking ‘‘PARCEL RETURN 

SERVICE REQUESTED’’ or ‘‘PRS 

REQUESTED’’ followed by a unique 569 

prefix ZIP Code. 

4.2.11 Noncompliant Labels 

PRS permit holders must use USPScertified labels meeting the standards in 

4.3. When noncompliant labels are 

affixed to PRS parcels, which travel 

through the Postal network to the 

delivery address of the label, the permit 

holder will be assessed the appropriate 

Standard Post price, calculated from the 

parcel’s entry point in the USPS 

network to its delivery address. If the 

parcel’s entry point cannot be 

determined, then postage will be 

calculated at zone 4. 

[Revise the title of renumbered 4.3 as 

follows:] 

4.3 Labels 

4.3.1 Label Preparation 

[Revise renumbered 4.3.1 to read as 

follows:] 

PRS labels must be certified by the 

USPS for use prior to distribution as 

defined in the service agreement. In 

addition, permit holders must obtain 

USPS certification for barcode 

symbologies. Except for by FAX, any 

photographic, mechanical, or electronic 

process or any combination of these 

processes may be used to produce PRS 

labels. The background of the label may 

be any light color that allows the 

address, barcodes, and other required 

information to be easily distinguished. If 

labels are electronically transmitted to 

customers for their local printing, the 

permit holder must advise customers of 

these printing requirements as part of 

the instructions in 4.3.3. 

4.3.2 Labeling Methods 

[Revise renumbered 4.3.2 to read as 

follows:] 

If all applicable contents and formats 

are approved (including instructions to 

the user), permit holders or their agents 

may distribute a PRS label by any of the 

methods provided under 3.5.4. 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 4.3.3 to read as follows:] 

4.3.3 Labeling Instructions 

Regardless of label distribution 

method, permit holders or their agents 

must always provide written 

instructions to the user of the PRS label 

as provided under 3.5.5. 

4.3.4 Label Format Elements 

[Revise renumbered 4.3.4 to read as 

follows:] 

PRS labels must meet the standards in 

the Parcel Labeling Guide available on 

RIBBS. There is no minimum size for 

PRS labels; however, the label must be 

big enough to accommodate all of the 

label elements and standards in this 

section. All PRS label elements must be 

legible. Except where a specific type 

size is required, elements must be large 

enough to be legible from a normal 

reading distance and be separate from 

other elements on the label. 

[Delete 6.0, Parcel Return Service-Full 

Network, in its entirety.] 

[Renumber current 7.0, Bulk Parcel 

Return Service, as new 5.0.] 

5.0 Bulk Parcel Return Service 

[Retitle renumbered 5.1 to read as 

follows:] 

5.1 Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) 

Permit and Fees 

[Delete renumbered 5.1.1, Permit Fee, 

through 5.1.3, Per Piece Charge, in their 

entirety (text relocated in new 5.1.1).] 

[Delete the renumbered heading 5.2, 

Charges and Fees.] 

[Renumber 5.2.1 through 5.2.6 as new 

5.1.1 through 5.1.6, then, revise the title 

and text of renumbered 5.1.1 to read as 

follows:] 

5.1.1 Permit and Per Piece Fees 

A BPRS permit is required to 

participate in BPRS; no annual fee is 

required to obtain a BPRS permit. Each 

piece returned through BPRS is charged 

only the per piece fee, not postage, 

regardless of weight. See Notice 123— 

Price List for applicable fees. 

[Delete renumbered 5.1.2, Per Piece 

Fee, in its entirety (context of text 

relocated under 5.5.1); then, renumber 

5.1.3 through 5.1.6 as new 5.1.2 through 

5.1.5.] 

[Revise the title and text of newly 

renumbered 5.1.2 to read as follows:] 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6603 

5.1.2 Advance Deposit Account 

The permit holder must pay BPRS 

fees through an advance deposit 

account. A separate advance deposit 

account for BPRS is not required; the 

annual account maintenance fee is 

charged if BPRS fees are not paid from 

an existing account and the permit 

holder desires a single, separate 

accounting of all charges deducted from 

that account. 

[Delete renumbered 5.1.3, Existing 

Advance Deposit Account, (relocated to 

5.1.2, Advance Deposit Account), and 

5.1.4, Payment Guarantee, (relocated to 

5.2.3 under Availability), in their 

entirety; then, renumber 5.1.5, Postage 

Due Weight Averaging, as new 5.1.3.] 

* * * * * 

[Renumber 5.3, General Information, 

as new 5.2, then revise the title of 

renumbered 5.2, General Information, to 

read as follows:] 

5.2 Basic Standards 

5.2.1 Description 

[Revise renumbered 5.2.1 to read as 

follows:] 

Bulk parcel return service (BPRS) 

allows mailers of large quantities of 

Standard Mail or Parcel Select 

Lightweight machinable parcels that are 

either undeliverable-as-addressed or unopened and refused by addressees to be 

returned to designated postal facilities. 

The mailer has the option of picking up 

all returned parcels from a designated 

postal facility at a predetermined 

frequency specified by the USPS or 

having them delivered by the USPS in 

a manner and frequency specified by the 

USPS. For this service, a mailer 

establishes a BPRS permit and pays a 

per piece charge for each parcel 

returned from an advance deposit 

account. 

5.2.2 Availability 

[Revise renumbered 5.2.2 to read as 

follows:] 

A mailer may be authorized to use 

BPRS when the following conditions 

apply: 

a. All returned parcels are initially 

prepared as regular or Nonprofit 

Standard Mail, or Parcel Select 

Lightweight, and are machinable parcels 

as defined in 201.7.5. 

b. At least 10,000 Standard Mail or 

Parcel Select Lightweight machinable 

parcels will be returned to a designated 

postal facility during a 12-month period. 

c. Parcels are returned to the mailer 

either because they are undeliverableas-addressed or because they are unopened and refused by the addressee. 

d. Parcels bear an approved BPRS 

label or one of the following BPRS 

endorsements (507.2.0) on the outbound 

mailpiece: 

‘‘Return Service Requested—BPRS’’ 

‘‘Address Service Requested—BPRS’’ 

e. Parcels have a return address that 

is in the delivery area of the Post Office 

that issued the BPRS permit. 

f. The postal facility designated for 

returned parcels is located in the United 

States, its territories or possessions, or is 

a U.S. military Post Office overseas 

(APO or FPO). 

g. The mailer has a valid postage due 

advance deposit account and BPRS 

permit. 

h. BPRS parcels may be combined 

with the shipper paid forwarding 

service (507.4.2.9). 

i. Standard Mail or Parcel Select 

Lightweight parcels that qualify for a 

Media Mail or Library Mail price under 

the applicable standards, and that 

contain the name of the Package Service 

price in the mailer’s ancillary service 

endorsement (507.1.5.3d.), are not 

eligible for BPRS. 

[Delete renumbered 5.2.3, Optional 

Label, in its entirety (text relocated to 

5.4.2); then, insert new 5.2.3, Payment 

Guarantee, to read as follows:] 

5.2.3 Payment Guarantee 

The permit holder guarantees 

payment of all applicable fees. The Post 

Office returns BPRS items to the permit 

holder only when there are sufficient 

funds in the advance deposit account to 

pay the fees on returned pieces. 

