Expansion of Global Priority Mail

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

Expansion of Global Priority Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On March 29, 1996, the Postal Service published in the Federal

Register, 61 FR 14025, an interim rule with a request for comments

which expanded Global Priority Mail service by increasing the number of

acceptance points, increasing the number of destination countries, and

adding weight variable rates for items weighing up to 4 pounds. The

Postal Service now adopts the interim regulations, with amendments, as

final.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 27, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Jay Thabet, (202) 268-2269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 29, 1996, the Postal Service

published an interim rule expanding Global Priority Mail and requesting

comments, 61 FR 14025. Global Priority Mail is an expedited airmail

letter service providing fast, reliable, and economical delivery of all

items mailable as letters or merchandise up to 4 pounds. Global

Priority Mail items receive priority handling in the United States and

destination countries. Service is limited to the 34 destination

countries identified in the International Mail Manual 226.2. Service is

available from designated post offices identified in the International

Mail Manual 226.32.

The weight limit for Global Priority Mail items is 4 pounds. The

Postal Service offers two sizes of preprinted flat-rate envelopes. The

rates for these envelopes are based on a geographic rate zone

regardless of the actual weight. Although these envelopes are valid for

weights of up to 4 pounds, the practical limitations of the envelopes

limit the weight to less than 4 pounds.

The interim rule increased the number of post offices where Global

Priority Mail would be available, increased the number of destination

countries, and added variable weight-based rates to increase customer

convenience.

The Postal Service received one letter containing nine comments on

the interim rule.

Comment one suggests that, for those states where all post offices

within the state are on the list of acceptance sites, just the state

should be listed without showing the different facilities. This

suggestion does not take into account that there may arise a case where

a post office within a state may not be able to accept Global Priority

Mail at some time in the future. The present system of listing the

acceptance facilities allows the Postal Service to delete post offices

when appropriate.

Comment two suggests that ZIP Codes be listed in numerical order

rather than in alphabetical order of the acceptance facility. While

both numerical and alphabetical listings are valid, neither is more

valid than the other. The Postal Service elects to retain the

alphabetical listing.

Comment three states that, in New York State, Postal Codes 117/118

are no longer listed as acceptance sites, whereas they were listed as

acceptance sites for the original test. This was a typographical error;

ZIP Codes 117/118 are acceptance sites.

Comment four asks for an explanation of certain abnormalities in

the rate structure for variable weights and the volume rates. The

differences between weight steps does not have to be equal or linear or

based totally on cost changes. The competitions' rates for similar

products are a factor. The size and weight of the volume the USPS most

wants to attract is another factor in the determination of weight level

increases.

Comment five asks for an explanation for the relationship between

rates for Canadian and European destinations. The expected traffic to

each country group, the competition that we face going to that country

group, and the cost to get into each country group were factors used to

determine rates. In the example cited, competitors' rates and delivery

costs in the country were the most influential.

Comment six states that the relationship between the flat rate

envelopes and the variable weight rate should be clarified and the

relationship between the flat rate envelope and the volume rate should

be clarified. The flat rate developed for envelopes that the Postal

Service provides is independent

[[Page 3815]]

of the variable weight rate and the volume rate. The Postal Service

developed the flat rates as a convenience for the customer. To receive

either the variable weight or volume rate options, the customer must

provide the appropriate packaging. The envelopes the Postal Service

provides are for the convenience of the customer and are not eligible

for either the variable weight or volume rate options.

Comment seven suggests a change in wording to Chapter 2 of the

International Mail Manual, part 226.62, to read * * * * sticker rate

must have the DEC-10 sticker affixed to the address side of the

package, for clarification purposes. The Postal Service accepts this

comment and revises Chapter 2 of the International Mail Manual, part

226.62.

Comment eight notes that section 226.82 of the International Mail

Manual does not state where the single piece rate packages can be

mailed. In light of this comment the Postal Service revises Chapter 2

of the International Mail Manual, part 226.82, to state that single

piece variable weight option may be deposited in the normal manner of

deposit for Global Priority Mail.

