IMM Revision: Changes to Pricing and Mailing Standards for International Shipping Services

Effective January 17, 2016, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®), to reflect changes to prices, product features, and standards for the international shipping services noted below:

n Global Express Guaranteed^® (GXG^®).

n Priority Mail Express International^®.

n Priority Mail International^®.

n First-Class Package International

n Service^® (FCPIS^®).

n International Priority Airmail^® (IPA^®).

n International Surface Air Lift^® (ISAL^®).

n Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bag^® service).

n International Extra Services:

n Insurance.

n International postal money orders.

n International money order inquiry fee.

n International money transfer service.

Global Express Guaranteed

Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service is the Postal Service’s premier international expedited product provided through an alliance with FedEx Express^®. The price increase for GXG service averages 7.1 percent.

The Postal Service provides Commercial Base™ pricing to online customers who prepare and pay for GXG shipments via USPS™-approved payment methods (with the exception of Click-N-Ship^® service), with a 5-percent discount off the published retail prices for GXG. Customers who prepare GXG shipments via Click-N-Ship service will pay retail prices.

The Postal Service continues to offer Commercial Plus™ pricing for large-volume customers who commit to tendering $100,000 in annual postal revenue from GXG service, Priority Mail Express International service, Priority Mail International service, and First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) via USPS-approved payment methods. The Postal Service will also continue to include GXG service in customized Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit a larger amount of revenue in international postage.

Priority Mail Express International

Priority Mail Express International service provides fast service to approximately 180 countries. Priority Mail Express International with Money-Back Guarantee service is available for certain destinations. The price increase for Priority Mail Express International service averages 11.6 percent. The Commercial Base price for customers who prepare and pay for Priority Mail Express International shipments via permit imprint, online at http://usps.com, or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage^® vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service) will be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who prepare Priority Mail Express International shipments via Click-N-Ship service will pay retail prices. The Postal Service continues to offer Priority Mail Express International Commercial Plus pricing to large-volume customers who commit to tendering $100,000 in annual postal revenues from GXG, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and FCPIS services. The Postal Service will also continue to include Priority Mail Express International service in customized Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit a larger amount of revenue in international postage.

We are discontinuing the Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Box. Retail customers who present items to be mailed in a Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Box will pay the retail price based on the item’s weight and price group.

Priority Mail Express International flat rate pricing continues to be available for Flat Rate Envelopes. With this price change, the prices for what was formerly the “all other countries” rate group are being replaced with flat rate prices in seven rate groups, based on geographical regions.

Priority Mail International

Priority Mail International service is an economical way to send merchandise and documents to about 180 countries. The price increase for Priority Mail International service averages 10.2 percent. The Commercial Base price for customers who prepare and pay for Priority Mail International items via permit imprint, online at http://usps.com, or as registered end-users using an authorized PC Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service) will be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who prepare Priority Mail International shipments via Click-N-Ship service will pay retail prices. The Postal Service continues to offer Priority Mail International Commercial Plus pricing to large-volume customers who commit to tendering $100,000 in annual postal revenues from GXG, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and FCPIS services. The Postal Service will continue to include Priority Mail International service in customized Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contracts offered to customers who meet certain revenue thresholds and are willing to commit to a larger amount of revenue to the Postal Service for Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International services.

Priority Mail International flat rate pricing continues to be available for Flat Rate Envelopes, Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, and Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes. With this price change, the prices for what was formerly the “all other countries” rate group are being replaced with flat rate prices in seven rate groups, based on geographical regions.

With this price change, we are implementing a structural change in the way insurance is provided and reimbursed for Priority Mail International service. Priority Mail International shipments containing merchandise (other than in Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes and Flat Rate Envelopes) will be insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Additional insurance coverage up to a maximum of $5,000 (depending on individual country insurance limits) is available for purchase at the sender’s option. Priority Mail International shipments containing nonnegotiable documents (other than in Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes) will be insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no additional charge. The insurance coverage will be provided on all outbound Priority Mail International shipments accepted at retail or paid for with postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter imprints, USPS-approved PC Postage, Click-N-Ship postage, or permit imprint.

Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service — abbreviated E-USPS DELCON INTL — is an optional service available at no charge for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes (except for the Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope) and all Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes to select destination countries for customers using select software or online tools. With this price change, we are adding E-USPS DELCON INTL service to four countries: Lebanon, Norway, Slovak Republic, and Turkey.

In the May 2015 price change, we created new price zones for Priority Mail International service to Canada, based on the distance of the origin ZIP Code™ to the serving International Service Center (ISC). An ISC Zone Chart is now available for a subscription fee from the National Customer Support Center in Memphis, Tennessee, to support zone-based pricing for Priority Mail International service to Canada. The chart enables mailers to determine the applicable zone, based on the origin ZIP Code. Once the mailer knows the zone and weight of the item, the mailer will be able to determine the applicable postage price.

First-Class Package International Service

First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) is an economical international service for small packages weighing less than 4 pounds and not exceeding $400 in value. The pricing structure for FCPIS will continue to be simpler than for some other international products, with identical prices for 0–8 ounces within each country price group, and identical prices for 9–32 ounces within each country price group. The price increase for FCPIS averages 21.6 percent. The Commercial Base price for customers who prepare and pay for FCPIS items via permit imprint or by USPS-approved online payment methods will be 5 percent below the retail price. Customers who prepare FCPIS shipments via Click-N-Ship service will pay retail prices. Commercial Plus pricing will be available to large-volume customers who commit to tendering $100,000 in annual postal revenue for GXG, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and FCPIS services.

Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service — abbreviated E-USPS DELCON INTL — is an optional service available at no charge for FCPIS items to select destination countries for customers using select software or online tools. With this price change, we are adding E-USPS DELCON INTL service to four countries: Lebanon, Norway, Slovak Republic, and Turkey.

International Priority Airmail and International Surface Air Lift

International Priority Airmail (IPA) service, including IPA M-bag^® service, is a bulk commercial service that provides business mailers with rapid and economical worldwide delivery for volume mailings of First-Class Mail International^® postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and FCPIS packages (small packets) weighing up to a maximum of 4.4 pounds. The overall price increase for IPA service averages 4.2 percent. Published prices for IPA service will increase by 4.2 percent for IPA service, and 3.5 percent for IPA M-bag service. The Postal Service dispatches an IPA item to the destination country, where it is entered into the postal administration’s air or surface priority mail system for delivery.

International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-bag service, is a bulk commercial service that provides economical worldwide delivery to business mailers of volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and FCPIS packages (small packets) weighing up to a maximum of 4.4 pounds. The overall price increase for ISAL service averages 6 percent. Published prices for ISAL service will increase by 6.3 percent for ISAL service, and 5.3 percent for ISAL M-bag service. The Postal Service dispatches an ISAL item to the destination country, where it is entered into the postal administration’s surface nonpriority network for delivery.

The structure of IPA and ISAL price categories will continue to be priced by the worldwide and 19 country price groups and applicable mail shapes — i.e., letters and postcards, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets and rolls). These categories correspond to the Universal Postal Convention requirements to use shape-based pricing. For IPA and ISAL, the Postal Service offers incentive pricing through International Negotiated Service Agreements (NSAs).

Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (Airmail M-bags)

Airmail M-bags are direct sacks of printed matter sent to a single foreign addressee at a single address. Prices are based on the weight of the sack. The price increase for Airmail M-bags averages 9.2 percent.

International Extra Services and Fees

Depending on country destination and mail type, customers may add a variety of extra services to their outbound shipments. Prices for some of these extra services are increasing:

n International postal money orders will increase 5.6 percent.

n The international postal money order inquiry fee will increase 3.5 percent.

n International money transfer service will increase 3.3–3.7 percent, depending on the rate cell.

These IMM revisions are based on our international Shipping Services final rule titled “International Product and Price Changes” published in the Federal Register (80 FR 65139–65149) on October 26, 2015. The entire notice is available for review on Postal Explorer^® at http://pe.usps.com (in the blue box on the left, click on “Federal Register Notices”).

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)

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1 International Mail Services

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130 Mailability

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134 Valuable Articles

134.1 Service Options

The following services can be used to send the articles noted in 134.2:

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[Revise item d and the Note to read as follows (deleting distinctions between Priority Mail International service with and without insurance):]

d. Priority Mail International service (except for Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes and Flat Rate Envelopes).

