[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17072-17081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8861]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 20
Implementation of Global Package Link Service
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Interim rules with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Global Package Link Service (GPL, formerly known as
International
[[Page 17073]]
Package Consignment Service) is an international mail service designed
for companies sending merchandise to other countries. Brazil, Chile,
and Germany are now being added as additional destination countries.
The Postal Service is also announcing changes in the minimum annual
volumes required for GPL. Instead of minimum volume requirements for
each country to which service is available, the Postal Service is
establishing an annual minimum volume of 10,000 packages to all
countries. An interim rule is being announced for merchandise return
services for customers using GPL service to Japan and the United
Kingdom. Finally, the Postal Service is reorganizing and simplifying
the GPL regulations. Interim regulations have been developed and are
set forth below for comment and suggested revision prior to adoption in
final form.
DATES: The interim regulations take effect April 9, 1997. Comments must
be received on or before May 9, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to Global
Package Link Service, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room
370 IBU, Washington, DC 20260-6500. Copies of all written comments will
be available for public inspection and photocopying at the above
address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Michelson at the above address.
Telephone: (202) 268-5731.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
In late 1994, with implementation of International Package
Consignment Service (later renamed Global Package Link) to Japan (59 FR
65961, December 22, 1994), the Postal Service announced that, when
feasible, it would expand the service to other destination countries
based on customer requests. The Postal Service later expanded GPL by
adding Canada and the United Kingdom as destination countries for
qualifying customers, and is hereby further expanding GPL by adding
Brazil, Chile, and Germany as destination countries for qualifying
customers. The Postal Service is also changing other features of GPL.
First, it is changing the annual minimum volumes per country to a
single minimum volume of 10,000 packages to all countries. It is also
establishing a merchandise return service for items sent to the United
Kingdom and Japan. The Postal Service has also simplified the
regulations governing GPL to make use of the service to multiple
countries more uniform. Each of these changes is described below.
II. GPL to Brazil, Chile, and Germany
A. Qualifying Criteria
A customer who wants to use GPL to Brazil, Chile, and Germany will
be required to enter into a service agreement with the Postal Service
agreeing to meet each of the requirements for using GPL service. First,
the customer must mail at least 10,000 GPL packages a year. (Volumes to
all GPL countries may be counted toward this minimum. See part IV
below.) Second, the customer must designate the Postal Service as its
carrier of choice to each country for which it uses GPL service. Third,
the customer must link its information systems with those of the Postal
Service so that the Postal Service and the customer can exchange data
transmissions concerning the customer's packages, and the Postal
Service can extract, on an as-needed basis, certain information about
the package by scanning the customer-provided barcode on each package.
In general, the information that must be made available to the
Postal Service includes the order number; the package identification
number; the buyer's name and address; the recipient's name and address;
the total weight of the package; the total value of the package
contents; the number of items in the package; and, for each item in the
package, its SKU number, its value, and its country of origin. In
practice, this requirement means that the customer will have to begin
the necessary systems work by the time it begins using GPL, and then
will have to assist the Postal Service in completing and maintaining
the information systems linkages. The Postal Service will use the
extracted information to prepare the necessary customs forms and
package labels and to provide user-friendly tracking and tracing.
Arrangements between the Postal Service and the customer that are
technical in nature also may appear in the GPL service agreement. For
instance, the service agreement may describe the electronic data
interface (EDI) or proprietary file format that will be used to
transmit data between the customer and the Postal Service, as well as
the frequency and schedule of transmissions. Similarly, the service
agreement may describe the formats and frequencies for any exceptions,
and performance reports that the Postal Service will provide to the
customer.
B. Processing and Acceptance
If the plant at which the customer's GPL packages originate is
located within 500 miles of a GPL processing facility, the Postal
Service will verify and accept the packages at the customer's plant and
transport them to the GPL processing facility according to a schedule
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the mailer.
If the customer's plant from which the GPL packages will originate
is located more than 500 miles from a Global Package Link processing
facility, the customer can choose one of two processing options:
Option One
The customer will be required to present the packages to the Postal
Service for verification at the customer's plant and transport them as
a drop shipment to a GPL processing facility according to a schedule
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the customer.
Option Two
The customer will process the packages using Postal Service-
provided computer system workstations and sort and prepare the packages
as required by the Postal Service. Then, the Postal Service will verify
and accept the packages at the customer's plant according to a schedule
agreed upon by the Postal Service and the mailer, and will transport
the packages to a designated GPL processing facility for dispatch.
C. Customs Forms
Normally, all necessary customs forms will be automatically
generated by the Postal Service computer workstations. Packages mailed
to Brazil, Chile, and Germany through a GPL facility will not be
required to bear customs forms when they are tendered to the Postal
Service. The Postal Service will verify, accept, and transport these
packages to a designated GPL processing facility. After scanning the
customer-printed barcode on each package and correlating it with the
package-specific information transmitted by the customer, the Postal
Service will print the necessary customs forms and affix them to the
customer's packages as part of the processing operation at the GPL
Processing Facility. If the customer is more than 500 miles from a
designated GPL facility and chooses option two, then the customs/GPL
label will be affixed by the customer using Postal Service provided
workstations.
