Effective August 28, 2016, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to reflect classification and standards changes for Priority Mail International® service.
Currently, the Postal Service dispatches Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes in the letter-post stream, while all other Priority Mail International items are dispatched in the air-parcel stream. We are moving the Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes to the air-parcel stream so that these items can receive the expanded access to tracking and insurance available to all other Priority Mail International items.
Priority Mail International service provides reliable and affordable international delivery service to more than 180 countries. The price for Priority Mail International service remains unchanged. We are making the following classification changes to support the shift of Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes from the international letter-post stream to the air-parcel stream.
The Postal Service will require all Priority Mail International items to bear PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note — CP 72. Currently, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes do not require a customs form if they contain only nonnegotiable documents, weigh under 16 ounces, are no more than ¾ inch thick, and are uniformly thick. They also do not require a customs form if they are entered by a known mailer as defined in 123.62. None of these exceptions will apply any longer.
Using a customs form will provide scanning visibility for all Priority Mail International service items, provided the items are scanned en route and in the destination country.
Currently, mailers may not use Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes for items valued over $400. With the change to the air-parcel stream, this restriction will no longer apply, and mailers may mail items valued over $400 by all forms of Priority Mail International service, subject to individual country limitations.
The same insurance that is included at no additional charge to Priority Mail International items will be available for all Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes — $100 document reconstruction for nonnegotiable documents and $200 merchandise insurance for lost, damaged, or missing contents. Additional merchandise insurance is available at a fee, subject to country availability and limitations; no additional document reconstruction insurance is available.
With the change to the air-parcel stream, the sender has the option to add return receipt service to Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes on a country-specific basis.
Certificate of Mailing and Registered Mail service will no longer be available as extra services for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Currently, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes are sealed against inspection. All other Priority Mail International items, whether in USPS-produced or customer-supplied packaging, are not sealed against inspection. With the change to the air-parcel stream, no Priority Mail International items, including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, will be considered sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of Priority Mail International items constitutes consent by the mailer to the inspection of the contents.
Currently, when a foreign postal administration returns undeliverable-as-addressed Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes to a U.S. sender, return charges are not due, whereas Priority Mail International parcels are subject to the collection of return postage and any other charges, including charges assessed by the foreign postal administration. With the change to the air-parcel stream, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes will also be subject to the collection of return postage and any other charges.
With the change to the air-parcel stream, mailers of Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes will be able to initiate inquiries concerning the loss, damage, missing contents, or improper delivery or return of their items mailed to a foreign country.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM)
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1 International Mail Services
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120 Preparation for Mailing
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123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels
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123.6 Required Usage
123.61 Conditions
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[Revise the second sentence of item c. to read as follows:]
c. ***In certain circumstances, this might require the mailer to send the mailpiece via Priority Mail Express International service or Priority Mail International service.
Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category
[Revise the noted sections of the Exhibit as follows: 1) Replace the three separate Priority Mail International sections with just one section; 2) revise the last row of the First-Class Mail International section; 3) revise the first row of the First-Class Package International Service section; and 4) revise the footnote — all to read as follows:]
Type of Item
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Declared Value, Weight, or Physical Characteristic
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Required
PS Form
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Comment (if applicable)
|
* * * * *
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Priority Mail International Items
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All Priority Mail International items
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All values
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2976-A
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All items mailed in USPS-produced Priority Mail International packaging (including Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes) or any other container bearing a Priority Mail sticker or marked with the words “Priority Mail” are considered to be within the scope of this requirement.
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First-Class Mail International Letters and Large Envelopes (Flats), Including International Priority Airmail (IPA) Items and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Items (Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
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* * * * *
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All items containing any goods, regardless of weight.
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Over $400
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Prohibited
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Items over $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail International service.
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First-Class Package International Service Packages (Small Packets), Including IPA Items and ISAL Items
(Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
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All First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets), as defined in 251.2, regardless of contents.
|
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Over $400
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Prohibited
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Items over $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail International service.