Comment nine questions the legality of not providing Global

Priority Mail service from every post office under the jurisdiction of

the United States Postal Service. The United States Postal Service

provides service throughout the entire United States as mandated by 39

USC 3623(d). There are some products and services that are not

available at all postal retail units. Acceptance of passport

applications is an example. In the case of Global Priority Mail, the

service is offered at all post offices from which transportation is

available which allows the mailpiece to reach the appropriate airmail

facility in time to make the scheduled airline departure on the day

after the mailpiece is deposited. If the transportation network at a

given post office does not allow for the mailpiece to leave the United

States on the day after deposit, that post office does not accept

Global Priority Mail. This restriction is in place to preserve the

integrity of a premium service for which the customer pays a premium

fee.

A transmittal letter making the changes in the pages of the

International Mail Manual will be published and transmitted

automatically to subscribers. Notice of issuance of the transmittal

letter will be published in the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR

20.3.

The Postal Service amends part 226 of 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, Incorporation by reference, International postal

services.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

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, 407, 408.

2. The International Mail Manual is amended to incorporate part

226, Global Priority Mail, as follows:

226 Global Priority Mail

226.1 General

226.11 Definition

Global Priority Mail is an expedited airmail letter service

providing fast, reliable, and economical delivery of all items mailable

as letters or merchandise up to 4 pounds. Global Priority Mail items

receive priority handling in the United States and in destination

countries. Service is available only to destination countries

identified in 226.2, from post offices identified in 226.3.

226.12 Permissible Items

All items sent as letter class mail (see 221.1) are accepted in

Global Priority Mail provided that the contents are mailable and fit

securely in the envelope. Global Priority Mail items may contain

dutiable merchandise unless the country of destination specifically

prohibits dutiable merchandise in letters (see 224.51). Any item that

is prohibited in international mail is prohibited in Global Priority

Mail. Refer to the ``Country Conditions of Mailing'' in the Individual

Country Listings for individual country prohibitions.

226.13 Packaging

Items must fit comfortably within the flat-rate envelope without

distorting or bursting the container. Do not use excessive tape to keep

the envelopes from bursting. Use only one piece of tape to secure the

flap.

226.2 Availability

Global Priority Mail is available to the following countries.

Countries specifically identified will have service only to specific

cities within those countries, as noted below:

Countries of Destination

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western Europe Pacific Rim North America South America Middle East

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Austria Australia Canada Brazil \4\ Israel.\6\

Belgium China \2\ Mexico \3\ Chile \5\ Saudi Arabia.\7\

Denmark Hong Kong

Finland Japan

France (including Korea, Republic of

Monaco) New Zealand

Germany Philippines

Great Britain and Singapore

Northern Ireland \1\ Taiwan

Iceland Thailand

Ireland Vietnam

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Netherlands, The

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.

\2\ Destinations in China are limited to Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou,

Tianjin, Wuxi, Xiamen, and Zhuhai ONLY.

[[Page 3816]]

\3\ Destinations in Mexico are limited to Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey ONLY.

\4\ Destinations in Brazil are limited to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro ONLY.

\5\ Destinations in Chile are limited to Santiago, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar ONLY.

\6\ Destinations in Israel are limited to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa ONLY.

\7\ Destinations in Saudi Arabia are limited to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam ONLY.

226.3 Mailing Locations

226.31 Acceptance Offices and Pickup Service Locations

Global Priority Mail service is available only through the

designated post offices and the additional post offices listed in

226.32. Pickup Service is available for an additional fee. (See

226.83.)

226.32 Service Areas

Service is available only from the metropolitan areas as defined by

the ZIP Code ranges shown in Exhibit 226.32. If Global Priority Mail is

presented at a non-participating retail unit, advise the customer that

the item cannot be accepted as Global Priority Mail. Refer customer to

the nearest Global Priority Mail retail acceptance unit. Within these

service areas, prepaid items may be given to carriers, deposited in

Express Mail collection boxes, or mailed at post offices, stations, and

branches.

Exhibit 226.32 Global Priority Mail Acceptance Cities and Three-Digit

ZIP Codes

ALABAMA

Anniston: 362

Birmingham: 352

Huntsville: 356, 357, 358

Mobile: 366

Montgomery: 361, 368

ARIZONA

Phoenix: 850, 852, 853

Tucson: 857

ARKANSAS

Little Rock: 722

West Memphis: 723

CALIFORNIA

Industry: 917, 918

Inglewood: 902, 903, 904, 905

Long Beach: 906, 907, 908

Los Angeles: 900, 901

North Bay: 949

Oakland: 945, 946, 947, 948,

Pasadena: 910, 911, 912

Salinas: 939

San Diego: 919, 920, 921

San Francisco: 940, 941, 943, 944

San Jose: 950, 951

Santa Ana: 926, 927, 928

Van Nuys: 913, 914, 915, 916

COLORADO

Brighton: 806

Colorado Springs: 808, 809

Denver: 800, 801, 802, 803

Longmont: 805

Pueblo: 810

CONNECTICUT

Hartford: 060, 061, 062

New Haven: 063, 064, 065, 066

Stamford: 068, 069

Waterbury: 067

DELAWARE

Wilmington: 197, 198, 199

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Washington, DC)