Note: Priority Mail Express International service cannot be used to send the articles noted in 134.2.

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2 Conditions for Mailing

210 Global Express Guaranteed

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213 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

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213.6 Commercial Prices

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213.62 Commercial Plus Prices

213.621 General

[Revise the first sentence to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service and eliminating the difference in price between Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices):]

An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 213.8, or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product (except for Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Global Express Guaranteed Commercial Plus prices.***

* * * * * 

213.7 Online Methods

213.71 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the text to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

For selected destination countries, Global Express Guaranteed items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:

a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products using online postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service); or a USPS meter label solution using metered postage.

b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).

Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices are not available through Click-N-Ship service. The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is automatically applied to each shipment when mailers use one of the postage payment methods above. The discount applies only to the postage portion of the Global Express Guaranteed price. It does not apply to any other charges or fees, such as fees for Pickup on Demand service, insurance, or shipments made under a customized agreement.

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220 Priority Mail Express International

221 Description and Physical Characteristics

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221.3 Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes

[Revise the first sentence of 221.3 to read as follows (adding a reference to the rate group):]

Only USPS-produced Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes are eligible for the Flat Rate price and are charged a flat rate price depending on the rate group of the destination.***

[Delete 221.4 and renumber current 221.5 as 221.4 (there are no other changes except renumbering).]

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222 Eligibility

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[Delete 222.4 in its entirety (including Exhibit 222.4), and renumber current 222.5 through 222.8 as 222.4 through 222.7 (there are no other changes except renumbering).]

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223 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

223.1 Prices

223.11 Availability and Price Application — General

[Revise the first sentence of 223.11 to read as follows (deleting the reference to 223.15):]

Except under 223.14, Priority Mail Express International shipments are charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and country price group.***

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223.13 Commercial Plus Prices

[Replace the first sentence of 223.13 with the following two sentences to read as follows:]

An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 223.222, or as a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product (except for Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Priority Mail Express International Commercial Plus prices, which are the same as Priority Mail Express International Commercial Base prices. Customers who prepare Priority Mail Express International shipments via Click-N-Ship service pay retail prices.***

* * * * * 

[Delete 223.15 in its entirety.]

223.2 Postage Payment Methods

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223.24 Online Methods

223.241 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first paragraph of 223.241 to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

For selected destination countries, Priority Mail Express International items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:

a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products using online postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service) or a USPS meter label solution using metered postage.

b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).

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230 Priority Mail International

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232 Eligibility

232.1 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes

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232.12 Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International

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232.122 Availability

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Exhibit 232.122 Countries Accepting Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International Service

Note: An asterisk indicates that service was temporarily suspended on June 12, 2014.

[Revise the exhibit to read as follows (adding Lebanon, Norway, Slovak Republic, and Turkey):]

 

Australia	Gibraltar*	Malta
Belgium	Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Netherlands
Brazil*	Hungary	New Zealand
Canada	Israel	Norway
Croatia	Italy*	Portugal*
Denmark*	Latvia	Singapore
Estonia	Lebanon	Slovak Republic
Finland	Lithuania	Spain
France*	Luxembourg*	Switzerland
Germany	Malaysia	Turkey

* * * * * 

232.126 Price Eligibility

[Revise the text of 232.126 to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

Only items paid with USPS-approved PC Postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), permit imprint, or a USPS meter label solution are eligible for the applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price for the postage portion of the mailpiece. Customers using a USPS meter label solution to print shipping labels must apply postage from a meter to be eligible for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices. Items with electronically generated customs forms that are not generated with PC Postage, a permit imprint, or a USPS meter label solution (for example, forms electronically generated by Webtools or Click-N-Ship service) are charged the retail price.

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232.5 Priority Mail International Parcels

232.51 General

[Replace the next-to-last sentence of 232.51 with the following two sentences to read as follows:]

***Priority Mail International parcels containing merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Additional insurance may be available, depending on country and value — see Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage.***

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232.6 Customs Forms Required

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[Revise the title and text of 232.63 to read as follows (removing references to ordinary and insured parcels):]

232.63 Priority Mail International Parcels

Each Priority Mail International parcel must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976-A.