D. Customs Clearance
The Postal Service has developed A Customs Pre-Advisory System
(CPAS)
[[Page 17074]]
as part of GPL processing. This electronic system collects package-
specific data to satisfy customs requirements as packages are processed
using the USPS computer workstations located at a GPL facility. The
system electronically advises the USPS delivery agent and customs of
the contents of each package mailed. Since this advisory information
arrives before the mail, CPAS facilitates and simplifies customs
clearance. Electronic pre-notification of the package contents and
automatic preparation of required customs declarations assures the
fastest clearance through Brazilian, Chilean, or German customs and
reduces costs for the customer and the Postal Service. To use CPAS,
recipients of merchandise must designate the Postal Service and its
customs broker as their agents for customs clearance.
Because of customs regulations in these countries concerning
payment of duties at the time of clearance, the mailer may be asked to
pre-fund a designated amount of duties before the first shipment, to be
replenished after each subsequent shipment.
E. Delivery Options
(1) Brazil
The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in
Brazil. This option will include home delivery, but will initially be
limited to addresses in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The
weight limit for packages will be 66 pounds, and the service will
provide tracking and tracing.
The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Brazil
overnight, where they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be
released to the delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive
courier service and be delivered overnight. Normal delivery times will
be two to three business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no
additional cost.
The Postal Service intends to expand this service to other areas in
Brazil outside the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as the
delivery agent expands its ability to provide an expedited, secure
delivery service with tracking for individual packages. The Postal
Service requests comments from customers regarding destination areas
needed in Brazil.
(2) Chile
The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in
Chile. This option will include home delivery, but will initially be
limited to addresses in the cities of Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina
del Mar. The weight limit for packages will be 70 pounds, and the
service will provide tracking and tracing.
The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Chile
overnight, where they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be
released to the delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive
courier service and be delivered overnight. Normal delivery times will
be two to three business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no
additional cost.
The Postal Service intends to expand this service to other areas in
Chile outside the cities of Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar, as
the delivery agent expands its ability to provide an expedited, secure
delivery service with tracking for individual packages. The Postal
Service requests comments from customers regarding destination areas
needed in Chile.
(3) Germany
The Postal Service will initially offer one delivery option in
Germany. This option will include home delivery. The weight limit for
packages will be 70 pounds, and the service will provide tracking and
tracing.
The Postal Service will transport GPL packages from the customer's
plant or from the designated GPL processing facility to Germany, where
they will receive expeditious customs clearance and be released to the
delivery agent. From there, the packages will receive courier service
and be delivered in one to two days. Normal delivery times will be
three to four business days from dispatch from the U.S. to final
delivery. Insurance, as provided under DMM S500, is included at no
additional cost.
F. Rates
The base rates for GPL service to Brazil, Chile and Germany are set
forth below. The Postal Service will charge the base rates, in one
pound increments, for the first 100,000 packages mailed by a customer
in a 12-month period. Once the customer has mailed 100,000 packages to
a country, postage for the rest of the customer's packages to that
country (except Germany) in the remainder of that 12-month period will
be reduced by 3 percent from the base rates.
III. Merchandise Return Service
A merchandise return service will be available to GPL customers
mailing to Japan. The mail order company (MOC) or the Japanese
recipient will be responsible for payment of shipping costs to the
designated Japanese return center. The return center will open each
box, inspect the contents, process the returns, and consolidate for
shipment back to the United States. MOC will receive electronic
notification of returns on a daily basis. The consolidated returns will
be shipped on a mutually agreed upon schedule. The parcels will be
uniquely identified and upon arrival in the U.S. will be sent to the
MOC via the domestic parcel network. The return prices, per parcel, are
detailed in the rate chart.
