Effective March 3, 2008 we are revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), to reflect the addition of the new Priority Mail® Large Flat-Rate Box.
The Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box is identified by the words “Large Flat Rate Box” printed on the packaging. The offering of a Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box will enhance customer choice, convenience, and ease of use. The price for shipping the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box is based on the destination. For international mailing, there is one price for service to Canada and Mexico, and one price for service to all other countries.
We have rewritten parts 231 through 234 in their entirety to reflect the addition of the Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
* * * * *
2 Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
230 Priority Mail International
[Revise 231 through 234 to read as follows:]
231 General
With the exception of the flat-rate envelope, Priority Mail International is a parcel service. Written correspondence having the nature of current and personal correspondence is not permitted in Priority Mail International parcels, but may be sent in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope.
232 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate
Envelope
232.1 General
All items that may be sent as First-Class Mail International (see 241) may be sent in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope provided that the contents are mailable, that they fit securely in the envelope, and that they are entirely confined within the envelope with the provided adhesive as the means of closure. The envelope flap must be able to close within the prefabricated folds. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or to reinforce the envelope, provided the design of the envelope is not enlarged by opening the sides of the envelope and taping or reconstructing the envelope in any way. Registered Mail service is available. Insurance is not available.
232.2 Prices
The Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope is charged at a flat rate. The price does not depend on the weight of the item. Postage is required for each piece. Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes with prepaid postage may be used for international mail. Appropriate additional postage must be added prior to mailing. (See Exhibit 232.2.)
Exhibit 232.2 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate
Envelope
232.3 Weight Limit
The weight limit for the flat-rate envelope is 4 pounds.
232.4 Customs Forms Required
All Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes must bear PS Form 2976 or PS Form 2976-A, depending on value.
233 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Boxes
233.1 General
All mailable items that may be sent as Priority Mail International, except those items allowed in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope, may be sent in Priority Mail flat-rate boxes (see 231). The contents must fit securely and must be entirely confined within the box. The box flaps must be able to close within the prefabricated folds.
A flat-rate box may be insured. See 320 and Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered Mail service is not available.
233.2 Prices
A Priority Mail International flat-rate box is charged at a flat rate. The price does not depend on the weight of the item. Postage is required for each piece. Exhibit 233.2 lists the prices for Priority Mail International flat-rate boxes.
Exhibit 233.2 Priority Mail International — Flat–Rate
Boxes
Note: Indemnity for items mailed in flat-rate boxes are based on the weight and indemnity limits shown in Exhibit 234.4.
233.3 Weight Limit
The weight limit for each flat-rate box is 20 pounds.
233.4 Customs Forms Required
Each Priority Mail International flat-rate box must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
234 Priority Mail International Parcels
234.1 General
Prices for parcels not using a flat-rate box vary by weight and country price group. See Individual Country Listings.
234.2 Indemnity
Ordinary — i.e., uninsured — Priority Mail International parcels include indemnity coverage against loss, damage, or rifling up to the amounts shown in Exhibit 234.4. 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 Priority Mail International parcels to many countries. See 320 and Individual Country Listings for availability and limitations of coverage. When international insurance is purchased, it replaces the ordinary indemnity coverage.
Note: Priority Mail International parcels and flat-rate boxes may be insured, but not the Priority Mail flat-rate envelope (see 322).
234.3 Exclusions
Ordinary indemnity coverage 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.
234.4 Ordinary Priority Mail International Weight and Indemnity Limits
Exhibit 234.4 lists the weight and indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels.
Exhibit 234.4 Ordinary Priority Mail International
Weight and Indemnity Limits
[Insert the table that previously appeared in Exhibit 233.3 as the table for Exhibit 234.4. The information in the table itself does not change.]
234.5 Mailing Locations
Parcels may be presented for mailing at any Post Office retail service counter.
234.6 Pickup Service
Scheduled pickup service is available for an added charge of $14.25 for each pickup stop regardless of the number of pieces picked up. Only one pickup fee will be charged if domestic Express Mail, Express Mail International, domestic Priority Mail, Priority Mail International, Global Express Guaranteed, and/or domestic Parcel Post are also picked up at the same time. No pickup fee will be charged when Priority Mail International is picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is provided in accordance with the information in DMM 507.5; for more information, also visit the online site at www.usps.com/pickup.
234.7 Priority Mail International Online Prices
A discount of 5 percent will be applied to Priority Mail International published postage prices for transactions conducted on Click-N-Ship or through an authorized PC Postage vendor. The discount applies only to the postage portion of Priority Mail International prices. It does not apply to pickup service charges, insurance fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.
* * * * *
Individual Country Listings
[For every country that accepts Priority Mail International — except for Canada and Mexico, which are presented separately below — revise the Priority Mail International section as follows:]
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
Priority Mail International
* * * * *
Priority Mail International — Flat Rate
* * * * *
[Revise the flat-rate box section as follows:]
Flat-Rate Boxes: Regular — $37.00; Large — $49.95
Merchandise is permitted, but written communications having the nature of current and personal correspondence are not permitted. The maximum weight limit is 20 lbs. or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less.
* * * * *
[For Canada and Mexico, revise the Priority Mail International section as follows:]
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
Priority Mail International
* * * * *
Priority Mail International — Flat Rate
* * * * *
[Revise the flat-rate box section as follows:]
Flat-Rate Boxes: Regular — $23.00; Large — $29.95
Merchandise is permitted, but written communications having the nature of current and personal correspondence are not permitted. The maximum weight limit is 20 lbs. or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less.
* * * * *
We will incorporate these revisions into the online version of the IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-28-08