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* * * * *
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* Qualifying items must meet the physical characteristics in 241.235. For example, the following items do not meet this requirement and must bear PS Form 2976: 1) First-Class Package International Service items and 2) IPA and ISAL packages (small packets) containing only documents.
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123.62 Known Mailers
* * * * *
123.622 Definition
[Delete item c.1 and redesignate current items c.2 through c.4 as new c.1 through c.3.]
* * * * *
130 Mailability
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134 Valuable Articles
134.1 Service Options
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[Revise item b. to read as follows:]
b. Priority Mail International service.
[Delete items c. and d.]
* * * * *
140 International Mail Categories
141 Definitions
* * * * *
141.4 Priority Mail International
[Revise the text of 141.4 to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International is subject to the provisions of the Universal Postal Union Parcel Convention. This classification is primarily designed to accommodate larger and heavier shipments whose size and⁄or weight exceeds the limits for First-Class Mail International Service or First-Class Package International Service. For countries that offer parcel service, maximum weight limits range from 22 pounds to 70 pounds. To determine the maximum weight limit for each country, see the Individual Country Listings. At the sender’s option, extra services, such as additional merchandise insurance coverage and return receipt service, may be added on a country-specific basis.
Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes provide customers with an economical means of sending correspondence, documents, printed matter, and lightweight merchandise items to foreign destinations. The maximum weight limit is 4 pounds. Registered Mail service is not available for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. At the sender’s option, extra services, such as additional merchandise insurance coverage and return receipt service, may be added to Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes on a country-specific basis.
* * * * *
2 Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
230 Priority Mail International
231 Description and Physical Characteristics
231.1 General
[Revise the text of 231.1 to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International service is considered a parcel stream for mail exchange purposes.
* * * * *
232 Eligibility
[Revise the title and text of 232.1 in its entirety to read as follows (note that there are no longer subsections 232.11 and 232.12):]
232.1 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes — General
Correspondence, negotiable and nonnegotiable documents, printed matter, and lightweight merchandise items may be sent in Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes provided the contents are mailable, they fit securely in the envelope or box, and they are entirely confined within the container with the provided adhesive as the means of closure. The flap must close within the prefabricated fold. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or for reinforcement, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the container in any way. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge. Additional merchandise insurance may be available, depending on country and value. Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes containing only nonnegotiable documents are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $100 for document reconstruction at no additional charge. See Exhibit 322.2 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered Mail service is not available.
* * * * *
232.6 Customs Forms Required
232.61 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes
[Revise the text of 232.61 to read as follows:]
Each Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope and each Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Box must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
* * * * *
232.7 Mail Sealed Against Inspection
[Revise the text of 232.7 to read as follows:]
No Priority Mail International item (USPS-produced Flat Rate Box, Flat Rate Envelope, or Small Flat Rate Priced Box; USPS-produced Tyvek envelope; or customer-supplied box or envelope) is sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of a Priority Mail International item constitutes consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.
232.8 Priority International Insurance and Indemnity
232.81 Indemnity
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International items containing merchandise are insured against loss, damage, or missing contents up to $200 at no additional charge.***
* * * * *
232.9 Extra Services
[Delete 232.91 “Certificate of Mailing” and 232.93 “Registered Mail Service,” and renumber current 232.92 as new 232.91, and current 232.94 as new 232.92.]
232.91 Merchandise Insurance
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
Merchandise insurance that provides coverage greater than the included $200 merchandise insurance is available for Priority Mail International items to many countries.***
232.92 Return Receipt Service
[Revise the text of 232.92 to read as follows:]
Return receipt service, when purchased with additional merchandise insurance, is available for purchase to certain destinations (see the Individual Country Listings for availability) for Priority Mail International items, including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. See 340 for preparation procedures.
* * * * *
235 Mail Entry and Deposit
235.1 Place of Mailing
235.11 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
* * * * *
[Delete the Note.]
* * * * *
240 First-Class Mail International
* * * * *
242 Eligibility
* * * * *
242.2 Customs Forms Required
242.21 Dutiable Merchandise
* * * * *
[Revise item d. to read as follows:]
d. The maximum value for dutiable merchandise is $400. Items exceeding $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail International service.
