International Mail

IMM REVISION

International Mail - International Customized Mail Service

Effective April 30, 2001, International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.2 is revised to change the qualifications for International Customized Mail (ICM) service.

This change will be incorporated into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the online version, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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2 Conditions for Mailing

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290 Commercial Services

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297 International Customized Mail

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297.2 Qualifying Mailers

[Revise 297.2 to read as follows:]

To qualify for ICM service, a mailer must tender all of its ICM mail to the Postal Service and must be capable, on an annualized basis, of either:

a. Tendering at least 1 million pounds of international letter-post mail (excluding Global Priority Mail) to the Postal Service, or paying at least $2 million in international letter-post postage to the Postal Service.

b. Tendering at least 600 pieces of international non- letter-post mail (including Global Priority Mail) to the Postal Service, or paying at least $12,000 in international non-letter-post postage to the Postal Service.

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Mailing to Belarus

Effective May 3, 2001, the individual country listing for Belarus in the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised to reflect a prohibition against mailing all types of animal products to Belarus.

We will incorporate these changes into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the online IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Country Conditions for Mailing - Belarus

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Prohibitions (130)

[Add the following entry to the list of prohibitions:]

The government of Belarus has instituted a temporary ban against the importation of all animal products that are for human or animal consumption. This includes meats, poultry, milk and dairy products, feeds, and other animal byproducts.

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Mailing to Brazil

Effective May 3, 2001, the individual country listing for Brazil in the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised to reflect a prohibition against mailing commercial shipments of all tobacco and smoking-related products to Brazil.

We will incorporate these changes into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the online IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Country Conditions for Mailing - Brazil

Prohibitions (130)

[Add the following entries to the list of prohibitions:]

ˇ Commercial shipments that contain cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, loose and packaged tobacco, pipes, and other smoking devices.

ˇ Commercial samples that promote tobacco products or smoking-related merchandise.

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Mailing to Croatia

Effective May 3, 2001, the individual country listing for Croatia in the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised to reflect a prohibition against mailing all meat, milk, and dairy products to Croatia.

We will incorporate these changes into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the online IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Country Conditions for Mailing - Croatia

Prohibitions (130)

[Add the following entry under the "Prohibitions" header:]

The Croatian government has instituted a temporary ban against the importation of all meat, milk, and dairy products derived from cows, goats, sheep, pigs, hogs, or other animal species that are susceptible to foot and mouth disease.

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

IMM AND PUBLICATION 51 REVISIONS

International Mail - Mailing Insured Parcels to India

Effective May 3, 2001, the individual country listing for India in the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised to reflect a lowering of the insurance indemnity limit for airmail and economy (surface) Parcel Post packages that are mailed to India.

We will incorporate these changes into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the next printed version of Publication 51, International Postal Rates and Fees. We will also incorporate the changes into the online versions of the IMM and Publication 51, both of which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Country Conditions for Mailing - India

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Special Services

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[Revise the insurance fee table to reflect a lowering of the maximum indemnity limit to $2265 as follows:]

Insurance (320)

Available for Parcel Post only (see 324.2 for required markings)

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Publication 51, International Postal Rates and Fees

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Country Listing

[Revise the "Parcel Post Insurance Indemnity Limit" column to $2265, for India, as follows:]

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

IMM AND PUBLICATION 51 REVISIONS

International Mail - Mailing to Macedonia (Republic of)

Effective May 3, 2001, the International Mail Manual (IMM) and Publication 51, International Postal Rates and Fees, are revised to reflect an increase in the maximum weight limits for Global Express Mail (EMS) items, airmail Parcel Post packages, and economy (surface) Parcel Post packages that are mailed to the Republic of Macedonia.