[Delete renumbered 5.2.4, Extra 

Services, in its entirety (text relocated to 

New 5.2.4).] 

[Delete renumbered heading 5.4, 

Permits, in its entirety.] 

[Renumber current 5.4.1, Application 

Process, through 5.4.3, Postage Due 

Service Agreement, as 5.2.4 through 

5.2.6; then, retitle renumbered 5.2.4 to 

read as follows:] 

5.2.4 Application Process 

[Revise the introductory text and 

items a, b, and f, of renumbered 5.2.4 to 

read as follows:] 

To obtain a BPRS permit, a mailer 

must send a written request to the 

Postmaster at each Post Office where 

parcels are to be returned that includes 

the following: 

a. Request for the BPRS permit. 

b. Information pertinent to each 

requested delivery point that documents 

either the receipt of, or that there are 

reasonable grounds to expect, at least 

10,000 machinable parcels originally 

mailed at regular or non-profit Standard 

Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight prices 

during the past, or next, 12 months. 

* * * * * 

f. If a label will be furnished for 

returning opened parcels, the labels 

must be USPS approved, prepared in 

accordance with 5.5, and must be 

accompanied by complete instructions 

for its use as described in 3.5.5. 

5.2.5 Authorization 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.2.5 to 

read as follows:] 

A BPRS mailer will be required to 

sign a postage due service agreement 

with each Post Office that issues a 

permit for the return of BPRS parcels. 

Upon approval of a mailer’s request, the 

Post Office issues an authorization letter 

and provides a postage due service 

agreement with a BPRS permit number. 

The permit number is used for account 

administration and is required on BPRS 

labels under 5.5, when used. 

[Delete renumbered 5.2.6, Postage 

Due Service Agreement, (text relocated 

to 5.2.5), in its entirety.] 

[Insert new heading, 5.3 Permits] 

5.3 Permits 

[Renumber 5.4.4 as new 5.3.1 and 

revise text to read as follows:] 

5.3.1 Permit Renewal 

A Post Office provides BPRS permit 

holders with annual renewal notices 

advising that their permits are due to 

expire. A notice must be returned to the 

issuing Post Office with the fee payment 

or authorization for the postmaster to 

deduct the fee from the advance deposit 

account by the permit expiration date. 

Written authorization is not necessary 

for renewal of a permit if there is no 

change to the authorization on file at the 

Post Office where the parcels are 

returned. If a permit holder does not 

renew a BPRS permit after having been 

given notice, the USPS will endorse the 

mail ‘‘Bulk Parcel Return Service 

Canceled’’ and will charge postage due 

at the single-piece First-Class Mail or 

Priority Mail price as appropriate for the 

weight of the piece. If the single-piece 

First-Class Mail or Priority Mail price is 

not paid, the mail is forwarded to the 

nearest mail recovery center. 

[Renumber 5.4.5 and 5.4.6 as new 

5.3.2 and 5.3.3.] 

5.3.2 Permit Cancellation 

A BPRS permit may be canceled by 

the USPS for any of the following 

reasons: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.3.2 

item e to read as follows:] 

e. Failure to conform return labels to 

the specifications in section 5.5. 

5.3.3 Reapplying After Cancellation 

A mailer must do the following to 

receive a new BPRS permit at the same 


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6604 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Post Office where a permit was 

previously canceled: 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.3.3 

items a to read as follows; then, delete 

item b in its entirety; then, renumber 

items c and d and new items b and c:] 

a. Submit a letter to that office 

requesting a BPRS permit and new 

agreement. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new section 5.3.4 as follows:] 

5.3.4 Extra Services 

Extra services cannot be added to 

pieces returned via bulk parcel return 

service. 

[Revise the title and text of renumber 

5.5, Label Requirements, to read as 

follows:] 

5.5 Optional BPRS Label 

An authorized BPRS permit holder 

has the option to use a label to identify 

BPRS parcels for return to a designated 

postal facility. The label is prepared at 

the mailer’s expense and must meet all 

format standards in the Parcel Labeling 

Guide available on RIBBS, including an 

IMpb meeting the standards in 708.5.0. 

* * * * * 

507 Mailer Services 

1.0 Treatment of Mail 

* * * * * 

1.5 Treatment for Ancillary Services 

by Class of Mail 

* * * * * 

1.5.3 Standard Mail and Parcel Select 

Lightweight 

Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) 

Standard Mail and Parcel Select 

Lightweight pieces are treated as 

described in Exhibit 1.5.3, with these 

additional conditions: 

* * * * * 

Exhibit 1.5.3 Treatment of 

Undeliverable Standard Mail and 

Parcel Select Lightweight 

[Revise (only) the two designated 

sections of Exhibit 1.5.3 titled Address 

Service Requested (Option 1 and Option 

2) and Change Service Requested1 4

(Option 1 and Option 2) to read as 

follows:] 

Mailer endorsement USPS Treatment of UAA pieces 

No Endorsement 1 .................................................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Electronic Service Requested’’ ............................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ .................................................................. (Does not include Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return participants) 

OPTION 1 ................................................................................................. * * * * * 

OPTION 2 ................................................................................................. * * * * * 

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ .................................................................. * * * * * 

Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return Option 1.

Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return Option 2.

Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return Option 3 

‘‘Address Service Requested—BPRS’’ .................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ 3 ........................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .................................................................... * * * * * 

OPTION 1 

OPTION 2 

‘‘Return Service Requested—BPRS’’ ....................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ 1 4.

OPTION 1 ................................................................................................. (Valid for all pieces, including ACS participating pieces) If no changeof-address order on file, or if change-of-address order is on file: Notice of new address or reason for non-delivery provided (address 

correction fee charged); piece disposed of by USPS. 

Restrictions: 

The following restrictions apply: 

(1) USPS Tracking is the only extra services permitted with this endorsement. 

(2) This endorsement is not permitted for Standard Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight containing hazardous materials. 

OPTION 2 ................................................................................................. (Available via ACS only; for Standard Mail letters and flats only) 

If no change-of-address order on file: 

Reason for non-delivery provided to mailer (electronic ACS fee 

charged); piece disposed of by USPS. 

If change-of-address order on file: 

• Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded; postage due charged to the 

mailer at applicable Forwarding Fee based on the piece shape (letter 

or flat); separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee 

charged). 

• Months 13 through 18: Piece disposed of by USPS; separate notice 

of new address provided (electronic ACS fee charged). 

After month 18: Treatment same as noted under ‘‘If no change-of-address order on file’’. 

Restrictions: 

The following restrictions apply: 

(1) USPS Tracking is the only extra services permitted with this endorsement. 

(2) This endorsement is not permitted for Standard Mail containing 

hazardous materials. 

