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Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®, to reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to Competitive Services, as established by the Governors of the Postal Service.
DATES:
Effective date: April 26, 2015.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
New prices will be posted under Docket Number CP2015-33 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's Web site at http://www.prc.gov.
This final rule describes the international price and classification changes and the corresponding mailing standards changes for the following Competitive Services:
- Global Express Guaranteed ® (GXG ®).
- Priority Mail Express InternationalTM.
- Priority Mail International ®.
- First-Class Package International ServiceTM.
- International Priority AirmailTM (IPA ®).
- International Surface Air Lift ® (ISAL ®).
- Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bags).
- International Extra Services:
○ Certificate of Mailing.
○ Registered MailTM Service.
○ Return Receipt Service.
New prices will be located on the Postal Explorer® Web site at http://pe.usps.com.
Global Express Guaranteed
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) is the Postal Service's premier international expedited product provided through an alliance with FedEx Express ®. The price increase for GXG service averages 7.2 percent.
The Postal Service continues to provide Commercial Base pricing to online customers who prepare and pay for GXG shipments via USPS-approved payment methods, with variable discounts up to 16 percent off the published retail prices for GXG.
The Postal Service also continues to offer Commercial Plus pricing price incentives for large volume customers who commit to tendering $100,000 in annual postal revenue from GXG, Priority Mail Express International (PMEI), Priority Mail International (PMI), and First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS ®) via USPS-approved payment methods, with variable discounts up to 24 percent off the published retail prices for GXG.
Priority Mail Express International
Priority Mail Express International (PMEI) service provides fast service to approximately 180 countries. A money-back guarantee service (exceptions apply) is available for certain destinations. The price increase for PMEI service averages 6.7 percent. The Commercial Base price and Commercial Plus price for customers that prepare and pay for PMEI shipments via permit imprint, online at USPS.com®, or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage vendor will remain a variable discount (based on the item's weight and price group) of up to 13 percent below the retail price for Commercial Base price and up to 25 percent below the retail price for Commercial Plus price.
The Postal Service continues to offer PMEI Commercial Plus pricing that includes discount price incentives to large volume customers who commit to tendering at least $100,000 in annual postal revenue from GXG, PMEI, Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service. The Postal Service will continue to include PMEI in customized Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit to a larger amount of postal revenue for PMEI and Priority Mail International.
Priority Mail International
Priority Mail International (PMI) is a way to send merchandise and documents to about 180 countries. The price increase for PMI service averages 6.8 percent. The Commercial Base price and Commercial Plus price for customers that prepare and pay for PMI items via permit imprint, online at USPS.com, or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage vendor will remain a variable discount (based on the item's weight and price group) of up to 13 percent below the retail price for Commercial Base price and up to 21 percent below the retail price for Commercial Plus price. Large volume mailers who commit to tendering at least $100,000 in annual postal revenue from GXG, PMEI, PMI, and First-Class Package International Service may request authorization for Commercial Plus discount prices. The Postal Service will continue to include PMI in customized Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit to a larger amount of revenue to the USPS® for PMEI and PMI.
In this filing we are proposing a structural change to create price zones for PMI to Canada. New zoned prices, based on the origin ZIP Code for PMI destined to Canada, will encourage customers to better use our network and Start Printed Page 5684allow us to compete more effectively in major metropolitan markets from which U.S. businesses export and where the Postal Service operates an international gateway (International Service Center).
An additional classification change is an increase to 66 pounds from 44 pounds for the maximum weight for PMI Country Price Group 17 (Netherlands).
First-Class Package International Service
First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) is an economical international service for small packages weighing less than 4 pounds and not exceeding $400 in value. The pricing structure for FCPIS will continue to be simpler than for some other international products, with one retail price worldwide for 1 to 2 ounces, identical prices for 3 to 4 ounces within each country price group, and identical prices for 5 to 8 ounces within each country price group. The price increase for FCPIS averages 7.2 percent. The Commercial Base price and Commercial Plus price for customers that prepare and pay for FCPIS items via permit imprint or by USPS-approved online payment methods will remain a variable discount (based on the item's weight and price group) of up to 10 percent below the retail price for Commercial Base price and up to 16 percent below the retail price for Commercial Plus price. Large volume mailers who commit to tendering at least $100,000 in annual postal revenue from GXG, PMEI, PMI, and FCPIS may request authorization for Commercial Plus discount prices.
