3814 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

FR 46026 and 46103–46104, the Agency

announced its intent to request Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

approval for a provision addressing

aerial lifts in § 1926.453(a)(2). OSHA

stated that the effective date for

§ 1926.453(a)(2) would be announced in

the Federal Register at a later date, once

OSHA received approval for the

information collection requirements in

that provision from OMB. The aerial lift

provisions contain a requirement for

manufacturer certification of ‘‘field

modified’’ aerial lifts, which was

previously codified in § 1926.556, and

which was redesignated at

§ 1926.453(a)(2) in the final rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–

3520), OMB has approved the

information collection and assigned

OMB control number 1218–0216, which

expires on October 31, 2000. Under 5

CFR 1320.5(b), an Agency may not

conduct or sponsor a collection of

information unless: (1) The collection

displays a valid control number, and (2)

the agency informs potential persons

who may respond to the collections of

information that such persons are not

required to respond to the collection of

information unless it displays a

currently valid OMB control number.

Accordingly, now that OMB has

approved the collections in

§ 1926.453(a)(2), OSHA is codifying the

current OMB control number into

§ 1926.5, which is the central section in

which OSHA displays its approved

collections under the Paperwork

Reduction Act. The effective date of

§ 1926.453(a)(2) is January 27, 1998.

Authority and Signature

This document was prepared under

the direction of Charles N. Jeffress,

Assistant Secretary of Labor for

Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.

Department of Labor, 200 Constitution

Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1926

Construction; Occupational safety and

health; Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 15th day

of January, 1998.

Charles N. Jeffress,

Assistant Secretary of Labor.

Accordingly, the Occupational Safety

and Health Administration amends 29

CFR part 1926 as set forth below.

PART 1926—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for subpart A

of part 1926 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: Section 107, Contract Work

Hours and Safety Standards Act

(Construction Safety Act) (40 U.S.C. 333);

secs. 4, 6, 8, Occupational Safety and Health

Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657);

Secretary of Labor’s Order 12–71 (36 FR

8754), 8–76 (41 FR 25059), or 1–90 (55 FR

9033), as applicable; 29 CFR part 1911.

§ 1926.5 [Amended]

2. In § 1926.5, the table is amended by

adding the entry

‘‘§ 1926.453(a)(2)...........................1218–0216’’

in numerical order.

[FR Doc. 98–1788 Filed 1–26–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–26–M

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

Expansion of Global Priority Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: On March 29, 1996, the Postal

Service published in the Federal

Register, 61 FR 14025, an interim rule

with a request for comments which

expanded Global Priority Mail service

by increasing the number of acceptance

points, increasing the number of

destination countries, and adding

weight variable rates for items weighing

up to 4 pounds. The Postal Service now

adopts the interim regulations, with

amendments, as final.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 27, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R.

Jay Thabet, (202) 268–2269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March

29, 1996, the Postal Service published

an interim rule expanding Global

Priority Mail and requesting comments,

61 FR 14025. Global Priority Mail is an

expedited airmail letter service

providing fast, reliable, and economical

delivery of all items mailable as letters

or merchandise up to 4 pounds. Global

Priority Mail items receive priority

handling in the United States and

destination countries. Service is limited

to the 34 destination countries

identified in the International Mail

Manual 226.2. Service is available from

designated post offices identified in the

International Mail Manual 226.32.

The weight limit for Global Priority

Mail items is 4 pounds. The Postal

Service offers two sizes of preprinted

flat-rate envelopes. The rates for these

envelopes are based on a geographic rate

zone regardless of the actual weight.

Although these envelopes are valid for

weights of up to 4 pounds, the practical

limitations of the envelopes limit the

weight to less than 4 pounds.

The interim rule increased the

number of post offices where Global

Priority Mail would be available,

increased the number of destination

countries, and added variable weightbased rates to increase customer

convenience.

The Postal Service received one letter

containing nine comments on the

interim rule.

