3642 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

(a) The CIFs are not specifically

altered for the particular transmittal of

funds in question,

(b) The CIFs are generally

programmed and used by the institution

for customer communications, not

simply for transmittal of funds

transactions, and as so programmed

generate other than true name and street

address information;

(c) The institution itself knows and

can associate the CIF information used

in the funds transmittal order with the

true name and street address of the

transmittor of the order;

(d) The transmittal order includes a

question mark symbol (‘‘?’’)

immediately following any designation

of the transmittor other than by a true

name on the order; and

(e) Any report required to be made

under 31 CFR 103.21 or 31 CFR 103.22

by the institution with respect to the

funds transmittal to which the

transmittal order relates contains true

name and street address information for

the transmittor and plainly associates

the report with the particular funds

transmittal in question.

This exception has no application to

any funds transmittals for whose

processing an institution does not

automatically rely on preprogrammed

and prespecified CIF name and address

information. Moreover, institutions are

reminded that the use of nominee,

‘‘special,’’ or coded names is barred by

the Travel Rule, in the absence of the

foregoing exception with respect to CIFs

only. Any new customer request for use

of a nominee, or ‘‘special’’ or coded

name in a CIF after the date of this

Issuance should be carefully evaluated

by depository institutions as a

potentially suspicious transaction

requiring reporting under 31 CFR

103.21, and reported unless an

examination reveals that the request is

made for an independent lawful

business purpose and is the sort in

which the customer involved would be

expected to engage.

2. A financial institution will have

complied with the terms of 31 CFR

103.33(g) for a transmittal order sent

prior to April 1, 1998 and on or after the

date of the conversion to the expanded

Fedwire message format of the bank

sending the transmittal order, if

(a) The transmittal order was an order

to which the terms of 31 CFR

103.33(g)(3) would have applied if the

order had been sent prior to the date of

such conversion, and

(b) The terms of 31 CFR 103.33(g)(3)

are satisfied with respect to such order

as if such paragraph continued to apply

by its terms to such transmittal order.

The foregoing exceptions do not in

any way modify the obligations of

financial institutions under any other

provisions of 31 CFR part 103,

including, without limitation, the

obligation to maintain and retrieve

information about transmittals of funds

or the contents of orders for the

transmittals of funds. Terms used in the

foregoing exceptions and not defined in

this document have the meaning given

to such terms in 31 CFR part 103. The

foregoing exceptions may be modified

or revoked at any time in the sole

discretion of the Department of the

Treasury, by document published in the

Federal Register. Exception 1, above,

will expire on May 31, 1999, for

transmittals of funds initiated after that

date, if not revoked or modified with

respect to such expiration date prior to

that time.

III. Paperwork Reduction Act

The collection of information

contained in this issuance has been

reviewed and approved by the Office of

Management and Budget in accordance

with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44

U.S.C. 3507) under control number

1506–0008. An agency may not conduct

or sponsor, and a person is not required

to respond to, a collection of

information unless it displays a valid

control number assigned by the Office of

Management and Budget.

The collection of information in this

issuance is in the Grant of Exceptions

section of this issuance, paragraph 1.(d).

This information is required to comply

with the Bank Secrecy Act. This

information will be used to assure that

a code or ‘‘special’’ name (i.e., a name

other than the transmittor’s true name)

on accounts at banks and with brokers

and dealers in securities are not used to

launder money or hide assets derived

from illegal activities. The collection of

information is mandatory. All

information collected pursuant to the

Bank Secrecy Act, including this

information collection, is confidential

pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 5316(c) and may

be shared with regulatory and law

enforcement authorities but its

availability is strictly limited. All

records required to be retained by 31

CFR part 103 must be retained for five

years.

The likely respondents are banks and

brokers and dealers in securities.

Frequency: Each time a transmittal

order contains a code or special name,

i.e., a name other than the transmittor’s

true name.

Estimated Number of Such

Transmittal Orders: 5,000.

Estimate of Total Annual Burden:

Reporting burden estimate =

approximately 250 hours for

reporting.

Recordkeeping burden estimate =

approximately 1,250 hours for

recordkeeping.

Estimate of Total Annual Cost for

Hour Burdens: Based on $20 per hour,

the total cost of compliance is estimated

to be approximately $33,000.

Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs

to Respondents: None.

FinCEN specifically invites comments

on the following subjects: (a) Whether

the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance

of the mission of FinCEN, including

whether the information shall have

practical utility; (b) the accuracy of

FinCEN’s estimate of the burden of the

collection of information; (c) ways to

enhance the quality, utility, and clarity

of the information to be collected; and

(d) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on

respondents, including through the use

of automated collection techniques or

other forms of information technology.

In addition, the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 requires agencies to

estimate the total annual cost burden to

respondents or recordkeepers resulting

from the collection of information.

Thus, FinCEN also specifically requests

comments to assist with this estimate. In

this connection, FinCEN requests

commenters to identify any additional

costs associated with the collection of

information. These comments on costs

should be divided into two parts: (1)

Any additional costs associated with

reporting; and (2) any additional costs

associated with recordkeeping.

Comments concerning the accuracy of

the burden estimate and suggestions for

reducing the burden should be directed

to the Office of Management and

Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the

Treasury Department, Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Washington, D.C., 20503.

Signed this 16th day of January 1998.

William F. Baity,

Acting Director—FinCEN, Department of the

Treasury.

[FR Doc. 98–1671 Filed 1–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–03–P

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

International Surface Airlift

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3643

SUMMARY: The Postal Service published

for comment a proposed rule amending

International Surface Air Lift Service in

the Federal Register on September 9,

1997 (62 FR 47394). The Postal Service

hereby gives notice that it is adopting

the proposal with minor revision.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 28, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

[Robert Michelson], (202) 268–5731.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

September 9, 1997, the Postal Service

published in the Federal Register (62

FR 47394) a notice of proposed changes

in rates and conditions of service for

International Surface Air Lift (ISAL)

Service. ISAL is a bulk mailing service

for international shipment of

publications, advertising mail, catalogs,

directories, books, other printed matter,

and small packets. The service is

available to approximately 125

countries. To use ISAL, a mailer must

send at least 50 pounds of these items

at one time, presorted by country of

destination. Identical piece mailings are

not required to qualify. Postage for ISAL

is calculated according to a rate

structure including both per-piece and

per-pound elements with destination

countries separated into four rate

groups. A discount is given to ISAL mail

tendered at the Dropship ISAL Service

Centers (Dropship ISCs) (formerly,

gateway airport mail facilities) at New

York (JFK), San Francisco, Chicago, and

Miami, or when direct shipment (750

pounds or more to a single destination)

can be arranged from one of the

acceptance cities. An additional

discount is available for M-bags (printed

matter to a single addressee).