We will incorporate these changes into both the printed version of IMM Issue 25 and the next printed version of Publication 51, International Postal Rates and Fees. We will also incorporate the changes into the online versions of the IMM and Publication 51, both of which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Country Conditions for Mailing - Macedonia (Republic of)

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[Revise the last row of the Airmail Parcel Post Rates table as follows:]

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[Revise the last row of the Economy Mail Parcel Post Rates table as follows:]

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[Revise the last row of the Global Express Mail (EMS) table as follows:]

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Publication 51, International Postal Rates and Fees

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[Revise the "EMS Max. Weight Limit" column and the "Parcel Post Max. Weight Limit" column for Macedonia, Republic of, as follows:]

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- Marketing, International Business, 5-3-01

Philately

PICTORIAL CANCELLATION

Peanuts Station Pictorial Cancellation (for Second Day Events)

The first day of issue for the Peanuts stamp is May 17, 2001, in Santa Rosa, CA 95402. This stamp is being issued nationwide on May 18, 2001. The Peanuts pictorial cancellation art shown above was developed exclusively for use for Peanuts events starting on the second day of issue, May 18, 2001, and any events thereafter.

This authorized pictorial cancellation may not be altered in any way, except as instructed in the guidelines below. Your Post Office may not use any other reference to the Peanuts stamp or Peanuts characters.

Guidelines for Finalizing Peanuts Station Pictorial Cancellation Art

To finalize the Peanuts station pictorial cancellation art:

1. Insert the actual city and state of the physical location where your event is being held in place of "ANYTOWN USA."

2. Insert the actual date of the event in place of "MONTH, DAY, and YEAR." This date should be May 18, 2001, or a later date.

3. Insert the actual ZIP Code for "ZIP CODE."

Overall dimensions of the pictorial cancellation must not exceed 4 inches horizontally and 2 inches vertically.

Guidelines for Approval of Pictorial Cancellations

1. As a reminder, the Postal Service must endeavor to make all unusual postmarking widely known to collectors through advance national publicity to avoid such postmarks being available only to small groups of people. Therefore, all pictorial cancellations for local events, including Peanuts, must be reported to Stamp Development on the Pictorial Cancellation Announcement form (page 14 of Handbook PO-230, Pictorial Cancellations) so that national publicity may be arranged.

2. Send your art work immediately to:

PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 5610
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2437

3. Because of time limitations, you may also fax your artwork on the Pictorial Cancellation Announcement form to 202-268-2714. The form is included on page 14 of this Postal Bulletin for your convenience. Please paste or tape the pictorial cancellation to that form. Do not fax as a separate attachment.

4. Have a hand cancellation stamp made that uses your city, state, and ZIP Code. The date on your cancellation should be May 18, 2001, or later.

5. Participating Post Offices must honor mail-back service for 30 days following the event.

- Stamp Services,Public Affairs and Communications, 5-3-01

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary post office station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP + 4 CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except thehyphen in the ZIP + 4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

May 19, 2001

Indiana TWP

5TH ANNUAL YOUTH DAY STATION

POSTMASTER

PO BOX 9998

RURAL RIDGE PA 15075-9998

5TH ANNUAL YOUTH DAY STATION

POSTMASTER

PO BOX 9998

INDIANOLA PA 15051-9998

- Stamp Services,Public Affairs and Communications, 5-3-01

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Postmasters and plant managers who have any of the special cancellation die hubs listed below may use them for the periods designated. At the end of the period, these die hubs must be withdrawn and stored. Postmasters and plant managers who do not have these special die hubs may not request them from the sponsors.

Post Offices

Postal Employees

POSTMASTERS/INSTALLATION HEADS AT LEVEL 20-26 POST OFFICES

Conducting Annual Safety and Health Inspections

Within the next 30 days, Safety Performance Management at Headquarters is mailing a package to Level 20-26 Post Offices (with less than 100 employees) containing safety and health inspection checklists and instructions for completing an inspection. Postmasters/installation heads (PM/IH) at those offices, or their designees, must complete a safety and health inspection using the checklist within 30 days of receipt of the package. These annual safety and health inspections are required by ELM 824.

Additionally, PM/IH in those offices must ensure that subordinate stations and branches conduct an inspection. PM/IH must post the inspection and ensure abatement of all deficiencies in accordance with the instructions. They must also certify completion of the inspection to the servicing safety office. PM/IH should contact their servicing safety office if they need technical or programmatic assistance or if they do not receive the package that includes the inspection checklists and instructions.

