International Mail Manual: International priority airmail service; postage rates and service conditions changes,

[Federal Register: March 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 41)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 10219-10227]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03mr99-8]

[[Page 10219]]

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 20

International Priority Airmail Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Postal Service published a proposed rule with a request for comment on November 25, 1998, in the Federal Register (63 FR 65153- 65161) regarding proposed changes to International Priority Airmail Service (IPA). The Postal Service proposed to change the postage rates and conditions of service. The Postal Service hereby adopts the proposed rule, effective April 4, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12:01 a.m., April 4, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter J. Grandjean, (202) 314-7256 or Dan Singer, (202) 314-3422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: International Priority Airmail Service (IPA) is a volume airmail letter service. Mailers have the opportunity to benefit from work sharing with the Postal Service and gain improved speed of delivery for presorted mail, which the Postal Service does not have to sort.

On February 28, 1998, the Postal Service adopted program changes to International Surface Air Lift Service (ISAL) (63 FR 3642-3650). The proposed changes to IPA will align it with ISAL in rate structure and preparation requirements. This will make it easier for mailers to participate in either service. The Postal Service published a proposed rule with a request for comment in the Federal Register on November 25, 1998, (63 FR 65153-65161) and requested comments by December 28, 1998. By that date the Postal received one comment from an international courier company.

The commentor fully supported the changes to IPA proposed by the Postal Service but suggested that mail to Canada be included in rate group 2 and that the proposal be implemented no later than February 28, 1999.

The Postal Service has reviewed the recommendation that Canada be included in rate group 2 of IPA service. The Postal Service does not believe that, at this time, it is possible to include Canada in rate group 2 of IPA service. This is because the costs associated with sending mail to Canada significantly differ from those associated with sending mail to all other countries in the rate group. Such differences would result in non-compensatory rates to the Postal Service where rate group 2 mailings included disproportionate volumes of Canadian mail.

The Postal Service believes that an effective date of February 28, 1999, does not provide sufficient time for customers, vendors, or the Postal Service to make changes to systems and procedures necessary to successfully implement the changes to IPA. Therefore, the Postal Service will implement the changes on April 4, 1999, which is the earliest practical date.

The Postal Service adopts the following amendments to 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, International postal services.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

1. 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, 404, 407, 408.

2. The International Mail Manual is amended to incorporate program changes to Subchapter 280 International Priority Airmail Service as follows:

   280 INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL SERVICE

   281 Description

   281.1 General

   International Priority Airmail (IPA) service is as fast as or faster than regular international airmail service. It is available to bulk mailers of all LC and AO items that are prepared by the sender in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter. Separate rates are provided for presorted mail and nonpresorted mail with drop shipment and volume discounts.

   281.2 Qualifying Mail

   Any item of the LC or AO classification, as defined in 141.2, qualifies. Letters, letter packages, postal cards, aerogrammes, regular printed matter, books and sheet music, publishers' periodicals, matter for the blind, and small packets, which are prepared in compliance with the applicable mailing conditions in this subchapter, may be sent in this service. Items do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify.

   281.3 Minimum Quantity Requirements

   281.31 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail

   The mailer must have a minimum of 11 pounds of LC/AO mail in the total mailing. The minimum does not apply to each country destination.

   281.32 Presort Mail

   The mailer must have a minimum of 11 pounds of presorted LC/AO mail to a single rate group to qualify for the presort rate for that rate group.

   Note: Mail that cannot be made up in direct country packages (284.521) or in direct country sacks (284.61) does not qualify for the presort rates and is subject to the worldwide nonpresort rates.

   281.4 Dutiable Items

   Dutiable items may be sent in LC letter packages or AO small packets in accordance with the applicable rules in this subchapter for those classes of mail. Parcel post (CP) items, either ordinary or insured, may not be mailed as International Priority Airmail.

   281.5 Deposit

   281.51 Full Service

   Mailings must be deposited and accepted at a business mail entry unit of the post office where the mailer holds an advance deposit account or postage meter license.

   281.52 Drop Shipment

   To qualify for the drop shipment rates, the mailer must tender the mail to one of the locations in 281.53. The mailer must pay postage at the drop shipment location either through an advance deposit account or postage meter license at the serving post office. As an alternative, mailers who are participating in a PVDS program (see DMM P750) may have the mail verified, accepted and paid for at the mailer's plant or at the origin post office serving the mailer's plant if authorized under DMM P750.2.2. Plant-verified drop shipment mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop shipment location and the mail accompanied by a clearance document Form 8125, Drop Shipment Clearance Document.