The Postal Service reviewed the

current ISAL service and is making

changes to ISAL preparation

requirements that will reduce operating

costs. The Postal Service also proposed

rate discounts based on the place of

mailing, the availability of

transportation, and the volume of mail.

The Postal Service believes that these

changes make the service available to

more users at more convenient locations

and still will cover the cost of providing

the service with a reasonable

contribution to institutional costs. The

Postal Service proposed the change to

ISAL as described below.

The Postal Service requested

comments by October 9, 1997, and by

that date received seven comments: five

from international mail consolidators,

one from a printing/mailing company,

and one from an international mail

order consulting firm.

Minimum Weight

Currently there is no required

minimum amount of mail per sack

prepared by the mailer. The mailer

merely places the mail for a particular

country in a mail sack and labels the

sack to that country. This has resulted

in an unacceptable number of sacks

containing small amounts of mail. In

some cases, the sack itself weighed more

than the mail in the sack. This resulted

in an excessive number of sacks, higher

transportation costs, and complaints

from other postal administrations.

Therefore, the Postal Service proposed a

minimum weight of 11 pounds for

direct country sacks prepared by

mailers. When there is less than 11

pounds, but 10 or more pieces (a

package), the mailer will prepare this

mail in a mixed country package rate

group sack. This mail will be entitled to

the ISAL rate as if it had been placed in

the direct country sack. When there are

fewer than 10 pieces to a country, this

mail will be prepared in ‘‘residual’’

sacks by rate group. Residual mail

cannot exceed 10 percent, by weight, of

the rest of the mailing.

One commenter agreed with the need

to establish a minimum weight for

direct country sacks since it ‘‘would

keep cost in line and increase the

availability of equipment.’’ Another

commenter agreed with the need for

change, but recommended that the 11

pound requirement be lowered and that

smaller sacks be used.

The Postal Service does not believe

that it is practical to procure and use

smaller sacks for ISAL. The same sacks

are used by the Postal Service for other

types of mail. The expense of acquiring,

stocking, and distributing another type

of sack that would be used only for

mailer-prepared ISAL is not economical

or feasible. Therefore, the Postal Service

will adopt the 11-pound minimum sack

weight for direct country sacks.

One commenter thought the 10

percent residual mail rule was too

restrictive and suggested a special rate

for residual mail without a limit on the

amount contained in the mailing. The

Postal Service reviewed this suggestion

and has decided to retain the 10 percent

residual at the ISAL rate. Mailers can

use the single piece rates, either air or

surface, or make use of other

international business products.

One commenter questioned the

definition of a package and suggested

that a package be considered either 10

or more pieces or 1 pound. This would

allow mailers to place more mail in

mixed country package sacks instead of

in residual sacks. The Postal Service

reviewed this and has decided to amend

the definition of a package to be 10 or

more pieces to the same country or

separation or 1 pound or more

regardless of the number of pieces.

Accordingly, International Mail Manual

(IMM) 246.2, 246.941a, 946.941b, and

246.942c are amended.

Acceptance Cities

Since the inception of ISAL, the

Postal Service has limited the number of

cities where ISAL mailings could be

deposited. This was intended to reduce

the cost of maintaining an extensive

transportation network. Many customers

not located near an acceptance point

could not use ISAL. The Postal Service

proposed a Full Service rate that will be

available from all post offices where

bulk mail is accepted and will make

ISAL accessible to all customers.

Mailers may still mail at the lower

Dropship ISC rate by tendering their

mail to a Dropship ISC.

One commenter opposed deposit of

ISAL at all post offices because it would

‘‘overload the transportation system,

adversely affect service, and create

problems of recognizing the product and

possible improper return.’’ The Postal

Service disagrees. The majority of ISAL

volume is currently deposited at ISC

facilities. The amounts mailed at post

offices is so small compared with total

mail volume that it could not possibly

overload the Postal Service’s

transportation system. In addition, since

all ISAL will be labeled to the ISC for

handling, there is no reason to believe

that this mail will be mishandled in the

domestic network or that there will be

any overall impact on service.

Volume Discount

The Postal Service proposed to

institute volume discounts for large

users of ISAL. The size of the discount

would be based on the amount of

postage paid during the previous postal

fiscal year. Mailers would receive a

discount of five percent if they paid $2

million in ISAL postage in a year, a

discount of 10 percent if they paid $5

million in ISAL postage, and a discount

of 15 percent if they paid $10 million

or more in ISAL postage. Three

comments expressed complete support

for the discounts. One comment

criticized the larger discounts as

excessive, and suggested that the

maximum discount be seven percent.

One comment criticized the discounts

because they were based on ISAL

postage alone. This comment suggested

that ISAL, International Priority Airmail

(IPA), and Valuepost Canada services

were alternative services that met

similar, although different service needs

and that postage paid for both should be
3644 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

considered in qualifying for ISAL

discounts. One comment criticized the

discounts as violating the rate setting

provisions of the Postal Reorganization

Act. This comment argued that the

discounts were rate reductions for large

mailers which, in the case of

consolidators, would make it difficult

for smaller companies to compete. This

comment also argued that there is no

reason to give discounts on the basis of

the previous year’s volume. There was

no reason to reward customers on the

basis of how much ISAL postage was

paid last fiscal year when the terms and

conditions for mailing were different.

There is no clear relationship between

the amount of postage paid and the

amount of contribution to institutional

costs. That there is no reason to reward

large customers who use both ISAL and

remail, and that the rate differential

between customers which qualify for no

discounts and which choose not to take

advantage of the International Service

Center drop shipment rates is

appropriate.

After considering all of the comments,

the Postal Service has concluded that

the discounts should be adopted as

proposed considering ISAL and IPA

mail to be included in the qualifying

volume mail for ISAL discounts.

