[Federal Register: December 3, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 232)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 63850-63853] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03de97-12] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 Domestic Mail Manual; Miscellaneous Amendments AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document describes the numerous amendments consolidated in the Transmittal Letter for Issue 53 of the Domestic Mail Manual, which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations, see 39 CFR 111.1. These amendments reflect changes in mail preparation requirements and other miscellaneous rules and regulations not previously published in the Federal Register. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1998. [[Page 63851]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bennett, (202) 268-6350. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, part 111, contains: the basic standards of the U.S. Postal Service governing its domestic mail services; descriptions of the mail classes and special services and conditions governing their use; and standards for rate eligibility and mail preparation. The document is amended and republished about every 6 months, with each issue sequentially numbered. DMM Issue 53, the next edition of the DMM, is scheduled for release on January 1, 1998. That issue will include changes in Preferred postage rates for Periodicals and Standard Mail (A). The final rule containing the rates for these changes was published on July 25, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR 39946-39950), as approved on June 2, 1997, by the Board of Governors pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), to implement rate changes effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997 (Resolution No. 97-9). DMM Issue 53 will also include the new weight limit for Bound Printed Matter. The final rule to increase the weight of Bound Printed Matter from 10 pounds to 15 pounds was published on October 1, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR 51372-51373), as approved on September 8, 1997, by the Board of Governors, to implement the Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on the Classification Changes, Bound Printed Matter, Docket No. MC97-3. This weight increase takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997. DMM Issue 53 will include the standards for the new Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS) and Shipper Paid Forwarding (SPF). BPRS, which takes effect on October 12, 1997, lowers the average cost of return service for machinable parcels weighing less than 1 pound. SPF, which allows mailers to pay forwarding postage directly through the use of the tracking capabilities of the existing electronic Address Change Service, takes effect on January 4, 1998. The new standards for BPRS and SPF were published on October 15, 1997, in the Federal Register (62 FR 53539-53541) as approved on October 6, 1997, by the Board of Governors on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission in Docket No. MC97-2. The following excerpt from section I010, Summary of Changes, of the transmittal for DMM Issue 53 covers the minor changes not previously described in final rules or in other interim or final rules published in the Federal Register. Announcements of these minor changes were first published in various issues of the Postal Bulletin, an official biweekly document published by the Postal Service. In addition, the revised contents of DMM Issue 53 are also presented. Domestic Mail Manual Issue 53 Summary of Changes Consolidation of Processing of Form 3510 D230.3.11, D230.6.2, E214.3.2, E214.3.4, E214.3.6, E214.3.7, E214.3.8, E270.8.1 and E270.9.1 amend the processing of Form 3510, Application for Additional Entry, Reentry, or Special Rate Request for Periodicals Publication. In order to improve customer satisfaction and to better utilize resources, postal processing of Form 3510 is being consolidated at the Memphis Rates and Classification Service Center (RCSC). Effective October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-09-97)). Content Identifier Numbers Exhibit M032.1.3a changes certain international mail content identifier numbers (CINs) for barcoded tray and sack labels. Effective July 3, 1997 (PB 21949 (7-3-97)). Envelopes and Pieces Sealed on All Sides C810.1.0 and C810.7.5 clarify acceptable characteristics of automation letter-size mailpieces. Effective October 23, 1997 (PB 21957 (10-23-97)). Folded Self-Mailers--Additional Options C810.7.2 and C810.7.3 allow mailers to