[Federal Register: August 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 164)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 46277-46279] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr25au99-17] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL SERVICE 39 CFR Part 20 Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail AGENCY: Postal Service. ACTION: Interim rule and request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail is an international mail service that is available on the basis of a service agreement between the Postal Service and a qualifying mailer. Under this service, a mailer may enter newspaper and periodical items that meet the applicable eligibility, makeup, and preparation requirements for [[Page 46278]] Canada Post's domestic Publications Mail. The Postal Service transports the items to Canada for entry into that country's domestic mail system. The mailer is responsible for ensuring that the items meet Canada Post's requirements. DATES: The interim regulations are effective August 25, 1999. Comments must be received on or before September 24, 1999. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Manager, Pricing, Costing, and Classification, International Business Unit, U.S. Postal Service, Room 370-IBU, Washington, DC 20260-6500. Copies of all written comments will be available for public inspection between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the International Business Unit, 10th Floor, 901 D Street SW, Washington DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter J. Grandjean, (202) 314-7256. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In cooperation with Canada Post Corporation (CPC), the Postal Service is introducing Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail. This international mail service is primarily intended for publishers seeking easier access to the Canadian domestic postal system. To qualify, a mailer must agree to mail a minimum of 10,000 pieces or 250 pounds of mail per mailing for delivery to Canadian addresses. All mail must conform to the applicable eligibility, makeup, and preparation requirements for Canadian domestic Publications Mail as specified by Canada Post. Specialized software for sorting and address accuracy that is recognized by Canada Post is required. Service is available from six Postal Service facilities. Ancillary services for local business reply and the return of undeliverable mail are also available. Participating mailers must sign a service agreement with the Postal Service that defines the conditions of mailing under which they will enter Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail. Although the Postal Service is exempted by 39 U.S.C. 410(a) from the advance 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. The Postal Service is adopting the following interim amendments to the International Mail Manual, which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 20.1. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20 Foreign relations, International postal service. 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. Chapter 6 of the International Mail Manual is amended by adding new part 613, Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail, to read as follows: CHAPTER 6--SPECIAL PROGRAMS * * * * * 610 Global Direct Service * * * * * 613 Global Direct-Canada Publications Mail 613.1 Description Global Direct-Canada Publications Mail is an international mail service that is available on the basis of a service agreement between the Postal Service and a qualifying mailer. Under this service, a mailer must enter newspaper and periodical items that meet the applicable eligibility, makeup, and preparation requirements for Canada Post's domestic Publications Mail. The Postal Service transports the items to Canada for entry into that country's domestic mail system. The mailer is responsible for ensuring that the items meet Canada Post's makeup and preparation requirements. 613.2 Qualifying Mailers and Mailing Locations 613.21 Qualifying Mailers Qualifying mailers must agree to mail a minimum of 10,000 items or 250, pounds per mailing for delivery to Canadian addresses. All tendered mailpieces must conform to the applicable eligibility, makeup, and preparation requirements for Canadian domestic mail, as specified by Canada Post. Specialized sortation software and address accuracy software that is recognized by Canada Post is required. 613.22 Mailing Locations Mailings may be deposited only at the following offices as specified in the service agreement: JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT MAIL CENTER, JOHN F KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BUILDING 250 JAMAICA NY 11430-9998 NEW JERSEY INTERNATIONAL BULK MAIL CENTER, US POSTAL SERVICE, 80 COUNTY RD, JERSEY CITY NJ 07097-9998 BUFFALO AUXILIARY SERVICE FACILITY, BUFFALO PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 1200 WILLIAM ST, BUFFALO NY 14240-9998 DETROIT BULK MAIL CENTER, US POSTAL SERVICE, 17500 OAKWOOD BLVD, ALLEN PARK MI 48101-9755 AMC O'HARE INTERNATIONAL ANNEX, US POSTAL SERVICE, 3333 MOUNT PROSPECT RD, FRANKLIN PARK IL 60131-1347 SEATTLE BULK MAIL CENTER, US POSTAL SERVICE, 34301 9TH AVE S, FEDERAL WAY WA 98003-6721 613.3 Postage 613.31 Rate The rate of postage is determined by the weight and level of sortation of the items being mailed as specified below: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Letter carrier presort (LCP) first 7.04 oz. (0.44 lbs.) Rate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Delivery Mode Direct.................................... $0.265 Delivery Facility....................................... 