International mail delivery is a

competitive market. The Private Express

Statutes, which generally limit

competition with the Postal Service for

the carriage of letters, have been

suspended to allow international remail

(39 CFR 320.8). The Postal Service, the

postal administrations of other countries

(e.g. the Netherlands and the United

Kingdom), and private sector concerns

all compete for the carriage of letters

and other mailable matter. The

international mail market is also one in

which consolidators, which take

international mail from many smaller

mailers and merge it so as to take

advantage of lower rates, are a

significant factor in which delivery

agent will handle the mail. Competitors

of the Postal Service offer discounts to

consolidators and large mailers; if the

Postal Service does not act

competitively, it will lose business to

them.

The Postal Service is required to

charge rates that apportion costs on a

fair and equitable basis (39 U.S.C.

§ 101(d)), that are fair and reasonable, 39

U.S.C. § 403(a), and that do not make

any undue or unreasonable

discrimination or grant any undue or

unreasonable preference, 39 U.S.C.

§ 403(c). What is fair, reasonable, and

not unduly discriminatory or

preferential is largely a question of fact

in which all circumstances must be

taken into account, including the reality

of a competitive marketplace. At a

minimum, similarly situated mailers

must receive the same or comparable

treatment and pay the same rates.

However, as stated by the Court of

Appeals in upholding the Postal

Service’s authority to negotiate rates and

services with large mailers, ‘‘the reasons

that may compel a uniform rate of

postage in the United States no longer

apply to large-volume international

mailers’’ (UPS Worldwide Forwarding,

Inc. v. U.S. Postal Service, 66 F.3d 621,

637–38 (3d Cir. 1995). Published

volume discounts are another way to

compete for large-volume international

mailers, and a way to compete that

involves greater certainty and less

administrative effort than negotiating

rates and services with them. Moreover,

published volume discounts ensure that

similarly situated mailers (i.e., mailers

of like quantities of similar mail) pay

the same rates.

Increasing discounts based on

increased usage does not make rates

unfair, unreasonable, unduly

discriminatory, or preferential. In

general, the more a mailer mails the

greater the number of full direct sacks

that will be prepared, thereby reducing

Postal Service handling costs. Moreover,

the larger a mailer, the more

aggressively competitors such as the

postal services of the Netherlands and

the United Kingdom will bid for their

business. Although the Postal Service

does not have definite knowledge of

what rates these competitors offer at any

given time since they are under no legal

obligation to disclose rates or the

customers to which those rates are

offered, it is known that they offer

significant discounts to large mailers.

Unless the Postal Service prices its

services competitively by offering

discounts, it will lose the business of

large mailers.

Basing discounts on the amount of

postage paid in the previous year is not

unfair, unreasonable, unduly

discriminatory, or preferential.

Experience shows that while mail

volumes may fluctuate from year to

year, past usage is generally a good

indicator of present and future usage.

Moreover, mailers need certainty to plan

their budgets, set their prices, and

otherwise conduct their businesses.

Basing rates on past usage gives mailers

that certainty, since they know how

much they are mailing and can

reasonably foresee which level of

discount they will qualify for the next

year. It is fair, reasonable, and not

unduly discriminatory to base discounts

on volumes that are highly likely to

predict usage and which also make

sense to customers in conducting their

own businesses.

Differences in rates between what a

smaller mailer pays to mail ISAL at any

bulk mail acceptance unit and what a

large mailer pays to mail at an

International Service Center (ISC) with

the maximum discounts are not unduly

discriminatory because the large and

small mailers are not situated similarly.

The mail posted by the smaller mailer

requires more handling and domestic

transportation than the mail posted by

the larger mailer, thereby increasing the

Postal Service’s cost. Moreover, there is

more intense competition for the larger

mailer’s business. This is a competitive

market, if the smaller mailers believe

that rates are too high, then they have

the option of using another service

provider or a consolidator who can

qualify for rate discounts. Ultimately,

the market will determine which rates

both the large and the small mailer will

pay, whether it is to the Postal Service

or to a competitor.

The Postal Service does not believe

that volume discounts will affect

competition between large and small

consolidators. This is a competitive

market in which significant discounts

are already being offered to large

consolidators by other providers. They

already have, or can have, an advantage

in the rates they pay for the mail they

send. Whether discounts are offered, or

not offered, by the Postal Service will

not change that.

The Postal Service has concluded that

the size of the discounts should not be

reduced. As stated above, the Postal

Service does not have definite

knowledge of the rates being offered by

the competitors. It appears, however,

that the proposed discounts as proposed

are necessary to hold the business it

now has.

Several commenters requested

clarification for the basis of the discount

or requested that revenue for other

products be included for determining

the discounts. The Postal Service will

count ISAL and IPA revenue to qualify

for the volume discounts. If a permit

holder has more than one account and/

or in several cities, these revenues may

be combined. Agents who prepare mail

for the owner of the mail and tender it

under the owner’s permit during postal

fiscal year 1997 will only be counted for

a discount during postal fiscal year

1998. Agents must be prepared to

submit postage statements that reflect

their representation of the owners of the

mail between September 14, 1996

through and September 12, 1997 to be

included for discounts in postal fiscal

year 1998 (September 13, 1997 through

September 11, 1998). Each year after,
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3645

the level of discount will be determined

only by the postage paid by the permit

holder.

To qualify for volume discounts,

mailers must apply to the Manager,

Mail-order, International Business Unit,

475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Room 370–IBU,

Washington, DC 20260–6500. The

Manager will evaluate all requests and

inform the mailer and the post office(s)

of mailing whether discounts are

approved and the level of discount. The

Manager, Mail-order will inform all

applicants of the total qualifying

revenue and the size of their discount

within 30 days of receiving the

application. Mailers may appeal this

determination of the Manager of Mailorder by providing the necessary

documentation supporting the discount

for the initial postal fiscal year 1998.

The Manager of Mail-order will make a

final determination on the appeal of the

discount level within 5 business days

from receipt of the appeal letter. IMM

246.715, is added to describe how

mailers can qualify for volume

discounts.

Direct Shipment Rates

The Postal Service proposed that

direct shipment rates continue to be

available for mailers tendering 750

pounds or more to one country at any

office from which the Postal Service can

obtain direct transportation to the

destination country. A new rate

schedule has been developed for this

service to reflect current costs.

