International mail products are being realigned to make them clear-cut and easy to use. The changes introduce the familiar and trusted USPS® domestic product names — First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, and Express Mail® service — into the international product portfolio for retail customers. Commercial customers may contact the Postal Service’s Global Business group for more information about customized business mailing solutions.
The realignment merges all economy services including Publishers’ Periodicals and Books and Sheet Music into categories with better service. Economy services (that use surface transportation) account for only 2.7 percent of total international volume. The declining volumes indicate that demand for faster services has increased at the expense of services that use surface transportation to foreign destinations. As a result, efficient international surface delivery networks have diminished and costs have dramatically increased. In addition, the lack of efficient surface delivery networks has led to lengthy and inconsistent delivery times for economy service to many destinations.
Periodicals mailers who previously mailed their publications at Publishers’ Periodicals prices in bulk may now use International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), M-bag, and International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) service, using a permit imprint on the copies and submitting PS Form 3700, Postage Statement – International Mail. Single-piece mailing options will be First-Class Mail International and Priority Mail International, using postage stamps, a postage meter, a postage validation imprinter (PVI) label, or PC Postage® to apply the appropriate First-Class Mail International or Priority Mail International price to each mailpiece.
Effective Monday, May 14, with the corresponding changes to domestic prices and fees, international products will consist of the following: Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®), Express Mail International®, Priority Mail International, and First-Class Mail International and will be available for purchase at Post Offices™ as well as online at www.usps.com.
Some restrictions apply. See IMM 215.
Average delivery times may vary based on origin and destination.
Insurance is not available for the Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope.
In addition to the above, aerogrammes will be eliminated. Previously purchased aerogrammes can be mailed as First-Class Mail International; however, since the First-Class Mail International price is higher, additional postage would have to be affixed.
Available online tools will make international mailing easier than ever, by combining Customs forms and address labels for many products shipped using the Internet. Online mailing will also offer discounts for international postage purchased using Click-N-Ship® service at www.usps.com or through authorized postage vendors. Customers purchasing postage online will qualify for postage discounts as follows:
Mailers will also be able to use the same Express Mail and Priority Mail packaging for international shipments that they use for domestic. This includes the popular Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope, as well as the flat-rate options for Priority Mail including two flat-rate boxes. Customers may continue using existing international packaging supplies as long as they remain available.
Although this redesign includes increases in international product prices, postal products are still priced lower than comparable services of other international carriers. Here are highlights of the new international retail product offerings:
