July 14, 2024 43
2 Conditions for Mailing
210 Global Express Guaranteed
211 Description and Physical Characteristics
211.1 General
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service is an international expedited
delivery service provided through an alliance with FedEx Express. It provides
reliable, high-speed, guaranteed, and day-definite service from selected
Post
Office facilities in the United States to a large number of international
destinations. (See the “Countries and Cities Served” section of
Publication
141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for destination
service commitments.) Global Express Guaranteed service is guaranteed to
meet the specified service standards or the postage paid may be refunded.
For almost all network destinations, liability insurance is provided for lost or
damaged shipments. See
212.45.
211.2 Physical Characteristics
211.21 Weight Limits
The maximum weight limit for Global Express Guaranteed service is
70
pounds, but lower country-specific weight limits might apply. To
determine the maximum weight limit for each country, see the Individual
Country Listings.
211.22 Dimensions
211.221 Maximum Size
Maximum size dimensions for Global Express Guaranteed service are noted
in the Individual Country Listings; however, dimensions may not exceed the
following:
a. Length: 46 inches.
b. Width: 35 inches.
c. Height: 46 inches.
d. Combined length and girth: 108 inches.
211.222 Minimum Size
The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large
enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/
Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable
markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches
long.
Contents
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212 International Mail Manual
44 July 14, 2024
212 Eligibility
212.1 General — All Global Express Guaranteed Shipments
Documents and general correspondence (nondutiable items) and
non-documents (all dutiable items including merchandise) may be shipped
using Global Express Guaranteed service. Mailers must certify that the
shipment does not contain any restricted or dangerous goods prohibited by
the destination country or postal regulations and does not require the filing of
Electronic Export Information (EEI), formerly known as the Shipper’s Export
Declaration (SED). The maximum value of a Global Express Guaranteed
document or non-document shipment is $2,499 or a lesser amount as limited
by country, content, or value. The sender is responsible for determining if the
item is allowable despite any statement made in Publication 141, on the
Global Express Guaranteed Web site, or by a Postal Service employee or the
Postal Service’s agents.
212.2 Customs Forms Required
PS Form 6182, Commercial Invoice, is required for certain commodities and
destinations. To determine if PS Form 6182 is required for a specific mailing,
refer to the “Documentation Requirement” section of the specific destination
country in Publication 141.
212.3 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing only documents are
sealed against inspection. Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing
non-documents are not sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical
closure, the mailing of Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces containing
non-documents constitutes consent by the mailer to inspection of the
contents.
212.4 Inquiries, Service Guarantees, Postage Refunds, and
Indemnity
212.41 Service Guarantee
The Postal Service guarantees delivery within the service standards specified
in Publication 141 or the sender may be entitled to a full refund of the
postage paid. For the purpose of the money-back guarantee, the date and
time of delivery, attempted delivery, or availability for delivery constitutes
delivery.
212.42 Transit Days for Shipments
Transit days are available from participating Post Office facilities, online
though Click-N-Ship service, and in the “Countries and Cities Served”
section of Publication 141. Total transit days for Global Express Guaranteed
service may be affected by factors beyond the Postal Service’s control,
which may include but are not limited to the following:
a. General customs delays.
b. Specific customs commodity delays.
c. Holidays observed in the destinating country.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 212.46
July 14, 2024 45
212.43 Inquiries
Make inquiries concerning the delivery of Global Express Guaranteed items
by calling 800-222-1811 or through the Postal Service Web site at
usps.com/
shipping/trackandconfirm.htm.
212.44 Postage Refunds
Postage may be refunded for a shipment accepted at a participating Post
Office facility by the specified deposit time and not delivered to the recipient
in accordance with the transit times defined in Publication 141. In
accordance with the money-back guarantee standards in Publication 141, a
refund request may be filed if the carrier at the destination country does not
deliver the shipment, does not attempt to deliver the shipment, or does not
make the shipment available on or before close of business in the local time
zone in the delivery location. To request a refund or obtain details on how to
file a claim, contact a customer service representative at 800-222-1811 —
the Global Express Guaranteed customer service office is responsible for
adjudicating a refund request for Global Express Guaranteed service. The
original receipt or a copy of the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill
(shipping label) may be required for a postage refund. Requests for postage
refunds must be made no later than 30 days from the date of mailing. The
signature of the recipient or recipient’s agent is required upon delivery of the
refund. The money-back guarantee does not apply to shipments to post
office box addresses acceptable for delivery or other exclusions defined in
the “Summary of Our Terms and Conditions” section of Publication 141.
212.45 Global Express Guaranteed Insurance and Indemnity
Document reconstruction insurance (the reasonable costs incurred in
reconstructing duplicates of nonnegotiable documents mailed) and non-
document insurance for loss or damage up to $100 per shipment are
included at no additional charge. (See the Individual Country Listings for
availability.) Additional insurance may be purchased for document and non-
document shipments (see
212.5). The total cost of document reconstruction
or for insurance purchased for non-documents cannot exceed $2,499 or a
lesser amount as limited by country, content, or value. Coverage, terms, and
limitations are subject to change.
212.46 Indemnity Claims
If a shipment is lost or damaged, the sender may file a claim for document
reconstruction costs (for document items) or for the declared value of the
shipment costs (for non-document items). The sender must submit all claims
within 30 days of the shipment date by contacting a customer service
representative at 800-222-1811. The sender must submit all supporting
documentation within 9 months of the mailing date. The representative
provides more details on how to file a claim. The original receipt or a copy of
the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill (shipping label) may be required
when filing a claim. Consult Publication 141 for limitations and restrictions on
indemnity payments for Global Express Guaranteed items. The Global
Express Guaranteed customer service office is responsible for adjudicating a
claim for Global Express Guaranteed service. Contact the Global Express
Guaranteed customer service office at 800-222-1811. The Postal Service
makes the final approval and payment.
Contents
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212.47 International Mail Manual
46 July 14, 2024
212.47 Liability for Lost or Damaged Contents
Unless additional insurance is purchased, liability for a lost or damaged
Global Express Guaranteed shipment is limited to the lowest of the following:
a. $100.
b. The actual amount of the loss or damage.
c. The actual value of the contents.
“Actual value” means the lowest cost of replacing, reconstructing, or
reconstituting the allowable contents of the shipment (determined at the time
and place of acceptance).
212.5 Extra Services — Insurance
Additional insurance coverage above $100, up to a maximum of $2,499 may
be purchased at the sender’s option. Amounts vary by country, content, or
value. Coverage, terms, and limitations are subject to change. See the
Individual Country Listings for insurance limits. See
Notice 123, Price List, for
the fee schedule for optional Global Express Guaranteed document
reconstruction insurance or non-document insurance coverage.
213 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
213.1 Availability and Price Application — General
Global Express Guaranteed shipments are charged postage for each
addressed piece according to its weight (or dimensional weight) and zone.
See the Individual Country Listings for availability, additional details, and
prices.
213.2 Postage Payment Methods — General
Global Express Guaranteed shipments may be paid with postage stamps,
postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information-
based indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or permit imprint under
213.8.
213.3 Determining Postage for Global Express Guaranteed
Service
213.31 USPS-Produced Global Express Guaranteed Envelopes
Postage for items mailed in USPS-produced Global Express Guaranteed
envelopes is based on the weight of the piece. For items weighing 0.5 pound
or less, the postage is the 0.5-pound price. For all other items, the postage is
charged per pound or fraction thereof — any fraction of a pound is rounded
up to the next whole pound.
213.32 Mailer-Supplied Packaging
Postage for items not mailed in USPS-produced Global Express Guaranteed
envelopes is based on the dimensional weight, as calculated under
213.4, or
the per-pound weight or fraction thereof rounded up to the next whole
pound, whichever is greater.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 213.5
July 14, 2024 47
213.4 Dimensional Weight
213.41 Determining Dimensional Weight for a Rectangular-Shaped
Parcel
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a rectangular-
shaped parcel:
a. Determine the length, width, and height in inches. Round off each
measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width by the height.
c. Divide the result by 166. For weights less than 0.5 pound, round up to
0.5 pound. For all other weights, round up to the next whole pound.
213.42 Determining Dimensional Weight for a Nonrectangular-Shaped
Parcel
Follow these steps to determine the dimensional weight for a
nonrectangular-shaped parcel:
a. Determine the length, width, and height in inches. Measure the length,
width, and height at their extreme dimensions. Round off each
measurement to the nearest whole inch.
b. Multiply the length by the width by the height.
c. Multiply the result by an adjustment factor of 0.785.
d. Divide the result by 166. For weights less than 0.5 pound, round up to
0.5 pound. For all other weights, round up to the next whole pound.
213.5 Destinating Countries and Price Groups
Global Express Guaranteed service is available to the destinating countries
and territories listed in
Exhibit 213.5. Countries are placed into one of eight
price groups.
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213.5 International Mail Manual
48 July 14, 2024
Exhibit 213.5 (p. 1)
Destinating Countries and Price Groups
* Only documents may be sent to a country marked with an asterisk.
Country Name
GXG Price
Group
Afghanistan 6
Albania 4
Algeria 4
Andorra* 5
Angola 4
Anguilla 7
Antigua and Barbuda 7
Argentina 8
Armenia 4
Aruba 7
Ascension No Service
Australia 6
Austria 5
Azerbaijan 4
Bahamas 7
Bahrain 6
Bangladesh 6
Barbados 7
Belarus 4
Belgium 3
Belize 8
Benin 4
Bermuda 7
Bhutan 6
Bolivia 8
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba 7
Bosnia-Herzegovina 4
Botswana 4
Brazil 8
British Virgin Islands 7
Brunei Darussalam 4
Bulgaria 4
Burkina Faso 4
Burma (Myanmar) No Service
Burundi 4
Cambodia 8
Cameroon 4
Canada 1
Cape Verde 4
Cayman Islands 7
Central African Republic No Service
Chad 4
Chile 8
China 6
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 213.5
July 14, 2024 49
Colombia 8
Comoros No Service
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4
Congo, Republic of the 4
Costa Rica 8
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 4
Croatia 4
Cuba No Service
Curacao 7
Cyprus 6
Czech Republic 4
Denmark 5
Djibouti 4
Dominica 7
Dominican Republic 7
Ecuador 8
Egypt 6
El Salvador 8
Equatorial Guinea No Service
Eritrea 4
Estonia 4
Eswatini 4
Ethiopia 4
Falkland Islands No Service
Faroe Islands 5
Fiji 8
Finland 5
France 3
French Guiana 8
French Polynesia 4
Gabon 4
Gambia 4
Georgia, Republic of 4
Germany 3
Ghana No Service
Gibraltar 4
Greece 5
Greenland 5
Grenada 7
Guadeloupe 7
Guatemala 8
Guinea 4
Guinea-Bissau No Service
Guyana 8
Haiti 7
Exhibit 213.5 (p. 2)
Destinating Countries and Price Groups
* Only documents may be sent to a country marked with an asterisk.
Country Name
GXG Price
Group
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213.5 International Mail Manual
50 July 14, 2024
Honduras 8
Hong Kong 3
Hungary 4
Iceland 5
India 6
Indonesia 6
Iran No Service
Iraq 6
Ireland (Eire) 3
Israel 6
Italy 3
Jamaica 7
Japan 3
Jordan 6
Kazakhstan 4
Kenya 4
Kiribati No Service
Korea, Democratic People’s Rep. of (North) No Service
Korea, Republic of (South) 6
Kosovo, Republic of 4
Kuwait 6
Kyrgyzstan 4
Laos 8
Latvia 4
Lebanon 6
Lesotho 4
Liberia 4
Libya 4
Liechtenstein 5
Lithuania 4
Luxembourg 3
Macao 3
Madagascar 4
Malawi 4
Malaysia 6
Maldives 6
Mali 4
Malta 5
Martinique 7
Mauritania 4
Mauritius 4
Mexico 2
Moldova 4
Mongolia 4
Montenegro 4
Exhibit 213.5 (p. 3)
Destinating Countries and Price Groups
* Only documents may be sent to a country marked with an asterisk.
Country Name
GXG Price
Group
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 213.5
July 14, 2024 51
Montserrat 7
Morocco 4
Mozambique 4
Namibia 4
Nauru No Service
Nepal 6
Netherlands 3
New Caledonia 8
New Zealand 6
Nicaragua 8
Niger 4
Nigeria 4
North Macedonia, Republic of 4
Norway 5
Oman 6
Pakistan 6
Panama 8
Papua New Guinea 8
Paraguay 8
Peru 8
Philippines 6
Pitcairn Island No Service
Poland 4
Portugal 5
Qatar 6
Reunion 4
Romania 4
Russia 4
Rwanda 4
Saint Helena No Service
Saint Kitts and Nevis 7
Saint Lucia 7
Saint Pierre and Miquelon No Service
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7
Samoa No Service
San Marino 3
Sao Tome and Principe No Service
Saudi Arabia 4
Senegal 4
Serbia, Republic of 4
Seychelles 4
Sierra Leone No Service
Singapore 3
Sint Maarten 7
Slovak Republic (Slovakia) 4
Exhibit 213.5 (p. 4)
Destinating Countries and Price Groups
* Only documents may be sent to a country marked with an asterisk.
Country Name
GXG Price
Group
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213.5 International Mail Manual
52 July 14, 2024
Slovenia 4
Solomon Islands No Service
Somalia No Service
South Africa 4
South Sudan, Republic of No Service
Spain 5
Sri Lanka 6
Sudan No Service
Suriname 8
Sweden 5
Switzerland 5
Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) No Service
Taiwan 3
Tajikistan No Service
Tanzania 4
Thailand 6
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of 6
Togo 4
Tonga 4
Trinidad and Tobago 7
Tristan da Cunha No Service
Tunisia 4
Turkiye, Republic of 6
Turkmenistan No Service
Turks and Caicos Islands 7
Tuvalu No Service
Uganda 4
Ukraine 4
United Arab Emirates 6
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
3
Uruguay 8
Uzbekistan 4
Vanuatu 8
Vatican City 3
Venezuela 8
Vietnam 6
Wallis and Futuna Islands 4
Yemen 6
Zambia 4
Zimbabwe 4
Exhibit 213.5 (p. 5)
Destinating Countries and Price Groups
* Only documents may be sent to a country marked with an asterisk.
Country Name
GXG Price
Group
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 213.71
July 14, 2024 53
213.6 Commercial Prices
213.61 Commercial Base Prices
A mailer who pays postage by the online methods described in 213.7, or with
a permit imprint under 213.8, qualifies for the Global Express Guaranteed
Commercial Base prices, which are less than Global Express Guaranteed
retail prices. Commercial Base pricing does not apply to participating retail
Post Office locations. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.
213.62 Commercial Plus Prices
213.621 General
An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 213.8, or
through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product
(except for Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Global Express
Guaranteed Commercial Plus prices. Commercial Plus pricing does not
apply to participating retail Post Office locations. See
Notice 123, Price List,
for the applicable price.
213.622 Commercial Plus Pricing — Eligibility
To qualify for Commercial Plus pricing, customers must agree to all terms
and conditions in a standardized agreement with the Postal Service and
tender at least $100,000 per year of international shipping products. For this
purpose, “international shipping products” includes any combination of
Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail
International, or First-Class Package International Service items.
213.623 Commercial Plus Pricing — Approval
Mailers meeting the minimum revenue thresholds under 213.622 must
complete an agreement with the Postal Service by contacting their account
manager, or USPS Global Business via e-mail at
[email protected], for a
commitment agreement form or for additional information.
213.7 Online Methods
213.71 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
For selected destination countries, Global Express Guaranteed items qualify
for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial
Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:
a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products using online postage (with the exception of
Click-N-Ship service).
b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).
Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices are not available through
Click-N-Ship service. The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is
automatically applied to each shipment when mailers use one of the postage
payment methods above. The discount applies only to the postage portion of
the Global Express Guaranteed price. It does not apply to any other charges
or fees, such as fees for Pickup on Demand service, insurance, or shipments
made under a customized agreement.
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213.72 International Mail Manual
54 July 14, 2024
213.72 Markings Requirements
Global Express Guaranteed mailpieces claiming the Commercial Base or
Commercial Plus price paid with PC Postage must bear the appropriate price
marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the PC Postage indicia.
Mailers must place the applicable marking directly above, directly below, or
to the left of the postage using one of the following formats:
a. Commercial Base Price, Commercial Base Pricing, or ComBasPrice.
b. Commercial Plus Price, Commercial Plus Pricing, or ComPlsPrice.
213.73 Determining Online Prices
For each addressed mailpiece, refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price.
213.74 Notification
For shipments paid online with Click-N-Ship service, an e-mail notification is
provided to each customer showing the applicable postage amount,
acceptance time, and date.
213.75 Postage Adjustments of Online Shipments
Use of the online service is subject to subsequent verification of the
shipment’s payment, weight, and time of entry upon acceptance by the
Postal Service. Shortpaid Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) shipments paid
with Click-N-Ship service is collected automatically through this system
(see
423.21).
213.76 Deposit of Online Shipments within 24 Hours
Customers paying postage online must enter their shipment via any of the
methods outlined in
215.21 within 24 hours of the time when the label is
printed or the transaction is voided.
213.8 Permit Imprint
213.81 Permit Imprint — General
Global Express Guaranteed items paid with a permit imprint through an
advance deposit account is permitted only when requirements for
Commercial Base prices or Commercial Plus prices (see
213.82) are
followed. Postage paid with a permit imprint is subject to the general
conditions in the IMM
and in DMM 604 and 705. See Notice 123, Price List,
for the applicable prices.
213.82 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the Global
Express Guaranteed Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices, which are
less than Global Express Guaranteed retail prices. The Commercial Base or
Commercial Plus price applies only to the postage portion of Global Express
Guaranteed prices. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price. In
addition, mailers must meet the following requirements:
a. Use USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-
approved software listed at
postalpro.usps.com/node/1850.
(To request information about these software solutions, send an e-mail
to [email protected].)
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Conditions for Mailing 214.1
July 14, 2024 55
b. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit
account.
c. Meet manifesting and permit imprint requirements under the IMM and
DMM 604 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 705.
213.9 Official Mail
213.91 Mailings by Federal Agencies
Global Express Guaranteed shipments that are entered by federal agencies
and departments are subject to the same standards under
210 as Global
Express Guaranteed shipments that are entered by nongovernmental
entities.
213.92 Postal Service Mailings
Global Express Guaranteed shipments that are entered by U.S. Postal
Service entities are subject to the same standards under
210 as Global
Express Guaranteed shipments that are entered by nongovernmental
entities, except that U.S. Postal Service mailings must bear the G-10 permit
indicia that are prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. See
142.2.
214 Mail Preparation
214.1 Preparation by the Sender
Prior to mailing, the sender must do the following:
a. Prepare the item as a large envelope (flat) or package using either a
Global Express Guaranteed envelope provided by the Postal Service or
mailer-supplied packaging. Mailers using their own envelope or
wrapping must also affix a Global Express Guaranteed sticker
(Item
107PGG3) to the front and back of the item.
b. Complete the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice
(Item 11FGG1) to show the complete address of the sender and
addressee. Do not address items to APO or FPO addresses. Post
Office box addresses may be allowed for certain international
locations. See Publication 141 for information about areas served in
the destination country.
c. Complete the shipment details to show the contents in detail. For
documents, include the estimated cost of reconstruction. For non-
documents, include a valuation and country of manufacture.