One commenter agreed with having

separate direct shipment but stated that

the $0.25 per pound rate difference

might be too low. Another commenter

favored the current rate structure of

having the same rates for Gateway

(Dropship ISC) and Direct Shipment, at

least in major markets, arguing that by

having to pay a higher rate, the value of

drop shipment option would be greatly

decreased.

The cost of providing Direct Shipment

service is higher than the cost of

providing service from ISCs. The mailer

also avoids having to transport mail to

an ISC. The price difference of $0.25 per

pound reflects the Postal Service’s

additional cost for providing Direct

Shipment service.

Price Adjustments

Five commenters noted the general

size of the rate increase. Depending on

the method of analysis, the destination

rate group, and the origin of the mail,

commenters found that the rates

applicable to these mailings might

increase substantially (anywhere from

10 to 50 percent). One of the

commenters stated that the Dropship

ISC and volume rates were very good,

but that the increase for the Western

Hemisphere was excessive and

suggested a separate rate group for

Mexico. Several commenters suggested

that some of the proposed rates would

not be competitive with other

alternatives.

The Postal Service has carefully

reviewed the proposed rate structure to

ensure that the proposed not only meets

the requirements of postal rate making,

but also offers the most competitive and

economical rates possible. Changes in

the rates reflect the need to cover costs,

make a contribution to the institutional

costs of the Postal Service, and exhibit

the effects of customer worksharing and

competitiveness. Based on these

comments and criteria, the Postal

Service has decided to reduce the

proposed rates of Rate Group 2, South

America, by 10 cents a pound. IMM

246.71 is revised to reflect this change.

The comment suggesting a specific

country rate to Mexico raises an

interesting idea. However, the Postal

Service needs sufficient time to evaluate

the impact of this concept on ISAL

mailers. It also needs sufficient time to

conduct such a review without delaying

implementation of the new ISAL rates

in which all ISAL mailers benefit. The

Postal Service will continue to study

this concept. The analysis period will be

at least 6 months.

Labeling Requirements

One commenter questioned the need

for the mailer to use two sack labels

(one label and Tag 155). The commenter

stated that such preparation is cost

prohibitive and suggested using

palletized mail preparation. The

commenter also suggested that mail for

rate groups 1 and 4 be combined

because both groups are labeled to the

same dispatch point.

One of the main benefits of ISAL is

that it allows the mailer to prepare mail

to the finest point possible and avoid

the cost of the Postal Service handling

the mail. It is therefore necessary for the

mailer to prepare sack labels and tags.

In addition, under certain

circumstances, the Postal Service

accepts ISAL on pallets. This

significantly reduces preparing large

mailings to a single country destination.

Corrections

There were several errors in the

original text of IMM part 246, published

in 62 FR 47394–47399.

1. Exhibit 246.71, Footnote 3, is

corrected to show the delivery zones for

Osaka, Japan as 52–93.

2. In IMM 246.941, the maximum

weight of a package is changed from 20

pounds to 11 pounds.

3. In section 246.943.a.1, Exhibit A is

changed to Exhibit 246.71 and the

information for Osaka is corrected to

read: Osaka OSA (for postal codes 52–

93).

4. Section 246.2 is changed to reflect

that residual mail cannot exceed 10

percent of the combined weight of

qualifying mail (consisting of Direct

Country Sacks, M-Bags, Direct Country

Package Sacks).

Conclusion

Accordingly, the Postal Service

adopts the following amendments to the

International Mail Manual, which is

incorporated by reference in the Code of

Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

Foreign relations, Incorporation by

reference, International postal services.

PART 20—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR

part 20 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401,

407, 408.

2. The IMM is amended to incorporate

part 246, International Surface Air Lift

Service, as follows:

246 International Surface Air Lift

(ISAL) Service 246.1 Definition

International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) is

a bulk mailing system that provides fast,

economical international delivery of

publications, advertising mail, catalogs,

directories, books, other printed matter,

and small packets. The cost is lower

than airmail and the service is much

faster than surface mail. ISAL shipments

are flown to the foreign destinations and

entered into that country’s surface or

non-priority mail system for delivery.

246.2 Qualifying Mail and Minimum

Quantity Requirements

Only printed matter as defined in 241

and small packets as defined in 260 that

meet all applicable mailing standards

may be sent in this service. There is a

minimum volume requirement of 50

pounds per mailing except for the Direct

Shipment option, which requires a

minimum 750 pounds to a single

country destination. Small packets may

not be enclosed in M-bags and do not

qualify for the Full Service, Direct

Shipment, or Dropship ISC M-bag rates.

Mail is prepared as (1) direct country

sacks when there are 11 pounds or more

to a single country or required country

separation; (2) mixed country package

sacks when there are 10 or more pieces
3646 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

*Plant verified mail is transported to these

facilities by the mailer.

or at least 1 pound of mail to a single

country, but less than 11 pounds; and

(3) residual mail when there are fewer

than 10 pieces or less than 1 pound of

mail to a single country. Residual mail

may not exceed 10 percent, by weight,

of the mail presented in direct country

sacks, M-Bags, and mixed country

package sacks. Qualifying residual mail

is subject to the appropriate ISAL rate

(Full Service, Direct Shipment, M-Bag,

or Dropship ISC).

Note: A package is defined as 10 or more

pieces of mail to the same country separation

or 1 pound or more regardless of the number

of pieces. Packages of letter-size pieces of

mail should be no thicker than

approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6

inches). Packages of flat size mail may be

thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh

more than 11 pounds.

246.3 Service Options 246.31

Availability

ISAL service is available to the foreign

countries listed in exhibit 246.71 from

all post offices where bulk mail is

accepted and from the Dropship ISCs

listed in 246.32.

246.32 Dropship ISAL International

Service Centers

ISAL deposited at the following

Dropship ISAL ISCs qualify for the

Dropship ISC rates shown in 246.71:

AMC JFK BLDG 250, JFK International

Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430–9998

San Francisco P&DC, 1300 Evans Ave,

San Francisco, CA 94188

AMC San Francisco,* BLDG 660 Rd 6,

San Francisco CA 94158–9998

Miami P&DC, 2200 NW 72 Ave, Miami

FL 33152

AMC Miami,* Miami International

Airport, Miami FL 33159–9998

Chicago O’Hare Dropship ISAL Service

Center, International Processing

Center Annex, 3333 N. Mount

Prospect RD, Franklin Park IL 60131

246.4 Special Services

The special services described in

Chapter 3 are not available for items

sent by ISAL.