Comment one suggests that, for those

states where all post offices within the

state are on the list of acceptance sites,

just the state should be listed without

showing the different facilities. This

suggestion does not take into account

that there may arise a case where a post

office within a state may not be able to

accept Global Priority Mail at some time

in the future. The present system of

listing the acceptance facilities allows

the Postal Service to delete post offices

when appropriate.

Comment two suggests that ZIP Codes

be listed in numerical order rather than

in alphabetical order of the acceptance

facility. While both numerical and

alphabetical listings are valid, neither is

more valid than the other. The Postal

Service elects to retain the alphabetical

listing.

Comment three states that, in New

York State, Postal Codes 117/118 are no

longer listed as acceptance sites,

whereas they were listed as acceptance

sites for the original test. This was a

typographical error; ZIP Codes 117/118

are acceptance sites.

Comment four asks for an explanation

of certain abnormalities in the rate

structure for variable weights and the

volume rates. The differences between

weight steps does not have to be equal

or linear or based totally on cost

changes. The competitions’ rates for

similar products are a factor. The size

and weight of the volume the USPS

most wants to attract is another factor in

the determination of weight level

increases.

Comment five asks for an explanation

for the relationship between rates for

Canadian and European destinations.

The expected traffic to each country

group, the competition that we face

going to that country group, and the cost

to get into each country group were

factors used to determine rates. In the

example cited, competitors’ rates and

delivery costs in the country were the

most influential.

Comment six states that the

relationship between the flat rate

envelopes and the variable weight rate

should be clarified and the relationship

between the flat rate envelope and the

volume rate should be clarified. The flat

rate developed for envelopes that the

Postal Service provides is independent
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3815

of the variable weight rate and the

volume rate. The Postal Service

developed the flat rates as a

convenience for the customer. To

receive either the variable weight or

volume rate options, the customer must

provide the appropriate packaging. The

envelopes the Postal Service provides

are for the convenience of the customer

and are not eligible for either the

variable weight or volume rate options.

Comment seven suggests a change in

wording to Chapter 2 of the

International Mail Manual, part 226.62,

to read * * * * sticker rate must have

the DEC–10 sticker affixed to the

address side of the package, for

clarification purposes. The Postal

Service accepts this comment and

revises Chapter 2 of the International

Mail Manual, part 226.62.

Comment eight notes that section

226.82 of the International Mail Manual

does not state where the single piece

rate packages can be mailed. In light of

this comment the Postal Service revises

Chapter 2 of the International Mail

Manual, part 226.82, to state that single

piece variable weight option may be

deposited in the normal manner of

deposit for Global Priority Mail.

Comment nine questions the legality

of not providing Global Priority Mail

service from every post office under the

jurisdiction of the United States Postal

Service. The United States Postal

Service provides service throughout the

entire United States as mandated by 39

USC 3623(d). There are some products

and services that are not available at all

postal retail units. Acceptance of

passport applications is an example. In

the case of Global Priority Mail, the

service is offered at all post offices from

which transportation is available which

allows the mailpiece to reach the

appropriate airmail facility in time to

make the scheduled airline departure on

the day after the mailpiece is deposited.

If the transportation network at a given

post office does not allow for the

mailpiece to leave the United States on

the day after deposit, that post office

does not accept Global Priority Mail.

This restriction is in place to preserve

the integrity of a premium service for

which the customer pays a premium fee.

A transmittal letter making the

changes in the pages of the International

Mail Manual will be published and

transmitted automatically to

subscribers. Notice of issuance of the

transmittal letter will be published in

the Federal Register as provided by 39

CFR 20.3.

The Postal Service amends part 226 of

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]

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 International Mail Manual is

amended to incorporate part 226, Global

Priority Mail, as follows:

226 Global Priority Mail

226.1 General

226.11 Definition

Global Priority Mail is an expedited

airmail letter service providing fast,

reliable, and economical delivery of all

items mailable as letters or merchandise

up to 4 pounds. Global Priority Mail

items receive priority handling in the

United States and in destination

countries. Service is available only to

destination countries identified in

226.2, from post offices identified in

226.3.