Shipments cannot have a value that exceeds $2,499, or a lower value
set by the destinating country. Sign and date each Global Express
Guaranteed shipment on the mailer agreement.
d. Enclose the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice
(Item 11FGG1) and, if applicable, PS Form 6182 into PS Form 2976-E
(plastic envelope). Apply the self-adhesive PS Form 2976-E with its
contents to the address side of the mailpiece.
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214.2 International Mail Manual
56 July 14, 2024
214.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee
Prior to acceptance, Postal Service acceptance employees must do the
following:
a. Check that the sender has properly completed the Global Express
Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice.
b. Complete the postage transaction if the item is not prepaid.
c. Complete the “Origin” information.
d. Remove the customer’s copy of the Global Express Guaranteed Air
Waybill/Shipping Invoice and give it to the customer. Process the
Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice according to
directions on the shipping document.
215 Mail Entry and Deposit
215.1 Entry Service Areas — U.S. Origins
Global Express Guaranteed items must be entered through selected Post
Office facilities that are located in the ZIP Code areas listed in
Exhibit 215.1.
Not all facilities within a 3-digit ZIP Code area accept Global Express
Guaranteed items. Check with a local Post Office facility for the nearest
participating facilities.
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Conditions for Mailing 215.1
July 14, 2024 57
Exhibit 215.1
Global Express Guaranteed: Participating 3-Digit ZIP Codes
Location Code ZIP Code Areas
Alabama AL 350, 351, 352, 354–369
Alaska AK 995–999
Arizona AZ 850–853, 855–857, 859, 860, 863–865
Arkansas AR 716–729
California CA 900, 902–908, 910–928, 930–937, 939–941, 943–961
Colorado CO 800–816
Connecticut CT 060–069
Delaware DE 197–199
District of Columbia DC 200, 202, 203, 205
Florida FL 320–339, 341, 342, 344, 346, 347, 349
Georgia GA 300–319, 398
Hawaii HI 968
Idaho ID 832–838
Illinois IL 600–620, 622–629
Indiana IN 460–479
Iowa IA 500–508, 510–516, 520–528
Kansas KS 660–662, 664–679
Kentucky KY 400–418, 420–427
Louisiana LA 700, 701, 703–708, 710–714
Maine ME 039–049
Maryland MD 206–212, 214–219
Massachusetts MA 010–027
Michigan MI 480–499
Minnesota MN 550, 551, 553, 554, 556–567
Mississippi MS 386–397
Missouri MO 630, 631, 633–641, 644–648, 650–658
Montana MT 590–599
Nebraska NE 680, 681, 683–693
Nevada NV 890, 891, 893–895, 897, 898
New Hampshire NH 030–038
New Jersey NJ 070–089
New Mexico NM 870, 871, 873–875, 877–884
New York NY 100–149
North Carolina NC 270–289
North Dakota ND 580–588
Ohio OH 430–458
Oklahoma OK 730, 731, 734–741, 743–749
Oregon OR 970–979
Pennsylvania PA 150–191, 193–196
Puerto Rico PR 006–009
Rhode Island RI 028, 029
South Carolina SC 290–299
South Dakota SD 570–577
Tennessee TN 370–374, 376–385
Texas TX 750–770, 772–799
Utah UT 840, 841, 843–847
Vermont VT 050–054, 056–058
Virgin Islands VI 008
Virginia VA 201, 220–246
Washington WA 980–986, 988–994
West Virginia WV 247–268
Wisconsin WI 530–532, 534, 535, 537–549
Wyoming WY 820–831
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215.2 International Mail Manual
58 July 14, 2024
215.2 Place of Mailing
215.21 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
Global Express Guaranteed items may be deposited through any of the
following methods at, through, or offered by a participating Global Express
Guaranteed Post Office facility, provided postage is paid by a method other
than the use of postage stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. Through Pickup on Demand service.
c. Through Package Pickup service.
d. At a Postal Service retail counter.
e. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
f. In a collection box.
g. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
h. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
Note: A mailer may use the aforementioned methods to deposit a Global
Express Guaranteed item that bears only postage stamps when the item
meets both of the following characteristics:
a. Does not exceed 10 ounces.
b. Does not exceed one-half inch in thickness.
215.22 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present to an employee at a participating Global Express
Guaranteed Post Office retail service counter a Global Express Guaranteed
item that bears only postage stamps when the item meets either of the
following characteristics:
a. Weighs more than 10 ounces.
b. Measures more than one-half inch in thickness.
The Postal Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for
proper entry and acceptance.
215.23 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint
Mailers who enter volume mailings paid with a permit imprint under 213.8
must enter such items through a business mail entry unit (BMEU) or, when
authorized by the district BMEU manager, through a detached mail unit
(DMU) at a mailer’s plant.
215.24 Acceptance of Shipments
For purposes of computing the delivery guarantee, Postal Service
acceptance of a Global Express Guaranteed shipment occurs when it is
received and scanned at a participating Global Express Guaranteed Post
Office facility. Collection box deposit and Package Pickup service do not
constitute Postal Service acceptance of a Global Express Guaranteed
shipment. Acceptance occurs when the shipment is brought back to the
Post Office facility and the acceptance office performs a retail system scan
and verifies the weight, dimensions, and postage of the shipment. For items
paid with Click-N-Ship service, the customer will receive an e-mail
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Conditions for Mailing 221.2
July 14, 2024 59
verification of the acceptance date, time, and weight, as well as a verification
of the amount of postage applicable for the shipment.
Note: Customers paying postage online must enter their shipment via
any of the authorized methods outlined in
215.21 within 24 hours of the
time when the label is printed, or the transaction will be void.
215.3 Pickup On Demand Service
Subject to the standards in 215.2, Pickup On Demand service is available for
Global Express Guaranteed items. There is a single charge for Pickup On
Demand service (see
Notice 123, Price List), regardless of the number of
items scheduled for pickup. A pickup can include any or all of the following
items:
a. Global Express Guaranteed items.
b. Priority Mail Express International items.
c. Priority Mail International items.
d. First-Class Package International Service items.
e. Priority Mail Express items.
f. Priority Mail items.
g. Package Services items.
215.4 Package Pickup Service
No pickup fee is charged when a Global Express Guaranteed item or items
are picked up during a letter carrier’s regular delivery stop or during a
scheduled stop made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee.
Pickup service is provided in accordance with the information in DMM 507.7;
for more information, also visit the online site at
usps.com/pickup.
220 Priority Mail Express International
221 Description and Physical Characteristics
221.1 General
Priority Mail Express International service is a reliable high-speed mail
service available to certain countries (see the Individual Country Listings for
service availability). Priority Mail Express International service is available at
designated Postal Service facilities authorized to accept domestic Priority
Mail Express shipments.
221.2 Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back
Guarantee Service
Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back Guarantee service offers
a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee. This service is available only to the
following countries:
a. Australia.
b. Canada.
c. China.
Contents
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221.3 International Mail Manual
60 July 14, 2024
d. France (does not include Corsica and Monaco).
e. Hong Kong.
f. Israel.
g. Japan.
h. New Zealand.
i. Republic of Korea (South Korea).
j. Singapore.
k. Spain (does not include Canary Islands).
l. Sweden.
m. Switzerland.
n. Thailand.
o. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
221.3 Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
Only USPS-produced Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
are eligible for the Flat Rate price and are charged a flat rate price depending
on the rate group of the destination. The maximum weight is 4 pounds. See
the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Priority Mail Express
International service.
221.4 Physical Characteristics
221.41 Weight Limits
The maximum weight limit for Priority Mail Express International service is
70
pounds, but lower country-specific weight limits might apply. To
determine the maximum weight limit for each country, see the Individual
Country Listings.
221.42 Dimensions — Priority Mail Express International Parcels
Maximum size dimensions for Priority Mail Express International service vary
by country and are noted in the Individual Country Listings. See
Exhibit
231.23 for determining length or length and girth combined for rectangular
and nonrectangular parcels.
222 Eligibility
222.1 General — All Priority Mail Express International Shipments
Except for the items noted in 222.2, any item not prohibited in international
mail may be sent using Priority Mail Express International service. For
additional individual country prohibitions, refer to the “Country Conditions for
Mailing” in the Individual Country Listings.
222.2 Prohibited Items in All Priority Mail Express International
Shipments
The following items are prohibited in all Priority Mail Express International
shipments:
a. Coins.
b. Banknotes.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 222.5
July 14, 2024 61
c. Currency notes, including paper money.
d. Securities of any kind payable to bearer.
e. Traveler’s checks.
f. Platinum, gold, and silver.
g. Precious stones.
h. Jewelry.
i. Watches.
j. Other valuable articles.
Note: International pos
tal money orders are admissible in Priority Mail
Express International shipments, but they are negotiable only if the
proper form is used.
222.3 Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
Only USPS-produced Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
are eligible for Flat Rate pricing as defined in
Exhibit 222.3. The contents
must fit securely in the envelope and be confined within the envelope, with
th
e provided adhesive as the means of closure. The envelope flap must be
able to close within the prefabricated folds. Tape may be applied to the flap
and seams for closure or to reinforce the envelope, provided the design of
the envelope is not enlarged by opening the sides of the envelope and taping
or reconstructing the envelope in any way. All other Priority Mail Express
International standards and customs requirements apply.
Exhibit 222.3
Eligible Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
Item Size Item No.
Priority Mail Express Internat
ional Flat Rate Envelope 12-1/2" x 9-1/2" EP-13-F
Priority Mail Express Internat
ional Legal Flat Rate
Envelope
15" x 9-1/2" EP13-L
Priority Mail Express International Padded Flat
Rate
Envelope
12-1/2" x 9-1/2" EP13-PE
222.4
Customs Forms Required
For all Priority Mail Express International items, the mailer must electronically
generate PS Form 2976-B, or must complete PS Form 2976-R for
presentation at a Post Office retail service counter where the PS Form
2976-B is electronically generated. Also, if applicable, the mailer must fulfill
any other nonpostal export requirements described in chapter
5. See 224 for
additional information. For a mailer using an electronically generated
PS Form 2976-B that electronically transmits customs-related data, or an
online
combined shipping label and customs form that electronically
transmits customs-related data, no additional customs form is required
because customs information is incorporated into the form that the mailer
must complete.
222.5 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
Priority Mail Express International mailpieces are sealed against inspection.
Contents
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222.6 International Mail Manual
62 July 14, 2024
222.6 Priority Mail Express International Insurance and Indemnity
222.61 Merchandise Insurance
Priority Mail Express International shipments containing merchandise are
insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no
additional charge. Indemnity is paid by the U.S. Postal Service as provided in
935 and in DMM 503 and 609. Additional insurance coverage up to a
maximum of $5,000 may be purchased at the sender’s option (see 222.7).
222.62 Document Reconstruction Insurance
Priority Mail Express International shipments containing nonnegotiable
documents are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $100
at no additional charge. Indemnity is paid by the U.S. Postal Service as
provided in
935 and in DMM 503 and 609.
222.63 Indemnity for Delivery Delays
Priority Mail Express International items are not insured against delay in
delivery, and indemnity payments are not made in the event of delay.
Postage refunds for delay are considered only for shipments sent to
countries with Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back
Guarantee service under
221.2.
222.7 Extra Services
222.71 Merchandise Insurance
Additional merchandise insurance coverage above $200, up to a maximum
of $5,000, may be purchased at the sender’s option. See
Exhibit 322.2 for
individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List,
for the fee schedule for optional Priority Mail Express International
merchandise insurance coverage.
222.72 Tracking Plus
Customers may purchase USPS Tracking Plus service for certain pieces,
when available, online at usps.com or through a Shipping Services File. For
pricing, see
Notice 123, Price List,
223 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
223.1 Prices
223.11 Availability and Price Application — General
Except under 223.14, Priority Mail Express International shipments are
charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and
country price group. For shipments presented in Priority Mail Express
pouches under a Priority Mail Express Custom Designed Service agreement,
each pouch is considered an addressed piece. See the Individual Country
Listings for countries that offer Priority Mail Express International service.
Refer to
Notice 123, Price List, for applicable Priority Mail Express
International prices.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 223.21
July 14, 2024 63
223.12 Commercial Base Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 223.222, or with the
online methods described in 223.241, qualifies for the Priority Mail Express
International Commercial Base prices, which are less than Priority Mail
Express International retail prices. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable price.
223.13 Commercial Plus Prices
An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 223.222,
or as a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product
(except for Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Priority Mail Express
International Commercial Plus prices, which are the same as Priority Mail
Express International Commercial Base prices. Customers who prepare
Priority Mail Express International shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay
retail prices. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.
223.131 Commercial Plus Pricing — Eligibility
To qualify for Commercial Plus pricing, customers must agree to all terms
and conditions in a standardized agreement with the Postal Service and
tender at least $100,000 per year of international shipping products. For this
purpose, “international shipping products” includes any combination of
Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail
International, or First-Class Package International Service items.
223.132 Commercial Plus Pricing — Approval
Mailers meeting the minimum revenue thresholds under 223.131 must
complete an agreement with the Postal Service by contacting their account
manager, or USPS Global Business via e-mail at [email protected], for a
commitment agreement form or for additional information.
223.14 Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelope Prices
Only USPS-produced Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes
are eligible for a Flat Rate price regardless of the destination. The maximum
weight is 4 pounds. Postage is required for each piece (see
Notice 123, Price
List). A domestic Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope with prepaid
postage may also be used for a Priority Mail Express International item
provided that appropriate additional postage is added before mailing.
223.2 Postage Payment Methods
223.21 General
Priority Mail Express International shipments may be paid with postage
stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps,
information-based indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or a permit imprint under
223.22, or through the use of a USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA). A
written application is required prior to mailing with a Priority Mail Express
corporate account (see DMM 414.2).
Contents
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223.22 International Mail Manual
64 July 14, 2024
223.22 Permit Imprint
223.221 Permit Imprint — General
Payment for Priority Mail Express International shipments paid with a permit
imprint through an advance deposit account is permitted only when
requirements for Commercial Base prices or Commercial Plus prices
(see
223.222) are followed. Postage paid with a permit imprint is subject to
the general conditions in the IMM and in DMM 604 and 705. See Notice 123,
Price List, for the applicable prices.
223.222 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the Priority Mail
Express International Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices, which
are generally less than Priority Mail Express International retail prices. The
Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price applies only to the postage
portion of Priority Mail Express International prices. In addition, mailers must
meet the following requirements:
a. Electronically transmit customs declaration information as required
under
123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software
(GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/
node/1850. (To request information about either of these software
solutions, send an e-mail to [email protected].)
b. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit
account.
c. Meet manifesting and permit imprint requirements under the IMM and
DMM 604 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 705.
223.23 USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA)
Mailers using a USPS Corporate Account under 223.21 must pay the
applicable retail price for each mailpiece.
223.24 Online Methods
223.241 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
For selected destination countries, Priority Mail Express International items
qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or
Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping
methods:
a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products using online postage (with the exception of
Click-N-Ship service).
b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).
The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is automatically applied to
each shipment when using one of the above postage payment methods. The
discount applies only to the postage portion of the Priority Mail Express
International price. It does not apply to any other charges or fees, such as
fees for Pickup on Demand service, insurance, or shipments made under a
customized agreement.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 224.21
July 14, 2024 65
223.242 Markings Requirements
Priority Mail Express International mailpieces claiming the Commercial Base
or Commercial Plus price paid with PC Postage must bear the appropriate
price marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the PC Postage
indicia. Mailers must place the applicable marking directly above, directly
below, or to the left of the postage using one of the following formats:
a. Commercial Base Price, Commercial Base Pricing, or ComBasPrice.
b. Commercial Plus Price, Commercial Plus Pricing, or ComPlsPrice.
223.243 Determining Online Prices
For each addressed mailpiece, refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price.
223.3 Official Mail
223.31 Mailings by Federal Agencies
Priority Mail Express International shipments that are entered by federal
agencies and departments are subject to the same standards under
220 as
Priority Mail Express International shipments that are entered by
nongovernmental entities.
223.32 Postal Service Mailings
Priority Mail Express International shipments that are entered by U.S. Postal
Service entities are subject to the same standards under
220 as Priority Mail
Express International shipments that are entered by nongovernmental
entities, except that U.S. Postal Service mailings must bear the G-10 permit
indicia that are prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. See
142.2.
224 Mail Preparation
224.1 Preparation by Sender
224.11 Using PS Form 2976-B
Before mailing, the sender must fulfill any nonpostal export requirements
described in chapter
5 and fill out PS Form 2976-R as described in 123.72 or
use an electronically generated PS Form 2976-B as a combined customs
form and shipping label as described in
123.711.
224.12 Using an Online Combined Shipping Label and Customs Form
That Electronically Transmits Customs-Related Data
Prior to mailing, the sender must fulfill any other nonpostal export
requirements described in chapter
5 and fully complete the applicable online
customs form.
224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee
224.21 Using PS Form 2976-R
Employees must follow the instructions in 123.722 to verify a sender’s
PS Form 2976-R and to generate PS Form 2976-B.
Note: Consistent with 225.12, the sender must present any item bearing
a handwritten PS Form 2976-R to an employee at a Post Office retail
service counter.
Contents
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224.22 International Mail Manual
66 July 14, 2024
224.22 Using an Online Combined Shipping Label and Customs Form
That Electronically Transmits Customs-Related Data
Employees must do the following:
a. If presented to a USPS acceptance employee, check to ensure the
mailer has completed the sender’s information, the addressee’s
information, and the customs information portions.
b. Apply the correct amount of postage to the mailpiece, or ensure that
the correct amount of postage is affixed to the mailpiece.
c. After acceptance, place each item in the appropriate working pouch for
forwarding to the international exchange office authorized to dispatch
Priority Mail Express International shipments to that destination.
(See
Handbook T-5, International Mail Operations.)
Note: For online shipments, customer receipts are not necessary; for
non-IRT or non-POS offices, record the required finance information on
the special form provided for this purpose.
225 Mail Entry and Deposit
225.1 Place of Mailing
225.11 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
Priority Mail Express International items bearing a computer-generated
customs form with customs data that has been electronically transmitted
(e.g., using Click-N-Ship service, an authorized PC Postage vendor, or the
USPS Web Tools system) may be deposited through any of the following
methods, provided postage is paid by a means other than the use of postage
stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. Through Pickup on Demand service.
c. Through Package Pickup service.
d. At a Postal Service retail counter.
e. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
f. In a collection box.
g. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
h. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
225.12 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present the following Priority Mail Express International
items requiring a customs form to an employee at a Post Office retail service
counter. Deposit and pickup methods listed in
225.11 are prohibited. The
Postal Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for
proper entry and acceptance.
a. Any item bearing a customs form and paid for with only postage
stamps.
b. Any item bearing a handwritten customs form.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 231.211
July 14, 2024 67
c. Any item bearing a customs form that was not computer-generated.
d. Any item for which the customs data was not electronically
transmitted.
225.13 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint
Mailers who enter volume mailings paid with a permit imprint under 223.22
must enter such items through a business mail entry unit (BMEU) or, when
authorized by the district BMEU manager, through a detached mail unit
(DMU) at a mailer’s plant.
