The Postal Service™ is revising several sections of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to reflect classification changes to Mailing Services. These changes implement a lower maximum weight limit on First-Class Mail International® (FCMI) large envelopes (flats), to bring them closer to compliance with standards established by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
On October 17, 2018, the Postal Service published a Federal Register proposed rule (83 FR 52351) titled “International Mailing Services: Product and Price Changes—CPI,” that included a change in the maximum weight limit for FCMI large envelopes (flats) from the current 64 ounces to under 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces). This change would more closely align the Postal Service’s definition of FCMI large envelopes (flats) with the UPU Convention’s definition, which allows a maximum weight of 500 grams (17.6 ounces) for flat-shaped letter-post items.
On October 19, 2018, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) issued an interim order precluding the Postal Service from including the proposed revision to the FCMI large envelopes (flats) maximum weight limit in the published price change that would go into effect on January 27, 2019. However, on December 19, 2018, the PRC favorably reviewed the FCMI large envelopes (flats) maximum weight limit, and on March 11, 2019, the Postal Service announced an implementation date of June 23, 2019, for the revised FCMI large envelopes (flats) maximum weight limit.
Effective June 23, 2019, the Postal Service will charge the applicable First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®) price when a mailer presents a mailpiece as an FCMI large envelope (flat) weighing 16 ounces or more (the actual weight is 15.995 ounces or more, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces). Alternatively, the mailer can elect to use another class of mail (such as Priority Mail Express International® service or Priority Mail International® service) if the mailpiece meets the requirements for that mail class.
As of the price change effective on January 21, 2018, no merchandise has been permitted in FCMI large envelopes (flats) (see “IMM Revision: Changes to Pricing and Products for International Mailing Services,” Postal Bulletin 22482, 12-7-17, pages 16–20 and 41–44). As of June 23, 2019, when the maximum weight limit for FCMI large envelopes (flats) is reduced to under 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, as explained in this article’s second paragraph), the only FCMI pieces that might require a customs form are nonnegotiable documents controlled by export regulatory agencies, covered in IMM 510–540, as set forth in Exhibit 123.61.
International Priority Airmail® (IPA®) service, including IPA M-bags, is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all FCMI postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume mailings of FCPIS packages (small packets). IPA shipments are typically flown to a foreign destination (exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that country’s air or surface priority mail system for delivery. To qualify for IPA service, a mailpiece must meet either the FCMI characteristics defined in IMM 141.5 or the FCPIS characteristics defined in IMM 141.6, except for weight, as follows:
n The maximum weight limit for IPA large envelopes (flats) is 17.6 ounces.
n The maximum weight limit for IPA packages (small packets) is 4.4 pounds.
International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) service, including ISAL M-bags, is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all FCMI postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume mailings of FCPIS packages (small packets). ISAL shipments are typically flown to a foreign destination (exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that country’s surface nonpriority mail system for delivery. To qualify for ISAL service, a mailpiece must meet either the FCMI characteristics defined in IMM 141.5 or the FCPIS characteristics as defined in IMM 141.6, except for weight, as follows:
n The maximum weight limit for ISAL large envelopes (flats) is 17.6 ounces.
n The maximum weight limit for ISAL packages (small packets) is 4.4 pounds.
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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Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category
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[Revise the First-Class Mail International section to read as follows:]
[Below Exhibit 123.61, add three footnotes to read as follows:]
1. The actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces.
2. Certain nonnegotiable documents controlled by export regulatory agencies may require customs documentation. See 510–540 and Publication 699 for additional information.
3. Items containing merchandise are mailable using Global Express Guaranteed service, Priority Mail Express International service, Priority Mail International service, or First-Class Package International Service; commercial mailers may also use IPA packages (small packets) and ISAL packages (small packets).
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140 International Mail Categories
141 Definitions
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141.5 First-Class Mail International
[Revise the first sentence to read as follows (changing the weight limit):]
First-Class Mail International is a generic term for mailpieces that are postcard-size, letter-size, or flat-size and weigh less than 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces).***
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2 Conditions for Mailing
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240 First-Class Mail International
241 Description and Physical Characteristics
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241.2 Physical Characteristics
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241.23 Physical Standards — Large Envelopes (Flats)
241.231 Weight Limit
[Revise the text to read as follows (changing the weight limit):]
The weight limit for a First-Class Mail International large envelope (flat) is less than 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces, to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces).
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243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
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243.3 Permit Imprint — General
[Revise the fourth sentence to read as follows:]
***For items requiring a customs form (First-Class Mail International letter-size and flat-size mailpieces containing nonnegotiable documents controlled by export regulatory agencies, covered in IMM 510–540), mailers must also meet the following requirements:***
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Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
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[Revise footnote 3 to read as follows:]
3. First-Class Mail International maximum weights: Letters, 3.5 ounces.; Large Envelopes (flats), under 16 ounces (the actual weight limit is 15.994 ounces to accommodate Postal Service systems that round to three decimal places and thus round items that weigh 15.995–15.999 ounces up to 16 ounces). First-Class Package International Service maximum weight: 4 lbs.
[In the table, in the second header row in the farthest column on the right, revise “Max. Wt. (oz./lbs.)3” to just “Max. Wt.,” and revise all of the entries in that column (except Somalia) to read as follows (with the entry for Afghanistan as an example) (the entry for Somalia remains “n/a”):]
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Although effective on May 23, 2019, the Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the next edition of the online IMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification, Marketing, 5-23-19