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232.8 Priority Mail International Insurance and Indemnity

232.81 Indemnity

[Revise the first two sentences of 232.81 to read as follows:]

Except for Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, Priority Mail International parcels containing merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Indemnity is limited to the lesser of the actual value of the contents or $200.***

[Revise the Note to read as follows:]

Note: Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the included $200 merchandise insurance may be available, depending on country, content, and value — see Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. When merchandise insurance is purchased, it replaces the included $200 merchandise insurance.

232.82 Exclusions

[Revise the text of 232.82 to read as follows:]

Insurance coverage is not provided for 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.

[Delete 232.83 in its entirety (including Exhibit 232.83).]

232.9 Extra Services

232.91 Certificate of Mailing

[Revise the text of 232.91 to read as follows:]

Certificate of mailing service is available for purchase only for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.

232.92 Merchandise Insurance

[Revise the text of 232.92 to read as follows:]

Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the included $200 merchandise insurance is available for Priority Mail International parcels, except Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, to many countries. When merchandise insurance is purchased, it replaces the included $200 merchandise insurance. See Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

* * * * * 

233 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

233.1 Prices

233.11 Availability and Price Application — General

[After the current text of 233.11, add new paragraph to read as follows:]

* * * * * 

Price zones for Priority Mail International to Canada are based on the distance of the origin ZIP Code to the serving International Service Center (ISC). An ISC Zone Chart is available by subscription from the National Customer Support Center in Memphis. To purchase copies of the Zone Chart, call the Zone Chart program administrator at 800-238-3150 or write to the following address:

NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
US POSTAL SERVICE
225 N HUMPHREYS BLVD STE 501
MEMPHIS TN 38188-1001.

* * * * * 

233.13 Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first sentence of 233.13 to read as follows (eliminating the distinction between Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices, and eliminating the availability of Click-N-Ship service):]

An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 233.222, or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the Priority Mail International Commercial Plus prices.***

* * * * * 

233.14 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes

[Revise the first sentence of 233.14 to read as follows (adding a reference to the rate group):]

Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes are charged a flat rate price depending on the rate group of the destination.***

233.15 Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes

[Revise the first sentence of 233.15 to read as follows (adding a reference to the rate group):]

The Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes are charged a flat rate price depending on the rate group of the destination.***

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233.2 Postage Payment Methods

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233.22 Permit Imprint

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233.222 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first sentence of 233.222 to read as follows (eliminating the distinction between retail prices and Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices):]

A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the Priority Mail International Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices.***

* * * * * 

233.23 Online Methods

233.231 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first paragraph of 233.231 to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

For selected destination countries, Priority Mail International items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:

a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products using online postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service); or a USPS meter label solution using metered postage.

b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of an authorized PC Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).

* * * * * 

250 First-Class Package International Service

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252 Eligibility

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252.2 Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International

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252.22 Availability

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Exhibit 252.22 Countries Accepting Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International Service

Note: An asterisk indicates that service was temporarily suspended on June 12, 2014.

[Revise the exhibit to read as follows (adding Lebanon, Norway, Slovak Republic, and Turkey):]

 

Australia	Gibraltar*	Malta
Belgium	Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Netherlands
Brazil*	Hungary	New Zealand
Canada	Israel	Norway
Croatia	Italy*	Portugal*
Denmark*	Latvia	Singapore
Estonia	Lebanon	Slovak Republic
Finland	Lithuania	Spain
France*	Luxembourg*	Switzerland
Germany	Malaysia	Turkey

* * * * * 

252.26 Price Eligibility

[Revise the text of 252.26 to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

Only items paid with USPS-approved PC Postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), permit imprint, or a USPS meter label solution are eligible for the applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price for the postage portion of the mailpiece. Customers using a USPS meter label solution to print shipping labels must apply postage from a meter to be eligible for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices. Electronically generated customs forms that are not generated with PC Postage (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), a permit imprint, or a USPS meter label solution (for example, forms electronically generated by “Webtools”) are charged the retail price.

