2010-1804. New Postal Product

AGENCY:

Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Commission is adding Inbound International Expedited International Services 3 to the Competitive Product List. This action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal operations. Republication of the lists of market dominant and competitive products is also consistent with new requirements in the law.

DATES:

Effective January 29, 2010 and is applicable beginning December 22, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202-789-6820 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History, 74 FR 65170 (December 9, 2009).

I. Introduction

II. Background

III. Comments

IV. Commission Analysis

V. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

The Postal Service seeks to add a new product identified as Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List. For the reasons discussed below, the Commission approves the Request, but designates the new product as Inbound International Expedited Services 3.

II. Background

On November 20, 2009, the Postal Service filed a request pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq. to add Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List.¹ The Postal Service asserts that Inbound International Expedited Services 1 is a competitive product within the meaning of 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3).

The Postal Service states that prices and classifications underlying these rates are supported by Governors' Decision No. 08-5.² Id. at 1-2. This Request has been assigned Docket No. MC2010-13.

The Postal Service states that Governors' Decision No. 08-5 establishes the prices for Inbound International Expedited Services 1 and the changes in classification “not of general applicability” necessary to implement those prices. Id. at 1.

The Postal Service contemporaneously filed notice, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5, that it has entered into a contractual bilateral agreement (Agreement) governing bilateral rates for Express Mail Service (EMS) with China Post Group, the public postal operator in the People's Republic of China. The Postal Service states that the supporting financial materials included in this filing indicate that the inbound EMS rates comply with the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633(a). Id. at 2. The rates as established in the bilateral agreement are assigned Docket No. CP2010-12.

In support of its Request, the Postal Service filed the following materials: (1) An application for non-public treatment of pricing and supporting documents filed under seal;³ (2) a redacted version of Governors' Decision No. 08-5 establishing prices and classifications for services offered under EMS bilateral/multilateral agreements; Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) language applicable to Inbound EMS bilateral/ multilateral agreements; formulas for inbound prices under EMS bilateral/multilateral agreements; and an analysis of the formulas, certification of the Governors' vote, and certification of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(3)(a);⁴ (3) a redacted version of the China Post Group bilateral agreement;⁵ (4) certification of prices for the bilateral agreement;⁶ and (5) a Statement of Supporting Justification as required by 39 CFR 3020.32.⁷

On June 1, 2008, the Postal Service filed notice of Governors' Decision No. 08-5 in Docket Nos. CP2008-6 and CP2008-7.⁸ These dockets gave notice of a competitive negotiated service agreement with China Post Group covering EMS prices.⁹ In Order No. 84, the Commission added the China Post Agreement as a product not of general applicability to the competitive product list as Inbound International Expedited Services 1.¹⁰ The Postal Service states the agreement became effective on July 15, 2008, and continued in effect until July 14, 2009. Request at 3. The Postal Service entered into a new agreement with the China Post Group on November 16, 2009. The Postal Service now requests to restore the Inbound International Expedited Services 1 product to the Competitive Product List. Id.

The bilateral agreement establishes alternative, negotiated rates to China Post Group for inbound EMS, instead of the EMS 2 product rates that would otherwise be applicable.¹¹ The Postal Service notes that the inbound portion of the bilateral agreement fits within the MCS language included as Attachment A to Governors' Decision No. 08-5. The agreement becomes effective upon completion of all necessary regulatory reviews, but in no case earlier than January 1, 2010. The agreement continues in effect until terminated, which may occur upon 30 days' notice by either party. The negotiated prices are subject to change based upon contingencies included in the agreement. Id. at 4. If rates change, the Postal Service will offer China Post Group EMS rates reflecting an adjusted rate. Id.

The Postal Service states that the new agreement is functionally equivalent to the prior contract reviewed by the Commission except for different rates that may be applicable to certain flows in the new agreement. Id. at 5. It notes the instant agreement exhibits the same cost and market characteristics as the previous agreement. The Postal Service describes minor changes in the instant agreement which include changes in standard clauses due to the Commission's confidentiality rules and other internal issues. Id.