226.12 Permissible Items

All items sent as letter class mail (see

221.1) are accepted in Global Priority

Mail provided that the contents are

mailable and fit securely in the

envelope. Global Priority Mail items

may contain dutiable merchandise

unless the country of destination

specifically prohibits dutiable

merchandise in letters (see 224.51). Any

item that is prohibited in international

mail is prohibited in Global Priority

Mail. Refer to the ‘‘Country Conditions

of Mailing’’ in the Individual Country

Listings for individual country

prohibitions.

226.13 Packaging

Items must fit comfortably within the

flat-rate envelope without distorting or

bursting the container. Do not use

excessive tape to keep the envelopes

from bursting. Use only one piece of

tape to secure the flap.

226.2 Availability

Global Priority Mail is available to the

following countries. Countries

specifically identified will have service

only to specific cities within those

countries, as noted below:

COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION

Western Europe Pacific Rim North America South America Middle East

Austria

Belgium

Denmark

Finland

France (including Monaco)

Germany

Great Britain and Northern

Ireland 1

Iceland

Ireland

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Netherlands, The

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Australia

China 2

Hong Kong

Japan

Korea, Republic of

New Zealand

Philippines

Singapore

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

Canada

Mexico 3

Brazil 4

Chile 5

Israel.6

Saudi Arabia.7

1 Includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.

2 Destinations in China are limited to Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuxi, Xiamen, and Zhuhai

ONLY.
3816 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

3 Destinations in Mexico are limited to Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey ONLY.

4 Destinations in Brazil are limited to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro ONLY.

5 Destinations in Chile are limited to Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vin ̃a del Mar ONLY. 6 Destinations in Israel are limited to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa ONLY.

7 Destinations in Saudi Arabia are limited to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam ONLY.

226.3 Mailing Locations

226.31 Acceptance Offices and Pickup

Service Locations

Global Priority Mail service is

available only through the designated

post offices and the additional post

offices listed in 226.32. Pickup Service

is available for an additional fee. (See

226.83.)

226.32 Service Areas

Service is available only from the

metropolitan areas as defined by the ZIP

Code ranges shown in Exhibit 226.32. If

Global Priority Mail is presented at a

non-participating retail unit, advise the

customer that the item cannot be

accepted as Global Priority Mail. Refer

customer to the nearest Global Priority

Mail retail acceptance unit. Within

these service areas, prepaid items may

be given to carriers, deposited in

Express Mail collection boxes, or mailed

at post offices, stations, and branches.

Exhibit 226.32 Global Priority Mail

Acceptance Cities and Three-Digit ZIP

Codes

ALABAMA

Anniston: 362

Birmingham: 352

Huntsville: 356, 357, 358

Mobile: 366

Montgomery: 361, 368

ARIZONA

Phoenix: 850, 852, 853

Tucson: 857

ARKANSAS

Little Rock: 722

West Memphis: 723

CALIFORNIA

Industry: 917, 918

Inglewood: 902, 903, 904, 905

Long Beach: 906, 907, 908

Los Angeles: 900, 901

North Bay: 949

Oakland: 945, 946, 947, 948,

Pasadena: 910, 911, 912

Salinas: 939

San Diego: 919, 920, 921

San Francisco: 940, 941, 943, 944

San Jose: 950, 951

Santa Ana: 926, 927, 928

Van Nuys: 913, 914, 915, 916

COLORADO

Brighton: 806

Colorado Springs: 808, 809

Denver: 800, 801, 802, 803

Longmont: 805

Pueblo: 810

CONNECTICUT

Hartford: 060, 061, 062

New Haven: 063, 064, 065, 066

Stamford: 068, 069

Waterbury: 067

DELAWARE

Wilmington: 197, 198, 199

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, DC)