   281.53 Drop Shipment Locations

   Drop shipment rates are available from the following offices:

   New York

   Regular and plant-verified drop shipment:

   AMC JFK BUILDING 250,

   JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,

   JAMAICA NY 11430-9998

   California

   Regular drop shipment:

   SAN FRANCISCO P&DC,

   1300 EVANS AVE,

   SAN FRANCISCO CA 94188-9998, Plant-verified drop shipment:

   AMC SAN FRANCISCO,

   BLDG 660 RD 6,

   SAN FRANCISCO CA 94158-9998

   [[Page 10220]]

   Florida

   Regular drop shipment:

   MIAMI P&DC,

   2200 NORTHWEST 72 AVE,

   MIAMI FL 33152-9997 Plant-verified drop shipment:

   AMC MIAMI,

   MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,

   MIAMI FL 33159-9998

   Illinois

   Regular and plant-verified drop shipment:

   CHICAGO OHARE DROPSHIP ISAL SERVICE CENTER,

   INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING CENTER ANNEX,

   3333 N MOUNT PROSPECT RD,

   FRANKLIN PARK IL 60131-1347

   281.6 Special Services Not Available

   Items sent in this service may not be registered.

   282 Postage

   282.1 Rates

   282.11 General

   There are two rate options for International Priority Airmail service: a presort rate option that has four rate groups and a worldwide nonpresort rate. For both options there are full service rates for mail deposited at offices other than the four drop shipment offices listed in 281.5, and drop ship rates for mail deposited at one of the four drop shipment offices. The per-piece rates and per-pound rates are shown in Exhibit 282.11. The per-piece rate of $0.10 or $0.25 applies to each piece regardless of its weight. The per-pound rate applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare weight of sack) of the mail for the specific rate group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.

   Exhibit 282.11--International Priority Airmail Rates

   Pound rate Piece ------------------- Rate group

   rate Full service Dropship

1. $0.25 $5.00 $4.00 2......................................... 0.10 5.25 4.25 3......................................... 0.10 6.50 5.50 4......................................... 0.10 7.50 6.50 Worldwide................................. 0.25 7.00 6.00

   282.12 Volume Discount

   Mailers who spend $2 million or more on IPA and ISAL in the preceding postal fiscal year may receive discounts off the rates shown in Exhibit 282.11 as follows:

   1. $2 million to $5 million: 5% discount

   2. Over $5 million to $10 million: 10% discount

   3. Over $10 million: 15% discount

      Mailers entitled to these discounts must place the full per-piece rate on each piece of mail if payment is by postage meter or mailer- precanceled stamps. The discount is calculated on the statement of mailing.

      282.13 Qualifying for Volume Discounts

      To qualify for volume discounts, mailers must apply in writing to:

      MANAGER, MAIL ORDER, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS UNIT, 475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 370-IBU, WASHINGTON, DC 20260-6500

      The Manager evaluates all requests and informs the mailer and the post office(s) of mailing whether discounts are approved and the level of discount. Mailers must supply the following information:

   1. Postal fiscal year for the qualifying mail.

   2. Permit number(s) and post office(s) where the permits are held.

   3. Total revenue for the postal fiscal year.

   4. Post office(s) where the discount is to be claimed.

      The combined IPA and ISAL revenue is counted toward the discounts. The Postal Service will count as revenue to qualify for the volume discounts only postage paid by the permit holder. If a permit holder has more than one account, or accounts in several cities, then these revenues may be combined to qualify for discounts. Agents who prepare mail for the owner of the mail and mail paid by the owner's permit may not be included in the revenue to qualify for the discounts, except for the initial year (Postal Fiscal Year 1997, September 14, 1996, through September 12, 1997). Customers may be required to substantiate their request by providing copies of all postage statements for the appropriate postal fiscal year. All decisions of the manager, Mail Order are final.

      282.14 Availability

      IPA service is available to all foreign countries, as listed in Exhibit 284.522. The exhibit shows the rate group assigned to each country.

      282.15 Presort Rates

      To qualify for the presort Group 1, 2, 3, or 4 rates (see Exhibit 282.11), a mailing must consist of a minimum of 11 pounds to a specific rate group. This minimum applies to each rate group and not to the entire mailing (see 281.32). Within a rate group all mail addressed to an individual country must be sorted into direct country packages of 10 or more pieces (or 1 pound or more of mail) (284.521) and/or sacked in direct country sacks of 11 pounds or more (284.61). Mail that cannot be made up into direct country packages or direct country sacks must be sent at the worldwide nonpresort rates.

      282.16 Separation by Rate Group

      The mailer must specify the rate group on the back of Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, with the number 1, 2, 3, 4 or WW (Worldwide), and must physically separate the sacks by rate group at the time of mailing.