International Priority Airmail and International Surface Air Lift
Published prices for the commercial international Shipping Services, which include International Priority Airmail (IPA) and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL), will have an overall price increase of 4.5 percent. The structure of IPA and ISAL price categories will continue to be priced by the worldwide and 19 country price groups and applicable mail shapes (letters and postcards, large envelopes [flats], and packages [small packets and rolls]). These categories correspond to the Universal Postal Convention requirements to use shape-based pricing. For IPA and ISAL, the Postal Service offers incentive pricing through International Negotiated Service Agreements (NSAs).
International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags, is a bulk commercial service that provides rapid and economical worldwide delivery to business mailers for volume mailings of First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and FCPIS packages (small packets) weighing up to a maximum 4.4 pounds. IPA is dispatched to the destination country where it is entered into the postal administration's air or surface priority mail system for delivery. The overall price increase for IPA service averages 4.5 percent.
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-Bags, is a bulk commercial service that provides economical worldwide delivery to business mailers of volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and FCPIS packages (small packets) weighing up to 4.4 pounds. ISAL is dispatched to the destination country where it is then entered into the postal administration's surface nonpriority network. The overall price increase for ISAL service averages 4.5 percent.
Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bags)
Airmail M-bags are direct sacks of printed matter sent to a single foreign addressee at a single address. Prices are based on the weight of the sack. The price increase for Airmail M-bags averages 6.8 percent.
International Extra Services
Depending on country destination and mail type, customers may add a variety of extra services to their outbound shipments. Prices for some of these extra services are increasing. Also, as a housekeeping measure, we will remove provisions concerning Inbound International Return Receipt and Inbound International Insurance from the Mail Classification Schedule, as these are products offered by foreign postal administrations to their countries' mailers, not USPS mail products.
For our competitive offerings, we revised the prices for the following international extra services:
Certificate of Mailing
The price for Certificate of Mailing will increase 2.5 percent.
Registered Mail
The price for Registered Mail will increase 2.2 percent.
Return Receipt
The price for Return Receipt for International Mail will increase 2.7 percent.
Priority Mail Express International Insurance and Priority Mail International Insurance
The insurance tables for Priority Mail Express International (PMEI) and Priority Mail International (PMI) will be combined into one table to simplify pricing.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20
- Foreign relations
- International postal services
The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1. Accordingly, 39 CFR part 20 is amended as follows:
Start PartPART 20—[AMENDED]
End Part Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM), as follows:
End Amendment PartMailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
2 Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *220 Priority Mail Express International
* * * * *222.8 Extra Services—Merchandise Insurance
[Revise second sentence of 222.8 to read as follows:]
* * * See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits.* * *
* * * * *230 Priority Mail International
* * * * *232.3 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes
[Revise next to last sentence about insurance to read as follows:]
* * * Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes may be insured—see Exhibit 322.2 for insurance availability and limitations.
* * * * *3 Insurance
* * * * *Start Printed Page 5685322 Priority Mail Express International Insurance
* * * * *322.2 Availability
[Delete last sentence of 322.2 and replace with new sentence about Exhibit 322.2 as follows:]
* * * See Exhibit 322.2 for availability and insurance limits.
[Insert new Exhibit 322.2 to read as shown in the table appended to the end of this Federal Register Notice.]
322.3 Additional Coverage and Fees
[Revise 322.3 to read as follows:]
Additional merchandise insurance coverage above $200—up to the maximum amount allowed by the country (see Exhibit 322.2) but never to exceed $5,000—may be purchased at the sender's option. The insurance fee is in addition to postage and other applicable fees. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for optional Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.
