[Federal Register: June 5, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 108)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 38596-38600]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn02-5]                         

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

 
Changes in International Special Service Fees

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 38597]]

SUMMARY: Pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 407, the Postal 
Service is changing fees for international special mail services to 
become effective simultaneously with changes to domestic rates and 
fees.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12:01 A.M., June 30, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Alepa, 703-292-3589.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Postal Service is a member 
of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). By virtue of that membership, the 
Postal Service adheres to the agreements of the UPU to which it is 
signatory. Specifically, the Universal Postal Convention (Convention) 
contains provisions concerning the fees member countries can charge for 
special mail services.
    The Convention provides charges for nonstandard letters, return 
receipts, registered mail service, restricted delivery, recorded 
delivery, and insured parcel mail service. The charges provided in 
these agreements are generally less than the Postal Service charges for 
the equivalent domestic service. The agreements authorize member 
countries whose internal service charges are higher than those that are 
fixed in the agreements to apply their domestic charges in the 
international service. The Postal Service charges international special 
service fees that are the same as the equivalent domestic special 
service fees to avoid having international fees that are less than 
those charged domestically. In addition, there are domestic services 
such as certificate of mailing, money order inquiry fee, and pickup fee 
that can be used in conjunction with international mail.
    The definition of nonstandard surcharge for letter-post items is 
changed to be the same as the monmachinable criteria and the new term 
is adopted for international mail.
    Accordingly, the Postal Service is adjusting the following 
international special service fees concurrently with changes adopted by 
the Governors of the Postal Service as a result of the current 
proceedings before the Postal Rate Commission (Docket R2001-1):
    A. Certificate of Mailing:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Quantity                                Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Pieces:
  Basic service (PS Form 3817)............  $0.90 (per article)
  Firm mailing book (PS Form 3877)........  0.30 (per article listed)
  Duplicate of PS Form 3817 or 3877.......  0.90 (per page)
Bulk Mailings:
  Up to 1,000 identical pieces............  $4.50
  Each additional 1,000 pieces............  0.50
  Duplicate copy..........................  0.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B. Insured Mail:
    Canada

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Limit of Indemnity                          Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$50..........................................................      $1.30
100..........................................................       2.20
200..........................................................       3.20
300..........................................................       4.20
400..........................................................       5.20
500..........................................................       6.20
600..........................................................       7.20
675..........................................................       8.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (The insured mail fees for all countries other than Canada are 
unchanged.)
    C. Global Express Mail:
    Fee in addition to postage, for additional Express Mail merchandise 
insurance:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Insurance Coverage                           Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.01 to $100.00..........................  None
100.01 to 5,000.00........................  $1.00 for each $100 or
                                             fraction thereof over $100
           Express Mail merchandise maximum liability: $5,000
             Document reconstruction maximum liability: $100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    D. Pickup Fee (for Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail, 
Global Priority Mail, and parcel post): $12.50.
    E. Recorded Delivery: $2.30.
    F. Registered Mail:
    1. Canada

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Limit of Indemnity                          Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$100.00......................................................      $8.00
500.00.......................................................       8.85
1,000.00.....................................................       9.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. All Other Countries

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Limit of Indemnity                          Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$40.45.......................................................      $7.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    G. Restricted Delivery: $3.50.
    H. Return Receipt: $1.75.
    I. Nonmachinable Surcharge: $0.12.
    J. International Money Order Inquiry Fee: $3.00.
    This notice does not address charges for services that do not have 
a corresponding domestic service. These charges will be addressed in a 
separate notice in conjunction with anticipated adjustments in 
international postage rates.
    The Postal Service is exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410(a) from the advance 
notice requirements of the Administration Procedure Act regarding 
proposed rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, Incorporation by reference, International postal 
services.

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. The International Mail Manual which is incorporated by reference 
in Sec. 20.1 is amended, effective June 30, 2002, as follows:

International Mail Manual (IMM)

1  International Mail Services

* * * * *

140  International Mail Categories

* * * * *

141  Definitions

* * * * *

141.3  Global Express Mail

    The next level of service, in terms of speed and value-added 
features, is Global Express Mail (EMS). EMS is an expedited mail 
service that can be used to send documents and merchandise to most of 
the country locations that are individually listed in this publication. 
EMS insurance coverage against loss, damage, or rifling, up to a 
maximum of $100, is provided at no additional charge. Additional 
merchandise insurance coverage up to $5,000 may be purchased at the 
sender's option. However, document reconstruction insurance coverage is 
limited to a maximum of $100 per shipment. Return receipt service is 
available, at no additional charge, for EMS shipments that are sent to 
a limited number of countries. See 221.4. Country specific maximum 
weight limits range from 22 pounds to 70 pounds. See the Individual 
Country Listings. Although EMS shipments are supposed to receive the 
most expeditious handling available in the destination country, they 
are not subject to a postage refund guarantee if a delivery delay 
occurs.
* * * * *