- Safety Performance Management,Employee Resource Management, 5-3-01

Safety Alert - Equipment Repair and Replacement

The Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) has conducted an investigation and advised that postal equipment manufactured by the Medcab Division of Pacific Precision Metals contains defects that can be potential safety hazards. The defective equipment consists of steel mail sorting units (109B, 109D, 136B, and 136D) and steel letter-bundle drop units (1577C and 1577D). Medcab supplied the units between October 1997 and July 2000. The manufacturer identification stickers are generally located on the underside of the mail sorting table and on the interior wall of the letter-bundle drop unit.

Adjusting or Repairing Mail Sorting Units Until Replacement

Defects on the mail sorting units entail the misalignment of brackets and the inadequate screw attachment of the table legs and case to the table base. The OIG has judged the manufacturing flaws on these units as significant, because the movement of a unit (case and table) could cause the case to fall. Until the units can be replaced, the following interim corrective action and repair is suggested:

ˇ Assess the current location and stability of the unit. If necessary, relocate it to where it will have minimal exposure to being moved or bumped.

ˇ Ensure the case is secured to the tabletop as necessary.

- Drill through case, tabletop, and side curb screw holes that are not aligned. In some cases, new holes and side curb modifications will be needed.

- Insert proper size self-tapping or machine screws. Tighten all screws, being cautious to avoid excessive tightening and stripping of the metal.

Repairing Letter-Bundle Drop Units or Replacement

The letter-bundle drop units, based on OIG findings, may have sharp edges at the letter drop or bundle drop and alignment problems at the bundle-drop door. The following temporary repairs are suggested:

ˇ File, sand, or protect sharp edges at the letter and bundle drop.

ˇ File or sand the frame or edges of the bundle- drop doors to temporarily stop the binding.

If the sharp edges or binding defects cannot be completely eliminated and satisfactorily finished, a replacement unit must be ordered. Postmasters or managers must order all replacement units from the Topeka Material Distribution Center.

On pages 32-34 are drawings of the equipment with defects noted. Records indicate there are over 1,900 mail sorting units and 5,200 letter-bundle drop units in the field.

Completing the Equipment Repair and Replacement Worksheet Due June 4

A Safety Alert - Equipment Repair and Replacement Worksheet on page 36 is provided to document equipment repair and replacement costs for future reimbursement. The responsible facility person must tear out and sign the worksheet to certify that equipment has been inspected and appropriate action has been taken. Send or FAX the worksheet by June 4, 2001, to both the OIG and the Safety Performance Management addresses noted at the bottom of the worksheet.

- Safety Performance Management,Employee Resource Management, 5-3-01

Purchasing and Materials

CORRECTION

FEDSTRIP Address Activity Code Assignment and Maintenance

Correction to validating address in Address Management System for new and changed FEDSTRIPs in "FEDSTRIP Address Activity Code Assignment and Maintenance" (Postal Bulletin 22042, page 79). Corrected text is shown in bold.

The Federal Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures (FEDSTRIP) address activity code is used for acquisition of many commonly used products from internal postal organizations (i.e., the Material Distribution Center) and external suppliers such as Boise Cascade Office Products, which has a national strategic partnership with the Postal Service. Incomplete and inaccurate addresses delay the delivery of orders and increase costs to the Postal Service.

FEDSTRIP holders are responsible for ensuring that the FEDSTRIP address, finance number, and budget authorization (B/A) code data are accurate, complete, and maintained in a continuously current manner. The address must meet postal addressing standards as outlined in Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards, and must be able to meet the Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) certification requirements.

Field Installations

Prior to submitting requests to the district material management specialist for a new FEDSTRIP (or to change the address for an existing FEDSTRIP), field installations must verify that the address is valid in the Address Management System (AMS) Automated Data Collection System (ADCS) by contacting the appropriate district address management specialist.

Headquarters/Headquarters-Related Field Offices

Submit new FEDSTRIP assignments and changes to existing FEDSTRIPs via cc:Mail to Larry A. Browne at Headquarters, providing the following information for each request:

ˇ Finance number.

