[Federal Register: June 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 111)] [Notices] [Page 31325-31326] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10jn99-137] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE Renewal of Experimental Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail Classifications and Fees; Changes in Domestic Classification and Fees AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Notice of implementation of changes to the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule and accompanying fee changes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the changes to Domestic Mail Classification Schedule (DMCS) section 931 and the accompanying Fee Schedule section 931 changes to be implemented as a result of the May 26, 1999, Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on the Experimental Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail Classification and Fees. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 8, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Tidwell, (202) 268-2998. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 10, 1999, pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3621 et seq., the Postal Service filed with the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) a request for a recommended decision on the renewal of the experimental classification and fees for weight-averaged nonletter-size Business Reply Mail. The PRC designated the filing as Docket No. MC99-1. On March 19, 1999, the PRC published a notice of the filing, with a description of the Postal Service's proposals, in the Federal Register (64 FR 13613-13617). On May 14, 1999, pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 3624, the PRC issued to the Governors of the Postal Service its recommended decision on the Postal Service's request. The PRC recommended the extension of the experimental weight averaging classification for the term specified in the Postal Service's Request, subject to the fees proposed by the Docket No. MC99-1 parties in a Stipulation and Agreement. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3625, the Governors of the United States Postal Service acted on the PRC's recommendations on May 26, 1999. [Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission on the Renewal Of Experimental Classification and Fees For Weight Averaged Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail, Docket No. MC99-1.] The Governors determined to approve the Commission's recommendations. Set forth below are revised Domestic Mail Classification Schedule section 931 and Fee Schedule 931, which incorporate the classification and fee changes approved by the Governors. Also on May 26, 1999, the Board of Governors of the Postal Service, pursuant to their authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), determined to make the classification and fee changes approved by the Governors effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 8, 1999 (Resolution No. 99-6). In accordance with the aforementioned Decision of the Governors and Resolution No. 99-6, the Postal Service hereby gives notice that these classification and fee changes will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 8, 1999. Implementing regulations also become effective at that time, as noted elsewhere in this issue. Changes in the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule The following material reflects changes to Domestic Mail Classification Schedule (DMCS) section 931 approved by the Governors of the United States Postal Service in response to the Postal Rate Commission's Recommended Decision in Docket No. MC99-1. This material also reflects changes to DMCS section 931 which will result from the June 7, 1999, expiration of provisions relating to the experimental classification and fees for nonletter-size Business Reply Mail subject to the reverse manifest method of accounting. Domestic Mail Classification Schedule Section 931--Business Reply Mail 931 BUSINESS REPLY MAIL 931.1 Definitions 931.11 Business reply mail is a service whereby business reply cards, envelopes, cartons and labels may be distributed by or for a business reply distributor for use by mailers for sending First-Class Mail without prepayment of postage to an address chosen by the distributor. A distributor is the holder of a business reply license. 931.12 A business reply mail piece is nonletter-size for purposes of this section if it meets addressing and other preparation requirements, but does not meet the machinability requirements specified by the Postal Service for mechanized or automated letter sortation. This provision expires February 29, 2000, or upon implementation of permanent fees for nonletter-size business reply mail, whichever comes first. 931.2 Description of Service 931.21 The distributor guarantees payment on delivery of postage and fees for all returned business reply mail. Any distributor of business reply cards, envelopes, cartons and labels under any one license for return to several addresses guarantees to pay postage and fees on any returns refused by any such addressee. 931.3 Requirements of the Mailer 931.31 Business reply cards, envelopes, cartons and labels must be preaddressed and bear business reply markings. 931.32 Handwriting, typewriting or handstamping are not acceptable methods of preaddressing or marking business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, or labels. 931.4 Fees 931.41 The fees for business reply mail are set forth in Fee Schedule 931. 931.42 To qualify as an active business reply mail advance deposit trust account, the account must be used solely for business reply mail and contain sufficient postage and fees due for returned business reply mail. 931.43 An accounting fee as set forth in Fee Schedule 931 must be paid each year for each advance deposit business reply account at each facility where the mail is to be returned. 931.5 [RESERVED] [[Page 31326]] 931.6 Experimental Weight Averaging Fees 931.61 [RESERVED] 931.62 A nonletter-size weight averaging monthly fee as set forth in Fee Schedule 931 must be paid each month during which the distributor's weight averaging account is active. This fee applies to the (no more than) 10 advance deposit account holders which are selected by the Postal Service to participate in the weight averaging nonletter-size business reply mail experiment. This provision expires February 29, 2000, or upon implementation of permanent fees for nonletter-size business reply mail, whichever comes first. 931.7 Authorizations and Licenses 931.71 In order to distribute business reply cards, envelopes, cartons or labels, the distributor must obtain a license or licenses from the Postal Service and pay the appropriate fee as set forth in Fee Schedule 931. 931.72 Except as provided in section 931.73, the license to distribute business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, or labels must be obtained at each office from which the mail is offered for delivery. 931.73 If the business reply mail is to be distributed from a central office to be returned to branches or dealers in other cities, one license obtained from the post office where the central office is located may be used to cover all business reply mail. 931.74 The license to mail business reply mail may be canceled for failure to pay business reply postage and fees when due, and for distributing business reply cards or envelopes that do not conform to prescribed form, style or size. 931.75 Authorization to pay experimental nonletter-size business reply mail fees as set forth in Fee Schedule 931 may be canceled for failure of a business reply mail advance deposit trust account holder to meet the standards specified by the Postal Service for the weight averaging accounting method. This provision expires February 29, 2000, or upon implementation of permanent fees for nonletter-size business reply mail, whichever comes first. Changes in DMCS Fee Schedule 931 The following material reflects changes to DMCS Fee Schedule 931 approved by the Governors of the United States Postal Service in response to the Postal Rate Commission's Recommended Decision in Docket No. MC99-1. This material also reflects changes to Fee Schedule 931 which will result from the June 7, 1999, expiration of provisions relating to the experimental classification and fees for nonletter-size Business Reply Mail subject to the reverse manifest method of accounting. Fee Schedule 931--Business Reply Mail ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Active business reply advance deposit account: Per piece: Qualified............................................ $0.05 Nonletter-size, using weight averaging (experimental) 0.01 Other................................................ 0.08 Payment of postage due charges if active business reply mail advance deposit account not used: Per piece................................................ 0.30 Annual License and Accounting Fees: Accounting Fee for Advance Deposit Account............... 300 Permit fee (with or without Advance Deposit Account)..... 100 Monthly Fees for customers using weight averaging for nonletter-size business reply: Nonletter-size, using weight averaging (experimental).... 600 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: Experimental per piece and monthly fees are applicable only to participants selected by the Postal Service for the nonletter-size business reply mail experiment. The experimental fees expire February 29, 2000, or upon implementation of permanent fees for weight-averaged nonletter-size business reply mail, whichever comes first. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 99-14637 Filed 6-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P