[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38083-38087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18752]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Changes in Preferred Postage Rates--Periodicals and Standard Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Public Law No. 103-123 authorizes annual changes in the 
reduced rates for preferred periodicals and non-profit standard mail 
formerly financed by appropriations for revenue forgone. This action 
implements these changes for FY 1999.

DATES: Effective Date: October 4, 1998. The changes pertaining to 
postage rates will be implemented effective 12:01 a.m., Sunday, October 
4, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas DeVaughan, (202) 268-4491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 39 U.S.C. 3626(a) and 3642, the Postal 
Service is authorized to make adjustments in the Periodicals Preferred 
In-County pound rates and the nonadvertising per piece rates for

[[Page 38084]]

Preferred Nonprofit publications, the nonadvertising pound rates and 
the per piece rates for Preferred Classroom publications; and postal 
rates for Nonprofit Standard Mail, Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route 
Standard Mail, and Library Mail. These adjustments are necessary to 
phase up the institutional-costs contribution of this mail to the 
levels required by law by FY 1999.
    The rates for Periodicals Science-of-Agriculture publications zones 
1 and 2 will remain the same at 75 percent of the rates charged on 
advertising in regular-rate publications, as specified by law. These 
rates will not change until regular Periodicals advertising rates 
change through a general rate case. Also, since the maximum weight for 
automation heavy letters is traditionally the heaviest weight break 
Standard Mail (A) minimum per-piece rates, the maximum weight for these 
letters mailed at First-Class Mail and Periodicals is also changed with 
this notice.
    Please note, that the full rates resulting from these adjustments 
will be superseded by the full rates resulting from the Docket Number 
R97-1 Rate Case, which will take effect 12:01 a.m., Sunday, January 10, 
1999.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Postal Service.

    For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts 
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 
CFR Part 111).

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the following sections of Domestic Mail Manual Issue 53 
as set forth below:

C  Characteristics and Content

* * * * *

C800  Automation-Compatible Mail

C810  Letters and Cards

* * * * *
2.0  DIMENSIONS
* * * * *

2.3  Maximum Weight

[Amend 2.3f to read as follows:]
    Maximum weight limits are as follows:
* * * * *
    f. 3.3388 ounces: automation First-Class Mail, automation 
Periodicals, and automation Nonprofit Standard Mail heavy letters, 
subject to 7.5.
* * * * *

E  Eligibility

* * * * *

E600  Standard Mail

E610  Basic Standards

* * * * *

E612  Additional Standards for Standard Mail (A)

* * * * *
4.0  BULK RATES
* * * * *

4.2  Minimum Per Piece Rates

[Amend 4.2 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:]
    The minimum per piece rates (i.e., the minimum postage that must be 
paid for each piece) apply to Enhanced Carrier Route rate pieces 
weighing no more than 0.2066 pound (3.3062 ounces) rounded; Regular 
nonautomation and automation rate pieces weighing no more than 0.2068 
pound (3.3087 ounces) rounded; Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route rate 
pieces weighing no more than 0.2084 pound (3.3348 ounces) rounded; and 
Nonprofit nonautomation and automation rate pieces weighing no more 
than 0.2087 pound (3.3388 ounces) rounded. * * *
* * * * *

P  Postage and Payment Methods

P000  Basic Information

P010  General Standards

* * * * *

P013  Rate Application and Computation

* * * * *
4.0  RATE APPLICATION--STANDARD MAIL (A)
* * * * *

4.3  Bulk Rates

[Amend 4.3 to read as follows:]
    Bulk rates are based on the weight of the pieces and are applied 
differently to pieces weighing less than or equal to a ``breakpoint'' 
(rounded to four decimal places) and those weighing more, as follows:
    a. The appropriate minimum per piece rate applies to pieces 
weighing:

(1) 0.2066 pound (3.3062 ounces) or less for Enhanced Carrier Route 
rates
(2) 0.2068 pound (3.3087 ounces) or less for Regular rates
(3) 0.2084 pound (3.3348 ounces) or less for Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier 
Route rates
(4) 0.2087 pound (3.3388 ounces) or less for Nonprofit rates

    b. A rate determined by adding the appropriate fixed per piece 
charge and the corresponding variable per pound charge (based on the 
weight of the piece) applies to pieces weighing more than the above.
* * * * *

