Effective August 30, 2007, we are revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), as noted below.
Editor’s Note: This list of revisions includes several items that have already been incorporated in the IMM as part of IMM Issue 34, which was published and effective May 14, 2007. However, because these items were not previously published in the Federal Register or the Postal Bulletin but instead were just included as part of the extensive, comprehensive revisions for IMM Issue 34, we are noting them here to call attention to the information. We are including an “Editor’s Note” to indicate these items, but these items are not included with the IMM revision text in this article.
- IMM 123.4 is revised by clarifying the requirements for commercial invoices.
- IMM Exhibit 123.61 is revised by clarifying the customs requirements for free matter for the blind.
- IMM 213.2 is revised by removing the reference to Yugoslavia.
- IMM 217.1b is revised by clarifying availability of Global Express Guaranteed® to Post Office™ boxes.
- IMM 244.2 is revised by removing outdated information in item b.
- IMM 271.1 is revised by clarifying standards for free matter for the blind or other physically handicapped persons.
- IMM 272 is revised by clarifying the rate eligibility requirements for free matter for the blind and other physically handicapped persons.
- IMM 276 is added to provide information about customs requirements for free matter for the blind and other physically handicapped persons.
- IMM 292.221 is revised by adding precanceled stamps as a postage payment option for International Priority Airmail™ (IPA®) service.
- IMM Exhibit 292.442 is revised by removing the reference to Yugoslavia.
- IMM 292.451 is revised by changing “international airmail sacks” to “universal white plastic sacks.”
- IMM 293.2 is revised by clarifying the percentage of residual mail allowed in an International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) mailing.
- IMM 293.751 is revised by clarifying available postage payment options for ISAL service.
- IMM 293.752 is revised by noting that most, not all, permit imprints in 153.24 are acceptable.
- IMM 293.932 and 293.933 are revised by designating the use of the universal white plastic sack for sacking ISAL mail.
- IMM 293.933c(2) is revised by clarifying the contents of the ISAL permit number.
- IMM 312 is revised by allowing the purchase of a certificate of mailing with the Priority Mail International™ flat-rate envelope.
- IMM 713.41 is revised by changing the address that customers use to contact the U.S. Customs Service about information concerning rates of duty or other customs procedures.
- IMM 713.522 is revised by changing the address for U.S. Customs and Border Protection collections and refunds.
- The Individual Country Listings for the following countries are changed by revising the Express Mail International® maximum weight limit (only the weight limit is changing — the rate group stays the same). [Note: These items are not included with the IMM revision text in this article.]
- Albania, 66 lbs.
- Anguilla, 55 lbs.
- Austria, 70 lbs.
- Azerbaijan, 70 lbs.
- Bahamas, 22 lbs.
- Barbados, 66 lbs.
- Belize, 66 lbs.
- Benin, 66 lbs.
- Bhutan, 66 lbs.
- Bolivia, 66 lbs.
- Botswana, 66 lbs.
- Brunei Darussalam, 66 lbs.
- Bulgaria, 66 lbs.
- Burkina Faso, 70 lbs.
- Burundi, 66 lbs.
- Cambodia, 66 lbs.
- Cape Verde, 66 lbs.
- Central African Republic, 66 lbs.
- Chad, 66 lbs.
- Chile, 66 lbs.
- Congo, Democratic Republic of the, 66 lbs.
- Congo (Brazzaville), Republic of the, 66 lbs.
- Costa Rica, 66 lbs.
- Dominican Republic, 66 lbs.
- El Salvador, 66 lbs.
- Ethiopia, 66 lbs.
- Fiji, 66 lbs.
- French Polynesia, 66 lbs.
- Gabon, 66 lbs.
- Ghana, 66 lbs.
- Grenada, 66 lbs.
- Guatemala, 66 lbs.
- Guyana, 66 lbs.
- Haiti, 66 lbs.
- Hungary, 66 lbs.
- Iceland, 66 lbs.
- India, 70 lbs.
- Indonesia, 66 lbs.
- Israel, 44 lbs.
- Jamaica, 66 lbs.
- Kazakhstan, 66 lbs.
- Kenya, 70 lbs.
- Kuwait, 66 lbs.