2  Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

210  Global Express Guaranteed

* * * * *

[[Page 38598]]

213  Service Areas

* * * * *

213.3  Pickup Service

    On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for an added 
charge of $12.50 for each pickup stop, regardless of the number of 
pieces picked up. Only one pickup fee will be charged if domestic 
Express Mail, International Express Mail, domestic Priority Mail, 
International Parcel Post, and/or domestic Parcel Post is picked up at 
the same time. No pickup fee will be charged when Global Express 
Guaranteed is picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled 
stop made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup 
service is provided in accordance with DMM D010.
* * * * *

216  Postage

* * * * *

216.3  Discounted Rates

* * * * *

216.35  Shipment Preparation and Deposit

* * * * *

216.352  Deposit

    The following choices are available for depositing Global Express 
Guaranteed shipments prepared online:
    a. On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for an added 
charge of $12.50 for each pickup stop, regardless of the number of 
pieces picked up. Only one pickup fee will be charged if domestic 
Express Mail, International Express Mail, domestic Priority Mail, 
International Parcel Post, and/or domestic Parcel Post is picked up at 
the same time.
    No pickup fee will be charged when Global Express Guaranteed is 
picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to 
collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is 
provided in accordance with DMM D010. A complete listing of 
participating Global Express Guaranteed Post Offices is available on 
the Web site at http://www.usps.com/gxg.
* * * * *

220  Global Express Mail

* * * * *

221  Description

* * * * *

221.3  Insurance and Indemnity

* * * * *

221.31  EMS Merchandise Insurance

    Global Express Mail merchandise insurance coverage against loss, 
damage, or rifling is provided up to $100 at no additional charge. 
Additional insurance coverage above $100 may be purchased at the 
sender's option. The fee for optional Global Express Mail merchandise 
insurance coverage is $1.00 for each $100 or fraction thereof, up to a 
maximum of $5,000 per shipment. See the Individual Country Listings for 
the applicable Global Express Mail insurance fees.

221.32  Purchase of Additional Insurance

    When a mailer wants to insure an EMS merchandise shipment in an 
amount more than $100, the insurance fee is entered in the block marked 
``Insurance'' on the mailing label. Coverage is limited to the actual 
value of the contents, regardless of the fee paid, or the highest 
insurance value increment for which the fee is fully paid, whichever is 
lower. See DMM S500.

221.33  Document Reconstruction Insurance

    Nonnegotiable EMS documents are insured against loss, damage, or 
rifling at no additional cost to the mailer. Document reconstruction 
insurance coverage is limited to a maximum of $100 per shipment. 
Additional coverage beyond the $100 indemnity limit is not available. 
See DMM S010 and S500.

    Note: EMS indemnity payments are subject to the provisions of 
DMM S010, DMM S500, and IMM 935. Neither indemnity payments nor 
postage refunds are payable for delayed delivery.

* * * * *

222  Postage

* * * * *

222.2  Payment of Postage

* * * * *

222.24  Pickup Service

    On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for an added 
charge of $12.50 for each pickup stop, regardless of the number of 
pieces picked up. Only one pickup fee will be charged if domestic 
Express Mail, domestic Priority Mail, international parcel post, Global 
Express Guaranteed, and/or domestic Parcel Post is picked up at the 
same time. No pickup fee will be charged when international Express 
Mail is picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop 
made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service 
is provided in accordance with DMM D010.
* * * * *

230  Global Priority Mail

* * * * *

236  Mail Entry

* * * * *

236.3  Pickup Service

    On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for Global 
Priority Mail acceptance cities. There is a charge of $12.50 for each 
pickup stop, regardless of the number of pieces picked up. (See DMM 
D010 for standards of pickup service.) Pickup service is not available 
for GPM items that bear a permit imprint and that are paid for through 
an advance deposit account.
* * * * *

240  Letter-post

* * * * *

243  Weight and Size Limits

* * * * *

243.2  Size Limits

* * * * *

243.24  Nonmachinable Surcharge

    A $0.12 per-piece surcharge is applied to airmail letter-post items 
(but not to economy (surface) letter-post items) that weigh 1 ounce or 
less, if any of the following apply:
    a. Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 
or more than 2.5.
    b. Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
    c. Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
    d. Contains items such as pens, pencils, or loose keys or coins 
that cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven.
    e. Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport 
belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn).
    f. For pieces more than 4\1/4\ inches high or 6 inches long, the 
thickness is less than 0.009 inch.
    g. Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the 
mailpiece.
    h. For folded self-mailers, the folded edge is perpendicular to the 
address, regardless of the use of tabs, wafer seals, or other 
fasteners.
    i. For booklet-type pieces, the bound edge (spine) is the shorter 
dimension of the piece or is at the top, regardless of the use of tabs, 
wafer seals, or other fasteners.
* * * * *

[[Page 38599]]