Washington: 200, 202, 203, 204, 205

FLORIDA

Daytona Beach: 321

Fort Myers: 339

Ft. Lauderdale: 333

Gainesville: 326, 344

Jacksonville: 320, 322

Lakeland: 338

Manasota: 342

Miami: 331, 332

Mid-Florida: 327

Orlando: 328, 329, 347

South Florida: 330

St. Petersburg: 337

Tallahassee: 323

Tampa: 335, 336, 346

West Palm Beach: 334, 349

GEORGIA

Albany: 317

Athens: 306

Atlanta: 303, 311

Augusta: 298, 308, 309

Columbus: 318, 319

Macon: 310, 312

North Metro: 300, 301, 302, 305

Savannah: 299, 313, 314

Swainsboro: 304

Valdosta: 316

Waycross: 315

INDIANA

Bloomington: 474

Columbus: 472

Evansville: 424, 476, 477

Fort Wayne: 467, 468

Gary: 463, 464

Indianapolis: 460, 461, 462

Kokomo: 469

Lafayette: 479

Muncie: 473

South Bend: 465, 466

Terre Haute: 478

Washington: 475

ILLINOIS

Bloomington: 617

Carbondale: 629

Carol Stream: 601, 603

Centralia: 628

Chicago: 606, 607, 608

East St. Louis: 622

Effingham: 624

Champaign: 618, 619

Fox Valley: 605

Galesburg: 614

Kankakee: 609

La Salle: 613

Palatine: 600, 602

Peoria: 615, 616

Quincy: 623, 634, 635

Rockford: 610, 611

Rock Island: 612

Springfield: 625, 626, 627

South Suburban: 604

IOWA

Burlington: 526

Cedar Rapids: 522, 523, 524

Davenport: 527, 528

Des Moines: 500, 501, 502, 503, 509

Dubuque: 520

Mason City: 504

Ottumwa: 525

Sioux City: 510, 511

Waterloo: 506, 507

KANSAS

Fort Scott: 667

Kansas City: 660, 661, 662

Hays: 676

Salina: 674

Topeka: 664, 665, 666, 668

Wichita: 672

KENTUCKY

Ashland: 411, 412

Bowling Green: 421, 422

Campton: 413, 414

Elizabeth: 427

Louisville: 400, 401, 402, 471

Lexington: 403, 404, 405, 406

Owensboro: 423

Pikeville: 415, 416

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge: 707, 708

New Orleans: 700, 701

Hammond: 704

Thibodaux: 703

MAINE

Bangor: 044, 046, 047

Portland: 040, 041, 042, 043, 045, 048, 049

MARYLAND

Baltimore: 210, 211, 212, 214, 219

Cumberland: 215, 267

Easton: 216

Frederick: 217

Salisbury: 218

Southern: 206, 207

Suburban: 208, 209

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston: 021, 022

Brockton: 020, 023, 024

Buzzards Bay: 025, 026

Middlesex-Essex: 018, 019

Pittsfield: 012

Springfield: 010, 011, 013

Worcester: 014, 015, 016, 017

MICHIGAN

Detroit: 481, 482

Flint: 484, 485

Gaylord: 497

Grand Rapids: 493, 494, 495

Jackson: 492

Kalamazoo: 490, 491

[[Page 3817]]

Lansing: 488, 489

Royal Oak: 480, 483

Saginaw: 486, 487

Traverse City: 496

MINNESOTA

Detroit Lakes: 565

Duluth: 558

Mankato: 560

Minneapolis: 553, 554

Rochester: 559

Saint Cloud: 563

St. Paul: 550, 551, 540

Thief River Falls: 567

Willmar: 562

Windom: 561

MISSISSIPPI

Grenada: 389

Gulfport: 395

Hattiesburg: 394

Jackson: 392

McComb: 396

MISSOURI

Cape Girardeau: 636, 637, 638, 639

Chillicothe: 646

Harrisonville: 647

Kansas City: 640, 641

Mid-Missouri: 650, 651, 652, 653

Saint Joseph: 644, 645

Springfield: 648, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658

St. Louis: 620, 630, 631, 633

MONTANA

Billings: 591

NEBRASKA

Lincoln: 683, 684, 685

Norfolk: 686, 687

Omaha: 515, 516, 680, 681

NEVADA

Las Vegas: 891

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester: 030, 031, 032, 033, 034