246.5 Customs Documentation

See 244.6 and 264.5 for the

requirements for customs forms.

246.6 Permits

Mailers depositing mail at a Dropship

ISC must maintain an advance deposit

account at that city if postage is paid by

advance deposit account.

246.7 Postage

246.71 Rates

Rate group Per piece

Full service per lb. Direct shipment per lb. Dropship ISC per lb.

Regular M-bag* Regular M-bag* Regular M-bag*

1 .................................... $.25 $3.10 $2.50 $2.35 $1.75 $2.10 $1.50

2 .................................... .10 4.00 2.60 3.25 1.85 3.00 1.60

3 .................................... .10 3.95 3.00 3.20 2.25 2.95 2.00

4 .................................... .10 6.25 4.25 5.50 3.50 5.25 3.25

See exhibit 246.71 for network countries and individual rates.

*Small packets may not be mailed at these rates.

246.711 Full Service Rates

ISAL mailings presented at any post

office that accepts bulk mail, other than

a Dropship ISC listed in 246.32, and not

eligible for the direct shipment rate and

are paid at the full-service rates. Postage

for regular ISAL is paid on a per-piece

and a per-pound basis. M-bags are

subject to the M-bag pound rate only.

Small packets are not eligible for the Mbag rates and may not be included in Mbags.

246.712 Direct Shipment Rates

Mailers are eligible for the direct

shipment rates from the acceptance post

office (except Dropship ISCs) when the

Postal Service is able to arrange direct

transportation from the origin office to

the destination country. To qualify,

mailers must present a minimum of 750

pounds to each destination country.

Mailers must contact the post office of

mailing at least 14 days before the first

desired mailing date. A postal employee

must complete PS Form 3655,

International Surface Airlift (ISAL)

Direct Shipment Option Advisement

and Confirmation of Transactions, and

fax it to the distribution network office

(DNO) to obtain a contract for

transportation. If the DNO cannot

arrange direct transportation, the direct

shipment rate does not apply. The

Postal Service may cancel direct

shipment rates and service when direct

transportation is no longer available.

246.713 Dropship ISC Rates

ISAL mailings transported by the

mailer to the Dropship ISCs listed in

246.32 are eligible for the Dropship ISC

rate.

246.714 Volume Discount

Mailers who spend $2 million or more

combined on ISAL and IPA in the

preceding postal fiscal year may receive

discounts off the rates shown in 246.71:

a. over $2 million to $5 million: 5

percent discount

b. over $5 million to $10 million: 10

percent discount

c. over $10 million: 15 percent

discount

Mailers entitled to these discounts

must place the full per-piece rate on

each piece of mail if payment is by

postage meter or mailer-precanceled

stamps. The discount is calculated on

the postage statement.

246.715 Qualifying for Volume

Discounts

To qualify for volume discounts,

mailers must apply in writing to the

Manager, Mail-order, International

Business Unit, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW,

Room 370–IBU, Washington, DC 20260–

6500. The Manager evaluates all

requests and informs the mailer and the

post office(s) of mailing whether

discounts are approved and the level of

discount. Mailers must supply the

following information:

The postal fiscal year for the

qualifying mail.

The permit number(s) and post

office(s) where the permits are held.

The total revenue for the postal fiscal

year.

The post office(s) where the discount

is to be claimed.

The combined ISAL and IPA revenue

is counted toward the discounts. The

Postal Service will count as revenue to

qualify for the volume discounts postage

paid by only a permit holder. If a permit

holder has more than one account, or

accounts in several cities, then these

revenues may be combined to qualify

for discounts. Agents who prepare mail

for the owner of the mail and mail paid

by the owner’s permit may not include
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3647

in the revenue to qualify for the

discounts, except for the initial year

(Postal Fiscal Year 1997, which is

September 14, 1996 through September

12, 1997).

Customers may be required to

substantiate their request by providing

copies of all mailing statements for the

appropriate postal fiscal year. All

decisions of the Manager, Mail-order are

final. A new section (246.715) is added

to describe how mailers can qualify for

volume discounts.

246.72 Payment Methods

246.721 Postage Meter, Permit

Imprint, or Precanceled Stamps

Postage must be paid by postage

meter, permit imprint, or mailerprecanceled stamps. Postage is

computed on Form 3650, Postage

Statement—International Surface Air

Lift. Form 3650 is required for all ISAL

mailings.

246.722 Piece Rate

The applicable per piece postage must

be affixed to each piece (except M-bags.

See 246.723) by meter or mailerprecanceled stamps, unless postage is

paid by permit imprint. Mailers may use

a permit imprint only with identical

weight pieces unless authorized under

the postage mailing systems in DMM

P710, P720, or P730. All of the permit

imprints for printed matter shown in

exhibit 152.3 are acceptable.

246.723 Pound Rate

Postage for the pound rate portion

must be paid either by meter stamp(s)

attached to the finance copy of the

postage statement or from the mailer’s

advance deposit account.

246.8 Weight and Size Limits

Any item sent by ISAL must conform

to the weight and size limits for the

types of printed matter described in 243

or for small packets in 263.

246.9 Preparation Requirements

246.91 Addressing

See 122.

246.92 Marking

Items must be endorsed with the

appropriate markings as shown in 244.2

for printed matter and in 264.2 for small

packets. For publishers’ periodicals

(Periodicals Mail), the imprint

authorized under 244.211c(2) or

244.211c(3) may be used in place of the

‘‘PRINTED MATTER—PERIODICALS’’

endorsement. Individual items paid by

meter postage or mailer-precanceled

stamps must be endorsed ‘‘International

Surface Air Lift’’ or ‘‘ISAL.’’

246.93 Sealing and Packaging

Printed matter must be prepared to

protect the contents and permit easy

inspection. If not contained in

envelopes or wrappers, folded items

must have the open edges secured by

tape, tabs, or wafer seals of sufficient

quantity and strength to keep the items

from opening during postal handling.

246.94 Makeup Requirements for

ISAL

246.941 Packaging the Following

Guidelines Apply

a. General: All ISAL mail must be

prepared in packages within sacks as

appropriate. A package is defined as 10

or more pieces of mail to the same

country or separation or 1 pound or

more regardless of the number of pieces.

