International Mail

IMM REVISION

International Mail - Resumption of Airmail Letter-Post Service to Afghanistan

Effective January 23, 2002, airmail letter-post service (including post cards and aerogrammes) to Afghanistan was resumed. Airmail letter-post items not over 4 pounds and meeting the size limits in International Mail Manual (IMM) 243.1 are acceptable. Items may not be registered.

Customers may reenter, without additional postage, letter-post items that were returned to sender during the service suspension. When customers select this alternative, they must obliterate the endorsement "Service Temporarily Suspended" before reentering any affected mailpiece.

All other mail services to Afghanistan as mentioned in Postal Bulletin 22066 (12-27-01) remain suspended until further notice.

We will incorporate this revision into both the printed version of IMM 27 and into the online IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

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Individual Country Listings

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Afghanistan

[Revise the note at the top of the page to read as follows:]

Mail service is currently limited to airmail letter-post items, including post cards, postal cards, and aerogrammes. All other services, including special services, are suspended.

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- International Marketing,International Business, 2-7-02

Standard International Postal Money Orders - Discontinued August 10, 2002

Effective August 10, 2002, the Postal Service will discontinue standard international postal money orders (commonly known as list money orders), both incoming and outgoing (see International Mail Manual 371.2a). This does not affect the sale of direct money orders issued to those countries with whom we have agreements. Contractual agreements with each participating country require a 6-month notification of intent to terminate. Termination letters were mailed on February 1, 2002.

August 9, 2002, is the last day that list money orders can be sold. We will provide additional instructions and reminders in July 2002 to all retail clerks.

The Postal Service will continue to pay on incoming list money orders issued prior to August 9, 2002, until February 9, 2003.

- Retail Marketing,Service and Market Development, 2-7-02

Philately

PERIODIC UPDATE

Postage Stamp Master Item Numbers

The following lists of stamp, stationery, and stamp product items are now available for ordering through established or bulk ordering procedures. Special conditions of availability and sources of supply for certain items are identified by footnote references in parentheses next to those items.

This article replaces the information published in Postal Bulletin 22026 (6-15-00, pages 54-66) and also revises Exhibit 423.4 of Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures. Please note that the only revision to Exhibit 423.4 of Handbook F-1 is in the first list under "Less Than Bulk Ordering Quantities for Post Offices From Stamp Distribution Offices (SDOs) and Stamp Services Centers (SSCs) (Minimums and Maximums)"; the change appears in bold and is on page 12.

Master Item Numbers

The first four digits of the item number indicate the series, as follows:

1000 Series - Definitive, Priority, and Express Mail sheet stamps.

2000 Series - Stationery items (aerogrammes, stamped cards, stamped envelopes, and souvenir cards).

3000 Series - Migratory bird stamps, international reply coupons, and money orders.

4000 Series - Commemorative stamps.

5000 Series - Special issues (Christmas, flag, love, airmail, ATM sheetlets, and penalty mail sheet stamps).

6000 Series - Booklets.

7000 Series - Coils: regular and precanceled.

8000 and 9000 Series - Philatelic products.

1000 Series

Future definitive stamp issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

2000 Series

Future commemorative stamped card, stamped envelope, and aerogramme issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

3000 Series

Future bird stamp, international reply coupon, and money order issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

Note: Vending Products - Self Service, Retail's most current quarterly listing of additional stamp items available for use in multicommodity and booklet vending equipment is contained in Postal Bulletin 22068 (1-24-02, page 71).

4000 Series

Future commemorative stamp issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

Note: SS = Souvenir Sheet. This item is ordered, priced, and sold as a single unit and not as individual stamps.

5000 Series

Future special stamp issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

Note: SS = Souvenir Sheet. This item is ordered, priced, and sold as a single unit and not as individual stamps.

6000 Series

Future booklet issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

Note: Vending Products - Self Service, Retail's most current quarterly listing of additional stamp items available for use in multicommodity and booklet vending equipment is contained in Postal Bulletin 22068 (1-24-02, page 71).

7000 Series

Future coil issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

8000 and 9000 Series

Future philatelic issues will be announced in the Postal Bulletin.

Availability Codes:

(A) SDOs and SSCs may order this item in bulk quantities from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). All other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(B) SDOs and SSCs may order this item in bulk quantities from the Government Printing Office (GPO). All other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(C) SDOs and SSCs may order this item in bulk quantities from Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS). All other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(D) SDOs and SSCs may order in bulk from the Material Distribution Center, Topeka, Kansas (special item). All other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(E) Item is not available for bulk requisitioning. Either the item was printed by a private contractor and distributed to the field in its entirety, or the item, previously available from a bulk supplier, is now depleted at that source. To order additional stock, SDOs must requisition from their designated APD; all other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(F) New item: A future Postal Bulletin article will announce the sale date and specific distribution policies.

(G) Item will be discontinued when stock is exhausted. In some cases, quantities of this item are diminished and may not be available at all APDs/SDOs/SSCs. Consult your designated APD/SDO/SSC regarding availability.