225.2 Pickup On Demand Service
Subject to the standards in 225.1, Pickup On Demand service is available for
Priority Mail Express International items. There is a single charge for Pickup
On Demand service (see
Notice 123, Price List), regardless of the number of
items scheduled for pickup. A pickup can include any or all of the following
items:
a. Global Express Guaranteed items.
b. Priority Mail Express International items.
c. Priority Mail International items.
d. First-Class Package International Service items.
e. Priority Mail Express items.
f. Priority Mail items.
g. Package Services items.
225.3 Package Pickup Service
Subject to the standards in 225.1, no pickup fee is charged when a Priority
Mail Express International item or items are picked up during a letter carrier’s
regular delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to collect other mail
not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is provided in accordance with
the information in DMM 507.7; for more information, also visit the online site
at
usps.com/pickup.
230 Priority Mail International
231 Description and Physical Characteristics
231.1 General
Priority Mail International service is considered a parcel stream for mail
exchange purposes.
231.2 Physical Characteristics
231.21 Weight Limits
231.211 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced
Boxes
The maximum weight for items mailed using Flat Rate Envelopes and Small
Flat Rate Priced Boxes is 4 pounds.
Contents
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231.212 International Mail Manual
68 July 14, 2024
231.212 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes
The weight limit for items mailed using the Medium and Large Flat Rate
Boxes is 20 pounds.
231.213 Priority Mail International Ordinary Parcels
The maximum weight limit for Priority Mail International service is 70 pounds,
but lower country-specific weight limits might apply. To determine the
maximum weight limit for each country, see the Individual Country Listings.
231.22 Dimensions — Priority Mail International Parcels
The minimum and maximum dimensions for Priority Mail International parcels
are as follows:
a. For Priority Mail International parcels, the surface area of the address
side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely
contain the postage, PS Form 2976-E (the envelope for the
customs
label), and any other applicable endorsements or markings.
PS
Form 2976-E is approximately 10-1/4 inches wide and 7-1/4 inches
high.
b. The maximum size dimensions for Priority Mail International parcels
vary by country and are noted in the Individual Country Listings.
See
231.23 for determining length or length and girth combined for
rectangular and nonrectangular parcels.
231.23 Measuring Parcel Dimensions
For all parcels, length is the longest side of the parcel, and girth is the
measurement around the thickest part that is perpendicular to the length.
The following examples can assist mailers in determining length or length
and girth combined for rectangular and nonrectangular parcels.
See Exhibit 231.23.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 231.23
July 14, 2024 69
Exhibit 231.23
Measuring Parcel Dimensions
Contents
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232 International Mail Manual
70 July 14, 2024
232 Eligibility
232.1 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small
Flat Rate Priced Boxes — General
Correspondence, negotiable and nonnegotiable documents, printed matter,
and lightweight merchandise items may be sent in Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes provided the contents
are mailable, they fit securely in the envelope or box, and they are entirely
confined within the container with the provided adhesive as the means of
closure. The flap must close within the prefabricated fold. Tape may be
applied to the flap and seams for closure or for reinforcement, provided the
design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or
reconstructing the container in any way. Refer to the Individual Country
Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing
merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to
$200 at no additional charge. Additional merchandise insurance may be
available, depending on country and value. Priority Mail International Flat
Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing only
nonnegotiable documents are insured against loss, damage, or missing
contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no additional charge.
See
Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance
availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered
Mail service is not
available.
232.2 Eligible Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and
Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes
Only the items in Exhibit 232.2a and Exhibit 232.2b qualify for the Priority
Mail Flat Rate Envelope or Small
Flat Rate Box pricing.
Exhibit 232.2a
Eligible Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes
Item Size Item No.
Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelope
12-1/2" x 9-1/2" Item EP 14-F
Priority Mail International
Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope
10" x 7" Item EP 14-GT
Priority Mail International
Small Flat Rate Envelope
10" X 6" Item EP 14-B
Priority Mail International
Window Flat Rate Envelope
10" x 5" Item EP 14-H
Priority Mail International
Legal Flat Rate Envelope
15" x 9-1/2" Item EP 14-L
Priority Mail International
Padded Flat Rate Envelope
12-1/2" x 9-1/2" Item EP 14-PE
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 232.4
July 14, 2024 71
Exhibit 232.2b
Eligible Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes
Item
Inside Dimensions
(L x W x H)
Outside Dimensions
(L x W x H) Item No.
Priority Mail
International
Small Flat Rate
Box
8-5/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-5/8" 8-11/16" x 5-7/16" x 1-3/4" SFBX
Priority Mail
International
DVD Box
7-9/16" x 5-7/16" x 1-1/8" 8-3/4" x 5-9/16" x 1-1/2" O-DVDS
Priority Mail
International
Large Video
Box
9-1/4" x 6-1/4" x 2" 9-9/16" x 6-7/16" x 2-3/16" O-1096-L
232.3 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate
Boxes
All mailable items that qualify to be sent as Priority Mail International parcels
may also be sent in the Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat
Rate Boxes. Written communication having the nature of current and
personal correspondence may be included, provided it is exchanged
between the sender and the addressee or other persons living with the
addressee. Archived correspondence (e.g., personnel records) is also
permitted and may be sent to any addressee. The contents must fit securely
and must be entirely confined within the box. The box flaps must be able to
close within the prefabricated folds. Tape may be applied to the flap and
seams for closure or reinforcement, provided the design of the container is
not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the container
in any way. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for additional prohibitions
for each country. Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes may be insured —
see
Exhibit 322.2 for insurance availability and limitations. Registered Mail
service is not available.
232.4 Eligible Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat
Rate Boxes
Only the items in Exhibit 232.4a and Exhibit 232.4b qualify for the Priority
Mail International Medium and L
arge Flat Rate Box pricing.
Exhibit 232.4a
Eligible Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Boxes
Item
Inside Dimensions
(L x W x H)
Outside Dimensions
(L x W x H) Item No.
Priority Mail
International
Medium Flat
Ra
te Box
11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" 11-1/4" x 8-3/4" x 6" O-FRB1
Priority Mail
International
Medium Flat
Rate Box
13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" 14" x 12" x 3-1/2" O-FRB2
Contents
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232.5 International Mail Manual
72 July 14, 2024
Exhibit 232.4b
Eligible Priority Mail International Large Flat Rate Boxes
Item
Inside Dimensions
(L x W x H)
Outside Dimensions
(L x W x H) Item No.
Priority Mail
International
Large Flat Rate
Box
12" x 12" x 5-1/2" 12-1/4" x 12-1/4" x 6" LFRB
232.5 Priority Mail International Parcels
Priority Mail International parcel service is designed for the carriage of
outbound international postal parcels. Written communication having the
nature of current and personal correspondence may be included, provided it
is exchanged between the sender and the addressee or other persons living
with the addressee. Archived correspondence (e.g, personnel records) is
also permitted and may be sent to any addressee. Refer to the Individual
Country Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Priority Mail
International parcels containing merchandise are insured against loss,
damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Additional
insurance may be available, depending on country and value — see
Exhibit
322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability,
limitations, and coverage. Registered M
ail service is not available.
232.6 Customs Forms Required
232.61 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate
Priced Boxes
Each Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope and each Priority Mail
International Small Flat Rate Priced Box must bear a properly completed
PS Form 2976-A.
232.62 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes
Each Priority Mail International Medium or Large Flat Rate Box must bear a
properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
232.63 Priority Mail International Parcels
Each Priority Mail International parcel must bear a properly completed
PS Form 2976-A.
232.7 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
No Priority Mail International item (USPS-produced Flat Rate Box, Flat Rate
Envelope, or Small Flat Rate Priced Box; USPS-produced Tyvek envelope; or
customer-supplied box or envelope) is sealed against inspection. Regardless
of physical closure, the mailing of a Priority Mail International item constitutes
consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.
232.8 Priority Mail International Insurance and Indemnity
232.81 Indemnity
Priority Mail International items containing merchandise are insured against
loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge.
Indemnity is limited to the lesser of the actual value of the contents or $200.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 233.11
July 14, 2024 73
If the parcel has been lost, or if it has been delivered to the addressee in
damaged condition or with missing contents, payment is made to the sender
unless the sender waives the right to payment, in writing, in favor of the
addressee.
Note: Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the
included $200 merchandise insurance may be available, depending on
country, content, and value — see
Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual
Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage.
When merchandise insurance is purchased, it replaces the included
$200 merchandise insurance.
232.82 Exclusions
Insurance coverage is not provided for consequential losses, delay,
concealed damage, spoilage of perishable items, articles improperly
packaged, articles too fragile to withstand normal handling in the mail, or
prohibited articles.
232.9 Extra Services
232.91 Merchandise Insurance
Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the included
$200 merchandise insurance is available for Priority Mail International items
to many countries. When merchandise insurance is purchased, it replaces
the included $200 merchandise insurance. See
Exhibit 322.2 and the
Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and
coverage. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail
International merchandise insurance coverage.
232.92 Return Receipt Service
Return receipt service, when purchased with additional merchandise
insurance, is available for purchase to certain destinations (see the Individual
Country Listings for availability) for Priority Mail International items, including
Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International
Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. See
340 for preparation procedures.
232.93 Tracking Plus
Customers may purchase USPS Tracking Plus service for certain pieces,
when available, online at usps.com or through a Shipping Services File. For
pricing, see
Notice 123, Price List.
233 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
233.1 Prices
233.11 Availability and Price Application — General
Except under 233.14 and 233.15, Priority Mail International shipments are
charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and Price
Group. See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Priority
Mail International service.
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233.12 International Mail Manual
74 July 14, 2024
233.12 Commercial Base Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 233.222, or with the
online methods described in 233.231, qualifies for the Priority Mail
International Commercial Base prices, which are less than Priority Mail
International retail prices. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.
233.13 Commercial Plus Prices
An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 233.222,
or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product
(with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Priority Mail
International Commercial Plus prices. See
Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable price.
233.131 Commercial Plus Pricing — Eligibility
To qualify for Commercial Plus pricing, customers must agree to all terms
and conditions in a standardized agreement with the Postal Service and
tender at least $100,000 per year of international shipping products. For this
purpose, “international shipping products” includes any combination of
Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail
International, or First-Class Package International Service items.
233.132 Commercial Plus Pricing — Approval
Mailers meeting the minimum revenue thresholds under 233.131 must
complete an agreement with the Postal Service by contacting their account
manager, or USPS Global Business via e-mail at [email protected], for a
commitment agreement form or for additional information.
233.14 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate
Priced Boxes
Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced
Boxes are charged a flat rate price depending on the rate group of the
destination. The price does not depend on the weight of the item, but the
weight cannot exceed the 4-pound weight limit. Postage is required for each
piece (see
Notice 123, Price List). A domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
with prepaid postage may also be used for a Priority Mail International item
provided that appropriate additional postage is added before mailing.
233.15 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes
The Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes are
charged a flat rate price depending on the rate group of the destination. The
price does not depend on the weight of the item, but the weight cannot
exceed the 20-pound weight limit. Postage is required for each piece (see
Notice 123, Price List).
233.16 Priority Mail International Parcels
Prices for parcels not using Flat Rate packaging vary by weight and country
price group. See the Individual Country Listings.
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Conditions for Mailing 233.232
July 14, 2024 75
233.2 Postage Payment Methods
233.21 General
Priority Mail International items may be paid with postage stamps, postage
validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information-based
indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or permit imprint.
233.22 Permit Imprint
233.221 Permit Imprint — General
Priority Mail International shipments paid with a permit imprint through an
advance deposit account is permitted only when requirements for
Commercial Base prices or Commercial Plus prices (see
233.222) are
followed. Postage paid with a permit imprint is subject to the general
conditions in the IMM
and in DMM 604 and 705.
233.222 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the Priority Mail
International Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices. The Commercial
Base or Commercial Plus price applies only to the postage portion of Priority
Mail International prices. In addition, mailers must meet the following
requirements:
a. Electronically transmit customs declaration information as required
under
123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software
(GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/
node/1850. (To request information about either of these software
solutions, send an e-mail to [email protected].)
b. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit
account.
c. Meet manifesting and permit imprint requirements under the IMM and
DMM 604 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 705.
233.23 Online Methods
233.231 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
For selected destination countries, Priority Mail International items qualify for
discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus
price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:
a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products using online postage (with the exception of
Click-N-Ship service).
b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of an authorized
PC
Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).
The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is automatically applied to
each shipment when using one of the above postage payment methods. The
discount applies only to the postage portion of the Priority Mail International
price. It does not apply to any other charges or fees, such as fees for Pickup
on Demand service, insurance, or shipments made under a customized
agreement.
233.232 Marking Requirements
Priority Mail International mailpieces claiming the Commercial Base or
Commercial Plus price paid with PC Postage must bear the appropriate price
marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the PC Postage indicia.
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233.233 International Mail Manual
76 July 14, 2024
Mailers must place the applicable marking directly above, directly below, or
to the left of the postage using one of the following formats:
a. Commercial Base Price, Commercial Base Pricing, or ComBasPrice.
b. Commercial Plus Price, Commercial Plus Pricing, or ComPlsPrice.
233.233 Determining Online Prices
For each addressed mailpiece, refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price.
233.3 Official Mail
233.31 Mailings by Federal Agencies
Priority Mail International shipments that are entered by federal agencies and
departments are subject to the same standards under
230 as Priority Mail
International shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities.
233.32 Postal Service Mailings
Priority Mail International shipments that are entered by U.S. Postal Service
entities are subject to the same standards under
230 as Priority Mail
International shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities, except
that U.S. Postal Service mailings must bear the G-10 permit indicia that are
prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. See
142.2.
234 Mail Preparation
234.1 Addressing
Priority Mail International packages are subject to the addressing
requirements contained in
122. In addition, mailers should include the name
and address of the sender and addressee on a separate slip enclosed in the
parcel. See
122.
234.2 Marking
Priority Mail International items must be marked “AIRMAIL” or “PAR AVION”
or bear one of the two prescribed airmail labels (i.e., either PS Label 19-A,
Par Avion Airmail, or PS Label 19-B, Par Avion Airmail). The airmail marking
or label should be placed below and to the left of the delivery address.
234.3 Customs Documentation
Mailers complete the hard copy PS Form 2976-R or electronically generate
PS Form 2976-A, and if applicable, must fulfill any other nonpostal export
requirements described in chapter
5.
234.4 Sealing
Mailers must seal their items with clinched staples, banding, adhesives,
sewing, tape, or other materials used to seal parcels. See DMM 601. The seal
must be sufficient to allow detection of tampering.
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Conditions for Mailing 235.11
July 14, 2024 77
234.5 Packaging
234.51 Packaging Requirements — General
Every parcel must be securely and substantially packed. In packing, the
sender must consider the nature of the contents, the climate, the length of
the journey, and the numerous handlings involved in the conveyance of
international mail. Heavy wrapping paper or waterproof paper is permitted
only as the outside covering of a carton. Heavy objects, such as cans of
food, must be surrounded with other contents or packing material in order to
prevent their shifting within the parcel. For recommended packing
procedures, see DMM 601.
234.52 Types of Containers
Ordinary paperboard containers are not acceptable. Parcels must be packed
in one of the following:
a. Canvas or similar material.
b. Double-faced corrugated or solid (minimum 275-pound test) fiber
boxes or cases.
c. Strong wooden boxes made of lumber at least 1/2-inch thick or
plywood of at least three plies.
234.53 Closure Options for Wooden Boxes or Bags
If otherwise acceptable, boxes may be secured with screwed or nailed lids,
and bags may be closed by sewing.
235 Mail Entry and Deposit
235.1 Place of Mailing
235.11 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
Priority Mail International items bearing a computer-generated customs form
with customs data that has been electronically transmitted (e.g., using Click-
N-Ship service, an authorized PC Postage vendor, or the USPS Web Tools
system) may be deposited through any of the following methods, provided
postage is paid by a means other than the use of postage stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. Through Pickup on Demand service.
c. Through Package Pickup service.
d. At a Postal Service retail counter.
e. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
f. In a collection box.
g. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
h. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
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235.12 International Mail Manual
78 July 14, 2024
235.12 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present the following Priority Mail International items
requiring a customs form to an employee at a Post Office retail service
counter. Deposit and pickup methods listed in
235.11 are prohibited. The
Postal Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for
proper entry and acceptance.
a. Any item bearing a customs form and paid for with only postage
stamps.
b. Any item bearing a handwritten customs form.
c. Any item bearing a customs form that was not computer-generated.
d. Any item for which the customs data was not electronically
transmitted.
235.13 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint
Mailers who enter volume mailings paid with a permit imprint under 233.22
must enter such items through a business mail entry unit (BMEU) or, when
authorized by the district BMEU manager, through a detached mail unit
(DMU) at a mailer’s plant.
235.2 Pickup On Demand Service
Subject to the standards in 235.1, Pickup On Demand service is available for
Priority Mail International items. There is a single charge for Pickup On
Demand service (see
Notice 123, Price List), regardless of the number of
items scheduled for pickup. A pickup can include any or all of the following
items:
a. Global Express Guaranteed items.
b. Priority Mail Express International items.
c. Priority Mail International items.
d. First-Class Package International Service items.
e. Priority Mail Express items.
f. Priority Mail items.
g. Package Services items.
235.3 Package Pickup Service
Subject to the standards in 235.1, no pickup fee will be charged when a
Priority Mail International item or items are picked up during a letter carrier’s
regular delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to collect other mail
not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is provided in accordance with
the information in DMM 507.7; for more information, also visit the online site
at
usps.com/pickup.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 241.216
July 14, 2024 79
240 First-Class Mail International
241 Description and Physical Characteristics
241.1 General
The First-Class Mail International classification encompasses the categories
of international mail that before May 14, 2007, were categorized as airmail
letter-post and economy letter-post, postcards, and printed matter.
241.2 Physical Characteristics
241.21 Physical Standards — Letters
241.211 Weight Limit
The weight limit for a letter-size First-Class Mail International mailpiece is
3.5
ounces. Letter-size items exceeding 3.5 ounces are charged the
First-Class Mail International flat-size price.
241.212 Dimensions
Letter-size mail must be rectangular and must meet the following
dimensions:
a. Not less than 5-1/2 inches long or 3-1/2 inches high or 0.007-inch
thick.
b. Not more than 11-1/2 inches long or 6-1/8 inches high or 1/4-inch
thick.
Note: For the purpose of determining mailability or machinability of a
letter-sized piece, the length is the dimension parallel to the delivery
address as read, and the height is the dimension perpendicular to the
length.
241.213 Color
Light-colored envelopes that do not interfere with the reading of the address
and postmark must be used. Brilliant colored envelopes are not authorized.
241.214 Quality
Envelopes and packaging materials must be constructed to be strong
enough to withstand normal handling. Highly glazed paper or paper with a
design that affects readability or processing is not acceptable.
241.215 Bordered Envelopes and Cards
Envelopes and cards that have green bars or red- and blue-striped borders
may be used for the sending of First-Class Mail International items.
241.216 Window Envelopes
Address windows for letter-size envelopes must be used under the following
conditions:
a. The address window must be parallel with the length of the envelope
and must be in the lower portion of the address side.
b. Nothing but the name, address, and any key number used by the
mailer may appear through the address window.
