[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9218-9221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02824]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Hardcopy Postage Statements Discontinued
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to amend Mailing Standards of
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) in
various sections to discontinue the use of hardcopy postage statements
for domestic commercial mailings.
DATES: Submit comments on or before March 15, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, 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 ``Hardcopy Postage
Statements Discontinued''. Faxed comments are not accepted.
Confidentiality
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: Michael Filipski at (312) 765-3089 or
Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently, unless manifested using
eVS[supreg] or mailings entered under the full-service automation
program, domestic commercial mailers had the option to submit a
completed hardcopy or electronic postage statement for any mailing
claiming a discount and all permit imprint mailings.
The Postal Service is proposing to discontinue the use of hardcopy
postage statements to improve efficiency by expediting the acceptance
of commercial mail. Except for eVS mailings, all domestic commercial
mailings must use an approved electronic method to transmit a postage
statement to the PostalOne! [supreg] system.
The Postal Service provides free means of electronic postage
statement submission through the Intelligent Mail[supreg] for Small
Business (IMsb) tool and Postal Wizard[supreg]. There are also approved
third party software options available on PostalPro at
postalpro.usps.com.
The use of hardcopy postage statements for Every Door Direct Mail--
Retail[supreg] (EDDM-R[supreg]) and international mailings will not be
affected by this proposed revision.
The Postal Service is proposing to implement this change effective
January 21, 2024.
We believe the proposed revisions will provide customers with a
more efficient mailing experience.
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
comment 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:
[[Page 9219]]
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail
Manual (DMM)
200 Commercial Letters, Flats, and Parcels
* * * * *
203 Basic Postage Statement, Documentation, and Preparation Standards
1.0 Postage Statements
1.1 Completing Postage Statements
[Revise the first sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
Unless manifested using eVS under 705.2.9, any domestic mailing
claiming a discount and all permit imprint mailings must be accompanied
by a completed electronic postage statement. (Note: Except for Every
Door Direct Mail--Retail, all commercial references to ``postage
statements'' in the DMM are electronic.) * * *
* * * * *
[Delete 1.3, Facsimile Postage Statements, in its entirety.]
* * * * *
3.0 Standardized Documentation for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS
Marketing Mail, and Flat-Size Bound Printed Matter
* * * * *
3.2 Format and Content
For First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, and Bound
Printed Matter, standardized documentation includes:
* * * * *
e. * * * For Periodicals mailings, documentation also must provide:
* * * * *
[Delete the last sentence of item e4.]
* * * * *
230 Commercial Mail First-Class Mail
* * * * *
234 Postage Payment and Documentation
* * * * *
2.0 Affixing Postage to Presorted and Automation Letters and Flats
2.1 Affixing Postage for Presorted and Automation First-Class Mail
Except as permitted under 2.2 or authorized by the director,
Business Acceptance Solutions, each piece must bear the numerical value
of postage under one of these conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the last sentence of item b to read as follows:]
b. * * * Additional postage must be paid at the time of mailing
with an advance deposit account.
2.2 Affixing Postage at Less Than Full Price to All Pieces
* * * * *
2.2.1 Lowest Price
A mailer may affix postage evidencing postage at the lowest price
as follows:
* * * * *
[Revise the last sentence of item b to read as follows:]
b. Additional postage: * * * The total additional postage must be
paid by advance deposit account.
* * * * *
2.2.2 Mixed Price Alternative
[Revise the last sentence of 2.2.2 to read as follows:]
* * * The total additional postage must be paid by advance deposit
account.
* * * * *
240 Commercial Mail USPS Marketing Mail
243 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.3 Additional Basic Standards for USPS Marketing Mail
Each USPS Marketing Mail mailing is subject to these general
standards:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
h. A completed postage statement using the correct USPS form must
be submitted with each mailing. * * *
* * * * *
244 Postage Payment and Documentation
* * * * *
2.0 Additional Postage Payment Standards
2.1 Identical-Weight Pieces
[Revise the third sentence in 2.1 to read as follows:]
* * * If exact postage is not affixed, all additional postage and
surcharges must be paid at the time of mailing with an advance deposit
account. * * *
* * * * *
3.0 Affixing Postage at Less Than Full Price
* * * * *
3.2 Lowest Price
A mailer may affix metered postage at the lowest price on
identical-weight pieces as follows:
* * * * *
[Revise the last sentence of item c to read as follows:]
c. Additional postage: * * * The total additional postage must be
paid by advance deposit account.