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ .................................................................. * * * * * 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6605 

* * * * * 

1.5.4 Standard Post, Package Services 

and Parcel Select 

Undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) 

Standard Post, Package Services, and 

Parcel Select mailpieces are treated as 

described in Exhibit 1.5.4, with these 

additional conditions: 

* * * * * 

Exhibit 1.5.4 Treatment of 

Undeliverable Standard Post, Package 

Services, and Parcel Select 

[Revise (only) the designated section 

of Exhibit 1.5.4 titled Change Service 

Requested2 (Option 1 and Option 2) to 

read as follows:] 

Mailer endorsement USPS Treatment of UAA pieces 

No Endorsement ....................................................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Electronic Service Requested’’ ............................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ .................................................................. * * * * * 

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ .................................................................. * * * * * 

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’1 ........................................................... * * * * * 

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .................................................................... * * * * * 

Option 1 

Option 2.

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ 2

Option 1 .................................................................................................... (Valid for all pieces, including ACS participating pieces) 

If no change-of-address order on file, or if change-of-address order is 

on file: 

Notice of new address or reason for non-delivery provided (address 

correction charged): piece disposed of by USPS. 

Restrictions: 

The following restrictions apply: 

(1) USPS Tracking and Signature Confirmation are the only extra services permitted with this endorsement. 

(2) This endorsement is not permitted for Standard Post or Package 

Services containing hazardous materials. 

Option 2 .................................................................................................... (Available via ACS only; for Bound Printed Matter flats only) 

If no change-of-address order on file: 

Reason for non-delivery provided to mailer (electronic ACS fee 

charged); piece disposed of by USPS. 

If change-of-address order on file: 

• Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded; postage due charged to the 

mailer at applicable Forwarding Fee based on the piece shape (flat); 

separate notice of new address provided (electronic ACS fee 

charged). 

• Months 13 through 18: Piece disposed of by USPS; separate notice 

of new address provided (electronic ACS fee charged). 

After month 18: Treatment same as noted under ‘‘If no change-of-address order on file’’. 

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ .................................................................. * * * * * 

* * * * * 

2.0 Forwarding 

2.1 Change-of-Address Order 

2.1.4 Methods of Filing 

Customers may use one of the 

following methods to file a change-ofaddress with the Post Office: 

* * * * * 

[Delete item c. in its entirety.] 

* * * * * 

4.0 Address Correction Services 

* * * * * 

4.2 Address Change Service (ACS) 

* * * * * 

4.2.8 Address Correction Service Fee 

[Revise the text of 4.2.8 to read as 

follows:] 

Unless excepted, the applicable fee 

for address correction is charged for 

each separate notification of address 

correction or the reason for nondelivery 

provided. Once the ACS fee charges 

have been invoiced, any unpaid fees for 

the prior invoice cycle (month) will be 

assessed an annual administrative fee of 

10% for the overdue amount. 

* * * * * 

508 Recipient Services 

1.0 Recipient Options 

1.1 Basic Recipient Concerns 

* * * * * 

1.1.7 Priority Mail Express and 

Accountable Mail 

[Revise the introductory text of 1.1.7 

to read as follows:] 

The following conditions also apply 

to the delivery of Priority Mail Express, 

Registered Mail, Certified Mail, mail 

insured for more than $500.00, Adult 

Signature, or COD, as well as mail for 

which a return receipt is requested or 

the sender has specified restricted 

delivery. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 1.1.8 (relocated from 

previously deleted 503.8.0) as follows:] 

1.1.8 Additional Delivery Standards 

for Restricted Delivery 

In additional to the standards 

described under 1.1.7, mail marked 

‘‘Restricted Delivery’’ is delivered only 

to the addressee or to the person 

authorized in writing as the addressee’s 

agent (the USPS may require proof of 

identification from the addressee (or 

agent) to receive the mail, and under the 

following conditions: 

a. Mail for famous personalities and 

executives of large organizations is 

normally delivered to an agent 

authorized to sign for such mail. 

b. Mail for officials of executive, 

legislative, and judicial branches of the 

government of the United States or of 

the states and possessions and their 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6606 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

political subdivisions, or to members of 

the diplomatic corps, may be delivered 

to a person authorized by the addressee 

or by regulations or procedures of the 

agency or organization to receive the 

addressee’s mail. 

c. Mail for the commander or other 

officials of military organizations by 

name and title, is delivered to the unit 

mail clerk, mail orderly, postal clerk, 

assistant postal clerk, or postal finance 

clerk, when such individuals are 

designated on DD (Department of 

Defense) Form 285 to receipt for all mail 

addressed to the units for which they 

are designated. If the person accepting 

mail is designated on DD Form 285 to 

receipt for ordinary mail only, then 

restricted delivery mail addressed to the 

commander, or other official by name 

and title, is delivered to the mail clerk 

only if authorized by the addressee. 

d. Mail for an inmate of a city, state, 

or federal penal institution, in cases 

where a personal signature cannot be 

obtained, is delivered to the warden or 

designee. 

e. Mail for minors or persons under 

guardianship may be delivered to their 

parents or guardians. 

f. An addressee who regularly 

receives restricted delivery mail may 

authorize an agent on Form 3801 or by 

letter to the Postmaster and must 

include the notation ‘‘this authorization 

is extended to include restricted 

delivery (or Adult Signature Restricted 

Delivery) mail’’. Form 3849 also may be 

used for the authorization, if the Post 

Office has no standing delivery order or 

letter on file, when the addressee enters 

the name of the agent on the back of 

Form 3849 in the space provided and 

signs the form. The agent must sign for 

receipt of the article on the back of the 

form. 

g. When mail is addressed to two or 

more persons jointly, all addressees or 

their agents must be present to accept 

delivery together. The delivery receipt 

obtained and the return receipt, if any, 

must be signed by all joint addressees or 

their agents. The mail may then be 

delivered to any of the addressees or 

their agents unless one or more 

addressees or their agents object, in 

which case delivery is not made until 

all the addressees or their agents sign a 

statement designating who is to receive 

the mail. 

h. Either person may sign for mail 

addressed to one person in care of 

another (i.e. ‘‘In Care Of’’). 

* * * * * 

4.0 Post Office Box Service 

* * * * * 

4.5 Fee Group Assignments 

* * * * * 

4.5.4 Additional Standards for 

Competitive PO Box Services 

* * * Customers in competitive 

locations may also complete a customer 

agreement in order to receive one or 

more of the following enhancements: 

[Revise 4.5.4 item a to read as 

follows:] 

a. Street Addressing—The option to 

use the Post Office street address for 

their mailing address along with 

customer’s box number preceded by as 

follows (customers who choose to use 

this designation also have the option of 

receiving packages from private carriers 

at the customer’s Post Office Box 

address): John Smith, 123 Main Street 

#4567, Any Town, NY 10001. 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.5.4 item c to read as 

follows:] 

c. Signature on File—the option to 

simplify receipt of Priority Mail 

Express, mail insured for more $500.00, 

and Signature Confirmation items, all of 

which may include an electronic Return 

Receipt request, by providing a 

signature kept on file by the Postmaster. 

