[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 23, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71520-71523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25482]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20


International Competitive Services Product and Price Changes

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to 
reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to 
Competitive Services and other minor changes, as established by the 
Governors of the Postal Service.

DATES: Effective January 22, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Kennedy at 202-268-6592 or Kathy 
Frigo at 202-268-4178.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: New prices are posted under Docket Number 
CP2023-42 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website at http://www.prc.gov.
    For Priority Mail International items destined to Canada, the 
Postal Service is collapsing price groups 1.1 through 1.8 (which are 
based on origin ZIP Code) into a single country group. In addition, the 
Postal Service is eliminating the related fee for the International 
Service Center (ISC) Official Zone Chart for Priority Mail 
International pieces destined to Canada.
    Also, to conform to requested country nomenclature, the Postal 
Service is changing the official name of Turkey to the Republic of 
Turkiye, with Turkiye as the short name, in related sections of the 
IMM.
    This final rule describes the international price and 
classification

[[Page 71521]]

changes and the corresponding mailing standards changes for the 
following Competitive Services:
     Global Express Guaranteed[supreg].
     Priority Mail Express International[supreg].
     Priority Mail International[supreg] (PMI).
     First-Class Package International Service.
     International Priority Airmail[supreg].
     International Surface Air Lift[supreg].
     Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail 
M-bag[supreg]).
     The following competitive international extra services and 
fees:
     International Insurance.
     Certificate of Mailing.
     International Registered Mail.
     International Return Receipt.
     Customs Clearance and Delivery Fee.
    For pricing, see the Postal Explorer website at https://pe.usps.com.

Global Express Guaranteed

    Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service provides fast international 
shipping, with international transportation and delivery provided 
through an alliance with FedEx Express[supreg]. The price increase for 
GXG service averages 4.9 percent.
    The Postal Service provides Commercial Base[supreg] pricing to 
online customers who prepare and pay for GXG shipments via USPS-
approved payment methods (other than Click-N-Ship[supreg] service), 
with a discount below the published retail prices for GXG service. 
Customers who prepare GXG shipments via Click-N-Ship service will 
continue to pay retail prices. Commercial Plus[supreg] prices are set 
to match the Commercial Base prices.

Priority Mail Express International

    Priority Mail Express International (PMEI) service provides fast 
service to approximately 180 countries in 3-5 business days for many 
major markets, although the actual number of days may vary based upon 
origin, destination, and customs delays. PMEI with Money-Back Guarantee 
service is available for certain destinations. (Due to COVID-19 service 
impacts, PMEI with Money-Back Guarantee service has been suspended for 
several destinations until further notice. For more information, see 
the USPS Service Updates page on www.usps.com.) The price increase for 
PMEI service averages 6.0 percent. The Commercial Base price provides a 
discount below the published retail prices for customers who prepare 
and pay for PMEI shipments via permit imprint, online at 
USPS.com[supreg], or as registered end-users using an authorized PC 
Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service). Customers 
who prepare PMEI shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay retail prices. 
Commercial Plus will be equivalent to Commercial Base; however, deeper 
discounting may still be available to customers through negotiated 
service agreements.
    The Postal Service will continue to include PMEI service in 
customized contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue 
thresholds and are willing to commit a larger amount of revenue to the 
USPS[supreg] for PMEI service and PMI service.
    PMEI flat rate pricing continues to be available for Flat Rate 
Envelopes.

Priority Mail International

    Priority Mail International (PMI) is an economical way to send 
merchandise and documents to approximately 180 countries in 6-10 
business days for many major markets, although the actual number of 
days may vary based upon origin, destination, and customs delays. The 
price increase for PMI service averages 6.0 percent. The Commercial 
Base price provides a discount below the published retail prices for 
customers who prepare and pay for PMI items via permit imprint, online 
at USPS.com, or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage 
vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship). Customers who prepare PMI 
shipments via Click-N-Ship pay retail prices. Commercial Plus prices 
will be equivalent to Commercial Base; however, deeper discounting may 
still be made available to customers through negotiated service 
agreements.
    The Postal Service will continue to include PMI service in 
customized 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.
    PMI flat rate pricing continues to be available for Flat Rate 
Envelopes, Small Flat Rate Boxes, and Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes.

First-Class Package International Service

    First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) is an economical 
international service for small packages not exceeding 4 pounds in 
weight and $400 in value. The price increase for FCPIS averages 6.5 
percent. The Commercial Base price provides a discount below the 
published retail prices for customers who prepare and pay for FCPIS 
items via permit imprint or by USPS-approved online payment methods. 
Customers who prepare FCPIS shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay 
retail prices. Commercial Plus prices will be equivalent to Commercial 
Base; however, deeper discounting will be made available to customer 
through negotiated service agreements.
    Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service (E-USPS 
DELCON INTL[supreg]) is a tracking service available at no charge for 
FCPIS items to select destination countries.

International Priority Airmail and International Surface Air Lift

    International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags, 
is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all First-Class 
Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and 
for volume mailings of FCPIS packages (small packets) weighing up to a 
maximum of 4.4 pounds. IPA shipments are typically flown to foreign 
destinations (exceptions apply to Canada) and are then entered into 
that country's air or surface priority mail system for delivery. The 
price increase for IPA is 3.5 percent. International Surface Airlift 
(ISAL) is like IPA except that once flown to the foreign destination, 
ISAL is entered into that country's air or surface nonpriority mail 
system for delivery. The price increase for ISAL is 12.0 percent.

Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bags)

    An Airmail M-bag is a direct sack 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-bag service 
averages 6.4 percent.