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241.217 International Mail Manual
80 July 14, 2024
c. The return address should appear in the upper-left corner. If there is no
return address and the delivery address does not show through the
window, the piece is handled as undeliverable mail.
d. The address disclosed through the window must be on white paper or
paper of a very light color.
e. When used for Registered Mail, window envelopes must conform to
the conditions in DMM 503.
f. All window envelopes for international mail must include a transparent
material covering the window opening — i.e., open-panel envelopes
are not acceptable.
241.217 Nonmachinable Surcharge
Regardless of a letter’s weight, a per-piece surcharge (see Notice 123, Price
List) applies to a First-Class Mail International letter that is nonmachinable for
any of the following reasons:
a. Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more
than 2.5.
b. Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
c. Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
d. Contains correspondence or nondutiable documents that cause the
thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven.
e. Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt
tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn).
f. Is more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long and less than
0.009
inch thick.
g. Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the
mailpiece.
241.22 Physical Standards — Cards
241.221 Postcard Dimensions
Each postcard claimed at a card price must be rectangular and must meet
the following dimensions:
a. Not less than 3-1/2 inches high or 5-1/2 inches long or 0.007 inch
thick.
b. Not more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long or 0.016 inch thick.
Note: Unenclosed cards exceeding the size limits for postcards are
mailable at the First-Class Mail International letter price if they do not
exceed 4-3/4 inches high or 9-1/4 inches long.
241.222 Color
Light-colored cards that do not interfere with the reading of the address and
postmark must be used. Brilliant colored cards are not authorized.
241.223 Quality
Cards must be constructed to be strong enough to withstand normal
handling. Highly glazed card stock or card stock with a design that affects
readability or processing is not acceptable.
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Conditions for Mailing 241.232
July 14, 2024 81
241.224 Additional Standards
To claim the card price, postcards must meet the following conditions:
a. Postcards must consist of single cards sent without a wrapper or
envelope.
b. Privately manufactured postcards, except picture postcards, must
bear the heading “Postcard.”
241.225 Right Half of Postcard
The right half of the address side of a card must be reserved for the address
of the addressee and postal notations or labels.
241.226 Left Half and Reverse Side of Postcard
The left half of the address side of the card and the reverse side can be used
for a message or permissible attachments. If a return address is used, it must
appear in the upper-left half of the address side.
241.227 Acceptable Attachments
The following attachments may be applied to a postcard as noted, provided
the attachment is made of paper or other thin material and adheres
completely to the card:
a. To the left half or the back side of the card: clippings of any kind,
illustrations or photographs, or labels other than address labels.
b. Only to the back side of the card: stamps likely to be confused with
postage stamps.
c. Only to the address side of the card for addressing purposes: address
labels.
241.228 Unacceptable Attachments
The following attachments to a card are not acceptable:
a. An attachment that is not made of paper.
b. An attachment that does not totally adhere to the card surface.
c. An attachment that is an encumbrance to postal processing.
241.229 Folded (Double) Cards
Folded (double) cards must be mailed in envelopes at the First-Class Mail
International letter price.
241.23 Physical Standards — Large Envelopes (Flats)
241.231 Weight Limit
The weight limit for a First-Class Mail International large envelope (flat) is less
than 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate
Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round
items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces).
241.232 Dimensions and Characteristics
Large envelopes (flats) must meet the following dimensions and
characteristics:
a. More than 11-1/2 inches long or 6-1/8 inches high or 1/4-inch thick.
b. Not more than 15 inches long or 12 inches high or 3/4-inch thick.
c. Flexible (see 241.236).
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241.233 International Mail Manual
82 July 14, 2024
d. Rectangular.
e. Uniformly thick as stated in 241.235.
Note: The length of a large envelope (flat) is the longest dimension. The
height is the dimension perpendicular to the length. A First-Class Mail
International large envelope (flat) that does not meet the standards in
241.23 is not eligible for the large envelope (flat) size price and is charged
the applicable First-Class Package International Service (small packet)
price.
241.233 Color
Light-colored envelopes that do not interfere with the reading of the address
and postmark must be used. Brilliant colored envelopes are not authorized.
241.234 Quality
Flats must be constructed to be strong enough to withstand normal
handling. Highly glazed paper or paper with a design that affects readability
or processing is not acceptable.
241.235 Uniform Thickness
Large envelopes (flats) must be uniformly thick so that any bumps,
protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than a 1/4-inch
variance in thickness. When determining variance in thickness, exclude the
outside edges of a mailpiece (1 inch from each edge) when the contents do
not extend into those edges. Also, exclude the selvage of any polywrap
covering from this determination. Mailers must secure nonpaper contents to
prevent shifting of more than 2 inches within the mailpiece if shifting would
cause the piece to be nonuniform in thickness or would result in the contents
bursting out of the mailpiece.
241.236 Minimum Flexibility
Large envelopes (flats) must be flexible. Boxes with or without hinges, gaps,
or breaks that allow the piece to bend are not considered large envelopes
(flats). Tight envelopes or wrappers that are filled with one or more boxes are
not considered large envelopes (flats). Customers have the option to perform
the tests described below and illustrated in
Exhibit 241.236a–Exhibit
241.236c on their own mailpieces. When a Postal Service employee
observes a customer demonstrating that a flat-size piece is flexible
according to these standards, the employee does not need to perform the
test. Test flats as follows:
a. All large envelopes (flats) (see Exhibit 241.236a):
(1) Place the piece with the length parallel to the edge of a flat
surface and extend the piece halfway off the surface.
(2) Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in
the center of the piece’s length, exerting steady pressure.
(3) The piece is not flexible if it cannot bend at least 1 inch vertically
without being damaged.
(4) The piece is flexible if it can bend at least 1 inch vertically without
being damaged and does not contain a rigid insert. No further
testing is necessary.
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Conditions for Mailing 241.236
July 14, 2024 83
(5) If the piece can bend at least 1 inch vertically wit
hout being
damaged but contains a rigid insert, test the piece according to
241.236
b or 241.236c.
Exhibit 241.236a
Flexibility Test — All Large Envelopes (Flats)
b. Large envelopes 10 inches or longer that demonstrate the required
flexibility in 241.236a but that contain a rigid insert (see
Exhibit
241.236b):
(1) Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat
s
urface and extend the piece 5 inches off the surface.
(2) Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in
th
e center of the piece’s width, exerting steady pressure.
(3) Turn the piece around and repeat steps 1 and 2. The piece is
flex
ible if both ends can bend at least 2 inches vertically without
being damaged.
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241.236 International Mail Manual
84 July 14, 2024
Exhibit 241.236b
Flexibility Test — Large Envelopes (Flats) 10 Inches or Longer
c. Large envelopes less than 10 inches long that demonstrate the
required flexibility in 241.236a but that contain a rigid insert (see
Exhibit
241.236c):
(1) Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat
s
urface and extend the piece halfway off the surface.
(2) Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in
th
e center of the piece’s width, exerting steady pressure.
(3) Turn the piece around and repeat steps 1 and 2. The piece is
flex
ible if both ends can bend at least 1 inch vertically without
being damaged.
Exhibit 241.236c
Flexibility Test — Large Envelopes (Flats) Less Than 10 Inches Long
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Conditions for Mailing 243.12
July 14, 2024 85
242 Eligibility
242.1 Content Eligibility
Subject to applicable weight and size limits, only correspondence and
nondutiable documents that are otherwise acceptable and not prohibited by
the Postal Service or the country of destination may be mailed at the First-
Class Mail International price.
242.2 Merchandise
No merchandise, whether dutiable or nondutiable, may be mailed using First-
Class Mail International service. Items containing merchandise may be sent
by Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International
service, Priority Mail International service, or First-Class Package
International Service; commercial mailers may also use IPA packages (small
packets) and ISAL packages (small packets).
242.3 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
First-Class Mail International mailpieces are sealed against inspection.
242.4 Extra Services
242.41 Certificate of Mailing
Certificate of mailing service is available for purchase for First-Class Mail
International items.
242.42 Registered Mail Service
Registered Mail service is available for purchase for First-Class Mail
International items, including for such items mailed as Free Matter for the
Blind.
242.43 Return Receipt Service
For First-Class Mail International items, return receipt service is available for
purchase only for items that use Registered Mail service to certain
destinations — see the Individual Country Listings for availability and
340 for
preparation procedures.
243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
243.1 Prices
243.11 Prices and Price Application — General
First-Class Mail International cards, letters, and large envelopes (flats) are
charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and zone.
For prices, see Notice 123, Price List.
243.12 Price Computation
Other than postcards, First-Class Mail International prices are charged per
ounce or fraction thereof; any fraction of an ounce is rounded up to the next
whole ounce. For example, if a piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight
(postage) increment is 2 ounces. The minimum postage per addressed piece,
except for postcards, is that for a piece weighing 1 ounce.
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243.13 International Mail Manual
86 July 14, 2024
243.13 Destinating Countries and Price Groups
Each Individual Country Listing shows the country-specific price group for
First-Class Mail International service. For postage prices, see
Notice 123,
Price List.
243.2 Postage Payment Methods — General
First-Class Mail International items may be paid with postage stamps,
postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information-
based indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or permit imprint.
243.3 Permit Imprint — General
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailing identical- or nonidentical-weight
First-Class Mail International items. Any of the First-Class Mail International
permit imprint formats shown in
Exhibit 152.64 is acceptable. Permit imprints
must not denote “bulk mail,” “nonprofit,” or other domestic or special mail
markings. For items requiring a customs form (First-Class Mail International
letter-size and flat-size mailpieces containing nonnegotiable documents
controlled by export regulatory agencies, covered in IMM 510–540), mailers
must also meet the following requirements:
a. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit
account.
b. For nonidentical-weight items, meet the permit imprint requirements
under IMM
152.6 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 604
and DMM 705.
In addition, for items requiring PS Form 2976 (see Exhibit 123.61), mailers
must electronically transmit customs declaration information as required
under
123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or
other USPS-approved software. (To request information about either of these
software solutions, send an e-mail to [email protected].)
243.4 Official Mail
243.41 Mailings by Federal Agencies
First-Class Mail International shipments that are entered by federal agencies
and departments are subject to the same standards under
240 as First-Class
Mail International shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities.
243.42 Postal Service Mailings
First-Class Mail International shipments that are entered by U.S. Postal
Service entities are subject to the same standards under
240 as First-Class
Mail International shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities,
except that U.S. Postal Service mailings must bear the G-10 permit indicia
that are prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. See
142.2.
244 Mail Preparation
244.1 Addressing
First-Class Mail International items are subject to the addressing
requirements in
122.
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Conditions for Mailing 245.11
July 14, 2024 87
244.2 Markings
The following markings apply to First-Class Mail International items:
a. First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes
(flats) must be marked “AIRMAIL/PAR AVION” or have PS Label 19-A,
Par Avion Airmail, or PS Label 19-B, Par Avion Airmail, affixed to the
address side of the mailpiece.
b. First-Class Mail International letters and large envelopes (flats) that
qualify as Free Matter for the Blind must bear the marking “Free Matter
for the Blind” in the upper-right corner of the address side of the
mailpiece. See
274.2.
244.3 Sealing
Unregistered First-Class Mail International items may be sealed at the
sender’s option. Mailpieces not sealed by conventional means, such as
moistening the gummed flaps on envelopes, must be closed in such a
manner as to prevent the contents from falling out or being damaged during
postal handling and transport. First-Class Mail International items that use
Registered Mail service must be sealed. (See
334.4 for sealing requirements
for Registered Mail service.)
244.4 Packaging
The following standards apply for packaging letter-size and flat-size First-
Class Mail International items:
a. Mailers must package mailpieces to withstand normal transit and
handling without content or package breakage, injury to Postal Service
employees, or damage to other mail or Postal Service equipment.
b. Mailers must package their contents to prevent their deterioration.
c. Mail matter is admissible in envelopes, sleeves, or wrappers of varying
sizes and thickness
Note: Transparent plastic packaging is acceptable for
international mailing purposes.
d. Except as provided in 292.4 and 293.4, folded mailpieces, without
envelopes, are admissible provided that all of the open sides are
secured with glue, tape, tabs, or wafer seals of sufficient quantity and
strength to prevent the mailpieces from opening or being damaged
during postal handling.
e. First-Class Mail International items in card form are permitted, so long
as their overall dimensions do not exceed 4-3/4 inches high or
9-1/4 inches long (see 241.221).
245 Mail Entry and Deposit
245.1 Place of Mailing
245.11 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
First-Class Mail International items bearing a computer-generated customs
form with customs data that has been electronically transmitted (e.g., using
Click-N-Ship service, an authorized PC Postage vendor, or the USPS Web
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245.12 International Mail Manual
88 July 14, 2024
Tools system) may be deposited through any of the following methods,
provided postage is paid by a means other than the use of postage stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. At a Postal Service retail counter.
c. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
d. In a collection box.
e. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
f. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
Note: A mailer may use the aforementioned methods to deposit a First-
Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size item that bears only
postage stamps when the item meets both of the following
characteristics:
a. Does not exceed 10 ounces.
b. Does not exceed one-half inch in thickness.
245.12 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present the following First-Class Mail International items to
an employee at a Post Office retail service counter:
a. Any mailpiece bearing a customs form and paid for with only postage
stamps.
b. Any mailpiece bearing a handwritten customs form.
c. Any mailpiece bearing a customs form that was not computer-
generated.
d. Any mailpiece for which the customs data was not electronically
transmitted.
e. Any item that bears only postage stamps when the item meets either of
the following characteristics:
(1) Weighs more than 10 ounces.
(2) Measures more than one-half inch in thickness.
Deposit and pickup methods listed in 245.11 are prohibited. The Postal
Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for proper
entry and acceptance
245.2 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint
Mailers who enter volume mailings paid with a permit imprint under 243.3
must enter such items through a business mail entry unit (BMEU) or, when
authorized by the district BMEU manager, through a detached mail unit
(DMU) at a mailer’s plant.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 252.1
July 14, 2024 89
250 First-Class Package International Service
251 Description and Physical Characteristics
251.1 General
The First-Class Package International Service classification encompasses
the categories of international mail that before May 14, 2007, were
categorized as small packets.
251.2 Physical Characteristics and Standards — Packages (Small
Packets)
251.21 Weight Limit
The weight limit for a First-Class Package International Service package
(small packet) is 4 pounds.
251.22 Dimensions — Other Than Rolls
Packages (small packets) other than rolls must be within the following
dimensions:
a. Minimum length: 6 inches.
b. Minimum height: 4 inches.
c. Maximum length: 24 inches. Length is the longest dimension.
d. Maximum length, height, and depth (thickness) combined: 36 inches.
e. The postage, address, customs form, and other required elements
must appear on a side that meets the minimum length and height
dimensions (6 inches x 4 inches).
251.23 Dimensions — Rolls
Rolls must be within the following dimensions:
a. Minimum length: 4 inches.
b. Minimum length plus twice the diameter combined: 6-3/4 inches.
c. Maximum length: 36 inches.
d. Maximum length plus twice the diameter combined: 42 inches.
251.24 Quality
Packages (small packets) must be constructed to be strong enough to
withstand normal handling.
252 Eligibility
252.1 Content
Subject to applicable weight and size limits, any article that is otherwise
acceptable and not prohibited by the Postal Service or the country of
destination may be mailed at the First-Class Package International Service
price. The maximum value cannot exceed $400. Items exceeding $400 must
be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express
International service, or Priority Mail International service.
Contents
Country Index
252.2 International Mail Manual
90 July 14, 2024
252.2 Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International Service
(E-USPS DELCON INTL)
252.21 Description
Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service — abbreviated
E-USPS DELCON INTL — is a tracking service available at no charge for
First-Class Package International Service items to select destination
countries (see
252.22). Tracking information includes the date and time an
article was delivered or, if delivery was attempted but not completed, the
dat
e and time of the delivery attempt. The sender can check delivery status
by going to
usps.com and entering the tracking number in the box under
“Search or Track Packages.”
252.22 Availability
E-USPS DELCON INTL is available electronically to the countries listed in
Exhibit 252.22. Limitations may apply for certain destinations.
Exhibit 252.22
Countries Accepting Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation
International Service (E-USPS DELCON INTL)
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia, Republic of
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea, Republic of (South
Korea)
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
New Zealand
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia, Republic of
Singapore
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkiye, Republic of
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
Ireland
252.23
Customs Label and Marking
Mailers must use an electronically generated PS Form 2976 that includes the
Post Exprès logo (globe and chevron design) — see
Exhibit 252.23.
Exhibit 252.23
Customs Label and Marking
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 252.53
July 14, 2024 91
252.24 Additional Standards
The following additional standards apply to Electronic USPS Delivery
Confirmation International service:
a. Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service may not be
combined with any other international extra services.
b. No refunds, inquiries, or claims are offered, and indemnity is not
provided.
c. Customers are not able to obtain tracking information by contacting
the U.S. Postal Service by telephone.
252.25 Price Eligibility
Only items paid with USPS-approved PC Postage products using online
postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service) or permit imprint are
eligible for the applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price for the
postage portion of the mailpiece. Electronically generated customs forms
that are not generated with PC Postage or a permit imprint, or forms
electronically generated by USPS Web Tools or Click-N-Ship service, are
charged the retail price.
252.3 Customs Forms Required
First-Class Package International Service items always require a fully
completed PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22 — Sender’s
Declaration.
252.4 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
First-Class Package International Service items are sealed against
inspection.
252.5 Extra Services
252.51 Certificate of Mailing
Certificate of mailing service is available for purchase for First-Class Package
International Service items, except for items with E-USPS DELCON INTL
service.
252.52 Registered Mail Service
Registered Mail service is available for purchase for First-Class Package
International Service items, including such items mailed as Free Matter for
the Blind. Registered Mail service is not available for items with E-USPS
DELCON INTL service.
252.53 Return Receipt Service
For First-Class Package International Service items, return receipt service is
available for purchase only for items that use Registered Mail service to
certain destinations — see the Individual Country Listings for availability, and
see
340 for preparation procedures. Return receipt service is not available for
items with E-USPS DELCON INTL service.
Contents
Country Index
252.54 International Mail Manual
92 July 14, 2024
252.54 Tracking Plus
USPS Tracking Plus service is available for certain pieces sent via single-
piece First-Class Package International Service for which Electronic USPS
Delivery Confirmation International service is available. Customers may
purchase USPS Tracking Plus service for certain pieces, when available,
online at usps.com or through a Shipping Services File. For pricing,
see
Notice 123, Price List.
253 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
253.1 Prices
253.11 Prices and Price Application — General
First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets) are
charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and price
group. For prices, see
Notice 123, Price List.
253.12 Price Computation
First-Class Package International Service prices are charged per ounce or
fraction thereof; any fraction of an ounce is rounded up to the next whole
ounce. For example, if a piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight (postage)
increment is 2 ounces. The minimum postage per addressed piece is that for
a piece weighing 1 ounce.
253.13 Destinating Countries and Price Groups
Each Individual Country Listing shows the country-specific price group for
First-Class Package International Service. For postage prices,
see
Notice 123, Price List.
253.14 Commercial Base Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 253.222, or by the
online methods described in 253.231, qualifies for the First-Class Package
International Service Commercial Base prices, which are less than First-
Class Package International Service retail prices. For prices, see
Notice 123,
Price List.