Packages of letter-size mail pieces

should be no thicker than

approximately a handful of mail (4–6

inches). Packages of flat size mail may

be thicker than 6 inches but must not

weigh more than 11 pounds. Packages

and sacks must be prepared and labeled

as described below. All mail pieces in

a package must be ‘‘faced’’ in the same

direction (i.e., arranged so that the

addresses read in the same direction,

with an address visible on the top

piece). Pieces that cannot be bundled

because of their physical characteristics

may be placed loose in the sack.

b. Thickness Packages of letter-size

mail should be no thicker than

approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6

inches). Packages of flat-size mail may

be thicker than 6 inches but must not

weigh more than 11 pounds. Each

package must be securely tied. Placing

rubber bands around the length and

then the girth is the preferred method of

securing packages of letter-size mail.

Plastic strapping placed around the

length and then the girth is the preferred

method of securing packages of flat-size

mail.

a. Direct Country Packages. When

there are 10 or more pieces or 1 pound

or more to the same country, then such

pieces must be prepared as a direct

country package. If there is less than 11

pounds of mail to the same country,

then the direct country package must be

labeled with a facing slip showing the

destination country or country

separation. The facing slip must be

placed on the address side of the top

piece of each package in such a manner

that it will not become separated from

the package. The pressure-sensitive

labels and optional endorsement lines

used domestically for presort mail are

prohibited for International Surface

Airlift Mail.

b. Residual Packages. If there is not

enough mail to prepare a direct country

package (fewer than 10 pieces or less

than 1 pound), the mail is considered

residual mail. When there are fewer

than 10 pieces to the same country, then

such pieces should be combined in

packages with other mail for countries

within the same rate group that

similarly have fewer than 10 pieces.

Such mixed country packages must be

labeled with a facing slip marked

‘‘Residual, Rate Group ll. The

designated rate group (#1, #2, #3, or #4)

must be inserted as appropriate. The

facing slip must be placed on the

address side of the top piece of each

package in such a manner that it will

not become separated from the package.

The pressure-sensitive labels and

optional endorsement lines used

domestically for presort mail are

prohibited for International Surface

Airlift Mail.

(Exception: The 10 piece criterion is

when there are fewer than 10 pieces to

the same country which weigh more

than 11 pounds. Such mail pieces

should be packaged together as a direct

country package and placed in a direct

country sack. Pieces that cannot be

packaged because of their physical

characteristics may be placed loose in

the sack.)

946.942 Sacking

Once packages of ISAL mail are

prepared, the packages are then placed

into one of three types of designated

sacks:

a. Direct Country Sack. Prepare a

direct country sack if there are at least

11 pounds of mail to the same country.

The mail must be packaged and

enclosed in a gray plastic ISAL sack and

labeled to the country with Tag 155,

Surface Airlift Mail. The maximum

weight of a direct country sack must not

exceed 66 pounds.

b. Mixed Country Package Sack.

Prepare a mixed country package sack

for those direct country packages where

there is less than 11 pounds of mail to

the same country. The mail must be

packaged as direct country packages,

identified with a facing slip showing the

destination country or country

separation, and enclosed in a green

pouch labeled to the dropship ISAL

service center. Tag 155, also must be

attached to the sack. Prepare a mixed

country package sack for each of the

respective rate groups for which there is

a direct country package and label as

follows:

Rate group 1—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate group 2—AMC Miami 33159

Rate group 3—AMC San Francisco 941
3648 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

Rate group 4—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

c. Residual Sack. Prepare a residual

sack for those packages of mail that

contain fewer than 10 pieces or less

than 1 pound of mail to any one country

(residual packages). The mail must be

packaged as residual packages,

appropriately identified with a facing

slip, and enclosed in a green pouch

labeled to the dropship ISAL service

center. Tag 155 also must be attached to

the sack. The mailer must prepare a

residual sack for each of the respective

rate groups for which there is a residual

package and label it as follows:

Rate group 1—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate group 2—AMC Miami 33159

Rate group 3—AMC San Francisco 941

Rate group 4—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

246.943 Sack Labeling

Depending on the type of sack, labels

are prepared as follows:

a. Direct Country Sack. For a direct

country sack, use a gray plastic ISAL

sack. Use Tag 155 to label each sack

with the destination country’s name.

Mailers must complete four blocks on

Tag 155:

1. To (Pour) Block: enter the name of

the ISAL country foreign exchange

office, its three-letter exchange office

code, and the country’s name. See

Exhibit 246.71 for the name of the

foreign exchange office and its threeletter exchange office code. As an

example, for Ireland, this block will be

as follows:

Dublin DUB Ireland

2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter

permit number.

3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined

weight of the sack and its contents in

kilograms (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).

4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on

PS Form 3650, Postage Statement—

International Surface Air Lift.

After completing the above items on

Tag 155, attach it to the neck of the sack.

b. Mixed Country Package Sack. For a

mixed country package sack, use a

domestic green nylon pouch and label it

to the appropriate dropship ISAL

service center as follows:

Rate group 1—AMC Kennedy—JFK

003

Rate group 2—AMC Miami 33159

Rate group 3—AMC San Francisco

941

Rate group 4—AMC Kennedy—JFK

003

Labels are prepared as follows:

Content:

Line 1: Dropship ISAL

Service Center

Line 2: ISAL DRX

Line 3: Mailer, Mailer

Location

Example:

AMC KENNEDY—JFK

003

ISAL DRX

ABC COMPANY, NEW YORK, NY

For the mixed country package sack

label, use Content Identification

Number (CIN) 753.

In addition, use Tag 155 to label each

sack with the appropriate drop ship

ISAL service center. Mailers must

complete four blocks on Tag 155:

1. To (Pour) Block: enter the name of

the dropship ISAL service center and

rate group:

AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate Group 1

AMC Miami 33159

Rate Group 2

AMC San Francisco 941

Rate Group 3

AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate Group 4

2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter

your permit.

3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined

weight of the sack and its contents in

kilograms. (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).

4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on

Form 3650.