- Kyrgyzstan, 66 lbs.
- Laos, 66 lbs.
- Latvia, 66 lbs.
- Lesotho, 66 lbs.
- Lithuania, 70 lbs.
- Macao, 70 lbs.
- Maldives, 66 lbs.
- Mali, 66 lbs.
- Malta, 44 lbs.
- Mauritania, 66 lbs.
- Mauritius, 66 lbs.
- Mexico, 44 lbs.
- Moldova, 70 lbs.
- Mongolia, 66 lbs.
- Morocco, 68 lbs.
- Mozambique, 66 lbs.
- Namibia, 22 lbs.
- Nepal, 69 lbs.
- Netherlands Antilles, 66 lbs.
- New Caledonia, 66 lbs.
- New Zealand, 66 lbs.
- Nicaragua, 55 lbs.
- Nigeria, 66 lbs.
- Oman, 66 lbs.
- Pakistan, 66 lbs.
- Papua New Guinea, 55 lbs.
- Paraguay, 55 lbs.
- Peru, 70 lbs.
- Qatar, 66 lbs.
- Romania, 70 lbs.
- Russia, 66 lbs.
- Rwanda, 66 lbs.
- St. Christopher, 66 lbs.
- Senegal, 66 lbs.
- Serbia-Montenegro, 66 lbs.
- Seychelles, 66 lbs.
- Sierra Leone, 66 lbs.
- Solomon Islands, 66 lbs.
- South Africa, 66 lbs.
- Sri Lanka, 66 lbs.
- Sudan, 66 lbs.
- Swaziland, 66 lbs.
- Tajikistan, 66 lbs.
- Tanzania, 66 lbs.
- Thailand, 66 lbs.
- Togo, 66 lbs.
- Trinidad & Tobago, 66 lbs.
- Tunisia, 66 lbs.
- Turkey, 66 lbs.
- Turkmenistan, 66 lbs.
- Uganda, 66 lbs.
- United Arab Emirates, 70 lbs.
- Vanuatu, 55 lbs.
- Venezuela, 66 lbs.
- Vietnam, 66 lbs.
- Zambia, 66 lbs.
- The Individual Country Listings for the following countries indicate that the maximum amount for Express Mail International merchandise insurance is $650. [Editor’s Note: This information has already been incorporated in the IMM as part of IMM Issue 34, which was published and effective May 14, 2007. These items are not included with the IMM revision text in this article.]
- The Individual Country Listings for the following countries list the following maximum weight limits for Global Express Guaranteed. [Editor’s Note: This information has already been incorporated in the IMM as part of IMM Issue 34, which was published and effective May 14, 2007. These items are not included with the IMM revision text in this article.]
- The Individual Country Listings for the following countries indicate that Global Express Guaranteed is not available. [Editor’s Note: This information has already been incorporated in the IMM as part of IMM Issue 34, which was published and effective May 14, 2007. These items are not included with the IMM revision text in this article.]
- The Individual Country Listing for Afghanistan is revised by changing the rate group for Priority Mail International from 5 to 6.
- The Individual Country Listing for Armenia is revised by updating the prohibitions.
- The Individual Country Listing for Austria is revised by updating the currency in observation 3 from the Austrian schilling to the euro.
- The Individual Country Listing for Belgium is revised by updating the currency in observation 4 from the Belgian franc to the euro.
- The Individual Country Listing for Bulgaria is revised by adding new prohibitions.
- The Individual Country Listing for Estonia is revised by requiring a commercial invoice for Express Mail International merchandise and all articles subject to customs duty.
- The Individual Country Listing for Germany is revised by updating the currency in observation 6 from the deutsche mark to the euro.
- The Individual Country Listing for Greenland is revised by changing the rate group for Priority Mail International from 4 to 5.
- The Individual Country Listing for Malawi indicates that the maximum insurance for Global Express Guaranteed nondocument service is $1,499. [Editor’s Note: This information has already been incorporated in the IMM as part of IMM Issue 34, which was published and effective May 14, 2007. This item is not included with the IMM text in this article.]
- The Individual Country Listing for Peru is revised by adding new prohibitions.
- The Individual Country Listing for Russia is revised by removing the list of available Express Mail International locations and replacing it with a list of locations that are not served by Express Mail International service.
