Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Postal Service 39 CFR Part 20
 AGENCY: Postal Service.
 ACTION: Final rule.
 SUMMARY: Under an agreement negotiated by the United States government with the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, mail destined to those two countries will now use the international rate schedules. This final rule amends the 
                            *International Mail Manual*
                             (IMM) to include the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia in all international products and services, and add them to the individual country listings.
 EFFECTIVE DATE: 12:01 a.m., Sunday, January 8, 2006.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole at 202-268-7262, or Thomas P. Philson at 202-268-7355. 
                            ( print page 70977)


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 15, 2005, the Postal Service TM
                         published in the 
                        **Federal Register**
                         (70 FR 54510) a notice of proposed rulemaking to adopt international rate schedules for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. This change from charging domestic rates for mail to these countries is based on an agreement negotiated between the United States and the two former United States Trust Territories. We requested comments on our proposal by October 17, 2005, and received two responses: one from a private individual, and one from the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The private individual asked why the transitioned rate for airmail letter-post is less than the nontransitioned rate for aerogrammes. He envisions situations where customers might purchase aerogrammes at the full rate and alter them into airmail letter-post to secure the lower price. His solution is to print another aerogramme at the letter-post rate. He also asked if there are similar plans to change to international rates for the Republic of Palau and if 
                        *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*
                         Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and the 
                        *International Mail Manual*
                         (IMM) will be amended to cover the transfer of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to the international rate schedules. Finally, he expressed concern that certain special services are not initially available for the two countries. First, no agreement has been negotiated with the Republic of Palau, and discussion of an agreement is outside the scope of this rule. We will revise the DMM to remove references to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia and amend the IMM to add country pages for these two listings. As for the possibility that mailers may alter aerogrammes to receive the lower rate, we agree that this possibility exists. However, due to the relatively low volume of aerogrammes worldwide and the relatively low potential cost savings on each altered aerogramme, we do not believe this situation will be common or will result in any serious revenue loss. In fact, the letter-post rate to Canada and Mexico is currently below the aerogramme rate, and this rate relationship has not caused the problem noted by the private individual. In addition, printing and stocking two aerogrammes with different postage rates would be costly. We note that enclosures are not permitted in aerogrammes. We have been advised by the private individual that mailers may try to send aerogrammes with enclosures, and we will monitor the situation and take action if necessary. Under the conditions of the agreement between the United States and the governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, certain special services will be discontinued, including money orders, Registered Mail TM
