Document Headings

                    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 111

# AGENCY:

                        Postal ServiceTM                        .                    

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

                        This final rule revises the                         *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,*                         Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to add the new Priority Mail® 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 CodeTM                         destination address, or to a domestic ZIP Code address are as follows:                    
      - $10.95 to APO/FPO destination addresses.
      - $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

Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

# PART 111—[AMENDED]

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.

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

* * * * *
      ( print 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:
    - $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.
    - $10.95 is charged for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to APO/FPO destination addresses.
    - $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