* * * * * 

253 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

253.1 Prices

* * * * * 

253.15 Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first sentence of 253.15 to read as follows (eliminating the distinction between Commercial Base and Commercial Plus prices, and eliminating the availability of Commercial Plus Prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 253.222, or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service), qualifies for the First-Class Package International Service Commercial Plus prices.***

* * * * * 

253.2 Postage Payment Methods

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253.23 Online Methods

253.231 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices

[Revise the first paragraph of 253.231 to read as follows (eliminating the availability of Commercial Base and Commercial Plus Prices for users of Click-N-Ship service):]

For selected destination countries, First-Class Package International Service items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:

a. Commercial Base Price: Registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service) using online postage; or a USPS meter label solution using metered postage.

b. Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of an authorized PC Postage vendor (with the exception of Click-N-Ship service).

* * * * * 

3 Extra Services

310 Certificate of Mailing

311 Individual Pieces

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311.2 Availability

311.21 At Time of Purchase

A customer may purchase a certificate of mailing (individual pieces) when sending the following:

* * * * * 

[Delete item f and renumber item g as item f.]

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320 Insurance

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323 Priority Mail International Insurance

323.1 Description

[Revise the text of 323.1 to read as follows:]

Insurance is not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. Priority Mail International shipments containing merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Priority Mail International shipments containing only nonnegotiable documents are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no additional charge. Indemnity is paid by the U.S. Postal Service as provided in 933. For a fee, the sender may purchase additional insurance to protect against loss, damage, or missing contents for Priority Mail International parcels containing merchandise. Additional document reconstruction insurance may not be purchased. If the parcel has been lost, or if it has been delivered to the addressee in damaged condition or with missing contents, payment is made to the sender unless the sender waives the right to payment, in writing, in favor of the addressee.

323.2 Availability

[Revise the first sentence of 323.2 to read as follows:]

Merchandise insurance above the included $200 amount is available only for Priority Mail International parcels (including Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes) and only to certain countries.***

323.3 Coverage and Fees

[Revise the text of 323.3 to read as follows:]

Additional merchandise insurance coverage above the included $200 — up to the maximum amount allowed by the country (see Exhibit 322.2) but never to exceed $5,000 — may be purchased at the sender’s option. The insurance fee is in addition to postage and other applicable fees and is based on the insured value. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for optional Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

* * * * * 

323.6 Preparation of Insured Priority Mail International Parcels

* * * * * 

323.62 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility

[Revise the text of 323.62 to read as follows (notice that Exhibit 323.62 is deleted):]

The accepting clerk must do the following:

a. When additional insurance has been purchased:

1. Indicate on PS Form 2976-A the amount for which the parcel is insured. Write the amount in U.S. dollars in ink in the “Insured Amount (US $)” block.

2. Write a bold capital “V” in the blank space adjacent to the boxes for Insured Amount and Insurance Fees.

b. Round stamp PS Form 2976-A in the appropriate place on each copy.

* * * * * 

9 Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds

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930 Indemnity Payments

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 932 to read as follows (removing the distinction between insured and ordinary parcels):]

932 General Exceptions to Payment — Registered Mail and Priority Mail International Parcels

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 933 to read as follows (removing the distinction between insured and ordinary parcels):]

933 Payments for Priority Mail International Parcels

933.1 General Provisions

[Revise the title of 933.11 to read as follows (removing the reference to insured parcels):]

933.11 Payment of Indemnity

[Insert a new paragraph at the beginning of 933.11 to read as follows:]

Priority Mail International shipments are covered by document reconstruction and merchandise insurance in case of loss, damage, or missing contents. Indemnity will be paid by the Postal Service as specified in DMM 503.4 and 609, subject to the exclusions in IMM 933.12.

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 933.13 to read as follows (removing the reference to ordinary parcels):]

933.13 Priority Mail International Parcels — Indemnity Limitations

[Revise the text of 933.13 to read as follows:]

When additional merchandise insurance has not been purchased, coverage is limited to the actual value of the contents or $200, whichever is less. Document reconstruction insurance is limited to the actual cost of document reconstruction or $100, whichever is less.

[Revise the title of 933.14 to read as follows (removing the reference to ordinary parcels):]

933.14 Priority Mail International Parcels — Exceptions to Indemnity

* * * * * 

Country Price Groups and Weight Limits

[Revise the text and table to read as follows (adding columns to the Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International sections to show price groups for Flat Rate products; editing, combining, and reordering the footnotes, including removing a separate footnote for Cuba regarding conditions that are available in Cuba’s Individual Country Listing and in Publication 699, Special Requirements for Shipping Internationally; and adding a new entry for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba):]

Listed below are the countries and their price groups and weight limits for the five principal categories of international mail. Complete tables of prices are available in Notice 123, Price List.