(H) APDs and SSCs may order this item in bulk quantities from the New York APD. SDOs may subsequently order this item from their designated APD. All other Post Offices must requisition this item from their designated SDO/SSC.

(I) Item supplied by Inspection Service and issued by SDO/SSC.

(J) Item distribution limited to specific geographic locations within the country where the stamp subject is of regional interest. Nationwide sales offered only through authorized philatelic centers, through retail stores, or by mail order via Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS). Refer to stamp announcement articles in the Postal Bulletin for the specific distribution and sales policy for each stamp issue.

Handbook F-1 Revision

We will incorporate the following revision into the next printed version of Hanbood F-1 and into the online version of Handbook F-1, available on the corporate intranet at http://blue/usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.

Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures

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4 Managing Accountable Paper

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42 Managing Accountable Paper at Stations, Branches, and Post Offices With Stamp Accountability

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423 Handling Main Stamp Stock - Offices Served by a Stamp Distribution Office

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423.4 Ordering Stock in Bulk Quantities

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Exhibit 423.4 Stamps and Stationery - Ordering Quantities

Bulk Ordering Quantities From Suppliers (Minimums and Maximums)

All requisitions submitted to bulk suppliers must identify items by the official six-digit item number previously listed. Be sure to use the correct form for bulk suppliers: BEP, PS Form 3356, Stamp Requisition - Bulk Quantities; GPO, PS Form 3216, Requisition for Postal Cards - Bulk Quantities; PFSC, PS Form 3205, Requisition for Plain Stamped Envelopes.

Sheet Stamps

Coils

Books

Aerogrammes

Domestic Stamped Cards

International Stamped Cards

Envelopes

Money Orders

International Reply Coupons

Less Than Bulk Ordering Quantities for Post Offices From Stamp Distribution Offices (SDOs) and Stamp Services Centers (SSCs) (Minimums and Maximums)

All requisitions submitted to SDOs must identify items by the official six-digit item numbers previously listed. PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition, is used for orders to SDOs/SSCs.

Notes (the following pertain to the Less Than Bulk Ordering Procedures only):

1. All CAG A-L post offices must requisition postage stock in no less than the minimum quantities shown.

2. Authorized CAG A-G post offices needing more than the maximum quantities should refer to the preceding chart, "Stamps and Stationery - Bulk Ordering Quantities From Suppliers," and order from the appropriate source.

3. Standard Field Accounting Procedures (SFAP) offices must adhere to the minimum ordering quantity listed above, but an SFAP office may order as needed with no maximum limits.

4. Stamp services center (SSC) post offices must adhere to the minimum ordering quantity listed above, but an office requisitioning from an SSC may order as needed with no maximum limits.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 2-7-02

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.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 2-7-02

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.

Postal Employees

ALL POSTAL EMPLOYEES

Enhancements to the Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card

The U.S. Postal Service and Goodyear are pleased to announce the following enhancements to the Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card, available to all current and retired Postal Service employees:

• Interest free on all purchases paid within the Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card billing cycle.

• 90 days interest free on purchases over $100.00.

• $5.00 rebate on the second purchase made on the Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card.

• Exclusive discounts and coupons for cardholders throughout the year (in addition to Postal Service employee discounts).

• Eligibility for Goodyear's national promotions (e.g., $50.00 Free Gas, $50.00 Cash Card, etc.).

Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card holders may take advantage of these enhancements immediately. For more information on the Goodyear VIP Program, or to apply for the Goodyear VIP Program Credit Card, visit the Purchasing and Materials intranet site at http://blue.usps.gov (click on Headquarters, then Purchasing and Materials, then Goodyear VIP Program).

- Purchasing Policies and Programs,Purchasing and Materials, 2-7-02

ALL POSTAL EMPLOYEES

Postal Service Partners With eBay Online Auction

The Philadelphia Purchasing and Materials Service Center (PMSC) has partnered with eBay, Inc., to provide online auction services for excess, surplus, and obsolete Postal Service assets. This contract has the potential to generate Postal Service sales revenue, increase product sales, and minimize disposal costs. By using eBay, the Postal Service will gain exposure to an audience of more than 34 million potential buyers.

The Minnesota Mail Recovery Center's recent success with the online auctioning of unclaimed and damaged items is convincing evidence of this new tool's potential for the disposal of supplies and equipment, vehicles, forfeitures and seized Postal Inspection Service items, retail stamp and philatelic products, and more.

Postal Service employees who are accountable for excessing Postal Service assets, or who are directly involved with the auction, may not bid on the Postal Service assets posted on eBay. All other Postal Service employees may bid using their personal credit card. Note: In accordance with Postal Inspection Service policy, Postal Inspection Service employees are prohibited from bidding on vehicles submitted for sale by their organization.

To access Postal Service vehicles currently listed on eBay, visit http://www.ebay.com; click on eBay Motors, then (on the top row of buttons) click on Search; then click on By Seller; next, type "usps-al-pmsc." To access other Postal Service items currently listed on eBay, go to http://www.ebay.com/promo/usps.html.