Washington: 200, 202, 203, 204, 205

FLORIDA

Daytona Beach: 321

Fort Myers: 339

Ft. Lauderdale: 333

Gainesville: 326, 344

Jacksonville: 320, 322

Lakeland: 338

Manasota: 342

Miami: 331, 332

Mid-Florida: 327

Orlando: 328, 329, 347

South Florida: 330

St. Petersburg: 337

Tallahassee: 323

Tampa: 335, 336, 346

West Palm Beach: 334, 349

GEORGIA

Albany: 317

Athens: 306

Atlanta: 303, 311

Augusta: 298, 308, 309

Columbus: 318, 319

Macon: 310, 312

North Metro: 300, 301, 302, 305

Savannah: 299, 313, 314

Swainsboro: 304

Valdosta: 316

Waycross: 315

INDIANA

Bloomington: 474

Columbus: 472

Evansville: 424, 476, 477

Fort Wayne: 467, 468

Gary: 463, 464

Indianapolis: 460, 461, 462

Kokomo: 469

Lafayette: 479

Muncie: 473

South Bend: 465, 466

Terre Haute: 478

Washington: 475

ILLINOIS

Bloomington: 617

Carbondale: 629

Carol Stream: 601, 603

Centralia: 628

Chicago: 606, 607, 608

East St. Louis: 622

Effingham: 624

Champaign: 618, 619

Fox Valley: 605

Galesburg: 614

Kankakee: 609

La Salle: 613

Palatine: 600, 602

Peoria: 615, 616

Quincy: 623, 634, 635

Rockford: 610, 611

Rock Island: 612

Springfield: 625, 626, 627

South Suburban: 604

IOWA

Burlington: 526

Cedar Rapids: 522, 523, 524

Davenport: 527, 528

Des Moines: 500, 501, 502, 503, 509

Dubuque: 520

Mason City: 504

Ottumwa: 525

Sioux City: 510, 511

Waterloo: 506, 507

KANSAS

Fort Scott: 667

Kansas City: 660, 661, 662

Hays: 676

Salina: 674

Topeka: 664, 665, 666, 668

Wichita: 672

KENTUCKY

Ashland: 411, 412

Bowling Green: 421, 422

Campton: 413, 414

Elizabeth: 427

Louisville: 400, 401, 402, 471

Lexington: 403, 404, 405, 406

Owensboro: 423

Pikeville: 415, 416

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge: 707, 708

New Orleans: 700, 701

Hammond: 704

Thibodaux: 703

MAINE

Bangor: 044, 046, 047

Portland: 040, 041, 042, 043, 045, 048, 049

MARYLAND

Baltimore: 210, 211, 212, 214, 219

Cumberland: 215, 267

Easton: 216

Frederick: 217

Salisbury: 218

Southern: 206, 207

Suburban: 208, 209

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston: 021, 022

Brockton: 020, 023, 024

Buzzards Bay: 025, 026

Middlesex-Essex: 018, 019

Pittsfield: 012

Springfield: 010, 011, 013

Worcester: 014, 015, 016, 017

MICHIGAN

Detroit: 481, 482

Flint: 484, 485

Gaylord: 497

Grand Rapids: 493, 494, 495

Jackson: 492

Kalamazoo: 490, 491
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3817

Lansing: 488, 489

Royal Oak: 480, 483

Saginaw: 486, 487

Traverse City: 496

MINNESOTA

Detroit Lakes: 565

Duluth: 558

Mankato: 560

Minneapolis: 553, 554

Rochester: 559

Saint Cloud: 563

St. Paul: 550, 551, 540

Thief River Falls: 567

Willmar: 562

Windom: 561

MISSISSIPPI

Grenada: 389

Gulfport: 395

Hattiesburg: 394

Jackson: 392

McComb: 396

MISSOURI

Cape Girardeau: 636, 637, 638, 639

Chillicothe: 646

Harrisonville: 647

Kansas City: 640, 641

Mid-Missouri: 650, 651, 652, 653

Saint Joseph: 644, 645

Springfield: 648, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658

St. Louis: 620, 630, 631, 633

MONTANA

Billings: 591

NEBRASKA

Lincoln: 683, 684, 685

Norfolk: 686, 687

Omaha: 515, 516, 680, 681

NEVADA

Las Vegas: 891

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester: 030, 031, 032, 033, 034