0.295 City.................................................... 0.348 DCF..................................................... 0.400 FCP..................................................... 0.453 Residue................................................. 0.475 Over 7.04 oz. (.44 lbs.) (200 grams) per additional 0.482 pound.................................................. National Distribution Guide (NDG) First 3.52 oz. (0.22 0.354 lbs.).................................................. Over 3.52 oz. (0.22 lbs.) (100 grams) per additional 0.721 pound.................................................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 613.32 Canada Post Size Definition [[Page 46279]] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum Maximum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Size: Per piece......................... 5.5 in. x 3.35 in. x .007 in.................. Per bundle........................ ................................................... Length + girth: 78.7 in. Greatest dimension: 23.6 in. Height: 7.8 in. Per roll.......................... ................................................... Length + 2 x diameter: 41 in. Greatest dimension: 35.4 in. Per folded newspaper.............. ................................................... 14.25 in. x 11 in. x 6.4 in. Weight: Per piece......................... ................................................... 3 lbs. Per bundle........................ ................................................... 55 lbs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 613.33 Postage Payment Method Postage must be paid through an advance deposit account. Qualifying mailers must have the following information printed on one of the first five or last five pages of each newspaper or periodical issue: a. The words ``Agreement Number 03429792''; b. The Canadian address to which change of address information and the address blocks undeliverable copies should be sent. (The Postal Service will provide this address if the mailer does not have a Canadian return address.) If the publication is mailed under cover, the information outlined above must be clearly visible on the outside of the envelope or, if clear-wrapped, on the front or back cover of the publication. 613.34 Postage Statement Mailers must complete the total postage on PS Form 3651, Postage Statement--International Permit Imprint Mail or Bulk Letters to Canada with Permit Imprint or Postage Meter Affixed, and attach a completed worksheet, PS Form 3657-C, Postage Statement--Global Direct--Canada Publications Mail. Both of these forms are provided by the Postal Service at the following web site: www.usps.com. A set of separate postage statements must be prepared for each individual mailing. 613.4 Preparation Requirements Mailers are responsible for ensuring that newspapers and periodicals tendered under the Global Direct-Canada Publications Mail service comply with Canada Post's domestic mail preparation requirements. 613.5 Ancillary Services 613.51 Business Reply Service This service provides for the return of Canadian business reply mail through the Postal Service to a specified address in Canada. Detailed specifications for this service are contained in Publication 524, Global Direct Canada Admail Service Guide. The rates for this service are: a. $0.45 for items weighing not more than 1.06 ounces (30 grams). b. $0.65 for items weighing more than 1.06 ounces (30 grams) but not more than 1.76 ounces (50 grams). 613.52 Return of Undeliverable Mail Only the address block of the publication will be returned. The rate for this service is $0.50 per address block returned. 613.6 Service Agreement Before the first mailing, mailers must complete and submit PS Form 3681, Global Direct Service Agreement, 14 days prior to their planned mailing date. The Global Direct Service Agreement can be found in Publication 524, Global Direct Canada Admail Service Guide, or at the following web site: http://www.usps.com. Concurrent with the establishment of the agreement, instructions are issued to the designated post office of entry regarding the acceptance and verification of the prospective customer's mailpieces. 613.7 Advance Notification Mailers who are interested in using Global Direct-Canada Publications Mail service must complete a PS Form 3682, Record of Mailing, five days prior to their planned mailing date. The Record of Mailing can be found in Publication 524, Global Direct Canada Admail Service Guide, or at the following web site: http://www.usps.com. * * * * * A transmittal letter changing the relevant pages in the International Mail Manual will be published and automatically transmitted to all subscribers. Notice of issuance of the transmittal will be published in the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 20.3. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 99-22110 Filed 8-24-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P