[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 139 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39030-39032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19344]
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POSTAL RATE COMMISSION
39 CFR Part 3001
[Docket Nos. RM98-1, MC97-3 and MC97-4; Order No. 1212]
Amendments to Domestic Mail Classification Schedule
AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule sets forth the changes to the Domestic Mail
Classification Schedule (DMCS) as a result of the Governors' Decisions
on the Recommended Decisions of the Postal Rate Commission in Docket
Nos. MC97-3 and MC97-4. The Commission's Decision in Docket No. MC97-3
(issued September 4, 1997) changed the classification provisions for
Bound Printed Matter Weight Limitations. The Commission's Recommended
Decision in Docket No. MC97-4 (issued September 4, 1997) established
classification provisions for Bulk Parcel Return Service and Shipper-
Paid Forwarding. For these reasons, Appendix A to Subpart C has been
amended to reflect those changes.
DATES: This rule is effective July 21, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
Postal Rate Commission, 1333 H Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC
20268-0001, (202) 789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 1997, the Commission issued Order
No. 1180 exercising its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3623(b) to initiate a
proceeding, designated as Docket No. MC97-3, to consider increasing the
maximum weight limitation applicable to the bound printed matter
subclass from 10 pounds to 15 pounds. This action was taken in response
to a joint filing by the Advertising Mail Marketing Association, the
Association of American Publishers, and the Direct Marketing
Association. On August 1, 1997, the Postal Service filed testimony in
support of the proposed classification change, contemporaneous with the
filing of a proposed stipulation and agreement. Notice was published in
the Federal Register at 62 FR 32125-32128.
On September 4, 1997, the Postal Rate Commission transmitted to the
Governors its Opinion and Recommended Decision approving the
stipulation and agreement, which was unopposed. The Decision of the
Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended
Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on Bound Printed Matter Weight
Limitations, Docket No. MC97-3, September 8, 1997, accepted the
Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission. Resolution No. 97-
11 established October 5, 1997, as the implementation date for changes
relating to Bound Printed Matter.
On June 6, 1997, the Postal Service, pursuant to its authority
under 39 U.S.C. 3621, et seq., filed a request with the Postal Rate
Commission for a recommended decision on certain limited changes
affecting the classifications and rates for Standard (A) parcels.
Contemporaneous with the filing of the Request, the Postal Service
filed a Motion to Establish Procedural Mechanisms Concerning Settlement
with an attached stipulation and agreement.
On June 11, 1997, the Commission issued Order No. 1184 designating
this filing as Docket No. MC97-4, Bulk Parcel Return Service and
Shipper-Paid Forwarding Classifications and Fees, outlining the Postal
Service request, allowing interested parties an opportunity to
intervene, designating the Director of the Office of the Consumer
Advocate to represent the interests of the general public, and
appointing the Service as settlement coordinator. Notice was published
in the Federal Register at 62 FR 32832-32837.
The Commission issued its recommended decision on the Postal
Service Request on September 4, 1997. The recommended decision adopted
the revised stipulation and agreement, filed on August 12, 1997. The
revised agreement was signed by 9 of the 12 participants in this
proceeding.
The Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service
on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on Bulk
Parcel Return Service and Shipper-Paid Forwarding, Docket Nos. MC97-4
and C97-1, October 6, 1997, accepted the Recommended Decision of the
Postal Rate Commission. Resolution No. 97-15 established October 12,
1997, as the effective date for implementation of changes to the Bulk
Parcel Return Service; and January 4, 1998, as the effective date for
the changes related to Shipper Paid Forwarding.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the
Commission certifies that this rulemaking is not expected to have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Accordingly, regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 3001
Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business
information, Freedom of information, Postal Service, Sunshine Act.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, 39 CFR part 3001 is amended
as follows:
PART 3001--RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
1. The authority citation for part 3001 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 39 U.S.C. 404(b), 3603, 3622-24, 3661, 3662.
Subpart C--Rules Applicable to Requests for Establishing or
Changing the Mail Classification Schedule
2. Appendix A to Subpart C--Postal Service Rates and Changes is
amended as follows:
a. Amend the Table of Contents by adding Classification Schedule
SS-21--Bulk Parcel Return Service and Classification Schedule SS-22--
Shipper-Paid Forwarding.
b. In section 322.31, remove the number ``10'' and replace it with
``15''.
c. Revise section 353.1 to read as set forth below.
d. Add new section 363 to read as set forth below.
e. Amend section 2033 by adding, after ``450'', the words ``and
schedules SS-21 and SS-22''.
f. Classification Schedules SS-21 and SS-22 are added to read as
set forth below.
g. Add Rate Schedule SS-21 to read as set forth below.
h. Amend Schedule 1000 by adding after ``Business Reply Mail
Permit'', a new entry for ``Authorization to Use Bulk Parcel Return
Service''.
Appendix A to Subpart C--Postal Service Rates and Changes
* * * * *
353.1 Single Piece, Regular, Enhanced Carrier Route, Nonprofit and
Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Subclasses (section 321).
Undeliverable-as-addressed Standard Mail mailed under section 321
will be returned on request of the mailer, or forwarded and returned on
request of
[[Page 39031]]
the mailer. Undeliverable-as-addressed combined First-Class and
Standard pieces will be returned as prescribed by the Postal Service.