In the Statement of Supporting Justification, Kang Zhang, General Manager, Business Development, Asia/Pacific, Global Business Development, asserts that “[t]he addition of [the Bilateral] Agreement as a competitive product will enable the Commission to verify that each contract covers its attributable costs and enables competitive products, as a whole, to make a positive contribution to coverage of institutional costs.” He further states that as a result, “no issue of subsidization of competitive products by market dominant products arises.” Id., Attachment 5.

Joseph Moeller, Manager, Regulatory Reporting and Cost Analysis, Finance Department, certifies that the contract complies with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a). Id., Attachment 4. He asserts that the prices for the China Post Group bilateral agreement “should cover its attributable costs and preclude the subsidization of competitive products by market dominant products.” Id.

The Postal Service filed much of the supporting materials, including the specific bilateral agreement, under seal. Request at 5. In its Request, the Postal Service maintains that certain portions of the contract, the rates, descriptions of the rates, and related financial information should remain under seal. Id., Attachment 1.

In Order No. 347, the Commission gave notice of the two dockets, appointed a public representative, and provided the public with an opportunity to comment.¹²

III. Comments

Comments were filed by the Public Representative.¹³ No other interested person submitted comments. The Public Representative states that the prices and classifications underlying the rates in the bilateral agreement are supported by Governor's Decision No. 08-5, which was originally filed in Docket Nos. CP2008-6 and CP2008-7. Id. at 2. He finds that the agreement appears to be in compliance with 39 CFR 3015.5, 3020.30 and 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633(a) and 3642. Id.

He states that the Postal Service has provided adequate justification for maintaining confidentiality in this case. Id. at 2-3. The Public Representative further states that based on review of the supporting data, the agreement satisfies the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633(a). Id. at 2.

The Public Representative concludes that the bilateral agreement comports with the provisions of title 39 and offers negotiated pricing, dispatch methods, and other negotiated provisions favorable both to the Postal Service and general public. Id. at 3.

IV. Commission Analysis

The Commission has reviewed the agreement, the financial analysis provided under seal that accompanies it, and the comments filed by the Public Representative.

Statutory requirements. The Commission's statutory responsibilities in this instance entail assigning the Agreement to either the Market Dominant Product List or to the Competitive Product List. 39 U.S.C. 3642. As part of this responsibility, the Commission also reviews the proposal for compliance with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) requirements. This includes, for proposed competitive products, a review of the provisions applicable to rates for competitive products. 39 U.S.C. 3633.

Product list assignment. In determining whether to assign the Agreement to the Market Dominant Product List or the Competitive Product List, the Commission must consider whether “the Postal Service exercises sufficient market power that it can effectively set the price of such product substantially above costs, raise prices significantly, decrease quality, or decrease output, without risk of losing a significant level of business to other firms offering similar products.” 39 U.S.C. 3642(b)(1). If so, the product will be categorized as market dominant. The competitive category of products shall consist of all other products.

The Commission is further required to consider the availability and nature of enterprises in the private sector engaged in the delivery of the product, the views of those who use the product, and the likely impact on small business concerns. 39 U.S.C. 3642(b)(3).

The Postal Service asserts that its bargaining position is constrained by the existence of other shippers who can provide similar services, thus precluding it from taking unilateral action to increase prices without the risk of losing volume to private companies. Request, Attachment 5, para. (d). It also contends that it may not decrease quality or output without risking the loss of business to large competitors that offer similar expedited delivery services. Id. The Postal Service states that the bilateral agreement prices provide sufficient incentive for China Post Group and its customers to tender EMS volume to the Postal Service rather than a competitor. The Postal Service further states that raising its prices could risk losing its China Post Group volume to a private competitor in the international shipping industry. Id.

