[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34871-34872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14251]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Mobile Barcode Promotion
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[reg]) 709.4 to
add a temporary promotion for First-Class Mail[reg] cards, letters and
flats, and Standard Mail[reg] letters and flats bearing two-dimensional
mobile barcodes.
DATES: Effective Date: July 5, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Becker at 202-268-7345 or
mobilebarcode@usps.gov; or Bill Chatfield at 202-268-7278.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 12, 2011, the Postal Service filed
a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to temporarily reduce
the prices for certain types of First-Class Mail and Standard Mail that
contain, in or on the mailpiece, a two-dimensional mobile barcode
readable by consumer smartphones. The Commission has completed its
review.
In this final rule, the Postal Service provides a description of
the conditions for eligibility for the price reduction for the mobile
barcode promotion, and the new mailing standards to implement the
promotion. To be eligible, each mailpiece in the mailing (and listed on
the postage statement) must have a qualifying two-dimensional mobile
barcode on the outside of each piece or on the contents within each
piece. The barcodes, when scanned, must be used for consumer
interaction and be relevant to the contents of the mailpiece. The
mobile barcodes must be used for marketing, promotional or educational
purposes. They may not be used for internal corporate operational
processes or for postage evidencing purposes. Barcodes that link
consumers to sites that encourage enrollment to online bill paying or
paperless statement services are not considered marketing, promotional
or educational for the purposes of this initiative and are not eligible
for the discount.
A price reduction of three percent of the total postage cost for a
mailing in which all mailpieces contain a two-dimensional mobile (also
known as a ``QR'' barcode) barcode that is readable by consumer
smartphones will apply to presort and automation mailings of First-
Class Mail cards, letters, and flats; and Standard Mail (including
nonprofit) letters and flats. Commingled, co-mailed and combined
mailings are allowed, but a separate postage statement is required for
mailpieces with mobile barcodes. Eligible mailings must be accompanied
by electronic documentation under existing mailing standards for
submission of electronic documentation.
Other than the full-service Intelligent Mail[reg] barcode discount,
mailpieces are ineligible to receive any other incentive if claiming
the mobile barcode promotion three percent discount.
Promotion Dates and More Information
The Postal Service will implement the promotion and temporary price
reduction effective for mailings made on July 1, 2011 through August
31, 2011. Plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) mailings may be accepted
at origin on or after June 26, 2011 for mail to be entered at a
destination facility on or after July 1. PVDS shipments accepted no
later than August 31 may be entered at destinations through September
15, 2011. Program requirements, including updated FAQs, are available
on the RIBBS[reg] Web site at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mobilebarcode or by e-mail to mobilebarcode@usps.gov.
The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), which is 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 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 the Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM):
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
* * * * *
709 Experimental and Temporary Classifications
* * * * *
[Add new 4.0 as follows:]
[[Page 34872]]
4.0 Two-Dimensional Mobile Barcode Promotion
4.1 Program Description and Scope
The two-dimensional mobile barcode promotion provides a three
percent discount for presorted and automation mailings of First-Class
Mail cards, letters, and flats and Standard Mail (including Nonprofit)
letters and flats that include a two-dimensional mobile barcode when
the mailpieces meet all the conditions in these standards. The
promotion is valid for mailings entered from July 1, 2011 through
August 31, 2011. Plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) mailings meeting
all relevant standards may qualify for participation in this promotion
as follows:
a. PVDS mailings may be accepted at origin as early as June 26,
2011 if they are entered on or after July 1, 2011 at the destination.
b. PVDS mailings may be accepted at origin as late as August 31,
2011 if they are entered no later than September 15, 2011 at the
destination.
4.2 Eligibility Standards
To be eligible for the three percent discount, mailpieces must be
mailed under the following conditions:
a. A two-dimensional mobile barcode must be on each mailpiece,
either on the outside or printed on the contents of the piece. One-
dimensional barcodes do not qualify.
b. The barcode must be readable by a mobile smartphone with a two-
dimensional barcode reader application. The barcode must be used for
marketing, promotional or educational purposes and be relevant to the
contents of the mailpiece. Barcodes with links that direct consumers to
sites that encourage enrollment to online bill paying or paperless
statement services are not considered marketing, promotional or
educational for the purposes of this initiative and are not eligible
for the discount. Mailpieces with mobile barcodes that convey postage
information, destination, sender or machinable serial number for
security also are not eligible for the discount.
c. The mailpieces with mobile barcodes must be one of the
following:
1. Presorted or automation First-Class Mail cards, letters, or
flats.
2. Standard Mail (including nonprofit) letters or flats.
d. Postage must be paid with a permit imprint, and the postage
statement and mailing documentation must be submitted electronically.
All pieces on a postage statement must contain a mobile barcode that
qualifies for the discount.
e. Participating mailers must provide the acceptance unit with a
sample of the mailpiece that contains a mobile barcode. Mailers must
also retain, until October 31, 2011, a sample of each mailpiece
claiming a discount.
f. Other than a full-service Intelligent Mail discount (see
705.23), no other incentives apply for mailpieces claiming a discount
under this promotion.
4.3 Discount
Mailers must claim the three percent postage discount on the
postage statement at the time the statement is electronically
submitted. The electronic equivalent of the mailer's signature on the
postage statement will certify that each mailpiece claimed on the
postage statement contains a qualifying two-dimensional mobile barcode.
* * * * *
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to
reflect these changes.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2011-14251 Filed 6-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P