Rules and Regulations. Final rule; comments acceptable

Agency: Postal Service
Action: Final rule; comments acceptable
Citation: FR Doc. 00-5960 · 39 CFR 111

Summary

The Postal Service is amending a portion of its rule on postage and fees refunds, to clarify that payments may be made in some cases for unused adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter. The purpose of this change is to allow the Postal Service to test market programs that involve the use of postage stamps to pay for goods and services.

Dates

Effective March 9, 2000. Comments must be received on or before April 10, 2000.

Supplementary Information

Under section P014.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), the Postal Service currently disallows refunds for unused adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter. While this policy is necessary to promote the efficiency of ordinary retail postal operations, the current DMM language hampers the testing and development of innovative marketing programs such as the Micropayment Program. Under this program, vendors would be allowed to receive payment for goods and services, priced between $1.00 and $10.00, in the form of postage stamps affixed to a postcard or a similar item. The vendors, in turn, would return the stamps to the Postal Service and receive payments in an amount less than the face value of the stamps. As amended, section P014.2.7 of the DMM will more clearly allow payment for unused adhesive stamps and stamps affixed to unmailed matter in connection with marketing programs approved by the Senior Vice President for Marketing, thus allowing tests of the Micro Payment Program and similar initiatives to proceed. List of Subjects 39 CFR Part 111 Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service. Accordingly, the Postal Service hereby amends section P014.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 111. 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. Amend section P014.2.7 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to read as follows: P POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS P000 Basic Information P010 General Standards P014 Refunds and Exchanges 2.0 POSTAGE AND FEES REFUNDS 2.7 Unallowable Refunds Refunds are not made for the following: a. An application fee to use permit imprints. b. Collect on delivery (COD), Express Mail insurance, insured, and registered fees after the USPS accepts the article, even if the article is later withdrawn from the mail. c. Unused adhesive stamps (may be exchanged under 1.1 through 1.5). d. Adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter. These limits on refunds are not intended to prohibit payments for unused adhesive stamps and adhesive stamps affixed to unmailed matter in connection with an authorized marketing program. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 00-5960 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]