* * * * *
3.3 Mixed Price Alternative for Letters and Flats
[Revise the last sentence of 3.3 to read as follows:]
* * * The total additional postage must be paid by advance deposit
account.
* * * * *
245 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
6.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Letters
* * * * *
6.9 Delivery Sequence Documentation
6.9.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 6.9.1 to
read as follows:]
* * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *
9.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Flats
* * * * *
9.10 Delivery Sequence Documentation
9.10.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 9.10.1 to
read as follows:]
* * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *
12.0 Preparing Enhanced Carrier Route Product Sample Parcels
* * * * *
12.7 Delivery Sequence Documentation
12.7.1 General Standards
[Revise the third sentence of the introductory text of 12.7.1 to
read as follows:]
* * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *
[[Page 9220]]
250 Commercial Mail Parcel Select
* * * * *
254 Postage Payment and Documentation
* * * * *
2.0 Mailing Documentation
2.1 Completing Postage Statements
[Revise the first sentence of 2.1 to read as follows:]
All metered and permit imprint mailings of 50 pieces or more,
except manifested mail using eVS under 705.2.9, must be accompanied by
a completed postage statement. * * *
* * * * *
602 Addressing
* * * * *
5.0 Move Update Standards
* * * * *
5.4 Mailer Certification
[Revise the text of 5.4 to read as follows:]
The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that the Move Update standard has been met for the address
records, including each address in the corresponding mailing presented
to the Postal Service.
* * * * *
6.0 ZIP Code Accuracy Standards
* * * * *
6.3 Mailer Certification
[Revise the text of 6.3 to read as follows:]
The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that the ZIP Code accuracy standard has been met for each
address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
* * * * *
7.0 Carrier Route Accuracy Standard
* * * * *
7.4 Mailer Certification
[Revise the text of 7.4 to read as follows:]
The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that the carrier route accuracy standard has been met for
each address in the corresponding mailing presented to the USPS.
* * * * *
8.0 Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)
8.1 Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)
* * * * *
8.1.2 Process
[Revise the second and third sentence of 8.1.2 to read as follows:]
* * * Vendors process the test file(s) through their presort
software or hardware and return the resulting presort documentation to
the USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for evaluation of the
answers. Each test file is evaluated for its accuracy of presort,
compliance with current DMM standards, accuracy of sack/tray/pallet tag
labels, and general acceptability of presort documentation. * * *
* * * * *
9.0 Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
* * * * *
9.3 Date of Address Matching and Coding
9.3.1 Update Standards
[Revise the seventh sentence in the introductory text of 9.3.1 to
read as follows:]
* * * The mailer's electronic confirmation during eDoc submission
certifies that this standard has been met when the corresponding mail
is presented to the USPS. * * *
* * * * *
9.5 Documentation
9.5.1 Form 3553
[Revise the last sentence of 9.5.1 to read as follows:]
* * * The mailer certifies compliance with electronic confirmation
during eDoc submission.
* * * * *
604 Postage Payment Methods and Refunds
* * * * *
3.0 Precanceled Stamps
3.1 General Information
* * * * *
3.1.8 Return Address
* * * Mailpieces bearing precanceled stamps and any return
addresses outside the Post Office of mailing must meet one of the
following standards:
* * * * *
[Revise item a to read as follows:]
a. At the time of mailing, the mailer must submit a copy of the
postage statement and a sample mailpiece, enclosed in a stamped
envelope and addressed to the postmaster at the Post Office of the
return address.
* * * * *
607 Mailer Compliance and Appeals of Classification Decisions
1.0 Mailer Compliance With Mailing Standards
1.1 Mailer Responsibility
[Revise the third sentence of 1.1 to read as follows:]
* * * For mailings that require a postage statement, the mailer
certifies compliance with all applicable postal standards with
electronic confirmation during eDoc submission. * * *
1.2 Postage Payment
[Revise the last sentence of 1.2 to read as follows:]
* * * A USPS employee's acceptance of the postage statement and the
subsequent acceptance of the mailing does not constitute verified
accuracy of that statement and does not limit the ability of the USPS
to demand proper payment after acceptance when it becomes apparent such
payment was not made.