253.15 Commercial Plus Prices
An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 253.222,
or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product
(with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the First-Class
Package International Service Commercial Plus prices. For prices, see
Notice 123, Price List.
253.151 Commercial Plus Pricing — Eligibility
To qualify for Commercial Plus pricing, customers must agree to all terms
and conditions in a standardized agreement with the Postal Service and
tender at least $100,000 per year for international shipping products. For this
purpose, “international shipping products” includes any combination of
Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail
International, or First-Class Package International Service items.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 253.231
July 14, 2024 93
253.152 Commercial Plus Pricing — Approval
Mailers meeting the minimum revenue thresholds under 253.151 must
complete an agreement with the Postal Service by contacting their account
manager, or USPS Global Business via e-mail at [email protected], for a
commitment agreement form or for additional information.
253.2 Postage Payment Methods
253.21 General
First-Class Package International Service items may be paid with postage
stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps,
information-based indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or permit imprint.
253.22 Permit Imprint
253.221 Permit Imprint — General
First-Class Package International Service shipments paid with a permit
imprint through an advance deposit account are permitted only when
requirements for Commercial Base prices or Commercial Plus prices
(see
253.222) are followed. Postage paid with a permit imprint is subject to
the general conditions in IMM 152.4 and in DMM 604 and 705.
253.222 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the First-Class
Package International Service Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices,
which are less than First-Class Package International Service retail prices.
The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price applies only to the postage
portion of First-Class Package International Service prices. In addition,
mailers must meet the following requirements:
a. Electronically transmit customs declaration information as required
under
123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software
(GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/
node/1850. (To request information about either of these software
solutions, send an e-mail to [email protected].)
b. Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit
account.
c. Meet manifesting and permit imprint requirements under IMM 152.4
and DMM 604 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 705.
253.23 Online Methods
253.231 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
For selected destination countries, First-Class Package International Service
items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or
Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping
methods:
a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved
PC
Postage products using online postage (with the exception of
Click-N-Ship service).
b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of an authorized
PC
Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).
Contents
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253.232 International Mail Manual
94 July 14, 2024
The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is automatically applied to
each shipment that uses one of the above postage payment methods. The
discount applies only to the postage portion of the First-Class Package
International Service price. It does not apply to any other charges or fees,
such as Registered Mail service or shipments made under a customized
agreement.
253.232 Marking Requirements
First-Class Package International Service items claiming the Commercial
Base or Commercial Plus price paid with PC Postage must bear the
appropriate price marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the
PC Postage indicia. Mailers must place the applicable marking directly
above, directly below, or to the left of the postage using one of the following
formats:
a. Commercial Base Price, Commercial Base Pricing, or ComBasPrice.
b. Commercial Plus Price, Commercial Plus Pricing, or ComPlsPrice.
253.233 Determining Online Prices
For each addressed mailpiece, refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the
applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price.
253.3 Official Mail
253.31 Mailings by Federal Agencies
First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by
federal agencies and departments are subject to the same standards under
250 as First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered
by nongovernmental entities.
253.32 Postal Service Mailings
First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by U.S.
Postal Service entities are subject to the same standards under
250 as First-
Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by
nongovernmental entities, except that U.S. Postal Service mailings must
bear the G-10 permit indicia prescribed for all Postal Service official mail.
See
142.2.
254 Mail Preparation
254.1 Addressing
First-Class Package International Service items are subject to the addressing
requirements in
122.
254.2 Markings
The following markings apply to First-Class Package International Service
items:
a. First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets)
and rolls — which because of their size, shape, or configuration might
be mistaken for another category of international mail — should be
marked “LETTER-POST” on the address side of the mailpiece.
Contents
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Conditions for Mailing 255.11
July 14, 2024 95
b. First-Class Package International Service items that qualify as Free
Matter for the Blind must bear on the address side of the package a
copy of the label shown in
Exhibit 274.2.
254.3 Sealing
Unregistered First-Class Package International Service items may be sealed
at the sender’s option. Mailpieces not sealed by conventional means, such
as taping the open flaps for small packets, must be closed in such a manner
as to prevent the contents from falling out or being damaged during postal
handling and transport. First-Class Package International Service items that
use Registered Mail service must be sealed. (See
334.4 for sealing
requirements for Registered Mail service.)
254.4 Packaging
The following standards apply for packaging package-size First-Class
Package International Service items:
a. Mailers must package mailpieces to withstand normal transit and
handling without content or package breakage, injury to Postal Service
employees, or damage to other mail or Postal Service equipment.
b. Mailers must package their contents to prevent their deterioration.
c. Mailers may use boxes, cartons, tubes, or other types of containers
that are commonly used to transmit shipments that are in package
form.
255 Mail Entry and Deposit
255.1 Place of Mailing
255.11 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
First-Class Package International Service items bearing a computer-
generated customs form with customs data that has been electronically
transmitted (e.g., using Click-N-Ship service, an authorized PC Postage
vendor, or the USPS Web Tools system) may be deposited through any of
the following methods, provided postage is paid by a means other than the
use of postage stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. Through Pickup on Demand service.
c. Through Package Pickup service.
d. At a Postal Service retail counter.
e. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
f. In a collection box.
g. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
h. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
Contents
Country Index
255.12 International Mail Manual
96 July 14, 2024
255.12 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present the following First-Class Package International
Service items requiring a customs form to an employee at a Post Office retail
service counter. Deposit and pickup methods listed in
255.11 are prohibited.
The Postal Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for
proper entry and acceptance.
a. Any item bearing a customs form and paid for with only postage
stamps.
b. Any item bearing a handwritten customs form.
c. Any item bearing a customs form that was not computer-generated.
d. Any item for which the customs data was not electronically
transmitted.
255.2 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint
Mailers who enter volume mailings paid with a permit imprint under 253.22
must enter such items through a business mail entry unit (BMEU) or, when
authorized by the district BMEU manager, through a detached mail unit
(DMU) at a mailer’s plant.
255.3 Pickup on Demand Service
Subject to the standards in 255.1, Pickup on Demand service is available for
First-Class Package International Service items. There is a single charge for
Pickup on Demand service (see
Notice 123, Price List), regardless of the
number of items scheduled for pickup. A pickup can include any or all of the
following items:
a. Global Express Guaranteed items.
b. Priority Mail Express International items.
c. Priority Mail International items.
d. First-Class Package International Service items.
e. Priority Mail Express items.
f. Priority Mail items.
g. Package Services items.
255.4 Package Pickup Service
Subject to the standards in 255.1 no pickup fee will be charged when a First-
Class Package International Service item or items are picked up during a
letter carrier’s regular delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to
collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is provided in
accordance with the information in DMM 507.7; for more information, also
visit the online site at
usps.com/pickup.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 261.22
July 14, 2024 97
260 Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee
(M-bags)
261 Description
261.1 General
M-bags are defined as direct sacks of printed matter (see 261.22) sent to a
single foreign addressee at a single address. There are three types of
M-bags: Airmail M-bags, International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-bags, and
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-bags. All M-bags are subject to the
following conditions of mailing:
a. Maximum weight of a sack: 66 pounds (including the tare weight of the
sack). Lower maximum weights apply to certain countries. See the
Individual Country Listings.
b. Availability: All destinations that are referenced in the Individual
Country Listings for Airmail M-bags, in
Exhibit 292.45 for IPA M-bags,
and in Exhibit 293.45 for ISAL M-bags.
c. Identification: PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag, must be completed
and attached to the neck of the sack.
d. Postage: The applicable postage for Airmail M-bags, International
Priority Airmail (IPA), and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) must be
affixed to PS Tag
158.
e. Extra services: Certificate of mailing is available. Registry and
insurance are not available.
261.2 Eligibility
261.21 Printed Matter
Printed matter is admissible in M-bags. Articles that meet the definition of
“printed matter” include newspapers, magazines, journals, books, sheet
music, catalogs, directories, commercial advertising, and promotional
matter. “Printed matter” is defined as follows:
a. Papers upon which words, letters, characters, figures, images, or any
combinations thereof appear.
b. Papers that do not have the character of a bill or statement of account.
c. Papers that do not have the character of current and personal
correspondence.
261.22 Other Articles
Certain other articles may be enclosed in M-bags, provided that all of the
following conditions of mailing are met:
a. The articles being sent are limited to discs, tapes, and cassettes;
commercial samples shipped by manufacturers and distributors; or
other non-dutiable commercial articles or informational materials that
are not subject to resale.
b. The articles are related to the printed matter (see 261.21) with which
they are being mailed.
c. The articles are affixed to or are otherwise combined with the
accompanying printed matter.
Contents
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261.23 International Mail Manual
98 July 14, 2024
d. For Airmail M-bags, the combined weight of each printed matter
mailpiece and the related articles may not exceed 4 pounds. For IPA
and ISAL M-bags, the combined weight of each printed matter
mailpiece and the related articles may not exceed 4.4 pounds.
e. The M-bag must be accompanied by a fully completed electronically
generated PS Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158.
261.23 Mail Not Sealed Against Inspection
M-bags are not sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure,
the mailing of an M-bag, including an airmail, IPA, or ISAL M-bag, constitutes
consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.
262 Postage Prices and Fees
262.1 Airmail M-bags
Airmail M-bags may contain any type of allowable printed matter and certain
other articles (see
261.22). See the Individual Country Listings for the Price
Group and maximum weight limit for each country. Each Airmail M-bag that
weighs 11
pounds or less is charged the applicable 11-pound price; a bag
that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable 11-pound price and the
applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound
over 11 pounds.
262.2 International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-bags
IPA M-bags that are entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing (see 292) may
contain all types of allowable printed matter and certain other items
(see
261.22). See Notice 123, Price List, for the postage price that applies to
M-bags mailed to each IPA destination country. Each full-service IPA M-bag
that weighs 11 pounds or less is charged the applicable 11-pound price; a
bag that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable 11-pound price and
the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a
pound over 11 pounds. Each international service center (ISC) drop shipment
IPA M-bag that weighs 5 pounds or less is charged the applicable 5-pound
price; a bag that exceeds 5 pounds is charged the applicable 5-pound price
and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a
pound over 5 pounds.
262.3 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-bags
ISAL M-bags that are entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing (see 293)
may contain all types of allowable printed matter and certain other articles
(see
261.22). See Notice 123, Price List, for the postage price that applies to
M-bags mailed to each ISAL destination country. Each full-service ISAL
M-bag that weighs 11 pounds or less is charged the applicable
11-pound
price; a bag that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable
11-pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional
pound or fraction of a pound over 11 pounds. Each international service
center (ISC) drop shipment ISAL M-bag that weighs 5 pounds or less is
charged the applicable 5-pound price; a bag that exceeds 5 pounds is
charged the applicable 5-pound price and the applicable per-pound price for
each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 5 pounds.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 264.21
July 14, 2024 99
262.4 Postage Calculation
The amount of postage paid by the mailer is determined by the weight of the
sack’s contents, rounded to the next whole pound. For example, if the total
weight of the printed matter in an M-bag is 23.2 pounds, exclusive of the tare
weight of the sack, the postage computation is based on a total content
weight of 24 pounds.
262.5 Stamps, Postage Evidencing Systems, PVI Labels, or Permit
Imprint
M-bag postage can be paid by the following means:
a. By affixing postage stamps, meter stamps, PC Postage, or a postage
validation imprinter (PVI) label to PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag.
b. By placing a permit imprint on PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag, and
making payment through an advance deposit account. Only the
applicable permit imprint formats shown in Exhibit 152.44 are
acceptable. When this method of payment is used, the minimum
quantity requirement (i.e.,
200 pieces or 50 pounds) that is normally a
prerequisite for permit imprint usage (see
152.63) does not apply. The
postage amount must be accounted for on PS Form 3700, Postage
Statement — International Mail.
263 Weight and Size Limits
263.1 Weight Limits
There is no minimum weight requirement for the entry of Airmail M-bags, IPA
M-bags, or ISAL M-bags. The maximum weight limit for M-bags is
66
pounds, which includes the tare weight of the sack. Lower maximum
weights apply to certain countries. See the Individual Country Listings.
263.2 Size Limits
There are no defined size limits so long as articles being sent can be
enclosed in the mailbag.
264 Mail Preparation
264.1 Marking
Printed matter, or printed matter in combination with merchandise items,
must be placed into one or more individual packages bearing the name and
address of the sender and addressee. Each package must be marked
“POSTAGE PAID — M-BAG.”
264.2 Sacking and Labeling
264.21 Equipment
The sacks and mailing tags (i.e., PS Tag 158) needed for M-bag entry can be
obtained from local Post Office facilities. Airmail pouches, if available, will be
furnished to customers who intend to utilize that type of M-bag service.
Contents
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264.22 International Mail Manual
100 July 14, 2024
264.22 Tagging
PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag, must be completed for all types of
M-bags and attached to the neck of the sack. It must bear the requisite
amount of stamped or meter postage or the sender’s authorized permit
imprint or indicia (see
262.4). For IPA M-bags, mailers must also attach
PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail. For ISAL M-bags, mailers must
also attach PS
Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail.
264.23 Multiple Sacks to One Addressee
If multiple sacks are sent to the same foreign addressee, PS Tag 158 must
be marked with an identifiable fraction such as 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, etc.
264.24 Country Destination Name
The Post Office facility must label the sack with the name of the country of
destination in large letters and the name of the U.S. dispatching exchange
office in small letters (for example, United Kingdom via New York), and send
it to that exchange office for dispatch to destination.
264.3 Customs Forms Required
M-bags must be accompanied by a fully completed electronically
generated PS Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158. The
maximum allowable value is $400. When paying with a permit imprint,
mailers must electronically transmit customs declaration information as
required under
123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software
(GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/
node/1850. To request information about either of these software solutions,
send an e-mail to [email protected].
265 Extra Services
Certificate of mailing is available. Insurance, Registered Mail service, and
return receipt service are not available with M-bags.
270 Free Matter for the Blind
271 Description and Physical Characteristics
271.1 General
Matter may be entered free of postage provided that at least one of the
following criteria is met:
a. The item is sent to or by an organization for the blind.
b. The item is sent to or by a person who is registered as blind or who
meets the World Health Organization’s definition of a blind person or a
person with low vision.
Note: An “organization for the blind” (see 271.1a) means an institution or
association serving or officially representing blind persons.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 272.3
July 14, 2024 101
271.2 Weight Limits
The following weight limits apply to the mail classes identified in 273:
Maximum Weight Limit Mail Service
3.5 ounces First-Class Mail International letters
15.994 ounces First-Class Mail International flats
4 pounds Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes
and Small
Flat Rate Priced Boxes
First-Class Package International Service
15 pounds Priority Mail International parcels
Priority Mail International Medium and Large
Fla
t Rate Boxes
272
Eligibility
272.1 Eligible Participants
Mailers may send Free Matter for the Blind free of postage provided that at
least one of the following conditions is met:
a. The item is sent to or by an organization for the blind.
b. The item is sent to or
by a blind person.
272.2 Eligible Matter
Mailers may send the following items as Free Matter for the Blind:
a. Letters bearing writing used by the blind and plates bearing the
ch
aracters of writing used by the blind.
b. Books, periodicals, literature, and other correspondence.
c. Paper, records, tapes, musical scores, or sound recordings.
d. Equipment or materials of any kind adapted to assist blind persons in
over
coming the problems of blindness, including reproducers or parts
of them for sound reproductions.
e. Specially adapted CDs.
f. Braille writing equipment, typewriters, educational
or other materials or
devices, or parts thereof used for writing by a blind person or designed
or adapted for use by a blind person.
g. Braille watches.
h. White canes.
i. Recording equipment.
272.3 Ineligible Matter
Free Matter for the Blind items are solely intended for the use of an eligible
participant who is unable to read conventional materials. The following list is
not inclusive but provides guidance about ineligible items:
a. The item is for purposes of advertisement.
b. The item is intended as a profit-making transaction. There should be no
ch
arge (rental, subscription, or other associated fee) that is in excess of
the actual cost.
Contents
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272.4 International Mail Manual
102 July 14, 2024
272.4 Customs Forms Required
When required (see Exhibit 123.61), the mailer must affix a fully completed
electronically generated PS Form 2976 or 2976-A to each item. The known
mailer exemption in
123.62 does not apply to Free Matter for the Blind items.
272.5 Mail Not Sealed Against Inspection
Free Matter for the Blind is not sealed against inspection (see ASM 274).
Mailers must prepare items in such a way that the contents are sufficiently
protected while permitting quick and easy inspection or verification of the
contents.
272.6 Extra Services
Mailers must pay for any extra services requested for Free Matter for the
Blind items. The Postal Service authorizes only the following extra services:
a. Registered Mail service for First-Class Mail International items and
First-Class Package International Service items.
b. Additional merchandise insurance service for Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes up to
4 pounds,
and for Priority Mail International items up to 15
pounds.
273 Postage Prices and Fees
Postage is provided at no charge for Free Matter for the Blind items only for
the following classes of mail and products:
a. First-Class Mail International.
b. First-Class Package International Service.
c. Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes.
d. Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
e. Priority Mail International parcels weighing up to 15 pounds.
The sender must pay the applicable total postage based on the weight and
destination price group of the article when sending eligible free matter as a
Priority Mail International parcel weighing more than 15 pounds.
The sender must pay the applicable fees for Registered Mail or insured
services (see
272.6).
274 Mail Preparation
274.1 Addressing
All international addressing standards apply. See 122.
274.2 Markings
In addition to the markings required in 234.2 for Priority Mail International
parcels, in 244.2 for First-Class Mail International items, and in 254.2 for
First-Class Package International Service items, the mailer must mark the
item in the upper right-hand corner of the address side of the mailpiece with
both of the following phrases: “Envois pour les Aveugles” and “Free Matter
for the Blind.” In addition, the mailer must affix to the address side of the
mailpiece a copy of the label depicted in
Exhibit 274.2. The mailer may
photocopy the image and apply it to the item.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 275.2
July 14, 2024 103
Exhibit 274.2
Free Matter for the Blind Label
275 Mail Entry and Deposit
275.1 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
Eligible Free Matter for the Blind items bearing a computer-generated
customs form with customs data that has been electronically transmitted
may be deposited through any of the following methods provided any extra
service fees have been paid by a means other than the use of postage
stamps:
a. In a private mailbox bearing a return address that matches the address
at
the point of pickup, when the customer or business is known to
reside or do business at that location.
b. At a Postal Service retail counter.
c. Into a Postal Service lobby drop.
d. In a collection box.
e. At a Contract Postal Unit (CPU).
f. At a USPS Approved Shipper location.
Note: A
mailer may use the aforementioned methods to deposit a First-
Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size item that meets both of the
following characteristics:
a. Does not exceed 10 ounces.
b. Does not exceed one-half inch in thickness.
275.2 Items Not Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
A customer must present the following eligible Free Matter for the Blind items
requiring a customs form to an employee at a Post Office retail service
counter:
a. Any mailpiece bearing a handwritten customs form.
b. Any mailpiece bearing a customs form that was not computer-
ge
nerated.
c. Any mailpiece for which the customs data was not electronically
tr
ansmitted.
