Finance

CORRECTION

Travel Per Diem Rates - Handbooks F-15 and F-12

In Postal Bulletin 22059 (9-20-01, page 27), a mileage rate and a meal reduction in Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, were stated incorrectly.

The correct mileage rate in section A-1.2, Reimbursement for Postal Supervisors, is as follows (corrected rate is in bold):

Postal supervisors (see 5-5.2.1.2) will be reimbursed at the rate of $6.00 per day or 34.5 cents per mile, whichever is greater, when a privately owned vehicle is used.

The correct international meal reductions in section A-2.5, Special Situations - Meal Reductions, are as follows (correct percentage reductions are in bold):

The information provided in the online version of Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, is correct.

- Corporate Accounting, Finance, 10-18-01

INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES

New International Reply Coupons, Item Number 330660

Effective January 1, 2002, a new version of the International Reply Coupon (IRC) will be available for sale to customers. The new version will have a printed expiration date. The price of the new IRC will be $1.75 per coupon. All prior versions of U.S.-issued IRCs in inventories as of the close of business December 31, 2001, will be obsolete and will no longer be available for sale to customers.

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp service centers (SSCs) will receive automatic distribution quantities of the new IRCs from the New York accountable paper depository (APD) by November 1, 2001.

Initial Supply to Post Offices

Post Offices must requisition initial quantities of the new IRCs, Item Number 330600, by submitting PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition, to their SDOs or SSCs after November 1, 2001.

Retail Units

Retail units must withdraw all obsolete IRCs from sales inventories and return them to the unit reserve at standard field accounting procedures (SFAP) units or the main stock at non-SFAP offices by the close of accounting period (AP) 5 ending January 25, 2002. Instructions for disposing of those obsolete IRCs from unit reserves/main stocks at Post Offices will be published in a future Postal Bulletin.

SDOs and SSCs

SDOs and SSCs must send all obsolete IRCs in inventory to the Eagan accounting service center (ASC) with the statement of account for AP 4, which ends on December 28, 2001. A memorandum, in duplicate, containing the following information must be included with the obsolete IRCs:

• Total number and value of obsolete U.S.-issued IRCs.

• Signatures of the employee and a witness verifying the count and dispatch.

The SDO supervisor must submit the obsolete IRCs with supporting documentation to the district accounting office (DAO). The DAO will record the amount of the obsolete IRCs to AIC 625, International Reply Coupons Exchanged, on the statement of account for AP 4.

The SSC manager must record the amount of the obsolete IRCs to AIC 625, International Reply Coupons Exchanged, on the statement of account for AP 4.

- Post Office Accounting, Finance, 10-18-01

International Mail

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Address Correction for Miami International Service Center

Effective October 18, 2001, International Mail Manual (IMM) references 292.153, 293.32, and 611.22 are revised to reflect an address correction for the Miami International Service Center (ISC).

We will incorporate these revisions into both the printed version of IMM Issue 26 and the online IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

2 Conditions for Mailing

290 Commercial Services

292 International Priority Airmail Service

292.1 Description

292.15 Deposit

292.153 Drop Shipment Locations

[Revise the address for the Florida drop shipment location (which has an asterisk) to read as follows:]

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CENTER *
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997

293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service

293.3 Service Options

293.32 Drop Shipment ISAL International Service Centers

[Revise the address for the Florida drop shipment location (which has an asterisk) to read as follows:]

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CENTER *
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997

6 Special Programs

610 Global Direct Service

611 Global Direct - Mexico

611.2 Qualifying Mailers and Mailing Locations

611.22 Mailing Locations

[Revise the address for the Florida mailing location (which has an asterisk) to read as follows:]

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CENTER *
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997

- Marketing,International Business, 10-18-01

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Global Express Mail

Effective November 1, 2001, the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised. Pursuant to its authority under 39 U.S.C. 407, the Postal Service will offer a 5 percent discount off of regular postage for all Global Express MailTM shipments paid through the shipping site at www.usps.com. The discount will apply only to the basic portion of Global Express Mail published rates. It will not apply to pick-up service charges, additional merchandise insurance coverage fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

