Postal Service 39 CFR Part 20 International Mail; Changes in Postal Rates, Fees, and Mail Classifications; Final Rule
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Friday, December 8, 2000 Part II Postal Service 39 CFR Part 20 International Mail; Changes in Postal Rates, Fees, and Mail Classifications; Final Rule VerDate 11<MAY>2000 17:09 Dec 07, 2000 Jkt 194001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\08DER2.SGM pfrm01 PsN: 08DER2 77076 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 237 / Friday, December 8, 2000 / Rules and Regulations POSTAL SERVICE Global Package Link, three comments stating that similar service is not were received from international mail available from other international 39 CFR Part 20 consolidators, and one comment was carriers, and they had made substantial received from a large printing and investment to use the service. International Mail; Changes in Postal mailing firm. The Postal Service appreciates the Rates, Fees, and Mail Classifications The private individual questioned the usefulness of Global Package Link AGENCY: Postal Service. increase in the number of rate groups for service. However, the current service single piece airmail letter-post and the has not attracted enough customers to ACTION: Final rule. logic of the rates within that rate justify its continuation in its current SUMMARY: The Postal Service, after schedule. He further pointed out that form. The Postal Service, therefore, is considering the comments on proposed certain airmail letter-post rates are eliminating this service. The Postal changes in international postal rates, higher than the rates for variable-weight Service continues to offer a wide variety fees, and mail classifications, submitted Global Priority Mail items, which of package services that it believes will in response to its request on September receive faster service. He also noted the generally meet the needs of all current 26, 2000, hereby gives notice that it is elimination of letter-post service for Global Package Link customers. To implementing the proposed postal rates, items weighing over 4 pounds to ensure that current Global Package Link fees, and mail classifications, except the Canada. Finally, he questioned the mailers can transition to other products, Global Priority Mail variable-weight pricing of economy letter-post with the the Postal Service will defer the rates, recorded delivery fee, and first rate increment being 16 ounces and elimination of Global Package Link until insurance fees for Canada which have suggested that a lower initial weight April 1, 2001. been modified as explained below. The increment would be more appropriate The international mail consolidators elimination of Global Package Link is and would allow for a lower initial rate. generally accepted the need for delayed until April 1, 2001. The Postal Service does not agree that increases in International Priority there should be fewer rate groups for Airmail and International Surface Air DATES: Effective January 7, 2001. letter-post. The Postal Service has Lift, however, all three expressed FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: maintained a simple rate structure for concern over the size of the increases Walter J. Grandjean (703) 292±3579, or the first ounce. The rate is 60 cents for and the rates to specific countries. Bruce Hirt (703) 292±3588. Canada and Mexico and 80 cents for all One consolidator argued that the rates SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On other countries. The first ounce rate for bulk commercial services, September 26, 2000, the Postal Service increment covers the majority of letter- International Priority Airmail and published in the Federal Register (65 post items mailed. However, as weight International Surface Air Lift, increased FR 57864) a notice of proposed changes increases costs for providing service to a greater percentage than single piece in international postal rates, fees, and various countries diverge. Having more airmail rates and other rates such as mail classifications. In that notice the rate groups over 1 ounce allows the publishers' periodicals. For example, Postal Service proposed to change its Postal Service to more closely align the current airmail rate for a 3-ounce international mail classification rates with the cost of providing service item to countries other than Canada and structure from a content-based system to to various groups of countries, while Mexico is $2.60 and the new rates will a speed-of-service system. Under this maintaining rate simplicity for most range from $2.30 to $2.60 depending on new system the Postal Service will users. destination. This represents no increase provide the following categories of The Postal Service has reviewed the in some cases and a rate decrease in international mail: Global Express alignment of the variable-weight Global some cases. Guaranteed (formerly Priority Mail Priority Mail rates with the airmail The Postal Service readily Global Guaranteed), Global Express Mail letter-post rates. To maintain an acknowledges that not all international (formerly Express Mail International appropriate rate differential based on rates have increased the same Service), Global