65FR31118A Sack Preparation Changes for Periodicals Nonletter-Size Pieces and Periodicals Prepared on Pallets
robop...@us.govnews.org
Posting-number: Volume 65, Issue 95, Page 31118A
[Federal Register: May 16, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 95)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 31118-31120]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my00-23]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Sack Preparation Changes for Periodicals Nonletter-Size Pieces
and Periodicals Prepared on Pallets
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise the standards for the
preparation of nonautomation nonletter-size carrier route Periodicals
prepared in sacks and the preparation of Periodicals packages and
bundles on pallets. For Periodicals carrier route mail in sacks, the
proposed standards would require carrier route sacks to contain a
minimum of 24 pieces and would make 5-digit scheme carrier route sacks
a required sack sortation level. All other sack sortation criteria
would remain unchanged. For Periodicals prepared in packages and
bundles on pallets, the proposal would require preparation of 5-digit
scheme pallets.
DATES: Comments on the proposed standards must be received on or before
June 15, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the
Manager, Mail Preparation and Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 6800, Washington, DC 20260-2405. Copies of all
written comments will be available for inspection and photocopying at
USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor N,
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Copies
of comments also may be requested via fax or email.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Walker, 202-268-3340;
jwal...@email.usps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service and the Periodicals
industry are concerned over recent upward trends in the costs
associated with processing Periodicals mail and have been studying ways
to reverse these trends. Several ideas have come out of mutual
discussions that were based on joint representation from the Postal
Service and the Periodicals industry. Cost models suggest that we can
reduce
[[Page 31119]]
handling costs by preparing Periodicals mail in a manner to facilitate
handling, such as optimizing presort levels and requiring the use of
scheme sorts.
In order to reduce processing costs for the handling of Periodicals
mail, the Postal Service is proposing mail preparation and sortation
changes for nonautomation nonletter-size Periodicals prepared in sacks.
Currently, postal standards provide an option for Periodicals mailers
to prepare carrier route sacks with a minimum of one package. To reduce
the number of sacks and the processing costs associated with the
handling of these sacks, the Postal Service is proposing that all
direct carrier route sacks must contain a minimum of 24 pieces and will
require the use of 5-digit/scheme carrier routes sorts for
nonautomation nonletter-size Periodicals prepared in sacks. Carrier
route packages totaling less than 24 pieces to the same carrier route
would be placed in 5-digit carrier routes or 5-digit scheme carrier
routes sacks as appropriate. This proposed change should not have any
negative impact on service because a direct carrier route sack is
opened and its contents distributed in the same manner and location as
5-digit carrier routes and 5-digit scheme carrier routes sacks at the
delivery unit.
To increase the number of pallets that can be cross-docked and
reduce processing costs associated with the handling of pallets of
Periodicals, the Postal Service proposes to require preparation of both
5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets when there are 500 pounds of
Periodicals packages and bundles for a scheme in DMM L001, or for a
single 5-digit Zip Code not listed in DMM L001.
The proposed effective date of this change is October 15, 2000.
Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 410 (a)), the Postal Service
invites comments on the following proposed revisions to the Domestic
Mail Manual, incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR part 111.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and procedure, 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,
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Revise the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual as
follows:
E200 Periodicals
* * * * *
E230 Nonautomation Rates
* * * * *
2.0 CARRIER ROUTE RATES
* * * * *
2.2 Eligibility
Preparation to qualify eligible pieces for carrier route rates is
optional and is subject to M200. * * *
[Amend 2.2a by replacing the last sentence to read as follows:]
* * * (Preparation of 5-digit/scheme carrier routes sacks is
required must be done for all 5-digit/scheme destinations.)