                         service, collect on delivery (COD), and recorded delivery. These special services may be offered in the future but would require a negotiated agreement. We note that there are other countries where international special services are not available because there are no agreements with those postal administrations to allow for those services. The comments from the Republic of the Marshall Islands centered on the timing of the implementation of the agreement and concerns about possible burdens and adverse effects that may be caused by the implementation. The comments mainly reflect previous arguments against adopting international rates. During the negotiation of the agreement, we reached a compromise that mail going to the Republic of the Marshall Islands would not be subject to international rates and conditions until 2006 and the change would be phased in over a period of at least five years. The rates that we adopt comply with that agreement. For all international services with domestic equivalents, rates will be phased in using the difference between the domestic rates and the international rates. These services include Express Mail®, Air Letters, Postcards, Publishers' Periodicals, Air Parcel Post, Economy Parcel Post, and Books and Sheet Music. For international services without domestic equivalents, we derived phased rates by selecting a lower rate country group. After the phasing period, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia will be included in country group 5 for Economy Letter Post, Airmail M-Bags, and Economy M-Bags and country group 7 for International Priority Airmail (IPA). To phase in these rates over at least 5 years, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have been assigned to country group 3 for those services during the first phase. Aerogramme service does not have a domestic equivalent; however, there is only one worldwide rate available. Initially the following three international services will not be offered for mail destined to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia: Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG TM), Global Priority Mail® (GPM), and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL). These services require special transportation arrangements and may be offered in the future. After reviewing and considering the comments, we adopt the following changes to the 
                        *International Mail Manual*
                         (IMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20 Foreign relations
International postal services
 For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts the following amendments to the International Mail Manual which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 CFR part 20). 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, 404, 407, 408. 2.Amend the *International Mail Manual*
                             (IMM) as follows. 2 Conditions for Mailing 210 Global Express Guaranteed 
 213 Service Areas 
 213.2 Destinating Countries and Rate Groups 
 *[Revise the Destinating Countries and Rate Groups table by adding “Marshall Islands, Republic of” and “Micronesia, Federated States of” as follows:]* 
 
 Country
Document service rate group
Non-document service rate group*         *         *         *         *         *         *Marshall Islands, Republic of
No Service
No Service.*         *         *         *         *         *         *Micronesia, Federated States of
No Service
No Service.*         *         *         *         *         *         *
 280 Parcel Post 
 283 Weight and Size Limits 
 283.2 Size Limits 
 283.23 Exceptional Size Limits 
 *[Revise item b by adding the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to read as follows:]* 
 b. Maximum length: 60 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches. Azerbaijan Great Britain and Northern Ireland Japan Macao Marshall Islands, Republic of Micronesia, Federated States of 
 290 Commercial Services 
 292 International Priority Airmail Service 
 292.4 Preparation Requirements for Individual Items 
 292.44 Sortation Requirements for IPA 
 292.442 Presorted Mail 
 Exhibit 292.442 Foreign Exchange Office and Country Rate Groups *[Revise the Foreign Exchange Office and Country Rate Groups table by adding “Marshall Islands, Republic of” and “Micronesia, Federated States of” as follows:]* Rate group
Country
3-Letter 
                                     exchange  
                                     office code
Exchange 
                                     office*         *         *         *         *         *         *3
Marshall Islands, Republic of
MAJ
                                     EBE
MAJURO.
                                     EBEYE.*         *         *         *         *         *         *3
Micronesia, Federated States of
PNI
                                     KSA 
                                     TKK
POHNPEI.
                                     KOSRAE. 
                                     TRUK.*         *         *         *         *         *         *
 294 Publishers' Periodicals 
 294.4 Makeup Requirements for Publishers' Periodicals 