Priority Mail, airmail, the service value of Global Priority Mail percentage. This difference is due to a and economy. Airmail and economy over airmail letter-post, the Global number of factors. First, the new letter- mail will include letter-post and parcel Priority Mail variable-weight rates have post category of mail encompasses what post service. Rates are redesigned for been changed slightly to avoid lower were formerly letters, cards, and other these new categories and the number of rates for Global Priority Mail as articles such as printed matter and small rate groups are generally increased to compared to airmail letter-post. packets. Second, weight increments better reflect the cost of sending mail to Letter service is currently available to have been combined. For example, the groups of countries with similar costs. Canada for items over 4 pounds if the .5 ounce increments have been replaced In addition, a number of services and item is registered. The Postal Service by larger 1-ounce weight increments. charges are eliminated. These are has found that there is no customer And third, countries have been placed ValuePost/Canada, New Market demand for this service. Additionally, in more rate groups to better reflect the Opportunities Program, Global Package this service is provided under a bilateral cost incurred in providing postal Link, recall/change of address service, agreement with Canada Post, and service. special delivery, special handling, and Canada Post is planning to eliminate One consolidator expressed concern storage charges. Also, the book and letter-post service over 4 pounds. over preparation of International sheet music rate will be available only The Postal Service carefully Priority Airmail and whether volumes for volume mailings of 50 pounds or 200 considered the establishment of the will now be subject to the International pieces of mail sent at the same time and minimum rate for economy (surface) Priority Airmail non-presort worldwide presorted by country. letter-post. This change is necessary to rate instead of the presort rate. It is true The Postal Service requested ensure adequate cost coverage for this that in certain circumstances volumes of comments by October 26, 2000, and by category of mail. It should be noted that International Priority Airmail may no that date received eight responses. One there is very little volume that will be longer qualify for the presort rate. comment was received from a private affected. However, the Postal Service believes individual, three comments were The users of Global Package Link that the amount of such mail will be received from package mailers using opposed the elimination of this service, minimal. Presort rates are generally VerDate 11<MAY>2000 17:09 Dec 07, 2000 Jkt 194001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\08DER2.SGM pfrm01 PsN: 08DER2 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 237 / Friday, December 8, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 77077 applied when there are 11 pounds to a international postage has been paid and which International Surface Air Lift rate group. Rate groups that contain a how to handle the mail. Additionally, service is available. The title of 295.41 small number of countries are generally these domestic rate endorsements can should read ``Makeup Requirements for composed of high-volume countries and cause confusion in the delivering Books and Sheet Music.'' The title for mailers are likely to have at least 11 foreign country. Accordingly, the Postal Exhibit 295.44 should read ``Books and pounds to these countries. Service does not anticipate changing the Sheet MusicÐCanada Labeling and One consolidator suggested that the permit imprint requirements for Routing Information.'' In section 297.1, International Surface Air Lift increase international mail. the reference to 292 should read be spread over several years to mitigate Some of the special service fees ``297.2.'' the impact. Unfortunately, the Postal contained in the proposed rule are The Postal Service is also changing Service expects the costs for this based on the equivalent domestic the name of Express Mail International category to continue increasing at a service. The Postal Rate Commission, in Service to Global Express Mail. The new relatively high rate and cannot postpone its decision on R2000±1, has name is used in this notice. reflecting these cost increases in the recommended changes to those After reviewing and considering the rates. domestic fees. Accordingly, the Postal comments received, the Postal Service The printing firm requested that it be Service will adopt the domestic adopts the following international rates, allowed to use domestic rate equivalent fees for international mail. fees, and mail classifications and endorsements on international mail The fee for recorded delivery service is amends the International Mail Manual since it is an additional cost to remove changed to $1.90 from $2.10. The fee for (IMM), which is incorporated by these endorsements for international insurance for parcel post to Canada for reference in the Code of Federal mail. The commenter noted that it will indemnity not over $50.00 is changed Regulations.