[Federal Register: October 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 203)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 53089-53090]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc01-11]                         

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

 
Global Express Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 407, the Postal 
Service will offer a 5 percent discount off of regular postage for all 
Global Express Mail TM shipments paid through the shipping 
site at www.usps.com. The discount will apply only to the basic portion 
of Global Express Mail published rates. It would not apply to pick-up 
service charges, additional merchandise insurance coverage fees, or 
shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Manager, 
International Marketing, International Business, U.S. Postal Service, 
1735 N. Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209-6020.
    Copies of all written comments will be available for public 
inspection between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in 
International Business, 2nd Floor, 1735 N. Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 
22209-6020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angus MacInnes, (703) 292-3601

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is establishing changes 
in conditions for certain mailing categories to automatically reduce 
every payment transaction by 5 percent for all Global Express Mail 
purchased at basic published prices and paid on the shipping site at 
www.usps.com. The discount will be deducted from each piece paid for 
through the Web site. The discount will be offered on postage only; it 
does not apply to pickup fees, any special fees, or postage for 
shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.
    The Postal Service established the shipping site at www.usps.com to 
offer an online capability for customers to be able to prepare, ship, 
and pay for service shipments. Payment will be made using an online 
postage capability. Global Express Mail will be included in the 
services that are offered through this Web site. The discount is 
similar to the ones that are offered for Global Express Guaranteed 
shipments that are made through the same Web site and for Global 
Express Mail shipments that are paid for through an Express Mail 
Corporate Account.
    As required under the Postal Reorganization Act, these changes will 
result in conditions of mailing that do not apportion the costs of the 
service, so the overall value of the service to users is fair and 
reasonable, and not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or 
preferential.
    Although the Postal Service is exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410(a) from 
the advanced notice requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act 
regarding rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553), interested parties are invited to 
submit written data, views, or comments regarding this interim rule to 
the address above.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20

    Foreign relations, 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 (IMM) is amended to incorporate 
the following changes:

International Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

2  Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

220  Global Express Mail

* * * * *

222  Postage

* * * * *
[Add new 222.13 as follows:]
222.13  Online Rates--General
    Discounted rates apply to Global Express Mail (EMS) customers who 
prepare and pay for Global Express Mail shipments online using the 
shipping site at www.usps.com.
222.131  Eligibility for Online Discounts
    To be eligible for discounts for purchasing Global Express Mail 
online, customers must register via the shipping site at www.usps.com. 
Registration is accomplished by selecting the designated icon on the 
web site and following the accompanying instructions. This one-time 
registration will establish a shipping record and a customer history. 
To be eligible for online discounts, customers must prepare their 
shipping labels and pay for their shipments online using a credit card. 
The following credit cards are accepted for payment online: American 
Express, Diner's Club, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
222.132  Online Discounts
    Global Express Mail published rates will be reduced by 5 percent 
for all payments made through the shipping site at www.usps.com. The 
discount applies only to the postage portion of Global Express Mail 
rates. It does not apply to the pickup service charge, additional 
merchandise insurance coverage fees, or shipments made under an 
International Customized Mail agreement.
222.2  Payment of Postage
222.21  Methods of Payment
[Revise 222.21 to read as follows:]
    Global Express Mail items may be paid by postage stamps, postage 
validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information 
based indicia (IBI), or through the use of an Express Mail corporate 
account.
* * * * *

[[Page 53090]]

224 Preparation Requirements

224.1 Preparation by Sender
[Revise item a to read as follows:]
    a. Complete the ``From'' and ``To'' portion of Label 11-B, Express 
Mail Post Office to Addressee, or online label for each piece of mail 
and affix the completed label to each piece.
* * * * *
224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee
* * * * *
[Revise item d to read as follows:]
    d. Give the Customer Receipt copy to the mailer and retain the 
Finance Copy. Peel off the backing of the remaining portion and affix 
it to the item. For online shipments, customer receipts are not 
necessary; for non-IRT and POS offices, record the required Finance 
information on the special form provided for this purpose.
* * * * *

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 01-26444 Filed 10-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P