[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63741-63743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22742]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On October 7, 2022, the Postal Service (USPS[supreg]) filed a 
notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory 
Commission (PRC), effective January 22, 2023. This proposed rule 
contains the revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal 
Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) that we would adopt to 
implement the changes coincident with the price adjustments.

DATES: Submit comments on or before November 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected], with a subject line of ``January 2023 
Domestic Mailing Services Proposal.'' Faxed comments are not accepted.
    All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public 
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your 
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for 
public disclosure.
    You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment 
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th 
Floor North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for 
review on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-
2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Becker at (202) 268-7345, Samie 
Rehman at (202) 268-7023, Karen Key at (202) 268-7492, or Doriane 
Harley at (202) 268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed prices are available under Docket 
No. R2023-1 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website at 
www.prc.gov.
    The Postal Service's proposed rule includes changes to prices, mail 
classification updates, product simplification efforts, and minor 
revisions to the DMM.

Discount for Marketing Mail Flats on SCF Pallets

    Currently, the Postal Service offers discounts for Carrier Route, 
High Density, High Density Plus, and Saturation Flats on 5-Digit or 5-
Digit Scheme (direct) containers. Similar discounts would now be 
offered to flat-shaped Marketing Mail pieces on SCF Pallets. This 
proposed discount will be applicable to Automation and Nonautomation 
(3-Digit and 5-Digit Presort) Flats, Carrier Route Flats, High Density 
Flats, High Density Plus Flats and Saturation Flats on SCF Pallets 
regardless of the entry (None, DNDC, and DSCF). This preparation 
assures that no bundle sorting is required prior to the final 
processing plant.

Eliminate Zip Coding of Mailing Lists and Correction of Mailing Lists 
as AMS Products

    Currently, the Postal Service offers mailing list services for 
manual correction of name and address on occupant lists and manual 
sorting of mailing lists on cards by 5-digit ZIP Code.
    The Postal Service is proposing to discontinue these two services 
due to low volume usage and the availability of other Address 
Management products that allows more efficient access to the same 
information in an electronic format.

Elimination of Legacy Extra Service Labels

    In an attempt to reduce duplicate labels, the Postal Service is 
eliminating the following legacy labels: PS 153 Signature Confirmation, 
PS 3800 Certified Mail, PS 3813 Insured Mail $500 and under, and PS 
3813-P Insured Mail over $500. These labels will be replaced with IMpb 
compliant versions. Mailers that continue to use the eliminated labels 
will be subject to the IMpb Noncompliance Fee.

[[Page 63742]]

2023 Mailing Promotions

    The Postal Service has been incenting mailers to integrate mobile 
technology and use innovative print techniques in commercial mail since 
2012. These promotions have become an integral way for industry to try 
new things and innovate their mail campaigns. A 2023 Promotions 
Calendar is planned with opportunities for mailers to receive a postage 
discount by applying treatments or integrating technology in their mail 
campaigns.
    These proposed revisions will provide consistency within postal 
products and add value for customers.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 
CFR 111.1.
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

503 Extra Services

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra Services

* * * * *

1.7 Forms and Labels

* * * * *
    [Add new 1.7.5 to read as follows:]

1.7.5 Legacy Extra Service Labels

    Certain legacy extra service labels are no longer valid and have 
been replaced with IMpb compliant versions that have a tracking number 
beginning with ``92'' or higher. Mailers using noncompliant versions of 
the following extra service labels will be subject to the IMpb 
Noncompliance Fee (see Notice 123--Price List):

a. PS 153 Signature Confirmation
b. PS 3800 Certified Mail
c. PS 3813 Insured Mail $500 and under
d. PS 3813-P Insured Mail over $500
* * * * *

507 Mailer Services

Overview

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading ``8.0 Mailing List Services'' to read as 
follows:]

8.0 Address Management System

* * * * *
    [Replace current section 8.0 with new text to read as follows:]

8.0 Address Management System

8.1 Address Management System Products and Fees

    For Address Management System (AMS) products and fees, see Notice 
123--Price List.

8.1.2 Carrier Route Information System

    The official city delivery scheme, called the Carrier Route 
Information System, is available to mailers.

8.1.3 Address Changes to Election Boards and Voter Registration 
Commissions

    For the designated fee, the USPS provides address changes to 
election boards and voter registration commissions.

8.2 Election Boards and Voter Registration Commissions

8.2.1 General

    Election boards or voter registration commissions may use the 
``Return Service Requested'' endorsement and/or the National Change of 
Address Linkage System (NCOA\Link\) to maintain current address lists.

8.2.2 Fee Assessment

    The fee for address changes provided to election boards and voter 
registration commissions is assessed for each Form 3575 submitted. The 
fee is collected on a per card basis regardless of the number of 
changes made on the card and whether the change concerns a person on 
the board's or commission's list of registrants. Instead of the actual 
forms, the USPS may supply facsimiles of the forms or copies of the 
information they contain at no additional fee.

8.2.3 Procedure

    Election boards or voter registration commissions using permanent 
registration may obtain residential change-of-address information from 
Forms 3575:
    a. An authorized official of the board or commission must sign and 
submit to the manager, address management systems (district), a written 
request that lists the Post Offices for which change-of-address 
information is desired.
    b. If the request is approved, an agreement must be obtained from 
and signed by an authorized official of the board or commission 
detailing the terms under which the change-of-address information is to 
be released.
    c. The board or commission receives the requested information from 
the postmasters of the listed Post Offices and pays those postmasters 
the applicable fees.
* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *

8.0 Preparing Pallets

* * * * *

8.10 Pallet Presort and Labeling

* * * * *

8.10.3 USPS Marketing Mail or Parcel Select Lightweight--Bundles, 
Sacks, or Trays

* * * * *
    [Revise the text of 8.10.3e to read as follows]
    e. SCF, required, permitted for bundles, sacks, and trays. Pallet 
may contain carrier route, automation price, and/or Presorted price 
mail for the 3-digit ZIP Code groups in L005, or L051 for Parcel Select 
Lightweight sacks. Mailers may, at their option, place AADC trays on 
SCF pallets when the tray's ``label to'' 3-digit ZIP Code (from L801) 
is within that SCF's service area. Mailers may also, at their option, 
place mixed ADC or mixed AADC trays, labeled per L010, on an SCF pallet 
entered at the SCF facility responsible for the processing of mixed ADC 
or mixed AADC trays for that NDC/ASF facility. The SCF Pallet discount 
applies to 3-Digit, 5-Digit, Carrier Route, High Density, High Density 
Plus, Saturation (including EDDM--Not Retail) USPS Marketing Mail flat 
shaped pieces on a SCF pallet entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, or 
DSCF entry. SCF pallet

[[Page 63743]]

discount does not apply to Marketing Mail letters or parcels. Labeling: 
* * *
* * * * *

Notice 123 (Price List)

    [Revise prices as applicable.]
* * * * *

Ruth B. Stevenson,
Chief Counsel, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2022-22742 Filed 10-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P