Portsmouth: 038, 039

NEW JERSEY

Hackensack: 076

Kilmer: 088, 089

Monmouth: 077

Newark: 070, 071, 072, 073

Paterson: 074, 075

South Jersey: 080, 081, 082, 083, 084

Trenton: 085, 086, 087

West Jersey: 078, 079

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque: 871

NEW YORK

Albany: 120, 121, 122, 123

Binghamton: 137, 138, 139

Bronx: 104

Brooklyn: 112

Buffalo: 140, 141, 142, 143

Elmira: 148, 149

Glen Falls: 128

Hicksville: 118

Jamestown: 147

Long Island: 111

Mid-Hudson: 124, 125, 126, 127

Mid Island: 117, 119

New York: 100, 101, 102

Plattsburgh: 129

Queens: 110, 113, 114, 116

Rochester: 144, 145, 146

Rockland: 109

Staten Island: 103

Syracuse: 130, 131, 132

Utica: 133, 134, 135

Watertown: 136

Westchester: 105, 106, 107, 108

Western Nassau: 115

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville: 287, 288, 289

Charlotte: 280, 281, 282, 297

Greensboro: 270, 271, 272, 273, 274

Hickory: 286

Raleigh: 275, 276, 277

NORTH DAKOTA

Bismarck: 585

Dickinson: 586

Devils Lake: 583

Fargo: 580, 581

Grand Forks: 582

Jamestown: 584

Minot: 587

Williston: 588

OHIO

Akron: 442, 443

Athens: 457

Canton: 446, 447

Chillicothe: 456

Cincinnati: 410, 450, 451, 452, 470

Cleveland: 440, 441

Columbus: 430, 431, 432, 433

Dayton: 453, 454, 455

Lima: 458

Mansfield: 448, 449

Steubenville: 439

Toledo: 434, 435, 436

Youngstown: 444, 445

Zanesville: 437, 438

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore: 734

Clinton: 736

Durant: 747

Enid: 737

Lawton: 735

McAlester: 745

Muskogee: 744

Oklahoma City: 730, 731

Ponca City: 746

Poteau: 749

Shawnee: 748

Tulsa: 740, 741, 743

Woodard: 738

OREGON

Portland: 972

PENNSYLVANIA

Altoona: 166, 168

Bradford: 167

Dubois: 158

Erie: 164, 165

Greensburg: 156

Harrisburg: 170, 171, 172, 178

Johnstown: 155, 157, 159

Lancaster: 173, 174, 175, 176

Lehigh Valley: 180, 181, 183

New Castle: 160, 161, 162

Oil City: 163

Philadelphia: 190, 191

Pittsburgh: 150, 151, 152, 153, 154

Reading: 179, 195, 196

Scranton: 184, 185, 188

Southeastern: 189, 193, 194

Wilkes-Barre: 182, 186, 187

PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS

San Juan: 006, 007, 008, 009

RHODE ISLAND

Providence: 027, 028, 029

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston: 294

Columbia: 290, 291, 292

Florence: 295

Greenville: 293, 296

SOUTH DAKOTA

Aberdeen: 574

Dakota Central: 572, 573

Mobridge: 576

Pierre: 575

Rapid City: 577

Sioux Falls: 570, 571

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga: 307, 373, 374

Columbia: 384

Cookeville: 385

Jackson: 383

Johnson City: 376

Knoxville: 377, 378, 379

McKenzie: 382

Memphis: 380, 381, 386

Nashville: 370, 371, 372

TEXAS

Abilene: 768, 795, 796

Amarillo: 791

Austin: 786, 787, 789

Beaumont: 776, 777

Bryan: 778

Corpus Christi: 784

Dallas: 751, 752, 753

El Paso: 799

Fort Worth: 760, 761, 762, 764

Greenville: 754

Houston: 770, 772

Longview: 756

Lubbock: 794

Lufkin: 759

North Houston: 773, 774, 775

North Texas: 750

Palestine: 758

San Angelo: 769

San Antonio: 780, 781, 782, 788

Texarkana: 755

Tyler: 757

Waco: 765, 766, 767

Wichita Falls: 763

UTAH

Provo: 845, 846, 847

Salt Lake City: 840, 841, 843, 844

VERMONT

Burlington: 054, 056

White River Junction: 035, 036, 037, 050, 051, 052, 053, 057, 058,

059

VIRGINIA

Charlottesville: 228, 229, 244

Culpeper: 227

Farmville: 239

Northern Virginia: 201, 220, 221, 222, 223

Norfolk: 233, 234, 235, 236, 237

Richmond: 224, 225, 230, 231, 232, 238

Winchester: 226

[[Page 3818]]

WASHINGTON

Everett: 982

Olympia: 985

Seattle: 980, 981

Tacoma: 983, 984

Wenatchee: 988

Yakima: 989

WEST VIRGINIA

Bluefield: 246, 247, 248

Charleston: 250, 251, 252, 253

Huntington: 255, 256, 257

Martinsburg: 254

Wheeling: 260

WISCONSIN

Eau Claire: 547

Green Bay: 543

La Crosse: 546

