Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 72 (Friday, April 14, 2023)

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22973-22975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07868]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

AGENCY: Postal Service^TM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 10, 2023, the Postal Service (USPS[supreg]) filed a 
notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory 
Commission (PRC), effective July 9, 2023. This proposed rule contains 
revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to coincide with the price 
adjustments.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 15, 2023.

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 ``July 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: Doriane Harley at (202) 268-2537, or 
Dale Kennedy at (202) 268-6592.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed prices will be available under 
Docket No. R2023-2 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.

    Note: The Postal Service filed to rebrand First-Class Package 
Service[supreg] as USPS Ground Advantage[supreg]. Additional 
information can be found in the upcoming Federal Register Notice, 
Domestic Competitive Products Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes.

Marketing Mail Flat-Shaped--New Pricing Structure

    Currently, the pricing structure for USPS Marketing Mail flat-
shaped pieces uses a two-tier pricing approach. For pieces weighing 4 
oz or less, only a per-piece price is charged. For pieces weighing over 
4 oz but less than 16 oz, both a per-piece and per-pound rate is 
charged.
    The Postal Service is proposing to change the way USPS Marketing 
Mail flats are priced. For each presort level, all pieces regardless of 
their weight will pay a piece price which will differ only by the entry 
level, i.e., Origin, DNDC, DSCF, and DDU. The pound price would be 
applicable only to the weight above 4 ounces. For example, if the piece 
weighs 6 ounces, the pound price will be charged only for the 2 ounces 
that are above 4 ounces.

Discount for USPS Marketing Mail Letter-Shaped Pieces on SCF Pallets

    Currently, the Postal Service offers discounts for USPS Marketing 
Mail flat-shaped pieces on SCF pallets. This discount would now be 
extended to letter-shaped USPS Marketing Mail pieces on SCF Pallets. 
This proposed discount will be applicable to Automation and 
Nonautomation (AADC, 3-Digit and 5-Digit Presort) Letters, Carrier 
Route Letters, High Density Letters, High Density Plus Letter and 
Saturation Letters on SCF Pallets regardless of the entry (None, DNDC, 
and DSCF).

Registered Mail Service Fees

    The Postal Service is revising the fee structure for Registered 
Mail[supreg] service. Currently, the fee structure includes the 
combined cost of handling and insurance, which incrementally increases 
in accordance with an item's declared value, up to $50,000.00--the 
maximum available amount of insurance reimbursement. For items with 
declared value over $50,000, there are incrementally increasing 
handling fees, although the maximum amount of insurance reimbursement 
remains capped at $50,000. The Postal Service is revising the fee 
structure to eliminate the additional handling fees for items with 
declared value over $50,000, and instead have a flat fee that will 
cover the cost of insurance (which remains capped at a maximum of 
$50,000, regardless of the declared value) and handling on all items 
with declared values over $50,000.00.

USPS Ground Advantage Insurance

    Currently, the Postal Service does not include insurance coverage 
with USPS Ground Advantage--Retail and USPS

[[Page 22974]]

Ground Advantage--Commercial (formerly First-Class Package Service--
Retail and First-Class Package Service--Commercial) pieces against 
loss, damage, or missing contents. Additionally, the Postal Service 
does not include insurance with USPS Ground Advantage Return service 
(formerly First-Class Package Return Service) pieces.
    The Postal Service is proposing to include insurance, limited to a 
maximum liability of $100.00, with USPS Ground Advantage--Retail and 
USPS Ground Advantage--Commercial pieces.
    In addition, the Postal Service is proposing to include the $100.00 
of insurance with USPS Ground Advantage Return service pieces. This 
proposal to include the $100.00 of insurance with USPS Ground Advantage 
Return service pieces, along with Priority Mail Return service which 
already has insurance included, will eliminate the senders' option to 
purchase insurance.

Elimination of Service Type Code Combinations

    The Postal Service is proposing to eliminate certain, service type 
code (STC)/extra service code (ESC) combinations. The decision was 
based on those product and extra service code combinations with low use 
or low demand, and those that do not follow Postal Service compliance 
with Intelligent Mail package barcode rules. Mailers can speak with a 
USPS representative for details.

