Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48933-48936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22748]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

International Competitive Services Product and Price Changes

AGENCY: Postal Service^TM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to
reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to
Competitive Services, as established by the Governors of the Postal
Service.

DATES: Effective: January 21, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Rabkin at 202-268-2537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: New prices will be posted under Docket
Number CP2018-8 on the Postal Regulatory Commission's Web site at
http://www.prc.gov.
This final rule describes the international price and
classification changes and the corresponding mailing standards changes
for the following Competitive Services:
Global Express Guaranteed[supreg] (GXG[supreg]).
Priority Mail Express International[supreg].
Priority Mail International[supreg].
First-Class Package International Service[supreg]
(FCPIS[supreg]).
International Priority Airmail[supreg] (IPA[supreg]).
International Surface Air Lift[supreg] (ISAL[supreg]).
Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail
M-bag[supreg] services).
The following international extra services and fees:
International Insurance.
International Certificate of Mailing.
International Registered Mail.
International Return Receipt.
International Postal Money Orders.
International Money Order Inquiry Fee.
International Money Transfer Service.
Customs Clearance and Delivery Fee.

New prices will be located on the Postal Explorer[supreg] Web site at
http://pe.usps.com.

Global Express Guaranteed

Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service provides fast international
shipping and date-certain delivery with a money-back guarantee, with
international transportation and delivery provided through an alliance
with FedEx Express[supreg]. The price increase for GXG service averages
3.9 percent.
The Postal Service provides Commercial Base pricing to online
customers who prepare and pay for GXG shipments via USPS-approved
payment methods (other than Click-N-Ship[supreg] service), with a 5
percent discount off the published retail prices for GXG service.
Customers who prepare GXG shipments via Click-N-Ship service will
continue to pay retail prices. Commercial Plus prices are set to match
the Commercial Base prices.

Priority Mail Express International

Priority Mail Express International service provides fast service
to approximately 180 countries in 3-5 business days, for many major
markets, although the actual number of days may vary based upon origin,
destination and customs delays. Priority Mail Express International
with Money-Back Guarantee service is available for certain
destinations. The price increase for Priority Mail Express
International service averages 3.9 percent. The Commercial Base price
for customers who prepare and pay for Priority Mail Express
International shipments via permit imprint, online at USPS.com[supreg],
or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage vendor (with
the exception of Click-N-Ship service) will

[[Page 48934]]

be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who prepare Priority
Mail Express International shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay
retail prices. Commercial Plus prices are set to match the Commercial
Base prices.
The Postal Service will also continue to include Priority Mail
Express International service in customized Global Expedited Package
Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue
thresholds and are willing to commit a larger amount of revenue to the
USPS[supreg] for Priority Mail Express International service and
Priority Mail International service.

Priority Mail International

Priority Mail International (PMI) is an economical way to send
merchandise and documents to approximately 180 countries in 6-10
business days, for many major markets, although the actual number of
days may vary based upon origin, destination and customs delays. The
price increase for Priority Mail International service averages 3.9
percent. The Commercial Base price for customers who prepare and pay
for PMI items via permit imprint, online at USPS.com, or as registered
end-users using an authorized PC Postage vendor (with the exception of
Click-N-Ship) will be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who
prepare Priority Mail International shipments via Click-N-Ship pay
retail prices. Commercial Plus prices are set to match Commercial Base
prices. The Postal Service will continue to include Priority Mail
International service in customized GEPS contracts offered to customers
who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit to a
larger amount of revenue to the USPS for Priority Mail Express
International and Priority Mail International.
Priority Mail International flat rate pricing continues to be
available for Flat Rate Envelopes, Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, and
Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes.

First-Class Package International Service

First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) is an economical
international service for small packages weighing less than 4 pounds
and not exceeding $400 in value. The price increase for FCPIS averages
3.9 percent. The Commercial Base price for customers who prepare and
pay for FCPIS items via permit imprint or by USPS-approved online
payment methods will be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who
prepare FCPIS shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay retail prices.
Commercial Plus prices are set to match the Commercial Base prices.
Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service--
abbreviated E-USPS DELCON INTL--is available for First-Class Package
International Service items to select destination countries at no
charge.