Madison: 537

Milwaukee: 530, 531, 532

Oshkosh: 549

Racine: 534

Spooner: 548

WYOMING

Cheyenne: 820

226.4 Postage

226.41 Flat-Rate Envelopes Postage

Each Global Priority Mail flat-rate envelope is charged at a flat

rate. The rate is based on the geographic rate zone regardless of its

actual weight. Postage is required for each piece. (See Exhibit

226.41.)

Exhibit 226.41

Flat-Rate Envelope Postage Rates

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Destination Small Large

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western Europe and Middle East................ $3.75 $6.95

Canada and Mexico............................. 3.75 6.95

Pacific Rim and South America................. 4.95 8.95

Weight Limit 4 Lbs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

226.42 Variable Weight Option Postage--Single Piece Rates

Global Priority Mail variable weight rates are calculated in half

(or fraction thereof) increments based on the weight of each piece the

destination geographic rate zone up to four pounds. (See Exhibit

226.42.)

Exhibit 226.42

Variable Weight Sticker Option--Single Piece Rates

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western

Europe Pacific Canada

Weight level and Rim and and

Middle South Mexico

East America

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1/2\ lb............................... $7.00 $8.00 $5.95

1.0 lb................................. 10.50 12.50 10.00

1.5 lbs................................ 12.50 16.95 13.50

2.0 lbs................................ 15.00 21.00 16.50

2.5 lbs................................ 17.50 23.95 18.00

3.0 lbs................................ 19.95 27.25 19.50

3.5 lbs................................ 22.00 31.50 21.00

4.0 lbs................................ 24.75 34.50 22.50

Weight Limit 4 Lbs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

226.43 Global Priority Mail Sticker--Volume Rates

226.431 Minimum Quantity Requirement

The mailer must have a minimum of five or more pieces to one or

more Global Priority Mail countries. The minimum does not apply to each

geographic zone rate. (See Exhibit 226.43.)

226.432 Mailing Statement

Postage for volume rate mail and permit imprint must be computed on

PS Form 3653, Global Priority Mail Statement of Mailings.

Exhibit 226.43

Variable Weight Sticker Option--Volume Rates

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Western

Europe Pacific Canada

Weight level and Rim and and

Middle South Mexico

East America

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1/2\ lb............................... $5.95 $6.95 $5.00

1.0 lb................................. 8.50 10.00 7.50

1.5 lbs................................ 10.00 13.50 10.00

2.0 lbs................................ 12.00 16.95 12.50

2.5 lbs................................ 14.00 19.25 13.50

3.0 lbs................................ 16.95 21.95 14.50

3.5 lbs................................ 19.95 25.50 15.50

4.0 lbs................................ 22.50 27.75 16.50

Weight Limit 4 Lbs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

226.5 Payment Methods

226.51 Postage Payment Methods

Nonidentical weight piece mailings must have the applicable postage

affixed by adhesive stamps, meter stamps or if presented at a post

office, postal validation imprinter (PVI labels). Identical weight

piece mailings may be paid by meter stamps, adhesive stamps, PVI labels

or permit imprint subject to certain standards. To use permit imprint,

the mailing must consist of 200 or more pieces and be of identical

weight. The 200-piece criterion for permit imprint applies to both

volume rate and flat-rate mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with

nonidentical weight items only if authorized by the USPS under a

Manifest Mailing System (MMS), in DMM P710.

