[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22585-22586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08095]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MC2022-51; Order No. 6149]


Mail Classification Schedule

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is recognizing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning classification changes to the Mail Classification Schedule 
(MCS) related to Ancillary Services, along with corresponding minor 
revisions to other MCS entries. This document informs the public of the 
filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: April 22, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Summary of Changes
III. Notice of Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On April 6, 2022, the Postal Service filed a formal request to make 
a material modification to the product description of Ancillary 
Services on the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS), along with 
corresponding ``minor revisions'' to other MCS entries.\1\ 
Specifically, the Postal Service seeks to strike the description of 
Special Handling in section 1505.18 of the MCS, as well as all other 
references to Special Handling. Request at 1. To support its Request, 
the Postal Service incorporated a statement of supporting justification 
required by 39 CFR 3040.180 and attached its proposed changes to the 
MCS.\2\
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    \1\ United States Postal Service Request to Modify the Product 
Description of Ancillary Services on the Market Dominant Product 
List, April 6, 2022, at 1 (Request).
    \2\ The Postal Service asserts that, because the Commission has 
historically treated Ancillary Services as a ``product'' and the 
various services listed within as ``components'' or ``sub-
components,'' and because the Postal Service intends to keep 
Ancillary Services on the market dominant product list, the 
elimination of Special Handling constitutes a material modification 
of a product description subject to 39 CFR part 3040, subpart E, 
rather than the removal of a product subject to Subpart B. See 
Request at 1 n.1.

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II. Summary of Changes

    The Postal Service intends to discontinue the Special Handling 
service and seeks to remove all references to it from the MCS. Request 
at 1-2. It explains that Special Handling is an extra offering 
available for certain mailing and shipping services that allows mailers 
to request careful treatment of their items for a $12.15 fee. See id. 
at 2-3. According to the Postal Service, however, ``experience 
indicates that observance of [instructions to treat these items with 
care] is inconsistent'' and many items do not receive the label that 
should inform handlers of these instructions. Id. Moreover, the Postal 
Service states that ``[m]any types of sensitive goods for which mailers 
purchase Special Handling already require special packing, packaging, 
and labeling,'' thus compliance with those requirements signals that 
the handler is to give the item special attention and rendering the 
Special Handling designation superfluous. Id. at 3. The Postal Service 
contends that ``purchaser[s] of Special Handling may expect a level of 
service or sanctity from the Postal Service that is not fully 
contemplated or provided.'' Id.
    Additionally, the Postal Service asserts that the proposed change 
will better align the value of the service with customer expectations. 
Id. According to the Postal Service, Special Handling does not 
correspond with market expectations because private companies do not 
offer their customers an expectation of special handling for fragile 
items that are packed by the customer (with or without a fee). Id. at 
4. Instead, the Postal Service contends that throughout the parcel 
shipping industry, a customer preparing fragile items for shipping 
bears the burden ``to self-insure via adequate package-preparation 
practices, accepting the risk of damage or loss from any shortfalls.'' 
Id.
    The Postal Service maintains that the proposed change ``is not 
inconsistent with the policies and applicable criteria of 39 U.S.C. 
Chapter 36 or any regulatory rules or directives.'' Id. The Postal 
Service further asserts that these provisions are inapplicable to the 
proposed change. See id. Nevertheless, ``to the extent that the 
Commission might deem such provisions to articulate general policies,'' 
the Postal Service contends that it has considered the factors set 
forth in 39 U.S.C. 3622(c) and the provisions appearing in 39 U.S.C. 
101, 403, and 404. See id. at 4-5.
    With respect to the impact of the proposed change, the Postal 
Service does not expect that customers will experience a material 
diminution in the services received. Id. at 5. According to the Postal 
Service, the proposed change will improve the customer experience by 
decreasing mailing costs and better aligning customer expectations with 
operational realities and industry practice. Id. at 5-6. Finally, the 
Postal Service expects that the proposed change will not impact 
competitors significantly ``because no commercial competitors offer a 
similar service.'' Id. at 6.

III. Notice of Commission Action

    Pursuant to 39 CFR 3040.182, the Commission has posted the Request 
on its website and invites comments on whether the Postal Service's 
filings are consistent with 39 CFR 3040.180. Comments are due no later 
than April 22, 2022. The filing can be accessed via the Commission's 
website (http://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Matthew Ashford to represent the interests 
of the general public (Public Representative) in this docket.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2022-51 to consider 
matters raised by this Notice.
    2. Comments by interested persons are due by April 22, 2022.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Mathew Ashford is appointed to serve 
as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    4. The Commission directs the Secretary of the Commission to 
arrange for prompt publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Jennie L. Jbara,
Alternate Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-08095 Filed 4-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P