International Mail

IMM REVISION

Changes in International Mail

Effective January 8, 2006, we are revising the International Mail Manual (IMM) to reflect decisions made by the Bucharest Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and by the Postal Operations Council (POC).

Indemnity Coverage

Indemnity coverage is now provided for all ordinary, uninsured international airmail and economy mail parcel post. This new coverage is provided at no additional charge and protects mailers against loss, damage, or rifling. Coverage is limited to the actual value of the contents or the maximum indemnity based on the weight of the article, whichever is less. The January 2006 edition of PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note - CP 72, is modified to accommodate this change.

Mailers may still purchase additional insurance to many countries. When international insured service is purchased, it replaces the indemnity coverage provided on ordinary parcel post.

Other Changes

Also effective January 8, 2006, in compliance with the UPU and POC, we are making the following changes:

• The addressee is the payee on claims for international registered letter-post items and international ordinary and insured parcel post items delivered in damaged condition or with contents missing.

• Mailers must package the contents of a shipment to prevent deterioration or degradation.

• Mailers sending items to "General Delivery" must show the country of destination.

• Mailers may place only one addressee's address on envelopes or wrappings.

• We are updating the list of "valuable articles" to include watches.

• We are clarifying that additional protection and security for registered mail items is provided in the United States and that registered mail items are handled in destination countries according to their own internal procedures.

• We are clarifying that items bearing an address in pencil or any erasable format are not acceptable for registered mail service.

• Insurance for parcel post is no longer available to the Philippines.

• The weight of M-bags to Great Britain is limited to 20 kg. (44 lbs.).

• We will accept inquiries on international registered items, recorded delivery items, insured parcel post items, and ordinary parcel post items. We will not accept inquiries for ordinary letter-post items, including Global Priority Mail® (GPM) items.

• The maximum indemnity for registered mail items to Canada is $44.86.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

1 International Mail Services

* * * * *

120 Preparation for Mailing

121 Packaging - Sender's Responsibility

[Revise item (1) in the second sentence to read as follows:]

***In preparing items for mailing, the sender must (1) use strong envelopes or durable packaging material to prevent deterioration or degradation,***

122 Addressing

122.1 Destination Address

* * * * *

[Revise the first sentence of item j to read as follows:]

j. The address of items sent to General Delivery must indicate the name of the addressee and the country of destination.***

* * * * *

130 Mailability

* * * * *

134 Valuable Articles

134.1 List of Articles

[Revise the first paragraph of 134.1 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post and IMM references to read as follows:]

The following valuable articles may be sent only in registered letter-post mailpieces or by insured parcel post and are not mailable in Global Express Mail (EMS) or ordinary parcel post shipments (see 221.2 and 281.2):

* * * * *

[Revise item e by adding "watches" to read as follows:]

e. Precious stones, jewels, jewelry, watches, and other valuable articles.

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

220 Global Express Mail

221 Description

* * * * *

221.2 Allowable Contents

[Revise the last sentence by removing "(manufactured or not)" after "silver" and by adding "watches" to read as follows:]

***The following items are prohibited in all EMS shipments: coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles.

* * * * *

280 Parcel Post

* * * * *

[Revise the title of 281 to read as follows:]

281 Description

[Delete text of 281. Add 281.1 through 281.4 to read as follows:]

281.1 General

Parcel Post resembles domestic zone-related Package Services mail. Merchandise is permitted, but written communications having the nature of current and personal correspondence are not permitted.

281.2 Indemnity

Ordinary parcel post includes indemnity against loss, damage, or rifling up to the amounts shown in Exhibit 281.4. Indemnity is limited to the lesser of the actual value of the contents or the maximum indemnity based on the weight of the article. If the parcel has been delivered to the addressee, payment for damage and missing contents is made to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

Note: International insured mail service provides insurance coverage higher than the indemnity limits for ordinary parcel post to many countries. See IMM 320 and individual country listings for availability and limitations of coverage.

Note: Parcel post is the only class of mail that may be insured (see 322).

