Market Test of International Merchandise Return Service, 41128-41129 [2013-16473]

Download as PDF 41128 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2013 / Notices determined that this action is not a major rule and has verified this determination with the OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Dated at Rockville, MD, this 3rd day of July, 2013. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Rochelle C. Bavol, Acting Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2013–16435 Filed 7–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2013–0001] Sunshine Act Meetings AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETINGS: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. DATES: Weeks of July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 2013. PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. STATUS: Public and Closed. Week of July 8, 2013 Tuesday, July 9, 2013 9:30 a.m. Briefing on Security Issues (Closed—Ex. 1). Wednesday, July 10, 2013 9:00 a.m. Briefing on NRC International Activities (Part 1) (Public Meeting) (Contact: Karen Henderson, 301–415–0202). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—www.nrc.gov. 10:30 a.m. Briefing on NRC International Activities (Part 2) (Closed—Ex. 1 & 9) (Contact: Karen Henderson, 301–415–0202). Thursday, July 11, 2013 9:30 a.m. Meeting with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards. (ACRS) (Public Meeting). (Contact: Ed Hackett, 301–415–7360). This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—www.nrc.gov. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Week of July 15, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of July 15, 2013. Week of July 22, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of July 22, 2013. Week of July 29, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of July 29, 2013. Week of August 5, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of August 5, 2013. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:44 Jul 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 Week of August 12, 2013—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of August 12, 2013. * * * * * * The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. To verify the status of meetings, call (recording)—301–415–1292. Contact person for more information: Rochelle Bavol, 301–415–1651. * * * * * The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the Internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ public-meetings/schedule.html. * * * * * The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings, or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g. braille, large print), please notify Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability Program Manager, at 301–287–0727, or by email at kimberly.meyerchambers@nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * This notice is distributed electronically to subscribers. If you no longer wish to receive it, or would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969), or send an email to darlene.wright@nrc.gov. July 3, 2013. Rochelle C. Bavol, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–16575 Filed 7–5–13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. MT2013–2; Order No. 1771] Market Test of International Merchandise Return Service Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service proposal to conduct a market test of a competitive experimental product called International Merchandise Return Service-Non-Published Rates (IMRS– NPR). This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: July 15, 2013. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Background III. Contents of Filing IV. Notice of Filing V. Ordering Paragraphs I. Introduction On July 1, 2013, the Postal Service filed a notice, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3641, announcing its intent to conduct a market test of a competitive experimental product called International Merchandise Return Service—Non-Published Rates (IMRS– NPR).1 IMRS–NPR is comprised of Air Parcels or Express Mail Service packages returning to the United States that originate from a foreign territory served by another postal operator with which the Postal Service has made an arrangement for a return service. Id. at 2. The market test is scheduled to begin on or shortly after August 15, 2013 and continue for two calendar years. Id. at 6. II. Background IMRS–NPR items consist of returned merchandise that consumers purchased through online retailers in the United States. Id. at 2. IMRS–NPR will enable foreign consumers to create return labels and postage payment to return products back to the United States. Id. The consumer can create his or her own shipping label and send it to the merchant through the consumer’s postal channel. The Postal Service explains that many shipping companies create methods to improve ease of use by creating labels for the merchants and either sending the labels by email to their customers or providing labels for use if an item is returned. Id. It states that returns are an inevitable part of international online commerce, and customers consider returns as an important part of 1 Notice of the United States Postal Service of Market Test of Experimental Product—International Merchandise Return Service—Non-Published Rates (IMRS–NPR) and Notice of Filing IMRS–NPR Model Contract and Application for Non-Public Treatment of Materials Filed Under Seal, July 1, 2013 (Notice). E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2013 / Notices international shipping. Id. It concludes that the IMRS–NPR market test will increase the overall value of the services the Postal Service can offer to consumers. Id. Statutory authority. The Postal Service indicates that its proposal satisfies the criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3641, which imposes certain conditions on experimental products. The Postal Service asserts that IMRS–NPR is significantly different from all products offered within the past 2 years. Id. at 3– 4; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(1). It explains that there are only two existing international return solutions offered by the Postal Service, and