ˇ Budget authorization code (B/A).

ˇ Complete address to include:

(1) Organization name.

(2) Street address (include room number).

(3) City, state, and ZIP+4.

(4) Point of contact name, area code, and telephone number.

Prior to submitting requests, Headquarters and Headquarters-related field offices must validate the street address, room number or suite number, and the ZIP+4. Contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-331-5746, ext. 4438, and validate the address that the FEDSTRIP number is being established under. You must correct your address in AMS for new FEDSTRIP assignments and for any changes that are being made to established FEDSTRIPs. The FEDSTRIP address and the AMS address must be the same before a new FEDSTRIP is assigned or before an established FEDSTRIP can be changed.

Postal Inspection Service Offices

All Postal Inspection Service offices must submit their FEDSTRIP requests as directed by Sylvia G. Parrott, Headquarters, Postal Inspection Service.

Military Post Offices

All military post offices must submit their FEDSTRIP requests as directed by the Military Postal Service Agency.

- Materials,Purchasing and Materials, 5-3-01

Retail

POS ONE Message Center The POS ONE Message Center delivers the right information to the right people at the right time. Launched on April 19, this new and exciting information gateway enables a direct connection daily with front-line retail employees, providing them with the latest information about Postal Service products and services.

Postmaster General William J. Henderson says "it's historic, not only for the Postal Service, but in the world of technology as well." The POS ONE Message Center links more than 36,000 terminals at more than 8,000 retail locations.

As part of the Postal Service's commitment to keep its retail unit employees informed, this powerful tool will be used to provide important, time-sensitive information they need to give Postal Service customers the best service possible.

Global Express Guaranteed Be on the lookout for Volume 7 of Publication 141, Global Express

Service Guides on the way Guaranteed Service Guide, dated May 15, 2001. It will be mailed to about 20,000 retail locations. Accompanying this mailing will be 24" x 36" Global Express Guaranteed posters and 3.5" x 8" Clerk Reference Cards.

Global Express Guaranteed, the Postal Service's premier international expedited service, celebrated its second birthday on April 19. Although growing quickly, a few retail acceptance opportunities still exist. For example, retail associates should advise customers that service to some remote areas of Mexico is available only on certain delivery days. Likewise, all pieces bound for Canada with a shipping value of $13.50 and greater must be accepted as nondocument shipments.

Additionally, the value of a documents-only shipment, as claimed on a Global Express Guaranteed shipping label, must reflect the reconstruction value of that document only, not the value of the document itself. For example, $75 may be the cost of replacing a $450 airline ticket. Hence, the customer will state that the value of the shipment is $75, not $450. And, as always, all labels - for both document and nondocument shipments - must contain a stated value of the shipments.

These acceptance opportunities - and all Global Express Guaranteed retail acceptance procedures - are featured in the upcoming Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide.

Feedback

Send comments and questions to:

WHAT'S IN STORE
US POSTAL SERVICE
1735 N LYNN STREET RM 6042
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6057

Retail Coaches
Corner

Welcome to the May Corner!

The Big Picture

What's the goal of the Retail Coaches Corner?

The goal of the Retail Coaches Corner is to provide timely and relevant information for dissemination to every employee who has responsibilities at the retail counter.

Who is the retail coach?

Many units have retail coaches who have been certified through the Sales and Services Associate Training Course. These employees serve as on-the-job instructors for this program. Many local managers use the coaches' knowledge and experience to assist in delivering other retail information. This may be about new products and services being introduced or a technical change on how to complete a transaction properly using retail equipment.

In addition to their official instructional duties, retail coaches may be utilized to enhance the sales knowledge of all retail employees. If a retail coach is not available or assigned, however, the supervisor or manager must ensure that appropriate information is communicated.

Some units have a certified retail coach and a supervisor available to deliver retail information. They have the benefit of using the experience of the certified retail coach and the support of the supervisor or manager.

Article Contents

The Postal Bulletin is a Postal Service publication widely recognized by field employees. Past editions of the Retail Coaches Corner have included information on the following:

1-11-01: Rate changes, questions, and reference information.