prepare letter-size self- mailers with the final fold positioned as the right side (leading edge) of the piece and to claim an automation rate. In addition, other tabbing form designs for self-mailers have been approved for automation rates. Effective June 5, 1997 (PB 21947 (6-5-97)). Labeling List Changes L002, L003, L005, L601, L602, L603, L604, and L801 are amended to reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective July 3, 1997 (PB 21949 (7-3-97)). L002, L004, L005, L102, L601, L602, L603, L604, L801, and L803 are amended to reflect changes in mail processing operations. Effective October 9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10-9-97)). Non-Machinable Surcharge--Parcel Post E620.2.5 clarifies that a non-machinable surcharge applies only to certain listed pieces of Parcel Post if pieces are mailed at the inter- BMC/ASF Parcel Post rates and no special handling fee is paid. Effective August 28, 1997 (PB 21953 (8-28-97)). Post Office Box and Caller Service--McLean, VA 22103 ZIP Code Redesignated as Group C Exhibit D910.5.3 and Exhibit D920.4.1 remove the entry ``McLean, VA 22103'' from the Group B category for post office box service and caller service to a Group C category. Effective June 8, 1997 (PB 21948 (6-19-97)). Reusable Mailpieces--Optional Preparation C010.6.3 and C010.6.4 incorporate optional preparation standards for reusable mailpieces that originate as permit imprint mailings. Effective August 14, 1997 (PB 21952 (8-14-97)). List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 Postal Service. In consideration of the foregoing, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as set forth below: PART 111--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as follows: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001- 3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001. 2. The table at the end of Sec. 111.3(f) is amended by adding at the end thereof a new entry to read as follows: Sec. 111.3 Amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual. * * * * * (e) * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transmittal letter for issue Dated Federal Register publication ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * 53............................. January 1, 1998.................... 62 FR [INSERT PAGE NUMBER]. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 63852]] 3. Section 111.5 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 111.5 Contents of the Domestic Mail Manual. A--ADDRESSING A000 Basic Addressing A010 General Addressing Standards A040 Alternative Addressing Formats A060 Detached Address Labels (DALs) A800 Addressing for Automation A900 Customer Support A910 Mailing List Services A920 Address Sequencing Services A930 Other Services A950 Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) C--CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTENT C000 General Information C010 General Mailability Standards C020 Restricted or Nonmailable Articles and Substances C021 Articles and Substances Generally C022 Perishables C023 Hazardous Matter C024 Other Restricted or Nonmailable Matter C030 Nonmailable Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter C031 Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter Generally C032 Sexually Oriented Advertisements C033 Pandering Advertisements C050 Mail Processing Categories C100 First-Class Mail C200 Periodicals C500 Express Mail C600 Standard Mail C800 Automation-Compatible Mail C810 Letters and Cards C820 Flats C830 OCR Standards C840 Barcoding Standards D--DEPOSIT, COLLECTION, AND DELIVERY D000 Basic Information D010 Pickup Service D020 Plant Load D030 Recall of Mail D040 Delivery of Mail D041 Customer Mail Receptacles D042 Conditions of Delivery D070 Drop Shipment D071 Express Mail and Priority Mail D072 Metered Mail D100 First-Class Mail D200 Periodicals D210 Basic Information D230 Additional Entry D500 Express Mail D600 Standard Mail D900 Other Delivery Services D910 Post Office Box Service D920 Caller Service D930 General Delivery and Firm Holdout E--ELIGIBILITY E000 Special Eligibility Standards E010 Overseas Military Mail E020 Department of State Mail E030 Mail Sent by U.S. Armed Forces E040 Free Matter for the Blind and Other Handicapped Persons E050 Official Mail (Franked) E060 Official Mail (Penalty) E070 Mixed Classes E080 Absentee Balloting Materials E100 First-Class Mail E110 Basic Standards E120 Priority Mail E130 Nonautomation Rates E140 Automation Rates E200 Periodicals E210 Basic Standards E211 All Periodicals E212 Qualification Categories E213 Periodicals Mailing Privileges E214 