neither has the same scope as IMRS–NPR. Id. at 4. The Postal Service states that it does not expect IMRS–NPR, which is designed to provide U.S. merchants an international merchandise returns solution through the postal network, to create an ‘‘unfair or otherwise inappropriate competitive advantage for the Postal Service or any mailer’’ particularly with regard to small businesses. It indicates that it is unaware of any small business offering a similar return service, and that it expects small businesses to utilize the service. Id. at 5; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(2). The Postal Service classifies IMRS–NPR as a competitive product because IMRS–NPR is designed for packages that do not fall under the Private Express Statutes. Id.; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(3). It notes that FedEx, UPS, and DHL each have products for their returns. Id. at 6. Duration. The Postal Service states that the market test will begin on or shortly after August 15, 2013 and run for two calendar years. Id. The Postal Service intends to offer negotiated service agreements to customers during the two year market test period, and the contracts will have standard one-year terms. Id. To the extent that negotiated service agreements have terms that extend beyond the two-year period of the market test, the Postal Service requests that the Notice serve as an application for extension under 39 U.S.C. 3641(d). Id. It asserts that the extension would only be requested to satisfy existing contractual obligations, and no new agreements would be initiated with merchants after the twoyear period of the market test. Id. at 6– 7. Revenues. The Postal Service does not anticipate revenues from IMRS–NPR to exceed $10 million in any year, subject to inflation. Id. at 7; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(e). If circumstances change, the Postal Service states that it will seek further relief upon submission of an VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:44 Jul 08, 2013 Jkt 229001 application for exemption from the $10 million limitation. Id. at 7. Market test scope. The Postal Service intends to offer IMRS–NPR for returns originating in Australia and Canada pursuant to amendments to bilateral agreements with the postal operators of these countries through the air parcel stream. Id. It states that it may negotiate additional bilateral agreements with other foreign postal operators to offer the same service for returns from other countries using either air parcels or EMS. Id. If the Postal Service executes such arrangements, it intends to provide notice to the Commission and furnish updated model contract, prices, and supporting financial information in this docket. Id. Data collection. The Postal Service states that data would be reported at quarterly intervals following the conclusion of the term of each agreement. Id. at 8. Spreadsheets would include the costs, revenues, and volumes associated with each agreement. Id. III. Contents of Filing The notice includes the following attachments: • Attachment 1—an application for non-public treatment of materials filed under seal; • Attachment 2—Mail Classification Schedule language for IMRS–NPR; • Attachment 3—a redacted copy of the IMRS Management Analysis; and • Attachment 4—a redacted copy of the IMRS model customized global agreement. Materials filed under seal include unredacted copies of the IMRS Management Analysis, IMRS model customized global agreement, and supporting financial workpapers. Id. at 1. The Postal Service filed redacted versions of the financial workpapers as public Excel files. IV. Notice of Filing The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2013–2 to consider matters raised by the Notice. It encourages interested persons to review the Notice for more details. Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Postal Service’s filing in the captioned docket is consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3641. Comments are due no later than July 15, 2013. The filing can be accessed via the Commission’s Web site (https://www.prc.gov). The Commission appoints Alison J.W. MacDonald to serve as Public Representative in this docket. V. Ordering Paragraphs PO 00000 It is ordered: Frm 00105 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41129 1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2013–2 to consider matters raised by the Notice. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Alison J.W. MacDonald is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. 3. Comments by interested persons are due no later than July 15, 2013. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–16473 Filed 7–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P POSTAL SERVICE Market Test of Experimental Product — International Merchandise Return Service—Non-Published Rates U.S. Postal ServiceTM. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Postal Service hereby gives notice of a market test for International Merchandise Return Service—Non-Published Rates in accordance with statutory requirements. DATES: As of: August 15, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Sobel, 202–268–6932 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Postal Service® hereby gives notice pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3641(c)(1) that it will begin a market test of its International Merchandise Return Service (IMRS) Non-published Rate (NPR) experimental product on August 15, 2013. The Postal Service has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission a notice setting out the basis for the Postal Service’s determination that the market test is covered by 39 U.S.C. 3641 and describing the nature and scope of the market test. Documents are available at https://www.prc.gov, Docket No. MT2013–2. SUMMARY: Stanley F. Mires, Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice. [FR Doc. 2013–16362 Filed 7–8–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–12–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41128-41129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16473]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MT2013-2; Order No. 1771]


Market Test of International Merchandise Return Service

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice

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

SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
proposal to conduct a market test of a competitive experimental product 
called International Merchandise Return Service-Non-Published Rates 
(IMRS-NPR). This notice informs the public of the filing, invites 
public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: July 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at https://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Background
III. Contents of Filing
IV. Notice of Filing
V. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On July 1, 2013, the Postal Service filed a notice, pursuant to 39 
U.S.C. 3641, announcing its intent to conduct a market test of a 
competitive experimental product called International Merchandise 
Return Service--Non-Published Rates (IMRS-NPR).\1\ IMRS-NPR is 
comprised of Air Parcels or Express Mail Service packages returning to 
the United States that originate from a foreign territory served by 
another postal operator with which the Postal Service has made an 
arrangement for a return service. Id. at 2. The market test is 
scheduled to begin on or shortly after August 15, 2013 and continue for 
two calendar years. Id. at 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Market Test of 
Experimental Product--International Merchandise Return Service--Non-
Published Rates (IMRS-NPR) and Notice of Filing IMRS-NPR Model 
Contract and Application for Non-Public Treatment of Materials Filed 
Under Seal, July 1, 2013 (Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Background

    IMRS-NPR items consist of returned merchandise that consumers 
purchased through online retailers in the United States. Id. at 2. 
IMRS-NPR will enable foreign consumers to create return labels and 
postage payment to return products back to the United States. Id. The 
consumer can create his or her own shipping label and send it to the 
merchant through the consumer's postal channel.
    The Postal Service explains that many shipping companies create 
methods to improve ease of use by creating labels for the merchants and 
either sending the labels by email to their customers or providing 
labels for use if an item is returned. Id. It states that returns are 
an inevitable part of international online commerce, and customers 
consider returns as an important part of

[[Page 41129]]

international shipping. Id. It concludes that the IMRS-NPR market test 
will increase the overall value of the services the Postal Service can 
offer to consumers. Id.
    Statutory authority. The Postal Service indicates that its proposal 
satisfies the criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3641, which imposes certain 
conditions on experimental products. The Postal Service asserts that 
IMRS-NPR is significantly different from all products offered within 
the past 2 years. Id. at 3-4; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(1). It explains 
that there are only two existing international return solutions offered 
by the Postal Service, and neither has the same scope as IMRS-NPR. Id. 
at 4.
    The Postal Service states that it does not expect IMRS-NPR, which 
is designed to provide U.S. merchants an international merchandise 
returns solution through the postal network, to create an ``unfair or 
otherwise inappropriate competitive advantage for the Postal Service or 
any mailer'' particularly with regard to small businesses. It indicates 
that it is unaware of any small business offering a similar return 
service, and that it expects small businesses to utilize the service. 
Id. at 5; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(2). The Postal Service classifies IMRS-
NPR as a competitive product because IMRS-NPR is designed for packages 
that do not fall under the Private Express Statutes. Id.; see 39 U.S.C. 
3641(b)(3). It notes that FedEx, UPS, and DHL each have products for 
their returns. Id. at 6.
    Duration. The Postal Service states that the market test will begin 
on or shortly after August 15, 2013 and run for two calendar years. Id. 
The Postal Service intends to offer negotiated service agreements to 
customers during the two year market test period, and the contracts 
will have standard one-year terms. Id. To the extent that negotiated 
service agreements have terms that extend beyond the two-year period of 
the market test, the Postal Service requests that the Notice serve as 
an application for extension under 39 U.S.C. 3641(d). Id. It asserts 
that the extension would only be requested to satisfy existing 
contractual obligations, and no new agreements would be initiated with 
merchants after the two-year period of the market test. Id. at 6-7.
    Revenues. The Postal Service does not anticipate revenues from 
IMRS-NPR to exceed $10 million in any year, subject to inflation. Id. 
at 7; see 39 U.S.C. 3641(e). If circumstances change, the Postal 
Service states that it will seek further relief upon submission of an 
application for exemption from the $10 million limitation. Id. at 7.
    Market test scope. The Postal Service intends to offer IMRS-NPR for 
returns originating in Australia and Canada pursuant to amendments to 
bilateral agreements with the postal operators of these countries 
through the air parcel stream. Id. It states that it may negotiate 
additional bilateral agreements with other foreign postal operators to 
offer the same service for returns from other countries using either 
air parcels or EMS. Id. If the Postal Service executes such 
arrangements, it intends to provide notice to the Commission and 
furnish updated model contract, prices, and supporting financial 
information in this docket. Id.
    Data collection. The Postal Service states that data would be 
reported at quarterly intervals following the conclusion of the term of 
each agreement. Id. at 8. Spreadsheets would include the costs, 
revenues, and volumes associated with each agreement. Id.

III. Contents of Filing

    The notice includes the following attachments:
     Attachment 1--an application for non-public treatment of 
materials filed under seal;
     Attachment 2--Mail Classification Schedule language for 
IMRS-NPR;
     Attachment 3--a redacted copy of the IMRS Management 
Analysis; and
     Attachment 4--a redacted copy of the IMRS model customized 
global agreement.
    Materials filed under seal include unredacted copies of the IMRS 
Management Analysis, IMRS model customized global agreement, and 
supporting financial workpapers. Id. at 1. The Postal Service filed 
redacted versions of the financial workpapers as public Excel files.

IV. Notice of Filing

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2013-2 to consider matters 
raised by the Notice. It encourages interested persons to review the 
Notice for more details. Interested persons may submit comments on 
whether the Postal Service's filing in the captioned docket is 
consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3641. Comments are due no 
later than July 15, 2013. The filing can be accessed via the 
Commission's Web site (https://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Alison J.W. MacDonald to serve as Public 
Representative in this docket.

V. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2013-2 to consider 
matters raised by the Notice.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Alison J.W. MacDonald is appointed to 
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons are due no later than July 15, 
2013.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-16473 Filed 7-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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