* * * * *323 Priority Mail International Insurance
* * * * *323.2 Availability
[Replace second sentence of 323.2 to read as follows:]
* * * See Exhibit 322.2.* * *
323.3 Coverage and Fees
[Revise the first sentence of 323.3 to read as follows and delete the second sentence in its entirety:]
Merchandise insurance coverage—up to the maximum amount allowed by the country (see Exhibit 322.2) but never to exceed $5,000—may be purchased at the sender's option. The insurance fee is in addition to postage and other applicable fees and is based on the insured value.* * *
* * * * *Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
* * * * *[Change the weight for Netherlands Priority Mail International to 66 pounds so that the entry for Netherlands reads as follows:]
Country Global express guaranteed Priority mail express international Priority mail international 1 First-class mail international and first-class package international service Price group Max. wt. (lbs.) Price group Max. wt. (lbs.) Price group Max. wt. (lbs.) Price group Max. wt. 2 (ozs./lbs.) Netherlands 3 70 17 66 17 66 5 3.5/4 * * * * *Individual Country Listings
* * * * *Priority Mail Express International (220)
* * * * *[For each country that offers Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance, replace the fee table with the following:]
See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.
* * * * *Priority Mail International (230)
* * * * *[For each country that offers Priority Mail International merchandise insurance, replace the fee table with the following:]
See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.
* * * * *Exhibit 322.2
Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International Merchandise Insurance Limits
Country PMEI PMI Afghanistan n/a n/a Albania 5000 n/a Algeria 5000 n/a Andorra 5000 5000 Angola 5000 n/a Anguilla 5000 415 Antigua and Barbuda n/a 60 Argentina 5000 5000 Armenia 5000 875 Aruba 5000 830 Ascension n/a n/a Australia 5000 3644 Austria 5000 5000 Azerbaijan 5000 2915 Bahamas 5000 1458 Bahrain 5000 n/a Bangladesh 5000 5000 Barbados 5000 238 Belarus 5000 1312 Belgium 650 650 Belize 5000 1600 Benin 5000 n/a Bermuda 5000 440 Bhutan 5000 22 Bolivia 5000 n/a Start Printed Page 5686 Bosnia-Herzegovina 5000 5000 Botswana 5000 73 Brazil 5000 2915 British Virgin Islands n/a 500 Brunei Darussalam 5000 n/a Bulgaria 5000 1115 Burkina Faso 5000 969 Burma (Myanmar) n/a n/a Burundi 5000 5000 Cambodia 5000 n/a Cameroon 5000 n/a Canada 5000 675 Cape Verde 5000 n/a Cayman Islands 5000 n/a Central African Republic 5000 n/a Chad 5000 185 Chile 5000 n/a China 5000 1222 Colombia 5000 999 Comoros n/a 690 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5000 n/a Congo, Republic of the 5000 1685 Costa Rica 5000 n/a Cote d'Ivoire 5000 5000 Croatia 5000 5000 Cuba n/a n/a Curacao (includes Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius) 5000 5000 Cyprus 5000 5000 Czech Republic 5000 5000 Denmark 650 650 Djibouti 5000 880 Dominica 5000 n/a Dominican Republic 5000 n/a Ecuador 5000 n/a Egypt 5000 1685 El Salvador 5000 n/a Equatorial Guinea n/a n/a Eritrea 5000 n/a Estonia 5000 2187 Ethiopia 5000 n/a Falkland Islands n/a n/a Faroe Islands 5000 5000 Fiji 5000 n/a Finland 650 650 France 650 650 French Guiana 5000 5000 French Polynesia 5000 4519 Gabon 5000 523 Gambia n/a n/a Georgia, Republic of 5000 1458 Germany 500 500 Ghana 5000 n/a Gibraltar n/a n/a Great Britain and Northern Ireland 650 n/a Greece 650 650 Greenland n/a 5000 Grenada 