Merchandise Return Rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price
Pounds to per item
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................. $7.20
2............................................................. 9.80
3............................................................. 12.40
4............................................................. 15.00
5............................................................. 17.60
6............................................................. 20.20
7............................................................. 22.80
8............................................................. 25.40
9............................................................. 28.00
10............................................................ 30.60
11............................................................ 33.20
12............................................................ 35.80
13............................................................ 38.40
14............................................................ 41.00
15............................................................ 43.70
16............................................................ 48.00
17............................................................ 50.70
18............................................................ 53.50
19............................................................ 56.20
20............................................................ 58.90
21............................................................ 63.90
22............................................................ 66.70
23............................................................ 69.50
24............................................................ 72.30
25............................................................ 75.10
26............................................................ 77.90
27............................................................ 80.70
28............................................................ 83.50
29............................................................ 86.30
30............................................................ 89.10
31............................................................ 91.90
32............................................................ 94.70
33............................................................ 97.50
34............................................................ 100.40
35............................................................ 103.20
36............................................................ 106.00
37............................................................ 108.80
38............................................................ 111.60
39............................................................ 114.40
40............................................................ 117.20
41............................................................ 120.00
42............................................................ 122.80
43............................................................ 125.60
44............................................................ 128.40
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A return merchandise service will be available to GPL customers
mailing to the U.K. The returns agent will open each box, inspect the
contents, and process it for return to the U.S. The returns agent will
apply for a refund of
[[Page 17075]]
duties and taxes from U.K. Customs. The packages will then be sent to
the mailer's designated center for returns in the U.S. The return
prices, per parcel, are detailed in the rate chart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return
Weight not over (pounds) price
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................. $6.93
2............................................................. 7.40
3............................................................. 8.79
4............................................................. 9.26
5............................................................. 10.66
6............................................................. 11.12
7............................................................. 12.52
8............................................................. 12.99
9............................................................. 14.38
10............................................................ 14.85
11............................................................ 15.32
12............................................................ 16.72
13............................................................ 17.18
14............................................................ 18.58
15............................................................ 19.05
16............................................................ 20.44
17............................................................ 20.91
18............................................................ 22.31
19............................................................ 22.77
20............................................................ 24.17
21............................................................ 24.64
22............................................................ 25.10
23............................................................ 26.50
24............................................................ 26.97
25............................................................ 28.37
26............................................................ 28.83
27............................................................ 30.23
28............................................................ 30.70
29............................................................ 32.09
30............................................................ 32.56
31............................................................ 33.96
32............................................................ 34.42
33............................................................ 34.89
34............................................................ 36.29
35............................................................ 36.75
36............................................................ 38.15
37............................................................ 38.62
38............................................................ 40.02
39............................................................ 40.48
40............................................................ 41.88
41............................................................ 42.35
42............................................................ 43.74
43............................................................ 44.21
44............................................................ 44.68
45............................................................ 46.07
46............................................................ 46.54
47............................................................ 47.94
48............................................................ 48.40
49............................................................ 49.80
50............................................................ 50.27
51............................................................ 51.67
52............................................................ 52.13
53............................................................ 53.53
54............................................................ 54.00
55............................................................ 54.46
56............................................................ 55.86
57............................................................ 56.33
58............................................................ 57.72
59............................................................ 58.19
60............................................................ 59.59
61............................................................ 60.05
62............................................................ 61.45
63............................................................ 61.92
64............................................................ 63.32
65............................................................ 63.78
66............................................................ 64.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV. Minimum Volumes
Minimum volumes to all GPL countries are now being set at a uniform
level of 10,000 packages during a 12-month time period. In addition,
volumes to any or all GPL destination countries will be applied toward
fulfillment of this minimum. This is being done because the rationale
for a minimum is that there are fixed costs involved in linking mailers
to the GPL system and in providing transportation. Because these fixed
costs do not vary depending upon the destination country, a uniform
minimum is justifiable.
V. Reorganization of Global Package Link Regulations
The present GPL regulations are found in part 620 of the
International Mail Manual and in the Country Pages of the IMM.
Particularly with respect to the regulations in the Country Pages, the
regulations are redundant and could be consolidated. All regulations
that can be consolidated will now be found in 620. Only the GPL rate
schedules and associated information will be included in the Country
Pages. No substantive changes are made in this consolidation.
VI. Conclusion
Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby adopts GPL service to
Brazil, Chile, and Germany, and merchandise return service from Japan
and the United Kingdom, on an interim basis, at the rates set forth in
the schedules below. The Postal Service also adopts on an interim basis
the reorganization of the GPL regulations set forth below. 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 this interim rule.
The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to the
International Mail Manual, 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 May 9, 1997, subchapter 620 of the International Mail
Manual, Issue 17, is amended as follows:
6 Special Programs
* * * * *
621.3 Availability
Global Package Link service is available only to Brazil, Canada,
Chile, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.
622 Qualifying Mailers
622.1 General
To qualify for Global Package Link service, a mailer must
a. Send a minimum of 10,000 packages a year;
b. Link its information system with that of the Postal Service;
c. Meet the general and specific preparation requirements for each
country;
d. Designate the Postal Service as its carrier of choice to each
country for which it uses Global Package Link service; and
e. Enter into a service agreement with the Postal Service.
Each service agreement must contain the following:
The customer's commitment to send at least 10,000 packages to any
one or more Global Package Link destination country(s) by Global
Package Link during the next 12 months. Combined volumes to any GPL
destination country will count toward this 12-month minimum. A
customer's failure to meet original volume requirements may result in
termination, by the Postal Service, of the right to mail to other
destination countries.
If the combined volume of packages to any or all Global Package
Link Destination country(s) does not meet the minimum volume for the
first 12 months following the effective date of the agreement, the USPS
may terminate this agreement by giving the mailer 60 days written
notice that it intends to terminate, unless the mailer can demonstrate
how it will meet the minimum volume by country within the next year. If
the volume frequently fails to meet the minimum volume requirement,
this agreement shall be terminated by the USPS upon written notice 30
days in advance of the termination.
622.2 Linking Information Systems
The mailer must link its information system to that of the Postal
Service so that (1) The Postal Service and the mailer can exchange data
transmissions concerning the mailer's packages, and (2) by scanning the
mailer provided
[[Page 17076]]
barcode on each package, the Postal Service can extract, on an as-
needed basis, the following information about each package to produce
necessary customs forms and package labels and to provide tracking and
tracing:
a. Order number.
b. Package identification number.
c. Delivery option used for package if more than one level of
service is available.
d. Buyer's name and address.
e. Recipient's name and address.
f. Total weight of package.
g. Total value of the package's contents.
h. Total number of items in each package.
i. Numbers of each item in package.
j. SKU or key-word description of each item.
k. Value of each item.
l. Country of origin of each item.