 294.42 Sacking and Labeling 
 Exhibit 294.42 Publishers' Periodicals—All Countries (Except Canada) Labeling, Routing, and Rate Group Information *[Revise the Publishers' Periodicals labeling, routing, and rate group information table by adding “Marshall Islands, Republic of” and “Micronesia, Federated States of” as follows:]* Destination 
                                     exchange  
                                     office code
Country
Routing code
Observations
Publishers' 
                                     periodical  
                                     rate groupMAJ
Marshall Islands, Republic of
945

6*         *         *         *         *         *         *PNI
Micronesia, Federated States of
945

6*         *         *         *         *         *         *
 
 
 
 World Map *[Insert the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia at map reference M5.]* 
 World Map Index *[Add references for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to the world map index in alphabetical order as follows:]* *    *    *    *    *Marshall Islands, Republic of
M5*    *    *    *    *Micronesia, Federated States of
M5*    *    *    *    *
 Index of Countries and Localities *[Revise the references for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia by removing the note “See DMM 608” and adding the appropriate IMM page number.]* 
 Individual Country Listings 
 *[Add an individual country listing for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.]* Country Conditions for Mailing—Marshall Islands, Republic of Prohibitions (130) No list furnished. Restrictions No list furnished. Observations No list furnished. Customs Forms Required (123) Letter-post: PS Form 2976 or 2976-A (see 123.61). Parcel Post: PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope). Size Limits Letter-post: See 243.2. Parcel Post: Maximum length: 60 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches. Postal/Postcards (250) $0.34. Aerogrammes (250) $0.75 Enclosures NOT permitted. Airmail Letter-Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Letter-post rate1
$0.482
0.853
1.204
1.555
1.906
2.257
2.608
2.9512
4.2516
5.3520
6.4524
7.5528
8.6532
9.7536
10.9040
12.0044
13.1548
14.2552
15.4056
16.5560
17.6564
18.80Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Airmail Parcel Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate1
$5.90
36
$50.302
6.75
37
51.553
8.20
38
52.854
9.60
39
54.055
11.00
40
55.256
12.20
41
56.507
13.40
42
57.708
14.75
43
58.959
16.05
44
60.1510
17.25
45
61.4011
18.55
46
62.6012
19.80
47
63.8513
21.10
48
65.0514
22.35
49
66.2515
23.60
50
67.4516
24.90
51
68.7017
26.15
52
69.9018
27.45
53
71.1519
28.70
54
72.3520
30.00
55
73.6021
31.20
56
74.8022
32.50
57
76.0523
33.80
58
77.2524
35.05
59
78.5025
36.35
60
79.7026
37.55
61
80.9527
38.85
62
82.1028
40.15
63
83.4029
41.40
64
84.5530
42.70
65
85.8531
43.90
66
87.0032
45.20
67
88.2533
46.50
68
89.4534
47.75
69
90.7035
49.00
70
91.95Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
 Airmail Direct Sack to One Addressee—M-Bags (260)
Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
$29.15Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
2.65Weight Limit: 66 pounds
 Global Priority Mail (GPM) (230) NOT Available Economy Mail Letter-Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Letter-post rate16
$4.1020
4.8524
5.5528
6.2032
6.8536
7.5040
8.1544
8.8048
9.4552
10.1056
10.7560
11.4064
12.05Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Economy Mail Parcel Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate5
$9.35
38
$23.406
9.85
39
23.707
10.40
40
24.108
10.85
41
24.459
11.35
42
24.8010
12.30
43
25.1511
12.80
44
25.4512
13.20
45
25.8013
13.65
46
26.1514
14.10
47
26.5015
14.55
48
26.8516
15.00
49
27.2017
15.40
50
27.5018
15.80
51
27.8519
16.20
52
28.2020
16.60
53
28.5521
17.05
54
28.9022
17.40
55
29.2023
17.85
56
29.5524
18.30
57
29.9025
18.70
58
30.2026
19.10
59
30.5527
19.45
60
30.9028
19.85
61
31.2529
20.20
62
31.5530
20.55
63
31.9031
20.95
64
32.2032
21.30
65
32.5533
21.65
66
32.8534
22.05
67
33.2035
22.40
68
33.5036
22.65
69
33.8537
23.00
70
34.20Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
 
 
 Economy Mail Direct Sack to One Addressee—M-Bags (260)
Regular:Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
$17.05Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
1.55Books and Sheet Music:Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
10.45Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
0.95Weight Limit: 66 lbs.