Reentry E215 Copies Not Paid or Requested by Addressee E216 Publisher Records E230 Nonautomation Rates E240 Automation Rates E250 Destination Entry E270 Preferred Periodicals E500 Express Mail E600 Standard Mail E610 Basic Standards E611 All Standard Mail E612 Additional Standards for Standard Mail (A) E613 Additional Standards for Standard Mail (B) E620 Nonautomation Nonpresort Rates E630 Nonautomation Presort Rates E640 Automation Rates E650 Destination Entry E651 Regular, Nonprofit, and Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail E652 Parcel Post E670 Nonprofit Standard Mail F--FORWARDING AND RELATED SERVICES F000 Basic Services F010 Basic Information F020 Forwarding F030 Address Correction, Address Change, FASTforwardSM, and Return Services G--GENERAL INFORMATION G000 The USPS and Mailing Standards G010 Basic Business Information G011 Post Offices and Postal Services G013 Trademarks and Copyrights G020 Mailing Standards G030 Postal Zones G040 Information Resources G041 Postal Business Centers G042 Rates and Classification Service Centers G043 Address List for Correspondence G090 Experimental Classifications and Rates G091 Barcoded Small Parcels G092 Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail G900 Philatelic Services L--LABELING LISTS L000 General Use L002 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Matrix L003 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--3-Digit Scheme Sortation L004 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--ADC Sortation L005 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups--SCF Sortation L100 First-Class Mail L102 ADCs--Presorted Priority Mail L600 Standard Mail L601 BMCs--Machinable Parcels L602 BMCs--DBMC Rates L603 ADCs--Irregular Parcels L604 Originating ADCs--Irregular Parcels L800 Automation Rate Mailings L801 AADCs--Letter-Size Mailings L802 BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A) L803 Non-BMC/ASF Entry--Periodicals and Standard Mail (A) M--MAIL PREPARATION AND SORTATION M000 General Preparation Standards M010 Mailpieces M011 Basic Standards M012 Markings and Endorsements M013 Optional Endorsement Lines M014 Carrier Route Information Lines M020 Packages and Bundles M030 Containers M031 Labels M032 Barcoded Labels M033 Sacks and Trays M040 Pallets M041 General Standards M045 Palletized Mailings M050 Delivery Sequence M070 Mixed Classes M071 Basic Information M072 Express Mail and Priority Mail Drop Shipment M073 Combined Mailings of Standard Mail Machinable Parcels M074 Plant Load Mailings M100 First-Class Mail (Nonautomation) M120 Priority Mail M130 Presorted First-Class Mail M200 Periodicals (Nonautomation) M500 Express Mail M600 Standard Mail (Nonautomation) M610 Single-Piece and Nonautomation Standard Mail (A) M620 Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail M630 Standard Mail (B) M800 All Automation Mail M810 Letter-Size Mail M820 Flat-Size Mail P--POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS P000 Basic Information P010 General Standards P011 Payment [[Page 63853]] P012 Documentation P013 Rate Application and Computation P014 Refunds and Exchanges P020 Postage Stamps and Stationery P021 Stamped Stationery P022 Adhesive Stamps P023 Precanceled Stamps P030 Postage Meters and Meter Stamps P040 Permit Imprints P070 Mixed Classes P100 First-Class Mail P200 Periodicals P500 Express Mail P600 Standard Mail P700 Special Postage Payment Systems P710 Manifest Mailing System (MMS) P720 Optional Procedure (OP) Mailing System P730 Alternate Mailing Systems (AMS) P750 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) P760 First-Class or Standard Mail Mailings With Different Payment Methods R--RATES AND FEES R000 Stamps and Stationery R100 First-Class Mail R200 Periodicals R500 Express Mail R600 Standard Mail R900 Services S--SPECIAL SERVICES S000 Miscellaneous Services S010 Indemnity Claims S020 Money Orders and Other Services S070 Mixed Classes S500 Special Services for Express Mail S900 Special Postal Services S910 Security and Accountability S911 Registered Mail S912 Certified Mail S913 Insured Mail S914 Certificate of Mailing S915 Return Receipt S916 Restricted Delivery S917 Return Receipt for Merchandise S920 Convenience S921 Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail S922 Business Reply Mail (BRM) S923 Merchandise Return Service S924 Bulk Parcel Return Service S930 Handling I--INDEX INFORMATION I000 Information I010 Summary of Changes I020 References I021 Forms Glossary I022 Subject Index Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 97-31599 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P