623 General
623.1 Special Services
[No change.]
623.2 Customs Documentation
Except for the acceptance option in 625.22, customs documentation
will be produced by the Postal Service from data transmitted by the
mailer. Mailers using the procedures in 625.22 are required to produce
and affix customs documentation using the workstation provided by the
Postal Service.
623.3 Size and Weight Limits
The weight limits for Global Package Link service are 70 pounds for
Chile and Germany; 66 pounds for Brazil, Canada, and the United
Kingdom; and 44 pounds for Japan. The Japan Economy Service maximum is
4 pounds. Japan Standard and Economy packages weighing less than 1
pound must bear the ``SMALL PACKET'' marking.
The maximum length of GPL packages is 60 inches and the maximum
length and girth combined is 108 inches with the following exceptions:
Maximum size for Germany is length 47 inches, height 23 inches, width
23 inches. Japan Economy maximum length is 24 inches; height, depth,
and length combined is 36 inches. Japan Standard packages weighing less
than 1 pound must adhere to the Economy size limitations. All packages
must be large enough to accommodate the necessary labels and customs
forms on the address side.
623.4 Postage
* * * * *
623.44 Base Rates
The Postal Service will charge the base rates, in 1-pound
increments, for the first 100,000 packages mailed by the customer
during a 12-month period.
Rate Reductions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of packages Percent discount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 100,000............................. Base Rate.
Over 100,000.............................. 3% off base rates (except
Germany and U.K.: Germany,
no discount; U.K., 2%). For
Japan discounts see rate
table in Japan Country
page.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
624 Preparation Requirements
[No change.]
625 Acceptance
625.1 Within 500 Miles of a Global Package Link Processing Facility
If the plant from which the customer's Global Package Link packages
originate is located within 500 miles of a Global Package Link
processing facility, the Postal Service will accept the packages at the
customer's plant and transport them by truck to the Global Package Link
processing facility according to a schedule agreed upon by the Postal
Service and the customer.
625.2 More Than 500 Miles From a Global Package Link Processing
Facility
If the customer's plant from which the Global Package Link packages
will originate is located more than 500 miles from an Global Package
Link processing facility, the customer may choose one of two processing
options.
625.21
The customer will present the packages to the Postal Service for
verification at the customer's plant and transport them as a drop
shipment to a Global Package Link processing facility according to a
schedule agreed upon by the Postal Service and the customer.
625.22
The customer will process the packages using Postal Service-
provided computer system workstations and will sort and prepare the
packages as required by the Postal Service. The Postal Service accepts
the packages at the customer's plant and transports them to a
designated air mail facility or air exchange office for onward
conveyance according to a schedule agreed upon by the Postal Service
and the customer.
626 Services Available
626.1 Delivery Options
Delivery options vary according to destination country, as set
forth below.
626.11 Premium Service
Premium service is available to all countries (Air Courier for
Canada). Packages sent through premium service are transported to the
destination country by air where they receive special handling and
expedited delivery. The mailer can track premium service packages
through delivery. Reports of delivery performance are furnished to the
mailer in the formats and at the frequencies agreed upon by the Postal
Service and the mailer.
626.12 Standard Service
Standard service is available to Japan, Canada (Ground Courier for
Canada), and the United Kingdom. Packages sent through standard service
are transported to the destination country by air (or a combination of
air/ground to Canada) for delivery. The mailer can track standard
service packages through dispatch from the Global Package Link
processing facility for Japan and through delivery for Canada and the
United Kingdom.
626.13 Economy Service
Economy service is available to Japan and the United Kingdom.
Packages sent through economy service are transported to the
destination country by air for delivery. Tracking for Economy Service
is not available in Japan and available only through the hand-over to
the global partner in the United Kingdom.
626.14 Canada Ground Service
Ground Gateway Service will offer ground service to Canada from the
designated Ground Gateway facilities and ground transportation to final
destination in Canada. It will receive the same expeditious customs
clearance as the Ground Courier Service (Standard). For details on
special requirements of the Ground Gateway Service, see the Canada
Country Page.
626.15 Processing Facilities
Global Package Link packages are processed at a designated Global
Package Link processing facility. The Postal Service currently operates
Global Package Link processing facilities at JFK International Airport
in NYC and near or at airports in Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami,
Seattle, and San Francisco. Buffalo, NY serves as a facility for Ground
Gateway-Canada service only. Seattle also serves as a
[[Page 17077]]
Ground Gateway-Canada facility. Other satellite facilities may be used
as needed.
626.2 Merchandise Return Service
626.21 Japan
Merchandise return service is available from Japan. The mailer or
the recipient is responsible for returning merchandise to the
designated Japanese return center where packages will be opened and the
contents consolidated for return to the United States. The mailer will
receive a daily electronic notification of returns. Returned
merchandise will be shipped to the mailer on a mutually agreed upon
schedule.
