[Federal Register: April 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 72)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 18174-18176]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ap03-31]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation Services With
First-Class Mail and Package Services Mail
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
to clarify when it is permissible to use Delivery Confirmation service
and Signature Confirmation service, particularly the limitation of
these services to parcel-shaped mail for First-Class Mail and Package
Services mail.
DATES: Submit comments on or before May 15, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing
Standards, ATTN: Neil Berger, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 N. Lynn Street,
Room 3025, Arlington, VA 22209-6038. Written comments may be submitted
via fax to 703-292-4058. Copies of all written comments will be
available for inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, at the Postal Service Headquarters Library, 475
L'Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, Washington, DC 20260-1540.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Berger at (703) 292-3645.
[[Page 18175]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Prior to the implementation of Docket No.
R2001-1 on June 30, 2002, customers and shippers wanting to mail
lightweight parcels weighing 13 ounces or less and receive Delivery
Confirmation or Signature Confirmation service could not choose First-
Class Mail, even though the parcels otherwise would qualify for First-
Class Mail based on their weight.
The Postal Service proposed in its Docket No. R2001-1 Request to
extend Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to First-Class
Mail parcels as a way of providing all parcel customers and shippers
the opportunity to benefit from Delivery Confirmation and Signature
Confirmation services without affecting their choice of subclass. The
Postal Service believed that this change would increase not only the
customer value of those special services but also the customer value of
First-Class Mail as an effective class of mail for sending and
receiving lightweight merchandise in parcels.
The extension of the two special services to First-Class Mail
parcels was implemented on June 30, 2002. 67 FR 18684-18771 (April 16,
2002). This extension provided parcel customers with Delivery
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation options afforded other parcel
shippers using Priority Mail, Standard Mail, or Package Services. With
a wide range of classes of mail and subclasses now eligible for these
two services, shippers now have greater flexibility in determining
which class to use for their parcels in order to meet particular
customer requirements.
Another change resulting from proposals in Docket No. R2001-1 was
the restriction of Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to
parcels within the Package Services class of mail, which comprises the
four subclasses of Parcel Post (including Parcel Select), Bound Printed
Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail. See 67 FR 18694-95. This
restriction reflects operational concerns about the way the various
processing categories of mail are sorted, distributed, and delivered,
and the ability to provide Delivery Confirmation and Signature
Confirmation services consistently. Before that change, all Package
Services mail was eligible to use Delivery Confirmation and Signature
Confirmation services, even though the two services could not be
effectively provided to flat-size mail.
Both the First-Class Mail and Package Services changes addressed
operational difficulties in isolating letter-size and flat-size mail
for purposes of Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation
scanning, as well as the goal of offering Delivery Confirmation and
Signature Confirmation to all parcel-shaped mail. The restriction of
the two special services to parcels within Package Services and First-
Class Mail is in line with the need for the Postal Service to identify
Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation mailpieces for proper
scanning by the delivery employee. Unlike letter-size mail and flat-
size mail, Priority Mail (regardless of shape) and parcels of all other
classes are held out at the delivery units and handled separately by
clerks and carriers. This is not the case for letter-size and flat-size
mail, which is generally processed on automated equipment and receives
minimal manual handling, especially for firms that receive large
quantities of mail daily.
For Delivery Confirmation, Signature Confirmation, and nearly all
special services requiring accountability at the time of delivery such
as a customer signature, parcels predominate. For the two conspicuous
exceptions, Certified Mail and Registered Mail, the letter-size or
flat-size mailpieces are designed and handled so that they are
separated from other letter-size and flat-size mail before the point of
handling in delivery operations. On the other hand, Delivery
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation rely on manual separation of
parcel mail and recognition of the special services on that mail by the
postal employee at the delivery unit for proper handling.
In order to implement the Docket No. R2001-1 limitation of Delivery
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation services to ``parcel-shaped''
mail, for all subclasses but Priority Mail, and to restrict Delivery
Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to shapes that are readily
identified for scanning, the Postal Service defined the term ``parcel''
in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) (sections C100.5.0 and C700.1.0h),
with regard to using either of those two special services with First-
Class Mail and Package Services mail, as follows:
a. Has an address side with enough surface area to fit the delivery
address, return address, postage, markings and endorsements, and
special service label; and,
b. Is in a box or, if not in a box, is more than \3/4\ inch thick
at its thickest point.
Proposed Changes
This current definition of ``parcel'' has created some uncertainty,
particularly within First-Class Mail with the definition of a box. The
Postal Service therefore proposes a revision to this DMM language to
clarify the definition of a ``parcel.'' The proposal uses, with some
additions, the current mail processing category definitions in DMM C050
for machinable parcel, irregular parcel (a nonmachinable parcel), and
outside parcel (a nonmachinable parcel). An outside parcel can consist
of such items as automobile tires and partially wrapped nursery trees
that are generally not placed entirely in a sack or other mailing
container.
Until now, these parcel categories have been used only in
conjunction with mail preparation standards for Standard Mail and
Package Services mail and for the application of the nonmachinable
surcharge to certain Parcel Post pieces. As presented in this proposed
rule, the current definitions of a parcel are modified solely for the
purposes of using Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation
services, including removing the 6-ounce minimum weight limit for so-
called ``machinable'' parcels sent as First-Class Mail, and adding a
rigidity requirement for machinable parcels measuring no more than \3/
4\ inch thick. This proposal does not modify any of the criteria in DMM
C050 as they currently apply to the definition of Standard Mail and
Package Services parcel mail preparation.
