Domestic and International Mailing — Price Change

24 Oct 2011 | No Comments | posted by admin | in DMM Advisory

Today the Federal Register published two of our notices on the proposed Mailing Services price change.

On October 18, we filed notices of a Market Dominant Price Adjustment for both domestic and international Mailing Services with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), to be effective on January 22, 2012.

New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services –This proposed rule contains revisions to the DMM® to accompany the price changes, including several mail classification changes, modifications to mailpiece characteristics, and changes in classification terminology.

International Mail: Proposed Product Rate and Fee Changes – This proposed rule contains revisions to the IMM®, including price changes to First-Class Mail International® and international extra services.

The proposed rules are now available on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com by clicking on “Federal Register Notices” in the left frame.

Customers are encouraged to comment on or before November 23, 2011. Final rules will be published shortly after the comment period ends.

Comment Period Reminder – Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail

11 Oct 2011 | No Comments | posted by admin | in DMM Advisory

The Federal Register advance notice of federal rule making, highlighted in an earlier communication from Susan LaChance, USPS® Vice President Consumer & Industry Affairs, would revise service standards, eliminating the expectation of overnight service for First-Class Mail and Periodicals, narrowing the two-day delivery range, and enlarging the three-day delivery range. A major effect of the proposal would be to facilitate a significant consolidation of the Postal Service’s processing and transportation networks.

The comment period closes on October 21. Please send any comments to the special email address created for the mailing industry: industryfeedback@usps.gov.

Published Federal Register Notices & Approaching DMM Revisions

4 Jun 2010 | No Comments | posted by admin | in DMM Advisory

The following four Federal Register notices have been published and are now posted on the Postal Explorer® website at pe.usps.com. All of these revisions will be incorporated into the July 6th update of the online DMM®, and the July 17 Postal Bulletin. We encourage you to check them out:

Business Reply Mail® Online Application Option — eliminates the option to apply for a Business Reply Mail permit online. The application for applying online for Qualified Business Reply Mail is also being eliminated.

Restricting the Mailing of Replica or Inert Explosive Devices — adds new standards for items that are replicas or inert explosive devices must be sent by Registered Mail™ service only.

Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) – Nonpostal Documentation — clarifies that postal employees may, upon request, sign a bill-of-lading for a mailer’s transportation provider as a courtesy to the customer. However, PS Form 8125 is the sole source of evidence for USPS purposes of the transfer of the custody of pieces entered at the time of induction. [This article will be in the July 1 Postal Bulletin].

Treatment of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco as Nonmailable Matter — implements the specific provisions of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, which restricts the mailability of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco sent through the U.S. Postal Service®. [Effective date is June 29, 2010].