      282.17 Computation of Postage

      Postage is computed on PS Form 3652, Postage Statement-- International Priority Airmail. Postage at the worldwide nonpresort rate is calculated by multiplying the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-piece rate, multiplying the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the applicable per-pound rate, and then adding the two totals together. Postage at the presorted rates is calculated by multiplying the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a specific rate group by the appropriate per-piece rate, multiplying the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the corresponding per-pound rate, and then adding the two totals together. Volume discounts are calculated on the postage statement.

      282.2 Postage Payment Methods

      282.21 General

      282.211 Postage Meter or Permit Imprint

      Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or mailer- precanceled stamps (see DMM P023.3.0) or a combination. Postage charges are computed on PS Form 3652.

      282.212 Piece Rate Portion

      The applicable per-piece postage must be affixed to each piece by meter unless postage is paid by permit imprint (see 282.23).

      282.213 Pound Rate Portion

      Postage for the pound rate portion must be paid either by meter stamp(s) attached to the postage statement or from the mailer's authorized permit imprint advance deposit account.

      282.22 Postage Meter

      282.221 Postage Endorsement

      When postage is paid by meter or mailer-precanceled stamps, each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words ``INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.''

      [[Page 10221]]

      282.222 Specifications for Endorsement

      The endorsement required in 282.221 must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must be printed above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or it may be printed adjacent to the meter stamp in either the postal inscription slug area or ad plate area. If the postal endorsement appears in the ad plate area, no other information may be printed in the ad plate. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.

      282.223 Unmarked Pieces

      Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement required by 282.221 are subject to the applicable LC/AO airmail single piece rates.

      282.224 Drop Shipment of Metered Mail

      Mailers who want to enter metered IPA mail at a post office other than where the meter is licensed must obtain a drop shipment authorization. To obtain an authorization, the mailer must submit a written request to the postmaster at the office where the mail will be entered (see DMM D072).

      282.23 Permit Imprint

      Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical weight pieces. Any of the permit imprints shown in Exhibit 152.3 are acceptable. The postage charges are computed on PS Form 3652 and deducted from the advance deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote Priority Mail, bulk mail, nonprofit, or other domestic or special rate mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with nonidentical weight pieces only if authorized to use postage mailing systems under DMM P710, P720, or P730.

      283 Weight and Size Limits

      See 223 and 233 for the weight and size limits for LC items sent in this service. See 243, 253, and 263 for the weight and size limits for AO items sent in this service.

      284 Preparation Requirements for Individual Items

      284.1 Addressing

      See 122.

      284.2 Marking

      284.21 Airmail

      The sender should mark ``PAR AVION'' or ``AIR MAIL'' on the address side of each piece. Use of bordered airmail envelopes is optional and may be used for items sent in this service if the envelope contains the ``AIR MAIL'' endorsement.

      284.22 Class of Mail

      284.221 Printed Matter

      Printed matter is endorsed as required by weight:

   1. Items weighing more than 4 pounds must be marked to specify the type of printed matter: ``PRINTED MATTER,'' ``PRINTED MATTER-- BOOKS,'' ``PRINTED MATTER--SHEET MUSIC,'' or ``PRINTED MATTER-- PERIODICALS,'' as appropriate (see 244.211).

   2. Items weighing 4 pounds or less do not require any printed matter endorsement but may be marked with the endorsements in 284.221a at the mailer's option.

      Unmarked printed matter items are subject to the mailing conditions for letters (see 220).

      284.222 Letters/Letter Packages

      Letters and letter packages that might be mistaken for another class of mail because of their weight or appearance should be marked ``LETTER'' on the address side (see 224.2).

      284.223 Small Packets

      Each small packet must be marked ``SMALL PACKET'' (see 264.21).

      284.3 Sealing

      Any item sent in this service may be sealed at the option of the sender.

      284.4 Packaging

      All items must be placed in envelopes or prepared in package form. See 224.4 for LC mail and 244.4 for AO mail.

      284.5 Sorting Requirements for IPA

      284.51 Worldwide Nonpresorted Mail

      284.511 Working Packages

      IPA mail paid at the nonpresorted rate must be made up into working packages. Letters and flats must be packaged separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Pieces that cannot be packaged because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.

      284.512 Facing of Nonpresorted Mail Within Package

      All pieces in the working packages must be faced the same way.

      284.52 Presorted Mail

      284.521 Direct Country Packages

      When there are 10 or more pieces or 1 pound or more of mail for the same country (except Great Britain and Mexico), it must be made up into a country package. Great Britain and Mexico require a finer sortation (see 284.523). At the mailer's option, a finer breakdown by city or postal code may be made based on sortation information provided by the postal administration of the destination country.