The Postal Service relates that the instant bilateral agreement's terms relate to the exchange between the Postal Service and China Post Group for Inbound EMS at negotiated prices which has been classified as competitive because of its exclusion from the letter monopoly and the level of competition in the relevant market. Id. It contends that even if the EMS tendered under the bilateral agreement might contain “letters” as defined in postal regulations, the EMS items at issue in the agreement fall outside the Private Express Statutes because all prices paid by China Post Group exceed six times the rate for the first ounce of a First-Class Mail letter. Id., para. (e). Additionally, the Postal Service contends that many inbound EMS items may be expected to weigh more than 12.5 ounces. Id.

Finally, the Postal Service states that private consolidators, freight forwarders, and integrators offer international shipping services using EMS. It notes that delivery of EMS in the domestic service area of the United States requires a substantial infrastructure to support a national network and as a result large carriers serve this market. Id., para. (f). The Postal Service mentions that it has no specific data on China Post Group's or its customers' view on the regulatory classification of this agreement. Id., para. (g). However, it contends that presumably China Post Group and its end users find this type of product satisfactory since they have a choice of competitors providing similar services. Id. Finally, the Postal Service states that the market for expedited delivery services is highly competitive, and the bilateral agreement should not have a significant impact on small businesses. Accordingly, the Postal Service states that it is unaware of any small business concerns that could offer comparable service for this customer. Id., para. (h). It contends that the bilateral agreement gives China Post Group's small business customers another option for shipping articles to the United States resulting in a positive impact on small business. Id.

No commenter opposes the proposed classification of the Agreement as competitive. Having considered the statutory requirements and the support offered by the Postal Service, the Commission finds that the Agreement is appropriately classified as a competitive product and should be added to the Competitive Product List.

Cost considerations. The Postal Service presents a financial analysis showing that the Agreement covers its attributable costs, does not result in subsidization of competitive products by market dominant products, and increases contribution from competitive products.

Based on the data submitted, the Commission finds that the new product, which, as noted below, is designated as International Expedited Services 3, should cover its attributable costs (39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(2)), should not lead to the subsidization of competitive products by market dominant products (39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(1)), and should have a positive effect on competitive products' contribution to institutional costs (39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(3)). Thus, an initial review of proposed International Expedited Services 3 indicates that it comports with the provisions applicable to rates for competitive products.

Other considerations. Inbound International Expedited Services 1 was added to the Competitive Product List in Docket No. CP2008-7. See Order No. 84, supra. That agreement terminated on July 15, 2009. Request at 3. The Postal Service seeks to restore the Inbound International Expedited Services 1 product on the Competitive Product List. Id. Given that the prior Inbound International Expedited Services 1 product agreement has ended and the Postal Service has negotiated a comparable new agreement with a different term and rates, the Commission will designate the Agreement as Inbound International Expedited Services 3. The Commission has followed this practice with other products which exhibited sufficient variation from the original agreement to warrant classification as a new product.¹⁴

The China Post Group agreement indicates that it becomes effective upon receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Request at 4. The Postal Service shall notify the Commission of the effective dates of the China Post Group agreement. The agreement states it is to remain in effect until terminated. The Postal Service shall inform the Commission of the termination date.

Conclusion. The Commission approves International Expedited Services 3 as a new product. The revision to the Competitive Product List is shown below the signature of this order and is effective upon issuance of this order.

V. Ordering Paragraphs

It is ordered:

1. International Expedited Services 3 (MC2010-13 and CP2010-12) is added to the Competitive Product List as a new product under Express Mail Inbound International Expedited Services, as discussed in this order.

2. The Postal Service shall notify the Commission upon termination of the agreement as discussed in this order.

3. The Secretary shall arrange for the publication of this order in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 3020

• Administrative practice and procedure; Postal Service

By the Commission.

Shoshana M. Grove,

Secretary.

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Postal Regulatory Commission amends chapter III of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 3020—PRODUCT LISTS

1. The authority citation for part 3020 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Authority: 39 U.S.C. 503; 3622; 3631; 3642; 3682.

