Postal Service September 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Postal Service TM is seeking comments on a proposal that would affect mailers who prepare bundles of Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services flat-size mail or irregular parcels on pallets. The proposal would not affect mailers who prepare sacks, unbundled parcels, or trays on pallets. Currently, mailers who prepare bundles of flat-size mail or bundles of irregular parcels on pallets must prepare a pallet if the mailing contains 500 or more pounds of bundles for a required sortation level. (``Sortation level'' refers to the distribution or separation of mail by ZIP Codes, range of ZIP Codes, or carrier route.) After all required pallets are prepared, mailers must place any remaining bundles in sacks. Under this proposal, before placing any bundles in sacks, if there are 250 or more pounds of bundles addressed within the ZIP Code range for an area distribution center (ADC) or a bulk mail center/auxiliary service facility (BMC/ASF), mailers must prepare the ADC pallet (for Periodicals) or the BMC/ASF pallet (for Standard Mail and Package Services). If a mailing does not contain any ADC or BMC/ASF pallets for example, the mailer has set the presort software to stop at the sectional center facility (SCF) levelbut there are 250 or more pounds for an SCF, the mailer must prepare the SCF pallet.

The Postal Service, under its authority in Title 39 U.S.C. 407, is proposing changes to international mail postage rates and fees. As provided under the Postal Reorganization Act, the proposed changes will result in international postage rates that retain the overall value of service to customers, are fair and reasonable, and are not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential. The total international rate increase is 5.9 percent. To the extent possible, the targeted increase is 5.4 percent across-the-board, consistent with our domestic rate filing with the Postal Rate Commission. We are proposing to implement this international pricing change at the same time as the domestic pricing change.

This rule amends the Postal Service\TM\ regulations on the release of information and privacy of information.