* * * * * 

604 Postage Payment Methods 

* * * * * 

4.0 Postage Meters and PC Postage 

Products (‘‘Postage Evidencing 

Systems’’) 

* * * * * 

4.5 Special Indicia 

* * * * * 

4.5.2 Reply Postage 

[Revise the entire text of 4.5.2 (context 

of text relocated to 505.2.6, Prepaid 

Reply Mail), to read as follows:] 

Mailers may use indicia generated by 

any postage evidencing system to 

prepay reply postage as provided under 

505.2.0. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Permit Imprint (Indicia) 

* * * * * 

5.3 Indicia Design, Placement, and 

Content 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 5.3.5 to 

read as follows:] 

5.3.5 Marking Expedited Handling on 

Permit Imprint Mail 

Mailpieces bearing markings that 

reference directly or indirectly 

expedited attention, handling or 

delivery (e.g., ‘‘Urgent,’’ ‘‘Rush 

Delivery,’’ ‘‘Expedited,’’ ‘‘Time 

Sensitive’’) must meet the following 

conditions: 

a. The indicia much show the class of 

mail (e.g. ‘‘Standard’’ or ‘‘STD’’; 

‘‘Presorted Standard’’ or ‘‘PRSRT STD’’; 

or ‘‘Nonprofit Organization,’’ ‘‘Nonprofit 

Org.,’’ or ‘‘Nonprofit’’ or as applicable 

for the class of mail as provided under 

5.3.6 or 5.3.7) more prominently than 

other words in the indicia. 

b. Include a clear space of at least 3/ 

8 inch around the entire indicia. 

c. Pieces may not include markings 

identical to or confusingly similar to 

USPS trademarks (word marks or logos), 

trade dress, or other words, symbols, or 

designs used by the USPS to identify a 

class of mail, price of postage, or level 

of service, unless such markings are 

correctly used under the applicable 

standards for the mailpiece on which 

they appear and the corresponding 

postage and fees have been paid. Words, 

symbols or designs that are unlawful or 

legally actionable, or create a claim for 

false advertisements or contributory 

infringement (infringement of third 

party rights) are not permitted. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Payment of Postage 

6.1 Basic Standards 

The mailer is responsible for proper 

payment of postage. Postage on all mail 

must be fully prepaid at the time of 

mailing, except as specifically provided 

by standard for: 

[Revise 6.1 items a and b to read as 

follows:] 

a. Reply mail and return services 

under 505.0. 

b. Alternate Postage payment under 

5.5. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new item g under 6.1 to read 

as follows:] 

g. Packages from private carriers being 

delivered to a customer at a competitive 

Post Office Box service location, when 

using the street addressing designation 

option, as provided under 508.4.5.4. 

* * * * * 

9.0 Exchanges and Refunds 

* * * * * 

9.2 Postage and Fee Refunds 

* * * * * 

9.2.5 Applying for Refund 

[Revise the first and the last sentences 

of 9.2.5 to read as follows:] 

For refunds under 9.2, excluding 

postage refunds for extra service fees 

under 9.2.7, the customer must apply 

for a refund on Form 3533; submit it to 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6607 

the postmaster; and provide the 

envelope, wrapper (or a part of it) 

showing the names and addresses of the 

sender and addressee, canceled postage 

and postal markings, or other evidence 

of postage and fees paid.* * * Refunds 

for postage evidencing systems postage, 

excluding postage refunds for extra 

service fees under 9.2.7, are submitted 

under 9.3. 

* * * * * 

[Insert new 9.2.7 to read as follows:] 

9.2.7 Applying for Extra Service 

Refund 

For refunds for fees paid for extra 

services, as allowed under applicable 

standards in 9.2, the customer must 

apply for a refund online at 

www.usps.com/domestic-claims. 

* * * * * 

609 Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss 

or Damage 

1.0 General Filing Instructions 

* * * * * 

1.5.2 Claims Filed by Mail 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.5.2 to 

read as follows:] 

Customers may file a claim by 

completing a Form 1000 and mailing the 

original copy to the address indicated 

on the form, accompanied by proof of 

value.* * * 

* * * * * 

3.0 Providing Evidence of Insurance 

and Value 

3.1 Evidence of Insurance 

* * * Examples of acceptable 

evidence are: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the second sentence of 3.1 

item d to read as follows:] 

d. * * * The printout must identify 

the USPS Tracking number of the 

insured parcel, total postage paid, 

insurance fee paid, declared value (if 

applicable), mailing date, origin ZIP 

Code, and delivery ZIP Code. 

* * * * * 

3.2 Proof of Value 

* * * Examples are: 

[Revise 3.2 item a to read as follows:] 

a. A sales receipt, paid invoice or bill 

of sale, or statement of value from a 

reputable dealer. 

[Delete current 3.2 items b and c in 

their entirety; then, renumber current 

items d through h as new items b 

through f.] 

* * * * * 

4.0 Claims 

4.1 Payable Claim 

[Revise the introductory text of 4.1 to 

read as follows:] 

Insurance for loss or damage to 

insured, COD, or Registered Mail within 

the amount covered by the fee paid, or 

the indemnity limits for Priority Mail, or 

Priority Mail Express (under 4.2), is 

payable for the following: 

[Revise 4.1 item a to read as follows:] 

a. Article’s actual value when mailed. 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.1 item k to read as follows:] 

k. Cost of bees, crickets, or baby 

poultry destroyed by physical damage to 

the package, otherwise, the USPS is not 

presumed to be at fault. 

[Delete 4.1 items l and m in their 

entirety; then, renumber current items n 

through q as new l through o.] 

* * * * * 

[Revise newly renumbered item n to 

read as follows:] 

n. For firearms mailed by licensed 

firearm dealers (under 601.8.0 and 

Publication 52), 4, a Form 1508 must be 

submitted with the claim. 

[Revise newly renumbered item o to 

read as follows:] 

o. For collectible items, a sales 

receipt, paid invoice or bill of sale, or 

statement of value from a reputable 

dealer (i.e., a licensed business owner 

who is qualified to estimate value or 

cost of repairs for the item) must be 

provided as described in 3.2a. 

4.2 Payable Priority Mail Express 

Claim 

In addition to the payable claims in 

4.1, the following are payable for 

Priority Mail Express mailpieces: 

[Revise the second sentence of 4.2 

item a to read as follows:] 

a. * * * Coverage is limited to $100 

per mailpiece, subject to a maximum 

limit per occurrence as provided in 

4.2a.4. *** 

* * * * * 

4.3 Nonpayable Claims 

[Revise the introductory text of 4.3 to 

read as follows:] 

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 4.3 item d to read as follows:] 

d. Requested replacement value 

exceeded article’s actual value when 

mailed. 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.3 item f to read as follows:] 

f. Loss resulting from delay of the 

mail, except under 4.2a.2 and 4.3ad. 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.3 item h to read as follows:] 

h. Perishable contents frozen, melted, 

spoiled, or deteriorated. 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.3 item k to read as follows:] 

k. Death of honeybees, crickets, and 

harmless live animals not the fault of 

the USPS (mailability is subject to 

standards under 601.8.4 and Publication 

52, Chapter 5). 