626.22 United Kingdom
A return merchandise service will be available to Global Package
Link customers mailing to the United Kingdom. The returns agent will
open and inspect the contents of each box and process for return back
to the U.S. The returns agent may apply for a refund of duties and
taxes from United Kingdom Customs. The packages will then be sent to
the mailer's designated center for returns in the U.S. The return
prices, per parcel, are detailed in the Global Package Link rate charts
in the Country Pages.
626.23 Canada
A return merchandise service will be available to GPL--Canada
customers. The mailer or the Canadian recipient will be responsible for
shipment costs back to the designated Canadian return center. The
return center will open each box, inspect the contents, and process it
for return back to the U.S., including applying to Revenue Canada for a
refund of duties and taxes to. Upon arrival in the U.S., the parcels
will be sent back to the mailer via the domestic parcel network. The
return prices, per parcel, are detailed in the Canada Country page.
Insurance and Indemnity
626.31 Premium Service
Packages sent through premium service are insured against loss,
damage, or rifling at no additional cost. Indemnity will be paid by the
Postal Service in accordance with Domestic Mail Manual S500. Premium
service packages are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither
indemnity payments nor postage refunds will be made in the event of
delay.
626.32 Standard Service
626.321 Japan and Canada
Packages sent through standard service to Japan that weigh more
than one pound may be insured at an additional cost (See 320). Packages
sent through standard service and Ground Gateway service to Canada are
insured for the declared value, up to $100 Canadian. Standard service
packages are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity
payments nor postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.
626.322 United Kingdom
Packages sent through standard service to the United Kingdom are
insured against loss, damage, or rifling at no additional cost.
Indemnity up to $500.00 will be paid by the Postal Service in
accordance with Domestic Mail Manual S500. Standard service packages
are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity payments
nor postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.
626.33 Economy Service
626.331 Japan
Packages sent through economy service to Japan may not be insured.
626.332 United Kingdom
Packages sent through economy service to the United Kingdom may be
insured at an additional cost (see 320). Economy service packages are
not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity payments nor
postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.
626.4 Customs Clearance
626.41 Customs Forms
Normally all necessary customs forms will be automatically
generated by the Postal Service computer workstations. Packages mailed
through a Global Package Link processing facility will not be required
to bear customs forms when they are tendered to the Postal Service.
After scanning the customer-printed barcode on each package and
correlating it with the package-specific information transmitted by the
customer, the Postal Service will print the necessary customs forms and
affix them to the customer's packages as part of the processing
operation at the Global Package Link processing facility. A customer
utilizing the Global Package Link work station at a location more than
500 miles from a Global Package Link processing facility will be
required to affix the customs documentation produced by the Global
Package Link work station to each package.
626.42 Customs Clearance
The Postal Service has developed the Customs Pre-Advisory System
(CPAS) as part of Global Package Link processing. This electronic
system collects package-specific data to satisfy customs requirements
as packages are processed using the USPS computer workstations located
at Global Package Link processing facilities. The system electronically
advises agents in the destination country of the contents of each
package mailed. Mailers must provide the Postal Service with the
harmonized customs codes for their merchandise for assessing duty.
Mailers may obtain harmonized codes themselves or the Postal Service
will obtain codes for them. Recipients of merchandise must designate
the Postal Service and its agents as the recipients agents for customs
clearance.
626.421 Catalog Harmonization Services
[Move from 626.9 to 626.421.]
All catalog harmonization services 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. Mailers
have 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.
626.43 Payment of Customs Duty
626.431 All Countries Except Japan
For all countries except Japan, the Postal Service will arrange
payment of customs duty on behalf of the recipient at the time the
merchandise enters the country of destination. Any banking costs or
foreign exchange fees applicable to the customs payments will be
charged back to the mailer. The Postal Service will notify the mailer
electronically of the amount of duty and fees paid and the mailer will
reimburse the Postal Service in a manner and within a time agreed
between the mailer and the Postal Service. Because of the need to have
funds available for customs at the time of clearance in Brazil, Chile
and Germany, mailers must make an advance deposit prior to first
mailing to cover anticipated duties and taxes in addition to postage.
For subsequent mailings, this account must be replenished by the mailer
after the actual amount of duties and taxes are assessed. The mailer is
responsible for collecting duties and taxes from the recipient (this
can be effected when payment for the order is made).
[[Page 17078]]
626.432 Japan
In Japan, any customs duties and fees will be collected from the
recipient at the time of delivery.
[Delete 626.5 through 627. Section 629.9, Catalog Harmonization,
moves to 626.421.]
3. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for
Brazil in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the
listing.