R  Rates and Fees

* * * * *

R100  First-Class Mail

* * * * *

Summary of First-Class Rates

[Amend footnote 3 to read as follows:]
    3. Weight not to exceed 3.3388 ounces; pieces over 3 ounces subject 
to additional standards.
* * * * *

R200  Periodicals

1.0  REGULAR
* * * * *

1.2  Piece Rates

[Amend footnote 1 to read as follows:]
    1. Lower maximum weight limits apply: letter-size at 3 ounces (or 
3.3388 ounces for heavy letters); flat-size at 16 ounces.
* * * * *
2.0  PREFERRED--IN-COUNTY
2.1  Pound Rates
    Per pound or fraction:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Zone                                 Rate  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery Unit................................................     $0.116
All Others...................................................      0.126
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.2  Piece Rates

[Amend footnote 1 to read as follows:]
    1. Lower maximum weight limits apply: letter-size at 3 ounces (or 
3.3388 ounces for heavy letters); flat-size at 16 ounces.
* * * * *
3.0  PREFERRED--NONPROFIT
* * * * *

3.2  Piece Rates

    Per addressed piece:

[[Page 38085]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Automation \1\     
         Presort level           Nonautomation -------------------------
                                                Letter-size   Flat-size 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic..........................        $0.219         0.189        0.195
3/5............................         0.174   ...........        0.150
3-Digit........................  .............        0.151  ...........
5-Digit........................                       0.151  ...........
Carrier Route..................         0.107   ...........  ...........
High Density...................         0.100   ...........  ...........
Saturation.....................         0.086   ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Lower maximum weight limits apply: letter-size at 3 ounces (or      
  3.3388 ounces for heavy letters); flat-size at 16 ounces.             

* * * * *
4.0  PREFERRED--CLASSROOM

4.1  Pound Rates

    Per pound or fraction:
    a. For the nonadvertising portion: $0.142.
* * * * *

4.2  Piece Rates

    Per addressed piece:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Nonautomation     
          Automation \1\             Presort   -------------------------
                                      level     Letter-size   Flat-size 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic............................       $0.219       $0.189       $0.195
3/5..............................        0.174  ...........        0.150
3-Digit..........................  ...........        0.151  ...........
5-Digit..........................  ...........        0.151  ...........
Carrier Route....................        0.107  ...........  ...........
High Density.....................        0.100  ...........  ...........
Saturation.......................        0.086  ...........  ...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Lower maximum weight limits apply: letter-size at 3 ounces (or      
  3.3388 ounces for heavy letters); flat-size at 16 ounces.             

4.3  Discounts

    Piece rate discounts:
* * * * *
    b. Delivery unit zone piece discount for each addressed piece 
claimed in the pound rate portion at the delivery unit zone rate: 
$0.012.
    c. SCF zone piece discount for each addressed piece claimed in the 
pound rate portion at the SCF zone rate: $0.006.
5.0  PREFERRED--SCIENCE-OF-AGRICULTURE
* * * * *

5.2  Piece Rates

[Amend footnote 1 to read as follows:]
    1. Lower maximum weight limits apply: letter-size at 3 ounces (or 
3.3388 ounces for heavy letters); flat-size at 16 ounces.
* * * * *

R600  Standard Mail

* * * * *
4.0  NONPROFIT STANDARD MAIL

4.1  Letter-Size Minimum Per Piece Rates

    Pieces 0.2087 pound (3.3388 ounces) or less:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Nonautomation                   Automation \1\           
                 Entry discount                 ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Basic         3/5         Basic       3-Digit      5-Digit  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None...........................................       $0.138       $0.120       $0.105       $0.101       $0.088
DBMC...........................................        0.125        0.107        0.092        0.088        0.075
DSCF...........................................        0.120        0.102        0.087        0.083        0.070
DDU............................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pieces weighing over 3 ounces subject to additional standards.                                              

