[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23480-23482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07829]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Special Handling--Fragile Discontinued

AGENCY: Postal Service<SUP>TM</SUP>.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to amend Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) in 
various sections to discontinue the Special Handling--Fragile extra 
service.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 20, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dddcecbe8e9e8ffece1dfe8eae4fef9e8ffcdf8fefdfea3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1040535675747562717c427577796364756250656360633e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>, with a subject line of ``Special Handling--
Fragile Discontinued''. Faxed comments are not accepted.

Confidentiality

    All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public 
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your 
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for 
public disclosure.
    You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment 
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th 
Floor North, Washington, DC, 20260. These records are available for 
review on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.--4 p.m., by calling 202-268-
2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen F. Key at (202) 268-7492 or 
Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is proposing to 
discontinue the Special Handling--Fragile extra service. An 
investigation has revealed that operational procedures do not support 
the preferential handling of Special Handling--Fragile items.
    The Postal Service continues to strive to build and maintain a 
loyal relationship with its customers and provide products and services 
with integrity. However, with the execution gaps that currently exist 
with Special Handling--Fragile, the Postal Service believes it is in 
the best interest to discontinue the Special Handling-Fragile extra 
service.
    The decision to discontinue Special Handling--Fragile will not 
affect live animals tendered to the Postal Service as provided in 
Publication 52--Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.
    In addition, the Postal Service is proposing to revise the 
applicable Quick Service Guides (QSG), Price List (Notice 123), and 
Publication 52, to reflect this DMM revision.
    The Postal Service is proposing to implement this change effective 
July 10, 2022.
    We believe the proposed revision will provide customers with a more 
efficient mailing experience.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comment on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated 
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, the Postal Service proposes the following changes to 
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations (see 39 CFR 111.1)

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401--404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631--3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.
0
2. Revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to read as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

[[Page 23481]]

500 Additional Services

503 Extra Services

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra Services

* * * * *

1.4 Eligibility for Extra Services

* * * * *

1.4.1 Eligibility--Domestic Mail

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.4.1 Eligibility--Domestic Mail

    [Delete the ``Special Handling--Fragile'' extra service item in its 
entirety.]
    [Under the ``Additional Combined Extra Services'' column delete 
``Special Handling--Fragile'' from the ``Insurance'', ``Certificate of 
Mailing'', ``Certificate of Bulk Mailing'', ``Return Receipt'', 
``Signature Confirmation'', ``Signature Confirmation Restricted 
Delivery'', and ``Collect on Delivery'' extra service items.]
* * * * *
    [Delete section 10.0, Special Handling--Fragile, in its entirety.]
* * * * *

1.4.2 Eligibility--Other Domestic Mail

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.4.2 Eligibility--Other Domestic Mail

* * * * *
    [Delete the Special Handling--Fragile line item in its entirety.]
* * * * *

507 Mailer Services

* * * * *

1.0 Treatment of Mail

* * * * *

1.3 Directory Service

    USPS letter carrier offices give directory service to the types of 
mail listed below that have an insufficient address or cannot be 
delivered at the address given (the USPS does not compile a directory 
of any kind):
    [Revise the text of item a to read as follows:]
    a. Mail with extra services (certified, COD [excluding COD Hold For 
Pickup mailpieces], registered).
* * * * *

1.4 Basic Treatment

* * * * *

1.4.5 Extra Services

    Mail with extra services is treated according to the charts for 
each class of mail in 1.5, except that:
* * * * *
    [Delete item c in its entirety and renumber item d as item c.]
* * * * *

2.0 Forwarding

* * * * *

2.3 Postage for Forwarding

* * * * *

2.3.7 Extra Services

    [Revise the text of 2.3.7 to read as follows:]
    Certified, collect on delivery (COD) (excluding COD Hold For Pickup 
mailpieces), USPS Tracking, insured, registered, Signature 
Confirmation, and Adult Signature mail is forwarded to a domestic 
address only without additional extra service fees, subject to the 
applicable postage charge.
* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Standards

* * * * *

604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds

1.0 Stamps

* * * * *

1.3 Postage Stamps Invalid for Use

    The following are not valid to pay postage for U.S. domestic or 
U.S.-originated international mail:
    [Revise the text of item a to read as follows:]
    a. Postage due, special delivery, and Certified Mail stamps.
* * * * *

4.0 Postage Meters and PC Postage Products (``Postage Evidencing 
Systems'')

* * * * *

4.6 Mailings

4.6.1 Mailing Date Format

    * * * The mailing date format used in the indicia is also subject 
to the following conditions.
    a. Complete Date. Mailers must use a complete date for the 
following:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item a2 to read as follows:]
    2. All mailpieces with Insured Mail or COD service.
* * * * *

9.0 Exchanges and Refunds

* * * * *

9.2 Postage and Fee Refunds

* * * * *

9.2.3 Full Refund

    A full refund (100%) may be made when:
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item e to read as follows:]
    e. Fees are paid for Certified Mail services, USPS Tracking, or 
USPS Signature Services, and the article fails to receive the extra 
service for which the fee is paid.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

703 Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail and Other Unique Eligibility

* * * * *

2.0 Overseas Military and Diplomatic Post Office Mail

* * * * *

2.5 Parcel Airlift (PAL)

* * * * *

2.5.5 Additional Services

    The following extra services may be combined with PAL if the 
applicable standards for the services are met and the additional 
service fees paid:
* * * * *
    [Delete item ``e'' in its entirety.]
* * * * *

3.0 Department of State Mail

* * * * *

3.2 Conditions For Authorized Mail

* * * * *

3.2.6 Extra Services

* * * * *
    [Delete item e and renumber item f as item e.]
* * * * *

9.0 Mixed Classes

* * * * *

9.13 Extra Services for Mixed Classes

    [Delete 9.13.1 in its entirety and renumber items 9.13.2 and 9.13.3 
as 9.13.1 and 9.13.2.]
* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

18.0 Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open 
and Distribute

* * * * *

[[Page 23482]]

18.3 Additional Standards for Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute

* * * * *

18.3.2 Extra Services

    No extra services may be added to the Priority Mail Express segment 
of a Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute shipment, and the 
enclosed mail may receive only the following extra services:
    [Revise the text of items a and b to read as follows:]
    a. First-Class Mail pieces may be sent with Certified Mail service 
or, for parcels only, USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation service.
    b. Priority Mail pieces may be sent with Certified Mail service, 
USPS Tracking, or Signature Confirmation service.
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item d to read as follows:]
    d. Parcel Select, USPS Retail Ground and Package Services mail may 
be sent with, for parcels only, USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation 
service.

18.4 Additional Standards for Priority Mail Open and Distribute

* * * * *

18.4.2 Extra Services

    No extra services are available for Priority Mail Open and 
Distribute containers. The mail enclosed in the container may receive 
only the following services:
    [Revise the text of item a to read as follows:]
    a. First-Class Mail pieces may be sent with Certified Mail service 
or special handling or, for parcels only, USPS Tracking or Signature 
Confirmation service.
* * * * *
    [Revise the text of item c to read as follows:]
    c. Parcel Select and Package Services mail may be sent with, for 
parcels only, USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation service.
* * * * *

Joshua J. Hofer,
Attorney, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2022-07829 Filed 4-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P


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