Postal Service 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Postal Service proposes a new marking requirement for Bound Printed Matter machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces secured with transparent shrinkwrap. Under our proposal, mailers must use a firm optional endorsement line or apply a pressure-sensitive firm bundle Label F. The new marking will enable our automated equipment to recognize that a Bound Printed Matter parcel is intended for a single address.

The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service accepted the Postal Rate Commission's recommendation to increase most postal rates and fees by approximately 5.4 percent. The Board of Governors set 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 8, 2006, as the effective date for the new prices.

The Postal Service announces the issuance of Issue 31 of the International Mail Manual (IMM), and its incorporation by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Postal Service \TM\ is adopting new international mail postage rates and fees. The total international rate increase is 5.9 percent. To the extent possible, the targeted increase is 5.4 percent, consistent with our domestic rate filing with the Postal Rate Commission. We are implementing this international pricing change at the same time as our domestic pricing change.

The Postal Service is proposing to require the use of the Electronic Verification System (e-VS) which is an electronic manifest system, for postage manifesting and payment of all Parcel Select mailings. This includes all Standard Mail machinable parcels or other Package Services Parcels (Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, or Media Mail) authorized for commingling with Parcel Select Mailings. This requirement would contribute to reduced costs and greater efficiencies. The Postal Service is also exploring expanding the program to all parcel mailings in the future. The proposed rule is being published with an intended implementation date of no sooner than 1 year from the date of publication of the Federal Register final rule. The proposed rule would apply as follows: Parcel shippers/consolidators and mailers claiming Parcel Select rates would be required to use e-VS for postage manifesting and payment. Parcel shippers/consolidators and mailers who commingle Standard Mail machinable parcels or other Package Services parcels with Parcel Select as authorized by Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]), 705.6.0 and 705.7.0, would be required to use e-VS for postage manifesting and payment.

The Postal Service is withdrawing a proposed rule that would require ancillary service endorsements on mailpieces containing certain types of checks.

Under an agreement negotiated by the United States government with the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, mail destined to those two countries will now use the international rate schedules. This proposal would amend the International Mail Manual (IMM) to include the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia in all international products and services and add them to the individual country listings.

We are proposing new standards to reduce handling costs for Periodicals mail prepared in sacks. Our proposal includes the following changes: two new types of sacks: a 3-digit carrier routes sack and a merged 3-digit sack; and a new minimum of 24 pieces for most other sacks.

This final rule amends section 507.7 of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[reg]) to streamline the seed address process. It adopts a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 64877, November 9, 2004.).

The United States Postal Service[reg] (USPS[reg]) is proposing to modify two of its Privacy Act systems of records: USPS 810.200, www.usps.com Ordering, Payment, and Fulfillment, and USPS 900.000, International Services. The proposed modification reflects changes regarding how customs declaration information is collected and reported by USPS.

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

The Postal Service(TM) provides notice of its intention to resume testing of the concept of Customized Postage for a period of one year commencing 20 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. PC Postage([reg]) is a method of providing evidence of pre-payment of United States postage using a personal computer and printer and Internet access to an authorized PC Postage provider infrastructure approved by the Postal Service under 39 CFR part 501. Like postage meters, PC Postage services facilitate customer access to postage payment and use of the mail. PC Postage and postage meter products that print digitally generated barcode indicia contain human readable and machine readable elements that facilitate mail processing and counterfeit detection due to identification enabling characteristics. The typical indicia design consists of two elements: a postage block and a distinctly separate block typically called an ``ad plate.'' The historical use of ad plates consists of printed advertising messages authorized, enabled, and controlled by a Postal Service approved postage meter or PC Postage provider. Customized Postage differs from conventional PC Postage in two respects: First, it utilizes the ``ad plate'' area to print a digital, graphic image. The image may be one selected from a ``library'' of images provided by the authorized PC Postage provider or a customer supplied image that meets acceptance criteria established by the PC Postage provider; and, second, instead of the customer printing the selected image on a personal computer the images are printed by the Customized Postage provider under controlled conditions and the finished product is mailed to the customer. With respect to postage meter ad plates the Postal Service will require evaluation and approval of any process established by an authorized provider which results in the printing of a graphic ``ad plate.''

The Postal ServiceTM is amending its regulations in order to implement the acquisition portions of its Transformation Plan (April 2002) and the similar recommendations of the President's Commission on the United States Postal Service (July 2003) as they relate to the acquisition of property, goods and services in accordance with 39 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 101, 401, 403, 404, and 410.

This final rule clarifies regulations relating to the determination of costs to be offset from differential revenue.

The Postal Service is implementing an experimental classification, Repositionable Notes (RPNs), as a one-year provisional service allowing mailers to attach a reusable self-adhesive message note to the outside envelope or paper cover of discount First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, or Periodicals rate mailpieces for a fee. RPNs add impact, value, and ultimately a greater return on investment for direct mailers by calling attention to a product or service. This enhanced value to direct mail will provide an opportunity for the Postal Service to drive the growth of direct mail.

Under 39 CFR 501.1, only manufacturers and distributors authorized by the Postal Service,\(tm)\ may manufacture and/or distribute postage meters in the United States. This final rule provides that the Postal Service may revoke or suspend, wholly or in part, authorization to distribute postage meters if the authorized entity or its agent makes or distributes false or misleading statements about actions or proposed actions of the Postal Service regarding the postage meter program. In addition, minor editorial changes were made to correct references to sections of part 501 that were in error.