Marriage Mail 2 oz Incentive Price

    Marriage Mail is a form of marketing mail in which marketing 
service companies combine advertisements from multiple businesses into 
a single mailpiece to reduce the cost of the mailing for individual 
customers.
    The Postal Service is proposing to provide marriage mailers an 
incentive price on Saturation USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats 
including EDDM (not EDDM Retail) that weigh 2 ounces or less, if they 
meet certain requirements.
    Among the requirements to be eligible to claim the incentive price 
are that qualifying Marriage Mail pieces must include at least 4 
advertisers and must be mailed at minimum 10 times every 12 months 
(starting with the month of first claiming the incentive price).
    Information on the requirements to claim the Marriage Mail 
Incentive price will be posted on PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com.

2024 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 2024 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 if our proposal is adopted.

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 following sections of 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)

* * * * *

240 Commercial Mail USPS Marketing Mail

243 Prices and Eligibility

1.0 Prices and Fees

* * * * *

1.2 USPS Marketing Mail Prices

* * * * *
    [Add new item c and renumber current item (c) as (d):]
    c. For USPS Marketing Mail flats that weigh over 4 ounces, the 
pound price is applicable only to the weight above 4 ounces. For 
example, if the piece weighs 6 ounces, the pound price will apply only 
to the 2 ounces that are above 4 ounces.
* * * * *

1.5 Computing Postage for USPS Marketing Mail

* * * * *

1.5.4 Per Piece and Per Pound Charges

    [Add a sentence at the end of the paragraph to read as follows:]
    * * * For USPS Marketing Mail flats that weigh over 4 ounces, the 
pound price is applicable only to the weight above 4 ounces.

1.5.5 Computing Affixed Postage for Piece/Pound Price Mailpieces

    [Revise the text of 1.5.5 to read as follows:]
    To compute postage to be affixed to each piece/pound price piece, 
multiply the weight of the piece (in pounds) by the applicable price 
per pound (For USPS Marketing Mail flats, multiply the weight of the 
piece that exceeds 4 ounces by the applicable price per pound); add the 
applicable per piece charge and any surcharge; and round the sum up to 
the next tenth of a cent. See 244.2.0 for affixing postage.
* * * * *

4.0 Price Eligibility for USPS Marketing Mail

* * * * *

4.3 Piece/Pound Prices

    [Revise the last sentence of 4.3 to read as follows:]
    Flats that exceed 4 ounces are subject to a two-part piece/pound 
price that includes a fixed charge per piece and a variable pound 
charge based on the weight above 4 ounces.
* * * * *

500 Additional Mailing Services

503 Extra Services

* * * * *

1.0 Basic Standards for All Extra Services

* * * * *

1.4 Eligibility for Extra Services

* * * * *

1.4.1 Eligibility--Domestic Mail

    [Revise the text of 1.4.1 to read as follows:]
    Exhibit 1.4.1 provides the eligibility of each extra service for 
domestic mail. The exhibit also provides the additional

[[Page 22975]]

extra services that may be combined with each extra service. The 
combined extra services are subject to the eligibility of the mail 
listed for each extra service. Certain eligible extra service 
combinations may not be available for purchase (Mailers can speak with 
a USPS representative for details.). The following extra services or 
additional extra services may be added at the time of mailing, if 
available, when the standards for the services are met and the 
applicable fees are paid.
* * * * *

Exhibit 1.4.1 Eligibility--Domestic Mail

EXTRA SERVICE ELIGIBLE MAIL ADDITIONAL COMBINED EXTRA SERVICES
* * * * *
Insurance
Insurance Restricted Delivery

    [Revise the ``Note:'' under ``Insurance'' to read as follows:]

    Note: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground 
Advantage includes $100.00 of insurance; see 503.4.0.