Global Package Link to Brazil Rate Chart (Premium Service)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual volumes
-------------------
No
Weight not to exceed (pounds) discount More
under than
100,000 100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................................................... 12.45 12.08
2................................................... 14.32 13.89
3................................................... 17.01 16.50
4................................................... 18.87 18.31
5................................................... 21.59 20.94
6................................................... 23.45 22.75
7................................................... 26.14 25.36
8................................................... 28.01 27.17
9................................................... 30.70 29.78
10.................................................. 32.56 31.59
11.................................................. 34.43 33.39
12.................................................. 37.14 36.02
13.................................................. 39.00 37.83
14.................................................. 41.70 40.44
15.................................................. 43.56 42.25
16.................................................. 46.25 44.86
17.................................................. 48.12 46.67
18.................................................. 50.17 48.67
19.................................................. 52.04 50.47
20.................................................. 54.67 53.03
21.................................................. 56.53 54.84
22.................................................. 58.40 56.65
23.................................................. 61.05 59.22
24.................................................. 62.92 61.03
25.................................................. 65.57 63.60
26.................................................. 67.43 65.41
27.................................................. 70.07 67.97
28.................................................. 71.93 69.77
29.................................................. 74.59 72.35
30.................................................. 76.45 74.16
31.................................................. 79.10 76.73
32.................................................. 80.97 78.54
33.................................................. 82.83 80.35
34.................................................. 85.49 82.92
35.................................................. 87.35 84.73
36.................................................. 90.00 87.30
37.................................................. 91.87 89.11
38.................................................. 94.52 91.69
39.................................................. 96.39 93.49
40.................................................. 99.04 96.07
41.................................................. 100.90 97.88
42.................................................. 103.56 100.45
43.................................................. 105.42 102.26
44.................................................. 107.29 104.07
45.................................................. 109.94 106.64
46.................................................. 111.80 108.45
47.................................................. 114.46 111.02
48.................................................. 116.32 112.83
49.................................................. 118.98 115.41
50.................................................. 120.84 117.21
51.................................................. 123.49 119.79
52.................................................. 125.36 121.60
53.................................................. 128.01 124.17
54.................................................. 129.87 125.98
55.................................................. 131.74 127.79
56.................................................. 134.39 130.36
57.................................................. 136.26 132.17
58.................................................. 138.91 134.74
59.................................................. 140.77 136.55
60.................................................. 143.43 139.13
61.................................................. 145.29 140.93
62.................................................. 147.95 143.51
63.................................................. 149.81 145.32
64.................................................. 152.46 147.89
65.................................................. 154.33 149.70
66.................................................. 156.19 151.51
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
4. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for
Chile in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the
listing.
Global Package Link to Chile Rate Chart (Premium Service)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual volumes
-------------------
No
Weight not to exceed (pounds) discount More
under than
100,000 100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................................................... 9.70 9.41
2................................................... 11.74 11.39
3................................................... 13.97 13.56
4................................................... 16.02 15.53
5................................................... 18.25 17.70
6................................................... 20.29 19.68
7................................................... 22.52 21.85
8................................................... 24.56 23.83
9................................................... 26.80 25.99
10.................................................. 28.84 27.97
11.................................................. 30.88 29.95
12.................................................. 33.11 32.12
13.................................................. 35.15 34.10
14.................................................. 37.39 36.26
15.................................................. 39.43 38.24
16.................................................. 41.66 40.41
17.................................................. 43.70 42.39
18.................................................. 45.93 44.56
19.................................................. 47.98 46.54
20.................................................. 50.21 48.70
21.................................................. 52.25 50.68
22.................................................. 54.29 52.66
23.................................................. 56.52 54.83
24.................................................. 58.56 56.81
25.................................................. 60.80 58.97
26.................................................. 62.84 60.95
27.................................................. 65.07 63.12
28.................................................. 67.11 65.10
29.................................................. 69.35 67.27
30.................................................. 71.39 69.25
31.................................................. 73.62 71.41
32.................................................. 75.66 73.39
33.................................................. 77.70 75.37
34.................................................. 79.94 77.54
35.................................................. 81.98 79.52
36.................................................. 84.21 81.68
37.................................................. 86.25 83.66
38.................................................. 88.48 85.83
39.................................................. 90.52 87.81
40.................................................. 92.76 89.98
41.................................................. 94.80 91.95
42.................................................. 97.03 94.12
43.................................................. 99.07 96.10
44.................................................. 101.11 98.08
45.................................................. 103.35 100.25
46.................................................. 105.39 102.23
47.................................................. 107.62 104.39
48.................................................. 109.66 106.37
49.................................................. 111.89 108.54
50.................................................. 113.94 110.52
51.................................................. 116.17 112.68
52.................................................. 118.21 114.66
53.................................................. 120.44 116.83
54.................................................. 122.48 118.81
55.................................................. 124.52 120.79
56.................................................. 126.76 122.96
57.................................................. 128.80 124.93
58.................................................. 131.03 127.10
59.................................................. 133.07 129.08
60.................................................. 135.31 131.25
61.................................................. 137.35 133.23
62.................................................. 139.58 135.39
63.................................................. 141.62 137.37
64.................................................. 143.85 139.54
65.................................................. 145.90 141.52
66.................................................. 147.94 143.50
67.................................................. 150.17 145.66
68.................................................. 152.21 147.64
69.................................................. 154.44 149.81
70.................................................. 156.48 151.79
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for
Germany in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding
the following information about Global Package Link to the end of the
listing.