* * * * * 

[Revise 4.3 item r to read as follows:] 

r. Consequential loss of Priority Mail 

Express claimed, except under 4.2a.3 

and 4.3ad. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Compensation 

5.1 Payment Limit 

[Revise the first sentence of 5.1 to read 

as follows:] 

The USPS does not make payment for 

more than the article’s actual value 

when mailed or, for bulk insurance, for 

more than the wholesale cost of the 

contents to the sender if a lesser 

amount.* * * 

* * * * * 

5.4 Loss 

[Revise the title and text of 5.4 to read 

as follows:] 

If the insured, registered, or COD 

article is lost the payment includes an 

additional amount for the postage (not 

fee) paid by the sender. Postage for 

Priority Mail Express is refunded under 

604.9.5. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Adjudication of Claims 

* * * * * 

6.3 Final USPS Decision of Claims 

[Revise the text of 6.3 to read as 

follows:] 

If Accounting Services sustains the 

denial of a claim, the customer may 

submit an additional appeal within 30 

days for final review and decision at 

www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/

online.htm. Customers who did not file 

their claim online must send a written 

appeal to the Consumer Advocate (see 

608.8.0 for address). 

* * * * * 

705 Advanced Preparation and 

Special Postage Payment Systems 

* * * * * 

[Revise heading of 14.0 to read as 

follows:] 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6608 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

14.0 FSS Scheme Preparation 

[Revise the entire text of 14.1 to read 

as follows:] 

14.1 General 

All Standard Mail, Bound Printed 

Matter (BPM), and Periodicals flats 

meeting the standards in 201 must be 

sorted to FSS schemes, properly 

bundled and placed on/in pallets, trays, 

sacks, or approved alternate containers, 

for FSS scheme ZIP Code combinations 

within the same facility. Mailings that 

include 10 or more pieces of Standard 

Mail flats, 6 or more pieces of 

Periodicals flats, or 10 or more pieces 

(or 10 or more pounds) of BPM flats to 

an FSS scheme must be prepared in FSS 

scheme bundles. The Postal Service also 

recommends the use of authorized flat 

trays in lieu of sacks for FSS bundles. 

FSS scheme bundles that are not 

required to be placed in a FSS scheme 

or FSS facility container are combined 

with bundles of non-FSS sorted bundles 

and placed on an applicable SCF, 3-digit 

or NDC container. Mailers must prepare 

FSS scheme qualifying mailpieces for 

each individual FSS scheme 

combination, and then prepare bundles 

of uniform size from those pieces. 

Mailpieces and bundles must also be 

prepared as follows: 

a. Bundles for all FSS schemes must 

be identified as an FSS scheme presort 

with an optional endorsement line 

under 708.7.0, or when authorized, 

using a red Label 5 SCH barcoded 

pressure-sensitive bundle label. 

b. It is recommended that all pieces 

placed into an FSS scheme bundle be 

barcoded, and bear an accurate delivery 

point Intelligent Mail barcode with an 

accurate 11-digit routing code. 

c. All FSS scheme bundles must be 

prepared in bundles with a 3-inch 

minimum and a 6.5-inch maximum 

height. ‘‘Leveling’’ (adjusting bundle 

heights within an FSS Scheme to avoid 

overflow bundles) of the bundles within 

each scheme is encouraged. Bundles 

must be placed on or in sacks, trays, 

pallets or alternate authorized container 

to form layers of consistent thickness; 

bundles of uneven thickness must be 

counter-stacked on pallets or approved 

alternate container in accordance with 

8.5.8. Except for one overflow bundle 

that may be under the minimum size, all 

bundles within each FSS scheme must 

be of uniform size. 

d. Pallets must be prepared under 8.0 

and labeled under 8.6, with a pallet 

placard bearing an Intelligent Mail 

container barcode as described in 

708.6.4. 

e. An FSS scheme pallet, or approved 

alternate container, must be made when 

250 pounds or more of bundles are 

available for an individual FSS scheme. 

Bundles remaining after palletization 

may be placed in sacks (or flat trays if 

approved) or approved alternate 

container. 

f. FSS scheme bundles for multiple 

schemes processed at one facility 

according to column C, L006 may be 

combined on an FSS facility pallet or 

approved alternate container if 

quantities are less than 250 pounds. 

g. Sacks and trays containing flat-size 

pieces prepared under FSS schemes 

must meet the applicable sacking 

standards in 14.2, 14.3, and 14.4 and be 

labeled with Intelligent Mail tray or sack 

label under 708.6. 

14.2 Periodicals 

14.2.1 Basic Standards 

[Revise the entire text of 14.2.1 to read 

as follows:] 

All Periodicals flats meeting the 

standards in 201 (nonmachinable flats 

up to 3⁄4 inch thick may be included if 

they meet the standards in 705.14) and 

destinating to FSS sites as shown in 

L006 must be prepared according to 

these standards. Mailings of In-County 

Periodicals flats and the associated 

Outside-County Periodicals flats 

mailings of 5,000 pieces or less also may 

be prepared according to these 

standards. Periodicals are subject to the 

following: 

a. Pricing eligibility is based on 

207.11.0 through 207.14.0. All 

Periodicals flats prepared under these 

standards will be assessed the FSS 

scheme price. FSS bundles placed on 

FSS scheme or FSS facility pallets, 

sacks, trays, or approved alternate 

container will claim the FSS scheme 

bundle price. 

b. FSS scheme pallets will be assessed 

the FSS scheme Pallet price. FSS facility 

sort level pallets will be charged an FSS 

Facility Pallet container price. FSS 

scheme sacks or trays will be assessed 

the FSS scheme Sack/Tray price. 

Pallets, sacks and trays entered at a 

DFSS will claim the DFSS entry price. 

c. The Outside-County pound price 

will be DFSS price. The Inside-County 

price will claim prices for the ‘‘None’’ 

entry level. 

d. Mailers must provide standardized 

presort documentation under 708.1.0 

that demonstrates eligibility for FSS 

prices in accordance with 207.14.0 and 

207.25.0. 

e. Each bundle must be identified 

with a ‘‘SCH 5–DIGIT FSS’’ optional 

endorsement line in accordance with 

Exhibit 708.7.1.1, or when authorized, 

using a red Label 5 SCH barcoded 

pressure-sensitive bundle label. 

f. All FSS schemed Periodicals 

mailpieces prepared on FSS scheme 

pallets must be prepared in uniform size 

bundles, between 3 inches and 6.5 

inches in height and secured under 

203.3.0, except that one overflow 

bundle per mailpiece pool may be under 

the minimum size. All Periodicals FSS 

scheme mailpieces must meet the 

standards in 705.14.0. 