Contents
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280 International Mail Manual
104 July 14, 2024
d. Any First-Class Mail International letter-size or flat-size mailpiece that
does not require a customs form and that meets either of the following
characteristics:
(1) Weighs more than 10 ounces.
(2) Measures more than one-half inch in thickness.
Deposit and pickup methods listed in 275.1 are prohibited. The Postal
Service will return an improperly presented item to the sender for proper
entry and acceptance.
280 (Reserved)
290 Commercial Services
291 (Reserved)
292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service
292.1 Description
292.11 General
International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bags, is a
commercial service designed for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail
International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume
mailings of First-Class Package International Service packages (small
packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in accordance with the
requirements of this subchapter and with the content-based and shape-
based requirements of the applicable service — see
240 for First-Class Mail
International items, and see 250 for First-Class Package International Service
items. IPA shipments are typically flown to the foreign destinations
(exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that
country’s air or surface priority mail system for delivery. Separate prices are
provided for international service center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted
mail, and nonpresort mail. Volume incentives are available through
customized agreements.
292.12 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
With the exception of M-bags (see 261.23), IPA mailpieces are sealed
against inspection.
292.13 IPA M-bags
292.131 IPA M-bags — General
IPA M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be
entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing, are subject to the provisions of
260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in
Exhibit 292.45a. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender
must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, and PS Tag 158,
M-bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the
sack.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.233
July 14, 2024 105
292.132 IPA M-bags — Customs Forms
IPA M-bags always require a fully completed electronically generated
PS
Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically
transmit customs declaration information as required under
123.32 by using
USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved
software listed at
postalpro.usps.com/node/1850
. To request information
about either of these software solutions, send an e-mail to
globalbusiness-
.
292.2 Eligibility
292.21 Qualifying Mailpieces
To qualify for IPA service, a mailpiece must meet the First-Class Mail
International characteristics as defined in
141.5 (except for weight —
see 292.24) or the First-Class Package International Service characteristics
as defined in 141.6 (except for weight — see 292.24). Mailpieces do not have
to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with IPA service
must conform to the size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards,
letters, or large envelopes (flats) as described in
240, or for First-Class
Package International Service packages (small packets) as described in 250.
292.22 Availability
IPA service is available only to the foreign countries that are listed in Exhibit
292.45a, which shows the foreign office of exchange code and the price
group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada,
see
Exhibit 292.45b.
292.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements
292.231 Minimum Quantity
All mailings must meet a minimum weight quantity of 50 pounds. To achieve
the 50-pound minimum, mailings may include a combination of presort mail,
worldwide nonpresort mail, or M-bags.
292.232 Presort Eligibility — Full Service
Only a direct country container with a minimum of 2 pounds qualifies for the
presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide
nonpresort price.
292.233 Presort Eligibility — ISC Drop Shipment
Eligibility for the presort price is as follows:
a. Direct country price. For price groups 1–20, a minimum of 2 pounds for
each direct country container.
b. Mixed country price. For price groups 7–11, a minimum of 5 pounds for
each price group; for price groups 3–6, a minimum of 5 pounds for
each price group prepared under
292.482a, or a minimum of 5 pounds
for each sack prepared under 292.482b.
All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort
price.
Contents
Country Index
292.24 International Mail Manual
106 July 14, 2024
292.24 Maximum Weight Limits
The maximum weight for an IPA container is 66 pounds. The maximum
weight for an individual IPA item is as follows:
a. Letter-size item: 3.5 ounces.
b. Flat-size item: 17.6 ounces.
c. Package-size item: 4.4 pounds.
292.25 Dutiable Items
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this
subchapter for First-Class Package International Service only. Priority Mail
International items may not be mailed with IPA service.
292.26 Customs Forms Requirements
For items requiring PS Form 2976, mailers must electronically transmit
customs declaration information as required under
123.32 by using USPS-
produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software
listed at
postalpro.usps.com/node/1850. To request information about either
of these software solutions, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-
292.27 Extra Services
Extra services are not available for items sent with IPA service.
292.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
292.31 Prices
IPA service has two price options: a presort price with 20 price groups, and a
worldwide nonpresort price. Both options offer full-service prices for mail
deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in
292.532,
and drop shipment prices for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment
offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in
Notice 123,
Price List. The per-piece price applies to each piece regardless of its weight.
The per-pound price applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare
weight of container) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a
pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
292.32 Computation of Postage
Postage is computed on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International
Mail.
292.321 Computing Worldwide Nonpresort Prices
Compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price as follows:
1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-
piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the
applicable per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.333
July 14, 2024 107
292.322 Computing Presort Prices
Compute postage at the presorted price as follows:
1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a
specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the
corresponding per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
292.33 Postage Payment Methods
292.331 General
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled
stamps (see DMM 604).
292.332 Postage Meter
Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:
a. Piece Price. The applicable per-piece postage shown in Notice 123,
Price List, must be affixed to each mailpiece when paying with a meter.
A mailer who has an ICM agreement must affix the applicable per-
piece postage as set forth in the ICM agreement.
b. Pound Price. Postage for the pound price 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.
c. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the
words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
d. Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in
292.332c 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 appear either above the name of the addressee and to
the left or below the postage, or 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
appear 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.
e. Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement
are subject to the applicable First-Class Mail International or First-
Class Package International Service single-piece price.
f. Drop Shipment of Meter Mail. A mailer who wants to enter meter IPA
mail at a Post Office facility 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 705).
292.333 Precanceled Stamps
Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following
standards:
a. Piece Price. The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every
piece in the mailing.
Contents
Country Index
292.334 International Mail Manual
108 July 14, 2024
b. Pound Price. Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by
advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the
accompanying postage statement.
c. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the
words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
d. Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in
292.333c 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 appear either above the name of the addressee and to
the left or below the postage, or adjacent to the precanceled stamp.
The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The is not
considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or
advertisement.
e. Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement
are subject to the applicable First-Class Mail International or First-
Class Package International Service single-piece price.
292.334 Permit Imprint
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical-weight
pieces. Any of the permit imprint formats shown in
Exhibit 152.64 is
acceptable but must include the “INTL PRIORITY AIRMAIL” rate marking.
Postage is calculated as described in
292.32 and is deducted from the
mailer’s advance deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote bulk
mail, nonprofit, or other domestic or special mail. Mailers may use permit
imprint with nonidentical-weight pieces only if authorized to use postage
mailing systems under DMM 705.
292.4 Mail Preparation
292.41 Addressing and Return Address
IPA mailpieces are subject to the addressing requirements contained in 122,
including the requirement of a U.S.-origin return address as defined in 122.2.
a. Exception — Canada: IPA items destined for Canada must have the
applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address.
See
122.1j for the address formatting requirements that generally apply
to mailpieces sent to Canada.
b. Exception — Direct Country Containers: IPA letter-size and flat-size
pieces not requiring a customs form prepared in direct country
containers (see
292.46 and 292.48) are not subject to the interline
addressing requirement that is specified in 122.1d. At the sender’s risk,
the English translation of the destination post office or city name may
be omitted from an address that is printed in Russian, Greek, Arabic,
Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters. An English
translation of the country name (for example, Japan) is still required on
the individual mailpieces.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.44
July 14, 2024 109
292.42 Marking
292.421 Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mailpieces
The sender should mark “PAR AVION” or “AIR MAIL” on the address side of
each piece. Alternatively, the user may use a bordered airmail envelope that
contains an “AIR MAIL” endorsement.
292.422 Packages (Small Packets)
Items that might be mistaken for another class of mail because of their size,
weight, or appearance should be marked “LETTER-POST” on the address
side.
292.43 Sealing and Packaging
292.431 Mixed Country and Worldwide Nonpresort Price
All IPA mailpieces entered at the mixed country and worldwide nonpresort
price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4, and for First-Class
Package International Service under IMM 254.3 and 254.4.
292.432 Direct Country Price
Mailers must meet the following sealing and packaging standards for IPA
mail entered at the direct country price:
a. Letters. Letter-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must
meet one of the following requirements:
(1) The sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4.
(2) The physical standards of a machinable letter under DMM 201.3.
b. Flats. Flat-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must
meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4.
c. Small Packets. Package-size mailpieces (small packets) entered at the
direct country price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for
First-Class Package International Service under IMM
254.3 and 254.4.
292.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles
The following standards apply:
a. Thickness. Bundles of letter-size mail should be no thicker than
approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick). Bundles of flat-
size mail may be thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh more than
11 pounds.
b. Securing Bundles. Each bundle must be securely tied to withstand
normal transit. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the
girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of letter-size mail.
Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the
preferred method of securing bundles of flat-size mail.
c. Separation of Bundles. Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled
separately.
d. Facing of Pieces. All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same
direction.
Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.
Contents
Country Index
292.45 International Mail Manual
110 July 14, 2024
292.45 IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
See Exhibit 292.45a for the IPA foreign office of exchange code and price
group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada,
see
Exhibit 292.45b.
Exhibit 292.45a (p. 1)
IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Afghanistan KBL 4
Albania TIA 3
Algeria ALG 5
Andorra, via Spain MAD 3
Angola LAD 5
Anguilla AXA 6
Antigua and Barbuda ANU 6
Argentina BUE 11
Armenia EVN 3
Aruba AUA 6
Ascension, via United Kingdom LAL 5
Australia
1
SYD 12
Austria VIE 9
Azerbaijan BAK 3
Bahamas NAS 6
Bahrain BAH 4
Bangladesh DAC 4
Barbados BGI 6
Belarus MSQ 3
Belgium BRU 9
Belize BZE 6
Benin COO 5
Bermuda SGE 6
Bhutan, via United Kingdom LAL 4
Bolivia LPB 6
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba BON 6
Bosnia-Herzegovina SJJ 3
Botswana GBE 5
Brazil Letter-size: SAO
Flat-size: SAO
Package-size: CWB
13
British Virgin Islands RAD 6
Brunei Darussalam BWN 4
Bulgaria SOF 3
Burkina Faso OUA 5
Burma (Myanmar) RGN 4
Burundi BJM 5
Cambodia PNH 4
Cameroon DLA 5
Canada See Canadian
Labeling Information
in
Exhibit 292.45b
1
Cape Verde RAI 5
Cayman Islands GCM 6
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.45
July 14, 2024 111
Central African Republic BGF 5
Chad NDJ 5
Chile SCL 11
China BJS 14
Colombia BOG 6
Comoros Islands, via France CDG 5
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the FIH 5
Congo, Rep. of the BZV 5
Cook Islands RAR 12
Costa Rica SJO 6
Cote d’Ivoire ABJ 5
Croatia ZAG 8
Curacao CUR 6
Cyprus LCA 4
Czech Republic PRG 7
Denmark CPH 9
Djibouti JIB 5
Dominica DOM 6
Dominican Republic SDQ 6
Ecuador UIO 6
Egypt CAI 5
El Salvador SAL 6
Equatorial Guinea SSG 5
Eritrea ASM 5
Estonia TLL 9
Eswatini MTS 5
Ethiopia ADD 5
Falkland Islands, via United Kingdom LAL 6
Faroe Islands, via Denmark CPH 9
Fiji NAN 4
Finland HEL 9
France (including Corsica and Monaco) ROI 15
French Guiana CAY 15
French Polynesia FAA 4
Gabon LBV 5
Gambia BJL 5
Georgia, Republic of TBS 3
Germany FRA 16
Ghana ACC 5
Gibraltar GIB 7
Greece ATH 8
Greenland, via Denmark CPH 9
Grenada GND 6
Guadeloupe PTP 15
Guatemala GUA 6
Guinea CKY 5
Guinea-Bissau OXB 5
Guyana GEO 6
Haiti PAP 6
Exhibit 292.45a (p. 2)
IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
292.45 International Mail Manual
112 July 14, 2024
Honduras SAP 6
Hong Kong HKG 18
Hungary BUD 7
Iceland REK 7
India DEL 10
Indonesia JKT 4
Iraq BGW 4
Ireland DUB 9
Israel TLV 8
Italy Letter-size: LIN
Flat-size: LIN
Package-size: MXP
9
Jamaica KIN 6
Japan KWS 17
Jordan AMM 4
Kazakhstan ALA 4
Kenya NBO 5
Kiribati TRW 4
Korea, Republic of (South) SEL 18
Kosovo, Republic of PRN 3
Kuwait KWI 4
Kyrgyzstan FRU 4
Laos VTE 4
Latvia RIX 3
Lebanon BEY 4
Lesotho MSU 5
Liberia MLW 5
Libya TIP 5
Liechtenstein, via Switzerland ZRH 7
Lithuania VNO 7
Luxembourg LUX 8
Macao MFM 4
Madagascar TNR 5
Malawi LLW 5
Malaysia KUL 10
Maldives MLE 4
Mali BKO 5
Malta MAR 3
Martinique FDF 15
Mauritania NKC 5
Mauritius PLU 5
Mexico MEX 2
Moldova KIV 3
Mongolia ULN 4
Montenegro TGD 3
Montserrat MNI 6
Morocco CAS 5
Mozambique MPM 5
Namibia WDH 5
Nauru INU 4
Exhibit 292.45a (p. 3)
IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.45
July 14, 2024 113
Nepal KTM 4
Netherlands HAG 9
New Caledonia NOU 4
New Zealand
2
AKL 12
Nicaragua MGA 6
Niger NIM 5
Nigeria LOS 5
North Macedonia, Republic of SKP 3
Norway OSL 9
Oman MCT 4
Pakistan ISB 4
Panama PTY 6
Papua New Guinea BOR 4
Paraguay ASU 6
Peru LIM 6
Philippines MNL 4
Pitcairn Island, via New Zealand AKL 4
Poland WAW 7
Portugal (includes Azores and Madeira Islands) LIS 7
Qatar DOH 4
Reunion RUN 15
Romania BUH 3
Russia MOW 19
Rwanda KGL 5
Saint Helena, via United Kingdom LAL 5
Saint Kitts and Nevis SKB 6
Saint Lucia SLU 6
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, via Canada See Canadian
Labeling Information
in
Exhibit 292.45b
3
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines KTN 6
Samoa APW 4
San Marino, via Italy MIL 8
Sao Tome and Principe, via Portugal LIS 5
Saudi Arabia DMM 4
Senegal DKR 5
Serbia, Republic of BEG 3
Seychelles SEZ 5
Sierra Leone FNA 5
Singapore SIN 10
Sint Maarten SXM 6
Slovak Republic (Slovakia) BTS 3
Slovenia LJU 8
Solomon Islands HIR 4
South Africa JNB 5
South Sudan, Republic of JUB 5
Spain (includes Canary Islands) MAD 8
Sri Lanka CMB 4
Sudan KRT 5
Suriname PBM 6
Exhibit 292.45a (p. 4)
IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
292.45 International Mail Manual
114 July 14, 2024
Sweden STO 8
Switzerland ZRH 9
Taiwan TPE 10
Tajikistan DYU 4
Tanzania DAR 5
Thailand BKK 10
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of DIL 4
Togo LFW 5
Tonga TBU 4
Trinidad and Tobago POS 6
Tristan da Cunha, via South Africa JNB 5
Tunisia TUN 5
Turkiye, Republic of IST 3
Turkmenistan ASB 4
Turks and Caicos Islands GDT 6
Tuvalu, via Fiji NAN 4
Uganda KLA 5
Ukraine IEV 3
United Arab Emirates DXB 10
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland (includes England, Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney,
Sark, and The Isle of Man)
LAL 20
Uruguay MVD 6
Uzbekistan TAS 4
Vanuatu VLI 4
Vatican City VAT 9
Venezuela MAI 11
Vietnam SGN 4
Wallis and Futuna Islands, via New Caledonia NOU 4
Yemen SAH 4
Zambia LUN 5
Zimbabwe HRE 5
1 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 prepared in direct country
containers tagged to Sydney. Both the three-letter exchange office code (“SYD”)
and the country name (“Australia”) should be entered in the “To” block of PS Tag
115, International Priority Airmail. Items addressed with postal codes beginning
with 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 should be sorted and prepared in direct country containers
tagged to Melbourne. Both the three-letter exchange office code (“MEL”) and the
country name (“Australia”) should be entered in the “To” block of PS Tag 115.
2 For all destinations to New Zealand other than Cook Islands. For Cook Islands,
see the entry for Cook Islands in this exhibit.
Exhibit 292.45a (p. 5)
IPA Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
Exhibit 292.45b
Canadian Mail Container Labeling Information (Full-service Only)
3-Digit ZIP Code of
Entry Post Office* Canadian Destination
U.S.
Exchange
Office Code
U.S.
Exchange
Office (or ISC)
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268,
27
0–297, 400–418, 420–427,
470–471, 476–477
MONTREAL QC FWD 003 JFK YMQ
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344,
34
6–347, 349–352, 354–399, 723
MONTREAL QC FWD 33112 MIA YMQ
430–469, 472–475, 478–516,
52
0–528, 530–532, 534–535,
537–551, 553–567, 570–577,
580–588, 600–620, 622–631,
633–641, 644–658, 660–662,
664–681, 683–693, 700–701,
703–708, 710–714, 716–722,
724–731, 733–741, 743–816,
822–831, 840–847, 870–875,
877–885, 893, 897–898
TORONTO ON FWD 60290 ORD For IPA letter-size:
TOR.
For IPA flat-size: YTO.
For IPA package-size:
YTO.
590–599, 820–821, 832–838,
850–853, 855–857, 859–860,
86
3–865, 889–891, 894–895,
900–908, 910–928, 930–961,
970–986, 988–999
VANCOUVER BC FWD 90899 LAX YVR
967–969 VANCOUVER BC FWD 96820 HNL YVR
* The “ZIP Code of Entry Post Office” column is relevant only for a mailing claimed at the full-service price (i.e., not drop
shipped at an ISC) to determine its Canadian destination and U.S. exchange office code container information.
Conditions for Mailing 292.462
July 14, 2024 115
292.46 Presort Mailings: Direct Country — Price Groups 1, 2, and 7–20
292.461 General
Price groups 1, 2, and 7–20 may be prepared in direct country containers
(full-service price and ISC drop shipment price). Each direct country
container must contain at least 2 pounds of mail. The mailer must separately
containerize items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs
forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items in
separate containers as defined in
292.462a and 292.462b. Smaller quantities
qualify only for a mixed country price (price groups 7–11 only) under
292.47,
or for the worldwide nonpresort price under
292.49. The maximum container
weight is 66 pounds.
292.462 Preparation
The mailer must prepare direct country containers of presorted IPA mail (full-
service price and ISC drop shipment price) as follows:
a. Letter-Size and
Flat-Size Mail. For each direct country container of
letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either
1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in
flat-size trays/tubs. Do not prepare the content of trays in
bundles. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same
direction. Ensure that all trays are full enough to keep the mail
from mixing during transportation. Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all
letter-size and flat-size trays and secure them with strapping.
Contents
Country Index
292.462 International Mail Manual
116 July 14, 2024
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate
if the container contains items with or without customs forms,
identify the destination country, and enter the date of mailing, the
10-digit permit number, the foreign office of exchange code as
listed in
Exhibit 292.45a or Exhibit 292.45b, and the price group
as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a
barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product
co
de, the service type code, the container type code, the mail
contents shape type code, the foreign office of exchange code,
and the serial number of the container. (To request technical
specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-
[email protected].) Finally, tape PS Tag 115 to the tray cover.
b. Packages.