2. Revise Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 3020-Mail Classification Schedule to read as follows:

Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 3020—Mail Classification Schedule

Part A—Market Dominant Products

1000 Market Dominant Product List

First-Class Mail

Single-Piece Letters/Postcards

Bulk Letters/Postcards

Flats

Parcels

Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International

Inbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International

Standard Mail (Regular and Nonprofit)

High Density and Saturation Letters

High Density and Saturation Flats/Parcels

Carrier Route

Letters

Flats

Not Flat-Machinables (NFMs)/Parcels

Periodicals

Within County Periodicals

Outside County Periodicals

Package Services

Single-Piece Parcel Post

Inbound Surface Parcel Post (at UPU rates)

Bound Printed Matter Flats

Bound Printed Matter Parcels

Media Mail/Library Mail

Special Services

Ancillary Services

International Ancillary Services

Address List Services

Caller Service

Change-of-Address Credit Card Authentication

Confirm

International Reply Coupon Service

International Business Reply Mail Service

Money Orders

Post Office Box Service

Negotiated Service Agreements

HSBC North America Holdings Inc. Negotiated Service Agreement

Bookspan Negotiated Service Agreement

Bank of America Corporation Negotiated Service Agreement

The Bradford Group Negotiated Service Agreement

Inbound International

Canada Post—United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Market Dominant Services

Market Dominant Product Descriptions

First-Class Mail

[Reserved for Class Description]

Single-Piece Letters/Postcards

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bulk Letters/Postcards

[Reserved for Product Description]

Flats

[Reserved for Product Description]

Parcels

[Reserved for Product Description]

Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International

[Reserved for Product Description]

Inbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail International

[Reserved for Product Description]

Standard Mail (Regular and Nonprofit)

[Reserved for Class Description]

High Density and Saturation Letters

[Reserved for Product Description]

High Density and Saturation Flats/Parcels

[Reserved for Product Description]

Carrier Route

[Reserved for Product Description]

Letters

[Reserved for Product Description]

Flats

[Reserved for Product Description]

Not Flat-Machinables (NFMs)/Parcels

[Reserved for Product Description]

Periodicals

[Reserved for Class Description]

Within County Periodicals

[Reserved for Product Description]

Outside County Periodicals

[Reserved for Product Description]

Package Services

[Reserved for Class Description]

Single-Piece Parcel Post

[Reserved for Product Description]

Inbound Surface Parcel Post (at UPU rates)

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bound Printed Matter Flats

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bound Printed Matter Parcels

[Reserved for Product Description]

Media Mail/Library Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Special Services

[Reserved for Class Description]

Ancillary Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

Address Correction Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Applications and Mailing Permits

[Reserved for Product Description]

Business Reply Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bulk Parcel Return Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Certified Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Certificate of Mailing

[Reserved for Product Description]

Collect on Delivery

[Reserved for Product Description]

Delivery Confirmation

[Reserved for Product Description]

Insurance

[Reserved for Product Description]

Merchandise Return Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Parcel Airlift (PAL)

[Reserved for Product Description]

Registered Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Return Receipt

[Reserved for Product Description]

Return Receipt for Merchandise

[Reserved for Product Description]

Restricted Delivery

[Reserved for Product Description]

Shipper-Paid Forward

[Reserved for Product Description]

Signature Confirmation

[Reserved for Product Description]

Special Handling

[Reserved for Product Description]

Stamped Envelopes

[Reserved for Product Description]

Stamped Cards

[Reserved for Product Description]

Premium Stamped Stationery

[Reserved for Product Description]

Premium Stamped Cards

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Ancillary Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Certificate of Mailing

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Registered Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Return Receipt

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Restricted Delivery

[Reserved for Product Description]

Address List Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

Caller Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Change-of-Address Credit Card Authentication

[Reserved for Product Description]

Confirm

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Reply Coupon Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Business Reply Mail Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Money Orders

[Reserved for Product Description]

Post Office Box Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Negotiated Service Agreements

[Reserved for Class Description]

HSBC North America Holdings Inc. Negotiated Service Agreement

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bookspan Negotiated Service Agreement

[Reserved for Product Description]