 Economy Mail Books and Sheet Music Rates (295)
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Rate16
$1.8020
2.2524
2.3528
2.5032
2.6036
3.0540
3.1544
3.2548
3.3052
3.7556
3.8560
3.9564
4.05**Note:**
                                 This is a bulk mail service that is subject to a minimum entry requirement of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of qualifying contents. See 295.Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Matter for the Blind (270) Free when sent as Economy Mail. Weight limit: 15 lbs. Economy Mail Publishers' Periodicals Rates (294)
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Rate1
$0.602
0.633
0.664
0.695
0.726
0.757
0.788
0.8112
0.9016
0.9920
1.2524
1.3428
1.4432
1.5336
1.7840
1.8844
1.9748
2.0652
2.3256
2.4160
2.5064
2.60$0.25 per pound discount for drop shipments tendered at the New Jersey International and Bulk Mail Center.Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Special Services Certificate of Mailing—See 313 for fees COD and Certified—NOT for International Mail Insurance (320)—NOT Available International Business Reply Service (373)—NOT Available International Money Order (371)—NOT Available International Reply Coupons (372)—NOT Available Recorded Delivery (360)—NOT Available Registered Mail (330)—NOT Available Restricted Delivery (350)—NOT Available Return Receipt (340)—NOT Available Global Express Guaranteed (210)—NOT Available Global Express Mail (EMS) (220)
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Rate0.5
$15.00
36
$99.701
19.35
37
102.002
20.10
38
104.403
23.65
39
106.754
27.15
40
109.155
30.60
41
111.556
34.10
42
114.007
37.55
43
116.308
39.55
44
118.709
41.65
45
120.9010
43.60
46
122.9511
45.95
47
125.2012
49.05
48
127.3513
51.55
49
129.4014
53.30
50
131.5515
55.30
51
133.7516
57.50
52
135.8517
59.65
53
138.0518
61.75
54
140.1519
63.80
55
142.3020
65.95
56
144.5021
68.05
57
146.6022
70.15
58
148.8023
72.30
59
151.0024
74.35
60
153.3525
76.45
61
155.8526
78.60
62
158.2027
80.65
63
160.5528
82.80
64
163.0529
84.90
65
165.4030
87.00
66
167.9031
89.15
67
170.3032
91.30
68
172.9033
93.30
69
175.4034
95.50
70
177.9035
97.75Weight Limit: 70lbs.
 Insurance (221.3)—NOT Available Size Limits (223.2) Maximum length: 36 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches. Return Receipt Service (221.4): NOT Available. Reciprocal Service Name: There is no reciprocal service. Country Code: MH. Areas Served: All. 
 [
                            *Add an individual country listing for the Federated States of Micronesia to read as follows:*] Country Conditions for Mailing—Micronesia, Federated States of Prohibitions (130) No list furnished. Restrictions No list furnished. Observations No list furnished. Customs Forms Required (123) Letter-post: PS Form 2976 or 2976-A (see 123.61). Parcel Post: PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope). Size Limits Letter-post: See 243.2. Parcel Post: Maximum length: 60 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches. Postal/Postcards (250) $0.34. Aerogrammes (250) $0.75 Enclosures NOT permitted. Airmail Letter-Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Letter-post rate1
$0.482
0.853
1.204
1.555
1.906
2.257
2.608
2.9512
4.2516
5.3520
6.4524
7.5528
8.6532
9.7536
10.9040
12.0044
13.1548
14.2552
15.4056
16.5560
17.6564
18.80Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Airmail Parcel Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate1
$5.90
36
$50.30( print page 70981)2
6.75
37
51.553
8.20
38
52.854
9.60
39
54.055
11.00
40
55.256
12.20
41
56.507
13.40
42
57.708
14.75
43
58.959
16.05
44
60.1510
17.25
45
61.4011
18.55
46
62.6012
19.80
47
63.8513
21.10
48
65.0514
22.35
49
66.2515
23.60
50
67.4516
24.90
51
68.7017
26.15
52
69.9018
27.45
53
71.1519
28.70
54
72.3520
30.00
55
73.6021
31.20
56
74.8022
32.50
57
76.0523
33.80
58
77.2524
35.05
59
78.5025
36.35
60
79.7026
37.55
61
80.9527
38.85
62
82.1028
40.15
63
83.4029
41.40
64
84.5530
42.70
65
85.8531
43.90
66
87.0032
45.20
67
88.2533
46.50
68
89.4534
47.75
69
90.7035
49.00
70
91.95Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
 Airmail Direct Sack to One Addressee—M-Bags (260)
Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
$29.15Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
2.65Weight Limit: 66 pounds
 Global Priority Mail (GPM) (230) NOT Available. Economy Mail Letter-Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Letter-post rate16
$4.1020
4.8524
5.5528
6.2032
6.8536
7.5040
8.1544
8.8048
9.4552
10.1056
10.7560
11.4064
12.05Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Economy Mail Parcel Post Rates
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Parcel post rate5
$9.35
38
$23.406
9.85
39
23.707
10.40
40
24.108
10.85
41
24.459
11.35
42
24.8010
12.30
43
25.1511
12.80
44
25.4512
13.20
45
25.8013
13.65
46
26.1514
14.10
47
26.5015
14.55
48
26.8516
15.00
49
27.2017
15.40
50
27.5018
15.80
51
27.8519
16.20
52
28.2020
16.60
53
28.5521
17.05
54
28.9022
17.40
55
29.2023
17.85
56
29.5524
18.30
57
29.9025
18.70
58
30.2026
19.10
59
30.5527
19.45
60
30.9028
19.85
61
31.2529
20.20
62
31.5530
20.55
63
31.9031
20.95
64
32.2032
21.30
65
32.5533
21.65
66
32.8534
22.05
67
33.2035
22.40
68
33.5036
22.65
69
33.8537
23.00
70
34.20Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
 Economy Mail Direct Sack to One Addressee—M-Bags (260)
Regular:Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
$17.05Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
1.55Books and Sheet Music:Weight Not Over 11 lbs.