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
* * * * *
705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
* * * * *
2.0 Manifest Mailing System
* * * * *
2.2 Basic Standards
* * * * *
2.2.7 Postage Statement
[Revise the text of 2.2.7 by deleting the last two sentences.]
* * * * *
9.0 Combining Bundles of Automation and Nonautomation Flats in Trays
and Sacks
9.1 First-Class Mail
9.1.1 Basic Standards
Bundles of flats in an automation price mailing prepared under
235.6.5 must be cotrayed with bundles of flats in a Presorted price
mailing under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
h. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *
[[Page 9221]]
9.3 USPS Marketing Mail
9.3.1 Basic Standards
Bundles of flats in an automation price mailing must be cosacked
with bundles of flats in a Presorted price mailing under the following
conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
h. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form,
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *
9.4 Bound Printed Matter
9.4.1 Basic Standards
Bundles of flat-size pieces in a Presorted price mailing qualifying
for and claiming the barcode discount under 263.3.0, 263.2.0, and
263.5.0 must be cosacked with bundles of flat-size pieces from a
Presorted price mailing (not claiming the barcode discount) under the
following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item h to read as follows:]
h. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form,
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *
10.0 Merging Bundles of Flats Using the City State Product
10.1 Periodicals
10.1.1 Basic Standards
* * * Carrier route bundles in a carrier route mailing may be
placed in the same sack or on the same pallet as 5-digit bundles from
machinable (barcoded or nonbarcoded) price mailings (including pieces
cobundled under 11.0) under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item i to read as follows:]
i. A complete postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form,
must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. * * *
* * * * *
10.2 USPS Marketing Mail
10.2.1 Basic Standards
Carrier route bundles from a carrier route price mailing may be
placed in the same sack or on the same pallet as 5-digit bundles from
an automation price mailing and 5-digit bundles from a Presorted price
mailing (including pieces cobundled under 11.0) under the following
conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item k to read as follows:]
k. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *
12.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using a 5% Threshold
12.1 Periodicals
12.1.1 Basic Standards
* * * Five-digit bundles from a barcoded price mailing and 5-digit
bundles from a nonbarcoded price mailing (including pieces cobundled
under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route bundles
under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence in the introductory text of item f to
read as follows:]
f. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
accompany each mailing job. * * *
* * * * *
12.2 USPS Marketing Mail
12.2.1 Basic Standards
* * * Five-digit bundles from an automation price mailing and 5-
digit bundles from a Presorted price mailing (including pieces
cobundled under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route
bundles under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item j to read as follows:]
j. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
be submitted for each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *
13.0 Merging Bundles of Flats on Pallets Using the City State Product
and a 5% Threshold
13.1 Periodicals
13.1.1 Basic Standards
* * * Five-digit bundles from a barcoded price mailing and 5-digit
bundles from a nonbarcoded price mailing (including pieces cobundled
under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route bundles
under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence in the introductory text of item g to
read as follows:]
g. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
be submitted for each mailing job. * * *
* * * * *
13.2 USPS Marketing Mail
13.2.1 Basic Standards
* * * Five-digit bundles from an automation price mailing and 5-
digit bundles from a Presorted price mailing (including pieces
cobundled under 11.0) may be placed on the same pallet as carrier route
bundles under the following conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item k to read as follows:]
k. A complete postage statement, using the correct USPS form, must
be submitted for each mailing job prepared under these procedures.
* * * * *
17.0 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment
* * * * *
17.2 Program Participation
* * * * *
17.2.3 Verification at Origin BMEU
PVDS verification can be performed at the origin business mail
entry unit (BMEU) under these conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise the text of item d to read as follows:]
d. Form 8125 accompanies each PVDS (or segment, if the PVDS is
contained in more than one vehicle).
* * * * *
Tram T. Pham,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-02824 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P