226.52 Postal Marking Related to Volume Rate Postage

When pieces are paid at the volume rate and paid by stamps or meter

impression, each piece must be legibly marked with the words ``Volume

Rate Global Priority Mail.'' If stamps are used the endorsement must

appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a

printing press, hand stamp or other similar printing device. If meter

impression is used the endorsement must be in the ad plate or the slug

area. If part of the slug, the abbreviation GPM Vol. Rate may be used.

See DMM P030.4.14 for specification of size requirements.

226.53 Permit Imprint Content and Format

All permit imprints on Global Priority Mail must show city and

state, ``Global Priority Mail,'' U.S. Postage Paid, and permit number.

They may show the mailing date, amount of postage paid or the number of

ounces for each postage.

226.54 Meter Stamps Content

At a minimum, a meter stamp must show the month, day, and year in

the postmark, city and state designation of the licensing post office,

the number, and the amount of postage. See DMM P030.4.6.

226.6 Preparation Requirements

226.61 Addressing

All items must bear the complete delivery address of the addressee

and the full name (no abbreviations) of the destination country. See

122.

226.62 Marking

Global Priority Mail items must be mailed in special envelopes (EP-

15A,

[[Page 3819]]

EP-15B) or with the Global Priority Mail sticker (DEC-10) provided by

the Postal Service. (These supplies may be obtained by calling 800-222-

1811.) Unmarked pieces are subject to the applicable LC/AO airmail

regular rates and treatment. Pieces paid at the Global Priority Mail

sticker rate must have the DEC-10 sticker affixed to the address side

of the package.

226.63 Customs

A green customs label must be affixed if the package is 16 ounces

or more, regardless of its contents. Only documents and correspondence

under 16 ounces do not require a customs form.

226.7 Size and Weight Limits

226.71 Size Limits

226.711 Flat-Rate Envelope Sizes

a. Small Size--6 x 10 inches.

b. Large Size--9\1/2\ x 12\1/2\ inches.

226.712 Package Sizes for Variable Weight Option

a. Minimum length and height: 5\1/2\ x 3\1/2\ inches.

b. Minimum depth (thickness): .007 inches.

c. Maximum length: 24 inches.

d. Maximum length, height, depth (thickness) combined: 36 inches.

226.713 Rolls

a. Minimum length: 4 inches.

b. Minimum length plus twice the diameter combined: 6\3/4\ inches.

c. Maximum length: 36 inches.

d. Maximum length plus twice the diameter combined: 42 inches.

226.72 Weight Limit

Items sent as Global Priority Mail in envelopes and the variable

weight option must not exceed 4 pounds.

226.73 Special Services

Mailers may obtain certificates of mailing (see NO TAG). No other

special services such as registry, insurance, restricted delivery,

return receipt, or recorded delivery are available.

226.8 Mailer Preparation

226.81 Mailer Requirement

Global Priority Mail claimed at the volume rate must be separated

by geographic rate zone (Western Europe, Pacific Rim, and Canada) when

presented to the business mail entry unit unless otherwise authorized

by the USPS. All pieces in a permit imprint mailing and metered mail

must be facing the same direction.

226.82 Deposit of Mail

Global Priority Mail pieces paid by permit imprint and pieces

claimed at the Global Priority Mail volume rates must be deposited at a

business mail acceptance unit as authorized by the postmaster in the

designated Global Priority Mail sites for weighing. Single piece

variable weight option may be deposited in the normal manner of deposit

for Global Priority Mail. Flat-rate envelopes with postage affixed may

be deposited in any Express Mail Street collection box or other such

place where Express Mail is accepted. Metered mail must be deposited in

locations under the jurisdiction of the licensing post office except as

permitted under DMM P030.

226.83 Pickup Service

On call and scheduled pickup service are available for Global

Priority Mail from the designated Global Priority Mail acceptance

cities. There is a charge of $4.95 for each pickup stop, regardless of

the number of pieces picked up. (See DMM D010 for standards of pickup

service.) Pickup is not available for Global Priority Mail pieces if

paid by permit imprint or claimed at the volume rate.

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 98-1935 Filed 1-26-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-12-P