International Inquiries and Claims

It’s the time of year when customers might need to know how they can make an inquiry on their international holiday pack­age or file an insurance claim if the item was lost or damaged. When it comes to international claims, the first step is to initiate an inquiry.

How to File an Inquiry

Complete instructions for filing an inquiry are available on Notice 122-A, International Mail: Instructions to Initiate an Inquiry. An image of the current edition of Notice 122-A is shown below.

Note: Ordering information for Notice 122-A is included later in this article.

How to File a Claim

After receiving the inquiry, the Postal Service™ will determine if the article was lost or damaged. If it has been, the International Inquiry Center will send the customer a claim packet, which includes instructions explaining how the customer can file a claim and what documentation the customer must include, as noted below:

• If mailed in the United States:
• For Global Express Guaranteed^® (GXG^®) items: The original receipt of the GXG Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice. Photocopies are not acceptable.
• For Express Mail International^® items: PS Form 2861, Express Mail International Service Inquiry — Reclamation, which is included in the claim package from the International Inquiry Center.
• For registered items or Priority Mail International™ insured or ordinary parcels: The original mailing receipt and the sender’s copy of PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note — CP 72, issued at the time of mail­ing. Photocopies are not acceptable.
• If mailed from a foreign country: The original mailing receipt if available, the customs label, the wrapper, and any other markings or endorsements on the mailing container that indicate how it was sent.

The customer must also submit acceptable evidence to establish the cost or value of the article at the time it was mailed. The Postal Service may request other evidence to help determine an accurate value. Examples of acceptable evidence include a paid sales receipt, paid invoice, or statement of value from a reputable dealer or, if unavailable, a statement from the customer describing the lost or damaged article, including the date and place of purchase, the amount paid, and whether it was new or used.

Note: The Postal Service will not return a customer’s receipts, invoices, and documentation submitted as proof of insurance and evidence of value.

Where to File a Claim

Mail the completed claim form with appropriate documentation and evidence of value to the following address:

International Claims
ST LOUIS ACCOUNTING SERVICE CENTER
PO BOX 80146
ST LOUIS MO 63180-0146

For detailed information regarding the inquiry and claims process, see Chapter 9, Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds, in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), which can be accessed via Postal Explorer^® at http://pe.usps.com.

How to Order Notice 122-A

Postal Service personnel can order Notice 122-A from the Material Distribution Center (MDC) by using touch-tone order entry (TTOE): Call 800-273-1509.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.) For complete TTOE ordering instructions, visit the Materials Customer Service Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/_doc/ops_ttoeins.doc or call National Mate­rials Customer Service at 800-332-0317, option 2.

Use the following information to order Notice 122-A:

PSIN: NOT122A
PSN: 7610-08-000-3561
Unit of Issue: PD
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Bulk Pack Quantity: 200
Price: $0.3525

— International Products, Product Development, 1-31-08