14.2.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling 

[Revise the second and third 

sentences of the introductory text of 

14.2.2 to read as follows:] 

* * * Residual bundles may be 

included with non-FSS bundles and 

placed directly on 3-digit, SCF, or ADC 

pallets in accordance with 8.10.2, or 

placed in sacks or approved alternate 

containers. Preparation sequence and 

labeling is as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.2.2b and 14.2.2b1 to read 

as follows:] 

b. FSS facility, optional, no minimum, 

permitted only for FSS scheme bundles 

prepared for the FSS sort plans 

processed within the same facility, as 

shown in L006. Labeling: 

1. Line 1: L006, column C. 

* * * * * 

14.2.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling 

[Revise the first sentence of the 

introductory text of 14.2.3 to read as 

follows:] 

Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces 

in FSS scheme bundles may be placed 

in sacks or approved alternate 

containers when 250 pounds are not 

available to a presort destination 

(including DFSS sites). 

* * * Preparation and labeling: 

[Revise 14.2.3 item a to read as 

follows:] 

a. FSS scheme, required at 72 pieces, 

optional at 24 pieces (fewer pieces not 

permitted), permitted only for FSS 

scheme bundles prepared for a single 

FSS scheme, as shown in L006; labeling: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.2.3 item b to read as 

follows:] 

b. FSS facility, optional with a 

minimum of 24 pieces (fewer pieces not 

permitted), permitted only for FSS 

bundles prepared for the FSS sort plans 

processed within the same facility, as 

shown in L006; labeling: 

* * * * * 

14.3 Standard Mail 

14.3.1 Basic Standards 

* * * * * 

* * * Standard Mail flats are subject 

to the following: 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6609 

[Revise 14.3.1 item b to read as 

follows:] 

b. Mailers must provide standardized 

presort documentation under 708.1.0 

that demonstrates eligibility for FSS 

scheme prices in accordance with 243. 

[Delete 14.3.1 item c in its entirety; 

then, renumber current items d and e as 

new items c and d; then, and revise 

renumbered item d to read as follows:] 

d. Standard Mail FSS scheme 

mailpieces must meet all the standards 

in 705.14.1. 

* * * * * 

14.3.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling 

*** Preparation sequence and 

labeling: 

[Revise 14.3.2 item a to read as 

follows:] 

a. FSS scheme, required (optional 

under 250 pounds), no minimum, 

permitted only for FSS scheme bundles 

prepared for a single FSS scheme, as 

shown in L006. Labeling: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.3.2 items b and b1 to read 

as follows:] 

b. FSS facility, optional, no minimum, 

permitted only for FSS scheme bundles 

prepared for the FSS scheme processed 

within the same facility, as shown in 

L006. Labeling: 

1. Line 1: L006, column C. 

* * * * * 

14.3.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling 

[Revise the first sentence of the 

introductory text of 14.3.3 to read as 

follows:] 

Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces 

in FSS scheme bundles may be placed 

in sacks or approved alternate 

containers when 250 pounds are not 

available to a FSS scheme, L006. * * * 

Preparation and labeling: 

[Revise 14.3.3 item a to read as 

follows:] 

a. FSS scheme, required at 125 pieces 

or 15 pounds, permitted only for FSS 

scheme bundles prepared for a single 

FSS scheme, as shown in L006; labeling: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.3.3 item b to read as 

follows:] 

b. FSS facility, optional with a 

minimum of 125 pieces or 15 pounds, 

permitted only for FSS scheme bundles 

prepared for the FSS schemes processed 

within the same facility, as shown in 

L006; labeling: 

* * * * * 

14.4 Bound Printed Matter 

14.4.1 Basic Standards 

[Revise the introductory text of 14.4.1 

to read as follows:] 

Bound Printed Matter (BPM) flats 

eligible for, and paid at FSS Scheme 

prices and that meet the standards in 

201, must be prepared in FSS scheme 

bundles and placed on pallets, or in flat 

trays, sacks, or approved alternate 

containers, for delivery to ZIP Codes 

having FSS processing capability, as 

shown in L006. BPM flats are subject to 

the following: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 14.4.1 item b to read as 

follows:] 

b. Mailers must provide standardized 

presort documentation under 708.1.0 

that demonstrates eligibility for FSS 

scheme prices in accordance with 263. 

[Revise 14.4.1 item c to read as 

follows:] 

c. Mailers must prepare all eligible 

flat-size mailpieces into FSS scheme 

bundles according to L006. 

* * * * * 

14.4.2 Pallet Preparation and Labeling 

* * * Preparation sequence and 

labeling: 

* * * * * 

b. FSS facility sort, optional, no 

minimum, permitted only for FSS 

bundles prepared for the FSS schemes 

processed within the same facility, as 

shown in L006. Labeling: 

[Revise 14.4.2 item b1 to read as 

follows:] 

1. Line 1: L006, Column C. 

* * * * * 

14.4.3 Sack Preparation and Labeling 

[Revise the introductory text of 14.4.3 

to read as follows:] 

Properly prepared flat-size mailpieces 

in FSS scheme bundles may be placed 

in trays, sacks, or approved alternate 

containers when 250 pounds are not 

available to an FSS scheme. FSS scheme 

bundles may be placed in mixed NDC 

sacks or alternate containers, or 

combined with non-FSS bundles and 

placed in 3-digit, SCF, ADC, and mixed 

ADC sacks or alternate containers. 

Preparation and labeling: 

[Revise 14.4.3 item a to read as 

follows:] 

a. FSS scheme, required at 20 pieces, 

permitted only for FSS scheme bundles 

prepared for a single FSS scheme, as 

shown in L006; labeling: 

* * * * * 

[Revise the text of 14.4.3b as follows:] 

b. FSS facility sort, optional with a 

minimum of 20 pieces, permitted only 

for FSS scheme bundles prepared for 

the FSS schemes processed within the 

same facility, as shown in L006. 

* * * * * 

708 Technical Specifications 

1.0 Standardized Documentation for 

First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Standard 

Mail, and Flat-Size Bound Printed 

Matter 

* * * * * 

1.2 Format and Content 

For First-Class Mail, Periodicals, 

Standard Mail, and Bound Printed 

Matter, standardized documentation 

includes: 

* * * * * 

c. For mail in trays or sacks, list these 

required elements: 

[Insert a new second sentence in the 

text of 1.2c item 4 to read as follows:] 

* * * * * 

4. * * * For pieces prepared in FSS 

scheme bundles, list by 5-digit ZIP Code 

within each bundle. * * * 

* * * * * 

1.3 Price Level Column Headings 

The actual name of the price level (or 

abbreviation) is used for column 

headings required by 1.2 and shown 

below: 

a. Automation First-Class Mail, 

Standard Mail, and barcoded 

Periodicals: 

[Revise the table in 1.3 item a to read 

as follows:] 

Price Abbreviation 

FSS [Periodicals flats, Standard Mail flats] ............................................................................................................................... SB. 

5-Digit [First-Class Mail letters and flats, Periodicals letters and flats, and Standard Mail letters and flats] ........................... 5B. 

3-Digit [First-Class Mail letters and flats, Periodicals letters and flats, and Standard Mail letters and flats] ........................... 3B. 

AADC [First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail letters] .............................................................................................. AB. 

ADC [First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail Flats] ................................................................................................... AB. 

Mixed AADC [First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail letters] .................................................................................... MB. 

Mixed ADC [First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail flats] ......................................................................................... MB. 