281.3 Exclusions

Indemnity is not paid for:

a. Parcels containing coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to the bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles.

b. 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.

281.4 Weight and Indemnity Limits

Exhibit 281.4 lists the weight and indemnity limits for ordinary parcel post.

Exhibit 281.4 - Ordinary Parcel Post Weight and Indemnity Limits

* * * * *

3 Special Services

* * * * *

320 Insurance

321 Description

[Revise 321 to read as follows:]

Insurance is provided against loss, damage, or rifling for parcel post items. Compensation varies according to the fee paid. If the parcel has been delivered to the addressee, payment for damage and missing contents is paid to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

* * * * *

324 Processing Requests

324.1 Mailing Receipt and Insurance Number

* * * * *

324.12 Accepting Clerk's Responsibility

* * * * *

[Revise item b to read as follows:]

b. Complete the receipt part of PS Form 3813-P to show city and country of destination, postage, insured value, insured fee, return receipt fee if applicable, and total charge. Indicate special contents for fragile, liquid, and perishable items.

* * * * *

330 Registered Mail

331 Description

[Revise the first sentence, combine and revise the current last two sentences, and add a new last sentence to include specific references to handling procedures for registered mail items in the United States and foreign destinations to read as follows:]

Customers may use registered mail service for additional protection and security in dispatch and conveyance in the United States.*** In the United States, registered mail items are handled separately from all other mail and are kept in a secure area with restricted access. In destination countries, registered mail items are handled according to their own internal procedures.

* * * * *

333 Fees and Indemnity Limits

333.1 Registration Fees

[Revise 333.1 by changing the registry fee and deleting the exception to read as follows:]

The registry fee for all countries is $7.90.

333.2 Indemnity Limit

[Revise 333.2 by changing the maximum indemnity and deleting the exception to read as follows:]

Regardless of the declared value of a registered item, the maximum amount of indemnity payable for loss, damage, or rifling is $44.86.

334 Processing Requests

334.1 Mailing Receipt and Registration Number

* * * * *

334.13 Accepting Clerk's Responsibility

* * * * *

[Revise item c by deleting "special delivery," to read as follows:]

c. Enter the registration fee and postage, plus the return receipt and the restricted delivery fee, if applicable, on the receipt.

* * * * *

[Add new 334.14 to read as follows:]

334.14 Preparation

Items bearing an address in pencil or any other erasable format are not acceptable for registered mail service.

* * * * *

335 Indemnity Claims and Payments

[Revise 335 to read as follows:]

The sender must submit a mailing receipt to make an inquiry or file a claim (see chapter 9). Indemnity is provided for loss, damage, or rifling. If a registered article has been delivered to the addressee, payment for damage and missing contents is paid to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

[Add new 336 to read as follows:]

336 Preparation

Items bearing an address in pencil or any other erasable format are not acceptable for registered mail service.

* * * * *

9 Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds

* * * * *

920 Inquiries and Claims

921 Inquiry Described

* * * * *

921.2 Who Can Initiate

921.21 Letter-post and Parcel Post

[Revise 921.21 to read as follows:]

Inquiries about registered and recorded delivery letter-post items, insured items, and ordinary parcel post items can be initiated at any Post Office by the U.S. sender or addressee. Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letter-post or Global Priority Mail items.

* * * * *

922 Filing of Inquiries

* * * * *

922.4 Method of Inquiry Transmittal

[Revise 922.4 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

Inquiries about registered or recorded delivery items, insured items, and ordinary parcel post items are***.

923 Claim Described

[Revise 923 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

A claim is a request by a U.S. Postal Service customer for an indemnity payment that resulted from the loss, rifling, or damage to a registered item, insured item, ordinary parcel post item, or EMS item.***

924 Initiation of Claims

[Revise the title and first sentence of 924.1 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

924.1 Registered Letter-post Mail, and Insured and Ordinary Parcel Post

Claims for registered letter-post and insured and ordinary parcel post may be initiated by either the sender or the addressee.***

* * * * *

925 Required Documentation

925.1 Evidence of Insurance

[Revise the introductory text and items a and b, and add new item c, to read as follows:]

Indemnity claims for registered items, insured and ordinary parcel post items, and Global Express Mail items must be supported as follows:

a. If mailed in the United States, the original mailing receipt issued at the time of mailing. Copies are not acceptable.

b. For Global Express Mail items, PS Form 2861 received from the EMS Inquiry Center.

c. If mailed in another country, the original mailing receipt if available, the customs label, the wrapper if appropriate, and any other markings or endorsements on the mailing container that indicate how it was sent.