      284.522 Country Package Label

   1. The label (facing slip) for country packages that contain ten or more pieces to a specific country (except for Great Britain and Mexico) must be completed as follows:

      Line 1: Foreign Exchange Office Line 2: Country of Destination Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

      Example:

      1150 VIENNA FLUG AUSTRIA RBA COMPANY WASHINGTON DC

   2. See Exhibit 284.522 for Direct Country Package Label and Tag 178, CN 35 Par Avion, for information.

      284.523 Country Packages to Great Britain and Mexico

      Country packages to Great Britain and Mexico must be made up as follows:

   1. Great Britain. When there are 10 or more pieces or 1 pound or more of mail per separation, mail to Great Britain must be sorted into packages as follows:

      Separation Exchange Office (Line 1 Package Label)

      LONDON CITY LONDONTOWN, SCOTLAND GLASGOW FWD, NORTHERN IRELAND BELFAST FWD, ALL OTHER GREAT BRITAIN GREAT BRITAIN, GREAT BRITAIN

      Example:

      LONDONTOWN GREAT BRITAIN MAILER, MAILER LOCATION

   2. Mexico. Mail to Mexico must be sorted based on state separations. When a state separation contains 10 or more pieces or 1 pound or more of mail, it must be packaged and labeled to the designated foreign exchange office shown in Exhibit 284.523. When there are less than 10 pieces or 1 pound to one or more states in the grouping, package and label these pieces to the designated foreign exchange office listed for ``Remaining.'' When there are less than 10 pieces or 1 pound to one or more states in the grouping, package

      [[Page 10222]]

      and label these pieces to the designated foreign exchange office listed for ``Remaining.''

      Example:

      MEXICO 506 DF MEXICO MAILER, MAILER LOCATION

      Exception: When there are less than 10 pieces or 1 pound of mail to the Mexican states of Baja Calif Norte, Baja Calif Sur, Chihuahua, Distrito Federal (Mexico City), Guerrero, and Sonora, package the pieces separately and affix a facing slip labeled to the U.S. International Exchange Office listed in Exhibit 284.622.

      284.524 Facing of Pieces Within Country Package

      All pieces in the country package must be faced in the same direction and a facing slip identifying the contents of the package must be placed on the address side of the top piece of each package in such a manner that it will not become separated from the package.

      Note: The pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort mail are prohibited for International Priority Airmail.

      284.53 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for Packages

      284.531 Thickness

      Packages of letter-size mail should be no thicker than approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick).

      284.532 Securing Packages

      Each package must be securely tied. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing packages of letter-size mail. Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing packages of flat- size mail.

      284.533 Separation of Packages

      Letter-size and flat-size mail must be packaged separately. LC and AO mail classes may be commingled in a letter-size or flat-size mail package.

      284.6 Sacking Requirements

      284.61 Direct Country Sack (11 Pounds or More)

      284.611 General

      When there are 11 or more pounds of mail addressed to the same country (including Great Britain and Mexico), the mail must be packaged and enclosed in blue international airmail sacks and labeled to the country with Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white). All types of mail, including letter-size packages, flat-size packages, and loose items for each destination, can be commingled in the same sack and counted toward the 11-pound minimum.

      284.612 Direct Country Sack Tags

      Direct country sacks must be labeled with Tag 178. The tag is white and specially coded to route the mail to a specific country and airport of destination. The blocks on the tag for date, weight, and dispatch information must be completed by the Postal Service and may not be completed by the mailer. The mailer must complete the ``To'' block showing the destination country. Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, must also be affixed to the Direct Country Sacks. Tag 115 is a ``Day-Glo'' pink tag that identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must designate on the back of Tag 115 the applicable rate group, using a number 1, 2, 3, 4, or WW (Worldwide).

      284.62 Mixed Direct Country Package Sacks

      284.621 General

      The direct country packages containing 10 or more pieces or 1 pound or more of mail destined to a specific country that cannot be made up in direct country sacks must be enclosed in orange Priority Mail sacks unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office.

      284.622 Mixed Direct Country Sack Label

      The sack label must be completed as follows. (See Exhibit 284.622 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)

      Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code Line 2: Contents--DRX Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

      Example:

      AMC SEATTLE WA 980 INT'L PRIORITY AIRMAIL--DRX ABC STORE SEATTLE WA

      284.63 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sacks

      284.631 General

      The working packages of mixed country mail and loose items must be enclosed in orange Priority Mail sacks unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office. Nonpresorted letter-size mail may be presented in trays if authorized by the acceptance office.

      Note: Working packages of mixed country mail cannot be enclosed in mixed direct country package sacks.

      284.632 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Label

      The sack label must be completed as follows:

      Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code Line 2: Contents--WKG Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

      Example:

      AMC ATLANTA GA 300 INT'L PRIORITY AIRMAIL--WKG CPA COMPANY ATLANTA GA

      See Exhibit 284.622 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.