* * * * *

1.4.3 Eligibility--Domestic Returns

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.4.3 Eligibility--Domestic Returns

* * * * *
    [Delete the $500 insurance options columns 
under the ``Eligible Extra Services (Paid by Sender) section of the 
table.]
    [Delete footnote #4 in its entirety.]
* * * * *

2.0 Registered Mail

2.1 Basic Standards

2.1.1 Description

    [Revise the ninth sentence in the introductory text of 2.1.1 to 
read as follows:]
    * * * Registered Mail articles valued over $50,000.00 are charged a 
flat fee that includes insurance up to $50,000.00 maximum insurance 
limit, and the handling cost. * * *
* * * * *

4.0 Insured Mail

* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 4.2 to read as follows:]

4.2 Insurance Coverage--Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage--Retail 
and USPS Ground Advantage--Commercial

    [Revise the introductory text of 4.2 to read as follows:]
    Priority Mail pieces (including Priority Mail Return service) and 
USPS Ground Advantage--Retail and USPS Ground Advantage--Commercial 
(including USPS Ground Advantage Return service), are insured against 
loss, damage, or missing contents, up to a maximum of $100.00, subject 
to the following:
    [Revise the text of items a through c to read as follows:]
    a. Insurance coverage is provided against loss, damage, or missing 
contents and is limited to a maximum liability of $100.00 when the 
pieces bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) or USPS retail 
tracking barcode (see 4.3.4) and the mailer pays retail or commercial 
prices.
    b. In addition to the insurance coverage under 4.2a, additional 
insurance may be purchased up to a maximum coverage of $5,000.00.
    c. Pieces meeting the requirements under 4.2, but not supported by 
a Shipping Services file must have a full acceptance scan in order to 
qualify for automatic insurance coverage.
* * * * *
    [Revise the first sentence of item e to read as follows:]
    e. Customers may file claims online for insured domestic items at 
www.usps.com/domestic-claims. * * *
* * * * *

505 Return Services

* * * * *

3.0 USPS Returns Service

3.1 Basic Standards

* * * * *

3.1.3 Postage and Prices

    Postage and prices are subject to the following:
* * * * *
    c. The account holder or mailer may obtain extra and additional 
services as follows:
    [Revise the text of item c1 to read as follows:]
    1. Insurance is available for USPS Returns service (see 503.4). 
Insurance is included with the postage for Priority Mail Return service 
and USPS Ground Advantage Return service (see 503.4.2). Additional 
insurance for Priority Mail Return service and USPS Ground Advantage 
Return service is available to the account holder for a fee on packages 
that have the applicable STC imbedded into the IMpb on the label, and 
for which the account holder has provided electronic data that supports 
the value of the merchandise (see 503.4.3.1a). Only the account holder 
may file a claim (see 609). Mailers returning a USPS Returns service 
package may not obtain insurance at their own expense.
* * * * *

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 last two sentences of 8.10.3d to read as follows]
    * * * The SCF Pallet discount applies to 5-digit/5-digit scheme 
USPS Marketing Mail letter and flat shaped pieces on a SCF pallet 
entered at an Origin (None), DNDC, or DSCF entry. SCF pallet discount 
does not apply to USPS Marketing Mail parcels. Labeling:* * *
* * * * *
    [Revise the last two sentences of 8.10.3e to read as follows]
    * * * The SCF Pallet discount applies to 3-digit USPS Marketing 
Mail letter and flat shaped pieces on a SCF pallet entered at an Origin 
(None), DNDC, or DSCF entry. SCF pallet discount does not apply to USPS 
Marketing Mail parcels. Labeling: * * *
* * * * *
    [Revise the last two sentences of 8.10.3f to read as follows]
    * * *The SCF Pallet discount applies to 3-digit, ADC, 5-digit, 5-
digit scheme, Carrier Route, High Density, High Density Plus, and 
Saturation (including EDDM flats--Not Retail) USPS Marketing Mail 
letter and flat shaped pieces on a SCF pallet entered at an Origin 
(None), DNDC, or DSCF entry. SCF pallet discount does not apply to USPS 
Marketing Mail parcels. Labeling: * * *
* * * * *

Notice 123 (Price List)

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

Sarah Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-07868 Filed 4-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P