Portsmouth: 038, 039

NEW JERSEY

Hackensack: 076

Kilmer: 088, 089

Monmouth: 077

Newark: 070, 071, 072, 073

Paterson: 074, 075

South Jersey: 080, 081, 082, 083, 084

Trenton: 085, 086, 087

West Jersey: 078, 079

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque: 871

NEW YORK

Albany: 120, 121, 122, 123

Binghamton: 137, 138, 139

Bronx: 104

Brooklyn: 112

Buffalo: 140, 141, 142, 143

Elmira: 148, 149

Glen Falls: 128

Hicksville: 118

Jamestown: 147

Long Island: 111

Mid-Hudson: 124, 125, 126, 127

Mid Island: 117, 119

New York: 100, 101, 102

Plattsburgh: 129

Queens: 110, 113, 114, 116

Rochester: 144, 145, 146

Rockland: 109

Staten Island: 103

Syracuse: 130, 131, 132

Utica: 133, 134, 135

Watertown: 136

Westchester: 105, 106, 107, 108

Western Nassau: 115

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville: 287, 288, 289

Charlotte: 280, 281, 282, 297

Greensboro: 270, 271, 272, 273, 274

Hickory: 286

Raleigh: 275, 276, 277

NORTH DAKOTA

Bismarck: 585

Dickinson: 586

Devils Lake: 583

Fargo: 580, 581

Grand Forks: 582

Jamestown: 584

Minot: 587

Williston: 588

OHIO

Akron: 442, 443

Athens: 457

Canton: 446, 447

Chillicothe: 456

Cincinnati: 410, 450, 451, 452, 470

Cleveland: 440, 441

Columbus: 430, 431, 432, 433

Dayton: 453, 454, 455

Lima: 458

Mansfield: 448, 449

Steubenville: 439

Toledo: 434, 435, 436

Youngstown: 444, 445

Zanesville: 437, 438

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore: 734

Clinton: 736

Durant: 747

Enid: 737

Lawton: 735

McAlester: 745

Muskogee: 744

Oklahoma City: 730, 731

Ponca City: 746

Poteau: 749

Shawnee: 748

Tulsa: 740, 741, 743

Woodard: 738

OREGON

Portland: 972

PENNSYLVANIA

Altoona: 166, 168

Bradford: 167

Dubois: 158

Erie: 164, 165

Greensburg: 156

Harrisburg: 170, 171, 172, 178

Johnstown: 155, 157, 159

Lancaster: 173, 174, 175, 176

Lehigh Valley: 180, 181, 183

New Castle: 160, 161, 162

Oil City: 163

Philadelphia: 190, 191

Pittsburgh: 150, 151, 152, 153, 154

Reading: 179, 195, 196

Scranton: 184, 185, 188

Southeastern: 189, 193, 194

Wilkes-Barre: 182, 186, 187

PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS

San Juan: 006, 007, 008, 009

RHODE ISLAND

Providence: 027, 028, 029

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston: 294

Columbia: 290, 291, 292

Florence: 295

Greenville: 293, 296

SOUTH DAKOTA

Aberdeen: 574

Dakota Central: 572, 573

Mobridge: 576

Pierre: 575

Rapid City: 577

Sioux Falls: 570, 571

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga: 307, 373, 374

Columbia: 384

Cookeville: 385

Jackson: 383

Johnson City: 376

Knoxville: 377, 378, 379

McKenzie: 382

Memphis: 380, 381, 386

Nashville: 370, 371, 372

TEXAS

Abilene: 768, 795, 796

Amarillo: 791

Austin: 786, 787, 789

Beaumont: 776, 777

Bryan: 778

Corpus Christi: 784

Dallas: 751, 752, 753

El Paso: 799

Fort Worth: 760, 761, 762, 764

Greenville: 754

Houston: 770, 772

Longview: 756

Lubbock: 794

Lufkin: 759

North Houston: 773, 774, 775

North Texas: 750

Palestine: 758

San Angelo: 769

San Antonio: 780, 781, 782, 788

Texarkana: 755

Tyler: 757

Waco: 765, 766, 767

Wichita Falls: 763

UTAH

Provo: 845, 846, 847

Salt Lake City: 840, 841, 843, 844

VERMONT

Burlington: 054, 056

