[Federal Register: July 8, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 130)] [Notices] [Page 36585] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08jy97-95] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE Revised Publication 401, Guide to the Manifest Mailing System AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice presents pending revisions to the Postal Service's Publication 401, Guide to the Manifest Mailing System. This publication is the customer's and Postal Service's handbook for submitting and accepting manifest mailings. It has been updated and revised to reflect changes that have taken place in the last 4 years that affect the submission and acceptance of manifest mailings. The Postal Service expects the updated publication to be available this fall. To ensure that this publication continues to meet the needs of customers, the Postal Service is seeking comments from users of manifest mailing systems and developers of manifest software regarding the focus of the program revisions described in this notice. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 7, 1997. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the Manager, Business Mail Acceptance, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 6801, Washington, DC 20260-6808. Copies of all written comments will be available at the above address for inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Amonette, (317) 870-8246. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following information summarizes the most significant revisions. The language of Publication 401 is updated to reflect changes due to classification reform. The procedures, checklists, and forms are updated to enhance and expedite the processing of applications to manifest and the acceptance of manifest mailings. The Manifest Analysis and Certification (MAC) program, certifying vendor software for single- piece rate manifests, is integrated into the manifest program to expedite the approval process. There is a change in the approval process. Systems that calculate postage for single-piece rate domestic mail without special services entered at the office where the mailings are verified will now be approved by district postal officials rather than by the rates and classification service centers (RCSCs). This change will expedite the application and approval process. All other systems will continue to require final approval by the RCSC serving the mailer's location. In conjunction with this, the application form is reduced from eight pages to three pages. Several new forms have been developed. A new postage statement, PS Form 3660, Combined Postage Statement for Manifest Mailings, makes it possible for mailers to pay postage for a manifest mailing of single- piece rate mixed classes of domestic mail (e.g., Priority Mail, First- Class Mail, and Parcel Post) on one postage statement, instead of having to report each individual class on a separate postage statement. A new sampling form will be used for recording the postage samplings for batch manifest mailings. All of the exhibits have been updated and enhanced, and 11 new manifest exhibits have been developed to present the information more clearly. Additional information is included about international mail manifests and manifests including pieces with special services. A change in the sampling procedure and postage error calculation for manifested piece/pound rate Standard Mail (A) makes the error calculation more accurate and equitable. It now compares actual postage amounts rather than weight amounts to determine the accuracy level. Another change affects the method of adjusting postage for mailings that are out of tolerance. To determine the accuracy of the postage claimed for a manifest mailing, the Postal Service randomly samples a specified number or percentage of pieces from the mailing and compares the postage claimed on the manifest with the actual postage. If there is a difference and the difference exceeds +/-1.5%, then the mailing is considered to be out of tolerance. Prior to publication of the July 1993 edition of Publication 401, postage was adjusted up or down by the percentage out of tolerance and a 10% penalty was assessed when the mailing exceeded the accuracy tolerance. The 10% penalty was rescinded with implementation of the July 1993 version of Publication 401 and postage was only adjusted up or down by the percentage out of tolerance. The accuracy level of +/-1.5% is used to determine whether a mailer's system is functioning properly. If a mailer exceeds the limit frequently, it indicates that the mailer's system is not functioning properly and should be corrected. A revision in this version of Publication 401 eliminates the adjustment of postage downward if the accuracy level is lower than minus 1.5%. The Postal Service has found that far fewer than 1% of all manifest mailings nationwide require postage adjustment downward and believes that this change will not adversely impact manifest mailers because most such systems stay within the tolerance limits. Those systems that frequently need adjustments to ensure accurate postage payment need to be modified to meet the tolerance level. Frequent system reporting errors cause the mailer and the Postal Service to incur increased administrative costs. If a system regularly exceeds the tolerance levels, then the mailer and the Postal Service are required to sample more frequently. One of the key requirements for mailers authorized to mail under a MMS is the responsibility of ensuring the accuracy of the system. As with all mailing systems, the Postal Service will make allowances for those instances when a usually accurate system breaks down, and it can be shown that adjusting postage downward is justified. In those cases, the mailer can apply to the administering RCSC for a refund. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 97-17674 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P