4.2  Nonletter-Size Minimum Per Piece Rates

    Pieces 0.2087 pound (3.3388 ounces) or less:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Nonautomation            Automation \1\     
                       Entry discount                        ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Basic         3/5         Basic         3/5    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None........................................................       $0.201       $0.149       $0.177       $0.125
DBMC........................................................        0.188        0.136        0.164        0.112
DSCF........................................................        0.183        0.131        0.159        0.107

[[Page 38086]]

                                                                                                                
DDU.........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Available only for automation-compatible flats.                                                             

4.3  Piece/Pound Rates

    Pieces more than 0.2087 pound (3.3388 ounces):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Nonautomation            Automation \2\     
                    Piece/pound rate \1\                     ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Basic         3/5         Basic         3/5    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Piece...................................................       $0.100       $0.048       $0.076       $0.024
Per Pound (includes entry discount if applicable)...........         PLUS         PLUS         PLUS         PLUS
None........................................................        0.484        0.484        0.484        0.484
DBMC........................................................        0.422        0.422        0.422        0.422
DSCF........................................................        0.396        0.396        0.396        0.396
DDU.........................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Each piece is subject to both a piece rate and a pound rate.                                                
\2\ Available only for automation-compatible flats.                                                             

5.0  NONPROFIT ENHANCED CARRIER ROUTE STANDARD MAIL

5.1  Letter-Size Minimum Per Piece Rates

    Pieces 0.2084 pound (3.3348 ounces) or less:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Nonautomation              Automation\1\
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                      Entry discount                                         High                               
                                                               Basic       density     Saturation      Basic    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None......................................................       $0.099       $0.093       $0.087        $0.085 
DBMC......................................................        0.086        0.080        0.074         0.072 
DSCF......................................................        0.081        0.075        0.069         0.067 
DDU.......................................................        0.075        0.069        0.063        0.061  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pieces weighing over 3 ounces subject to additional standards.                                              

* * * * *
9.0  LIBRARY MAIL

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Single- 
                   Weight not over (pounds)                      piece  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1..........................................................      $1.12
  2..........................................................       1.54
  3..........................................................       1.96
  4..........................................................       2.38
  5..........................................................       2.80
  6..........................................................       3.22
  7..........................................................       3.64
  8..........................................................       3.86
  9..........................................................       4.08
10...........................................................       4.30
11...........................................................       4.52
12...........................................................       4.74
13...........................................................       4.96
14...........................................................       5.18
15...........................................................       5.40
16...........................................................       5.62
17...........................................................       5.84
18...........................................................       6.06
19...........................................................       6.28
20...........................................................       6.50
21...........................................................       6.72
22...........................................................       6.94
23...........................................................       7.16
24...........................................................       7.38
25...........................................................       7.60
26...........................................................       7.82
27...........................................................       8.04
28...........................................................       8.26
29...........................................................       8.48
30...........................................................       8.70
31...........................................................       8.92
32...........................................................       9.14
33...........................................................       9.36
34...........................................................       9.58
35...........................................................       9.80
36...........................................................      10.02
37...........................................................      10.24
38...........................................................      10.46
39...........................................................      10.68
40...........................................................      10.90
41...........................................................      11.12
42...........................................................      11.34
43...........................................................      11.56
44...........................................................      11.78
45...........................................................      12.00
46...........................................................      12.22
47...........................................................      12.44
48...........................................................      12.66
49...........................................................      12.88
50...........................................................      13.10
51...........................................................      13.32
52...........................................................      13.54
53...........................................................      13.76
54...........................................................      13.98
55...........................................................      14.20
56...........................................................      14.42
57...........................................................      14.64
58...........................................................      14.86
59...........................................................      15.08
60...........................................................      15.30
61...........................................................      15.52
62...........................................................      15.74
63...........................................................      15.96
64...........................................................      16.18
65...........................................................      16.40
66...........................................................      16.62
67...........................................................      16.84
68...........................................................      17.06
69...........................................................      17.28
70...........................................................      17.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 38087]]

* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111.3 will be published to 
reflect these changes.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 98-18752 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P