By using the existing standards and readily known parcel
definitions, the Postal Service would more clearly define what
constitutes a parcel for purposes of Delivery Confirmation and
Signature Confirmation services, and their use would reduce the
subjectivity of determining what distinguishes a ``box'' from a
``flat'' or a ``letter.'' At the same time, while ensuring, by the use
of current parcel definitions in the DMM, that letter-size mail and
flat-size mail are not construed as a parcel, the proposed revision
would also ensure that shippers would benefit from a wide range of
dimensions for various types of parcels. For example, a machinable
parcel can measure as little as 6 inches long and 3 inches high if it
is more than \1/4\ inch thick. On the other hand, a Parcel Post outside
parcel (nonmachinable) can weigh as much as 70 pounds and measure up to
130 inches in combined length and girth.
For the reasons above, the Postal Service proposes revising and
clarifying the definition of a First-Class Mail parcel and a Package
Services parcel solely for the purposes of using Delivery Confirmation
or Signature Confirmation with either of those two mail classes. The
proposed language adopts the current definitions in DMM C050 for the
[[Page 18176]]
parcel mail processing category, and specifies some additional
requirements to ensure that the services are available only for parcels
if First-Class Mail or Package Services are used. For example, for
machinable parcels measuring \3/4\ inch thick or less, only packaging
that would maintain its parcel shape and integrity throughout
processing and handling would be permitted.
Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C. of 553(b), (c)] regarding
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites
public comment on the following proposed revisions to the Domestic Mail
Manual, incorporated in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR
111.1.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
PART 111--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414,
416, 3001-3011, 3201'3219, 3403'3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Amend the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
as set forth below:
Domestic Mail Manual
* * * * *
C Characteristics and Content
* * * * *
[Amend C100 by removing current 5.0 and by redesignating current 6.0 as
5.0.]
C100 First-Class Mail
* * * * *
C700 Package Services
[Amend 1.0 by revising heading and by removing 1.0h.]
1.0 DIMENSIONS
* * * * *
S Special Services
* * * * *
S900 Special Postal Services
S910 Security and Accountability
* * * * *
S918 Delivery Confirmation
1.0 BASIC INFORMATION
* * * * *
[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]
1.2 Eligible Matter
Delivery Confirmation service is available for First-Class Mail
parcels defined in C050 as machinable, irregular, or outside parcels,
with no minimum weight for such parcels; for all Priority Mail pieces;
for Standard Mail pieces subject to the residual shape surcharge
(electronic option only); and for Package Services parcels defined in
C050 as machinable, irregular, and outside parcels. For the purposes of
using Delivery Confirmation service with First-Class Mail and Package
Services, a parcel must meet these additional requirements:
a. The surface area of the address side of the parcel must be large
enough to contain completely and legibly the delivery address, return
address, postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and
special service labels.
b. Except as provided in 1.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel
must be greater than \3/4\ inch thick at its thickest point.
c. If the mailpiece is a machinable parcel under DMM C050 and no
greater than \3/4\ inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a
strong and rigid fiberboard or similar container or in a container that
becomes rigid after the contents are enclosed and the container
secured. The parcel must be able to maintain its shape, integrity, and
rigidity throughout processing and handling without collapsing into a
letter-size or flat-size piece.
[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]
1.3 Ineligible Matter
Delivery Confirmation service is not available for the following:
a. Express Mail and Periodicals pieces.
b. First-Class Mail letter-size and flat-size pieces.
c. Standard Mail pieces not subject to the residual shape surcharge
and all Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail pieces.
d. Package Services flat-size pieces.
e. Mail paid with precanceled stamps.
f. Mail addressed to APO/FPO destinations.
g. Mail addressed to any U.S. territory, possession, or Freely
Associated State listed in G011, with the exception of Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* * * * *
S919 Signature Confirmation
1.0 BASIC INFORMATION
* * * * *
[Revise 1.2 to read as follows:]
1.2 Eligible Matter
Signature Confirmation service is available for First-Class Mail
parcels defined in C050 as machinable, irregular, or outside parcels,
with no minimum weight for such parcels; for all Priority Mail pieces;
and for Package Services parcels defined in C050 as machinable,
irregular, and outside parcels. For the purposes of using Signature
Confirmation service with First-Class Mail and Package Services, a
parcel must meet these additional requirements:
a. The surface area of the address side of the parcel must be large
enough to contain completely and legibly the delivery address, return
address, postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and
special service labels.
b. Except as provided in 1.2c for machinable parcels, the parcel
must be greater than \3/4\ inch thick at its thickest point.
c. If the mailpiece is a machinable parcel under DMM C050 and no
greater than \3/4\ inch thick, the contents must be prepared in a
strong and rigid fiberboard or similar container or in a container that
becomes rigid after the contents are enclosed and the container
secured. The parcel must be able to maintain its shape, integrity, and
rigidity throughout processing and handling without collapsing into a
letter-size or flat-size piece.
[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]
1.3 Ineligible Matter
Signature Confirmation service is not available for the following:
a. Express Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail.
b. First-Class Mail letter-size and flat-size pieces.
c. Package Services flat-size pieces.
d. Mail paid with precanceled stamps.
e. Mail addressed to APO/FPO destinations.
f. Mail addressed to any U.S. territory, possession, or Freely
Associated State listed in G011, with the exception of Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* * * * *
An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect the changes
will be published if this proposed rule is adopted.
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 03-9194 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P