82 FR 4231 - Seamless Acceptance Program

POSTAL SERVICE

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 9 (January 13, 2017)

The Postal Service proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to add the mail preparation requirements governing participation in the Seamless Acceptance Program.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4231-4232]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-32057]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Seamless Acceptance Program

AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes to revise Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to add 
the mail preparation requirements governing participation in the 
Seamless Acceptance Program.

DATES: Submit comments on or before February 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected], with a subject line of ``Seamless 
Acceptance Program.'' Faxed comments are not accepted.
    You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment 
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 
11th Floor North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for 
review on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-
2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct questions or comments to 
Heather Dyer by email at [email protected] or phone (207) 482-
7217, or Jacqueline Erwin by email at [email protected] or 
phone (202) 268-2158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Seamless Acceptance is an option for 
entering commercial mailings. It leverages full-service mailing 
technology by using scans from USPS[supreg] mail processing equipment 
and hand held devices to automate verification and payment for 
commercial First-Class Mail cards, letters, and flats, Periodicals, 
Standard Mail letters and flats, and Bound Printed Matter Flats. 
Mailers may participate in the Seamless Acceptance Program by 
contacting the PostalOne! Helpdesk at 1-800-522-9085. To participate in 
the Seamless Acceptance Program, mailers must meet the

[[Page 4232]]

standards in DMM 705.22.0. Additional information, including 
information regarding verification and associated assessments under the 
Seamless Acceptance Program, is provided in Publication 6850, 
Publication for Streamlined Mail Acceptance for Letters and Flats, at 
https://postalpro.usps.com/node/581.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 
CFR 111.1.
    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

* * * * *
    [Add new section 22.0, to read as follows:]

22.0 Seamless Acceptance Program

22.1 Description

    Seamless Acceptance uses Intelligent Mail barcodes, electronic 
documentation (eDoc), and scans from USPS mail processing equipment and 
hand held devices, to automate verification of and payment for First-
Class Mail cards, letters, and flats, Periodicals, Standard Mail 
letters and flats, and Bound Printed Matter flats. Additional 
information, including information regarding verification and 
associated assessments on the Seamless Acceptance Program, is provided 
in Publication 6850, Publication for Streamlined Mail Acceptance for 
Letters and Flats, available at https://postalpro.usps.com/node/581.

22.2 Approval

    Mailers may seek authorization to participate in the Seamless 
Acceptance Program by contacting the PostalOne! Helpdesk at 1-800-522-
9085.

22.3 Basic Standards

    First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail letters and flats 
and BPM barcoded flats, are potentially eligible for Seamless 
Acceptance. All mailpieces, including basic and nonautomation must be 
prepared as outlined in 23.0; mailers must meet the following 
standards:
    a. Meet all the content and price eligibility standards for the 
price claimed.
    b. Prepare 90% Full-Service eligible volume
    c. Participate in the Seamless Parallel Program
    d. Participate in eInduction under 20.0 for DMU-verified origin 
entry or destination entry-drop shipments.

22.3.1 Intelligent Mail Barcode Exception

    Under special circumstances where mailers are unable to use an 
Intelligent Mail Barcode on every piece an exception may be granted by 
Business Mailer Support (BMS); see 608.8 for contact information.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes, if our proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-32057 Filed 1-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P