Global Package Link to Germany Rate Chart
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate all
Weight not to exceed (pounds) volumes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................................................. 10.74
2............................................................. 12.35
3............................................................. 13.96
4............................................................. 15.57
5............................................................. 17.18
6............................................................. 18.80
7............................................................. 20.41
8............................................................. 22.02
9............................................................. 23.63
[[Page 17079]]
10............................................................ 25.24
11............................................................ 26.86
12............................................................ 28.47
13............................................................ 30.08
14............................................................ 31.69
15............................................................ 33.30
16............................................................ 34.92
17............................................................ 36.53
18............................................................ 38.14
19............................................................ 39.75
20............................................................ 41.36
21............................................................ 42.98
22............................................................ 44.59
23............................................................ 46.20
24............................................................ 47.81
25............................................................ 49.42
26............................................................ 51.04
27............................................................ 52.65
28............................................................ 54.26
29............................................................ 55.87
30............................................................ 57.48
31............................................................ 59.10
32............................................................ 60.71
33............................................................ 62.32
34............................................................ 63.93
35............................................................ 65.54
36............................................................ 67.16
37............................................................ 68.77
38............................................................ 70.38
39............................................................ 71.99
40............................................................ 73.60
41............................................................ 75.22
42............................................................ 76.83
43............................................................ 78.44
44............................................................ 80.05
45............................................................ 81.66
46............................................................ 83.28
47............................................................ 84.89
48............................................................ 86.50
49............................................................ 88.11
50............................................................ 89.72
51............................................................ 91.34
52............................................................ 92.95
53............................................................ 94.56
54............................................................ 96.17
55............................................................ 97.78
56............................................................ 99.40
57............................................................ 101.01
58............................................................ 102.62
59............................................................ 104.23
60............................................................ 105.84
61............................................................ 107.46
62............................................................ 109.07
63............................................................ 110.68
64............................................................ 112.29
65............................................................ 113.90
66............................................................ 115.52
67............................................................ 117.13
68............................................................ 118.74
69............................................................ 120.35
70............................................................ 121.96
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for
Great Britain in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by
deleting all Global Package Link regulations and replacing the rate
chart for Global Package Link with the following rate chart, including
rates for merchandise.
Global Package Link to Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rate Chart
[Replace current rate table with the following:]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price per item
Weight not over (pounds) ---------------------------------------------------
Premium Standard Economy Returns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................................................... $13.87 $11.17 $9.95 $6.93
2........................................................... 15.21 12.46 11.19 7.40
3........................................................... 16.54 13.75 12.43 8.79
4........................................................... 17.88 15.04 13.67 9.26
5........................................................... 19.21 16.32 14.91 10.66
6........................................................... 20.55 17.61 16.15 11.12
7........................................................... 21.88 18.90 17.39 12.52
8........................................................... 23.71 20.18 18.63 12.99
9........................................................... 25.08 21.47 19.87 14.38
10.......................................................... 26.63 22.76 21.11 14.85
11.......................................................... 28.00 24.05 22.35 15.32
12.......................................................... 29.37 25.33 23.59 16.72
13.......................................................... 30.96 26.62 24.82 17.18
14.......................................................... 32.34 27.91 26.06 18.58
15.......................................................... 33.96 29.20 27.30 19.05
16.......................................................... 35.35 30.48 28.54 20.44
17.......................................................... 36.99 31.77 29.78 20.91
18.......................................................... 38.66 33.06 31.02 22.31
19.......................................................... 40.61 34.35 32.26 22.77
20.......................................................... 42.04 35.63 33.50 24.17
21.......................................................... 43.47 36.92 34.74 24.64
22.......................................................... 44.90 38.21 35.98 25.10
23.......................................................... 46.33 39.49 37.22 26.50
24.......................................................... 47.76 40.78 38.46 26.97
25.......................................................... 49.19 42.07 39.70 28.37
26.......................................................... 50.62 43.36 40.94 28.83
27.......................................................... 53.44 44.64 42.18 30.23
28.......................................................... 54.91 45.93 43.42 30.70
29.......................................................... 56.38 47.22 44.66 32.09
30.......................................................... 57.85 48.51 45.90 32.56
31.......................................................... 59.31 49.79 47.14 33.96
32.......................................................... 60.78 51.08 48.38 34.42
33.......................................................... 62.25 52.37 49.62 34.89
34.......................................................... 63.72 53.65 50.86 36.29
35.......................................................... 65.19 54.94 52.10 36.75
36.......................................................... 66.66 56.23 53.34 38.15
37.......................................................... 68.13 57.52 54.58 38.62
38.......................................................... 69.59 58.80 55.82 40.02
[[Page 17080]]
39.......................................................... 72.45 60.09 57.06 40.48
40.......................................................... 73.94 61.38 58.30 41.88
41.......................................................... 75.44 62.67 59.54 42.35
42.......................................................... 76.94 63.95 60.77 43.74
43.......................................................... 78.44 65.24 62.01 44.21
44.......................................................... 79.93 66.53 63.25 44.68
45.......................................................... 81.43 67.82 64.49 46.07
46.......................................................... 82.93 69.10 65.73 46.54
47.......................................................... 84.42 70.39 66.97 47.94
48.......................................................... 85.92 71.68 68.21 48.40
49.......................................................... 87.42 72.96 69.45 49.80
50.......................................................... 88.91 74.25 70.69 50.27
51.......................................................... 90.41 75.54 71.93 51.67
52.......................................................... 91.91 76.83 73.17 52.13
53.......................................................... 93.41 78.11 74.41 53.53
54.......................................................... 94.90 79.40 75.65 54.00
55.......................................................... 96.40 80.69 76.89 54.46
56.......................................................... 97.90 81.98 78.13 55.86
57.......................................................... 99.39 83.26 79.37 56.33
58.......................................................... 100.89 84.55 80.61 57.72
59.......................................................... 102.39 85.84 81.85 58.19
60.......................................................... 103.89 87.13 83.09 59.59
61.......................................................... 105.38 88.41 84.33 60.05
62.......................................................... 106.88 89.70 85.57 61.45
63.......................................................... 108.38 90.99 86.81 61.92
64.......................................................... 109.87 92.27 88.05 63.32
65.......................................................... 111.37 93.56 89.29 63.78
66.......................................................... 112.87 94.85 90.53 64.25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Effective April 9, 1997, the Individual Country Listing for
Japan in the International Mail Manual Issue 17 is amended by adding
the following rate chart for Global Package Link, including rates for
merchandise return service.
