Effective January 18, 2009, the Postal Service™ is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) sections 212 and 423 for the proper disposition of outbound international shortpaid mail. These revisions will provide ease-of-use and clarity to our customers and employees. Detailed procedures for the disposition of shortpaid items are provided for the following categories of mail: Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG®), Express Mail International®, Priority Mail International™, and First-Class Mail International™.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
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2 Conditions for Mailing
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210 Global Express Guaranteed
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212 Postage Prices
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212.2 Commercial Base Prices
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212.24 Online Postage Payment
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212.243 Postage Adjustments
[Revise 212.243 as follows:]
Use of the online service is subject to subsequent verification of the shipment’s payment, weight and time of entry upon acceptance by the Postal Service. Shortpaid Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) shipments paid with Click-N-Ship will be collected automatically through this system (see 423.21).
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4 Treatment of Outbound Mail
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420 Shortpaid and Unpaid Mail
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423 Shortpaid Mail
[Revise 423.1 and 423.2 as follows:]
423.1 General Procedures at the Originating Mailing Office
When shortpaid items are returned to sender, endorse the item, “Returned For…Additional Postage.” Enter the amount of the deficiency.
423.2 Disposition
Once the class of mail has been determined, follow the appropriate procedures below for shortpaid outbound international mail.
423.21 Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) Shipments
Shortpaid Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) shipments must be endorsed “POSTAGE PAID” and forwarded without delay to the appropriate Global Express Guaranteed processing site. Except for items paid with Click-N-Ship postage, immediately notify the sender of the action taken and request payment of the deficient postage. Shortpaid Global Express Guaranteed shipments paid with Click-N-Ship will be collected automatically through this system.
Note: Global Express Guaranteed shipments must not be held for postage due payment unless the deficiency can be obtained from the sender without delaying the dispatch of the shipment.
423.22 Express Mail International Shipments
Shortpaid Express Mail International shipments must be endorsed “POSTAGE PAID” and forwarded without delay to the appropriate exchange office. Immediately notify the sender of the action taken and request payment of the deficient postage.
Note: Express Mail International shipments must not be held for postage due payment unless the deficiency can be obtained from the sender without delaying the dispatch of the shipment.
423.23 Priority Mail International Shipments
Shortpaid Priority Mail International shipments with or without a return address must be endorsed “POSTAGE PAID” and forwarded without delay to the appropriate exchange office. For items with a return address, immediately notify the sender of the action taken and request payment of the deficient postage.
Note: Priority Mail International shipments must not be held for postage due payment unless the deficiency can be obtained from the sender without delaying the dispatch of the shipment.
423.24 First-Class Mail International and Postcard Shipments
Shortpaid First-Class Mail International and postcard shipments with a return address must be returned to sender for additional postage (see 423.1). Shortpaid First-Class Mail International and postcard shipments without a return address must be forwarded to the exchange office. Endorse the item “Postage Due.” Do not enter the amount of the deficiency.
Exception: For shortpaid First-Class Mail International and postcard shipments to Canada without a return address, endorse the item “Postage Due” and enter double the amount of the deficiency.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the IMM and into the monthly update of the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing, 1-1-09
