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.

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

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].

A revised Federal Register final rule notice will be available on Postal Explorer on Monday, February 22, 2010.

The final rule, effective June 7, 2010, provides background, summary of the comments received on our prior proposal, our response to the comments, a summary of the changes, and revisions to the applicable prices for pieces that do not meet the deflection standards.

Based on findings of the analysis, changes to the characteristics of folded self-mailers mailed at automation or machinable letter prices may be developed. We will publish any proposed new standards in the Federal Register and encourage mail owners, mail preparers, and other interested parties to provide feedback during the comment period that will follow. 

After comments on the proposal are received and evaluated, a final rule will be published in the Federal Register and subsequently in the Postal Bulletin. An effective date that provides time for production planning will be included in the final rule. Until the final rule is published, the current folded self-mailer requirements apply as described in DMM 201.3.14. Stay tuned for further information on the self-mailer study and possible proposed requirements.