- The Individual Country Listing for Serbia-Montenegro is revised by removing the reference to Yugoslavia.
- The Individual Country Listing for Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) is revised by allowing Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service.
- The Individual Country Listing for Turks and Caicos Islands is revised by allowing Express Mail International service.
- The Individual Country Listing for Uzbekistan is revised by allowing Express Mail International service.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
* * * * *
1 International Mail Services
* * * * *
120 Preparation for Mailing
* * * * *
123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels
* * * * *
123.4 Nonpostal Forms
[Revise 123.4 to read as follows:]
123.41 Nonpostal Export Regulations
Certain items must bear one or more of the forms required by the nonpostal export regulations described in chapter 5.
123.42 Commercial Invoices
A commercial invoice is a bill for goods from the seller to the buyer. A commercial invoice must be completed where required and must contain the following basic information:
1. Seller’s complete contact information.
2. Receiver’s complete contact information.
3. Consignee’s complete contact information (if it is different from the buyer’s).
4. Country of origin.
5. Destination country.
6. Reason for export.
7. Total commercial value of the item(s) shipped.
8. Sales and payment terms (if any).
9. Currency of sale.
10. Full quantities and description of the merchandise.
11. A statement certifying that the invoice is correct.
* * * * *
123.6 Required Usage
123.61 Conditions
* * * * *
Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category
[Revise Exhibit 123.61 by adding footnote 2 to the heading “Free Matter for the Blind.” Renumber current footnote with the heading “M-bag” from 2 to 3 in the table and in the footnotes. Add new footnote 2 for Free Matter for the Blind as follows:]
* * * * *
2 Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
210 Global Express Guaranteed
* * * * *
213 Service Areas
* * * * *
213.2 Destinating Countries and Rate Groups
[Revise 213.2 by removing the entry for Yugoslavia from the table.]
* * * * *
217 Mail Preparation
217.1 Preparation by the Sender
* * * * *
[Revise item b as follows:]
b. Complete the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (Item 11FGG1) to show the complete address of the sender and addressee. Post office box addresses may be used to certain international locations. Items cannot be addressed to APO or FPO addresses. See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country.
* * * * *
240 First-Class Mail International
* * * * *
244 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
244.2 Marking
* * * * *
[Revise item b as follows:]
b. First-Class Mail International items must be marked “AIRMAIL/PAR AVION” or have PS Label 19-A, Par Avion Airmail, or PS Label 19-B, Par Avion Airmail, affixed to the address side of the mailpiece.
* * * * *
270 Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons
271 Description
271.1 General
* * * * *
[Revise items a and b as follows:]
a. Books, periodicals, and other matter (including unsealed letters) impressed in Braille or other special type for the use of the blind.
b. Plates for embossing literature for the blind.
* * * * *
[Delete item e.]
* * * * *
272 Postage Rates
[Revise 272 as follows:]
The postage rate for an eligible item marked as “MATTER FOR THE BLIND” is free when sent as First-Class Mail International up to 4 pounds or Priority Mail International up to 15 pounds. If free matter for the blind is sent as Global Express Guaranteed or Express Mail International, the postage rate based on the weight of the article must be paid.
* * * * *
[Add a new part 276 as follows:]
276 Customs Forms Required
A fully completed PS Form 2976 or 2976-A, depending on value, must be affixed to each item. The known mailer exemption in IMM 123.62 does not apply to free matter for the blind or other physically handicapped persons.
* * * * *
290 Commercial Services
* * * * *
292 International Priority Airmail Service
* * * * *
292.2 Postage
* * * * *
292.22 Postage Payment Methods
292.221 General
[Revise the italicized introductory portion of item a as follows:]
a. Postage Meter, Permit Imprint, or Precanceled Stamps.***
* * * * *
292.4 Mail Preparation for Individual Items
* * * * *
292.44 Sortation Requirements for IPA
* * * * *
292.442 Presorted Mail
* * * * *
Exhibit 292.442
Foreign Exchange Office and Country Rate Groups
* * * * *
[In the entry for Serbia-Montenegro, remove the parenthetical reference to Yugoslavia.]