White River Junction: 035, 036, 037, 050,

051, 052, 053, 057, 058, 059

VIRGINIA

Charlottesville: 228, 229, 244

Culpeper: 227

Farmville: 239

Northern Virginia: 201, 220, 221, 222, 223

Norfolk: 233, 234, 235, 236, 237

Richmond: 224, 225, 230, 231, 232, 238

Winchester: 226
3818 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

WASHINGTON

Everett: 982

Olympia: 985

Seattle: 980, 981

Tacoma: 983, 984

Wenatchee: 988

Yakima: 989

WEST VIRGINIA

Bluefield: 246, 247, 248

Charleston: 250, 251, 252, 253

Huntington: 255, 256, 257

Martinsburg: 254

Wheeling: 260

WISCONSIN

Eau Claire: 547

Green Bay: 543

La Crosse: 546

Madison: 537

Milwaukee: 530, 531, 532

Oshkosh: 549

Racine: 534

Spooner: 548

WYOMING

Cheyenne: 820

226.4 Postage

226.41 Flat-Rate Envelopes Postage

Each Global Priority Mail flat-rate

envelope is charged at a flat rate. The

rate is based on the geographic rate zone

regardless of its actual weight. Postage

is required for each piece. (See Exhibit

226.41.)

Exhibit 226.41

FLAT-RATE ENVELOPE POSTAGE RATES

Destination Small Large

Western Europe and Middle East .................................................................................................................................... $3.75 $6.95

Canada and Mexico ......................................................................................................................................................... 3.75 6.95

Pacific Rim and South America ....................................................................................................................................... 4.95 8.95

Weight Limit 4 Lbs.

226.42 Variable Weight Option

Postage—Single Piece Rates

Global Priority Mail variable weight

rates are calculated in half (or fraction

thereof) increments based on the weight

of each piece the destination geographic

rate zone up to four pounds. (See

Exhibit 226.42.)

Exhibit 226.42

VARIABLE WEIGHT STICKER OPTION—

SINGLE PIECE RATES

Weight

level

Western

Europe

and Middle East

Pacific

Rim and

South

America

Canada

and Mexico

1⁄2 lb ....... $7.00 $8.00 $5.95

1.0 lb ..... 10.50 12.50 10.00

1.5 lbs .... 12.50 16.95 13.50

2.0 lbs .... 15.00 21.00 16.50

2.5 lbs .... 17.50 23.95 18.00

3.0 lbs .... 19.95 27.25 19.50

3.5 lbs .... 22.00 31.50 21.00

4.0 lbs .... 24.75 34.50 22.50

Weight

Limit

4

Lbs.

226.43 Global Priority Mail Sticker—

Volume Rates

226.431 Minimum Quantity

Requirement

The mailer must have a minimum of

five or more pieces to one or more

Global Priority Mail countries. The

minimum does not apply to each

geographic zone rate. (See Exhibit

226.43.)

226.432 Mailing Statement

Postage for volume rate mail and

permit imprint must be computed on PS

Form 3653, Global Priority Mail

Statement of Mailings.

Exhibit 226.43

VARIABLE WEIGHT STICKER OPTION—

VOLUME RATES

Weight

level

Western

Europe

and Middle East

Pacific

Rim and

South

America

Canada

and Mexico

1⁄2 lb ....... $5.95 $6.95 $5.00

1.0 lb ..... 8.50 10.00 7.50

1.5 lbs .... 10.00 13.50 10.00

2.0 lbs .... 12.00 16.95 12.50

2.5 lbs .... 14.00 19.25 13.50

3.0 lbs .... 16.95 21.95 14.50

3.5 lbs .... 19.95 25.50 15.50

4.0 lbs .... 22.50 27.75 16.50

Weight

Limit

4

Lbs.