* * * * *

928 Processing Inquiries

928.1 General Procedures

928.11 Nondelivery

[Revise 928.11 to read as follows:]

The U.S. Postal Service will initiate an inquiry within the time frames specified in 922.2 with the destination postal administration in any case involving a registered or recorded delivery letter-post item or an insured or ordinary parcel post item that has not been delivered. Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letter-post items or Global Priority Mail items.

* * * * *

928.2 Mail Exchanged With Countries Other Than Canada

928.21 Forms Used

928.211 PS Form 542, Inquiry About a Registered Article or an Insured Parcel or an Ordinary Parcel

PS Form 542, Inquiry About a Registered Article or an Insured Parcel or an Ordinary Article, is used in processing inquiries relating to:

* * * * *

[Revise items b, c, and d to read as follows:]

b. The loss or delay of outbound or inbound recorded delivery mail.

c. The loss or delay of outbound or inbound insured parcel post.

d. The loss or delay of outbound or inbound ordinary parcel post.

928.212 PS Form 2855, Claim for Indemnity - International Registered, Insured, and Express Mail

[Revise 928.212 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

PS Form 2855, Claim for Indemnity - International Registered, Insured, and Express Mail, is used to process claims relating to the loss, damage, or rifling of outbound or inbound registered items, insured parcel post items, ordinary parcel post items, and Express Mail items.

928.22 Outbound or Inbound Ordinary Mail

* * * * *

[Revise items a, b, and c and delete item d to read as follows:]

a. Advise the customer that inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letter-post items or for Global Priority Mail items.

b. See 928.25 for inquiries on outbound ordinary parcel post items.

c. See 928.26 for inquiries on inbound ordinary parcel post items.

928.23 Outbound Registered Mail

* * * * *

928.232 Damage or Rifling

* * * * *

[Revise item a to read as follows:]

a. Advise the customer that, if the article has been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents, the addressee is the payee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

* * * * *

928.24 Inbound Registered Mail

928.241 Loss or Delay

[Revise the second sentence in item a; revise item b; and delete items c, d, and e to read as follows:]

a. ***If documentation is not provided or is not available, tell the customer to have the sender initiate an inquiry with the postal administration of origin.

b. If documentation is available, complete PS Form 542.

928.242 Damage or Rifling

[Revise items a, b, and c; reletter current items d and e as new items e and f; and add new item d to read as follows:]

a. If the article has been delivered, advise the customer that the customer is the payee unless the right to payment is waived, in writing, in favor of the sender.

b. Complete PS Form 2855. The addressee must complete Sections I and V. USPS personnel must complete Sections III and IV.

c. Prepare a damage report detailing the condition of the item at the time of delivery, and indicate whether or not it was properly packaged to withstand normal handling in the mail.

d. Attach the damage report and the documentation described in 925 to the claim.

e. Send PS Form 2855 and related documents, including envelope or wrapper and customs forms, if available, to the appropriate international claims and inquiries office shown in 931.21.

f. See 926 for damaged registered articles.

[Revise the title of 928.25 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

928.25 Outbound Insured and Ordinary Parcel Post

928.251 Loss or Delay

[Revise the introductory text by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

For inquiries relating to the loss or delay of outbound insured and ordinary parcel post items:

[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

a. Complete PS Form 542.

b. Verify the customer's mailing receipt and write "Mailing Receipt Seen" on the bottom of PS Form 542. Write "Inquiry Filed" on the mailing receipt and date stamp and initial it. Return the mailing receipt to the customer to keep until the inquiry is completed.