280  Parcel Post

* * * * *

282  Postage

* * * * *

282.3  Pickup Service

    Scheduled pickup service is available for an added charge of $12.50 
for each pickup stop regardless of the number of pieces picked up. Only 
one pickup fee will be charged if domestic Express Mail, Global Express 
Mail, domestic Priority Mail, Global Priority Mail, Global Express 
Guaranteed, and/or domestic Parcel Post is also picked up at the same 
time. No pickup fee will be charged when international parcel post is 
picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to 
collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is 
provided in accordance with DMM D010.
* * * * *

3  Special Services

* * * * *

310  Certificate of Mailing

* * * * *

313   Fees

313.1  Individual Pieces

    The fee for certificates of mailing for ordinary letter-post and 
ordinary parcel post is $0.90 per piece, whether the item is listed 
individually on PS Form 3817, Certificate of Mailing, or on firm 
mailing bills. Additional copies of PS Form 3817 or firm mailing bills 
are available for $0.90 per page. PS Form 3877, Firm Mailing Book for 
Accountable Mail, or forms printed at the mailer's expense may be used 
for certificates of three or more pieces of mail of any class presented 
at one time. If mailer-printed forms are used instead of PS Form 3877, 
these forms must contain, at a minimum, the same information as PS Form 
3877. The fee is $0.30 per article.

313.2  Bulk Pieces

    Identical pieces of ordinary letter-post mail that are paid for 
with regular postage stamps, precanceled stamps, or meter stamps are 
subject to the following certificate of mailing fees:
Up to 1,000 pieces--$4.50
Each additional 1,000 pieces or fraction--0.50
Duplicate copy--0.90
* * * * *

330  Registered Mail

* * * * *

333  Fees and Indemnity Limits

333.1  Registration Fees

    The registry fee for all countries is $7.50.
    Exception: See the Individual Country Listing for Canada.
* * * * *

340  Return Receipt

* * * * *

343  Fee

    The fee for a return receipt is $1.75, and must be paid in addition 
to postage and other applicable charges. Return receipt service is 
available at no additional charge for Global Express Mail to certain 
countries.

    Note: Include the weight of the return receipt when determining 
the postage for mailing the item.

* * * * *

350  Restricted Delivery

* * * * *

353  Fee

    Fee is $3.50 and is in addition to postage and other applicable 
fees.
* * * * *

360  Recorded Delivery

* * * * *

363  Recorded Delivery Fee

    The recorded delivery fee is $2.30 and is in addition to postage 
and other special service fees, if applicable.
* * * * *

370  Supplemental Services

371  International Money Orders

* * * * *

371.7  Inquiries

* * * * *

371.72  Inquiries Regarding Payment

371.721  Money Orders Issued Pursuant to an Authorization To Issue an 
International Money Order Form Set

    To file an inquiry regarding a money order issued in the United 
States, send PS Form 6684, Inquiry Concerning International Money Order 
Issued in the United States, to: International Money Order Section, 
Accounting Service Ctr, U.S. Postal Service, PO Box 82412, St Louis, MO 
63182-9421.
    Inquiries should not be made before 30 days after the issue date of 
the money order. The charge for the inquiry is $3.00, which must be 
accounted for by affixing and canceling postage stamps on PS Form 6684.
* * * * *

5  Nonpostal Export Regulations

* * * * *

550  Dried Whole Eggs

* * * * *

552  Charges

    A charge of $0.90 will be made for each certificate of mailing, or 
for each package if a single certificate covers more than one package. 
As prescribed in 553.21, postage stamps to cover the charge will be 
affixed to the certificate and canceled.
* * * * *

560  Tobacco Seeds and Tobacco Plants

* * * * *

562  Charges

    A charge of $0.90 will be made for each permit presented by the 
sender and for each package when a single permit covers more than one 
package. Postage stamps to cover the charge should be affixed to the 
permit and canceled by the postmark of the office of mailing.
* * * * *

7  Treatment of Inbound Mail

* * * * *

710  U.S. Customs Information

* * * * *

713  Treatment of Dutiable Mail at Delivery Office

* * * * *

713.4  Payment of Duty

* * * * *

713.43  Registration of Items To Be Returned to the United States

* * * * *

713.432  Certification by Postal Service Personnel

* * * * *
    c. The postmaster or designated postal employee must check to see 
that the description of the item to be exported is the same on both 
Customs Form 4455 and the customs declaration form. If the description 
is the same, he or she certifies to the mailing (lading) by completing 
the ``Signature of Customs Officer'' space on both copies of Customs 
Form 4455. A Certificate of Mailing fee of $0.90 must be charged and 
accounted for by affixing postage stamps to the original and duplicate 
copies of Customs Form 4455 and canceling each stamp with the post 
office date stamp.
* * * * *

[[Page 38600]]

Individual Country Listings

    [The appropriate fees will be amended as they apply to a specific 
country.]
* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 20 will be published.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 02-13950 Filed 6-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P