226.5 Payment Methods

226.51 Postage Payment Methods

Nonidentical weight piece mailings

must have the applicable postage affixed

by adhesive stamps, meter stamps or if

presented at a post office, postal

validation imprinter (PVI labels).

Identical weight piece mailings may be

paid by meter stamps, adhesive stamps,

PVI labels or permit imprint subject to

certain standards. To use permit

imprint, the mailing must consist of 200

or more pieces and be of identical

weight. The 200-piece criterion for

permit imprint applies to both volume

rate and flat-rate mail. Mailers may use

permit imprint with nonidentical

weight items only if authorized by the

USPS under a Manifest Mailing System

(MMS), in DMM P710.

226.52 Postal Marking Related to

Volume Rate Postage

When pieces are paid at the volume

rate and paid by stamps or meter

impression, each piece must be legibly

marked with the words ‘‘Volume Rate

Global Priority Mail.’’ If stamps are used

the endorsement must appear on the

address side of each piece and must be

applied by a printing press, hand stamp

or other similar printing device. If meter

impression is used the endorsement

must be in the ad plate or the slug area.

If part of the slug, the abbreviation GPM

Vol. Rate may be used. See DMM

P030.4.14 for specification of size

requirements.

226.53 Permit Imprint Content and

Format

All permit imprints on Global Priority

Mail must show city and state, ‘‘Global

Priority Mail,’’ U.S. Postage Paid, and

permit number. They may show the

mailing date, amount of postage paid or

the number of ounces for each postage.

226.54 Meter Stamps Content

At a minimum, a meter stamp must

show the month, day, and year in the

postmark, city and state designation of

the licensing post office, the number,

and the amount of postage. See DMM

P030.4.6.

226.6 Preparation Requirements

226.61 Addressing

All items must bear the complete

delivery address of the addressee and

the full name (no abbreviations) of the

destination country. See 122.

226.62 Marking

Global Priority Mail items must be

mailed in special envelopes (EP–15A,
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 17 /Tuesday, January 27, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 3819

EP–15B) or with the Global Priority Mail

sticker (DEC–10) provided by the Postal

Service. (These supplies may be

obtained by calling 800–222–1811.)

Unmarked pieces are subject to the

applicable LC/AO airmail regular rates

and treatment. Pieces paid at the Global

Priority Mail sticker rate must have the

DEC–10 sticker affixed to the address

side of the package.

226.63 Customs

A green customs label must be affixed

if the package is 16 ounces or more,

regardless of its contents. Only

documents and correspondence under

16 ounces do not require a customs

form.

226.7 Size and Weight Limits

226.71 Size Limits

226.711 Flat-Rate Envelope Sizes

a. Small Size—6 x 10 inches.

b. Large Size—91⁄2 x 121⁄2 inches.

226.712 Package Sizes for Variable

Weight Option

a. Minimum length and height: 51⁄2 x

31⁄2 inches.

b. Minimum depth (thickness): .007

inches.

c. Maximum length: 24 inches.

d. Maximum length, height, depth

(thickness) combined: 36 inches.

226.713 Rolls

a. Minimum length: 4 inches.

b. Minimum length plus twice the

diameter combined: 63⁄4 inches.

c. Maximum length: 36 inches.

d. Maximum length plus twice the

diameter combined: 42 inches.

226.72 Weight Limit

Items sent as Global Priority Mail in

envelopes and the variable weight

option must not exceed 4 pounds.

226.73 Special Services

Mailers may obtain certificates of

mailing (see NO TAG). No other special

services such as registry, insurance,

restricted delivery, return receipt, or

recorded delivery are available.