* * * * *

928.252 Damage or Rifling

[Revise the introductory text by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

For claims relating to the damage or rifling of outbound insured and ordinary parcel post:

[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

a. Advise the customer that, if the article has been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents, the addressee is the payee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

b. Complete PS Form 2855. The sender must complete Sections I and II, and USPS personnel must complete Section III.

* * * * *

[Revise the title of 928.26 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

928.26 Inbound Insured and Ordinary Parcel Post

928.261 Loss or Delay

[Revise the introductory text by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

For inquiries relating to the loss or delay of inbound insured and ordinary parcel post:

[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

a. The customer must submit the mailing receipt, envelope, or wrapper for proof of mailing. If documentation is not provided or is not available, ask the customer to have the sender initiate an inquiry with the postal administration of origin.

b. If documentation is available, complete PS Form 542.

* * * * *

928.262 Damage or Rifling

[Revise the introductory text by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

For claims relating to the damage or rifling of inbound insured or ordinary parcel post:

[Revise items a through e and add new items f and g to read as follows:]

a. If the article has been delivered, advise the customer that the customer is the payee unless the right to payment is waived, in writing, in favor of the sender.

b. Complete PS Form 2855. The addressee must complete Section I, and USPS personnel must complete Sections III and IV.

c. Prepare a damage report detailing the condition of the item at the time of delivery, and indicate whether or not it was properly packaged to withstand normal handling in the mail.

d. Attach the damage report and the documentation described in 925 to the claim.

e. Do not collect a fee.

f. Send PS Form 2855 and related documents, including the mailing receipt if available, the customs label, the wrapper if appropriate, and any other markings or endorsements on the mailing container that indicate if it was sent as insured or ordinary parcel post to the appropriate international claims and inquiries office shown in 931.21.

g. See 926 for damaged insured and ordinary parcel post items.

928.3 Mail Exchanged With Canada

928.31 Forms Used

928.311 PS Form 542, Inquiry About a Registered Article or an Insured Parcel or an Ordinary Article

[Revise 928.311 to read as follows in its entirety:]

PS Form 542, Inquiry About a Registered Article or an Insured Parcel or an Ordinary Article, is used to process inquiries relating to the loss of outbound or inbound registered mail items.

928.312 PS Form 2855, Claim for Indemnity - International Registered, Insured, and Express Mail

PS Form 2855, Claim for Indemnity - International Registered, Insured, and Express Mail, is used in processing inquiries relating to:

[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

a. The loss, damage, or rifling of outbound or inbound insured or ordinary parcel post.

b. The damage or rifling of outbound or inbound registered articles.

[Revise the title of 928.32 by adding "Letter-post" to read as follows:]

928.32 Outbound or Inbound Ordinary Letter-post Mail

[Revise the text of 928.32 to read as follows:]

Advise the customer that inquiries are not accepted for outbound or inbound ordinary letter-post items.

* * * * *

930 Indemnity Payments

931 Adjudication and Approval

* * * * *

931.2 International Claims and Inquiries

[Revise the title of 931.21 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

931.21 Indemnity Claims for International Registered Mail, Insured Parcel Post, and Ordinary Parcel Post

[Revise 931.21 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

Indemnity claims relating to international registered mail items and insured and ordinary parcel post items are decided by the international claims and inquiries office responsible for the country involved (see Exhibit 931.21).

* * * * *

[Revise the title of 932 by adding a reference to ordinary parcel post to read as follows:]

932 General Exceptions to Payment - Registered Letter-post Mail, Insured Parcel Post, and Ordinary Parcel Post

* * * * *

[Delete the exception listed after item i.]

* * * * *

933 Payments for Insured Parcel Post

933.1 General Provisions

* * * * *

[Revise the title of 933.12 to read as follows:]

933.12 Indemnity Will Not Be Paid

[Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]

In addition to the general exceptions to payment described in 932, indemnity will not be paid:

* * * * *

[Add new item h to read as follows:]

h. Payment for parcels delivered with damaged or missing contents is made to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

933.2 Special Provisions

[Revise 933.2 by deleting the heading for 933.21 and the heading and text for 933.22. The text that had been under 933.21 now comes directly under 933.2.]