* * * * *
250 First-Class Package International Service
* * * * *
252 Eligibility
252.1 Content
[Revise the last sentence to read as follows:]
***Items exceeding $400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, or Priority Mail International service.
* * * * *
270 Free Matter for the Blind
* * * * *
272 Eligibility
* * * * *
272.6 Extra Services
* * * * *
[Revise items a. and b. to read as follows:]
a. Registered Mail service for First-Class Mail International items and First-Class Package International Service items.
b. Additional merchandise insurance service for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes up to 4 pounds, and for Priority Mail International items up to 15 pounds.
* * * * *
275 Mail Entry and Deposit
275.1 Items Eligible for Deposit or Pickup
* * * * *
[Revise the Note in its entirety to read as follows:]
Note: First-Class Mail International letter-size and flat-size items weighing 13 ounces or less, bearing “Free Matter for the Blind” as postage, and not requiring a customs form (see 123.6) may also be deposited through the aforementioned methods.
* * * * *
3 Extra Services
310 Certificate of Mailing
311 Individual Pieces
* * * * *
311.2 Availability
311.21 At Time of Purchase
* * * * *
[Delete items e. and f. and redesignate current item g. as new item e.]
* * * * *
312 Bulk Quantities \u2500 Certificate of Mailing
* * * * *
312.2 Availability
312.21 At Time of Entry
[Delete items e. and f. and redesignate current item g. as new item e.]
* * * * *
320 Insurance
* * * * *
323 Priority Mail International Insurance
323.1 Description
[Revise the text of 323.1 to read as follows:]
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 items containing merchandise, subject to individual country limitations. Additional document reconstruction insurance may not be purchased. If the item 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 text of 323.2 to read as follows:]
Merchandise insurance above the included $200 amount is available for all Priority Mail International items, to certain countries. See Exhibit 322.2.
* * * * *
330 Registered Mail
* * * * *
332 Availability
[Revise the text of 332 to read as follows:]
Customers may purchase Registered Mail service for items that weigh up to 4 pounds. Registered Mail service is not available with Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, or Priority Mail International service or any type of M-bag service. See Individual Country Listings for additional country-specific prohibitions and restrictions. Registered Mail service is available for the following types of mail:
a. First-Class Mail International items, including Free Matter for the Blind items.
b. First-Class Package International Service items, including Free Matter for the Blind items.
* * * * *
340 Return Receipt
341 Description
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
PS Form 2865, Return Receipt for International Mail (Avis de Reception), is a pink card that is attached to a registered item or a Priority Mail International item at the time of mailing and that is removed and signed at the point of delivery and returned to the sender.***
342 Availability
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
Return receipt service can be purchased only at the time of mailing and is available only for a registered item or a Priority Mail International item with the purchase of additional merchandise insurance.***
4 Treatment of Outbound Mail
* * * * *
420 Unpaid and Shortpaid Mail
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423 Shortpaid Mail
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423.2 Disposition
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[Revise the heading for 423.23 to read as follows:]
423.23 Priority Mail International Items
423.231 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint or USPS-Produced PVI Label
[Revise the text of 423.231 to read as follows:]
Regardless of the amount of deficiency, consider as paid in full each shortpaid Priority Mail International item that is paid with a permit imprint or USPS-produced postage validation imprinter (PVI) label, and dispatch it to the appropriate International Service Center (ISC).
423.232 Items Paid With Any Other Postage Payment Method
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]
The disposition of a shortpaid Priority Mail International item paid with a postage payment method other than a permit imprint or USPS-produced PVI label is based on the amount of the deficiency, as follows:***
* * * * *
[After item b.2, delete the Note.]