Basic [In-County Periodicals] ..................................................................................................................................................... BB. 

Firm [Outside-County Periodicals] ............................................................................................................................................. FB. 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6610 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

b. Presorted First-Class Mail, 

barcoded and nonbarcoded Periodicals 

flats, nonbarcoded Periodicals letters, 

and machinable and nonmachinable 

Standard Mail: 

[Revise the table in 1.3 item b to read 

as follows:] 

Price Abbreviation 

Presorted [First-Class Mail letters/cards, flats, and parcels] ..................................................................................................... Presort. 

5-Digit [First-Class Mail parcels, all Standard Mail, and Periodicals letters] ............................................................................ 5D. 

FSS [Periodicals flats, Standard Mail flats] ............................................................................................................................... SB. 

3-Digit [First-Class Mail parcels, all Standard Mail and Periodicals letters] ............................................................................. 3D. 

SCF [for Standard Mail parcels] ................................................................................................................................................ SCF. 

AADC [Standard Mail machinable letters] ................................................................................................................................. AB. 

ADC [First-Class Mail parcels, First-Class Mail Package Service parcels, Standard Mail nonmachinable letters, flats, and 

irregular parcels and all Periodicals].

AD. 

Basic [In-County Periodicals] ..................................................................................................................................................... BS. 

Mixed AADC [Standard Mail machinable letters] ...................................................................................................................... MB. 

Mixed ADC [Standard Mail nonmachinable letters, flats, irregular parcels; and all Periodicals] .............................................. MD. 

Mixed ADC [First-Class Mail parcels] ........................................................................................................................................ SP. 

NDC [Standard Mail machinable parcels and Marketing parcels 6 ounces and over] ............................................................. NDC. 

Mixed NDC [Standard Mail machinable parcels and Marketing parcels 6 ounces and over] .................................................. MNDC. 

Firm [Outside-County Periodicals] ............................................................................................................................................. FB. 

c. Carrier Route Periodicals and 

Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail: 

* * * * * 

1.4 Sortation Level 

The actual sortation level (or 

corresponding abbreviation) is used for 

the bundle, tray, sack, or pallet levels 

required by 1.2 and shown below: 

[Revise the table in 1.4 to read as 

follows:] 

Sortation level Abbreviation 

Carrier Route ............................................................................................................................................................................. CRD. 

5-Digit Carrier Routes ................................................................................................................................................................ CR5. 

5-Digit Scheme Carrier Routes [sacks and pallets, Periodicals flats and irregular parcels, Standard Mail flats] .................... CR5S. 

5-Digit Scheme [barcoded and machinable letters] .................................................................................................................. 5DGS. 

5-Digit Scheme [pallets, Periodicals flats and irregular parcels, Standard Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter flats] .................. 5DGS. 

Merged 5-Digit [sacks and pallets, Periodicals flats and irregular parcels, Standard Mail flats] .............................................. M5D. 

Merged 5-Digit Scheme [sacks and pallets, Periodicals flats and irregular parcels, Standard Mail flats] ............................... M5DS. 

5-Digit ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5DG. 

FSS Scheme [bundle, tray, sack or other approved container, Periodicals flats, Standard Mail flats, Bound Printed Matter 

flats].

FSS. 

3-Digit Carrier Routes ................................................................................................................................................................ CR3. 

3-Digit Scheme [barcoded letters, barcoded and co-bundled flats] .......................................................................................... 3DGS. 

Merged 3-Digit [sacks, Periodicals flats and irregular parcels] ................................................................................................. M3D. 

3-Digit ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3DG. 

ADC ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ADC. 

ADC [pallets created from bundle reallocation] ......................................................................................................................... PADC. 

AADC ......................................................................................................................................................................................... AADC. 

Mixed ADC ................................................................................................................................................................................. MADC. 

Origin Mixed ADC ...................................................................................................................................................................... OMX. 

Mixed AADC .............................................................................................................................................................................. MAAD. 

SCF [sacks and pallets, Periodicals flats, Bound Printed Matter, Standard Mail irregular parcels less than 6 ounces] ......... SCF. 

SCF [pallets created from bundle reallocation] ......................................................................................................................... PSCF. 

NDC ........................................................................................................................................................................................... NDC. 

ASF ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ASF. 

NDC [pallets created from bundle reallocation] ......................................................................................................................... PNDC. 

Mixed NDC [working] ................................................................................................................................................................. MNDC. 

* * * * * 

1.6 Detailed Zone Listing for 

Periodicals 

1.6.1 Definition and Retention 

[Revise the first sentence of 1.6.1 to 

read as follows:] 

The publisher must be able to present 

documentation to support the number of 

copies of each edition of an issue, by 

entry point, mailed to each zone, and at 

DDU, DFSS, DSCF, DADC, DNDC, and 

In-County prices.* * * 

* * * * * 

1.6.3 Zone Abbreviations 

Use the actual price name or the 

authorized zone abbreviation in the 

listings in 1.0 and 207.17.4.2: 

[Revise the table in 1.6.3 to read as 

follows:] 

Zone abbreviation Rate equivalent 

ICD .................................................. In-County, DDU. 

IC .................................................... In-County, Others. 

DDU ................................................ Outside-County, DDU. 

FSS ................................................. Outside-County, DFSS. 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6611 

Zone abbreviation Rate equivalent 

SCF ................................................. Outside-County, DSCF. 

ADC ................................................ Outside-County, DADC. 

1–2 or 1/2 ....................................... zones 1 and 2. 

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (as applicable) ........ zones 3 through 8 (as applicable) 

M ..................................................... mixed zones. 

* * * * * 

1.7.2 Outside-County Container 

Report 

The container report must contain, at 

a minimum, the following elements: 

* * * * * 

[Revise 1.7.2 item d to read as 

follows:] 

d. Container entry level (origin, DDU, 

DFSS, DSCF, DADC, or DNDC). 

* * * * * 

6.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray 

Labels, Sack Labels, and Container 

Placards 

* * * * * 

6.2 Specifications for Barcoded Tray 

and Sack Labels 

* * * * * 

6.2.4 3-Digit Content Identifier 

Numbers 

* * * See Exhibit 6.2.4. 

Exhibit 6.2.4 3-Digit Content Identifier 

Numbers 

[Update Exhibit 6.2.4, 3-Digit Content 

Identifier Numbers, to read as follows:] 

Class and mailing CIN Human–Readable content line 

Priority Mail Express OPEN AND DISTRIBUTE 

*****

PRIORITY MAIL OPEN AND DISTRIBUTE 

*****

First-Class Package Service, Parcels 

*****

All Other Classes, Parcels 

*****

FIRST–CLASS MAIL 

FCM Letters—Automation 

*****

FCM Letters—Nonautomation Machinable 

*****

FCM Letters—Presorted Nonmachinable 

*****

FCM Letters—Single-Piece 

*****

FCM Flats—Automation 

*****

FCM Flats—Presorted 

*****

FCM Flats—Co-trayed Automation and Presorted 

*****

FCM Flats—Single-Piece 

*****

FC Parcels—Presorted 

*****

PERIODICALS (PER) 

PER Letters—Carrier Route 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6612 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Class and mailing CIN Human–Readable content line 

*****

PER Letters—Barcoded (Automation) 

*****

PER Letters—Nonbarcoded (Nonautomation) 

*****

PER Flats—Carrier Route 

*****

PER Flats—Barcoded 

*****

PER Flats—Nonbarcoded 

*****

PER Flats—Co-sacked Barcoded and Nonbarcoded 

*****

PER Flats—Merged Carrier Route, Barcoded, and Nonbarcoded 

merged 5-digit sacks ............................................................................................................................. 339 PER FLTS CR/5D. 

merged 5-digit scheme sacks ............................................................................................................... 349 PER FLTS CR/5D SCH. 