Except as provided in Schedule SS-21, the Single Piece Standard rate is
charged for each piece receiving return only service. Except as
provided in Schedule SS-22, charges for forwarding-and-return service
are assessed only on those pieces which cannot be forwarded and are
returned. Except as provided in Schedules SS-21 and SS-22, the charge
for those returned pieces is the appropriate Single Piece Standard rate
for the piece plus that rate multiplied by a factor equal to the number
of section 321 Standard pieces nationwide that are successfully
forwarded for every one piece that cannot be forwarded and must be
returned.
* * * * *
363 Regular and Nonprofit
Regular and Nonprofit subclass mail will receive the following
additional services upon payment of the appropriate fees.
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Service Schedule
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a. Bulk Parcel Return Service.............. SS-21
b. Shipper-Paid Forwarding................. SS-22
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* * * * *
Classification Schedule SS-21--Bulk Parcel Return Service
21.01 Definition
21.010 Bulk Parcel Return Service provides a method whereby high-
volume parcel mailers may have undeliverable-as-addressed machinable
parcels returned to designated postal facilities for pickup by the
mailer at a predetermined frequency prescribed by the Postal Service or
delivered by the Postal Service in bulk in a manner and frequency
prescribed by the Postal Service.
21.02 Description of Service
21.020 Bulk Parcel Return Service is available only for the return
of machinable parcels, as defined by the Postal Service, initially
mailed under the following Standard Mail subclasses: Regular and
Nonprofit.
21.03 Requirements of the Mailer
21.030 Mailers must receive authorization from the Postal Service
to use Bulk Parcel Return Service.
21.031 To claim eligibility for Bulk Parcel Return Service at each
facility through which the mailer requests Bulk Parcel Return Service,
the mailer must demonstrate receipt of 10,000 returned machinable
parcels at a given delivery point in the previous postal fiscal year or
must demonstrate a high likelihood of receiving 10,000 returned parcels
in the postal fiscal year for which the service is requested.
21.032 Payment for Bulk Parcel Return Service is made through
advance deposit account, or as otherwise specified by the Postal
Service.
21.033 Mail for which Bulk Parcel Return Service is requested must
bear endorsements prescribed by the Postal Service.
21.034 Bulk Parcel Return Service mailers must meet the
documentation and audit requirements of the Postal Service.
21.04 Other Services
21.040 The following services may be purchased in conjunction with
Bulk Parcel Return Service:
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Classification schedule
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a. Address Correction Service............. SS-1
b. Certificate of Mailing................. SS-4
c. Shipper-Paid Forwarding................ SS-22
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21.05 Fee
21.050 The fee for Bulk Parcel Return Service is set forth in Fee
Schedule SS-21.
21.06 Authorizations and Licenses
21.060 A permit fee as set forth in Fee Schedule 1000 must be paid
once each calendar year by mailers utilizing Bulk Parcel Return
Service.
21.061 The Bulk Parcel Return Service permit may be canceled for
failure to maintain sufficient funds in an advance deposit account to
cover postage and fees on returned parcels or for failure to meet the
specifications of the Postal Service.
Classification Schedule SS-22--Shipper-Paid Forwarding
22.01 Definition
22.010 Shipper-Paid Forwarding provides a method whereby mailers
may have undeliverable-as-addressed machinable parcels forwarded at
Standard Mail Single Piece rates for up to one year from the date that
the addressee filed a change-of-address order. If the parcel, for which
Shipper-Paid Forwarding is elected, is returned, the mailer will pay
the appropriate Standard Mail Single Piece rate, or the Bulk Parcel
Return Service fee, if that service was elected.
22.02 Description of Service
22.020 Shipper-Paid Forwarding is available only for the
forwarding of machinable parcels, as defined by the Postal Service,
initially mailed under the following Standard Mail subclasses: Regular
and Nonprofit.
22.03 Requirements of the Mailer
22.030 Shipper-Paid Forwarding is available only in conjunction
with automated Address Correction Service in Schedule SS-1.
22.031 Mail for which Shipper-Paid Forwarding is purchased must
meet the preparation requirements of the Postal Service.
22.032 Payment for Shipper-Paid Forwarding is made through advance
deposit account, or as otherwise specified by the Postal Service.
22.033 Mail for which Shipper-Paid Forwarding is requested must
bear endorsements prescribed by the Postal Service.
22.04 Other Services
22.040 The following services may be purchased in conjunction with
Shipper-Paid Forwarding:
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Classification schedule
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a. Certificate of Mailing................. SS-4
b. Bulk Parcel Return Service............. SS-21
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22.05 Applicable Rates
22.050 Except as provided in Schedule SS-21, Standard Mail Single
Piece Rates, set forth in Rate Schedule 321.1, apply to pieces
forwarded or returned in connection with Shipper-Paid Forwarding.
* * * * *
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Special services Description Fee
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* * * *
* * *
Schedule SS-21..............
Bulk Parcel Return Per Returned Piece..
Service.
[[Page 39032]]
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Issued by the Commission on April 20, 1998.
Cyril J. Pittack,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-19344 Filed 7-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