N/A = Service is not available.

1 Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes maximum weight: 4 lbs.

2 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Service maximum weights: Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, 4 lbs.; Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes, 20 lbs.

3 First-Class Mail International maximum weights: Letters, 3.5 ozs.; Large Envelopes (flats), 4 lbs. Note that the heading in the maximum weight column lists both ounces and pounds (“ozs./lbs.”) and that there are two numbers in the entry for each country (“3.5/4”) — this indicates that the maximum weight for Letters is 3.5 ozs., and that the maximum weight for Large Envelopes (flats) is 4 lbs. For First-Class Package International Service, the maximum weight is 4 lbs.

4 Ascension, Bolivia, Cuba, and the Falkland Islands: Only Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes (maximum weight: 4 lbs. each) may be used.

5 Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea): Only Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes (maximum weight: 4 lbs.) may be used. Dutiable items and merchandise are prohibited.

 

Country	Global Express Guaranteed		Priority Mail Express International			Priority Mail International			First-Class Mail International and First-Class Package International Service
	Price Group	Max. Wt. (lbs.)	Price Group	Max. Wt. (lbs.)	PMEI Flat Rate Envelopes Price Group1	Price Group	Max. Wt. (ozs./lbs.)	PMI Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes Price Group2	Price Group	Max. Wt. (ozs./lbs.)3
Afghanistan	6	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Albania	4	70	4	66	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Algeria	4	70	8	44	8	8	44	8	8	3.5/4
Andorra	5	4	5	66	8	5	66	8	5	3.5/4
Angola	4	70	7	44	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Anguilla	7	70	9	55	8	9	22	8	9	3.5/4
Antigua and Barbuda	7	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	22	8	9	3.5/4
Argentina	8	70	9	44	2	9	44	2	9	3.5/4
Armenia	4	70	4	44	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Aruba	7	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Ascension4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	8	7	3.5/4
Australia	6	70	10	66	6	10	66	6	3	3.5/4
Austria	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Azerbaijan	4	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Bahamas	7	70	9	22	8	9	22	8	9	3.5/4
Bahrain	6	70	8	44	8	8	44	8	8	3.5/4
Bangladesh	6	70	6	44	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Barbados	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Belarus	4	70	4	44	8	4	66	8	4	3.5/4
Belgium	3	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Belize	8	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Benin	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Bermuda	7	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Bhutan	6	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Bolivia4	8	70	9	66	2	N/A	4	2	9	3.5/4
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Bosnia-Herzegovina	4	70	4	66	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Botswana	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Brazil	8	70	15	66	2	15	66	2	9	3.5/4
British Virgin Islands	7	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Brunei Darussalam	4	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Bulgaria	4	70	4	66	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Burkina Faso	4	70	7	70	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Burma (Myanmar)	N/A	N/A	6	44	8	6	22	8	6	3.5/4
Burundi	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Cambodia (Kampuchea)	8	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Cameroon	4	70	7	44	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Canada	1	70	1	66	1	1	66	1	1	3.5/4
Cape Verde	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Cayman Islands	7	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Central African Republic	N/A	N/A	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Chad	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Chile	8	70	9	66	2	9	44	2	9	3.5/4
China	6	70	14	66	3	14	66	3	3	3.5/4
Colombia	8	70	9	44	2	9	66	2	9	3.5/4
Comoros	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	4	66	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Congo, Republic of the	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Costa Rica	8	70	9	66	8	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Croatia	4	70	4	66	8	4	66	8	4	3.5/4
Cuba4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	8	9	3.5/4
Curacao	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Cyprus	6	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Czech Republic	4	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Denmark	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Djibouti	4	70	7	44	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Dominica	7	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Dominican Republic	7	70	9	66	2	9	44	2	9	3.5/4