For information about how to list items on eBay, visit the Philadelphia PMSC Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/material/pmsc/philadelphia/.

- Purchasing Policies and Programs,Purchasing and Materials, 2-7-02

Purchasing and Materials

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

Mandatory Sources for Custodial Products - Cleanwise, Inc., and W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Postal Bulletin 22062 (11-1-01, page 78) contained a directive for Postal Service facilities to use the national contracts with Cleanwise, Inc., and W.W. Grainger, Inc., to purchase all custodial products. The period of performance for these contracts is a base period of 4 years with two 3-year renewal options. This effective date includes all locations except those in the Western Area currently using High Country Chemicals, Inc. Those locations must continue to order through High Country Chemicals until advised of the date to begin ordering from the new contracts.

As explained in the November 26, 2001, letter signed by the Vice President, Purchasing and Materials; the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President; and the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, the Postal Service has adopted supply chain management as a corporate business discipline. By partnering with Cleanwise and W.W. Grainger, the Postal Service will enhance user satisfaction and reduce costs throughout the supply chain.

The preferred method for ordering custodial products is eBuy. You can access eBuy at http://ebuy.usps.gov/jsp/co/Login.jsp. Postal Service facilities that do not have access to eBuy may order by any of the following methods:

Cleanwise, Inc. (Contract #483083-01-B-0679):

Telephone: 1-877-778-8067
(Order Placement and Customer Service)

Fax: 1-877-778-9997

Mailing Address: CLEANWISE INC
33 BOSTON POST RD
MARLBOROUGH MA 01752-1867

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (Contract #483083-01-B-0677):

Telephone: 1-800-GOV-TEAM,
1-800-468-8326
(Order Placement and Customer Service)

Fax: 1-877-699-4889

Mailing Address: WW GRAINGER INC
1275 TRI STATE PKWY
GURNEE IL 60031-9117

These catalog offerings include commercial and Javits- Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) items at contract discount pricing. New products have been added to the Cleanwise and Grainger eBuy catalogs based on feedback from Postal Service employees. If you are currently using products from suppliers other than these mandatory sources, you should contact one or both of these suppliers to perform an analysis of your current custodial product line and to provide you with a list of acceptable equivalents from their product line. This process gives each supplier an opportunity to provide you with what you need and to help you integrate these new products into your custodial programs. If you determine that the suppliers' equivalent products are not acceptable, please discuss specific issues with them. Both suppliers are eager to learn our needs and are willing to work with you to provide acceptable products.

Contract pricing is available from the electronic catalogs on eBuy and by calling the order placement/customer service numbers shown above. Pricing information is proprietary and must not be disclosed to anyone outside the Postal Service.

For questions concerning the eBuy system, contact your district or area eBuy coordinator. For questions concerning contract requirements, contact the contracting officer or the Custodial Products Center of Excellence (COE) via cc:Mail at Help, Custodial.

- Materials,Purchasing and Materials, 2-7-02

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

Security Containers (PSIN 293-299)

The Philadelphia Purchasing and Materials Service Center (PMSC) has negotiated a requirements contract with Schwab, Inc., for security containers (PSIN 293-299). The contract is for a base 2-year period with three 1-year options. Unit pricing will remain stable the first year and increase slightly the second year.

Ordering instructions and prices are available online at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/material/mlb/mlbindex.htm; click on MLB-01-016 (Contract No. 412735-02-B-0247 Availability of PSINs 293 through 299 Security Containers).

For more information, contact Carolyn J. Taylor, Philadelphia PMSC, at 215-931-5314.

- Materials,Purchasing and Materials, 2-7-02

Retail

HANDBOOK PO-102 REVISION

Self Service Vending Operations

After completing an extensive review of Chapter 7, Reporting, Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program, May 1999, we have revised it to document work already performed to obtain information from each model vending machine and to process that information into the Vending Equipment Service System (VESS). The information is provided by machine model number and in each case references the specific handbook associated with that machine. The procedure in each instance is formatted in a step-by-step format for ease of understanding and use. In addition, the chapter provides information for completing PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service - Daily Activity Log. That form was revised and issued as version June 2001.

You can access the revised handbook online at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.

- Self Service and Access Management,Delivery and Retail, 2-7-02

HANDBOOK PO-102 REVISION

Refund Policies for Self Service Vending Machines

Effective February 7, 2002, Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program, is revised.

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed edition of Handbook PO-102 and into the online version of Handbook PO-102 at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.

Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program

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8 Handling Customer Complaints, Claims, and Refunds

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82 Refunding Money to Customers

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821 Complaints Registered in Person

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821.2 Resolution

821.21 By Window Clerk

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[Revise the Note in item f to read as follows:]

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Note: A supervisor must approve refunds for more than $20.00. The maximum refund allowed per transaction is $40.00.

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- Self Service and Access Management,Delivery and Retail, 2-7-02