The Postal Service is proposing changes in conditions for certain mailing categories to automatically reduce every payment transaction by 5 percent for all Global Express Mail purchased at basic published prices and paid on the shipping site at www.usps.com. The discount will be deducted from each piece paid for through the Web site. The discount will be offered on postage only; it will not apply to pickup fees, any special fees, or postage for shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

The Postal Service established the shipping site at www.usps.com to offer an online capability for customers to be able to prepare, ship, and pay for service shipments. Payment will be made using an online postage capability. Global Express Mail will be included in the services that are offered through this Web site. The discount is similar to the ones that are offered for Global Express Guaranteed shipments that are made through the same Web site and for Global Express Mail shipments that are paid for through an Express Mail corporate account.

As required under the Postal Reorganization Act, these changes will result in conditions of mailing that do not apportion the costs of the service, so the overall value of the service to users is fair and reasonable, and not unduly or unreasonably discriminatory or preferential.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of IMM Issue 26 and the online version of the IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

220 Global Express Mail

* * * * *

222 Postage

* * * * *

[Add new 222.13 as follows:]

222.13 Online Rates - General

Discounted rates apply to Global Express Mail (EMS) customers who prepare and pay for Global Express Mail shipments online using the shipping site at www.usps.com.

222.131 Eligibility for Online Discounts

To be eligible for discounts for purchasing Global Express Mail online, customers must register via the shipping site at www.usps.com. Registration is accomplished by selecting the designated icon on the web site and following the accompanying instructions. This one-time registration will establish a shipping record and a customer history. To be eligible for online discounts, customers must prepare their shipping labels and pay for their shipments online using a credit card. The following credit cards are accepted for payment online: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.

222.132 Online Discounts

Global Express Mail published rates will be reduced by 5 percent for all payments made through the shipping site at www.usps.com. The discount applies only to the postage portion of Global Express Mail rates. It does not apply to the pickup service charge, additional merchandise insurance coverage fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

222.2 Payment of Postage

222.21 Methods of Payment

[Revise 222.21 to read as follows:]

Global Express Mail items may be paid by postage stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information based indicia (IBI), or through the use of an Express Mail corporate account.

224 Preparation Requirements

224.1 Preparation by Sender

[Revise item a to read as follows:]

a. Complete the "From" and "To" portion of Label 11-B, Express Mail Post Office to Addressee, or online label for each piece of mail and affix the completed label to each piece

224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee

[Revise item d to read as follows:]

d. Give the Customer Receipt copy to the mailer and retain the Finance Copy. Peel off the backing of the remaining portion and affix it to the item. For online shipments, customer receipts are not necessary; for non-IRT and POS offices, record the required Finance information on the special form provided for this purpose.

- Marketing,International Business, 10-18-01

ICM UPDATE

International Customized Mail

On April 30, 2001, the Postal Service entered into an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement with a qualifying mailer. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service now makes public the following information concerning the Agreement:

a. Term: May 1, 2001, through April 30, 2003.

b. Type of mail: Global Express Mail Service (EMS) and Airmail Parcel Post (APP). Every item must conform to the mailing requirements set forth in the IMM for Qualifying Mail.

c. Destination country: Japan.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: The Postal Service has agreed to:

1. Furnish Mailer with the equipment and supplies necessary for the use of Qualifying Mail.

2. Furnish Mailer with tracking reports and delivery performance reports on a regular basis.

3. Provide Mailer with the preparation requirements for Qualifying Mail and any training necessary to prepare Qualifying Mail in conformity with Postal Service requirements.

4. Provide Mailer with technical assistance necessary to prepare the necessary information linkages, electronic data files, and data exchanges.

5. Transport Qualifying Mail to international destinations for delivery by the appropriate authority.

e. Minimum volume commitments: The Mailer has agreed to meet an annualized minimum volume of 5,000 packages for Qualifying Mail.

f. Worksharing: The Mailer has agreed to:

1. Provide the Postal Service with notification of new permit numbers used for Qualifying Mail, one week in advance of using the new permit numbers.