International Priority Airmail (IPA) and International Surface Air Lift
(ISAL)

International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags,
is an economical commercial service designed for volume mailings of all
First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes
(flats), and for volume mailings of First-Class Package International
Service packages (small packets) weighing up to a maximum of 4.4
pounds. IPA shipments are typically flown to foreign destinations
(exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that
country's air or surface priority mail system for delivery. The price
increase for IPA and IPA M-Bags is 3.9 percent. International Surface
Airlift (ISAL) is similar to IPA except that once flown to the foreign
destination, it is entered into that country's air or surface
nonpriority mail system for delivery. The price increase for
International Priority Airmail (IPA), as well as IPA M-Bags, is 3.9
percent.
In this filing we are proposing a structural change. As stated in
the notice concerning International Mailing Services: Proposed Product
and Price Changes--CPI Proposed Rule with a Request for Comments,
concerning new proposed prices posted under Docket R2018-1 on the
Postal Regulatory Commission's Web site, published contemporaneously
with this filing, the Postal Service is limiting the contents of First-
Class Mail International postcard, letter, and large envelope (flats)
mail to personal correspondence and non-dutiable documents. Because IPA
service, including IPA M-bags, and ISAL service, including ISAL M-bags,
are commercial services designed for volume mailings of all First-Class
Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats) and
First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets), the
limiting of the contents of First-Class Mail International postcard,
letter, and large envelope (flat) mail discussed above will also apply
to IPA postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail and ISAL
postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail.

Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-Bags)

An airmail M-bag is a direct sack of printed matter sent to a
single foreign addressee at a single address. Prices are based on the
weight of the sack. The price increase for Airmail M-bag service
averages 3.9 percent.

International Extra Services and Fees

Depending on country destination and mail type, customers may add a
variety of extra services to their outbound shipments and pay a variety
of fees. Prices for these fees and services increase an average 3.9
percent.
The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail
Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

Foreign relations, International postal services.

Accordingly, 39 CFR part 20 is amended as follows:

PART 20--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 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, 407, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-
3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM), as follows:
* * * * *

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International
Mail Manual (IMM)

1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

120 Preparation for Mailing

* * * * *

123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels

123.6 Required Usage

123.61 Conditions

* * * * *

[[Page 48935]]

Exhibit 123.61

Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category

* * * * *

[Revise the heading and text for the First-Class Package International
Service section to read as follows:]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Declared value,
Type of item weight, or physical Required PS form Comment (if applicable)
characteristic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Package International Service Packages (Small Packets), as well as IPA Packages (Small Packets) and
ISAL Packages (Small Packets)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All First-Class Package $400 or less.......... 2976.................. Merchandise is permitted
International Service packages unless prohibited by the
(small packets), as defined in destination country.
251.2, regardless of contents,
and, for commercial mailers, IPA
packages (small packets) and ISAL
packages (small packets),
regardless of contents.
Over $400............. Prohibited............ Items over $400 must be
mailed using Global
Express Guaranteed
service, Priority Mail
Express International
service, or Priority Mail
International service.
All package-size items, as defined $400 or less.......... None.................. Not applicable.
in 251.2, that are entered by a
known mailer as defined in 123.62
and items that qualify under
123.63.

* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

123.62 Known Mailers

A ``known mailer'' must meet one of the definitions in 123.622 and
must meet the conditions in 123.623.

123.621 Overview

[Revise text to indicate that the known mailer exemption only applies
to package-size mailpieces, to read as follows:]

A ``known mailer'' may be exempt from the customs form requirement
that would otherwise apply to package-size mailpieces as defined in
251.2. A ``known mailer'' must meet one of the definitions in 123.622
and must meet the conditions in 123.623.

123.622 Definition

A ``known mailer'' must meet one of the following definitions:

[Revise c(1) to remove First-Class Mail International and add First-
Class Package International Service to read as follows:]

a. A federal, state, or local government agency whose mail is
regarded as Official Mail.
b. A contractor who sends out prepaid mail on behalf of a military
service, provided the mail is endorsed ``Contents for Official Use--
Exempt from Customs Requirements.''
c. A business mailer who enters volume mailings through a business
mail entry unit (BMEU) or other bulk mail acceptance location,
completes a postage statement at the time of entry, pays postage
through an advance deposit account, and uses a permit imprint for
postage payment. For this purpose, the categories of mail that qualify
are as follows:
(1) First-Class Package International Service.
(2) International Priority Airmail (IPA) service.
(3) International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service.