* * * * *

934 Payments for Registered Mail

934.1 General Provisions

934.11 Indemnity Paid by Country of Origin

[Revise 934.11 to read as follows:]

Indemnity for loss is paid by the country of origin for registered items and is made according to 934.2.

[Revise the title of 934.12 to read as follows:]

934.12 Parcel Post Erroneously Accepted

[Revise 934.12 to read as follows:]

If a parcel post item is accepted in error as a registered mail item, indemnity may be paid under the conditions in 934.2.

[Revise the title of 934.13 to read as follows:]

934.13 Indemnity Will Not Be Paid

[Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]

In addition to the general exceptions to payment described in 932, indemnity will not be paid:

[Revise item a, reletter current item b as new item c, and add new item b to read as follows:]

a. To anyone in the United States, other than the sender, for the loss of an outbound or an inbound registered item. The sender may waive payment, in writing, in favor of the addressee.

b. To anyone in the United States, other than the addressee, for items delivered with damaged or missing contents.

* * * * *

[Add new 934.14 to read as follows:]

934.14 Indemnity Paid by Country of Destination

Indemnity for damage and loss of contents is made by the country of destination to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.

934.2 Special Provisions

[Revise 934.2 by deleting sections 934.21 and 934.22. Add new text to read as follows.]

Regardless of the declared value of a registered item, the maximum amount of indemnity payable for loss, damage, or rifling is $44.86.

* * * * *

940 Postage Refunds

* * * * *

944 Processing Refund Applications

944.1 Items Originating in the United States

[Revise 944.1 to read as follows:]

Requests for refunds for mail originating in the United States are handled as follows:

a. If there is no reason to believe that the other country is at fault, process the application under DMM 604.

b. If there is reason to believe that an insured or ordinary parcel post article originating in the United States was returned in error or that the parcel was returned with no annotation showing reason for return, forward the application, the wrapper, and all supporting documentation to the appropriate international claims and inquiries office shown in 931.21.

* * * * *

Individual Country Listings

For Every County

Airmail Parcel Post Rates

[Add a note under the table for Airmail Parcel Post Rates to read as follows:]

Note: Ordinary air parcel post includes indemnity at no cost based on weight. For an item not over 1 pound, the indemnity is $62.84, and the indemnity increases $3.03 per pound or fraction up to a maximum of 70 pounds, which has an indemnity of $271.91. (See 280.)

* * * * *

Economy Mail Parcel Post Rates

[Add a note under the table for Economy Mail Parcel Post Rates to read as follows:]

Note: Ordinary economy parcel post includes indemnity at no cost based on weight. For an item not over 1 pound, the indemnity is $62.84, and the indemnity increases $3.03 per pound or fraction up to a maximum of 70 pounds, which has an indemnity of $271.91. (See 280.)

* * * * *

For Every Country Offering Global Express Mail Service

Global Express Mail (EMS) (220)

[Revise the Global Express Mail note to read as follows:]

* * * * *

Note: Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in EMS shipments.

* * * * *

For Individual Countries As Noted

Canada

* * * * *

Observations

* * * * *

[Revise the Observations for Canda by removing Observation 13 and renumbering Observation 14 to be Observation 13.]

* * * * *

Special Services

* * * * *

Registered Mail (330)

[Revise the registered mail section to read as follows:]

Fee: $7.90

Maximum Indemnity: $44.86

Available for letter-post mail, including postcards and postal cards, aerogrammes, and matter for the blind.

Not applicable to M-Bags.

* * * * *

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

* * * * *

Observations

* * * * *

[Add new item 6 to read as follows:]

6. Great Britain limits the weight of M-Bags to 20 kg. (44 lbs.).

* * * * *

Philippines

* * * * *

Special Services

* * * * *

[Revise the insurance section to read as follows:]

Insurance (320) Not Available

* * * * *

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of IMM 32 and also into the online version of IMM 32 available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 12-8-05