5000 350 Guadeloupe 5000 5000 Guatemala n/a n/a Guinea 5000 948 Guinea-Bissau 5000 2915 Guyana 5000 10 Haiti 5000 n/a Honduras n/a n/a Hong Kong 5000 5000 Hungary 5000 5000 Iceland 650 650 India 5000 2189 Indonesia 5000 n/a Iran n/a n/a Iraq 5000 n/a Start Printed Page 5687 Ireland 650 650 Israel 5000 n/a Italy 650 650 Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) 5000 5000 Jamaica 5000 n/a Japan 5000 5000 Jordan n/a n/a Kazakhstan 5000 5000 Kenya 5000 131 Kiribati n/a n/a Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North Korea) n/a n/a Korea, Republic of (South Korea) 5000 5000 Kosovo, Republic of n/a n/a Kuwait 5000 2000 Kyrgyzstan 5000 5000 Laos 5000 n/a Latvia 5000 1458 Lebanon 5000 n/a Lesotho 5000 440 Liberia 5000 440 Libya n/a n/a Liechtenstein 5000 5000 Lithuania 5000 5000 Luxembourg 650 650 Macao 5000 4227 Macedonia, Republic of 5000 2380 Madagascar 5000 199 Malawi n/a n/a Malaysia 5000 1429 Maldives 5000 n/a Mali 5000 n/a Malta 5000 n/a Martinique 5000 5000 Mauritania 5000 635 Mauritius 5000 165 Mexico 5000 n/a Moldova 5000 2915 Mongolia 5000 n/a Montenegro n/a 5000 Montserrat n/a 2200 Morocco 5000 5000 Mozambique 5000 n/a Namibia 5000 4405 Nauru 5000 220 Nepal 5000 n/a Netherlands 650 650 New Caledonia 5000 1775 New Zealand 5000 1025 Nicaragua 5000 n/a Niger 5000 n/a Nigeria 5000 n/a Norway 650 650 Oman 5000 575 Pakistan 5000 867 Panama 5000 n/a Papua New Guinea 5000 445 Paraguay 5000 n/a Peru 5000 n/a Philippines 5000 n/a Pitcairn Island n/a n/a Poland 5000 5000 Portugal 650 650 Qatar 5000 n/a Reunion n/a 5000 Romania 5000 5000 Russia 5000 5000 Rwanda 5000 n/a Saint Christopher and Nevis 5000 242 Saint Helena n/a 170 Saint Lucia 5000 n/a Saint Pierre and Miquelon n/a 5000 Start Printed Page 5688 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5000 130 San Marino 5000 5000 Sao Tome and Principe n/a 440 Saudi Arabia 5000 n/a Senegal 5000 936 Serbia, Republic of 5000 5000 Seychelles 5000 n/a Sierra Leone 5000 n/a Singapore 5000 3000 Sint Maarten 5000 5000 Slovak Republic (Slovakia) 650 650 Slovenia 650 650 Solomon Islands 5000 n/a Somalia n/a n/a South Africa 5000 n/a Spain 650 650 Sri Lanka 5000 35 Sudan n/a n/a Suriname n/a 535 Swaziland 5000 560 Sweden 650 650 Switzerland 650 650 Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) 5000 n/a Taiwan 5000 1350 Tajikistan 5000 5000 Tanzania 5000 248 Thailand 5000 1458 Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of n/a n/a Togo 5000 n/a Tonga 5000 515 Trinidad and Tobago 5000 n/a Tristan da Cunha n/a n/a Tunisia 5000 3834 Turkey 5000 952 Turkmenistan 5000 729 Turks and Caicos Islands 650 n/a Tuvalu n/a 675 Uganda 5000 n/a Ukraine 5000 5000 United Arab Emirates 5000 5000 United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) 650 n/a Uruguay 5000 n/a Uzbekistan 5000 5000 Vanuatu n/a n/a Vatican City 5000 2380 Venezuela n/a n/a Vietnam 5000 n/a Wallis and Futuna Islands n/a 1615 Western Samoa n/a 295 Yemen 5000 820 Zambia 5000 n/a Zimbabwe 5000 n/a * * * * *We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 20 to reflect these changes.
Start SignatureStanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Requirements.
[FR Doc. 2015-02007 Filed 2-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 4/26/2015
- Published:
- 02/03/2015
- Department:
- Postal Service
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 2015-02007
- Pages:
- 5683-5688 (6 pages)
- Topics:
- Foreign relations
- PDF File:
- 2015-02007.pdf
- CFR: (1)
- 39 CFR 20