Chapter 2: Our Customers

In regard to this inquiry, the Postal Service submitted comments and filed a report in October. The Postal Service report includes the context and outcome of liberalization of postal markets in other countries and how their experiences relate to the United States, estimates of the cost of various aspects of the USO, the potential security effects of opening access to the mailbox, and other supporting research.

Inquiry into Cooperative Mail Rule Exception: Docket No. PI2008-4

This pending Public Inquiry was opened pursuant to the directive in the PAEA that the PRC examine an exception to the cooperative mail rule (CMR) established by the Postal Service in 2003. Generally, the exception exempts certain fundraising mailings from the application of the CMR. The PRC is to examine whether the change contained adequate safeguards to protect against abuse of nonprofit rates and deception of consumers. A report from the PRC is pending.