[Revise the heading of 423.24 to read as follows:]
423.24 First-Class Mail International Items (including Postcards), First-Class Package International Service Items, and Airmail M-bags
423.241 Items Paid With a Permit Imprint or USPS-Produced PVI Label
[Revise the text of 423.241 to read as follows:]
Regardless of the amount of deficiency, consider as paid in full each shortpaid First-Class Mail International item (including a postcard), First-Class Package International Service item, and Airmail M-bag that is paid with a permit imprint or USPS-produced postage validation imprinter (PVI) label, and dispatch it to the appropriate International Service Center (ISC).
423.242 Items Paid With Any Other Postage Payment Method
[Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]
The disposition of a shortpaid First-Class Mail International item (including a postcard), a First-Class Package International Service item, and an Airmail M-bag that is paid with a postage payment method other than a permit imprint or USPS-produced PVI label is based on the amount of the deficiency, as follows:***
* * * * *
7 Treatment of Inbound Mail
* * * * *
770 Undeliverable Mail
771 Mail of Domestic Origin
* * * * *
771.5 Return Charges for Letter-post Items
771.51 General
* * * * *
[In the list, delete items a. and b., and redesignate current items c. through g. as new items a. through e.]
* * * * *
9 Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds
* * * * *
920 Inquiries and Claims
921 Inquiries
* * * * *
921.2 Initiating an Inquiry
[Revise the first two sentences to read as follows:]
Inquiries can be initiated for Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) items, Priority Mail Express International items, Priority Mail International items, and registered items. Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letters or M-bags.***
Exhibit 921.2 Time Limits for Inquiries
[Revise the last row to read as follows:]
* * * * *
921.4 Inquiry Process
[Revise the second sentence to read as follows:]
***For inquiries on Priority Mail International items or Registered Mail items, customers must allow foreign posts approximately 60 days to research and respond to the International Research Group.***
921.5 General Procedures
921.51 Nondelivery
[Revise the text of 921.51 to read as follows:]
The U.S. Postal Service will initiate an inquiry within the timeframes specified in 921.2 with the destination postal administration in any case involving a Priority Mail Express International item, a registered item, or a Priority Mail International item that has not been delivered. Inquiries are not accepted for ordinary letters or M-bags. For nondelivery of Global Express Guaranteed shipments, see 212.46.
* * * * *
Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
* * * * *
[Delete footnote 4 and footnote 5, and revise the entries for Ascension, Bolivia, Cuba, the Falkland Islands, and Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea) to read as follows:]
* * * * *
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
Priority Mail International (230)
* * * * *
[For each country that lists Priority Mail International insurance, change the parenthetical cross-reference in the heading to read as follows:]
Insurance (232.91)
[For each country that offers insurance, revise the first sentence to read as follows (for countries that that do not offer insurance, the text remains “Not Available”):]
Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see 323.72 for markings)
* * * * *
Customs Forms Required (123)
[For each country that offers Priority Mail International service, revise the text to read as follows:]
All Priority Mail International items:
n PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
* * * * *
Free Matter for the Blind (270)
[For each country that offers Free Matter for the Blind service, revise the second sentence to read as follows:]
***Free when sent as Priority Mail International parcels. Weight limit: 15 pounds.
* * * * *
Customs Form Required (123)
[For each country that offers Free Matter for the Blind customs form information, revise the text to read as follows:]
First-Class Mail International items or First-Class Package International Service items:
n PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)
Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes):
n PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
* * * * *
Extra Services
* * * * *
Registered Mail (330)
* * * * *
[For each country that offers Registered Mail service, revise the “availability” paragraph to read as follows:]
Available only for First-Class Mail International, including postcards, First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International or as First-Class Package International Service.
* * * * *
Ascension
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
[Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International (230)
Not Available
* * * * *
Bolivia
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Revise the introductory text to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International service is suspended due to lack of available air transportation. This suspension of service does not affect other international mail categories currently available.
* * * * *
[Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International (230)
Not Available
* * * * *
Falkland Islands
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
[Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International (230)
Not Available
* * * * *
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea)
Country Conditions for Mailing
* * * * *
[Revise the Priority Mail International section to read as follows:]
Priority Mail International (230)
Not Available
* * * * *
When effective, we will incorporate this revision into the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at http:⁄⁄pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Marketing and Sales, 6-9-16