      284.64 Tags and Weight Maximum for Sacks

      284.641 Tag 115 and Tag 178

      All IPA sacks (direct country, mixed direct country package sacks, and worldwide nonpresort mail sacks) must be labeled with Tag 115, International Priority Airmail. Tag 115 is a ``Day-Glo'' pink tag that identifies IPA mail to ensure that it receives priority treatment. Tag 178 (see section 284.611) is a dispatching tag to be used only for direct country sacks. Tag 178 is white and specially coded to route the mail to a specific country and airport of destination. The Postal Service must complete the blocks on the tag for date, weight, and dispatch information. The mailer must complete only the ``To'' block showing the destination country. Postal tags and sacks are available from the post office.

      284.642 Sack Weight Maximum

      The maximum weight of the sack and contents must not exceed 66 pounds.

      284.7 Customs Forms Requirements

      284.71 Letters and Letter Packages

      See 224.5.

      284.72 Printed Matter

      See 244.6.

      284.73 Small Packets

      See 264.5.

      [[Page 10223]]

      Exhibit 284.522.--Foreign Exchange Office and Country Rate Groups, Information for Direct Country Package Label (Facing Slip), Tag 178, 3- Letter Country Exchange Office Code, and Exchange Office

      3-letter Rate group

      Country exchange office Exchange office code

4. Afghanistan....... KBL

   Kabul. 1............... Albania........... TIA

   Tirana. 4............... Algeria........... ALG

   Algiers. 1............... Andorra \1\ 4............... Angola............ LAD

   Luanda. 2............... Anguilla.......... AXA

   The Valley. 2............... Antigua and

   ANU

   St. John's. Barbuda. 2............... Argentina......... BUE

   Buenos Aires Avion. 4............... Armenia........... EVN

   Yerevan. 2............... Aruba............. AUA

   Oranjestad. 1............... Ascension \1\ 3............... Australia \2\..... SYD

   Sydney. 1............... Austria........... VIE

   1150 Vienna Flug. 4............... Azerbaijan........ BAK

   Baku. 1............... Azores \1\ 2............... Bahamas........... NAS

   Nassau. 4............... Bahrain........... BAH

   Bahrain. 4............... Bangladesh........ DAC

   Dhaka 17. 2............... Barbados.......... BGI

   Bridgetown. 1............... Belarus........... MOW

   Moscow PCI-1. 1............... Belgium........... BRU

   Brussels X. 2............... Belize............ BZE

   Belize City. 4............... Benin............. COO

   Cotonou. 2............... Bermuda........... BDA

   Hamilton. 4............... Bhutan\1\ 2............... Bolivia........... LPB

   La Paz. 2............... Bonaire\1\,\3\ 1............... Bosnia-Herzegovina SJJ

   Sarajevo. 4............... Botswana.......... GBE

   Gabrone. 2............... Brazil............ RIO

   Rio de Janeiro. 2............... British Virgin EIS

   Roadtown Tortola. Islands. 3............... Brunei Darussalam. BWN

   Bandar Seri Begawan. 1............... Bulgaria.......... SOF

   Sofia. 4............... Burkina Faso...... OUA

   Ouagadougou. 4............... Burma (Myanmar)... RGN

   Rangoon. 4............... Burundi........... BJM

   Bujumbura. 3............... Cambodia.......... PNH

   Phnom Penh. 4............... Cameroon.......... DLA

   Douala. 4............... Cape Verde........ SID

   SAL. 2............... Cayman Islands.... GCM

   Grand Cayman. 4............... Central African BGF

   Bangui. Republic. 4............... Chad.............. NDJ

   N'Djamena. 2............... Chile............. SCL

   Santiago. 3............... China............. PEK

   Beijing. 2............... Colombia.......... BOG

   Bogota Aeropuerto. 4............... Comoros Islands\1\ 4............... Congo, Dem. Rep. FIH

   Kinshasa CTT. of the. 4............... Congo, Rep. of the BZV

   Brazzaville. (Brazzaville). 4............... Corsica\1\ 2............... Costa Rica........ SJO

   San Jose. 4............... Cote d'Ivoire..... ABJ

   Abidjan. 1............... Croatia........... ZAG

   Zagreb. 2............... Cuba.............. HAV

   Havana. Curacao\3\........ CUR

   Willemstad. 4............... Cyprus............ NIC

   Nicosia. 1............... Czech Republic.... PRG

   Prague 120. 1............... Denmark........... CPH

   Copenhagen PTM. 4............... Djibouti.......... JIB

   Djibouti. 2............... Dominica.......... DOM

   Roseau. 2............... Dominican Republic SDQ

   Santo Domingo. 2............... Ecuador........... UIO

   Quito. 4............... Egypt............. CAI

   Cairo Int'l Airport. 2............... El Salvador....... SAL

   San Salvador. 4............... Equatorial Guinea. BSG

   Bata. 4............... Eritrea........... ASM

   Asmara. 1............... Estonia........... TLL

   Tallinn. 4............... Ethiopia.......... ADD

   Addis Ababa. 2............... Falkland Islands\1\ 1............... Faroe Islands\1\