For each direct country container of package-size items, the
mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them
loose in sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate
if the container contains items with or without customs forms,
identify the destination country, and enter the date of mailing, the
10-digit permit number, the foreign office of exchange code as
listed in
Exhibit 292.45a or Exhibit 292.45b, and the price group
as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a
barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product
co
de, the service type code, the container type code, the shape
type code, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial
number of the container. (To request technical specifications for
the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusines[email protected]).
Finally, attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
(3) Dir
ect Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop
shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop
shipment location under
292.532 is not required to prepare
container labels. A mailer who claims
the full-service price must
complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the
applicable container label holder) as follows (see
Exhibit 292.462
for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents — DRX COUNTRY.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
IPA — DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE ALBANY NY
Example:
Contents
Country Index
Exhibit 292.462
Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only)
IPA Acceptance Office
3-Digit ZIP Code
U.S. Exchange Office and
Routing Code for Line 1
005, 010–089, 100–212, 21
4–268, 270–297,
400–418, 420–427, 470–477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347,
349–352, 354–399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
424, 430–469, 478–516, 520–528, 530–532,
534–535, 537–551, 553–567, 570–577,
580–588, 600–620, 622–631, 633–641,
644–658, 660–662, 664–681, 683–693,
700–701, 703–708, 710–714, 716–731,
733–741, 743–799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
590–599, 800–816, 820–838, 840–847,
850–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865,
870–875, 877–884, 889–891, 893–895,
897–898, 900–908, 910–928, 930–961,
970–986, 988–999
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
967–969 P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
Conditions for Mailing 292.472
July 14, 2024 117
292.47 Presort Mailings: Mixed Country — Price Groups 7–11
292.471 General
The mailer may prepare price groups 7–11 in mixed country containers
(ISC drop shipment price) only
after all possible direct country containers
have been prepared. Each mixed country price group must contain at least
5 pounds of mail that is destined within the same
price group. The mailer
must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not
bearing customs forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-
size items in separate containers as defined in
292.472a and 292.472b.
Smaller quantities qualify only for the worldwide nonpresort price under
292.49. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds.
292.472 Preparation
The mailer must prepare mixed country containers of presorted IPA mail
(ISC drop shipment price) as follows:
a. Letter-Size and
Flat-Size Mail. For each mixed country container of
letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either
1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in
flat-size trays/tubs. Bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as
defined in
292.44, and bundle each country separately. Face all
letter-size items and flat-size items
in the same direction and
apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as defined in
292.473.
Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all letter-size trays and flat-size trays/
tu
bs and secure them with strapping.
Contents
Country Index
292.473 International Mail Manual
118 July 14, 2024
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit
permit number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a
followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, tape
PS Tag 115 to the tray cover.
b. Packages.
For each mixed country container of package-size items,
the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them
loose in sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit
permit number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a
followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, attach
PS Ta
g 115 to the neck of the sack.
292.473 Direct Country Bundle Label for Mixed Country Containers
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed
country containers require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the
label and place it on the address side of the top item of each bundle in such
a manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-
sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort
mail are prohibited for IPA service. Bundle labels must contain the following
information:
Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See
Exhibit 292.45a or Exhibit
292.45b.)
Line 2: Country Labeling Name.
(See Exhibit 292.45a.)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loc
ation (City and State).
VIE
AUSTRIA
ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC
Example:
292.48 Presort Mailings — Price Groups 3–6
292.481 General
Mailers must prepare price groups 3–6 in direct country containers (full-
service price and ISC drop shipment price) or mixed country containers
(ISC drop shipment price). Each direct country container must contain at
least
2 pounds of mail. Each mixed country price group must contain a
minimum of 5 pounds when prepared under
292.47, or a minimum of
5 pounds for each sack wh
en sorted under 293.483. Smaller quantities
qualify only for the worldwide no
npresort price under 292.49. The mailer
must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not
be
aring customs forms. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.483
July 14, 2024 119
292.482 Preparation
The mailer has two options to prepare direct country or mixed country
containers of presorted IPA mail, as follows:
a. Prepare mail as described in 292.46 and 292.47, including using letter-
size trays for letter-size items, flat-size trays/tubs for flat-size items,
and sacks for package-size items.
b. Prepare mail in sacks for letter-size and flat-size mail as defined in
292.483 and 292.484.
292.483 Direct Country and Mixed Country — Optional Sack Preparation
The mailer may optionally prepare direct country sacks or mixed country
sacks of presorted IPA letter-size and flat-size mail when sacks are used for
the following processing categories:
a. Full-Service and ISC Drop Shipment — Direct country sacks.
(1) Preparation. Mail (letter-size and flat-size) that is addressed to an
individual country and that contains 2 pounds or more must be
sorted into direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up
into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered as mixed
country sacks or as worldwide nonpresort sacks. The mailer
must bundle letter-size and flat-size items as defined in
292.44.
The mailer must bundle letter-size items and flat-size items
separately, although nonidentical items may be commingled
within each of these categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-
size items in the same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to
the top item as defined in
292.484. Note: Package-size items
must not be commingled with letter-size and flat-size items and
must be prepared in separate sacks.
(2) Container Tags. The mailer must complete the front side of
PS
Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail
to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must check the
appropriate box to indicate if the sack contains items with or
without customs forms, identify the destination country, and
enter the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, the foreign
office of exchange code as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a and Exhibit
292.45b, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 292.45a. The
mailer must apply a barcode to the front side of the tag that
indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the
service type code, the container type, the shape type, the foreign
office of exchange code, and the serial number of the sack.
(To
request technical specifications for the barcode, send an
e-mail to [email protected]). Finally, the mailer
must attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
(3) Direct Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop
shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop
shipment location under
292.532 is not required to prepare
container labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price must
complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the
Contents
Country Index
292.483 International Mail Manual
120 July 14, 2024
applicable container label h
older) as follows (see Exhibit 292.483
for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents — DRX COUNTRY.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
IPA — DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE ALBANY NY
Example:
Exhibit 292.483
Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only)
IPA Acceptance Office
3-Digit ZIP Code
U.S. Exchange Office and
Routing Code for Line 1
005, 010–089, 100–212, 21
4–268, 270–297,
400–418, 420–427, 470–477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347,
3
49–352, 354–399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
424, 430–469, 478–516, 52
0–528, 530–532,
534–535, 537–551, 553–567, 570-577, 580–588,
600–620, 622–631, 633–641, 644–658, 660–662,
664–681, 683–693, 700–701, 703–708, 710–714,
716–731, 733–741, 743–799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
590–599, 800–816, 820–8
38, 840–847, 850–853,
855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 870–875, 877–884,
889–891, 893–895, 897–898, 900–908, 910–928,
930–961, 970–986, 988–999
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
967–969 P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
b. ISC Drop Shipment — Mixed country sacks.
(1) Pr
eparation. Mixed country sacks can be prepared only after all
possible direct country sacks have been prepared. The mailer
must prepare mixed country sacks for items that contain
5 pounds or more and that are destined within the same price
gr
oup. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country
sacks or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at
the worldwide nonpresort price. The mailer must bundle letter-
size and flat-size items as defined in
292.44. The mailer must
bundle letter-size and flat-size items separately, although
n
onidentical items may be commingled within each of these
categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the
same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as
defined in
292.484. Note: When using this option, the mailer may
not place package-size items in the sacks.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 292.49
July 14, 2024 121
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. The mailer must complete the front side of
PS Tag 115, In
ternational Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail
to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag, the
mailer must identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit
number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 292.45a followed
by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “15–Mixed”). Finally, the mailer must
at
tach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
292.484 Presorted Mail — Direct Country Bundle Label
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed
country sacks require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the label
and place it on the address side of the top item of each bundle in such a
manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-
sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort
mail are prohibited for IPA service. Bundle labels must contain the following
information:
Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See Exhibit 292.45
a and Exhibit
292.45b.)
Line 2: Country Labeling Name.
(See Exhibit 292.45a.)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loc
ation (City and State).
VIE
AUSTRIA
ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC
Example:
292.49 Worldwide Nonpresort Preparation
The following standards apply when the mailer prepares worldwide
nonpresort IPA mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price):
a. Ge
neral. A mailer claiming any mail at the direct country or mixed
country price cannot enclose the mail in worldwide nonpresort sacks.
The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size mail. Letter-size
bundles and flat-size bundles can be commingled in the same sack.
Labels (facing slips) are not required on any bundles. Package-size
items must not be commingled with letter-size and flat-size items and
must be prepared in separate sacks. Containers other than sacks are
not authorized unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance
office — for example, the mailer may present nonpresorted letter-size
mail in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum
weight of any container is 66 pounds.
b. Worldw
ide Nonpresort Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC
drop shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop
shipment location under
292.532 is not required to prepare container
labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price
must complete 2-inch
container labels (and insert them into the applicable container label
holder) as follows (see
Exhibit 292.483 for the list of U.S. Exchange
Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents WKG.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
Contents
Country Index
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
IPA — WKG
ABC COMPANY MIAMI FL
292.5 International Mail Manual
122 July 14, 2024
Example:
292.5 Mail Entry and Deposit
292.51 Separation by Price Group
The mailer must physically separate the containers by price group at the time
of mailing as indicated on the container tag.
292.52 Full Service
Mailings must be deposited at a Post Office facility where bulk mail is
accepted and where the mailer holds an advance deposit account or
postage meter license.
292.53 Drop Shipment
292.531 General
To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one
of the locations in
292.532. 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 facility. As an alternative, mailers who
are participating in the plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) program may
have the mail verified, accepted, and paid for at the mailer’s plant or at the
origin Post Office facility serving the mailer’s plant if authorized under
DMM 705. PVDS mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop
sh
ipment location, and the mail must be accompanied by PS Form 8125,
Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance.
292.532 Drop Shipment Locations
Drop shipments are available through the offices noted in Exhibit 292.532.
Note: C
alifornia, Illinois, and New York locations accept both “cleared”
mail (mail that has been previously presented and paid for at a BMEU)
and “uncleared” mail (mail that has not been previously presented and
paid for at a BMEU). For Florida locations, refer to footnotes 1 and 2 for
special requirements
.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.11
July 14, 2024 123
Exhibit 292.532
IPA Drop Shipment Locations
State Facility
California
LOS ANGELES CA ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
5555 BANDINI BLVD
BELL GARDENS CA 90201-6428
SAN FRANCISCO PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
1300 EVANS AVE
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94188-9151
Florida
MIAMI ISC
1
1. This facility accepts cleared IPA mail only.
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997
MIAMI PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR
2
2. This facility accepts cleared and uncleared IPA mail.
For drop shipment locations of ISAL mail, refer to
293.532.
US POSTAL SERVICE
2200 NW 72ND AVE
MIAMI FL 33152-9997
Illinois
JT WEEKER ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
11600 W IRVING PARK RD
CHICAGO IL 60666-9998
New York
JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT MAIL CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
JOHN F KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BLDG 250
JAMAICA NY 11430-9998
293
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service
293.1 Description
293.11 General
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-bags, is a
commercial service designed for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail
International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume
mailings of First-Class Package International Service packages (small
packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in accordance with the
requirements of this subchapter and with the content-based and shape-
based requirements of the applicable service — see
240 for First-Class Mail
International items, and see
250 for First-Class Package International Service
items. ISAL shipments are typically f
lown to the foreign destinations
(exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that
country’s surface nonpriority mail system for delivery. Separate prices are
provided for international service center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted
mail, and nonpresort mail. Volume incentives are available through
customized agreements.
Contents
Country Index
293.12 International Mail Manual
124 July 14, 2024
293.12 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
With the exception of M-bags (see 261.23), ISAL mailpieces are sealed
against inspection.
293.13 ISAL M-bags
293.131 ISAL M-bags — General
ISAL M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be
entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing, are subject to the provisions
of
260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in
Exhibit 293.45a. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender
must complete PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, and PS Tag 158, M-bag
Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the sack.
293.132 ISAL M-bags — Customs Forms
ISAL M-bags always require a fully completed electronically generated
PS
Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically
transmit customs declaration information as required under
123.32 by using
USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved
software listed at
postalpro.usps.com/node/1850
. To request information
about either of these software solutions, send an e-mail to
globalbusiness-
.
293.2 Eligibility
293.21 Qualifying Mailpieces
To qualify for ISAL service, a mailpiece must meet the First-Class Mail
International characteristics as defined in
141.5 (except for weight —
see 293.24) or the First-Class Package International Service characteristics
as defined in 141.6 (except for weight — see 293.24). Mailpieces do not have
to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with ISAL service
must conform to the size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards,
letters, or large envelopes (flats) as described in
240, or for First-Class
Package International Service packages (small packets) as described in 250.
293.22 Availability
ISAL service is available only to the foreign countries that are listed in Exhibit
293.45a, which shows the foreign office of exchange code and the price
group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada,
see
Exhibit 293.45b.
293.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements
293.231 Minimum Quantity
All mailings must meet a minimum weight quantity of 50 pounds. To achieve
the 50-pound minimum, mailings may include a combination of presort mail,
worldwide nonpresort mail, or M-bags.
293.232 Presort Eligibility — Full Service
Only a direct country container with a minimum of 2 pounds qualifies for the
presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide
nonpresort price.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.31
July 14, 2024 125
293.233 Presort Eligibility — ISC Drop Shipment
Eligibility for the presort price is as follows:
a. Direct country price. For price groups 1–20, a minimum of 2 pounds for
each container.
b. Mixed country price. For price groups 7–11, a minimum of 5 pounds for
each price group; for price groups 3–6, a minimum of 5 pounds for
each price group prepared under
293.482a, or a minimum of 5 pounds
for each sack prepared under 293.482b.
All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort
price.
293.24 Maximum Weight Limits
The maximum weight for an ISAL container is 66 pounds. The maximum
weight for an individual ISAL item is as follows:
a. Letter-size item: 3.5 ounces.
b. Flat-size item: 17.6 ounces.
c. Package-size item: 4.4 pounds.
293.25 Dutiable Items
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this
subchapter for First-Class Package International Service only. Priority Mail
International items may not be mailed with ISAL service.
293.26 Customs Forms Requirements
For items requiring PS Form 2976, mailers must electronically transmit
customs declaration information as required under
123.32 by using USPS-
produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software
liste
d at postalpro.usps.com/node/1850.
To request information about either
of these software solutions, send an e-mail to
globalbusiness-
.
293.27 Extra Services
Extra services are not available for items sent with ISAL service.
293.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
293.31 Prices
ISAL service has two price options: a presort price with 20 price groups, and
a worldwide nonpresort price. Both options offer full-service prices for mail
deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in
293.532,
and drop shipment prices for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment
offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in
Notice 123,
Price List. The per-piece price applies to each piece regardless of its weight.
The per-pound price applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare
weight of container) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a
pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
Contents
Country Index
293.32 International Mail Manual
126 July 14, 2024
293.32 Computation of Postage
Postage is computed on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International
Mail.
293.321 Computing Worldwide Nonpresort Prices
Compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price as follows:
1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-
piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the
applicable per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
293.322 Computing Presort Prices
Compute postage at the presorted price as follows:
1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a
specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the
corresponding per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
293.33 Postage Payment Methods
293.331 General
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled
stamps (see DMM 604).
293.332 Postage Meter
Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:
a. Piece Price. The applicable per-piece postage shown in Notice 123,
Price List, must be affixed to each mailpiece when paying with a meter.
A mailer who has an ICM agreement must affix the applicable per-
piece postage as set forth in the ICM agreement.
b. Pound Price. Postage for the pound price 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.
c. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the
words “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or ”ISAL.”
d. Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in
292.332c 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 appear either above the name of the addressee and to
the left or below the postage, or 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
appear 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.
e. Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement
are subject to the applicable First-Class Mail International or First-
Class Package International Service single-piece price.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.41
July 14, 2024 127
f. Drop Shipment of Meter Mail. A mailer who wants to enter meter ISAL
mail at a Post Office facility 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 705).
293.333 Precanceled Stamps
Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following
standards:
a. Piece Price. The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every
piece in the mailing.
b. Pound Price. Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by
advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the
accompanying postage statement.
c. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the
words “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or ”ISAL.”
d. Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in
293.333c 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 appear either above the name of the addressee and to
the left or below the postage, or adjacent to the precanceled stamp.
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.
e. Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement
are subject to the applicable First-Class Mail International or First-
Class Package International Service single-piece price.
293.334 Permit Imprint
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical-weight
pieces. Any of the permit imprint formats shown in
152.64 is acceptable but
must include the “INTL SURFACE AIR LIFT” rate marking. Postage is
calculated as described in
293.32 and is deducted from the mailer’s advance
deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote bulk mail, nonprofit, or
other domestic or special mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with
nonidentical-weight pieces only if authorized to use postage mailing systems
under DMM 705.
293.4 Mail Preparation
293.41 Addressing and Return Address
ISAL mailpieces are subject to the addressing requirements contained in
122, including the requirement of a U.S.-origin return address as defined in
122.2.
a. Exception — Canada: ISAL items destined for Canada must have the
applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address.
See
122.1j for the address formatting requirements that generally apply
to mailpieces sent to Canada.
Contents
Country Index
293.42 International Mail Manual
128 July 14, 2024
b. Exception — Direct Country Containers: ISAL letter-size and flat-size
pieces not requiring a customs form prepared in direct country
containers (see
293.46 and 293.48) are not subject to the interline
addressing requirement that is specified in 122.1d. At the sender’s risk,
the English translation of the destination post office or city name may
be omitted from an address that is printed in Russian, Greek, Arabic,
Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters. An English
translation of the country name (for example, Japan) is still required on
the individual mailpieces.
293.42 Marking
293.421 Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mailpieces
The sender should mark “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL”
on the address side of each piece. Use of bordered airmail envelopes is
prohibited.
293.422 Packages (Small Packets)
Items that might be mistaken for another class of mail because of their size,
weight, or appearance should be marked “LETTER-POST” on the address
side.
293.43 Sealing and Packaging
293.431 Mixed Country and Worldwide Nonpresort Price
All ISAL mailpieces entered at the mixed country and worldwide nonpresort
price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4, and for First-Class
Package International Service under IMM 254.3 and 254.4.
293.432 Direct Country Price
Mailers must meet the following sealing and packaging standards for ISAL
mail entered at the direct country price:
a. Letters. Letter-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must
meet one of the following requirements:
(1) The sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4.
(2) The physical standards of a machinable letter under DMM 201.3.
b. Flats. Flat-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must
meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail
International service under IMM
244.3 and 244.4.
c. Small Packets. Package-size mailpieces (small packets) entered at the
direct country price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for
First-Class Package International Service under IMM
254.3 and 254.4.
293.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles
The following standards apply:
a. Thickness. Bundles of letter-size mail should be no thicker than
approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick). Bundles of flat-
size mail may be thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh more than
11 pounds.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.45
July 14, 2024 129
b. Securing Bundles. Each bundle must be securely tied to withstand
normal transit. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the
girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of letter-size mail.
Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the
preferred method of securing bundles of flat-size mail.
c. Separation of Bundles. Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled
separately.
d. Facing of Pieces. All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same
direction.
Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.
293.45 ISAL Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
See Exhibit 293.45a for the ISAL foreign office of exchange code and price
group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada,
see
Exhibit 293.45b.
Exhibit 293.45a (p. 1)
ISAL Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Albania TIA 3
Algeria ALG 5
Angola LAD 5
Argentina BUE 11
Aruba AUA 6
Australia SYD 12
Austria VIE 9
Bahrain BAH 4
Bangladesh DAC 4
Belgium BRU 9
Belize BZE 6
Benin COO 5
Bolivia LPB 6
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba BON 6
Brazil Letter-size: SAO
Flat-size: SAO
Package-size: CWB
13
Bulgaria SOF 3
Burkina Faso OUA 5
Cameroon DLA 5
Canada See Canadian
Labeling Information
in Exhibit 293.45b.
1
Central African Republic BGF 5
Chile SCL 11
China BJS 14
Colombia BOG 6
Congo, Democratic Republic of the FIH 5
Cook Islands RAR 12
Costa Rica SJO 6
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) ABJ 5
Curacao CUR 6
Contents
Country Index
293.45 International Mail Manual
130 July 14, 2024
Czech Republic PRG 7
Denmark CPH 9
Dominican Republic SDQ 6
Ecuador GYE 6
Egypt CAI 5
El Salvador SAL 6
Ethiopia ADD 5
Fiji NAN 4
Finland HEL 9
France (including Corsica and Monaco) ROI 15
French Guiana CAY 15
Gabon LBV 5
Germany NIA 16
Ghana ACC 5
Greece ATH 8
Guatemala GUA 6
Guyana GEO 6
Haiti PAP 6
Honduras SAP 6
Hong Kong HKG 18
Hungary BUD 7
Iceland REK 7
India BOM 10
Indonesia JKT 4
Ireland AHE 9
Israel TLV 8
Italy Letter-size: LIN
Flat-size: LIN
Package-size: MXP
9
Jamaica KIN 6
Japan KWS 17
Jordan AMM 4
Kenya NBO 5
Korea, Republic of (South) SEL 18
Kuwait KWI 4
Lebanon BEY 4
Liechtenstein ZRH 7
Luxembourg LUX 8
Madagascar TNR 5
Malaysia KUL 10
Mali BKO 5
Mauritania NKC 5
Mauritius MRU 5
Mexico MEX 2
Morocco CAS 5
Mozambique MPM 5
Netherlands HAG 9
New Zealand *
AKL
12
Nicaragua MGA 6
Exhibit 293.45a (p. 2)
ISAL Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.45
July 14, 2024 131
Niger NIM 5
Nigeria LOS 5
Norway OSL 9
Oman MCT 4
Pakistan KHI 4
Panama PTY 6
Papua New Guinea BOR 4
Paraguay ASU 6
Peru LIM 6
Philippines MNL 4
Poland WAW 7
Portugal LIS 7
Qatar DOH 4
Reunion RUN 15
Romania BUH 3
Russia MOW 19
Saudi Arabia DMM 4
Senegal DKR 5
Singapore SIN 10
Sint Maarten SXM 6
Slovak Republic (Slovakia) BTS 3
South Africa JNB 5
Spain (includes Canary Islands) MAD 8
Sri Lanka CMB 4
Suriname PBM 6
Sweden STO 8
Switzerland ZRH 9
Taiwan TPE 10
Tanzania DAR 5
Thailand BKK 10
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of DIL 4
Togo LFW 5
Trinidad and Tobago POS 6
Tunisia TUN 5
Turkiye, Republic of IST 3
Uganda KLA 5
United Arab Emirates DXB 10
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland (includes England, Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney,
Sark, and The Isle of Man)
LAL 20
Uruguay MVD 6
Venezuela MAI 11
Yemen SAH 4
Zambia NLA 5
Zimbabwe HRE 5
* For all destinations to New Zealand other than Cook Islands. For Cook Islands,
see the entry for Cook Islands in this exhibit.
Exhibit 293.45a (p. 3)
ISAL Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups
Country Labeling Name
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
Price
Group
Contents
Country Index
293.46 International Mail Manual
132 July 14, 2024
Exhibit 293.45b
Canadian Mail Container Labeling Information (Full-service Only)
3-Digit ZIP Code of
Entry Post Office* Canadian Destination
U.S.
Exchange
Office Code
U.S.
Exchange
Office (or
ISC)
Foreign Office of
Exchange Code
005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268,
27
0–297, 400–418, 420–427,
470–471, 476–477
MONTREAL QC FWD 003 JFK YMQ
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344,
346–347, 349–352, 354–399, 723
MONTREAL QC FWD 33112 MIA YMQ
430–469, 472–475, 478–516,
52
0–528, 530–532, 534–535,
537–551, 553–567, 570–577,
580–588, 600–620, 622–631,
633–641, 644–658, 660–662,
664–681, 683–693, 700–701,
703–708, 710–714, 716–722,
724–731, 733–741, 743–816,
822–831, 840–847, 870–875,
877–885, 893, 897–898
TORONTO ON FWD 60290 ORD For ISAL letter-size:
TOR.
For ISAL flat-size: YTO.
For ISAL package-size:
YTO.
590–599, 820–821, 832–838,
850–853, 855–857, 859–860,
86
3–865, 889–891, 894–895,
900–908, 910–928, 930–961,
970–986, 988–999
VANCOUVER BC FWD 90899 LAX YVR
967–969 VANCOUVER BC FWD 96820 HNL YVR
* The “ZIP Code of Entry Post Office” column is relevant only for a mailing claimed at the full-service price (i.e., not drop
shipped at an ISC) to determine its Canadian destination and U.S. exchange office code container information.
293.46 Presort Mailings: Direct Country — Price Groups 1, 2 and 7–20
293.461 General
Price groups 1, 2 and 7–20 may be prepared in direct country containers
(full-service price and ISC drop shipment price). Each direct country
container must contain at least 2 pounds of mail. The mailer must separately
containerize items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs
forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items in
separate containers as defined in
293.462a through 293.462c. Smaller
quantities qualify only for a mixed country price (price groups 7–11 only)
un
der
293.47, or for the worldwide nonpresort price under 293.49. The
maximum container weight is 66 pounds.
293.462 Preparation
The mailer must prepare direct country containers of presorted ISAL mail
(full-service price and ISC drop shipment price) as follows:
a. Letter-Size and
Flat-Size Mail. For each direct country container of
letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either
1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in
flat-size trays/tubs. Do not prepare the content of trays in
bundles. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.462
July 14, 2024 133
direction. Ensure that all trays are full enough to keep the mail
fro
m mixing during transportation. Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all
letter-size and flat-size trays and secure them with strapping.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155,
International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate
if the container contains items with or without customs forms,
identify the destination country, and enter the date of mailing, the
10-digit permit number, the foreign office of exchange code as
listed in
Exhibit 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b, and the price group
as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a
barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product
co
de, the service type code, the container type code, the mail
contents shape type code, the foreign office of exchange code,
and the serial number of the container. (To request technical
specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-
[email protected].) Finally, tape the PS Tag 155 to the tray cover.
b. Packages.
For each direct country container of package-size items, the
mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them
loose in sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155,
International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate
if the container contains items with or without customs forms,
identify the destination country, and enter the date of mailing, the
10-digit permit number, the foreign office of exchange code as
listed in
Exhibit 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b, and the price group
as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a
barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product
co
de, the service type code, the container type code, the shape
type code, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial
number of the container. (To request technical specifications for
the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusines[email protected].)
Finally, attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
c. D
irect Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop
shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop shipment
location under
293.532 is not required to prepare container labels. A
mailer who claims the full-service price
must complete 2-inch container
labels (and insert them into the applicable container label holder) as
follows (see
Exhibit 293.462 for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents — DRX COUNTRY.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
ISAL — DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE ALBANY NY
Example:
Contents
Country Index
Exhibit 293.462
Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only)
ISAL Acceptance Office
3-Digit ZIP Code
U.S. Exchange Office and
Routing Code for Line 1
005, 010–089, 100–212, 21
4–268, 270–297,
400–418, 420–427, 470–477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347,
349–352, 354–399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
424, 430–469, 478–516, 52
0–528, 530–532,
534–535, 537–551, 553–567, 570–577, 580–588,
600–620, 622–631, 633–641, 644–658, 660–662,
664–681, 683–693, 700–701, 703–708, 710–714,
716–731, 733–741, 743–799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
590–599, 800–816, 820–8
38, 840–847, 850–853,
855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 870–875, 877–884,
889–891, 893–895, 897–898, 900–908, 910–928,
930–961, 970–986, 988–999
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
967–969 P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
293.47 International Mail Manual
134 July 14, 2024
293.47 Presort Mailings: Mixed Country — Price Groups 7–11
293.471 General
The mailer may prepare price groups 7–11 in mixed country containers
(ISC drop shipment price) only
after all possible direct country containers
have been prepared. Each mixed country price group must contain at least
5 pounds of mail that is destined within the same
price group. The mailer
must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not
bearing customs forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-
size items in separate containers as defined in
293.472a and 293.472b.
Smaller quantities qualify only for the worldwide nonpresort price under
293.49. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds.
293.472 Preparation
The mailer must prepare mixed country containers of presorted ISAL mail
(ISC drop shipment price) as follows:
a. Letter-Size and
Flat-Size Mail. For each mixed country container of
letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either
1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in
flat-size trays/tubs. Bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as
defined in
293.44, and bundle each country separately. Face all
letter-size items and flat-size items
in the same direction and
apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as defined in
293.473.
Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all letter-size trays and flat-size trays/
tu
bs and secure them with strapping.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155,
International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit
permit number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a
followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, tape
PS Tag 155 to the tray cover.
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.482
July 14, 2024 135
b. Packages.
For each mixed country container of package-size items,
the mailer must do the following:
(1) Mail Pr
eparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them
loose in sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155,
International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it
receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit
permit number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a
followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, attach
PS Ta
g 155 to the neck of the sack.
293.473 Direct Country Bundle Label for Mixed Country Containers
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed
country containers require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the
label and place it on the address side of the top item of each bundle in such
a manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-
sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort
mail are prohibited for ISAL service. Bundle labels must contain the following
information:
Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See
Exhibit 293.45a or Exhibit
293.45b.)
Line 2: Country Labeling Name.
(See Exhibit 293.45a.)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loc
ation (City and State).
VIE
AUSTRIA
ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC
Example:
293.48 Presort Mailings — Price Groups 3–6
293.481 General
Mailers must prepare price groups 3–6 in direct country containers (full-
service price and ISC drop shipment price) or mixed country containers (ISC
drop shipment price). Each direct country container must contain at least
2 pounds of mail. Each mixed country p
rice group must contain a minimum
of 5 pounds when prepared under
293.47, or a minimum of 5 pounds for
each sack when sorted under
293.483. Smaller quantities qualify only for the
worldwide nonpresort price under
293.49. The mailer must separately
containerize items bearing customs forms fr
om items not bearing customs
forms. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds.
293.482 Preparation
The mailer has two options to prepare direct country or mixed country
containers of presorted ISAL mail, as follows:
a. Prepare mail as described in
293.46 and 293.47, including using letter-
size trays for letter-size items, flat-siz
e trays/tubs for flat-size items,
and sacks for package-size items.
b. Prepare mail in sacks for letter-size and flat-size mail as defined in
293.483 and 293.484.
Contents
Country Index
293.483 International Mail Manual
136 July 14, 2024
293.483 Direct Country and Mixed Country — Optional Sack Preparation
The mailer may optionally prepare direct country sacks or mixed country
sacks of presorted ISAL letter-size and flat-size mail when sacks are used for
the following processing categories:
a. Full-Service and
ISC Drop Shipment — Direct country sacks.
(1) Pr
eparation. Mail (letter-size and flat-size) that is addressed to an
individual country and that contains 2 pounds or more must be
sorted into direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up
into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered as mixed
country sacks or as worldwide nonpresort sacks. The mailer
must bundle letter-size and flat-size items as defined in
293.44.
The mailer must bundle letter-size items
and flat-size items
separately, although nonidentical items may be commingled
within each of these categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-
size items in the same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to
the top item as defined in
293.484. Note: Package-size items
must not be commingled with letter-size and flat-size items and
mu
st be prepared in separate sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. The mailer must complete the front side of
PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift,
which identifies the
mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must check
the appropriate box to indicate if the sack contains items with or
without customs forms, identify the destination country, and
enter the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, the foreign
office of exchange code as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a or Exhibit
293.45b, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a. To the
front side of the tag, the mailer must apply a barcode that
in
dicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the
service type code, the container type, the shape type, the foreign
office of exchange code, and the serial number of the sack.
(To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-
mail to [email protected].) Finally, the
mailer must
attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
(3) Dir
ect Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop
shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop
shipment location under
293.532 is not required to prepare
container labels. A mailer who claims
the full-service price must
complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the
applicable container label holder) as follows (see
Exhibit 293.483
for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents — DRX COUNTRY.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
ISAL — DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE ALBANY NY
Example:
Contents
Country Index
Exhibit 293.483
Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only)
ISAL Acceptance Office
3-Digit ZIP Code
U.S. Exchange Office and
Routing Code for Line 1
005, 010–089, 100–212, 21
4–268, 270–297,
400–418, 420–427, 470–477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347,
3
49–352, 354–399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
424, 430–469, 478–516, 52
0–528, 530–532,
534–535, 537–551, 553–567, 570–577, 580–588,
600–620, 622–631, 633–641, 644–658, 660–662,
664–681, 683–693, 700–701, 703–708, 710–714,
716–731, 733–741, 743–799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
590–599, 800–816, 820–8
38, 840–847, 850–853,
855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 870–875, 877–884,
889–891, 893–895, 897–898, 900–908, 910–928,
930–961, 970–986, 988–999
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
967–969 P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
Conditions for Mailing 293.483
July 14, 2024 137
b. ISC Drop Shipment — Mixed country sacks.
(1) Pr
eparation. Mixed country sacks can be prepared only after all
possible direct country sacks have been prepared. The mailer
must prepare mixed country sacks for items that contain
5 pounds or more and that are destined within the same price
gr
oup. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country
sacks or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at
the worldwide nonpresort price. The mailer must bundle letter-
size and flat-size items as defined in
293.44. The mailer must
bundle letter-size and flat-size items separately, although
n
onidentical items may be commingled within each of these
categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the
same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as
defined in
293.484. Note: When using this option, the mailer may
not place package-size items in the sacks.
(2) Co
ntainer Tags. The mailer must complete the front side of
PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift,
which identifies the
mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag,
the mailer must identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit
number, and the price group as listed in
Exhibit 293.45a followed
by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “15–Mixed”). Finally, the mailer must
at
tach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
Contents
Country Index
293.484 International Mail Manual
138 July 14, 2024
293.484 Direct Country Bundle Label
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed
country sacks require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the label
and place it on the address side of the top item of each bundle in such a
manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-
sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort
mail are prohibited for ISAL service. Bundle labels must contain the following
information:
Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See
Exhibit 293.45a or Exhibit
293.45b.)
Line 2: Country Labeling Name.
(See Exhibit 293.45a.)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loc
ation (City and State).
VIE
AUSTRIA
ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC
Example:
293.49 Worldwide Nonpresort Preparation
The following standards apply when the mailer prepares worldwide
nonpresort ISAL mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price):
a. Ge
neral. A mailer claiming any mail at the direct country or mixed
country price cannot enclose the mail in worldwide nonpresort sacks.
The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size mail. Letter-size
bundles and flat-size bundles can be commingled in the same sack.
Labels (facing slips) are not required on any bundles. Package-size
items must not be commingled with letter-size and flat-size items and
must be prepared in separate sacks. Containers other than sacks are
not authorized unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance
office — for example, the mailer may present nonpresorted letter-size
mail in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum
weight of any container is 66 pounds.
b. Worldw
ide Nonpresort Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC
drop shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop
shipment location under
293.532 is not required to prepare container
labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price
must complete 2-inch
container labels (and insert them into the applicable container label
holder) as follows (see
Exhibit 293.483 for the list of U.S. Exchange
Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code.
Line 2: Contents WKG.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Loca
tion (City and State).
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
ISAL — WKG
ABC COMPANY MIAMI FL
Example:
Contents
Country Index
Conditions for Mailing 293.532
July 14, 2024 139
293.5 Mail Entry and Deposit
293.51 Separation by Price Group
The mailer must physically separate the containers by price group at the time
of mailing as indicated on the container tag.
293.52 Full Service
Mailings must be deposited at a Post Office facility where bulk mail is
accepted and where the mailer holds an advance deposit account or
postage meter license.
293.53 Drop Shipment
293.531 General
To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one
of the locations in
293.532. 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 facility. As an alternative, mailers who
are participating in the plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) program may
have the mail verified, accepted, and paid for at the mailer’s plant or at the
origin Post Office facility serving the mailer’s plant if authorized under
DMM
705. PVDS mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop
shipment location, and the mail must be accompanied by PS Form 8125,
Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance.
293.532 Drop Shipment Locations
Drop shipments are available through the offices noted in Exhibit 293.532.
Note: California, Illinois, and New York locations accept both “cleared”
mail (mail that has been previously presented and paid for at a BMEU)
and “uncleared” mail (mail that has not been previously presented and
paid for at a BMEU). For Florida locations, refer to footnotes 1
and 2 for
special requirements.
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294 International Mail Manual
140 July 14, 2024
Exhibit 293.532
ISAL Drop Shipment Locations
State Facility
California
LOS ANGELES CA ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
5555 BANDINI BLVD
BELL GARDENS CA 90201-6428
SAN FRANCISCO PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
1300 EVANS AVE
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94188-9151
Florida
MIAMI ISC
1
1. This facility accepts cleared ISAL mail only.
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997
MIAMI PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR
2
2. This facility accepts cleared and uncleared ISAL mail.
For drop shipment locations of IPA mail, refer to 292.532.
US POSTAL SERVICE
2200 NW 72ND AVE
MIAMI FL 33152-9997
Illinois
JT WEEKER ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
11600 W IRVING PARK RD
CHICAGO IL 60666-9998
New York
JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT MAIL CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
JOHN F KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BLDG 250
JAMAICA NY 11430-9998
294
(Reserved)
295 (Reserved)
296 (Reserved)
297 Customized Agreements
297.1 Description
The Postal Service provides Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS)
customized agreements to Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail
International, and First-Class Package International Service customers
pursuant to the terms and conditions stipulated between the Postal Service
and a particular customer.
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Conditions for Mailing 297.3
July 14, 2024 141
297.2 Qualifying Mailers
To qualify for a GEPS contract, a mailer must be capable, on an annualized
basis, of paying at least $200,000 in international postage to the Postal
Service.
297.3 Criteria
Each GEPS customized agreement for international mailings must set forth
the following:
a. The type of mail to be tendered by the mailer.
b. The term of the agreement.
c. Weight and size limits.
d. Preparation requirements.
e. Makeup requirements.
f. The services to be provided by the Postal Service.
g. Minimum volume or postage commitment on the part of the mailer.
h. Postage and method of payment.
i. The location at which the mailer is required to tender its items to the
Postal Service.
j. Any other obligations of either party.
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297.3 International Mail Manual
142 July 14, 2024
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