U.S. Postal Service adopting changes to Global Package Link service

U.S. Postal Service adopting changes to Global Package Link service ''''The U.S. Postal Service is adopting changes to its Global Package Link, an international mail service designed for companies sending more than 10,000 packages a year to other countries.
''''USPS is expanding the service to the European Union countries and Australia. Rates are being increased 5 percent for existing GPL services and the rates for oversized GPL package service to Japan will be increased 15 percent.
''''The Postal Service is also revising its customs clearance service procedures to specify information that a mailer must or may provide. The fee of $1.25 per each item will be replaced with a new fee structure. Before customs clearance services are initiated, USPS will provide the mailer with a binding proposal stating the number of hours required to complete the service and the total fee for the service calculated at $250 per hour. The existing harmonization of 2,500 free items in the first year of using GPL is changed to 2,500 annually.
''''Customers will also be charged when they fail to provide usable data needed to process GPL packages. There will also be a $250-per-hour fee for providing assistance in establishing electronic data interchange links with GPL.
''''USPS will also apply a new surcharge of $11 per piece when customers fail to meet the minimum requirement of 10,000 packages to any combination of GPL destinations per year.
''''USPS is accepting written comments on the rule changes, which are to take effect August 6. Comments should be delivered to the Manager, International Business Results, Room 370-IBU, International Business, U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C. 20260-6500. For information, contact Robert Michelson at (202) 268-5731.