   [[Page 10224]]

3. Fiji.............. NAN

   Nadi. 1............... Finland........... HEL

   Helsinki. 1............... France............ PAR

   Paris Aviation Passe. 2............... French Guiana..... CAY

   Cayenne. 3............... French Polynesia.. PPT

   Papeete. 4............... Gabon............. LBV

   Libreville. 4............... Gambia............ BJL

   Banjul. 4............... Georgia, Republic TBS

   Tbilisi. of. 1............... Germany........... FRA

   Frankfurt am Main Flughafen. 4............... Ghana............. ACC

   Accra. 1............... Gibraltar......... GIB

   Gibraltar. 1............... Great Britain London City....... LON

   Londontown. Northern Ireland.. BFS

   Belfast. Scotland.......... GLA

   Glasgow. All Other Great Britain..... LON

   Great Britain. 1............... Greece............ ATH

   Athens. 1............... Greenland \1\ 2............... Grenada........... GND

   St. George's. 2............... Guadeloupe........ PTP

   Pointe-a-Pitre. 2............... Guatemala......... GUA

   Guatemala. 4............... Guinea............ CKY

   Conakry. 4............... Guinea-Bissau..... BXO

   Bissau. 2............... Guyana............ GEO

   Georgetown. 2............... Haiti............. PAP

   Port-au-Prince. 2............... Honduras.......... TGU

   Tegucigalpa. 3............... Hong Kong......... HKG

   Victoria. 1............... Hungary........... BUD

   Budapest 72 Trans. 1............... Iceland........... REK

   Reykjavik. 4............... India............. DEL

   Delhi Air. 3............... Indonesia......... JKT

   Jakarta Soekarno- Hatta. 4............... Iran.............. THR

   Tehran. 4............... Iraq.............. BGW

   Baghdad. 1............... Ireland........... DUB

   Dublin 4............... Israel............ TLV

   Tel Aviv-Yafo. 1............... Italy............. ROM

   Rome Ferr. 2............... Jamaica........... KIN

   Kingston. 3............... Japan............. TYO

   Tokyo APT FWD. 4............... Jordan............ AMM

   Amman. 4............... Kazakhstan........ ALA

   Alma Ata. 4............... Kenya............. NBO

   Nairobi. 3............... Kiribati.......... TRW

   Tarawa. 3............... Korea, Dem. People's Rep. (North) \1\ 3............... Korea, Republic of SEL

   Seoul. (South). 4............... Kuwait............ KWI

   Kuwait. 1............... Kyrgyzstan........ MOW

   Moscow PCI-1 3............... Laos.............. VTE

   Vientiane. 1............... Latvia............ RIX

   Riga. 4............... Lebanon........... BEY

   Beirut. 4............... Lesotho........... MSU

   Maseru. 4............... Liberia........... MLW

   Monrovia. 4............... Libya............. TIP

   Tripoli. 1............... Liechtenstein \1\ 1............... Lithuania......... VNO

   Vilnius. 1............... Luxembourg........ LUX

   Luxembourg Ville. 3............... Macao............. HKG

   Macau. 1............... Macedonia......... BEG

   Belgrade. 4............... Madagascar........ TNR

   Antananarivo. 1............... Madeira Islands... FNC

   Funchal. 4............... Malawi............ BLZ

   Limbe C.S.O. 3............... Malaysia.......... KUL

   Kuala Lumpur. 4............... Maldives.......... MLE

   Male. 4............... Mali.............. BKO

   Bamako. 4............... Malta............. VLT

   Valletta. 2............... Martinique........ FDF

   Fort de France. 4............... Mauritania........ NKC

   Nouakchott. 4............... Mauritius......... MRU

   Mauritius.

   [[Page 10225]]

2. Mexico See Exhibit 284.523. 4............... Moldova........... KIV

   Kishinev. 1............... Monaco............ MCM

   Monte Carlo. 3............... Mongolia \1\ 2............... Montserrat........ MNI

   Plymouth. 4............... Morocco........... CAS

   Casablanca P/PAL. 4............... Mozambique........ MPM

   CPI Maputo. 4............... Namibia........... WDH

   Windhoek. 3............... Nauru............. INU

   Nauru. 3............... Nepal............. KTM

   Kathmandu. 1............... Netherlands....... AMS

   Amsterdam EXP. 2............... Netherlands Antilles \1\, \3\ 3............... New Caledonia..... NOU