Bank of America Corporation Negotiated Service Agreement

The Bradford Group Negotiated Service Agreement

Part B—Competitive Products

2000 Competitive Product List

Express Mail

Express Mail

Outbound International Expedited Services

Inbound International Expedited Services

Inbound International Expedited Services 1 (CP2008-7)

Inbound International Expedited Services 2 (MC2009-10 and CP2009-12)

Inbound International Expedited Services 3 (MC2010-13 and CP2010-12)

Priority Mail

Priority Mail

Outbound Priority Mail International

Inbound Air Parcel Post (at non-UPU rates)

Royal Mail Group Inbound Air Parcel Post Agreement

Inbound Air Parcel Post (at UPU rates)

Parcel Select

Parcel Return Service

International

International Priority Airlift (IPA)

International Surface Airlift (ISAL)

International Direct Sacks—M—Bags

Global Customized Shipping Services

Inbound Surface Parcel Post (at non-UPU rates)

Canada Post—United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement for Inbound Competitive Services (MC2009-8 and CP2009-9)

International Money Transfer Service

International Ancillary Services

Special Services

Premium Forwarding Service

Negotiated Service Agreements

Domestic

Express Mail Contract 1 (MC2008-5)

Express Mail Contract 2 (MC2009-3 and CP2009-4)

Express Mail Contract 3 (MC2009-15 and CP2009-21)

Express Mail Contract 4 (MC2009-34 and CP2009-45)

Express Mail Contract 5 (MC2010-5 and CP2010-5)

Express Mail Contract 6 (MC2010-6 and CP2010-6)

Express Mail Contract 7 (MC2010-7 and CP2010-7)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 1 (MC2009-6 and CP2009-7)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 2 (MC2009-12 and CP2009-14)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 3 (MC2009-13 and CP2009-17)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 4 (MC2009-17 and CP2009-24)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 5 (MC2009-18 and CP2009-25)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 6 (MC2009-31 and CP2009-42)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 7 (MC2009-32 and CP2009-43)

Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 8 (MC2009-33 and CP2009-44)

Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 1 (MC2009-11 and CP2009-13)

Parcel Select & Parcel Return Service Contract 2 (MC2009-40 and CP2009-61)

Parcel Return Service Contract 1 (MC2009-1 and CP2009-2)

Priority Mail Contract 1 (MC2008-8 and CP2008-26)

Priority Mail Contract 2 (MC2009-2 and CP2009-3)

Priority Mail Contract 3 (MC2009-4 and CP2009-5)

Priority Mail Contract 4 (MC2009-5 and CP2009-6)

Priority Mail Contract 5 (MC2009-21 and CP2009-26)

Priority Mail Contract 6 (MC2009-25 and CP2009-30)

Priority Mail Contract 7 (MC2009-25 and CP2009-31)

Priority Mail Contract 8 (MC2009-25 and CP2009-32)

Priority Mail Contract 9 (MC2009-25 and CP2009-33)

Priority Mail Contract 10 (MC2009-25 and CP2009-34)

Priority Mail Contract 11 (MC2009-27 and CP2009-37)

Priority Mail Contract 12 (MC2009-28 and CP2009-38)

Priority Mail Contract 13 (MC2009-29 and CP2009-39)

Priority Mail Contract 14 (MC2009-30 and CP2009-40)

Priority Mail Contract 15 (MC2009-35 and CP2009-54)

Priority Mail Contract 16 (MC2009-36 and CP2009-55)

Priority Mail Contract 17 (MC2009-37 and CP2009-56)

Priority Mail Contract 18 (MC2009-42 and CP2009-63)

Priority Mail Contract 19 (MC2010-1 and CP2010-1)

Priority Mail Contract 20 (MC2010-2 and CP2010-2)

Priority Mail Contract 21 (MC2010-3 and CP2010-3)

Priority Mail Contract 22 (MC2010-4 and CP2010-4)

Priority Mail Contract 23 (MC2010-9 and CP2010-9)

Outbound International

Direct Entry Parcels Contracts

Direct Entry Parcels 1 (MC2009-26 and CP2009-36)