10.45Each additional pound or fraction of a pound
0.95Weight Limit: 66 lbs.
 Economy Mail Books and Sheet Music Rates (295)
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Rate16
$1.8020
2.2524
2.3528
2.5032
2.6036
3.0540
3.1544
3.2548
3.3052
3.7556
3.8560
3.9564
4.05**Note:**
                                 This is a bulk mail service that is subject to a minimum entry requirement of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of qualifying contents. See 295.Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Matter for the Blind (270) Free when sent as Economy Mail. Weight limit: 15 lbs. Economy Mail Publishers' Periodicals Rates (294)
Weight not over 
                                     (ozs.)
Rate1
$0.602
0.633
0.664
0.695
0.726
0.757
0.788
0.8112
0.9016
0.9920
1.2524
1.3428
1.4432
1.5336
1.7840
1.8844
1.9748
2.0652
2.3256
2.4160
2.5064
2.60$0.25 per pound discount for drop shipments tendered at the New Jersey International and Bulk Mail Center.Weight Limit: 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
 Special Services Certificate of Mailing—See 313 for fees COD and Certified—NOT for International Mail Insurance (320)—NOT Available International Business Reply Service (373)—NOT Available International Money Order (371)—NOT Available International Reply Coupons (372)—NOT Available Recorded Delivery (360)—NOT Available Registered Mail (330)—NOT Available Restricted Delivery (350)—NOT Available Return Receipt (340)—NOT Available Global Express Guaranteed (210)—NOT Available
                            ( print page 70982) Global Express Mail (EMS) (220)
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Rate
Weight not over 
                                     (lbs.)
Rate0.5
$15.00
36
$99.701
19.35
37
102.002
20.10
38
104.403
23.65
39
106.754
27.15
40
109.155
30.60
41
111.556
34.10
42
114.007
37.55
43
116.308
39.55
44
118.709
41.65
45
120.9010
43.60
46
122.9511
45.95
47
125.2012
49.05
48
127.3513
51.55
49
129.4014
53.30
50
131.5515
55.30
51
133.7516
57.50
52
135.8517
59.65
53
138.0518
61.75
54
140.1519
63.80
55
142.3020
65.95
56
144.5021
68.05
57
146.6022
70.15
58
148.8023
72.30
59
151.0024
74.35
60
153.3525
76.45
61
155.8526
78.60
62
158.2027
80.65
63
160.5528
82.80
64
163.0529
84.90
65
165.4030
87.00
66
167.9031
89.15
67
170.3032
91.30
68
172.9033
93.30
69
175.4034
95.50
70
177.90Weight Limit: 70 lbs.
 Insurance (221.3)—NOT Available. Size Limits (223.2). Maximum length: 36 inches. Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches. Return Receipt Service (221.4): Not Available. Reciprocal Service Name: There is no reciprocal service. Country Code: FM. Areas Served: All. 
 Neva R. Watson, Attorney, Legislative.


[FR Doc. 05-23008 Filed 11-22-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P