   Noumea. 3............... New Zealand....... AKL

   Auckland. 2............... Nicaragua......... MGA

   Managua. 4............... Niger............. NIM

   Niamey. 4............... Nigeria........... LOS

   Lagos. 1............... Norway............ OSL

   Oslo Transit. 4............... Oman.............. MCT

   Muscat. 4............... Pakistan.......... KHI

   Karachi. 2............... Panama............ PTY

   Panama City. 3............... Papua New Guinea.. POM

   Port Moresby. 2............... Paraguay.......... ASU

   Asuncion. 2............... Peru.............. LIM

   Lima Transito. 3............... Philippines....... MNL

   Manila. 3............... Pitcairn Island \1\. 1............... Poland............ WAW

   Warsaw \3\. 1............... Portugal.......... LIS

   Lisbon Province. 4............... Qatar............. DOH

   Doha. 4............... Reunion........... RUN

   St. Denis. 1............... Romania........... BUH

   Bucharest. 1............... Russia............ MOW

   Moscow PCI-1. 4............... Rwanda............ KGL

   Kigali. 2............... Saba \1\,\3\ 2............... Saint Christopher SKB

   Basseterre. and Nevis. 2............... Saint Eustatius \1\,\3\ 4............... Saint Helena \1\ 2............... Saint Lucia....... SLU

   Castries. 2............... Saint Maarten \3\. SXM

   Philipsburg 2............... Saint Pierre and Miquelon \1\ 2............... Saint Vincent and SVD

   Kingstown. The Grenadines. 1............... San Marino \1\ 1............... Sao Tome and Principe \1\ 4............... Saudi Arabia...... DHA

   Dhahran APT. 4............... Senegal........... DKR

   Dakar Yoff. 1............... Serbia-Montenegro BEG

   Belgrade. (Yugoslavia). 4............... Seychelles........ SEZ

   Mahe Is. 4............... Sierra Leone...... FNA

   Freetown. 3............... Singapore......... SIN

   Singapore. 1............... Slovak Republic BTS

   Bratislava. (Slovakia). 1............... Slovenia.......... LJU

   Ljubljana. 3............... Solomon Islands... HIR

   Honiara. 4............... Somalia........... MGQ

   Mogadishu. 4............... South Africa...... JNB

   Johannesburg. 1............... Spain............. MAD

   Madrid Airport. 4............... Sri Lanka......... CMB

   Colombo. 4............... Sudan............. KRT

   Khartoum. 2............... Suriname.......... PBM

   Paramaribo. 4............... Swaziland......... MTS

   Manzini. 1............... Sweden............ STO

   Stockholm Flug. 1............... Switzerland....... GVA

   Geneva 1 . 4............... Syria............. DAM

   Damascus. 3............... Taiwan............ TPE

   Taipei. 4............... Tajikistan........ MOW

   Moscow PCI-1 . 4............... Tanzania.......... DAR

   Dar es Salaam. 3............... Thailand.......... BKK

   Bangkok. 4............... Togo.............. LFW

   Lome. 3............... Tonga............. NUK

   Nukualofa.

   [[Page 10226]]

2. Trinidad and

   POS

   Port of Spain. Tobago. 4............... Tristan da Cunha \1\ 4............... Tunisia........... TUN

   Tunis. 1............... Turkey............ IST

   Istanbul Hava Alani. 1............... Turkmenistan...... MOW

   Moscow PCI-1 . 2............... Turks and Caicos TKI

   Grand Turk. Islands. 3............... Tuvalu \1\ 4............... Uganda............ KLA

   Kampala. 4............... Ukraine........... IEV

   Kiev. 4............... United Arab

   DXB

   Dubai. Emirates. 2............... Uruguay........... MVD

   Montevideo. 4............... Uzbekistan........ TAS

   Tashkent. 3............... Vanuatu........... VLI

   Port Vila. 4............... Vatican City...... VCY

   Vatican City State. 2............... Venezuela......... CCS

   Caracas. 3............... Vietnam........... SGN

   Ho Chi Minh Ville. 3............... Wallis and Futuna Islands \1\ 3............... Western Samoa..... APW

   Apia. 4............... Yemen............. SAH

   Sanaa. 4............... Zambia............ NLA

   Ndola. 4............... Zimbabwe.......... HRE

   Harare

   ‹SUP›1‹/SUP› Direct country sacks are not made to these destinations. Prepare direct country packages (10 or more pieces) and include in mixed direct country package sacks labeled to the assigned U.S. exchange office listed in Exhibit 284.622. ‹SUP›2‹/SUP› At the mailer's option, a finer sortation for IPA items addressed to Australia may be used. If this option is chosen, items addressed with postal codes beginning with 0, 1, 2, 4, and 9 and uncoded mail should be sorted and packaged to Sydney. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Sydney as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code, ``SYD,'' and the country name, Australia, should be entered in the ``TO'' block of Tag 178. Items addressed with postal codes beginning with 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 should be sorted and packaged to Melbourne. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Melbourne as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code, ``MEL,'' and the country name, Australia, should be entered in the ``TO'' block of Tag 178. ‹SUP›3‹/SUP› Netherlands Antilles includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.