FSS scheme .......................................................................................................................................... 707 PER FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC. 

FSS facility ............................................................................................................................................ 703 PER FLTS 5D FSS FAC BC. 

merged 3-digit sacks ............................................................................................................................. 352 PER FLTS CR/5D/3D. 

PER Irregular Parcels—Merged Carrier Route and Presorted 

* * * * * 

PER Irregular Parcels—Carrier Route 

* * * * * 

PER Irregular Parcels—Presorted 

* * * * * 

PERIODICALS (NEWS) 

NEWS Letters—Carrier Route 

* * * * * 

NEWS Letters—Barcoded (Automation) 

* * * * * 

NEWS Letters—Nonbarcoded (Nonautomation) 

* * * * * 

NEWS Flats—Carrier Route 

* * * * * 

NEWS Flats—Barcoded 

* * * * * 

NEWS Flats—Nonbarcoded 

* * * * * 

NEWS Flats—Co-sacked Barcoded and Nonbarcoded 

* * * * * 

NEWS Flats—Merged Carrier Route, Barcoded, and Nonbarcoded 

merged 5-digit ............................................................................................................................................... 439 NEWS FLTS CR/5D. 

merged 5-digit scheme ................................................................................................................................. 449 NEWS FLTS CR/5D SCH. 

FSS scheme ................................................................................................................................................. 708 NEWS FLTS 5D FSS SCH 

BC. 

FSS facility .................................................................................................................................................... 704 NEWS FLTS 5D FSS FAC 

BC. 

merged 3-digit sacks .................................................................................................................................... 452 NEWS FLTS CR/5D/3D. 

NEWS Irregular Parcels—Merged Carrier Route and Presorted 

* * * * * 

NEWS Irregular Parcels—Carrier Route 

* * * * * 

NEWS Irregular Parcels—Presorted 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6613 

Class and mailing CIN Human–Readable content line 

*****

STANDARD MAIL 

ECR Letters—Barcoded 

*****

ECR Letters—Nonautomation (Machinable) 

*****

ECR Letters—Nonautomation (Nonmachinable) 

*****

STD Letters—Automation 

*****

STD Letters—Nonautomation Machinable 

*****

STD Letters—Presorted Nonmachinable 

*****

STD Letters—Residual Pieces Subject to FCM Single-Piece Prices 

* * * * * 

Enhanced Carrier Route Flats—Nonautomation 

* * * * * 

STD Flats—Co-sacked Automation and Nonautomation 

*****

STD Flats—Merged Carrier Route, Automation, and Presorted 

merged 5-digit ....................................................................................................................................... 539 STD FLTS CR/5D. 

merged 5-digit scheme .......................................................................................................................... 549 STD FLTS CR/5D SCH. 

FSS scheme .......................................................................................................................................... 709 STD FLTS 5D FSS SCH BC. 

FSS facility ............................................................................................................................................ 705 STD FLTS 5D FSS FAC BC. 

STD Flats—Automation 

*****

STD Flats—Nonautomation 

*****

STD Flats—Residual Pieces Subject to FCM Single-Piece Prices 

* * * * * 

Customized MarketMail (CMM) 

* * * * * 

ECR Marketing Parcels 

* * * * * 

STD Marketing Parcels less than 6 oz. and Irregular Parcels 

* * * * * 

STD Marketing Parcels 6 oz. or more and Machinable Parcels 

* * * * * 

STD Machinable and Irregular Parcels—Presorted 

* * * * * 

PACKAGE SERVICES 

Carrier Route BPM—Flats 

* * * * * 

Presorted BPM—Flats 

* * * * * 

Presorted BPM—Automation Flats 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
6614 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 

Class and mailing CIN Human–Readable content line 

*****

BPM Flats—Co-sacked Barcoded and Presorted 

5-digit scheme sacks ............................................................................................................................. 648 PSVC FLTS 5D SCH BC/

NBC. 

FSS scheme .......................................................................................................................................... 710 PSVC FLTS 5D FSS SCH 

BC. 

FSS facility ............................................................................................................................................ 706 PSVC FLTS 5D FSS FAC BC. 

5-digit sacks .................................................................................................................................................. 648 PSVC FLTS 5D BC/NBC. 

3-digit sacks .................................................................................................................................................. 661 PSVC FLTS 3D BC/NBC. 

SCF sacks .................................................................................................................................................... 667 PSVC FLTS SCF BC/NBC. 

ADC sacks .................................................................................................................................................... 668 PSVC FLTS ADC BC/NBC. 

mixed ADC sacks ......................................................................................................................................... 669 PSVC FLTS BC/NBC WKG. 

Carrier Route BPM—Irregular Parcels 

*****

Presorted BPM—Irregular Parcels 

*****

Carrier Route BPM—Machinable Parcels 

*****

Presorted BPM—Machinable Parcels 

*****

[Revise the following heading under PACKAGE SERVICES to read as follows:] 

Media Mail and Library Mail Flats—Presorted 

*****

[Revise the following heading under PACKAGE SERVICES to read as follows:] 

Media Mail and Library Mail Irregular Parcels—Presorted 

*****

Media Mail and Library Mail Machinable Parcels—Presorted 

*****

PARCEL SELECT 

Parcel Select Machinable Parcels 

* * * * * 

Parcel Select DSCF and DDU Prices 

* * * * * 

Parcel Select—Irregular (Nonmachinable) Parcels 

* * * * * 

Parcel Select Lightweight Machinable Parcels 

* * * * * 

Parcel Select Lightweight Irregular Parcels 

* * * * * 

Combined Package Services and Parcel Select Parcels 

* * * * * 

Combined Package Services, Parcel Select, and Standard Machinable Parcels 

* * * * * 

Combined Package Services, Parcel Select, and Standard—All Parcels 

* * * * * 

Combined Package Services, Parcel Select, and Standard—Irregular Parcels 2 up to 6 oz. 

(APPS-machinable) 

* * * * * 

Combined PSVC & STD—Irregular Parcels less than 2 oz., and tubes and rolls (not APPSmachinable) 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 6615 

* * * * * 

We will publish an appropriate 

amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect 

these changes if our proposal is 

adopted. 

* * * * * 

Stanley F. Mires, 

Attorney, Federal Requirements. 

[FR Doc. 2015–01851 Filed 2–4–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P 


rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS2