New Standards to Enhance Package Visibility, 41721-41731 [2013-16524]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
III. The Petitioner
CampCo is an established wholesale
stocking master distributor of tritium
watches, knives, flashlights, binoculars,
law enforcement and outdoor gear,
located in Los Angeles, California.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
IV. Background
Section 30.15, ‘‘Certain items
containing byproduct material,’’ is a list
of exemptions from licensing
requirements for specific products with
specific radionuclide quantity limits
and, in some cases, other limits. Section
30.19, ‘‘Self-luminous products
containing tritium, krypton-85, or
promethium-147,’’ is a class exemption
for self-luminous products containing
certain radionuclides that can be used to
create light. A class exemption covers a
class of products for which a specific
product must be approved through the
licensing process, which involves
providing safety information about the
product and demonstrating that the
product meets a number of safety
criteria. Paragraph (c) in 10 CFR 30.19
restricts the use of the exemption in
paragraph 30.19(a), indicating that the
exemption does not apply to tritium,
krypton-85, or promethium-147 used in
products primarily for frivolous
purposes or in toys or adornments.
Section 32.22, ‘‘Self-luminous products
containing tritium, krypton-85 or
promethium-147: Requirements for
license to manufacture, process,
produce, or initially transfer.’’ contains
the requirements for an applicant who
wishes to obtain a license to distribute
a product for use under the exemption
in 10 CFR 30.19. Paragraph (b) of that
section indicates that the Commission
may deny an application for a specific
license if the end uses of the product
cannot be reasonably foreseen. The
petitioner notes that the NRC has
previously denied approval of products
because end uses of the product could
not be reasonably foreseen.
V. Proposed Actions
The specific actions requested by the
petitioner are:
(1) To amend 10 CFR 30.15 to add a
specific exemption for tritium markers
with maximum activity of 25 millicuries
(925 mBq) of tritium;
(2) To amend 10 CFR 30.19(c) to add
that tritium markers used to label
equipment are not considered to be toys
or adornments and shall not be sold as
such; and
(3) To amend 10 CFR 32.22(b) to
include a statement that an applicant
cannot be denied a device registration or
license if they have adequately
demonstrated that the criteria in the
applicable regulations have been met.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
The petitioner contends that the
statement in 10 CFR 32.22(b), allowing
denial of an application if the end use
of the product cannot be reasonably
foreseen, is a subjective statement
without specific criteria and that it is
unfair to deny applications based upon
subjective statements where the criteria
are not codified in the regulations. The
petitioner also states that the term
‘‘frivolous use’’ is not clearly defined in
the NRC’s policy statement on consumer
products (March 16, 1965, 30 FR 3462;
proposed revision October 14, 2011, 76
FR 63957) or in NRC’s guidance and
that there are no detailed criteria used
to make determinations.
VI. Request for Comment
The NRC has determined that the
petition meets the threshold sufficiency
requirements for a petition for
rulemaking under § 2.802, ‘‘Petition for
rulemaking,’’ and the petition has been
docketed as PRM–32–8. The NRC is
requesting public comments on the
petition for rulemaking.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day
of July 2013.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Rochelle C. Bavol,
Acting Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2013–16652 Filed 7–10–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Standards to Enhance Package
Visibility
Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Postal Service is
proposing to revise Mailing Standards
of the United States Postal Service,
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to
require the use of Intelligent Mail®
package barcodes (IMpb) on all
commercial parcels, and to require the
transmission of supporting electronic
documentation including piece-level
address or ZIP+4® Code information
effective January 2014. In January 2015
the complete destination delivery
address or an 11-digit delivery point
validated ZIP Code will be required in
the electronic documentation.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
August 1, 2013.
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. You may
inspect and photocopy all written
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
41721
comments at USPS® Headquarters
Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th
Floor North, Washington, DC, by
appointment only, between 9 a.m. and
4 p.m., Monday through Friday by
calling 1–202–268–2906 in advance.
Email comments, containing the name
and address of the commenter, may be
sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov,
with a subject line of ‘‘Package
Visibility.’’ Faxed comments are not
accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Juliaann Hess at 202–268–7663 or Kevin
Gunther at 202–268–7208.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal
Service continues to enhance its
operational capability to scan Intelligent
Mail package barcodes (IMpb) and other
extra services barcodes via automated
processing equipment and Intelligent
Mail scanning devices. Full
implementation of the Postal Service’s
package strategy relies on the
availability of piece-level information
provided through the widespread use of
IMpb.
IMpb can offer a number of benefits
to mailers by providing piece-level
visibility throughout USPS processing
and delivery operations. Benefits of
IMpb use include:
• A routing code to facilitate the
processing of packages on automated
sorting equipment.
• A channel-specific Application
Identifier (AI) that associates the
barcode to the payment method,
supporting revenue assurance.
• A 3-digit service type code, which
will identify the exact mail class and
service combination, eliminating the
need for multiple barcodes on a
package.
• An option to use a 6-digit or 9-digit
numeric Mailer ID (MID), to
accommodate all mailers.
• The ability to nest packages to
containers and sacks, increasing
visibility for aggregate units as well as
packages moving through the network.
• Access to tracking information at no
additional charge for most products.
• Access to new products, services
and enhanced features.
Mailing standards recently added to
the DMM now require an IMpb on all
commercial parcels, except Standard
Mail® parcels, claiming presort or
destination-entry prices and all parcels
of any class including tracking, and all
mailpieces of any shape requesting extra
services. The Postal Service will now
advance its package strategy by
proposing new standards requiring an
IMpb on all remaining commercial
parcels, and requiring the transmission
of supporting electronic documentation,
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
41722
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
including piece-level address
information, to the USPS.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Advanced Notice
The mailing industry was first
provided notice of the intent of the
Postal Service to require the mandatory
use of IMpb on all domestic parcels via
an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking, Federal Register notice (75
FR 56922–56923) on September 17,
2010. In response to input from the
mailing community, this broad
requirement was narrowed to apply
only to commercial parcels mailed at
presort or destination-entry prices and
to parcels bearing PC Postage®. On
January 27, 2013, the Postal Service
implemented this initial phase of its
package strategy by requiring IMpb use,
including use of version 1.6 of the
electronic shipping services manifest,
for all commercial parcels (except
Standard Mail parcels) claiming presort
or destination-entry pricing and all
mailpieces including a trackable extra
service.
On February 26, 2013, the Postal
Service published a Federal Register
notice (78 FR 13006–13007) in which it
announced its intention to require an
IMpb on all remaining commercial
parcels. This notice also invited
comments from the mailing industry
and other interested individuals. The
Postal Service received several
comments in response to its advanced
notice of proposed rulemaking, which
are summarized later in this notice.
General IMpb Requirements
Technical and general specifications
for IMpb use are provided in
Publication 199, Intelligent Mail
Package Barcode (IMpb)
Implementation Guide for: Confirmation
Services and Electronic Verification
System (eVS) Mailers, and DMM
708.5.1. Mailing standards require
mailings of mailpieces bearing an IMpb
to:
1. Use a unique tracking barcode,
prepared in accordance with DMM
708.5.1, on each mailpiece,
2. Be accompanied by a version 1.6 of
the electronic Shipping Services File (or
subsequent versions) including required
data elements, and to
3. Include the correct destination
delivery address or ZIP+4 code for each
record in the Shipping Services File.
The Postal Service now proposes to
require an IMpb on all commercial
parcels. For the purposes of this notice,
commercial parcels are defined as any
item meeting the physical description of
a parcel in DMM 401, or an Express
Mail® or Priority Mail® piece of any
shape, size, or price category entered
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
through any commercial channel. This
includes pieces with postage paid by
permit imprint, postage meter, PC
Postage or precanceled stamps, and
would include pieces paying postage
through the Official Mail Accounting
System (OMAS) and franked mail. All
parcels mailed at Commercial Base® or
Commercial Plus® prices will also be
required to bear an IMpb. However,
parcels paid at the retail price and
inducted through a retail transaction,
Periodicals parcels, and Standard Mail
Marketing parcels sent as product
samples that bear a simplified address
or those that use a detached address
label (DAL) would not be required to
bear an IMpb.
The Postal Service proposes to allow,
with USPS approval, domestic Priority
Mail flats that are prepared in a highspeed environment to use an Intelligent
Mail barcode (IMbTM) in lieu of an IMpb
provided each of these pieces bear a
unique IMb, that cannot be reused for
180 days, and are supported by Mail.dat
or Mail.XML electronic documentation.
Mailers should note that mailpieces
entered under this authorization must
not include any extra service, including
USPS TrackingTM/Delivery
Confirmation. In addition, effective July
28, 2013, the Postal Service plans to
include, at no additional charge,
automatic insurance coverage on
domestic Priority Mail pieces bearing an
IMpb. Mailers should also note that
Priority Mail pieces entered under this
exception will not be eligible for
automatic insurance coverage. The
authorization to use an IMb instead of
an IMpb would not be applicable for
Priority Mail InternationalTM pieces or
domestic Express Mail or Express Mail
International® pieces.
At a future date, the Postal Service
expects to implement an exception
process for Bound Printed Matter (BPM)
parcels and Priority Mail that would
allow mailers to use Mail.dat instead of
Shipping Services File version 1.6 or
higher. This exception process will be
tied to the scheduled upgrades to USPS
systems that will allow for this
functionality. These upgrades are
expected to be completed by October
2013 for Bound Printed Matter and in
January 2014 for Priority Mail. Once
implemented, parcel mailers using
Mail.dat may use this file format to
submit electronic documentation to the
Postal Service to fulfill their IMpb
documentation requirements. The use of
Mail.dat will not be authorized when
mailers ship products and services that
exclusively require use of Shipping
Services file version 1.6 or higher.
Although it is expected that the
anticipated delay in implementation
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
until January 26, 2014 should eliminate
the need for most exceptions, the Postal
Service expects to provide limited
exceptions to the basic IMpb
requirements. Requests for exceptions
will be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. Mailers requesting an exception
must provide a plan to assure
compliance with standards within a
defined timeframe. Beginning on
January 26, 2014, any such requests
must be directed to the Vice President
of Sales for consideration.
Destination Delivery Addresses
The Postal Service now recognizes the
need for all parcels to be accompanied
by a complete destination delivery
address. This information will be a
critical element in future plans to
implement dynamic routing strategies
with USPS delivery operations. As a
result, the Postal Service proposes to
require mailers, effective January 25,
2015 to include the complete
destination delivery address (as
described in DMM 601.1.4) or an 11digit ZIP Code (validated by the USPS
delivery point validation (DPV®)
system, or an approved equivalent) in
their Shipping Services file, or other
approved electronic documentation.
Returns
The Postal Service proposes to require
a unique IMpb on all parcels using a
Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
label. The USPS currently provides a
cloud-based application that would
allow less sophisticated permit holders
to generate unique IMpb-compliant
MRS labels with a minimal level of
technological capability and software
support. This tool is expected to
adequately assist MRS permit-holders
and their customers in the generation of
IMpb-compliant labels. Except for
permit holders using MRS as part of a
PC Postage-based returns solution, MRS
permit holders will not generally be
required to submit shipping manifests to
support these mailpieces. Under these
proposed standards, MRS labels would
be required to use a concatenated IMpb
construct that includes the ZIP+4
routing code.
The Postal Service also proposes to
eliminate the option for any mailpiece
meeting physical characteristics of a
parcel in DMM 401 to include postage
paid by Business Reply Mail® (BRM).
Over time, BRM service has evolved
into a product that is operationally
aligned to accommodate cards, letters
and flats. As a result, BRM is no longer
an ideal product for use with parcelshaped mailpieces. If these standards
are adopted, BRM permit holders who
routinely receive parcel-shaped BRM
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
returns would be required to
discontinue this practice and to
transition to MRS or a USPS Returns
product for their parcel returns.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Express Mail
The Postal Service proposes to
generally require all Express Mail pieces
entered through any commercial
channel to be IMpb-compliant. This
requirement would exclude Express
Mail pieces entered as part of a retail
transaction, those with postage paid
through a postage meter imprint and
using a Label 11–B, and those entered
under an Express Mail Manifest (EMM)
system with postage paid by an Express
Mail Corporate Account (EMCA).
However, Express Mail pieces with
postage paid through a postage meter
imprint and using a Label 11–B will not
be eligible for Commercial Base or
Commercial Plus pricing. At a future
date, the Postal Service expects to
transition EMM mailers to the
Electronic Verification System (eVS®),
including an IMpb-compliance
requirement. The Postal Service is now
signaling its intention to require eVS for
EMM systems and anticipates
publishing the applicable standards in
the 2015 calendar year.
Standard Mail Parcels
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service will require
all Standard Mail Marketing parcels
(including those paid at nonprofit
prices) and all Nonprofit Standard Mail
parcels to bear an IMpb, or a unique
IMb. Regular and Nonprofit Standard
Mail parcels mailed as product samples
under DMM 443.6.0 would also be
required to bear an IMpb or a unique
IMb, with the exception of those using
detached address labels (DAL) and those
bearing simplified addresses. The Postal
Service is also offering the option to use
an IMb in lieu of an IMpb for all
Standard Mail parcels which are
presorted and containerized in 5-digit
sacks or other approved containers
prepared to the 5-digit level. When the
IMb option is selected, the package must
bear a unique IMb that cannot be reused
for 180 days. In situations where the
IMb is used in lieu of the IMpb, a
Mail.dat or Mail.XML file will be
accepted in lieu of a Shipping Service
File.
Mailers requesting USPS Tracking/
Delivery Confirmation service with
Standard Mail parcels would continue
to be assessed the electronic fee. Mailers
would also have the option of affixing
an IMpb-compliant mail class only
tracking barcode to their Standard Mail
parcels at no charge. Under either of
these IMpb options, mailers must use
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
version 1.6 or higher of the Shipping
Services File, including required data
elements, and must include the
destination delivery address or ZIP+4
code in the file.
Package Services
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service will require
all commercial BPM, Media Mail® and
Library Mail parcels to bear an IMpb.
When Media Mail and Library Mail
parcels are entered at retail, pay the
retail price and are entered through a
retail transaction the Postal Service will
apply an IMpb-compliant barcode, if
one is not already affixed. Mailers
requesting USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation service for their Package
Services parcels would continue to be
assessed the electronic fee. Mailers
would also have the option of affixing
an IMpb-compliant mail class only
tracking barcode to their Package
Services mailpieces at no charge.
Postage Meters
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service will require
all parcels bearing metered postage to
bear a unique IMpb, meet the Shipping
Services File requirements, and to
include the correct destination delivery
address or ZIP+4 code for each record
in the file. To support the less
sophisticated meter mailers, the Postal
Service plans to continue to provide
pre-printed IMpb-compliant labels to
mailers who are unable to print their
own labels. A special version of the
IMpb label will be made available to
customers who ship parcels but do not
use a postage meter capable of
transmitting electronic manifest and
address information. Use of these
preprinted USPS labels or other IMpbcompliant barcodes will be a
requirement for eligibility to ship USPS
parcel products.
Use of Non-IMpb Barcodes
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service plans to
implement a process to allow mailers to
temporarily use unique tracking
barcodes, prepared in a legacy format,
on parcels and mailpieces that include
extra services. Any such authorization
would be granted via an exception
process. Mailers requesting an exception
must be able to demonstrate their ability
to transmit piece-level documentation to
the Postal Service through a Shipping
Services File and to include a
destination delivery address or ZIP+4
code for each record in the file. These
exceptions are intended to provide
additional time, when needed, to
transition to the use of IMpb. If these
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
41723
proposed standards are adopted, all
mailers must be fully IMpb-compliant,
including use version 1.6 or higher of
the Shipping Services File, by January
25, 2015.
In addition, effective July 28, 2013,
the Postal Service plans to include, at
no additional charge, automatic
insurance coverage on domestic Priority
Mail pieces bearing an IMpb. Mailers
should also note that Priority Mail
pieces bearing barcodes prepared in the
legacy format will not be eligible for
automatic insurance coverage.
Electronic Documentation
If these proposed standards are
adopted, mailers will be required to
include information in their electronic
documentation that identifies the
mailing agent and mail owner (i.e. by/
for mailing relationship). When mailing
agents make mailings on behalf of one
or more clients (mail owners) a request
must be made for a unique mailer ID
(MID) for each client to designate
package ownership. Both eVS and noneVS mailing agents must assign a
unique MID for each client. This MID
will be used exclusively for that client,
for mailings with that particular mailing
agent. Fields are provided in Shipping
Services File version 1.6 or higher,
Mail.dat and Mail.XML for this purpose.
The Postal Service defines these entities
as follows:
• Mail Owner: The mail owner is the
business entity, organization, or
individual who makes business
decisions regarding the parcel or
mailpiece content, directly benefits from
the mailing, and ultimately pays for
postage on the mailpiece directly or by
way of a mailing agent.
• Mailing Agent: The mailing agent is
a business entity, consolidator,
organization, or individual acting on
behalf of one or more mail owners by
providing mailing services for which the
mail owners compensate the mailing
agent. A business entity, organization,
or individual whose services define it as
a mailing agent may also be considered
a mail owner, but only for its own mail
or the mail of its subsidiaries. Mailing
agents include, but are not limited to
parcel consolidators, printers, address
list providers/managers mail preparers,
postage payment providers, mailing
logistics providers, mailing tracking
providers, ad agencies, and mailing
information managers.
Conforming Mailer Identification
Numbers
If these proposed standards are
adopted, all mailers using an IMpb will
be required to use a conforming mailer
MID. Mailers who are not currently
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
41724
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
compliant with this requirement must
obtain and use a conforming MID as
soon as possible and must use a
conforming MID by January 26, 2014.
A MID is considered to be compliant
when the following requirements are
met:
• A conforming six-digit MID must
begin with 0 through 8.
• A conforming nine-digit MID must
begin with 9.
Questions about converting to
conforming MIDs may be directed to the
National Customer Support Center
(NCSC) by calling 877–264–9693, and
selecting option 3.
Shipping Services File
Electronic documentation
requirements in support of IMpb
include the use of Shipping Services file
version 1.6 or higher, identifying
serialization of each parcel or trackable
Extra Services mailpiece supported by
the file and destination delivery address
information or accurate ZIP+4 code for
each record in the file. Shipping
Services Files must be transmitted to the
Postal Service prior to the physical
presentation of the mailing for
acceptance. Mailers will be required to
correctly populate Shipping Services
electronic manifest files with the piece
level detail information that describes
the parcels and mailpieces being
shipped. The Postal Service expects to
simplify the requirements to populate
data fields. All mailers will be required
to use the same rules as those for eVS
mailers for determining which data
fields must be populated. In addition to
accurate piece level information, the
proper definition of the mailing by/for
relationship and the use of a conforming
MID, Shipping Services files include the
following fields:
• Transaction ID (TID). This is a
unique 12-digit number assigned to
associate Shipping Services File
manifests to file transmissions. The TID
must also be included on the Postage
Statement and must match the Shipping
Services manifest file for the
corresponding mailing. The TID field
must follow the format of
YYYYMMDD####, where YYYY is the
year, MM is the month, DD is the date,
and ‘####’ is the numeric sequence
number.
• Payment Account number. This is
the USPS account number from which
the mailing will be paid.
• Method of payment. This is the
approved payment method (permit
imprint, postage meter, PC Postage,
OMAS, franked mail and stamps) for the
mail being entered.
• Post Office of Account. This is the
5-digit ZIP Code of the Post Office
issuing the permit number, meter
license, or precanceled stamp, and
should agree with the information on
the postage statement.
Electronic Nesting Data
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service will strongly
encourage, but not require, mailers to
provide an electronic association
between IMpb piece-level record and
Intelligent Mail tray labels and/or
Intelligent Mail container placards.
However, the Postal Service may require
these electronic associations for certain
products or price categories at a future
date. Technical requirements for the
electronic association of parcels to
containers will be provided in
Publication 199.
Noncompliant Mailpieces
In response to recommendations
made by a group of mailing industry
and Postal Service representatives, the
Postal Service is proposing to
implement a process to apply a
schedule of gradually increasing
compliance thresholds for mailings
including mailpieces without IMpb-
compliant barcodes, without a
compliant destination delivery address
or ZIP+4 code in the electronic
documentation for each mailpiece or not
supported by an approved Shipping
Services file (or a Shipping Services file
with missing or erroneous data
elements), or authorized alternative
documentation. The Postal Service
proposes to apply these compliance
thresholds at the manifest level for PC
Postage and postage meter mailings, and
at the postage statement level for permit
imprint or precanceled stamp mailings.
A new sampling procedure for barcode
evaluation is expected to be added to
the current acceptance process for the
purpose of evaluating compliance with
these new barcode thresholds. Barcode
and file compliance will be measured
against the specifications defined in
Publication 199. Shipping Services files
will be subject to census data evaluation
for file version and required elements
within the file. Assessments for noneVS packages are expected to be due at
the time of mailing. eVS mailers will be
assessed monthly for non-compliant
mailpieces in excess of the established
thresholds. For any mailing, compliance
can be calculated separately for each of
the three compliance categories. MRS
and other returns mailpieces will be
sampled for compliance under these
new proposed compliance thresholds at
the facility where the pieces are rated
and/or prepared for shipment to the
permit holder. When a mailing fails
more than one compliance category, the
per piece adjustment will be assessed
against category yielding the highest
number of noncompliant pieces.
Noncompliant pieces will be assessed
the fee adjustment only once, even
when failing more than one compliance
category. The Postal Service proposes
enforcement of compliance thresholds
as follows:
January 2014
(percent)
Compliance category
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Unique Trackable Barcode ..............................................................................................
ZIP+4 Code or Destination Delivery Address in the File ................................................
Shipping Services File 1.6 or Higher, Including Required Data Elements .....................
The Postal Service also proposes to
implement a per piece price
adjustments for noncompliant pieces,
instead of driving noncompliant pieces
to retail pricing. The amount of any
such piece-level price adjustment(s) or
assessment(s), and the methodology of
their application have not yet been
determined. In accordance with the
Postal Accountability and Enhancement
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
Act, the Postal Service will file a Notice
with the Postal Regulatory Commission
(PRC) if it chooses to adopt this per
piece price proposal. Regulatory review
will take up to 45 days from the date of
that filing; and the Postal Service will
proceed based on the results of that
review.
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service currently
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
July 2014
(percent)
98
93
95
January 2015
(percent)
99
96
98
100
100
100
plans to replace its rules that disqualify
IMpb-noncompliant pieces for presort or
destination entry prices with a process
that assesses per piece price
adjustments for IMpb-noncompliant
pieces. Mailer compliance with the
requirement to define the by/for
relationships will be deferred to a future
date in calendar year 2014.
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
If these compliance thresholds and
price adjustments are adopted,
enforcement of such thresholds and
price adjustments will be expected to
begin on January 26, 2014.
Implementation Date
If these proposed standards are
adopted, the Postal Service expects to
implement the requirements described
in this notice on or about January 26,
2014. In response to the comments
offered in response to the February 26,
2013 Federal Register notice, the Postal
Service has delayed implementation in
order to provide more time for mailers
to prepare for the transition. Many
mailers and mail service providers have
already made the changes necessary to
support IMpb use for other mail classes
and price categories, and for these
mailers much of the significant
preparation has already been completed.
Therefore, the Postal Service believes
that it has provided sufficient
notification to the mailing industry,
from the date of publication of the
February 26, 2013 Federal Register
notice to the proposed January 26, 2014
implementation date, to allow mailers to
prepare their systems.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Hazardous, Perishable and Restricted
Materials
If these proposed standards are
adopted, mailers inducting parcels
containing mailable hazardous material
or mailable live animals will be required
to include an indicator in the
appropriate field of the Shipping
Services File, or other authorized
electronic documentation, identifying
each applicable mailpiece as containing
either hazardous material or live
animals. MRS and other returns
mailpieces containing hazardous
materials will be required to bear a
unique IMpb barcode, including a
specific 3-digit service type code
specifying the class of mail and
identifying the mailpiece as containing
hazardous material. The Postal Service
is also developing similar identifying
indicators to provide enhanced
visibility of shipments containing
cremated remains. The Postal Service
expects to have these indicators
available in the 2014 calendar year.
Certified Mail and Registered Mail
Service
If these proposed standards are
adopted the Postal Service plans to
provide new Certified Mail® and
Registered MailTM ‘‘banner only’’ labels
to help identify these specific products
when used in an IMpb-compliant
format. The Postal Service also plans to
limit Certified Mail service to use with
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
First-Class Mail® only. The Postal
Services expects this limitation to
simplify the Extra Service options
available to mailers and also reduce the
number of service type codes associated
with these products. The Postal Service
also expects to provide a new option for
mailers to combine restricted delivery
service with Signature ConfirmationTM
service. This new option is expected to
be effective on January 26, 2014, and
will be introduced as part of a separate
Federal Register notice. The
combination of restricted delivery
service with Signature Confirmation
service will provide an option for
mailers to restrict delivery of Priority
Mail, First-Class Package ServiceTM,
Package Services, Standard PostTM and
Parcel Select® pieces without also
having to purchase insurance for more
than $200 to obtain this service.
Comments and USPS Responses
The Postal Service received a total of
thirteen comments in response to the
February 26, 2013 Federal Register
notice, with some comments addressing
more than a single issue. In general,
commenters relate their recognition of
the value that the enhanced visibility
and tracking data provided by IMpb
provides to mailers and the Postal
Service. These comments are
summarized as follows:
General Comments
Comment: One commenter asks if the
use of Coding Accuracy Support System
(CASSTM) address matching software
will be required with IMpb use.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, the use of CASS
software is not expected to be required
as a condition of IMpb use, however it
will be strongly encouraged. When a
mailer chooses to provide a ZIP+4 code
instead of an address in the shipping
manifest, the mailer must ensure the
ZIP+4 code is valid for each address.
The Postal Service intends to implement
processes to validate the accuracy of
ZIP+4 code information provided in
shipping manifests. CASS products are
integral to many customers’ business
processes and the shipments they tender
to USPS. Including a CASS process for
mailings that use IMpb will improve
deliverability, reduce waste and provide
benefits similar to those associated with
letter and flat mailings. When mailers
use addresses instead of ZIP+4 codes,
the Postal Service will validate these
addresses relative to the Address
Management System (AMS) database
and will provide feedback to customers
via Shipping Services Confirmation
Error/Warning files.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
41725
Comment: A commenter asks if the
IMpb requirements will extend to Media
Mail and Library Mail with metered
postage.
USPS Response: Yes, if these
standards are adopted customers
mailing Media Mail and Library Mail
pieces paid with metered postage will
be required to comply with the IMpb
requirements. However, the Postal
Service recognizes that some small
businesses using postage meters will be
unable to comply with all IMpb
requirements, which include the use of
Shipping Services File version 1.6 or
higher and the inclusion of a destination
delivery address or a ZIP+4 code in the
file. As a result, the Postal Service plans
to make preprinted IMpb-compliant
barcodes available for such small
volume meter customers.
Comment: A commenter asks why
machinable presorted BPM parcels that
receive no tracking are required to meet
the same IMpb requirements as that for
other parcels that receive tracking at no
charge. This commenter states that
presorted BPM is not a shipping service,
and asks if the Postal Service is trying
to standardize the requirements for all
parcels.
USPS Response: The Postal Service
has not contemplated the
standardization of parcel mail classes
with regard to content eligibility,
preparation requirements, and similar
characteristics. However, the benefits of
IMpb, to both mailers and the Postal
Service, are generally applicable to
every parcel class and product. The
general use of unique IMpb barcodes
will allow the Postal Service to manage
service and delivery performance to
improve the customer experience and
business outcome for all shippers,
including catalog mailers. As a function
of these operational improvements, the
Postal Service expects the expanded use
of IMpb to contribute to greater pricing
stability for all parcel mailers.
Specifically, the widespread use IMpb
including the associated files and
related address information is expected
to automate and simplify USPS
distribution processes, and aid in the
management and predictability of
workloads for all postal products. In
addition, IMpb usage will allow the
Postal Service to automate its data
collection processes for each product
and payment channel, providing for
more accurate costing and pricing data.
Comment: A commenter requests that
the Postal Service provide more support
to help mailers understand the new
IMpb requirements.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, the Postal
Service plans to host monthly webinars
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
41726
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
and provide technical assistance to
assist mailers with their transition to
IMpb. The Postal Service will also
compile a listing of qualified vendors
who can assist customers in complying
with IMpb requirements.
Comment: A commenter relates that
their local Post Office currently has
trouble with the tracking, mailing and
delivery of the commenter’s parcels, and
opines that the new IMpb would be
more expense to mailers without
enough of an improvement in quality.
USPS Response: The features of IMpb,
especially the inclusion of addressing
information in the file, greatly improve
the ability of the Postal Service to
provide excellent service while driving
down costs. It is recommended that this
commenter address their operational
issues with their local postmaster and
their district manager, Business Mail
Entry. Contact information for the
manager, Business Mail Entry can be
obtained from the locator/lookup tool
on the Rapid Information Bulletin Board
(RIBBS®) at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Comment: Several commenters
request that the Postal Service
specifically define what it means by the
use of the term ‘‘commercial parcel,’’
especially in regards to Priority Mail,
Standard Mail and MRS pieces.
USPS Response: For the purposes of
this notice, commercial parcels are
defined as any item meeting the
physical description of a parcel in DMM
401, or an Express Mail or Priority Mail
piece of any shape or size, entered
through any commercial channel. This
includes pieces with postage paid by
permit imprint, postage meter, PC
Postage or precanceled stamps, and
would include pieces paying postage
through the Official Mail Accounting
System (OMAS) and franked mail.
Comment: A commenter states that
mailers using self-service shipping
options require a solution to implement
these new standards that do not
introduce new steps or require the entry
of additional information into the
shipping process.
USPS Response: The Postal Service
offers options, such as Click-N-Ship for
Business®, that allow mailers preparing
their own parcels to meet IMpb
requirements. Mailers using premium
shipping products such as Express Mail
and Priority Mail also have access to
Click-N-Ship. In addition, PC Postage
and other vendors offer IMpb-compliant
options for customers.
Comment: As a result of the
operational process changes and
significant capital investment required,
a mailer’s association urges the Postal
Service to not require compliance with
an enhanced package visibility mandate,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
and to make these standards optional
and incented through pricing and
service enhancements.
USPS Response: The Postal Service
recognizes the investments required and
timelines needed for mailers to prepare
their systems for the barcoding,
electronic documentation, and
addressing information required to
support IMpb. However, these
investments are expected to lead to
improved efficiency and consistency in
postal operations, translating to better
service, stable prices and an improved
customer experience. Some products
currently include full end-to-end
tracking, including confirmation of
delivery, at no charge. The Postal
Service is investigating the feasibility of
providing mailer access to IMpb
tracking and delivery data for additional
products at no charge, and offering
address correction service (ACS) at a
reduced price. To qualify for ACS
service at a reduced price, Shipping
Services file 1.7 or 2.0, including unique
piece-level destination delivery address
information or delivery point validated
11-digit ZIP Codes, would be required.
Comment: One commenter suggests
that the Postal Service should develop
its optical scanning technology to read
the delivery address instead of requiring
barcodes. This commenter opines that
the delivery address would have greater
value to the Postal Service than the
ZIP+4 code.
USPS Response: The Postal Service
has added scanning technology to the
majority of its parcel sorters that enable
this equipment to read address
information and to perform sortation
based on that address. However, the
barcode remains critical to the
maintenance of the address to package
association that will uniquely identify
each package throughout the processing
network and delivery chain. Barcoded
packages supported by electronic
information are industry standards and
a best practice to enable superior service
while managing costs.
Retail Parcels
Comment: One commenter asks if
retail-priced parcels will fall under the
IMpb requirements, be required to bear
a simple routing barcode, or have some
other requirement placed on them.
Another commenter asks if retail parcels
that request extra services, such as
Certified Mail® or Signature
ConfirmationTM, will be subject to the
IMpb requirements.
USPS Response: Parcels presented as
part of a retail transaction currently
have an IMpb-compliant barcode affixed
by the retail associate. The Postal
Service is also enhancing its systems to
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
electronically capture delivery address
or delivery point 11-digit ZIP Code
information for pieces where the IMpb
is affixed at retail. In the future, Point
of Service (POS) One terminals will
print IMpb-compliant extra services
barcodes dynamically or use preprinted
IMpb-compliant labels. Commercial
mailpieces paid at retail prices, but not
entered as part of a retail transaction as
described above, will be required to be
IMpb-compliant.
Standard Mail Parcels
Comment: Several commenters
request clarification on the intention of
the Postal Service with regard to
Standard Mail parcels. These
commenters request clarification on the
categories of Standard Mail parcels that
would be permitted to use an Intelligent
Mail barcode (IMb) in lieu of an IMpb.
Two commenters encourage the Postal
Service to adopt a policy of allowing the
use of IMb with a Mail.dat or Mail.XML
solution for Standard Mail parcels.
USPS Response: If these standards are
adopted, the Postal Service will require
all Standard Mail Marketing parcels
(including those paying nonprofit
prices) and all Nonprofit Standard Mail
parcels to bear an IMpb. Regular and
Nonprofit Standard Mail Marketing
parcels mailed as product samples
under DMM 443.6.0 are currently
required to use detached address labels
(DAL) or simplified addresses, and
therefore would not be required to meet
IMpb standards. When mailers apply,
and are granted the appropriate
exception, the Postal Service would
allow the use of an IMb in lieu of an
IMpb on Standard Mail parcels which
are presorted and containerized in 5digit sacks or other approved containers
prepared to the 5-digit level.
Electronic Verification System (eVS)
Comment: One commenter requests
assurances that the standards being
proposed would not affect eVS mailers,
and that eVS mailers would not be
required to use one barcode or the other,
or to report data in one format or the
other.
USPS Response: These standards are
proposed to apply to all mailers
shipping parcels through the Postal
Service, including those who pay via
eVS. If these standards are adopted, all
eVS mailers will be required to apply an
IMpb to each parcel, use Shipping
Services File version 1.6 or higher, and
include the destination delivery address
or ZIP+4 code in the manifest file. The
Postal Service is also proposing to
require the destination delivery address
or delivery point validated (DPV) 11-
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
digit ZIP Code to be included in the file
effective January 25, 2015.
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
Comment: Two commenters request
clarification regarding the proposed
requirements relating to MRS. One
commenter asks if MRS pieces would be
subject to the proposed IMpb standards,
and specifically requests MRS pieces to
be excluded from these new
requirements. This commenter states
that the production of MRS labels, each
bearing a unique IMpb, would be more
costly and time consuming to mailers.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, all parcels using
a MRS label will also be required to bear
a unique IMpb. The Postal Service
currently provides a cloud-based
application to assist MRS permitholders and their customers in the
generation of unique IMpb-compliant
labels.
Implementation Schedule
Comment: Several comments
responded to the Postal Service’s
proposal to implement these new
standards on or about July 28, 2013.
Two commenters state that a July 2013
implementation is both unreasonable
and unrealistic in that it provides an
insufficient timeframe for mailers to
prepare for the new requirements.
Another commenter requests the
opportunity to provide input into the
implementation timeline. One
commenter compares the proposed
implementation schedule of
approximately five months to the nearly
two-year lead time provided to the
presort and destination-entry mailers in
the previous IMpb implementation. One
commenter suggests that the Postal
Service establish a mailer technical
advisory council (MTAC) workgroup to
allow for the airing of mailers concerns
prior to finalizing its requirements and
implementation timeline.
USPS Response: To provide
customers more time to prepare for the
transition, if these standards are
adopted the Postal Service will delay
the implementation date to January 26,
2014. Because many mailers and mail
service providers have already made the
changes necessary to support IMpb use
for other mail classes and price
categories, it is expected that for many
mailers much of the preparation has
already been completed.
Electronic Nesting
Comment: Several commenters
responded to the Postal Service’s
reference to the feasibility of
electronically associating individual
parcel tracking numbers with specific
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
sacks, trays, pallets or similar
containers. Three commenters relate
that such a requirement could pose a
significant challenge to some mailers.
Two commenters state that the process
should be optional, and not required for
mailers who lack the resources or
capability to provide such data. Another
mailer’s association suggests that the
Postal Service consider providing
options to mailers based on their
operational capacity. This commenter
describes these options as full nesting
functionality for larger mailers, a
logical/virtual nesting option where
individual mailpieces could be
associated to a group of possible
containers, or a no-nesting option for
the less sophisticated mailers. These
commenters requested an opportunity to
supply input into any future decision by
the Postal Service to require the
electronic transmission of nesting data.
USPS Response: The Postal Service
does not expect to require mailers to
provide nesting information as a
condition of these proposed standards.
In most cases, it is expected that
electronic transmission of nesting data
to the Postal Service relating to IMpb
use will be optional. However, some
products, price categories or extra
services features may require the
transmission of nesting data as a
condition of qualification for that price
or service.
Exception Process
Comment: One mailer’s association
commends the Postal Service for its past
policy of providing exceptions to
specific elements of its IMpb
requirements, as needed, on a case-bycase basis. This commenter and others
express their desire for this policy to
continue going forward with the
implementation of these proposed
standards. Another commenter requests
that the Postal Service provide a
transition period of at least 12 months
from the mandatory implementation of
these proposed standards to afford
mailers the opportunity to effect the
changes needed to comply with the new
requirements.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, the Postal
Service will continue to offer limited
exceptions on a case-by-case basis when
mailers have provided a plan that
assures compliance with standards
within a defined timeframe. It is
expected that the proposed January 26,
2014 implementation date should also
eliminate the need for most exceptions.
After January 26, 2014, any such
requests for an exception must be
directed to the Vice President of Sales
for consideration.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
41727
Enforcement of Standards
Comment: A mailer’s association
suggests that the Postal Service establish
a separate rulemaking to establish
compliance thresholds, penalties and
other enforcement issues relating to
IMpb. This commenter asks the Postal
Service to remain cognizant of the
impact of these proposed standards
relative to the enforcement requirements
for IMb full-service. A commenter asks
that the Postal Service explicitly
confirm that the existing waivers and
extensions already approved for those
IMpb standards currently in place will
remain in effect. Another commenter
asks what the penalty will be for mailers
inducting commercial packages not
complying with the proposed
requirements. A commenter asks that
since the Postal Service proposes that
all commercial parcels must bear an
IMpb, will a surcharge for noncompliant
pieces still be an option.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, the Postal
Service plans to provide gradually
increasing compliance thresholds for
mail owners and mailing agents, applied
across timeframes specified by the
Postal Service. The Postal Service is also
proposing to apply per piece price
adjustments for noncompliant pieces,
instead of the current practice of
disqualifying noncompliant pieces for
all but retail prices. If the use of
compliance thresholds and price
adjustments are agreed upon at the
corporate level, enforcement of these
standards relative to compliance
thresholds and price adjustments are
planned to begin on January 26, 2014.
Postage Meter Mailers
Comment: Two postage meter vendors
state that they are in the development
stage of a lower cost alternative to the
shipping systems currently available to
meter mailers. One provider states that
this new alternative solution will not be
ready by July 2013, and requests an
extension for compliance of the
proposed standards for meter mailers
until January 2014. Another postage
meter vendor requests information
about the Postal Service’s
communication plans, and urges the
Postal Service to work collaboratively
with vendors in this regard.
USPS Response: The proposed
January 26, 2014 implementation date
provides additional time for mailers to
prepare their mailing systems, as
requested by this commenter. The Postal
Service plans to communicate these
proposed IMpb standards through the
usual mailer communications channels
and welcomes the opportunity to work
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
41728
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
with vendors. In the past, some vendors
have been reluctant to share their
customer lists. This is understandable
and the Postal Service will provide
standard language that vendors can use
to communicate the changes and
compliance dates to their customers.
Label 400/Extra Service Labels
Comment: Two commenters request
clarification of the Postal Service’s
intent with regards to meter mailers and
the use of Label 400, and other extra
service labels. These commenters ask if
Label 400 can be uploaded by electronic
means, associated to a particular
mailpiece, and if this would then allow
mailers to qualify for commercial parcel
prices. This commenter continues by
asking if an uploaded label process
would still require transmission of a
destination delivery address or ZIP+4
code and a mailer ID (MID) to the Postal
Service, and whether commercial prices
would be available when other extra
service labels are applied (e.g. Label
200, Registered Mail). This commenter
asks if meter mailers may similarly
apply USPS-provided Labels 11–B or
11–F to their mailpieces, upload the
barcode data to the Postal Service via
USPS-approved shipping manifests, and
have these mailpieces qualify for
commercial prices. This commenter also
asks if privately printed Certified Mail
labels must include the green coloration
used on USPS-provided PS Forms 3800.
Another commenter asks if the Postal
Service intends to provide preprinted,
IMpb-compliant extra service labels,
such as Certified Mail labels.
USPS Response: If these proposed
standards are adopted, each applicable
requirement must be met to be IMpbcompliant. These requirements include
the use of the IMpb barcode format, the
use of Shipping Services File version
1.6 or higher, and the inclusion of the
destination delivery address or ZIP+4
code in the file. In addition, the Postal
Service plans to continue to provide
pre-printed IMpb-compliant labels to
mailers who are unable to print their
own labels. A special version of the
IMpb label will be made available to
customers who ship parcels but do not
use a postage meter capable of
transmitting electronic manifest and
address information.
For Certified Mail and Registered
Mail, the green or red coloring will
continue to be required. However, the
Postal Service plans to provide new
Certified Mail and Registered Mail
‘‘banner only’’ labels to help identify
these specific products when used in an
IMpb-compliant format. Also, if these
standards are adopted, Certified Mail
will become eligible for First-Class Mail
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
only, which will simplify this option
and reduce the number of service type
codes associated with this product.
Comment Period
Note that the Postal Service has
established a 21-day comment period
for this proposed rule in order to assure
there is sufficient time to for mailers to
prepare their systems for a January 26,
2014 implementation if these proposed
standards are adopted.
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.
220
Priority Mail
223
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Priority Mail
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.3 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.3 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces (except
Critical Mail pieces without an extra
service) must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode prepared under
708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
300
Commercial Flats
*
*
310
Express Mail
*
*
*
313
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Express Mail
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:
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless
inducted through a retail transaction or
a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 111—[AMENDED]
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, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–
3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632,
3633, and 5001.
320
■
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)
*
*
*
Priority Mail
323
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Priority Mail
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
200
Commercial Letters and Cards
3.3 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.3 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces (except
Critical Mail pieces without an extra
service) must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode prepared under
708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
400
Commercial Parcels
210
Express Mail
*
*
213
Prices and Eligibility
401
Physical Standards
*
*
1.0
Physical Standards for Parcels
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Express Mail
*
*
1.5
Machinable Parcels
*
*
3.2
*
*
IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless
inducted through a retail transaction or
a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
1.5.2 Criteria for Lightweight
Machinable Parcels
A parcel that weighs less than 6
ounces (but not less than 3.5 ounces) is
machinable if it meets all of the
following conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
41729
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
[Delete 1.5.2b and resequence the
current 1.5.2c and 2d as the new 2b and
2c.]
*
*
*
*
*
2.0 Additional Standards by Class of
Mail
*
*
*
*
2.5
Unless prepared in 5-digit/scheme
containers, a surcharge applies to
presorted parcels that are irregularly
shaped, such as rolls, tubes, and
triangles.
*
*
*
*
*
3.0 Basic Standards for First-Class
Package Service Parcels
*
Parcel Select
*
*
*
*
*
3.3
Additional Basic Standards
3.4
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Express Mail
*
*
[Revise 3.4 as follows:]
All First-Class Package Service
parcels must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode (IMpb) prepared under
708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless
inducted through a retail transaction or
a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
420
Priority Mail
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
3.0
Basic Standards for Priority Mail
*
*
*
IMpb Standards
440
Standard Mail
443
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail
Parcels
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces, unless
inducted through a retail transaction or
a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
Each Standard Mail mailing is subject
to these general standards:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise 3.3g as follows:]
g. The IMpb applied to each Standard
Mail parcel must be correct for the
delivery address and must meet the
standards in 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
[Renumber the current 3.4 through 3.9
as the new 3.5 through 3.10, and add a
new 3.4 as follows:]
430
First-Class Package Service
3.4
433
Price and Eligibility
[Revise 3.4 as follows:]
All Standard Mail parcels, except
Standard Mail Marketing parcels mailed
as product samples, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
1.0 Prices and Fees for First-Class
Package Service
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
*
*
*
*
*
1.4 Commercial Plus Prices
First-Class Package Service
machinable parcels less than 16 ounces
and Merchandise Return Service parcels
are eligible for Commercial Plus prices
for customers that:
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete 1.4f in its entirety.]
1.5 Surcharge
[Revise and restructure 1.5 as
follows:]
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
3.0 Basic Standards for Parcel Select
Parcels
3.1
Service Objectives
IMpb Standards
4.0
Price Eligibility for Standard Mail
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete 4.4 in its entirety and
renumber the current 4.5 as the new
4.4.]
*
*
*
*
*
450
Parcel Select
*
*
PO 00000
Frm 00010
*
*
Fmt 4702
*
Sfmt 4702
Delivery and Return Addresses
All Parcel Select mailpieces must bear
a delivery address. The delivery address
on each piece must include the correct
ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. Alternative
addressing formats under 602.3.0 may
be used. Each piece must bear the
sender’s return address.
3.3
3.3 Additional Basic Standards for
Standard Mail
423
*
*
*
*
*
[Renumber the current section 453.3
as the new 453.4, and add a new section
453.3 as follows:]
3.2
Express Mail
413
*
*
The USPS does not guarantee the
delivery of Parcel Select mailpieces
within a specified time. Parcel Select
mailpieces might receive deferred
service. The local Post Office can
provide more information concerning
delivery times within its area.
410
*
Prices and Eligibility
All presorted First-Class Package
Service parcels must:
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete 3.3c in its entirety.]
2.5.1 General Standards
These standards apply to Parcel
Select:
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete 2.5.1c in its entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
*
453
IMpb Standards
All Parcel Select mailpieces must bear
an Intelligent Mail package barcode
(IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
4.0 Price Eligibility for Parcel Select
and Parcel Select Lightweight
4.1
Destination Entry Price Eligibility
*
*
4.1.2
*
*
*
Basic Standards
For Parcel Select destination entry,
pieces must meet the applicable
standards in 455.4.0 and the following
criteria:
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete renumbered 4.1.2f in its
entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
4.2 Parcel Select NDC and ONDC
Presort Price Eligibility
[Delete the last two sentences of
renumbered 4.2 in their entirety.]
4.3 Parcel Select Barcoded Nonpresort
Price Eligibility
[Delete the first sentence of the
introductory paragraph of renumbered
4.3.]
*
*
*
*
*
4.4
Parcel Select Lightweight
*
*
4.4.1
*
*
*
General Eligibility
Parcel Select Lightweight parcels are
presorted machinable or irregular
parcels. The following also applies:
*
*
*
*
*
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
41730
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
[Delete renumbered 4.41e in its
entirety, and renumber the renumbered
4.4.1f as the new renumbered 4.4.1e.]
*
*
*
*
*
460
Bound Printed Matter
463
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for
Bound Printed Matter
*
Additional Mailing Services
503
Extra Services
4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed
Matter Parcels
Price Eligibility
* * * Price categories are as follows:
*
*
*
*
[Revise 4.1b and 4.1c as follows:]
b. Presorted Price. The Presorted price
applies to BPM prepared in a mailing of
at least 300 BPM pieces, prepared and
presorted as specified in 465.5.0,
705.8.0, or 705.22.0.
c. Carrier Route Price. The Carrier
Route price applies to BPM prepared in
a mailing of at least 300 pieces presorted
to carrier routes, prepared and presorted
as specified in 465.6.0, or 705.8.0.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Eligible Matter
6.2.2
*
*
*
Eligible Matter
*
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
6.0 Price Eligibility for Media Mail
and Library Mail Parcels
*
*
*
*
*
6.2
Price Eligibility Standards
[Delete the second and third
sentences of 6.2 in their entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
8.2.2
*
*
*
*
*
Eligible Matter
Restricted Delivery service is
available for:
[Resequence the current 2b and 2c as
the new 2c and 2d, and revise 2a and
add a new 2b as follows:]
a. First-Class Mail when purchased
with Certified Mail, COD, insured mail
(for more than $200.00) or Registered
Mail service.
b. First-Class Package Service, and
Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail)
when purchased at the time of mailing
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4702
Basic Standards
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.2
Basic Information
All Media Mail and Library Mail
parcels, unless inducted through a retail
transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk,
must bear an Intelligent Mail package
barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Merchandise Return Service
*
8.2
IMpb Standards
*
Basic Information
*
*
2.4
*
6.2
*
*
Restricted Delivery
*
*
*
*
[Add a new 2.5 as follows:]
General Information
3.0
Basic Information
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise the title of 2.0 as follows:]
*
1.4
*
3.2
*
*
8.0
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
Return Receipt
*
*
*
*
473
Business Reply Mail (BRM)
*
*
3.2.2
*
2.0 Basic Standards for Media Mail
and Library Mail Parcels
Media Mail and Library Mail
Return Services
1.0
6.0
Certified Mail
Return receipt service is available for:
*
*
*
*
*
[Resequence the current 2c and 2d as
the new 2d and 2e, and revise 2b and
add a new 2c as follows:]
b. First-Class Mail when purchased
with Certified Mail, COD, insured mail
(for more than $200.00) or Registered
Mail service.
c. First-Class Package Service, and
Priority Mail (excluding Critical Mail)
when purchased at the time of mailing
with COD, insured mail (for more than
$200.00), or Registered Mail service.
*
*
*
*
*
470
505
[Revise 3.2.2 as follows:]
Only mailable matter prepaid with
postage at the First-Class Mail prices
may be sent as Certified Mail.
*
*
*
*
*
*
3.0
IMpb Standards
with COD, insured mail (for more than
$200.00), or Registered Mail service.
*
*
*
*
*
1.4.1 Description
[Revise the first sentence of, and add
a new second sentence to, 1.4.1 as
follows:]
Business Reply Mail (BRM) service
enables a permit holder to receive FirstClass Mail and Priority Mail back from
customers and pay postage and a per
piece fee for only the pieces returned.
BRM cards, envelopes, self-mailers, and
labels may be distributed by a BRM
permit holder in any quantity for return
to any Post Office in the United States
and its territories and possessions,
including military Post Offices overseas.
Only card-, letter- and flat-sized pieces
are eligible for BRM service. * * *
*
All BPM parcels must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
4.1
Media Mail and Library Mail prices
are based on the weight of the piece
without regard to zone. The price
categories and discounts are as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete 6.3c in its entirety.]
500
*
*
*
*
[Add a new 2.4 as follows:]
2.4
6.3 Price Categories for Media Mail
and Library Mail Parcels
Sfmt 4702
*
*
*
*
[Renumber the current 3.2.5 through
3.2.13 as the new 3.2.6 through 3.2.14,
and add a new 3.2.5 as follows:]
3.2.5 IMpb Standards
All MRS labels must bear a unique
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb)
prepared under 708.5.0.
*
*
*
*
*
3.3 Additional Standards for Permit
Holder
*
*
*
*
*
3.3.3 USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation
[Revise 3.3.3 as follows:]
USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation
service is optional, but provided
without charge for mailpieces bearing
authorized MRS labels. MRS labels
requesting USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation must meet the standards
in 503.11.0. USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation may be combined with
insurance and special handling, or both.
*
*
*
*
*
3.5.13 Format Elements
Format standards required for the
merchandise return label are shown in
Exhibit 3.5.13a through Exhibit 3.5.13d,
and described as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
Exhibit 3.5.13a Merchandise Return
Label With No Extra Services or With
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 133 / Thursday, July 11, 2013 / Proposed Rules
Insurance, Special Handling, or Pickup
on Demand Service (*see 3.5.13d)
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit
3.5.13a]
*
*
*
*
*
Exhibit 3.5.13b Merchandise Return
Label With Registered Mail Service
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit
3.5.13b]
*
*
*
*
*
Exhibit 3.5.13c Merchandise Return
Label With Mailing Acknowledgment
(*see 3.5.13d)
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit
3.5.13c]
*
*
*
*
*
Exhibit 3.5.13d Merchandise Return
Label With USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation Service
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit
3.5.13d]
*
*
*
*
*
700
Special Standards
*
*
*
*
*
705 Advanced Preparation and
Special Postage Payment Systems
*
*
*
*
*
7.0 Combining Package Services and
Parcel Select Parcels for Destination
Entry
7.1 Combining Parcels—DSCF and
DDU Entry
7.1.1 Qualification
[Delete the last three sentences of
7.1.1 in their entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
708
Technical Specifications
*
*
*
*
*
5.0 Standards for Package and Extra
Service Barcodes
Intelligent Mail Package Barcode
*
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
5.1
*
*
*
*
5.1.7 Electronic File
* * * Electronic files must include
the following elements:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise 5.1.7d as follows:]
d. Version 1.6 (or subsequent
versions) of the electronic shipping
services manifest files including each
destination delivery address or ZIP + 4
Code. Effective January 25, 2015,
shipping services manifests, or other
approved electronic documentation,
must include the destination delivery
address or delivery point validated
(DPV) 11-digit ZIP Code for each record
in the file.
[Delete the current 5.1.7e in its
entirety and add a new 7e as follows:]
e. Electronic shipping manifest files,
or approved alternative electronic
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:07 Jul 10, 2013
Jkt 229001
documentation, must include data
identifying the mailing agent and mail
owner, as applicable.
*
*
*
*
*
41731
extend the notification date from July 1
to December 31, 2013, due to new
uncertainties that complicate its
decision related to BART compliance.
These uncertainties result from a recent
5.2 Other Package Barcodes
decision by the Arizona Corporation
Commission to explore retail
5.2.1 Basic Standards for Postal
competition of the electricity market in
Routing Barcodes
Arizona. Because the basis provided by
[Revise the first sentence of 5.2.1 as
APS for an extended notification date is
follows:]
reasonable and justified given the
A separate postal routing barcode may
uncertainties in the electrical market in
be used on parcels to provide routing
Arizona, EPA is proposing to extend the
information, when used in conjunction
date by which APS must notify EPA of
with an IMpb.
its BART compliance strategy, from July
*
*
*
*
*
1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. EPA is
We will publish an appropriate
not proposing to amend any other
amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect requirements in the FIP for FCPP.
these changes if our proposal is
DATES: Comments must be postmarked
adopted.
no later than August 12, 2013.
Stanley F. Mires,
ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
identified by docket number EPA–R09–
OAR–2013–0489, by one of the
[FR Doc. 2013–16524 Filed 7–10–13; 8:45 am]
following methods:
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2) Email: r9_airplanning@epa.gov.
AGENCY
(3) Mail or deliver: Anita Lee (Air–2),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
40 CFR Part 49
Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San
[EPA–R09–OAR–2013–0489; FRL–9830–5]
Francisco, CA 94105–3901.
Instructions: All comments will be
Source Specific Federal
included in the public docket without
Implementation Plan for Implementing
change and may be made available
Best Available Retrofit Technology for
online at www.regulations.gov,
Four Corners Power Plant; Navajo
including any personal information
Nation; Extension of Notification
provided, unless the comment includes
Deadline
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
restricted by statute. Information that
Agency (EPA).
you consider CBI or otherwise protected
ACTION: Proposed rule.
should be clearly identified as such and
SUMMARY: On August 24, 2012, EPA took should not be submitted through
final action to promulgate a Federal
www.regulations.gov or email.
Implementation Plan (FIP) to implement www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous
the Best Available Retrofit Technology
access’’ system, and EPA will not know
(BART) requirement of the Regional
your identity or contact information
Haze Rule for the Four Corners Power
unless you provide it in the body of
Plant (FCPP), located on the Navajo
your comment. If you send an email
Nation. EPA’s final action required the
directly to EPA, your email address will
owners of FCPP to choose between two
be automatically captured and included
strategies for compliance: compliance
as part of the public comment. If EPA
with the emission limits in EPA’s final
cannot read your comment due to
BART determination; or compliance
technical difficulties and cannot contact
with an alternative to BART, originally
you for clarification, EPA may not be
put forth by the owners of FCPP, that
able to consider your comment.
Docket: The index to the docket for
included closure of Units 1, 2, and 3 at
this action is available electronically at
FCPP and installation of new air
www.regulations.gov and in hard copy
pollution controls to meet BART limits
at EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street,
on Units 4 and 5. EPA’s final action
San Francisco, California. While
required the owners of FCPP to provide
documents in the docket are listed in
notification to EPA by July 1, 2013, of
its selection of which BART compliance the index, some information may be
publicly available only at EPA Region 9
strategy it would implement at FCPP.
(e.g., maps, voluminous reports,
On June 19, 2013, Arizona Public
copyrighted material), and some may
Service (APS), the operator and a conot be publicly available in either
owner of FCPP, requested that EPA
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
E:\FR\FM\11JYP1.SGM
11JYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 133 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41721-41731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16524]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Standards to Enhance Package Visibility
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to
require the use of Intelligent Mail[supreg] package barcodes (IMpb) on
all commercial parcels, and to require the transmission of supporting
electronic documentation including piece-level address or ZIP+4[supreg]
Code information effective January 2014. In January 2015 the complete
destination delivery address or an 11-digit delivery point validated
ZIP Code will be required in the electronic documentation.
DATES: Submit comments on or before August 1, 2013.
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. You may inspect and photocopy all written
comments at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW.,
11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only, between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday by calling 1-202-268-2906 in advance.
Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may
be sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of ``Package
Visibility.'' Faxed comments are not accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juliaann Hess at 202-268-7663 or Kevin
Gunther at 202-268-7208.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service continues to enhance its
operational capability to scan Intelligent Mail package barcodes (IMpb)
and other extra services barcodes via automated processing equipment
and Intelligent Mail scanning devices. Full implementation of the
Postal Service's package strategy relies on the availability of piece-
level information provided through the widespread use of IMpb.
IMpb can offer a number of benefits to mailers by providing piece-
level visibility throughout USPS processing and delivery operations.
Benefits of IMpb use include:
A routing code to facilitate the processing of packages on
automated sorting equipment.
A channel-specific Application Identifier (AI) that
associates the barcode to the payment method, supporting revenue
assurance.
A 3-digit service type code, which will identify the exact
mail class and service combination, eliminating the need for multiple
barcodes on a package.
An option to use a 6-digit or 9-digit numeric Mailer ID
(MID), to accommodate all mailers.
The ability to nest packages to containers and sacks,
increasing visibility for aggregate units as well as packages moving
through the network.
Access to tracking information at no additional charge for
most products.
Access to new products, services and enhanced features.
Mailing standards recently added to the DMM now require an IMpb on
all commercial parcels, except Standard Mail[supreg] parcels, claiming
presort or destination-entry prices and all parcels of any class
including tracking, and all mailpieces of any shape requesting extra
services. The Postal Service will now advance its package strategy by
proposing new standards requiring an IMpb on all remaining commercial
parcels, and requiring the transmission of supporting electronic
documentation,
[[Page 41722]]
including piece-level address information, to the USPS.
Advanced Notice
The mailing industry was first provided notice of the intent of the
Postal Service to require the mandatory use of IMpb on all domestic
parcels via an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, Federal Register
notice (75 FR 56922-56923) on September 17, 2010. In response to input
from the mailing community, this broad requirement was narrowed to
apply only to commercial parcels mailed at presort or destination-entry
prices and to parcels bearing PC Postage[supreg]. On January 27, 2013,
the Postal Service implemented this initial phase of its package
strategy by requiring IMpb use, including use of version 1.6 of the
electronic shipping services manifest, for all commercial parcels
(except Standard Mail parcels) claiming presort or destination-entry
pricing and all mailpieces including a trackable extra service.
On February 26, 2013, the Postal Service published a Federal
Register notice (78 FR 13006-13007) in which it announced its intention
to require an IMpb on all remaining commercial parcels. This notice
also invited comments from the mailing industry and other interested
individuals. The Postal Service received several comments in response
to its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, which are summarized
later in this notice.
General IMpb Requirements
Technical and general specifications for IMpb use are provided in
Publication 199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation
Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Verification System
(eVS) Mailers, and DMM 708.5.1. Mailing standards require mailings of
mailpieces bearing an IMpb to:
1. Use a unique tracking barcode, prepared in accordance with DMM
708.5.1, on each mailpiece,
2. Be accompanied by a version 1.6 of the electronic Shipping
Services File (or subsequent versions) including required data
elements, and to
3. Include the correct destination delivery address or ZIP+4 code
for each record in the Shipping Services File.
The Postal Service now proposes to require an IMpb on all
commercial parcels. For the purposes of this notice, commercial parcels
are defined as any item meeting the physical description of a parcel in
DMM 401, or an Express Mail[supreg] or Priority Mail[supreg] piece of
any shape, size, or price category entered through any commercial
channel. This includes pieces with postage paid by permit imprint,
postage meter, PC Postage or precanceled stamps, and would include
pieces paying postage through the Official Mail Accounting System
(OMAS) and franked mail. All parcels mailed at Commercial Base[supreg]
or Commercial Plus[supreg] prices will also be required to bear an
IMpb. However, parcels paid at the retail price and inducted through a
retail transaction, Periodicals parcels, and Standard Mail Marketing
parcels sent as product samples that bear a simplified address or those
that use a detached address label (DAL) would not be required to bear
an IMpb.
The Postal Service proposes to allow, with USPS approval, domestic
Priority Mail flats that are prepared in a high-speed environment to
use an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMbTM) in lieu of an IMpb
provided each of these pieces bear a unique IMb, that cannot be reused
for 180 days, and are supported by Mail.dat or Mail.XML electronic
documentation. Mailers should note that mailpieces entered under this
authorization must not include any extra service, including USPS
TrackingTM/Delivery Confirmation. In addition, effective
July 28, 2013, the Postal Service plans to include, at no additional
charge, automatic insurance coverage on domestic Priority Mail pieces
bearing an IMpb. Mailers should also note that Priority Mail pieces
entered under this exception will not be eligible for automatic
insurance coverage. The authorization to use an IMb instead of an IMpb
would not be applicable for Priority Mail InternationalTM
pieces or domestic Express Mail or Express Mail International[supreg]
pieces.
At a future date, the Postal Service expects to implement an
exception process for Bound Printed Matter (BPM) parcels and Priority
Mail that would allow mailers to use Mail.dat instead of Shipping
Services File version 1.6 or higher. This exception process will be
tied to the scheduled upgrades to USPS systems that will allow for this
functionality. These upgrades are expected to be completed by October
2013 for Bound Printed Matter and in January 2014 for Priority Mail.
Once implemented, parcel mailers using Mail.dat may use this file
format to submit electronic documentation to the Postal Service to
fulfill their IMpb documentation requirements. The use of Mail.dat will
not be authorized when mailers ship products and services that
exclusively require use of Shipping Services file version 1.6 or
higher.
Although it is expected that the anticipated delay in
implementation until January 26, 2014 should eliminate the need for
most exceptions, the Postal Service expects to provide limited
exceptions to the basic IMpb requirements. Requests for exceptions will
be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Mailers requesting an exception
must provide a plan to assure compliance with standards within a
defined timeframe. Beginning on January 26, 2014, any such requests
must be directed to the Vice President of Sales for consideration.
Destination Delivery Addresses
The Postal Service now recognizes the need for all parcels to be
accompanied by a complete destination delivery address. This
information will be a critical element in future plans to implement
dynamic routing strategies with USPS delivery operations. As a result,
the Postal Service proposes to require mailers, effective January 25,
2015 to include the complete destination delivery address (as described
in DMM 601.1.4) or an 11-digit ZIP Code (validated by the USPS delivery
point validation (DPV[supreg]) system, or an approved equivalent) in
their Shipping Services file, or other approved electronic
documentation.
Returns
The Postal Service proposes to require a unique IMpb on all parcels
using a Merchandise Return Service (MRS) label. The USPS currently
provides a cloud-based application that would allow less sophisticated
permit holders to generate unique IMpb-compliant MRS labels with a
minimal level of technological capability and software support. This
tool is expected to adequately assist MRS permit-holders and their
customers in the generation of IMpb-compliant labels. Except for permit
holders using MRS as part of a PC Postage-based returns solution, MRS
permit holders will not generally be required to submit shipping
manifests to support these mailpieces. Under these proposed standards,
MRS labels would be required to use a concatenated IMpb construct that
includes the ZIP+4 routing code.
The Postal Service also proposes to eliminate the option for any
mailpiece meeting physical characteristics of a parcel in DMM 401 to
include postage paid by Business Reply Mail[supreg] (BRM). Over time,
BRM service has evolved into a product that is operationally aligned to
accommodate cards, letters and flats. As a result, BRM is no longer an
ideal product for use with parcel-shaped mailpieces. If these standards
are adopted, BRM permit holders who routinely receive parcel-shaped BRM
[[Page 41723]]
returns would be required to discontinue this practice and to
transition to MRS or a USPS Returns product for their parcel returns.
Express Mail
The Postal Service proposes to generally require all Express Mail
pieces entered through any commercial channel to be IMpb-compliant.
This requirement would exclude Express Mail pieces entered as part of a
retail transaction, those with postage paid through a postage meter
imprint and using a Label 11-B, and those entered under an Express Mail
Manifest (EMM) system with postage paid by an Express Mail Corporate
Account (EMCA). However, Express Mail pieces with postage paid through
a postage meter imprint and using a Label 11-B will not be eligible for
Commercial Base or Commercial Plus pricing. At a future date, the
Postal Service expects to transition EMM mailers to the Electronic
Verification System (eVS[supreg]), including an IMpb-compliance
requirement. The Postal Service is now signaling its intention to
require eVS for EMM systems and anticipates publishing the applicable
standards in the 2015 calendar year.
Standard Mail Parcels
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service will
require all Standard Mail Marketing parcels (including those paid at
nonprofit prices) and all Nonprofit Standard Mail parcels to bear an
IMpb, or a unique IMb. Regular and Nonprofit Standard Mail parcels
mailed as product samples under DMM 443.6.0 would also be required to
bear an IMpb or a unique IMb, with the exception of those using
detached address labels (DAL) and those bearing simplified addresses.
The Postal Service is also offering the option to use an IMb in lieu of
an IMpb for all Standard Mail parcels which are presorted and
containerized in 5-digit sacks or other approved containers prepared to
the 5-digit level. When the IMb option is selected, the package must
bear a unique IMb that cannot be reused for 180 days. In situations
where the IMb is used in lieu of the IMpb, a Mail.dat or Mail.XML file
will be accepted in lieu of a Shipping Service File.
Mailers requesting USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation service with
Standard Mail parcels would continue to be assessed the electronic fee.
Mailers would also have the option of affixing an IMpb-compliant mail
class only tracking barcode to their Standard Mail parcels at no
charge. Under either of these IMpb options, mailers must use version
1.6 or higher of the Shipping Services File, including required data
elements, and must include the destination delivery address or ZIP+4
code in the file.
Package Services
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service will
require all commercial BPM, Media Mail[supreg] and Library Mail parcels
to bear an IMpb. When Media Mail and Library Mail parcels are entered
at retail, pay the retail price and are entered through a retail
transaction the Postal Service will apply an IMpb-compliant barcode, if
one is not already affixed. Mailers requesting USPS Tracking/Delivery
Confirmation service for their Package Services parcels would continue
to be assessed the electronic fee. Mailers would also have the option
of affixing an IMpb-compliant mail class only tracking barcode to their
Package Services mailpieces at no charge.
Postage Meters
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service will
require all parcels bearing metered postage to bear a unique IMpb, meet
the Shipping Services File requirements, and to include the correct
destination delivery address or ZIP+4 code for each record in the file.
To support the less sophisticated meter mailers, the Postal Service
plans to continue to provide pre-printed IMpb-compliant labels to
mailers who are unable to print their own labels. A special version of
the IMpb label will be made available to customers who ship parcels but
do not use a postage meter capable of transmitting electronic manifest
and address information. Use of these preprinted USPS labels or other
IMpb-compliant barcodes will be a requirement for eligibility to ship
USPS parcel products.
Use of Non-IMpb Barcodes
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service plans
to implement a process to allow mailers to temporarily use unique
tracking barcodes, prepared in a legacy format, on parcels and
mailpieces that include extra services. Any such authorization would be
granted via an exception process. Mailers requesting an exception must
be able to demonstrate their ability to transmit piece-level
documentation to the Postal Service through a Shipping Services File
and to include a destination delivery address or ZIP+4 code for each
record in the file. These exceptions are intended to provide additional
time, when needed, to transition to the use of IMpb. If these proposed
standards are adopted, all mailers must be fully IMpb-compliant,
including use version 1.6 or higher of the Shipping Services File, by
January 25, 2015.
In addition, effective July 28, 2013, the Postal Service plans to
include, at no additional charge, automatic insurance coverage on
domestic Priority Mail pieces bearing an IMpb. Mailers should also note
that Priority Mail pieces bearing barcodes prepared in the legacy
format will not be eligible for automatic insurance coverage.
Electronic Documentation
If these proposed standards are adopted, mailers will be required
to include information in their electronic documentation that
identifies the mailing agent and mail owner (i.e. by/for mailing
relationship). When mailing agents make mailings on behalf of one or
more clients (mail owners) a request must be made for a unique mailer
ID (MID) for each client to designate package ownership. Both eVS and
non-eVS mailing agents must assign a unique MID for each client. This
MID will be used exclusively for that client, for mailings with that
particular mailing agent. Fields are provided in Shipping Services File
version 1.6 or higher, Mail.dat and Mail.XML for this purpose. The
Postal Service defines these entities as follows:
Mail Owner: The mail owner is the business entity,
organization, or individual who makes business decisions regarding the
parcel or mailpiece content, directly benefits from the mailing, and
ultimately pays for postage on the mailpiece directly or by way of a
mailing agent.
Mailing Agent: The mailing agent is a business entity,
consolidator, organization, or individual acting on behalf of one or
more mail owners by providing mailing services for which the mail
owners compensate the mailing agent. A business entity, organization,
or individual whose services define it as a mailing agent may also be
considered a mail owner, but only for its own mail or the mail of its
subsidiaries. Mailing agents include, but are not limited to parcel
consolidators, printers, address list providers/managers mail
preparers, postage payment providers, mailing logistics providers,
mailing tracking providers, ad agencies, and mailing information
managers.
Conforming Mailer Identification Numbers
If these proposed standards are adopted, all mailers using an IMpb
will be required to use a conforming mailer MID. Mailers who are not
currently
[[Page 41724]]
compliant with this requirement must obtain and use a conforming MID as
soon as possible and must use a conforming MID by January 26, 2014.
A MID is considered to be compliant when the following requirements
are met:
A conforming six-digit MID must begin with 0 through 8.
A conforming nine-digit MID must begin with 9.
Questions about converting to conforming MIDs may be directed to the
National Customer Support Center (NCSC) by calling 877-264-9693, and
selecting option 3.
Shipping Services File
Electronic documentation requirements in support of IMpb include
the use of Shipping Services file version 1.6 or higher, identifying
serialization of each parcel or trackable Extra Services mailpiece
supported by the file and destination delivery address information or
accurate ZIP+4 code for each record in the file. Shipping Services
Files must be transmitted to the Postal Service prior to the physical
presentation of the mailing for acceptance. Mailers will be required to
correctly populate Shipping Services electronic manifest files with the
piece level detail information that describes the parcels and
mailpieces being shipped. The Postal Service expects to simplify the
requirements to populate data fields. All mailers will be required to
use the same rules as those for eVS mailers for determining which data
fields must be populated. In addition to accurate piece level
information, the proper definition of the mailing by/for relationship
and the use of a conforming MID, Shipping Services files include the
following fields:
Transaction ID (TID). This is a unique 12-digit number
assigned to associate Shipping Services File manifests to file
transmissions. The TID must also be included on the Postage Statement
and must match the Shipping Services manifest file for the
corresponding mailing. The TID field must follow the format of
YYYYMMDD, where YYYY is the year,
MM is the month, DD is the date, and
`' is the numeric sequence number.
Payment Account number. This is the USPS account number
from which the mailing will be paid.
Method of payment. This is the approved payment method
(permit imprint, postage meter, PC Postage, OMAS, franked mail and
stamps) for the mail being entered.
Post Office of Account. This is the 5-digit ZIP Code of
the Post Office issuing the permit number, meter license, or
precanceled stamp, and should agree with the information on the postage
statement.
Electronic Nesting Data
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service will
strongly encourage, but not require, mailers to provide an electronic
association between IMpb piece-level record and Intelligent Mail tray
labels and/or Intelligent Mail container placards. However, the Postal
Service may require these electronic associations for certain products
or price categories at a future date. Technical requirements for the
electronic association of parcels to containers will be provided in
Publication 199.
Noncompliant Mailpieces
In response to recommendations made by a group of mailing industry
and Postal Service representatives, the Postal Service is proposing to
implement a process to apply a schedule of gradually increasing
compliance thresholds for mailings including mailpieces without IMpb-
compliant barcodes, without a compliant destination delivery address or
ZIP+4 code in the electronic documentation for each mailpiece or not
supported by an approved Shipping Services file (or a Shipping Services
file with missing or erroneous data elements), or authorized
alternative documentation. The Postal Service proposes to apply these
compliance thresholds at the manifest level for PC Postage and postage
meter mailings, and at the postage statement level for permit imprint
or precanceled stamp mailings. A new sampling procedure for barcode
evaluation is expected to be added to the current acceptance process
for the purpose of evaluating compliance with these new barcode
thresholds. Barcode and file compliance will be measured against the
specifications defined in Publication 199. Shipping Services files will
be subject to census data evaluation for file version and required
elements within the file. Assessments for non-eVS packages are expected
to be due at the time of mailing. eVS mailers will be assessed monthly
for non-compliant mailpieces in excess of the established thresholds.
For any mailing, compliance can be calculated separately for each of
the three compliance categories. MRS and other returns mailpieces will
be sampled for compliance under these new proposed compliance
thresholds at the facility where the pieces are rated and/or prepared
for shipment to the permit holder. When a mailing fails more than one
compliance category, the per piece adjustment will be assessed against
category yielding the highest number of noncompliant pieces.
Noncompliant pieces will be assessed the fee adjustment only once, even
when failing more than one compliance category. The Postal Service
proposes enforcement of compliance thresholds as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 2014 July 2014 January 2015
Compliance category (percent) (percent) (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Trackable Barcode.................................. 98 99 100
ZIP+4 Code or Destination Delivery Address in the File.... 93 96 100
Shipping Services File 1.6 or Higher, Including Required 95 98 100
Data Elements............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Postal Service also proposes to implement a per piece price
adjustments for noncompliant pieces, instead of driving noncompliant
pieces to retail pricing. The amount of any such piece-level price
adjustment(s) or assessment(s), and the methodology of their
application have not yet been determined. In accordance with the Postal
Accountability and Enhancement Act, the Postal Service will file a
Notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) if it chooses to
adopt this per piece price proposal. Regulatory review will take up to
45 days from the date of that filing; and the Postal Service will
proceed based on the results of that review.
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service
currently plans to replace its rules that disqualify IMpb-noncompliant
pieces for presort or destination entry prices with a process that
assesses per piece price adjustments for IMpb-noncompliant pieces.
Mailer compliance with the requirement to define the by/for
relationships will be deferred to a future date in calendar year 2014.
[[Page 41725]]
If these compliance thresholds and price adjustments are adopted,
enforcement of such thresholds and price adjustments will be expected
to begin on January 26, 2014.
Implementation Date
If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal Service expects
to implement the requirements described in this notice on or about
January 26, 2014. In response to the comments offered in response to
the February 26, 2013 Federal Register notice, the Postal Service has
delayed implementation in order to provide more time for mailers to
prepare for the transition. Many mailers and mail service providers
have already made the changes necessary to support IMpb use for other
mail classes and price categories, and for these mailers much of the
significant preparation has already been completed. Therefore, the
Postal Service believes that it has provided sufficient notification to
the mailing industry, from the date of publication of the February 26,
2013 Federal Register notice to the proposed January 26, 2014
implementation date, to allow mailers to prepare their systems.
Hazardous, Perishable and Restricted Materials
If these proposed standards are adopted, mailers inducting parcels
containing mailable hazardous material or mailable live animals will be
required to include an indicator in the appropriate field of the
Shipping Services File, or other authorized electronic documentation,
identifying each applicable mailpiece as containing either hazardous
material or live animals. MRS and other returns mailpieces containing
hazardous materials will be required to bear a unique IMpb barcode,
including a specific 3-digit service type code specifying the class of
mail and identifying the mailpiece as containing hazardous material.
The Postal Service is also developing similar identifying indicators to
provide enhanced visibility of shipments containing cremated remains.
The Postal Service expects to have these indicators available in the
2014 calendar year.
Certified Mail and Registered Mail Service
If these proposed standards are adopted the Postal Service plans to
provide new Certified Mail[supreg] and Registered MailTM
``banner only'' labels to help identify these specific products when
used in an IMpb-compliant format. The Postal Service also plans to
limit Certified Mail service to use with First-Class Mail[supreg] only.
The Postal Services expects this limitation to simplify the Extra
Service options available to mailers and also reduce the number of
service type codes associated with these products. The Postal Service
also expects to provide a new option for mailers to combine restricted
delivery service with Signature ConfirmationTM service. This
new option is expected to be effective on January 26, 2014, and will be
introduced as part of a separate Federal Register notice. The
combination of restricted delivery service with Signature Confirmation
service will provide an option for mailers to restrict delivery of
Priority Mail, First-Class Package ServiceTM, Package
Services, Standard PostTM and Parcel Select[supreg] pieces
without also having to purchase insurance for more than $200 to obtain
this service.
Comments and USPS Responses
The Postal Service received a total of thirteen comments in
response to the February 26, 2013 Federal Register notice, with some
comments addressing more than a single issue. In general, commenters
relate their recognition of the value that the enhanced visibility and
tracking data provided by IMpb provides to mailers and the Postal
Service. These comments are summarized as follows:
General Comments
Comment: One commenter asks if the use of Coding Accuracy Support
System (CASSTM) address matching software will be required
with IMpb use.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, the use of
CASS software is not expected to be required as a condition of IMpb
use, however it will be strongly encouraged. When a mailer chooses to
provide a ZIP+4 code instead of an address in the shipping manifest,
the mailer must ensure the ZIP+4 code is valid for each address. The
Postal Service intends to implement processes to validate the accuracy
of ZIP+4 code information provided in shipping manifests. CASS products
are integral to many customers' business processes and the shipments
they tender to USPS. Including a CASS process for mailings that use
IMpb will improve deliverability, reduce waste and provide benefits
similar to those associated with letter and flat mailings. When mailers
use addresses instead of ZIP+4 codes, the Postal Service will validate
these addresses relative to the Address Management System (AMS)
database and will provide feedback to customers via Shipping Services
Confirmation Error/Warning files.
Comment: A commenter asks if the IMpb requirements will extend to
Media Mail and Library Mail with metered postage.
USPS Response: Yes, if these standards are adopted customers
mailing Media Mail and Library Mail pieces paid with metered postage
will be required to comply with the IMpb requirements. However, the
Postal Service recognizes that some small businesses using postage
meters will be unable to comply with all IMpb requirements, which
include the use of Shipping Services File version 1.6 or higher and the
inclusion of a destination delivery address or a ZIP+4 code in the
file. As a result, the Postal Service plans to make preprinted IMpb-
compliant barcodes available for such small volume meter customers.
Comment: A commenter asks why machinable presorted BPM parcels that
receive no tracking are required to meet the same IMpb requirements as
that for other parcels that receive tracking at no charge. This
commenter states that presorted BPM is not a shipping service, and asks
if the Postal Service is trying to standardize the requirements for all
parcels.
USPS Response: The Postal Service has not contemplated the
standardization of parcel mail classes with regard to content
eligibility, preparation requirements, and similar characteristics.
However, the benefits of IMpb, to both mailers and the Postal Service,
are generally applicable to every parcel class and product. The general
use of unique IMpb barcodes will allow the Postal Service to manage
service and delivery performance to improve the customer experience and
business outcome for all shippers, including catalog mailers. As a
function of these operational improvements, the Postal Service expects
the expanded use of IMpb to contribute to greater pricing stability for
all parcel mailers. Specifically, the widespread use IMpb including the
associated files and related address information is expected to
automate and simplify USPS distribution processes, and aid in the
management and predictability of workloads for all postal products. In
addition, IMpb usage will allow the Postal Service to automate its data
collection processes for each product and payment channel, providing
for more accurate costing and pricing data.
Comment: A commenter requests that the Postal Service provide more
support to help mailers understand the new IMpb requirements.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal
Service plans to host monthly webinars
[[Page 41726]]
and provide technical assistance to assist mailers with their
transition to IMpb. The Postal Service will also compile a listing of
qualified vendors who can assist customers in complying with IMpb
requirements.
Comment: A commenter relates that their local Post Office currently
has trouble with the tracking, mailing and delivery of the commenter's
parcels, and opines that the new IMpb would be more expense to mailers
without enough of an improvement in quality.
USPS Response: The features of IMpb, especially the inclusion of
addressing information in the file, greatly improve the ability of the
Postal Service to provide excellent service while driving down costs.
It is recommended that this commenter address their operational issues
with their local postmaster and their district manager, Business Mail
Entry. Contact information for the manager, Business Mail Entry can be
obtained from the locator/lookup tool on the Rapid Information Bulletin
Board (RIBBS[supreg]) at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Comment: Several commenters request that the Postal Service
specifically define what it means by the use of the term ``commercial
parcel,'' especially in regards to Priority Mail, Standard Mail and MRS
pieces.
USPS Response: For the purposes of this notice, commercial parcels
are defined as any item meeting the physical description of a parcel in
DMM 401, or an Express Mail or Priority Mail piece of any shape or
size, entered through any commercial channel. This includes pieces with
postage paid by permit imprint, postage meter, PC Postage or
precanceled stamps, and would include pieces paying postage through the
Official Mail Accounting System (OMAS) and franked mail.
Comment: A commenter states that mailers using self-service
shipping options require a solution to implement these new standards
that do not introduce new steps or require the entry of additional
information into the shipping process.
USPS Response: The Postal Service offers options, such as Click-N-
Ship for Business[supreg], that allow mailers preparing their own
parcels to meet IMpb requirements. Mailers using premium shipping
products such as Express Mail and Priority Mail also have access to
Click-N-Ship. In addition, PC Postage and other vendors offer IMpb-
compliant options for customers.
Comment: As a result of the operational process changes and
significant capital investment required, a mailer's association urges
the Postal Service to not require compliance with an enhanced package
visibility mandate, and to make these standards optional and incented
through pricing and service enhancements.
USPS Response: The Postal Service recognizes the investments
required and timelines needed for mailers to prepare their systems for
the barcoding, electronic documentation, and addressing information
required to support IMpb. However, these investments are expected to
lead to improved efficiency and consistency in postal operations,
translating to better service, stable prices and an improved customer
experience. Some products currently include full end-to-end tracking,
including confirmation of delivery, at no charge. The Postal Service is
investigating the feasibility of providing mailer access to IMpb
tracking and delivery data for additional products at no charge, and
offering address correction service (ACS) at a reduced price. To
qualify for ACS service at a reduced price, Shipping Services file 1.7
or 2.0, including unique piece-level destination delivery address
information or delivery point validated 11-digit ZIP Codes, would be
required.
Comment: One commenter suggests that the Postal Service should
develop its optical scanning technology to read the delivery address
instead of requiring barcodes. This commenter opines that the delivery
address would have greater value to the Postal Service than the ZIP+4
code.
USPS Response: The Postal Service has added scanning technology to
the majority of its parcel sorters that enable this equipment to read
address information and to perform sortation based on that address.
However, the barcode remains critical to the maintenance of the address
to package association that will uniquely identify each package
throughout the processing network and delivery chain. Barcoded packages
supported by electronic information are industry standards and a best
practice to enable superior service while managing costs.
Retail Parcels
Comment: One commenter asks if retail-priced parcels will fall
under the IMpb requirements, be required to bear a simple routing
barcode, or have some other requirement placed on them. Another
commenter asks if retail parcels that request extra services, such as
Certified Mail[supreg] or Signature ConfirmationTM, will be
subject to the IMpb requirements.
USPS Response: Parcels presented as part of a retail transaction
currently have an IMpb-compliant barcode affixed by the retail
associate. The Postal Service is also enhancing its systems to
electronically capture delivery address or delivery point 11-digit ZIP
Code information for pieces where the IMpb is affixed at retail. In the
future, Point of Service (POS) One terminals will print IMpb-compliant
extra services barcodes dynamically or use preprinted IMpb-compliant
labels. Commercial mailpieces paid at retail prices, but not entered as
part of a retail transaction as described above, will be required to be
IMpb-compliant.
Standard Mail Parcels
Comment: Several commenters request clarification on the intention
of the Postal Service with regard to Standard Mail parcels. These
commenters request clarification on the categories of Standard Mail
parcels that would be permitted to use an Intelligent Mail barcode
(IMb) in lieu of an IMpb. Two commenters encourage the Postal Service
to adopt a policy of allowing the use of IMb with a Mail.dat or
Mail.XML solution for Standard Mail parcels.
USPS Response: If these standards are adopted, the Postal Service
will require all Standard Mail Marketing parcels (including those
paying nonprofit prices) and all Nonprofit Standard Mail parcels to
bear an IMpb. Regular and Nonprofit Standard Mail Marketing parcels
mailed as product samples under DMM 443.6.0 are currently required to
use detached address labels (DAL) or simplified addresses, and
therefore would not be required to meet IMpb standards. When mailers
apply, and are granted the appropriate exception, the Postal Service
would allow the use of an IMb in lieu of an IMpb on Standard Mail
parcels which are presorted and containerized in 5-digit sacks or other
approved containers prepared to the 5-digit level.
Electronic Verification System (eVS)
Comment: One commenter requests assurances that the standards being
proposed would not affect eVS mailers, and that eVS mailers would not
be required to use one barcode or the other, or to report data in one
format or the other.
USPS Response: These standards are proposed to apply to all mailers
shipping parcels through the Postal Service, including those who pay
via eVS. If these standards are adopted, all eVS mailers will be
required to apply an IMpb to each parcel, use Shipping Services File
version 1.6 or higher, and include the destination delivery address or
ZIP+4 code in the manifest file. The Postal Service is also proposing
to require the destination delivery address or delivery point validated
(DPV) 11-
[[Page 41727]]
digit ZIP Code to be included in the file effective January 25, 2015.
Merchandise Return Service (MRS)
Comment: Two commenters request clarification regarding the
proposed requirements relating to MRS. One commenter asks if MRS pieces
would be subject to the proposed IMpb standards, and specifically
requests MRS pieces to be excluded from these new requirements. This
commenter states that the production of MRS labels, each bearing a
unique IMpb, would be more costly and time consuming to mailers.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, all parcels
using a MRS label will also be required to bear a unique IMpb. The
Postal Service currently provides a cloud-based application to assist
MRS permit-holders and their customers in the generation of unique
IMpb-compliant labels.
Implementation Schedule
Comment: Several comments responded to the Postal Service's
proposal to implement these new standards on or about July 28, 2013.
Two commenters state that a July 2013 implementation is both
unreasonable and unrealistic in that it provides an insufficient
timeframe for mailers to prepare for the new requirements. Another
commenter requests the opportunity to provide input into the
implementation timeline. One commenter compares the proposed
implementation schedule of approximately five months to the nearly two-
year lead time provided to the presort and destination-entry mailers in
the previous IMpb implementation. One commenter suggests that the
Postal Service establish a mailer technical advisory council (MTAC)
workgroup to allow for the airing of mailers concerns prior to
finalizing its requirements and implementation timeline.
USPS Response: To provide customers more time to prepare for the
transition, if these standards are adopted the Postal Service will
delay the implementation date to January 26, 2014. Because many mailers
and mail service providers have already made the changes necessary to
support IMpb use for other mail classes and price categories, it is
expected that for many mailers much of the preparation has already been
completed.
Electronic Nesting
Comment: Several commenters responded to the Postal Service's
reference to the feasibility of electronically associating individual
parcel tracking numbers with specific sacks, trays, pallets or similar
containers. Three commenters relate that such a requirement could pose
a significant challenge to some mailers. Two commenters state that the
process should be optional, and not required for mailers who lack the
resources or capability to provide such data. Another mailer's
association suggests that the Postal Service consider providing options
to mailers based on their operational capacity. This commenter
describes these options as full nesting functionality for larger
mailers, a logical/virtual nesting option where individual mailpieces
could be associated to a group of possible containers, or a no-nesting
option for the less sophisticated mailers. These commenters requested
an opportunity to supply input into any future decision by the Postal
Service to require the electronic transmission of nesting data.
USPS Response: The Postal Service does not expect to require
mailers to provide nesting information as a condition of these proposed
standards. In most cases, it is expected that electronic transmission
of nesting data to the Postal Service relating to IMpb use will be
optional. However, some products, price categories or extra services
features may require the transmission of nesting data as a condition of
qualification for that price or service.
Exception Process
Comment: One mailer's association commends the Postal Service for
its past policy of providing exceptions to specific elements of its
IMpb requirements, as needed, on a case-by-case basis. This commenter
and others express their desire for this policy to continue going
forward with the implementation of these proposed standards. Another
commenter requests that the Postal Service provide a transition period
of at least 12 months from the mandatory implementation of these
proposed standards to afford mailers the opportunity to effect the
changes needed to comply with the new requirements.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal
Service will continue to offer limited exceptions on a case-by-case
basis when mailers have provided a plan that assures compliance with
standards within a defined timeframe. It is expected that the proposed
January 26, 2014 implementation date should also eliminate the need for
most exceptions. After January 26, 2014, any such requests for an
exception must be directed to the Vice President of Sales for
consideration.
Enforcement of Standards
Comment: A mailer's association suggests that the Postal Service
establish a separate rulemaking to establish compliance thresholds,
penalties and other enforcement issues relating to IMpb. This commenter
asks the Postal Service to remain cognizant of the impact of these
proposed standards relative to the enforcement requirements for IMb
full-service. A commenter asks that the Postal Service explicitly
confirm that the existing waivers and extensions already approved for
those IMpb standards currently in place will remain in effect. Another
commenter asks what the penalty will be for mailers inducting
commercial packages not complying with the proposed requirements. A
commenter asks that since the Postal Service proposes that all
commercial parcels must bear an IMpb, will a surcharge for noncompliant
pieces still be an option.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, the Postal
Service plans to provide gradually increasing compliance thresholds for
mail owners and mailing agents, applied across timeframes specified by
the Postal Service. The Postal Service is also proposing to apply per
piece price adjustments for noncompliant pieces, instead of the current
practice of disqualifying noncompliant pieces for all but retail
prices. If the use of compliance thresholds and price adjustments are
agreed upon at the corporate level, enforcement of these standards
relative to compliance thresholds and price adjustments are planned to
begin on January 26, 2014.
Postage Meter Mailers
Comment: Two postage meter vendors state that they are in the
development stage of a lower cost alternative to the shipping systems
currently available to meter mailers. One provider states that this new
alternative solution will not be ready by July 2013, and requests an
extension for compliance of the proposed standards for meter mailers
until January 2014. Another postage meter vendor requests information
about the Postal Service's communication plans, and urges the Postal
Service to work collaboratively with vendors in this regard.
USPS Response: The proposed January 26, 2014 implementation date
provides additional time for mailers to prepare their mailing systems,
as requested by this commenter. The Postal Service plans to communicate
these proposed IMpb standards through the usual mailer communications
channels and welcomes the opportunity to work
[[Page 41728]]
with vendors. In the past, some vendors have been reluctant to share
their customer lists. This is understandable and the Postal Service
will provide standard language that vendors can use to communicate the
changes and compliance dates to their customers.
Label 400/Extra Service Labels
Comment: Two commenters request clarification of the Postal
Service's intent with regards to meter mailers and the use of Label
400, and other extra service labels. These commenters ask if Label 400
can be uploaded by electronic means, associated to a particular
mailpiece, and if this would then allow mailers to qualify for
commercial parcel prices. This commenter continues by asking if an
uploaded label process would still require transmission of a
destination delivery address or ZIP+4 code and a mailer ID (MID) to the
Postal Service, and whether commercial prices would be available when
other extra service labels are applied (e.g. Label 200, Registered
Mail). This commenter asks if meter mailers may similarly apply USPS-
provided Labels 11-B or 11-F to their mailpieces, upload the barcode
data to the Postal Service via USPS-approved shipping manifests, and
have these mailpieces qualify for commercial prices. This commenter
also asks if privately printed Certified Mail labels must include the
green coloration used on USPS-provided PS Forms 3800. Another commenter
asks if the Postal Service intends to provide preprinted, IMpb-
compliant extra service labels, such as Certified Mail labels.
USPS Response: If these proposed standards are adopted, each
applicable requirement must be met to be IMpb-compliant. These
requirements include the use of the IMpb barcode format, the use of
Shipping Services File version 1.6 or higher, and the inclusion of the
destination delivery address or ZIP+4 code in the file. In addition,
the Postal Service plans to continue to provide pre-printed IMpb-
compliant labels to mailers who are unable to print their own labels. A
special version of the IMpb label will be made available to customers
who ship parcels but do not use a postage meter capable of transmitting
electronic manifest and address information.
For Certified Mail and Registered Mail, the green or red coloring
will continue to be required. However, the Postal Service plans to
provide new Certified Mail and Registered Mail ``banner only'' labels
to help identify these specific products when used in an IMpb-compliant
format. Also, if these standards are adopted, Certified Mail will
become eligible for First-Class Mail only, which will simplify this
option and reduce the number of service type codes associated with this
product.
Comment Period
Note that the Postal Service has established a 21-day comment
period for this proposed rule in order to assure there is sufficient
time to for mailers to prepare their systems for a January 26, 2014
implementation if these proposed standards are adopted.
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.
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, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219,
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, 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)
* * * * *
200 Commercial Letters and Cards
* * * * *
210 Express Mail
213 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Express Mail
* * * * *
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless inducted through a retail
transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
220 Priority Mail
223 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail
* * * * *
3.3 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.3 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces (except Critical Mail pieces without an
extra service) must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode prepared
under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
300 Commercial Flats
* * * * *
310 Express Mail
313 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Express Mail
* * * * *
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless inducted through a retail
transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
320 Priority Mail
323 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail
* * * * *
3.3 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.3 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces (except Critical Mail pieces without an
extra service) must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode prepared
under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
400 Commercial Parcels
* * * * *
401 Physical Standards
1.0 Physical Standards for Parcels
* * * * *
1.5 Machinable Parcels
* * * * *
1.5.2 Criteria for Lightweight Machinable Parcels
A parcel that weighs less than 6 ounces (but not less than 3.5
ounces) is machinable if it meets all of the following conditions:
* * * * *
[[Page 41729]]
[Delete 1.5.2b and resequence the current 1.5.2c and 2d as the new
2b and 2c.]
* * * * *
2.0 Additional Standards by Class of Mail
* * * * *
2.5 Parcel Select
2.5.1 General Standards
These standards apply to Parcel Select:
* * * * *
[Delete 2.5.1c in its entirety.]
* * * * *
410 Express Mail
413 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Express Mail
* * * * *
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Express Mail pieces, unless inducted through a retail
transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
420 Priority Mail
423 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail
* * * * *
3.2 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.2 as follows:]
All Priority Mail pieces, unless inducted through a retail
transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an Intelligent Mail
package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
430 First-Class Package Service
433 Price and Eligibility
1.0 Prices and Fees for First-Class Package Service
* * * * *
1.4 Commercial Plus Prices
First-Class Package Service machinable parcels less than 16 ounces
and Merchandise Return Service parcels are eligible for Commercial Plus
prices for customers that:
* * * * *
[Delete 1.4f in its entirety.]
1.5 Surcharge
[Revise and restructure 1.5 as follows:]
Unless prepared in 5-digit/scheme containers, a surcharge applies
to presorted parcels that are irregularly shaped, such as rolls, tubes,
and triangles.
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for First-Class Package Service Parcels
* * * * *
3.3 Additional Basic Standards
All presorted First-Class Package Service parcels must:
* * * * *
[Delete 3.3c in its entirety.]
3.4 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.4 as follows:]
All First-Class Package Service parcels must bear an Intelligent
Mail package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
440 Standard Mail
443 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail Parcels
* * * * *
3.3 Additional Basic Standards for Standard Mail
Each Standard Mail mailing is subject to these general standards:
* * * * *
[Revise 3.3g as follows:]
g. The IMpb applied to each Standard Mail parcel must be correct
for the delivery address and must meet the standards in 708.5.0.
* * * * *
[Renumber the current 3.4 through 3.9 as the new 3.5 through 3.10,
and add a new 3.4 as follows:]
3.4 IMpb Standards
[Revise 3.4 as follows:]
All Standard Mail parcels, except Standard Mail Marketing parcels
mailed as product samples, must bear an Intelligent Mail package
barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
4.0 Price Eligibility for Standard Mail
* * * * *
[Delete 4.4 in its entirety and renumber the current 4.5 as the new
4.4.]
* * * * *
450 Parcel Select
* * * * *
453 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
[Renumber the current section 453.3 as the new 453.4, and add a new
section 453.3 as follows:]
3.0 Basic Standards for Parcel Select Parcels
3.1 Service Objectives
The USPS does not guarantee the delivery of Parcel Select
mailpieces within a specified time. Parcel Select mailpieces might
receive deferred service. The local Post Office can provide more
information concerning delivery times within its area.
3.2 Delivery and Return Addresses
All Parcel Select mailpieces must bear a delivery address. The
delivery address on each piece must include the correct ZIP Code or
ZIP+4 code. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 may be used.
Each piece must bear the sender's return address.
3.3 IMpb Standards
All Parcel Select mailpieces must bear an Intelligent Mail package
barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
4.0 Price Eligibility for Parcel Select and Parcel Select Lightweight
4.1 Destination Entry Price Eligibility
* * * * *
4.1.2 Basic Standards
For Parcel Select destination entry, pieces must meet the
applicable standards in 455.4.0 and the following criteria:
* * * * *
[Delete renumbered 4.1.2f in its entirety.]
* * * * *
4.2 Parcel Select NDC and ONDC Presort Price Eligibility
[Delete the last two sentences of renumbered 4.2 in their
entirety.]
4.3 Parcel Select Barcoded Nonpresort Price Eligibility
[Delete the first sentence of the introductory paragraph of
renumbered 4.3.]
* * * * *
4.4 Parcel Select Lightweight
* * * * *
4.4.1 General Eligibility
Parcel Select Lightweight parcels are presorted machinable or
irregular parcels. The following also applies:
* * * * *
[[Page 41730]]
[Delete renumbered 4.41e in its entirety, and renumber the
renumbered 4.4.1f as the new renumbered 4.4.1e.]
* * * * *
460 Bound Printed Matter
463 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Bound Printed Matter
* * * * *
[Add a new 2.4 as follows:]
2.4 IMpb Standards
All BPM parcels must bear an Intelligent Mail package barcode
(IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed Matter Parcels
4.1 Price Eligibility
* * * Price categories are as follows:
* * * * *
[Revise 4.1b and 4.1c as follows:]
b. Presorted Price. The Presorted price applies to BPM prepared in
a mailing of at least 300 BPM pieces, prepared and presorted as
specified in 465.5.0, 705.8.0, or 705.22.0.
c. Carrier Route Price. The Carrier Route price applies to BPM
prepared in a mailing of at least 300 pieces presorted to carrier
routes, prepared and presorted as specified in 465.6.0, or 705.8.0.
* * * * *
470 Media Mail and Library Mail
473 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
[Revise the title of 2.0 as follows:]
2.0 Basic Standards for Media Mail and Library Mail Parcels
* * * * *
[Add a new 2.5 as follows:]
2.4 IMpb Standards
All Media Mail and Library Mail parcels, unless inducted through a
retail transaction or a USPS self-service kiosk, must bear an
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
6.0 Price Eligibility for Media Mail and Library Mail Parcels
* * * * *
6.2 Price Eligibility Standards
[Delete the second and third sentences of 6.2 in their entirety.]
* * * * *
6.3 Price Categories for Media Mail and Library Mail Parcels
Media Mail and Library Mail prices are based on the weight of the
piece without regard to zone. The price categories and discounts are as
follows:
* * * * *
[Delete 6.3c in its entirety.]
500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
* * * * *
3.0 Certified Mail
* * * * *
3.2 Basic Information
* * * * *
3.2.2 Eligible Matter
[Revise 3.2.2 as follows:]
Only mailable matter prepaid with postage at the First-Class Mail
prices may be sent as Certified Mail.
* * * * *
6.0 Return Receipt
* * * * *
6.2 Basic Information
6.2.2 Eligible Matter
Return receipt service is available for:
* * * * *
[Resequence the current 2c and 2d as the new 2d and 2e, and revise
2b and add a new 2c as follows:]
b. First-Class Mail when purchased with Certified Mail, COD,
insured mail (for more than $200.00) or Registered Mail service.
c. First-Class Package Service, and Priority Mail (excluding
Critical Mail) when purchased at the time of mailing with COD, insured
mail (for more than $200.00), or Registered Mail service.
* * * * *
8.0 Restricted Delivery
* * * * *
8.2 Basic Information
* * * * *
8.2.2 Eligible Matter
Restricted Delivery service is available for:
[Resequence the current 2b and 2c as the new 2c and 2d, and revise
2a and add a new 2b as follows:]
a. First-Class Mail when purchased with Certified Mail, COD,
insured mail (for more than $200.00) or Registered Mail service.
b. First-Class Package Service, and Priority Mail (excluding
Critical Mail) when purchased at the time of mailing with COD, insured
mail (for more than $200.00), or Registered Mail service.
* * * * *
505 Return Services
1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM)
* * * * *
1.4 General Information
1.4.1 Description
[Revise the first sentence of, and add a new second sentence to,
1.4.1 as follows:]
Business Reply Mail (BRM) service enables a permit holder to
receive First-Class Mail and Priority Mail back from customers and pay
postage and a per piece fee for only the pieces returned. BRM cards,
envelopes, self-mailers, and labels may be distributed by a BRM permit
holder in any quantity for return to any Post Office in the United
States and its territories and possessions, including military Post
Offices overseas. Only card-, letter- and flat-sized pieces are
eligible for BRM service. * * *
3.0 Merchandise Return Service
* * * * *
3.2 Basic Standards
* * * * *
[Renumber the current 3.2.5 through 3.2.13 as the new 3.2.6 through
3.2.14, and add a new 3.2.5 as follows:]
3.2.5 IMpb Standards
All MRS labels must bear a unique Intelligent Mail package barcode
(IMpb) prepared under 708.5.0.
* * * * *
3.3 Additional Standards for Permit Holder
* * * * *
3.3.3 USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation
[Revise 3.3.3 as follows:]
USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation service is optional, but
provided without charge for mailpieces bearing authorized MRS labels.
MRS labels requesting USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation must meet the
standards in 503.11.0. USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation may be
combined with insurance and special handling, or both.
* * * * *
3.5.13 Format Elements
Format standards required for the merchandise return label are
shown in Exhibit 3.5.13a through Exhibit 3.5.13d, and described as
follows:
* * * * *
Exhibit 3.5.13a Merchandise Return Label With No Extra Services or
With
[[Page 41731]]
Insurance, Special Handling, or Pickup on Demand Service (*see 3.5.13d)
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit 3.5.13a]
* * * * *
Exhibit 3.5.13b Merchandise Return Label With Registered Mail
Service
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit 3.5.13b]
* * * * *
Exhibit 3.5.13c Merchandise Return Label With Mailing
Acknowledgment (*see 3.5.13d)
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit 3.5.13c]
* * * * *
Exhibit 3.5.13d Merchandise Return Label With USPS Tracking/
Delivery Confirmation Service
[Placeholder for revised Exhibit 3.5.13d]
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
* * * * *
705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
* * * * *
7.0 Combining Package Services and Parcel Select Parcels for
Destination Entry
7.1 Combining Parcels--DSCF and DDU Entry
7.1.1 Qualification
[Delete the last three sentences of 7.1.1 in their entirety.]
* * * * *
708 Technical Specifications
* * * * *
5.0 Standards for Package and Extra Service Barcodes
5.1 Intelligent Mail Package Barcode
* * * * *
5.1.7 Electronic File
* * * Electronic files must include the following elements:
* * * * *
[Revise 5.1.7d as follows:]
d. Version 1.6 (or subsequent versions) of the electronic shipping
services manifest files including each destination delivery address or
ZIP + 4 Code. Effective January 25, 2015, shipping services manifests,
or other approved electronic documentation, must include the
destination delivery address or delivery point validated (DPV) 11-digit
ZIP Code for each record in the file.
[Delete the current 5.1.7e in its entirety and add a new 7e as
follows:]
e. Electronic shipping manifest files, or approved alternative
electronic documentation, must include data identifying the mailing
agent and mail owner, as applicable.
* * * * *
5.2 Other Package Barcodes
5.2.1 Basic Standards for Postal Routing Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence of 5.2.1 as follows:]
A separate postal routing barcode may be used on parcels to provide
routing information, when used in conjunction with an IMpb.
* * * * *
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to
reflect these changes if our proposal is adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2013-16524 Filed 7-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