Global Package Link to Japan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price per item ($)
Weight not over (pounds) ---------------------------------------------------
Premium Standard Economy Returns
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................................................... 14.35 6.64 5.43 7.20
2........................................................... 15.69 9.23 9.35 9.80
3........................................................... 17.80 13.63 13.27 12.40
4........................................................... 19.91 15.74 17.20 15.00
5........................................................... 22.02 20.14 ........... 17.60
6........................................................... 27.03 24.93 ........... 20.20
7........................................................... 29.39 29.86 ........... 22.80
8........................................................... 31.76 32.22 ........... 25.40
9........................................................... 34.12 37.15 ........... 28.00
10.......................................................... 36.49 39.52 ........... 30.60
11.......................................................... 38.85 41.88 ........... 33.20
12.......................................................... 41.21 46.81 ........... 35.80
13.......................................................... 43.58 49.17 ........... 38.40
14.......................................................... 45.94 54.10 ........... 41.00
15.......................................................... 48.31 56.47 ........... 43.70
16.......................................................... 54.29 65.78 ........... 48.00
17.......................................................... 56.82 68.32 ........... 50.70
18.......................................................... 59.36 73.60 ........... 53.50
19.......................................................... 61.89 76.13 ........... 56.20
20.......................................................... 64.42 81.42 ........... 58.90
21.......................................................... 71.42 89.55 ........... 63.90
22.......................................................... 74.12 92.25 ........... 66.70
23.......................................................... 76.83 97.88 ........... 69.50
24.......................................................... 79.53 100.58 ........... 72.30
25.......................................................... 82.23 106.22 ........... 75.10
26.......................................................... 84.93 108.92 ........... 77.90
27.......................................................... 87.63 114.56 ........... 80.70
28.......................................................... 90.34 117.26 ........... 83.50
29.......................................................... 93.04 122.89 ........... 86.30
30.......................................................... 95.74 125.59 ........... 89.10
31.......................................................... 104.59 139.43 ........... 91.90
[[Page 17081]]
32.......................................................... 107.47 142.30 ........... 94.70
33.......................................................... 110.34 145.17 ........... 97.50
34.......................................................... 113.21 151.16 ........... 100.40
35.......................................................... 116.08 154.03 ........... 103.20
36.......................................................... 118.95 160.02 ........... 106.00
37.......................................................... 121.82 162.89 ........... 108.80
38.......................................................... 124.69 168.88 ........... 111.60
39.......................................................... 127.56 171.75 ........... 114.40
40.......................................................... 130.43 177.73 ........... 117.20
41.......................................................... 141.15 191.23 ........... 120.00
42.......................................................... 144.19 197.57 ........... 122.80
43.......................................................... 147.23 200.61 ........... 125.60
44.......................................................... 150.27 203.65 ........... 128.40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discounts for GPL service to Japan are as follows:
a. 25,000 to 100,000 packages: 0%
b. 100,001 to 250,000 packages: 4.75%
c. 250,001 to 500,000 packages: additional 5.75%
d. 500,001 to 1,000,000 packages: additional 6.00%
e. More than 1,000,000 packages: additional 6.25%
8. Effective April 9, 1997, the individual country listing for
Canada is amended by removing the following Global Package Link
information:
DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY OPTIONS, PROCESSING FACILITIES, PROCESSING AND
ACCEPTANCE [Only the part not referring to Ground Gateway Acceptance],
REQUIRED PACKAGE SPECIFIC INFORMATION, INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY, CATALOG
HARMONIZATION, POSTAGE, SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITS, CUSTOMS and PREPARATION
REQUIREMENTS.
[The following items will be retained in the country page:]
PROCESSING AND ACCEPTANCE [Only the part explaining the Ground Gateway
acceptance, including within 500 Miles and More than 500 miles.]
The Rate Chart [With the three levels of service, Air Courier, Ground
Courier, Ground Gateway and return service rates.]
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-8861 Filed 4-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P