After completing the above items on

Tag 155, attach it to the sack.

c. Residual Sack. For a residual sack,

use a domestic green nylon pouch and

label it to the appropriate dropship

ISAL service center as follows:

Rate group 1—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate group 2—AMC Miami 33159

Rate group 3—AMC San Francisco 941

Rate group 4—AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Labels are prepared as follows:

Content:

Line 1: Drop ship ISAL

Service Center

Line 2: ISAL WKG

Line 3: Mailer, Mailer

Location

Example:

AMC KENNEDY—JFK

003

ISAL WKG

ABC COMPANY, NEW YORK, NY

For the residual sack label, use CIN

754.

In addition, use Tag 155 to label each

sack with the appropriate dropship

ISAL service center. Mailers must

complete three blocks on Tag 155:

1. To (Pour) Block: Enter the name of

the drop ship ISAL service center and

rate group:

AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate Group 1

AMC Miami 33159

Rate Group 2

AMC San Francisco 941

Rate Group 3

AMC Kennedy—JFK 003

Rate Group 4

2. Customer Permit No. Block: Enter

your 10-digit ISAL permit or customer

identification number.

3. Kg. Block: Enter the combined

weight of the sack and its contents in

kilograms. (1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram).

4. Date Block: Enter date as shown on

Form 3650.

After completing the above items on

Tag 155, attach it to the sack.

246.944 Sack Separation

When presenting an ISAL shipment to

the Postal Service, the mailer must

physically separate the sacks of mail by

type (direct, mixed, residual) and rate

group (1, 2, 3, 4) at time of mailing.

246.945 Direct Sacks to One

Addressee (M-bags) for ISAL

M-bags may be sent in the ISAL

service to all ISAL destination

countries. Weight, makeup, sacking, and

sorting requirements must conform to

part 245. Tag 158 must show the

complete address of the addressee and

the sender. Tags 155 and 158 must be

attached securely to the neck of each

sack. M-bags may not contain small

packets.

246.95 Mailer Notification

Mailers who wish to mail shipments

that weigh over 750 pounds but who are

not eligible for direct shipment rates

must notify the ISAL coordinator at the

office of mailing at least 14 days before

the planned date of mailing. Specific

country information and weight per

country must be provided. No prior

notification is required for mailers with

750 pounds or less.

EXHIBIT 246.71.—INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT SERVICE NETWORK COUNTRIES AND RATES

Country City Code Rate group

Albania ........................................................................... Tirana ............................................................................ TIA 1

Algeria ............................................................................ Algiers ........................................................................... ALG 4

Angola ............................................................................ Luanda .......................................................................... LAD 4
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3649

EXHIBIT 246.71.—INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT SERVICE NETWORK COUNTRIES AND RATES—Continued

Country City Code Rate group

Argentina ........................................................................ Buenos Aires ................................................................. BUE 2

Aruba ............................................................................. Oranjestad ..................................................................... AUA 2

Australia ......................................................................... Sydney .......................................................................... SYD 3

Austria ............................................................................ Vienna ........................................................................... VIE 1

Bahrain ........................................................................... Bahrain .......................................................................... BAH 4

Bangladesh .................................................................... Dhaka ............................................................................ DAC 4

Belgium .......................................................................... Brussels ......................................................................... BRU 1

Belize ............................................................................. Belize City ..................................................................... BZE 2

Benin .............................................................................. Cotonou ......................................................................... COO 4

Bolivia ............................................................................ La Paz ........................................................................... LPB 2

Brazil .............................................................................. Rio de Janeiro ............................................................... RIO 2

Bulgaria .......................................................................... Sofia .............................................................................. SOF 1

Burkina Faso .................................................................. Ouagadougou ................................................................ OUA 4

Cameroon ...................................................................... Douala ........................................................................... DLA 4

Central African Republic ................................................ Bangui ........................................................................... BGF 4

Chile ............................................................................... Santiago ........................................................................ SCL 2

China .............................................................................. Beijing (Peking) ............................................................. PEK 3

Colombia ........................................................................ Bogota ........................................................................... BOG 2

Congo, Dem. Rep. of (Zaire) ......................................... Kinshasa ........................................................................ FIH 4

Costa Rica ..................................................................... San Jose ....................................................................... SJO 2

Coˆte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) ............................................. Abidjan .......................................................................... ABJ 4

Cuba .............................................................................. Havana .......................................................................... HAV 2

Czech Republic .............................................................. Prague ........................................................................... PRG 1

Denmark ........................................................................ Copenhagen .................................................................. CPH 1

Dominican Republic ....................................................... Santo Domingo ............................................................. SDQ 2

Ecuador .......................................................................... Guayaquil ...................................................................... GYE 2

Egypt .............................................................................. Cairo .............................................................................. CAI 4

El Salvador .................................................................... San Salvador ................................................................. SAL 2

Ethiopia .......................................................................... Addis Ababa .................................................................. ADD 4

Fiji .................................................................................. Nadi ............................................................................... NAN 3

Finland ........................................................................... Helsinki .......................................................................... HEL 1

France ............................................................................ Paris .............................................................................. PAR 1

French Guiana ............................................................... Cayenne ........................................................................ CAY 2

Gabon ............................................................................ Libreville ........................................................................ LBV 4

Germany ........................................................................ Frankfurt ........................................................................ FRA 1

Ghana ............................................................................ Accra ............................................................................. ACC 4

Great Britain ................................................................... London .......................................................................... LON 1

Greece ........................................................................... Athens ........................................................................... ATH 1

Guatemala ..................................................................... Guatemala City ............................................................. GUA 2

Guyana .......................................................................... Georgetown ................................................................... GEO 2

Haiti ................................................................................ Port-au-Prince ............................................................... PAP 2

Honduras ....................................................................... Tegucigalpa ................................................................... TGU 2

Hong Kong ..................................................................... Hong Kong .................................................................... HKG 3

Hungary ......................................................................... Budapest ....................................................................... BUD 1

Iceland ........................................................................... Reykjavik ....................................................................... REK 1

India ............................................................................... Mumbai .......................................................................... BOM 4

Indonesia ....................................................................... Jakarta ........................................................................... JKT 3

Iran ................................................................................. Tehran ........................................................................... THR 4

Ireland ............................................................................ Dublin ............................................................................ DUB 1

Israel .............................................................................. Tel Aviv ......................................................................... TLV 4

Italy ................................................................................ Rome ............................................................................. ROM 1

Jamaica .......................................................................... Kingston ........................................................................ KIN 2