2. Provide the appropriate Postal Service acceptance sites a schedule of mailings, including the intended date of tender, weight, volume, and location where mail will originate, in accordance with instructions the Postal Service provides.

3. Exchange electronic information with the Postal Service according to the specifications and instructions the Postal Service provides.

4. Establish the necessary linkages with the Postal Service.

g. Rates: The Mailer has agreed to pay postage and return service fees for Qualifying Mail according to the rate chart in Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1
Global Express Mail (EMS)

Airmail Parcel Post (APP)
(Limit 4 lbs.)

Merchandise Return Service Fees

ICM UPDATE

International Customized Mail

On September 11, 2001, the Postal Service amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated November 16, 1999. The Agreement was published in Postal Bulletin 22014 (12-30-99, page 29). The Amendment modifies the Agreement to include new rates for International Priority Mail to Mexico. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

b. Type of mail: International Priority Mail.

c. Destination countries: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: The Mailer will pay postage for all Qualifying Mail in accordance with Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1

h. Penalty: Other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

- International Business, 10-18-01

ICM UPDATE

International Customized Mail

OnSeptember 18, 2001, the Postal Service entered into an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement with a qualifying mailer. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service now makes public the following information concerning the Agreement:

a. Term: September 19, 2001, through September 30, 2002.

b. Type of mail: Global Express Mail Service (EMS). Every item must conform to the mailing requirements set forth in the IMM for Qualifying Mail.

c. Destination country: Japan.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: The Postal Service has agreed to:

1. Furnish Mailer with the equipment and supplies required for the use of Qualifying Mail.

2. Provide Mailer with the preparation requirements for Qualifying Mail and any training to prepare Qualifying Mail in conformity with Postal Service requirements.

3. Transport Qualifying Mail to international destinations for delivery by the appropriate authority.

4. Return EMS items refused by an addressee and undeliverable items to the Mailer via Express Mail service at no charge provided that the return rate is no more than four (4) percent of total volume.

e. Minimum volume commitments: The Mailer has agreed to meet an annualized volume of 50,000 packages or an annualized minimum of $1,000,000 in international postage for Qualifying Mail.

f. Worksharing: The Mailer has agreed to:

1. Pay postage to the Postal Service, either directly or through a mailing agent, for all Qualifying Mail by use of an Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA).

2. Present the mailings to the Postal Service designated location.

g. Rates: The Mailer has agreed to pay postage at a rate of fourteen (14) percent off on nondiscounted published rate for Qualifying Mail.

- International Business, 10-18-01

Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 01-51

Love Letters

The Postal Service will issue a 57-cent Love Letters (Item Number 565700) stamp in Washington, DC, on November 19, 2001, which will go on sale nationwide November 20, 2001.The stamp, designed by Lisa Catalone of Washington, DC, will be issued in a self-adhesive pane of 20; the pane may be split and the stamps may be sold individually.

The Love Letters stamp celebrates the art of letter writing and the centuries-old tradition of expressing love in letters, and it is intended for use on Valentine's Day correspondence, as well as on wedding invitations, announcements, and RSVPs. The stamp has the same design as the 55-cent Love Letters stamp issued in February 2001, with a change in denomination.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1 800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

LOVE LETTERS STAMP
POSTMASTER
900 BRENTWOOD RD NE
WASHINGTON DC 20066-9991

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by December 19, 2001.

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by telephoning 1 800 STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

First day covers remain on sale for at least 1 year after the stamp's issuance.

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately a full standard automatic distribution quantity for this pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

Post Offices requiring quantities of Item Number 565700 must order them from their designated SDO using a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before November 14, 2001.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, San Francisco, Chicago, Memphis, Washington, DC, and New York APDs will each receive 1,640,000 additional stamps, and the Denver APD will receive 640,000 additional stamps.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of these stamps in six positions for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 10-18-01

(Philately continued on page 5.)