International Extra Services and Fees

    Depending on country destination and mail type, customers may add a 
variety of extra services to their outbound shipments and pay a variety 
of fees. The Postal Service proposes to increase fees for certain 
competitive international extra services as follows:
     GXG insurance: There is no charge for GXG insurance for 
coverage up to $100. The fee for GXG insurance will increase to $2.45 
for each additional $100 or fraction over $100, up to a maximum 
indemnity of $2,499 per shipment (the maximum indemnity varies by 
country).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        GXG insurance                             Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100.........................................................      $0.00
Each additional $100 or fraction over $100...................       2.45
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum insurance $2,499 (varies by country)

     PMEI and PMI merchandise insurance: There is no charge for 
PMEI and PMI merchandise insurance

[[Page 71522]]

coverage up to $200. The fee for PMEI and PMI merchandise insurance 
will increase and will increase to $3.40 for each additional $100 or 
fraction over $200 as set forth in the table below, up to a maximum 
indemnity of $5,000 (the maximum indemnity varies by country).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Indemnity limit not over                       Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $200...................................................      $0.00
$200.01-$300.00..............................................      12.75
$300.01-$400.00..............................................      16.15
$400.01-$500.00..............................................      19.55
$500.01-$600.00..............................................      22.95
$600.01-$700.00..............................................      26.35
$700.01-$800.00..............................................      29.75
$800.01-$900.00..............................................      33.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$33.15 plus $3.40 per $100 or fraction thereof over $900 in declared
  value. Maximum insurance $5,000 (varies by country)

     Certificate of mailing service: Prices for competitive 
international certificate of mailing service will be as follows:

                         Certificate of Mailing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Individual pieces                           Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual article (PS Form 3817)............................      $1.85
Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page)....       1.85
Firm mailing sheet (PS Form 3665), per piece (minimum 3) All        0.57
 other qualifying classes of mail............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Bulk quantities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For first 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).................     $10.40
Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof)...........       1.35
Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606...............................       1.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     International Registered Mail service: The fee for 
competitive international registered mail will increase to $19.05.
     International return receipt service: The fee for 
competitive international return receipt service will increase to 
$5.30.
     Customs clearance and delivery fee: The competitive 
customs clearance and delivery fee per dutiable item will increase to 
$7.85.
     Pickup on Demand: The fee for pickup on demand will 
increase to $26.50.
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 20 to 
reflect these changes.
    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.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, International postal services.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 20 is amended as follows:

PART 20--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 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, 403, 404, 407, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-
3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.


0
2. Revise the following sections of the IMM as follows:
* * * * *

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International 
Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

210 Global Express Guaranteed

* * * * *

213 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

* * * * *

213.5 Destinating Countries and Price Groups

* * * * *
Exhibit 213.5

Destinating Countries and Price Groups

    [Revise the entry for Turkey to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              GXG price
                        Country name                            group
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Turkiye, Republic of.......................................            6
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

233 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

233.1 Prices

233.11 Availability and Price Application--General

    [Revise the text in its entirety to read follows:]
    Except under 233.14 and 233.15, Priority Mail International 
shipments are charged postage for each addressed piece according to its 
weight and Price Group. See the Individual Country Listings for 
countries that offer Priority Mail International service.
* * * * *

250 First-Class Package International Service

* * * * *

252 Eligibility

* * * * *

252.22 Availability

* * * * *
Exhibit 252.22

Countries Accepting Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International 
Service (E-USPS DELCON INTL)

    [Revise the entry for Turkey to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]
Turkiye, Republic of
* * * * *

Extra Services

* * * * *

320 Insurance

* * * * *

322 Priority Mail Express International Insurance

* * * * *

322.2 Availability

* * * * *
Exhibit 322.2

Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International 
Merchandise Insurance Limits (in U.S. Dollars)

    [Revise the entry for Turkey to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Country                            PMEI     PMI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Turkiye, Republic of...................................    5,000     952
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Index of Countries and Localities

* * * * *
    [Revise the entry for Turkey to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]
Turkiye, Republic of
* * * * *

Country Price Groups and Weight Limits

    [Revise the entry for Turkey to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]
* * * * *

[[Page 71523]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Global  express         Priority mail express            Priority mail international           First-class mai
                                       guaranteed                international           ------------------------------------  international and  first-
                                   ------------------------------------------------------                                            class package
              Country                                                                                Max.     PMI flat rate      international service
                                     Price     Max.    Price     Max.    PMEI flat rate    Price     wt.      envelopes and  ---------------------------
                                     group     wt.     group     wt.     envelopes price   group    (lbs.)     boxes price     FCMI price    FCPIS price
                                              (lbs.)            (lbs.)      group \1\                           group \2\       group \3\     group \4\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Turkiye, Republic of..............       6       70        4       66                 8        4       66                 8             4             3
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Individual Country Listings

* * * * *
    [Revise the country name ``Turkey'' to read as follows (reflecting 
the new country name):]
Turkiye, Republic of

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

Restrictions

* * * * *
    [Revise the entry ``Food supplements'' to read as follows 
(reflecting the new country name):]
    Food supplements and foods for athletes may be sent to Turkiye only 
when a medical report, prescription, or national sportsperson`s 
certificate is enclosed with the item by the addressee.
* * * * *

Observations

    [Revise the second entry to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]
    2. Each commercial shipment for Turkiye must have enclosed a 
combined certificate of origin and consular invoice, which must be 
certified by a chamber of commerce or other trade organization or by a 
notary public, and be legalized by a Turkish consul.
* * * * *

Priority Mail Express International

* * * * *

Customs Forms Required

* * * * *

Notes:

    [Revise the second entry to read as follows (reflecting the new 
country name):]
    2. Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; 
securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, 
gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable 
articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International 
shipments to Turkiye.
* * * * *

Ruth Stevenson,
Chief Counsel, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2022-25482 Filed 11-22-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P