* * * * *
292.45 Sacking Requirements
292.451 Direct Country Sack (11 Pounds or More)
[Revise 292.451a by changing the words “international airmail sacks” in the first sentence to “universal white plastic sacks.”]
* * * * *
293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service
* * * * *
293.2 Qualifying Mail and Minimum Quantity Requirements
[Revise the fourth sentence as follows:]
***The weight of all residual mail must not exceed 10 percent of the combined weight of all other mail.
* * * * *
293.7 Postage
* * * * *
293.75 Payment Methods
293.751 Postage Meter, Permit Imprint, or Precanceled Stamps
[Revise 293.751 as follows:]
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or mailer-precanceled stamps. Postage is computed on PS Form 3700, which is required for all ISAL mailings. When postage is paid by meter or mailer-precanceled stamps, each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL.”
293.752 Piece Rate
[Revise 293.752 by changing the first word in the last sentence from “All” to “Most.”]
* * * * *
293.9 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
293.93 Makeup Requirements for ISAL
* * * * *
293.932 Sacking
* * * * *
[Revise item a by changing “plastic sack” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
[Revise item b by changing “green pouch” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
[Revise item c by changing “green pouch” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
* * * * *
293.933 Sack Labeling
* * * * *
[Revise item a by changing “plastic sack” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
[Revise item b by changing “domestic green nylon pouch” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
[Revise item c by changing “domestic green nylon pouch” to “universal white plastic sack.”]
* * * * *
[Revise item c(2) as follows.]
(2) Customer Permit No. Block: Enter your ISAL permit number (5-Digit ZIP Code plus Business Mail Entry Permit Number).
* * * * *
3 Extra Services
310 Certificate of Mailing
* * * * *
312 Availability
[Revise the first sentence of 312 to allow the purchase of a certificate of mailing with the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope as follows:]
Customers can purchase a certificate of mailing when they send unregistered First-Class Mail International items, postcards or postal cards, Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes, free matter for the blind, and uninsured Priority Mail International parcels.***
* * * * *
7 Treatment of Inbound Mail
710 U.S. Customs Information
* * * * *
713 Treatment of Dutiable Mail at Delivery Office
* * * * *
713.4 Payment of Duty
713.41 Rate Information
* * * * *
[Revise 713.41 by changing the address as follows:]
US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SW
WASHINGTON DC 20229-0001
* * * * *
713.5 Treatment of Uncollected Items
* * * * *
713.52 Reporting of Uncollected Items
* * * * *
713.522 Disposition of PS Form 2933
* * * * *
[Revise 713.522 by changing the address as follows:]
US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
MAIL ENTRY
6650 TELECOM DRIVE SUITE 100
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46278-0001
* * * * *
World Map Index
* * * * *
[In the entry for Serbia-Montenegro, remove the parenthetical reference to Yugoslavia.]
* * * * *
Index of Countries and Localities
* * * * *
[In the PDF file, revise the index of countries and localities by removing the entry for Yugoslavia, which says “Yugoslavia (see individual republics).” (In the HTML file, there is no entry for Yugoslavia because there is no country-specific information.)]
* * * * *
Individual Country Listings
[Editor’s Note: We are revising the Individual Country Listings for the countries whose Express Mail International maximum weight limits are changing, but we are not including the actual revision text in this article. For a list of those countries and their Express Mail International maximum weight limits, see the appropriate bulleted item in the introductory text to this article.]
Afghanistan
* * * * *
Priority Mail International
[Revise the Priority Mail International section by removing the table for rate group 5 and inserting the table for rate group 6 as follows:]
* * * * *
Armenia
Prohibitions (130)
* * * * *
[Revise the current item that begins “Postal items containing” to read as follows:]
Postal items containing securities of any kind payable to the bearer; traveler’s cheques; platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not; precious stones; jewels; or other valuable articles.
* * * * *
Austria
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Revise observation 3 as follows:]
3. Gift shipments are exempt from charges and fees provided the value of the shipment does not exceed 29 euros;***
* * * * *
Belgium
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Revise observation 4 as follows:]
4. Gift shipments for private individuals for their personal use are exempt from the license requirement provided the value of the shipment does not exceed 74 euros.