* * * * *
M Mail Preparation and Sortation
M000 General Preparation Standards
M010 Mailpieces
M011 Basic Standards
1.0 TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* * * * *
1.3 Preparation Instructions
For purposes of preparing mail:
[Amend 1.3h and 1.3i by replacing the fourth sentence in each to
read as follows:]
* * * * *
h. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size
Enhanced Carrier Route rate Standard Mail (A) in sacks. * * *
i. * * * The 5-digit/scheme sort is required for carrier route rate
flat-size and irregular parcel Periodicals and optional for flat-size
Standard Mail (A) prepared as packages on pallets and may not be used
for other mail prepared on pallets, except for packages of Standard
Mail (A) irregular parcels that are part of a mailing job that is
prepared in part as palletized flats at automation rates. * * *
* * * * *
M030 Containers
* * * * *
M033 Sacks and Trays
* * * * *
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.8 Periodicals Flats and Irregular Parcels Origin/Entry SCF Sacks
[Amend 1.8 by replacing the first sentence to read as follows:]
For flat-size and irregular parcel-size Periodicals, after all
carrier route, 5-digit/scheme carrier routes, 5-digit, 3-digit, and
required SCF sacks are prepared, an SCF sack must be prepared to
contain any remaining 5-digit and 3-digit packages for the 3-digit ZIP
Code area(s) served by the SCF serving the post office where the mail
is verified, and may be prepared for the area served by the SCF/plant
where mail is entered (if that is different from the SCF/plant serving
the post office where the mail is verified; e.g., a PVDS deposit site).
* * *
* * * * *
M040 Pallets
M041 General Standards
* * * * *
5.0 Preparation
* * * * *
5.2 Required Preparation
These standards apply to:
[Amend 5.2a by replacing the third sentence and adding a new fourth
sentence to read as follows:]
a. Periodicals, Standard Mail (A), and Parcel Post (other than BMC
Presort, OBMC Presort, DSCF, and DDU rate mail). A pallet must be
prepared to a required sortation level when there are 500 pounds of
Periodicals or Standard Mail packages, sacks, or parcels or six layers
of Periodicals or Standard Mail (A) letter trays. For packages of
Periodicals flats and irregular parcels on pallets prepared under the
standards for package reallocation (M045.5), not all mail for a
required 5-digit/scheme destination is required to be on a 5-digit/
scheme pallet. For packages of Standard Mail (A) flats on pallets, not
all mail for a required 5-digit destination is required to be on a 5-
digit pallet or optional 5-digit/scheme pallet. * * *
M045 Palletized Mailings
* * * * *
4.0 PALLET PRESORT AND LABELING
4.1 Packages, Bundles, Sacks, or Trays on Pallets
[Amend 4.1a and b to read as follows:]
a. 5-digit (For Periodicals sacks or trays and all Standard Mail):
required for sacks; required for packages and bundles of Standard Mail,
except for packages and bundles prepared under b;
[[Page 31120]]
optional for trays; for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of
contents.
b. 5-digit/scheme: required for Periodicals packages and bundles
and optional for Standard Mail (A) packages and bundles; for Line 1 for
5-digit pallets, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of contents; for Line
1 for 5-digit/scheme pallets, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *
M200 Periodicals (Nonautomation)
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.5 Low-Volume Packages and Sacks
[Amend 1.5 to read as follows:]
As a general exception to 2.4b through 2.4d, and 3.1a through 3.1e,
nonletter-size Periodicals may be prepared in carrier route, 5-digit,
and 3-digit packages containing fewer than six pieces when the
publisher determines that such preparation improves service, provided
those packages are placed in carrier route (24 piece minimum), 5-digit
carrier routes, 5-digit scheme carrier routes, 5-digit, 3-digit, and
SCF sacks. These low-volume packages may be placed on 5-digit/scheme,
3-digit, and SCF pallets under M045.
* * * * *
3.0 SACK PREPARATION (FLAT-SIZE PIECES AND IRREGULAR PARCELS)
3.1 Sack Preparation
Sack size, preparation sequence, and Line 1 labeling:
[Amend 3.1 by deleting b, re-designating c through h as b through
g, and rewording a and new b to read as follows:]
a. Carrier route: required for rate eligibility at 24 pieces, fewer
pieces not permitted; for Line 1, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of
packages, preceded for military mail by the prefixes under M031.
b. 5-digit/scheme carrier routes (carrier route packages only):
required for rate eligibility (no minimum); for Line 1 for 5-digit
carrier routes sacks, use 5-digit ZIP Code destination of packages,
preceded for military mail by the prefixes under M031; for Line 1 for
5-digit scheme carrier routes sacks, use L001, Column B.
* * * * *
An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these
changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-12320 Filed 5-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P