   Exhibit 284.523.--Mexico

   Package label

   Tag 116 3-letter State group

   State name

   State abbreviation (facing slip) Line 1 exchange office code

1. Aguascalientes...... AGS

   20001 Aguascaliente GDL s AGS DIS. Colima.............. COL

   28001 Colima COL GDL DIS. Guanajuato.......... GTO

   36501 Irapuato GTO GDL DIS. Jalisco............. JAL

   CPA Occidente

   GDL Guadalajara DIS. Nayarit............. NAY

   63001 Tepic NAY DIS GDL Zacatecas........... ZAC

   98001 Zacatecas ZAC GDL DIS. Remaining........... CPA

   Occidente

   GDL Guadalajara DIS. 2..................... Campeche............ CAM

   24001 Campeche CAM MID DIS. Tabasco............. TAB

   86001 Villahermosa MID TAB DIS. Yucatan............. YUC

   97001 Merida YUC MID DIS. Remaining........... ..................... 97001 Merida YUC MID DIS. 3..................... Coahuila............ COAH

   CPA Noreste

   MTY Monterrey NL DIS. Nuevo Leon.......... NL

   CPA Noreste

   MTY Monterrey NL DIS. San Luis Potosi..... SLP

   78001 San Luis MTY Potosi SPL DIS. Tamulipas........... TAM

   87001 DC Victoria MTY TAM DIS. Remaining........... CPA

   Noreste Monterrey NL MTY DIS. 4..................... Chiapas............. CHIS

   29002 Tuxtla Gtz MEX CHIS DIS. Hidalgo............. HGO

   42001 Pachuca HGO MEX DIS. Mexico.............. MEX

   Mexico 506 DF DIS... MEX Michoacan........... MICH

   58001 Morelia MICH MEX DIS. Morelos............. MOR

   62001 Cuernavaca MEX MOR DIS. Oaxaca.............. OAX

   68001 Oaxaca OAX MEX DIS. Puebla.............. PUE

   72001 Puebla PUE MEX DIS. Queretaro........... QRO

   76001 Queretaro QRO MEX DIS. Quintana Roo........ QROO

   77001 Chetumal QROO MEX DIS. Tlaxcala............ TLAX

   90001 Tlaxcala TLAX DIS MEX. Veracruz............ VER

   91701 Veracruz VER DIS MEX. Remaining Mexico.... 506 DF DIS

   MEX................. 5..................... Durango............. DGO

   82001 Mazatlan SIN MZT DIS. Sinaloa............. SIN

   82001 Mazatlan SIN MZT DIS.

   [[Page 10227]]

   Remaining 82001 ... SIN DIS

   Mazatlan............ MZT 6..................... Distrito Federal.... DF

   Mexico 506 DF

   MEX (Mexico City). 7..................... Guerrero............ GRO

   39301 Acapulco de ACA Juarez GRO DIS. 8..................... Baja Calif Norte.. BCN

   22001 Tijuana BCN N/A DIS. Baja Calif Sur...... BCS 23001 La Paz BCS N/A................. DIS Chihuahua........... CHIH

   32001 CD Juarez N/A CHIH DIS. Sonora.............. SON

   84001 Nogales SON N/A DIS.

   Exhibit 284.622 Labeling of IPA Mail to USPS Exchange Offices

   U.S. Exchange Office and IPA Acceptance Office 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Routing Code for Line 1

   004-005, 010-098, 100-199, 250-267........... AMC KENNEDY NY 003 200-249, 254, 268, 283-285, 400-418, 420-427, P&DC DULLES VA 201 476-477. 270-282, 286-326, 344, 350-397, 399.......... AMC ATLANTA GA 300 424, 430-459, 460-516, 520-528, 530-532, 534- AMC O'HARE 606 535, 537-567, 570-588, 600-620, 622-631, 633- 641, 644-658, 660-662, 664-681, 683-693, 739. 700-708, 710-738, 740-799, 885............... ISC DALLAS TX 753 590-599, 821, 832-838, 970-986, 988-999...... AMC SEATTLE WA 980 850, 852-853, 855-857, 859-860, 863-865, 870- AMC LOS ANGELES CA 900 875, 877-884, 889-891, 900-908, 910-928, 930- 936. 800-816, 820, 822-831, 840-847, 893-898, 937- AMC SAN FRANCISCO CA 940 966. 967-969...................................... P&DC HONOLULU 967

   Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative.

   [FR Doc. 99-5264Filed3-2-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 7710-12-P