* * * * *
Bulgaria
Prohibitions (130)
[Revise or add the following five items, inserting them alphabetically in the current list:]
Arms and ammunition; explosive, flammable, or other hazardous materials.
* * * * *
Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; traveler’s cheques; platinum, gold, and silver, whether manufactured or not; precious stones; jewels; or other valuable articles in uninsured parcels.
* * * * *
Narcotics, psychotropic substances, anesthetics, or toxic materials.
Obscene or immoral articles.
* * * * *
Religious materials connected with prohibited or unregistered sects or organizations.
* * * * *
Estonia
* * * * *
Express Mail International (220)
* * * * *
Insurance (221.3)
* * * * *
[In the “articles admitted” table, revise the last entry as follows (adding the requirement that a commercial invoice must be included in each item:]
Germany
* * * * *
Observations
* * * * *
[Revise observation 6 as follows:]
6. Customs authorities require invoices with books valued at 26 euros or more (currently $35.20).
* * * * *
Greenland
* * * * *
Priority Mail International
[Revise the Priority Mail International section by removing the table for rate group 4 and inserting the table for rate group 5 as follows:]
* * * * *
Peru
Prohibitions (130)
* * * * *
[Revise the prohibitions by adding the following eight items, inserting them alphabetically in the current list.]
Agricultural pesticides containing active ingredients (ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, monocrotophos).
* * * * *
Cartographic and geographic texts, books, floppy disks, video cassettes, and any medium containing a distortion or misrepresentation of the Peruvian national territory and its borders.
* * * * *
Drinks manufactured abroad under the brand name “Pisco.”
* * * * *
Organochlorinated pesticides and their derivatives and components.
* * * * *
Pyrotechnic products.
* * * * *
Toys known as “Yoyo Loco” or “Yoyo Chino.”
* * * * *
Used clothing and shoes.
Used tires.
* * * * *
Russia
* * * * *
Express Mail International (220)
* * * * *
Areas Served:
[Revise the information for areas served by removing the current information and inserting text as follows:]
All except Chaibucha, Yamsk, Garmanda, Gizhiga, Rep de Tchetchnya, Tachtoyamsk, and Verchniyi paren.
* * * * *
Serbia-Montenegro
[Remove the subheading for Serbia-Montenegro (the parenthetical reference to Yugoslavia).]
* * * * *
Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)
* * * * *
Global Express Guaranteed (210)
[Revise the Global Express Guaranteed section by removing the phrase “Not Available” and adding text as follows (using the table for rate group 6):]
Insurance (215.5)
Size Limits (216.4)
An item must be large enough to hold on its face the postage and the plastic pouch that carries the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label). The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long, and the plastic pouch that carries it is approximately 7 inches high and 12 inches long.
Maximum length: 46 inches
Maximum width: 35 inches
Maximum height: 46 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
General Conditions for Mailing
See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.
* * * * *
Turks and Caicos Islands
* * * * *
Express Mail International (220)
[Revise the Express Mail International section by removing the phrase “Not Available” and adding text as follows (using the table for rate group 9):]
Express Mail International — Flat Rate
Flat-Rate Envelope (9.5" x 12.5"): $25.00
Insurance (221.3)
Available for Express Mail International merchandise shipments only
Size Limits (223.2)
Maximum length: 42 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches
Return Receipt Service (221.4):
NOT Available
Notes: None provided
Reciprocal Service Name: None provided
Country Code: TC
Areas Served: All except Bambarra, Belfour, Bottle Creek, Cockburn Harbour, Conch Bar, Kew, Lorimmers, Sandy Point, and Whitby. Alternative service delivery is provided to these locations.
* * * * *
Uzbekistan
* * * * *
Express Mail International (220)
[Revise the Express Mail International section by removing the phrase “Not Available” and adding text as follows (using the table for rate group 6):]
Express Mail International — Flat Rate
Flat-Rate Envelope (9.5" x 12.5"): $25.00
Insurance (221.3)
Available for EMS merchandise shipments only
Size Limits (223.2)
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
Return Receipt Service (221.4): NOT Available
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 to Uzbekistan.
Reciprocal Service Name: emsUzbekistan
Country Code: UZ
Areas Served: All
* * * * *
We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the IMM and also into the online version of the IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 8-16-07