Ecuador	8	70	9	66	2	9	66	2	9	3.5/4
Egypt	6	70	8	44	7	8	66	7	8	3.5/4
El Salvador	8	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Equatorial Guinea	N/A	N/A	7	44	8	7	22	8	7	3.5/4
Eritrea	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Estonia	4	70	4	66	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Ethiopia	4	70	8	66	8	8	66	8	8	3.5/4
Falkland Islands4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	8	9	3.5/4
Faroe Islands	5	70	5	44	8	5	70	8	5	3.5/4
Fiji	8	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Finland	5	70	5	66	4	5	70	4	5	3.5/4
France	3	70	13	66	4	13	66	4	5	3.5/4
French Guiana	8	70	9	66	8	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
French Polynesia	4	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Gabon	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Gambia	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Georgia, Republic of	4	70	4	66	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Germany	3	70	16	66	4	16	70	4	5	3.5/4
Ghana	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Gibraltar	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	44	8	5	3.5/4
Great Britain and Northern Ireland	3	70	11	66	4	11	66	4	5	3.5/4
Greece	5	70	5	66	8	5	44	8	5	3.5/4
Greenland	5	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	66	8	5	3.5/4
Grenada	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Guadeloupe	7	70	9	66	8	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
Guatemala	8	70	9	66	2	9	44	2	9	3.5/4
Guinea	4	70	7	44	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Guinea-Bissau	N/A	N/A	7	44	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Guyana	8	70	9	66	2	9	44	2	9	3.5/4
Haiti	7	70	9	66	8	9	55	8	9	3.5/4
Honduras	8	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Hong Kong	3	70	3	66	3	3	66	3	3	3.5/4
Hungary	4	70	4	66	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Iceland	5	70	5	66	8	5	70	8	5	3.5/4
India	6	70	6	70	5	6	44	5	6	3.5/4
Indonesia	6	70	6	66	3	6	44	3	6	3.5/4
Iran	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	8	44	8	8	3.5/4
Iraq	6	70	8	44	7	8	44	7	8	3.5/4
Ireland	3	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Israel	6	70	8	44	7	8	44	7	5	3.5/4
Italy	3	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Jamaica	7	70	9	66	8	9	22	8	9	3.5/4
Japan	3	70	12	66	3	12	66	3	3	3.5/4
Jordan	6	70	8	66	7	8	66	7	8	3.5/4
Kazakhstan	4	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Kenya	4	70	7	70	8	7	70	8	7	3.5/4
Kiribati	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	8	6	3.5/4
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)	6	70	3	66	3	3	44	3	3	3.5/4
Kosovo, Republic of	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	70	8	5	3.5/4
Kuwait	6	70	8	66	8	8	66	8	8	3.5/4
Kyrgyzstan	4	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Laos	8	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Latvia	4	70	4	66	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Lebanon	6	70	8	66	8	8	66	8	8	3.5/4
Lesotho	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Liberia	4	70	7	44	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Libya	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	8	44	8	8	3.5/4
Liechtenstein	5	70	5	66	8	5	66	8	5	3.5/4
Lithuania	4	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Luxembourg	3	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Macao	3	70	6	44	8	6	70	8	6	3.5/4
Macedonia (Republic of)	4	70	4	66	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Madagascar	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Malawi	4	70	7	44	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Malaysia	6	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Maldives	6	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Mali	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Malta	5	70	5	44	8	5	66	8	5	3.5/4
Martinique	7	70	9	66	8	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
Mauritania	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Mauritius	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Mexico	2	70	2	70	2	2	70	2	2	3.5/4
Moldova	4	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Mongolia	4	70	6	66	3	6	66	3	6	3.5/4
Montenegro	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	70	8	5	3.5/4
Montserrat	7	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Morocco	4	70	8	68	8	8	66	8	8	3.5/4
Mozambique	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Namibia	4	70	7	22	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Nauru	N/A	N/A	6	44	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Nepal	6	70	6	69	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Netherlands	3	70	17	66	4	17	66	4	5	3.5/4
New Caledonia	8	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
New Zealand	6	70	10	66	6	10	66	6	6	3.5/4
Nicaragua	8	70	9	55	8	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
Niger	4	70	7	70	8	7	70	8	7	3.5/4