2-8-01: A review of January's questions, retail calendar, and retail coaches website.

3-8-01: Survey questions regarding the sales skills training program and review of steps of the standard transaction process.

4-5-01: Tax and Express Mail information, value sell defined, survey questions, and response to readers' feedback.

Your comments are welcome

ˇ What kind of information do you need to see in the Corner?

ˇ What best practices or success stories can you share to assist other retail units?

Feedback

Write the Retail Coaches Corner via cc:Mail at Retail Coaches Corner, or call Hank Heren at 703-292-3774.

VENDING SERVICING EMPLOYEES

FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDŽ - New Vending-Exclusive Phone Card

A new vending-exclusive FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD has been produced. The new $10 40-minute vending FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD:

ˇ Features the 2001 "Farm Flag" stamp.

ˇ Offers a lower per-minute rate than the former $10 30-minute and the $20 60-minute versions.

ˇ Reduces the amount of change that the equivalent $8 30-minute version would require.

ˇ Will be available only through Postal Service vending machines.

ˇ Will be the only denomination available through vending.

ˇ Frees up a selection to dispense an additional product where two selections were used previously.

Beginning the week of May 14, 2001, all vending employees currently servicing machines that dispense the FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD will receive an automatic shipment of the new vending-exclusive phone cards and facsimiles. Specific switch-out instructions (page 50) and the Inventory Destruction Form - Vending Servicing (page 51) are provided. Complete the changeover by June 30, 2001.

Instructions for the New Vending-Exclusive Phone Card

The switch-out process:

ˇ Remove previous FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD (FCPC) versions.

ˇ Deactivate previous FCPC versions.

ˇ Destroy previous FCPC versions.

ˇ Activate new FCPC vending inventory.

ˇ Load new FCPC inventory in selection C-1.

ˇ Load an additional product in selection C-2 by reducing FCPC from two selections to one.

ˇ Replace FCPC facsimiles.

ˇ Program new prices into the machine for the two selections.

Switch-out instructions for changing out the machine:

ˇ Batch activate new FCPCs prior to loading the machine (Ref. Pub 211, 3-1.3).

ˇ Remove old inventory.

ˇ $8 30-min. Aquarium Fish

ˇ $10 30-min. Aquarium Fish

ˇ $20 60-min. 20^th Century Limited Train

ˇ $20 60-min. Victorian Love

ˇ Fill only C1 selection with the new $10 40-min. phone cards (Ref. Pub 211, 4-2).

ˇ Fill the C2 selection with another product.

ˇ Insert new FCPC facsimile into the C1 Product Identifier.

ˇ Change the facsimile for the C2 selection to coordinate with the new product.

Inventory destruction instructions for deactivating and destroying the old cards:

ˇ The following FCPCs packaged for vending are authorized to be destroyed:

ˇ Gather all phone cards listed above that have been removed from machines and back stock.

ˇ Individually deactivate all phone cards that have been removed from machines or previously activated by calling 1-800-658-4039 and following the FCPC voice prompts. You may deactivate batches only if the batch is unbroken. (Destroying activated phone cards will result in the Postal Service paying for phone cards that were never sold.)

ˇ List the "Quantity" of each dollar denomination on the Inventory Destruction Form.

ˇ Enter the "Total $ Value" for each "$ Denomination" at the end of the row.

ˇ Enter the "Grand Total" at the bottom of the "Total $ Value" column.

ˇ Carefully cut each phone card in half or shred. (Be certain that the PIN and control numbers found on the bottom of the card are separated by the cut.)

ˇ Sign and have a witness sign the Inventory Destruction Form to verify that the listed inventory has been destroyed.

ˇ Send or fax a copy of the form as noted on the bottom of the Inventory Destruction Form.

ˇ Keep the original copy of the form on file in your office for 2 years.

Copies of Publication 211, FCPC Self-Service Guide, may be downloaded from the intranet at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub211.pdf.

- Self Service,Retail, Consumers and Small Business, 5-3-01

This office
will be closed

Monday,
May 28, 2001,

to observe
Memorial Day.