Global Direct Contracts (MC2009-9, CP2009-10, and CP2009-11)

Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) Contracts

GEPS 1 (CP2008-5, CP2008-11, CP2008-12, CP2008-13, CP2008-18, CP2008-19, CP2008-20, CP2008-21, CP2008-22, CP2008-23, and CP2008-24)

Global Expedited Package Services 2 (CP2009-50)

Global Plus Contracts

Global Plus 1 (CP2008-8, CP2008-46 and CP2009-47)

Global Plus 2 (MC2008-7, CP2008-48 and CP2008-49)

Inbound International

Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with Foreign Postal Administrations

Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with Foreign Postal Administrations (MC2008-6, CP2008-14 and MC2008-15)

Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with Foreign Postal Administrations 1 (MC2008-6 and CP2009-62)

International Business Reply Service Competitive Contract 1 (MC2009-14 and CP2009-20)

Competitive Product Descriptions

Express Mail

[Reserved for Group Description]

Express Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Outbound International Expedited Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

Inbound International Expedited Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

Priority

[Reserved for Product Description]

Priority Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

Outbound Priority Mail International

[Reserved for Product Description]

Inbound Air Parcel Post

[Reserved for Product Description]

Parcel Select

[Reserved for Group Description]

Parcel Return Service

[Reserved for Group Description]

International

[Reserved for Group Description]

International Priority Airlift (IPA)

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Surface Airlift (ISAL)

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Direct Sacks—M-Bags

[Reserved for Product Description]

Global Customized Shipping Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Money Transfer Service

[Reserved for Product Description]

Inbound Surface Parcel Post (at non-UPU rates)

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Ancillary Services

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Certificate of Mailing

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Registered Mail

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Return Receipt

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Restricted Delivery

[Reserved for Product Description]

International Insurance

[Reserved for Product Description]

Negotiated Service Agreements

[Reserved for Group Description]

Domestic

[Reserved for Product Description]

Outbound International

[Reserved for Group Description]

Part C—Glossary of Terms and Conditions [Reserved]

Part D—Country Price Lists for International Mail [Reserved]

Footnotes

1.  Request to Add Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List, and Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing China Post Group-United States Postal Service Contractual Bilateral Agreement (Under Seal), November 20, 2009 (Request).

2.  Governors' Decision No. 08-5, April 1, 2008, established prices for the inbound services offered under Express Mail International bilateral/multilateral agreements.

3.  Attachment 1 to the Request.

4.  Attachment 2 to the Request.

5.  Attachment 3 to the Request.

6.  Attachment 4 to the Request.

7.  Attachment 5 to the Request.

8.  See Docket Nos. CP2008-6 and CP2008-7, Notice and Order Concerning Prices Under Express Mail International Bilateral/Multilateral Agreements, June 3, 2008. The Commission consolidated Docket No. CP2008-6 with Docket No. CP2008-7 in this Order.

9.  See Docket No. CP2008-7, Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing an Agreement for Inbound Express Mail International (EMS) Prices, May 20, 2008.

10.  Docket No. CP2008-7, Order Concerning the China Post Group Inbound EMS Agreement, June 27, 2008 (Order No. 84).

11.  The Postal Service states that in the absence of this negotiated agreement, EMS rates for calendar year 2010 as reviewed by the Commission in Docket No. CP2009-57 would apply. Id. at 4. See Docket No. CP2009-57, Order Concerning Filing of Changes in Rates for Inbound International Expedited Services 2, August 19, 2009.

12.  PRC Order No. 347, Notice and Order Concerning Adding Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List and China Post Group Bilateral Agreement, November 25, 2009 (Order No. 347).

13.  See Public Representatives Comments in Response to United States Postal Service Request to Add Inbound International Expedited Services 1 to the Competitive Product List and China Post Bilateral Agreement, December 10, 2009 (Public Representative Comments).

14.  See Docket No. CP2009-50, Order Granting Clarification and Adding Global Expedited Package Services 2 to the Competitive Product List, August 28, 2009.