Nigeria	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Norway	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Oman	6	70	8	66	8	8	44	8	8	3.5/4
Pakistan	6	70	6	66	8	6	70	8	6	3.5/4
Panama	8	70	9	66	8	9	70	8	9	3.5/4
Papua New Guinea	8	70	6	55	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Paraguay	8	70	9	55	2	9	66	2	9	3.5/4
Peru	8	70	9	70	2	9	70	2	9	3.5/4
Philippines	6	70	6	44	3	6	44	3	6	3.5/4
Pitcairn Island	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	22	8	6	3.5/4
Poland	4	70	4	44	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Portugal	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Qatar	6	70	8	66	8	8	70	8	8	3.5/4
Reunion	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	66	8	9	3.5/4
Romania	4	70	4	70	8	4	70	8	4	3.5/4
Russia	4	70	4	70	8	4	44	8	4	3.5/4
Rwanda	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Saint Helena	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Saint Kitts and Nevis	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Saint Lucia	7	70	9	44	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	66	8	4	3.5/4
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	7	70	9	44	8	9	22	8	9	3.5/4
Samoa	N/A	N/A	6	44	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
San Marino	3	70	5	66	8	5	66	8	5	3.5/4
Sao Tome and Principe	N/A	N/A	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Saudi Arabia	4	70	8	66	7	8	66	7	8	3.5/4
Senegal	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Serbia, Republic of	4	70	5	66	8	5	70	8	5	3.5/4
Seychelles	4	70	7	66	8	7	70	8	7	3.5/4
Sierra Leone	N/A	N/A	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Singapore	3	70	6	66	3	6	66	3	6	3.5/4
Sint Maarten	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)	4	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Slovenia	4	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Solomon Islands	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Somalia	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
South Africa	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Spain	5	70	5	66	4	5	44	4	5	3.5/4
Sri Lanka	6	70	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Sudan	N/A	N/A	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Suriname	8	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Swaziland	4	70	7	66	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4
Sweden	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Switzerland	5	70	5	66	4	5	66	4	5	3.5/4
Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)	N/A	N/A	8	44	8	8	70	8	8	3.5/4
Taiwan	3	70	6	33	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Tajikistan	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Tanzania	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Thailand	6	70	6	66	3	6	66	3	6	3.5/4
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of	6	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Togo	4	70	7	66	8	7	70	8	7	3.5/4
Tonga	4	70	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Trinidad and Tobago	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Tristan da Cunha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	22	8	7	3.5/4
Tunisia	4	70	8	66	8	8	66	8	8	3.5/4
Turkey	6	70	4	66	7	4	66	7	4	3.5/4
Turkmenistan	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Turks and Caicos Islands	7	70	9	66	8	9	44	8	9	3.5/4
Tuvalu	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	55	8	6	3.5/4
Uganda	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Ukraine	4	70	4	44	8	4	66	8	4	3.5/4
United Arab Emirates	6	70	8	70	7	8	70	7	8	3.5/4
Uruguay	8	70	9	44	2	9	66	2	9	3.5/4
Uzbekistan	4	70	6	66	8	6	70	8	6	3.5/4
Vanuatu	8	70	6	55	8	6	44	8	6	3.5/4
Vatican City	3	70	5	66	8	5	44	8	5	3.5/4
Venezuela	8	70	9	66	2	9	66	2	9	3.5/4
Vietnam	6	70	6	66	3	6	70	3	6	3.5/4
Wallis and Futuna Islands	4	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	66	8	6	3.5/4
Yemen	6	70	8	66	7	8	66	7	8	3.5/4
Zambia	4	70	7	66	8	7	66	8	7	3.5/4
Zimbabwe	4	70	7	44	8	7	44	8	7	3.5/4

* * * * * 

Individual Country Listings

Country Conditions for Mailing

* * * * * *

Priority Mail Express International (220)

* * * * * *

[For every country listing that contains “Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes and Flat Rate Boxes,” remove references to Flat Rate Boxes from the heading and the text, to read as follows:]

Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes

Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds.

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

* * * * * 

Priority Mail International (230)

[For every country listing that has a price/weight table for Priority Mail International, remove from under the table the following text: “Note: Ordinary Priority Mail International includes indemnity at no cost based on weight. (See 230.)”]

* * * * * 

We will incorporate these changes into the January 17, 2016, update of the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer^® at http://pe.usps.com.

— Product Classification,
Pricing, 12-10-15