[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 106 (Thursday, June 3, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12885]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS)--Nonpostal Documentation

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) 705.15. 2.14 
to clarify that PS Form 8125, Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) 
Verification and Clearance, is the sole source of evidence for 
USPS[supreg] purposes of the transfer of the custody of pieces entered 
as a mailing at the time of induction; to clarify that Postal employees 
may, upon request, sign additional nonpostal documents when presented 
by transportation providers; and to require segregation of 
documentation presented at the time of induction.

DATES: Effective Date: July 6, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Thomas at 202-268-8069.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result of reviews of USPS policy 
concerning practices at induction points of plant-verified drop 
shipment mailings, the Postal Service is adopting this final rule to 
clarify the use and purpose of PS Form 8125 as well as other documents 
that mailers' nonpostal transportation providers (carriers) may present 
at the time of induction. The final rule provides that PS Forms 8125 
must be segregated from any other documentation presented at the time 
of mailing. This measure ensures that postal personnel will be able to 
easily identify and process necessary postal documentation at the time 
of induction, thereby promoting the efficiency of operations. Further, 
the final rule clarifies that a PS Form 8125 serves as the sole source 
of evidence for USPS purposes of the transfer of the custody of pieces 
entered at the time of induction. No other form of documentation serves 
this purpose.
    The Postal Service adopts the following changes to the Mailing 
Standards for the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

0
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 is amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 C.F.R. Part 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, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

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

* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

15.0 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment

* * * * *

15.2 Program Participation

* * * * *
    [Add new 705.15.2.14 as follows:]

15.2.14 Form 8125--Segregation and Nonpostal Documentation

    PS Forms 8125 must be segregated from all other nonpostal 
documentation and presented separately to USPS personnel at the time of 
induction. Nonpostal proof-of-delivery documents such as delivery 
receipts or bills of lading presented by a mailer's transportation 
provider [carrier] are not substitutes for PS Forms 8125. USPS 
personnel may, upon request, sign such documents when presented by 
carriers. A PS Form 8125 signed by a postal employee (or electronic 
equivalent file in the Electronic Verification System (eVS)) serves as 
the sole evidence of the transfer of the custody of pieces entered as a 
mailing at the time of induction. The Postal Service does not consider 
a proof-of-delivery document such as a delivery receipt or a bill of 
lading furnished by a USPS customer's carrier as proof of mailing, 
acceptance, or the amount of mail tendered. Any signature by a postal 
employee or agent on any nonpostal form does not serve any mail 
acceptance purpose. If an inconsistency between the information on a PS 
Form 8125 and a carrier- or mailer-provided document designed to 
evidence the transfer of custody of pieces entered as a mailing at the 
time of induction exists, the information on PS Form 8125 prevails 
insofar as the USPS is concerned.
* * * * *
    We will publish an amendment to 39 CFR 111 to reflect these 
changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2010-12885 Filed 6-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P