Japan 1 ........................................................................... Tokyo ............................................................................. TYO 3

Japan 1 ........................................................................... Osaka ............................................................................ OSA 3

Jordan ............................................................................ Amman .......................................................................... AMM 4

Kenya ............................................................................. Nairobi ........................................................................... NBO 4

Korea, Rep. of (South) .................................................. Seoul ............................................................................. SEL 3

Kuwait ............................................................................ Kuwait City .................................................................... KWI 4

Lebanon ......................................................................... Beirut ............................................................................. BEY 4

Liechtenstein .................................................................. Basel ............................................................................. BSL 1

Luxembourg ................................................................... Luxembourg .................................................................. LUX 1

Madagascar ................................................................... Antananariva ................................................................. TNR 4

Malaysia ......................................................................... Kuala Lumpur ................................................................ KUL 3

Mali ................................................................................ Bamako ......................................................................... BKO 4

Mauritania ...................................................................... Nouakchott .................................................................... NKC 4

Mauritius ........................................................................ Port Louis ...................................................................... MRU 4

Mexico ............................................................................ Mexico City .................................................................... MEX 2

Morocco ......................................................................... Casablanca ................................................................... CAS 4

Mozambique .................................................................. Maputo .......................................................................... MPM 4

Netherlands .................................................................... Amsterdam .................................................................... AMS 1

Netherlands Antilles ....................................................... Curacao ......................................................................... CUR 2

New Zealand .................................................................. Auckland ........................................................................ AKL 3
3650 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

EXHIBIT 246.71.—INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT SERVICE NETWORK COUNTRIES AND RATES—Continued

Country City Code Rate group

Nicaragua ....................................................................... Managua ....................................................................... MGA 2

Niger .............................................................................. Niamey .......................................................................... NIM 4

Nigeria ............................................................................ Lagos ............................................................................. LOS 4

Norway ........................................................................... Oslo ............................................................................... OSL 1

Oman ............................................................................. Muscat ........................................................................... MCT 4

Pakistan ......................................................................... Karachi .......................................................................... KHI 4

Panama .......................................................................... Panama City .................................................................. PTY 2

Papua New Guinea ....................................................... Port Moresby ................................................................. POM 3

Paraguay ........................................................................ Asuncion ........................................................................ ASU 2

Peru ............................................................................... Lima ............................................................................... LIM 2

Philippines ...................................................................... Manila ............................................................................ MNL 3

Poland ............................................................................ Warsaw ......................................................................... WAW 1

Portugal .......................................................................... Lisbon ............................................................................ LIS 1

Qatar .............................................................................. Doha .............................................................................. DOH 4

Reunion Island ............................................................... St Denis ......................................................................... RUN 4

Romania ......................................................................... Bucharest ...................................................................... BUH 1

Russia ............................................................................ Moscow ......................................................................... MOW 1

San Marino .................................................................... Rome ............................................................................. ROM 1

Saudi Arabia .................................................................. Dhahran ......................................................................... DHA 4

Senegal .......................................................................... Dakar ............................................................................. DKR 4

Singapore ....................................................................... Singapore ...................................................................... SIN 3

South Africa ................................................................... Johannesburg ................................................................ JNB 4

Spain 3 ............................................................................ Madrid ........................................................................... MAD 1

Sri Lanka ........................................................................ Colombo ........................................................................ CMB 4

Sudan ............................................................................. Khartoum ....................................................................... KRT 4

Suriname ........................................................................ Paramaribo .................................................................... PBM 2

Sweden .......................................................................... Stockholm ...................................................................... STO 1

Switzerland .................................................................... Basel ............................................................................. BSL 1

Syria ............................................................................... Damascus ..................................................................... DAM 4

Taiwan ........................................................................... Taipei ............................................................................. TPE 3

Tanzania ........................................................................ Dar es Salaam .............................................................. DAR 4

Thailand ......................................................................... Bangkok ........................................................................ BKK 3

Togo ............................................................................... Lome ............................................................................. LFW 4

Trinidad and Tobago ..................................................... Port of Spain ................................................................. POS 2

Tunisia ........................................................................... Tunis .............................................................................. TUN 4

Turkey ............................................................................ Istanbul .......................................................................... IST 1

Uganda .......................................................................... Kampala ........................................................................ KLA 4

United Arab Emirates .................................................... Dubai ............................................................................. DXB 4

Uruguay ......................................................................... Montevideo .................................................................... MVD 2

Venezuela ...................................................................... Caracas ......................................................................... CCS 2

Yemen ............................................................................ Sanaa ............................................................................ SAH 4

Zambia ........................................................................... Ndola ............................................................................. NLA 4

Zimbabwe ...................................................................... Harare ........................................................................... HRE 4

Footnotes:

1To expedite service, Japan Post has requested that ISAL shipments to Japan be separated by two destinations delivery zones as follows:

Osaka (OSA) for postal codes 52–79, 91, and Tokyo (TYO) for all other postal codes. 2 Including the Canary Islands.

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 98–1670 Filed 1–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[IL160–1a; FRL–5951–6]

Approval and Promulgation of

Implementation Plans; Illinois

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (USEPA).

ACTION: Direct Final Rule.

SUMMARY: On August 20, 1997, Illinois

submitted a variance to allow Marathon

Oil to emit particulate matter in

increased quantities from June 14, 1996,

to September 5, 1996, to allow the

company to defer repairs of its control

equipment until a scheduled system

shutdown. The submittal included

modeling to indicate that the temporary

emissions increase would not be

expected to cause a violation of air

quality standards. USEPA is approving

this variance because air quality

standards continue to be protected.

DATES: This action is effective on March

27, 1998 unless USEPA receives written

adverse or critical comments by

February 25, 1998. If the effective date

is delayed, timely notice will be

published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent

to: J. Elmer Bortzer, Chief, Regulation

Development Section, Air Programs

Branch (AR–18J), United States

Environmental Protection Agency, 77

West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago,

Illinois 60604.

Copies of the State’s submittal are

available for inspection at the following

address: (It is recommended that you

telephone John Summerhays at (312)

886–6067, before visiting the Region 5

Office.) U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency, Region 5, Air and Radiation

Division (AR–18J), 77 West Jackson

Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John

Summerhays, Regulation Development

Section, Air Programs Branch (AR–18J),

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,