[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6033-6034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1780]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Priority Mail[supreg] Large Flat-Rate Box--Domestic APO/FPO

AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]), to add the 
new Priority Mail[supreg] Large Flat-Rate Box that has been approved by 
the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.
    The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box is approximately 50 
percent larger than the regular flat-rate boxes currently available. 
The prices for shipping a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to an APO/
FPO ZIP Code\TM\ destination address, or to a domestic ZIP Code address 
are as follows:
    <bullet> $10.95 to APO/FPO destination addresses.
    <bullet> $12.95 to domestic addresses.
    The new flat-rate box is identified by the words ``Large Flat-Rate 
Box'' printed on the packaging.
    Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in the Priority Mail 
large flat-rate box or in a special version of the box identified with 
the additional logo: ``Americasupportsyou.mil.''
    The Priority Mail large flat-rate box also may be used for mailing 
to international destinations at large flat-rate box prices specific to 
international items.
    Domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply to 
the special version of the APO/FPO flat-rate box if used for non-APO/
FPO addresses.

DATES: Effective Date: March 3, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christy Bonning, 202-268-2108, or 
Garry Rodriguez, 202-268-7281, United States Postal Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service first approved the 
Priority Mail flat-rate box as an experiment more than three years ago. 
Board of Governors' Decision, Docket No. MC 2004-2 (October 29, 2004). 
Subsequently, a permanent classification for the flat-rate box was 
approved as part of the R2006-1 omnibus rate case.
    The Priority Mail flat-rate box has been a big success and has 
proven to provide value to customers in the form of convenience and 
ease of use.
    This success suggested a market for a larger Priority Mail flat-
rate box. Such an offering would enhance customer choice, convenience, 
and ease of use. Accordingly, the Postal Service is offering a new, 
Priority Mail large flat-rate box.
    The new boxes are approximately 50 percent larger than the regular 
flat-rate boxes currently available. The dimensions are 12\1/4\'' x 
12\1/4\'' x 6'' exterior, and 12'' x 12'' x 5\1/2\'' interior.
    The weight restriction for the large flat-rate box is 70 pounds to 
APO/FPO and domestic destinations and 20 pounds to International 
destinations.
    The lower rate for APO/FPO destinations provides an opportunity for 
the Postal Service to show support for American troops stationed abroad 
and their families.
    The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box will be available for 
order online at USPS.com and in most post offices nationwide.
    The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of 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.

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 CFR part 111 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 
416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 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:
* * * * *

100 Retail Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels

* * * * *

[[Page 6034]]

120 Priority Mail

123 Rates and Eligibility

1.0 Priority Mail Rates and Fees

    [Delete 1.1 in its entirety. Renumber current 1.2 through 1.10 as 
new 1.1 through 1.9.]
    [Revise the heading of renumbered 1.1 as follows:]

1.1 Rate Application

* * * * *

1.2 Minimum Rate for Parcels to Zones 1-4

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.2 Priority Mail Rates

* * * * *
    [Revise footnote number 2 to reflect new numbering:]
    2. Parcels addressed for delivery to zones 5-8 that exceed 1 cubic 
foot (1,728 cubic inches) are charged based on the actual weight (under 
1.1), or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), 
whichever is greater.
* * * * *
    [Revise footnote number 5 to add new flat-rate box as follows:]
    5. Priority Mail flat-rate boxes provided by the USPS, regardless 
of weight or destination:
    <bullet> $8.95 is charged for material sent in Priority Mail 
regular flat-rate boxes (FRB-2) or (FRB-1) to domestic and APO/FPO 
addresses.
    <bullet> $10.95 is charged for material sent in a Priority Mail 
large flat-rate box to APO/FPO destination addresses.
    <bullet> $12.95 is charged for material sent in a Priority Mail 
large flat-rate box to domestic destinations.
* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of renumbered 1.4 as follows:]

1.4 Flat-Rate Envelopes and Boxes

* * * * *
    [Reverse the order of renumbered 1.4.1 and 1.4.2.]
* * * * *
    [Revise renumbered 1.4.2 as follows:]

1.4.2 Flat-Rate Boxes--Rates and Eligibility

    Each USPS-produced Priority Mail flat-rate box, regardless of the 
actual weight of the piece or its destination, is charged:
    a. $8.95 for material sent in Priority Mail regular flat-rate boxes 
(FRB-2) or (FRB-1) to domestic and APO/FPO addresses.
    b. $10.95 for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box 
to APO/FPO destination addresses (see 703.2).
    c. $12.95 for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box 
to domestic destinations.
    Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in the Priority Mail 
large flat-rate box or in a special version of the box identified with 
the additional logo: ``Americasupportsyou.mil.'' If the special version 
of the APO/FPO flat-rate box is used for non-APO/FPO addresses, the 
domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply. Only 
USPS-produced flat-rate boxes are eligible for the flat-rate box 
prices.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

703 Nonprofit Standard Mail and Other Unique Eligibility

* * * * *

2.0 Overseas Military Mail

2.1 Basic Standards

* * * * *
    [Renumber current 2.1.2 through 2.1.6 as new 2.1.3 through 2.1.7 
and add new 2.1.2 as follows:]

2.1.2 APO/FPO Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box

    A USPS-produced APO/FPO Priority Mail large flat-rate box sent to 
an APO/FPO destination address, regardless of the actual weight of the 
piece, is charged $10.95. Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in 
a special version of the box identified with the additional logo: 
``Americasupportsyou.mil.'' If the special version of the APO/FPO flat-
rate box is used for non-APO/FPO addresses, the domestic or 
international large flat-rate box prices will apply. Articles mailed to 
an APO/FPO address in one of the regular flat-rate boxes (FRB-1 or FRB-
2) are charged $8.95. Only USPS-produced flat-rate boxes are eligible 
for the flat-rate box prices.
* * * * *

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
 [FR Doc. E8-1780 Filed 1-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P