123.623 Conditions

[Revise b and c to specify FCPIS packages or IPA and ISAL packages
(small packets), to read as follows:]

The following conditions apply to ``known mailers'':
a. The mailpieces must contain no merchandise or goods, except as
provided in 123.623b and 123.623c.
b. Merchandise may only be mailed as First-Class Package
International Service packages (small packets) (or as IPA packages
(small packets) and ISAL packages (small packets) for commercial
mailers).The mailpieces may contain hard copy printed matter or
recorded media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, flash drives, video and cassette
tapes), for which no customs form is required in the destination
country. Authorization to mail items under this subsection without a
customs form is subject to the following conditions:
(1) The mailpiece must not require an export license as described
in 510, 520, 530, or 540.
(2) Any packaging used for package-sized items under this
subsection must be transparent, such as shrinkwrap or polywrap
material, so that the contents are fully visible for inspection.
c. First-Class Package International Service packages (and IPA
packages (small packages) and ISAL packages (small packets) for
commercial mailers) may contain goods of nominal value (less than
$1.00) in conjunction with communications or informational materials
for which no customs form is required in the destination country. In
addition, authorization to mail items under this standard is subject to
the following conditions:
(1) The mailpieces must not require an export license as described
in 510, 520, 530, or 540.
(2) The mailpieces must not contain dangerous or prohibited items
under IMM 135 or 136, or be otherwise prohibited by the destination
country.
(3) The mailpieces cannot be destined to an E:1 country listed in
15 CFR 740, Supp. 2.
(4) The mailpieces cannot contain any items listed in the Commerce
Control List (15 CFR 774) or the U.S. Munitions List (22 CFR 121).

[[Page 48936]]

d. If the mailpieces are mailed with a postage statement, the
mailer must certify on the postage statement that the mailpieces
contain no dangerous materials that are prohibited by postal
regulations.
e. The import regulations of the destination country must allow
individual mailpieces without a customs form affixed.
f. For IPA and ISAL mailings, the mailer must pay with a permit
imprint or with a combination postage method (meter postage affixed to
the piece and additional postage by permit imprint). IPA and ISAL
mailpieces that are paid for by postage solely with a meter do not
qualify for the ``known mailer'' exemption.
g. Failure to comply with the conditions in this section, or with
any other applicable regulations or policies of the Postal Service or
other relevant governmental authorities, may result in the suspension
or revocation of eligibility to mail items without a customs form
affixed pursuant to this section. For example, a suspension or
revocation may result when the mailer fails to ensure his or her
compliance with 510, 520, 530, or 540, such as ensuring that no
mailings are sent to persons blocked from transacting in such items by
the federal agencies described in those IMM sections.
* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

290 Commercial Services

* * * * *

292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service

292. 1 Description

292.11 General

[Revise the second sentence to read as follows (including content-based
requirements):]

International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags,
is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all First-Class
Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and
for volume mailings of First-Class Package International Service
packages (small packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in
accordance with the requirements of this subchapter and with the
content-based and shape-based requirements of the applicable service--
see 240 for First-Class Mail International items, and see 250 for
First-Class Package International Service items.* * *
* * * * *

292.2 Eligibility

* * * * *

292.25 Dutiable Items

[Revise the first sentence to read as follows (referring only to First-
Class Package International Service and removing an outdated reference
to ordinary or insured Priority Mail International items):]

Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules
in this subchapter for First-Class Package International Service only.
Priority Mail International items may not be mailed with IPA service.
* * * * *

293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service

293.1 Description

293.11 General

[Revise the second sentence to include content-based requirements, to
read as follows:]

International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-
bags, is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all
First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes
(flats), and for volume mailings of First-Class Package International
Service packages (small packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in
accordance with the requirements of this subchapter and with the
content-based and shape-based requirements of the applicable service--
see 240 for First-Class Mail International items, and see 250 for
First-Class Package International Service items.* * *
* * * * *

293.2 Eligibility

* * * * *

293.25 Dutiable Items

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-22748 Filed 10-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P