226.8 Mailer Preparation

226.81 Mailer Requirement

Global Priority Mail claimed at the

volume rate must be separated by

geographic rate zone (Western Europe,

Pacific Rim, and Canada) when

presented to the business mail entry

unit unless otherwise authorized by the

USPS. All pieces in a permit imprint

mailing and metered mail must be

facing the same direction.

226.82 Deposit of Mail

Global Priority Mail pieces paid by

permit imprint and pieces claimed at

the Global Priority Mail volume rates

must be deposited at a business mail

acceptance unit as authorized by the

postmaster in the designated Global

Priority Mail sites for weighing. Single

piece variable weight option may be

deposited in the normal manner of

deposit for Global Priority Mail. Flatrate envelopes with postage affixed may

be deposited in any Express Mail Street

collection box or other such place where

Express Mail is accepted. Metered mail

must be deposited in locations under

the jurisdiction of the licensing post

office except as permitted under DMM

P030.

226.83 Pickup Service

On call and scheduled pickup service

are available for Global Priority Mail

from the designated Global Priority Mail

acceptance cities. There is a charge of

$4.95 for each pickup stop, regardless of

the number of pieces picked up. (See

DMM D010 for standards of pickup

service.) Pickup is not available for

Global Priority Mail pieces if paid by

permit imprint or claimed at the volume

rate.

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 98–1935 Filed 1–26–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

46 CFR Part 382

[Docket No. R–158]

RIN 2133–AB19

Determination of Fair and Reasonable

Guideline Rates for the Carriage of

Bulk and Packaged Preference

Cargoes on U.S.-Flag Commercial

Vessels

AGENCY: Maritime Administration,

Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The regulations at 46 CFR

part 382 prescribe the administrative

procedures and methodology for

determining fair and reasonable rates for

the carriage of dry and liquid bulk and

packaged preference cargoes on United

States commercial cargo vessels.

MARAD is issuing this rule to prescribe

cost averaging as the methodology used

for determining rates and to implement

conforming procedural changes.

MARAD is also reducing information

collection under these regulations.

DATES: This final rule is effective

January 29, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael P. Ferris, Director, Office of

Costs and Rates, Maritime

Administration, Washington, DC 20590,

Tel. (202) 366–2324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section

901(b)(1) of the Merchant Marine Act of

1936 (the Act), as amended (46 App.

U.S.C. 1241(b)), cited as the Cargo

Preference Act of 1954, requires that at

least 50 percent of any equipment,

materials or commodities purchased by

the United States or for the account of

any foreign nation without provision for

reimbursement, or acquired as the result

of funds or credits from the United

States, shall be transported on privately

owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels, to

the extent that such vessels are available

at fair and reasonable rates. In 1985,

section 901 was amended to exclude

certain programs from the application of

cargo preference and to raise the U.S.-

flag share to 75 percent on certain

others. Upon request, MARAD provides

fair and reasonable rates (also referred to

as guideline rates) to U.S. shipper

agencies. Section 901(b)(2) of the Act

provides the authority for MARAD (by

delegation from the Secretary of

Transportation) to issue regulations

governing the administration of section

901(b)(1). In 1989, MARAD issued

regulations at 46 CFR part 382 (‘‘Rule’’),

that initially became effective on

January 1, 1990.

Under the 1990 Rule, MARAD

established fair and reasonable rates, socalled guideline rates, based on each

individual vessel’s costs which applied

to the ocean borne portion of cargo

transportation. The guideline rate

consisted of four components: (1)

Operating costs; (2) capital costs; (3)

port and cargo handling costs; and (4)

brokerage and overhead. The operating

cost component of the guideline rate for

each participating vessel reflected actual

historical vessel operating costs

escalated to the current period by

utilizing factors for wage and non-wage

costs. All eligible annual operating costs

are added together for each vessel and

divided by the total number of operating

days for that vessel to yield a daily

operating cost.

Each vessel’s actual reported fuel

consumption at sea and in port forms

the basis of the guideline rate’s fuel cost

segment. The actual fuel consumption

of each vessel is multiplied by the

corresponding projected number of

voyage days at sea and in port to

calculate total units of fuel consumed.