# Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box—Domestic APO/FPO
**AGENCY:**
Postal Service <sup>TM</sup> .
**ACTION:**
Final rule.
**SUMMARY:**
This final rule revises the *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to add the new Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box that has been approved by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.
The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box is approximately 50 percent larger than the regular flat-rate boxes currently available. The prices for shipping a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to an APO/FPO ZIP Code <sup>TM</sup> destination address, or to a domestic ZIP Code address are as follows:
• $10.95 to APO/FPO destination addresses.
• $12.95 to domestic addresses.
The new flat-rate box is identified by the words “Large Flat-Rate Box” printed on the packaging.
Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in the Priority Mail large flat-rate box or in a special version of the box identified with the additional logo: “Americasupportsyou.mil.”
The Priority Mail large flat-rate box also may be used for mailing to international destinations at large flat-rate box prices specific to international items.
Domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply to the special version of the APO/FPO flat-rate box if used for non-APO/FPO addresses.
**DATES:**
*Effective Date:* March 3, 2008.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Christy Bonning, 202-268-2108, or Garry Rodriguez, 202-268-7281, United States Postal Service.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
The Postal Service first approved the Priority Mail flat-rate box as an experiment more than three years ago. Board of Governors' Decision, Docket No. MC 2004-2 (October 29, 2004). Subsequently, a permanent classification for the flat-rate box was approved as part of the R2006-1 omnibus rate case.
The Priority Mail flat-rate box has been a big success and has proven to provide value to customers in the form of convenience and ease of use.
This success suggested a market for a larger Priority Mail flat-rate box. Such an offering would enhance customer choice, convenience, and ease of use. Accordingly, the Postal Service is offering a new, Priority Mail large flat-rate box.
The new boxes are approximately 50 percent larger than the regular flat-rate boxes currently available. The dimensions are 12 1/4 ″ x 12 1/4 ″ x 6″ exterior, and 12″ x 12″ x 5 1/2 ″ interior.
The weight restriction for the large flat-rate box is 70 pounds to APO/FPO and domestic destinations and 20 pounds to International destinations.
The lower rate for APO/FPO destinations provides an opportunity for the Postal Service to show support for American troops stationed abroad and their families.
The new Priority Mail large flat-rate box will be available for order online at USPS.com and in most post offices nationwide.
The Postal Service adopts the following changes to *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the *Code of Federal Regulations.* See 39 CFR part 111.
**List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111**
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
**39 CFR Part 111**
Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:
**PART 111—[AMENDED]**
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 is revised to read as follows:
**Authority:**
5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.
**39 CFR Part 111**
2. Revise the following sections of *Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,* Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:
**100 Retail Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels**
**120 Priority Mail**
**123 Rates and Eligibility**
**1.0 Priority Mail Rates and Fees**
[Delete 1.1 in its entirety. Renumber current 1.2 through 1.10 as new 1.1 through 1.9.]
[Revise the heading of renumbered 1.1 as follows:]
**1.1 Rate Application**
**1.2 Minimum Rate for Parcels to Zones 1-4**
**Exhibit 1.2 Priority Mail Rates**
*[Revise footnote number 2 to reflect new numbering:]*
2. Parcels addressed for delivery to zones 5-8 that exceed 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches) are charged based on the actual weight (under 1.1), or the dimensional weight (as calculated in 1.3.1 or 1.3.2), whichever is greater.
*[Revise footnote number 5 to add new flat-rate box as follows:]*
5. Priority Mail flat-rate boxes provided by the USPS, regardless of weight or destination:
• $8.95 is charged for material sent in Priority Mail regular flat-rate boxes (FRB-2) or (FRB-1) to domestic and APO/FPO addresses.
• $10.95 is charged for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to APO/FPO destination addresses.
• $12.95 is charged for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to domestic destinations.
*[Revise the heading of renumbered 1.4 as follows:]*
**1.4 Flat-Rate Envelopes and Boxes**
*[Reverse the order of renumbered 1.4.1 and 1.4.2.]*
*[Revise renumbered 1.4.2 as follows:]*
**1.4.2 Flat-Rate Boxes—Rates and Eligibility**
Each USPS-produced Priority Mail flat-rate box, regardless of the actual weight of the piece or its destination, is charged:
a. $8.95 for material sent in Priority Mail regular flat-rate boxes (FRB-2) or (FRB-1) to domestic and APO/FPO addresses.
b. $10.95 for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to APO/FPO destination addresses (see 703.2).
c. $12.95 for material sent in a Priority Mail large flat-rate box to domestic destinations.
Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in the Priority Mail large flat-rate box or in a special version of the box identified with the additional logo: “Americasupportsyou.mil.” If the special version of the APO/FPO flat-rate box is used for non-APO/FPO addresses, the domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply. Only USPS-produced flat-rate boxes are eligible for the flat-rate box prices.
**700 Special Standards**
**703 Nonprofit Standard Mail and Other Unique Eligibility**
**2.0 Overseas Military Mail**
**2.1 Basic Standards**
*[Renumber current 2.1.2 through 2.1.6 as new 2.1.3 through 2.1.7 and add new 2.1.2 as follows:]*
**2.1.2 APO/FPO Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box**
A USPS-produced APO/FPO Priority Mail large flat-rate box sent to an APO/FPO destination address, regardless of the actual weight of the piece, is charged $10.95. Items to an APO/FPO address may be shipped in a special version of the box identified with the additional logo: “Americasupportsyou.mil.” If the special version of the APO/FPO flat-rate box is used for non-APO/FPO addresses, the domestic or international large flat-rate box prices will apply. Articles mailed to an APO/FPO address in one of the regular flat-rate boxes (FRB-1 or FRB-2) are charged $8.95. Only USPS-produced flat-rate boxes are eligible for the flat-rate box prices.
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.