NOTE: COMMENTS REGARDING ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE MUST BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN THE DOCUMENT. ANY COMMENTS ON THE RAPID INFORMATION BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM (RIBBS) ABOUT ANY FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES WILL NOT BE USED OR CONSIDERED IN THE COURSE OF ANY RULE MAKING. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== [Federal Register: October 28, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 209)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 55572-55573] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 20 Amendment to International Package Consignment Service to Japan, Canada, and United Kingdom (U.K.) AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Amendment to interim rule with request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Postal Service is announcing prices for customs harmonization of catalog items being delivered via Global Package Link. All catalog harmonization performed by the Postal Service for the mailer will be billed to the mailer at a rate of $1.25 per [[Page 55573]] catalog item. If future catalogs add new items, the $1.25 rate will apply to these as well. The mailer has the option of performing their own harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre-Advisory System (CPAS) software. The above rule change will be incorporated into the rules for new destination countries announced for Global Package Link. DATES: The interim regulations take effect as of 12:01 midnight on October 30, 1996. Comments must be received on or before December 15, 1996. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to International Business Unit, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 370 IBU, Washington, DC 20260-6500. Copies of all written comments will be available for public inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Opiela, (202) 314-7134. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Global Package Link is a service that assists mail order companies and other customers that send merchandise to Japan, Canada, and the U.K. Presently, the Postal Service has Global Package Link processing facilities in New York City, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. The service includes expedited customs clearance through use of a software-based information system containing all the applicable duty and tax rates for specific products being mailed to destination countries. In order for a mailer to utilize this service, the mailers products must be ``harmonized'' with the customs classifications and the applicable duties for each destination country and put into an electronic database format for transmission to customs officials in the destination country. The Postal Service will provide these harmonization services for the mailer at a price of $1.25 per catalog item. If catalog items are subsequently added or changed in a manner requiring re-classification, the $1.25 charge would apply to each changed item. The mailer may arrange its own catalog harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service' proprietary software, known as Custom's Pre-Advisory System (CPAS). The CPAS software is an integral part of the Global Package Link service and is used to pre-advise destination country customs officials of the contents of a Global Package Link shipment. Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts this amendment to the interim rule for Global Package Link to Japan, Canada, and the U.K. Although 39 U.S.C. 407 does not require advance notice and opportunity for submission of comments, and the Postal Service is exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410(a) from the advance notice requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act regarding proposed rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553), the Postal Service invites interested persons to submit written data, views, or arguments concerning the interim rule. The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to the International Mail Manual, issue 14, which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20 International postal service, Foreign relations. PART 20--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 continues to read as follows: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408. 2. Effective October 30, 1996, subchapter 620 of the International Mail Manual, Issue 17, is amended as follows: 6 SPECIAL PROGRAMS * * * * * 620 GLOBAL PACKAGE LINK * * * * * 626.9 Catalog Harmonization Services All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The mailer has the option of performing their own harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre-Advisory System (CPAS) software. * * * * * 3. Effective October 30, 1996, the Individual Country Listing for Canada in the International Mail Manual, issue 17, is amended by adding the regulations concerning Global Package Link catalog harmonization service. * * * * * Global Package Link (620) * * * * * INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY * * * * * Ground Courier Service Packages sent through Ground Courier Service include up to $100 (Canadian) insurance at no additional cost. * * * * * CATALOG HARMONIZATION SERVICES All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The mailer has the option of performing its own harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre- Advisory System (CPAS) software. 4. Effective October 30, 1996, the Individual Country Listing for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the International Mail Manual, Issue 17, is amended by adding the regulations concerning Global Package Link catalog harmonization services. Global Package Link (620) * * * * * CATALOG HARMONIZATION SERVICES All catalog harmonization service performed for the Global Package Link mailer by the Postal Service will be billed to the mailer at a rate of $1.25 per catalog item. If the catalog is changed in the future, the new items will also be charged at $1.25 per item. The mailer has the option of performing its own harmonization, provided it is done in a format compatible with the Postal Service's Customs Pre- Advisory System (CPAS) software. * * * * * Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 96-27350 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P