International Product and Price Changes
Federal RegisterFeb 25, 2009
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 20
International Product and Price Changes
AGENCY:
Postal Service.
TM
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Postal Service is revising
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual (IMM®), to reflect changes to the prices and product features for Mailing and Shipping Services.
DATES:
Effective Date:
May 11, 2009. We will implement this international price change concurrent with our domestic Mailing Services price change.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obataiye B. Akinwole at 703-292-5260 or Rick Klutts at 813-877-0372.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Governors of the Postal Service established new prices and product features for some of our Mailing and Shipping Services. This
Federal Register
final rule describes the international price and product changes by mail category as follows:
First-Class Mail International
First-Class Mail International service provides a reliable and economical means of sending correspondence (
e.g.
, letters and postcards), documents, and lightweight merchandise weighing up to 4 pounds.
Postcards
Postcards consist of single cards sent without a wrapper or envelope. The price structure for postcards is expanded to include three separate prices: Canada, Mexico, and all other countries. Previously Canada and Mexico were priced the same.
International Priority Airmail (IPA)
IPA is a commercial service designed to meet the needs of the business mailer. It is available for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets). IPA service is more economical than regular First-Class Mail International service. Customers must tender only First-Class International items and must meet specified volume and sortation requirements. Each IPA mailing must weigh a minimum of 50 pounds. To achieve the 50-pound minimum, a mailing may consist of a combination of presorted mail, worldwide nonpresort mail, and M-bags.
To better capitalize on revenue opportunities and to reduce operational costs we have expanded our price groups from 9 to 15. In addition, there are also numerous IPA structural changes that include:
• Seven new country specific price groups. Previously, there were three country specific price groups (Canada, Mexico and Australia) and six other price groups containing multiple countries. There are now ten specific price groups, and five price groups that will contain multiple countries. The ten country specific price groups are:
Country
Price group
Canada
1
Mexico
2
Great Britain & Northern Ireland
3
Germany
4
France
5
Switzerland
6
Italy
7
Netherlands
8
Australia
9
Japan
10
• To provide consistency and ease of use, we aligned eligibility and preparation requirements for International Priority Airmail
TM
(IPA®) and International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) service where possible.
• Currently, both direct country and mixed country sacks can be entered at the full service or destination International Service Center (ISC) drop shipment prices. Effective May 11, 2009, only direct country sacks can be entered at the full service price. All other mail must be entered at the worldwide nonpresort price.
• The minimum weight for direct country and mixed country sacks (ISC drop shipment only) is now 5 pounds.
• The minimum volume requirements are now the same for IPA and ISAL mailings—50 pounds.
Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (IPA M-Bags)
M-bags are direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee. Prices are based on the total weight of the contents in the sack.
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL)
ISAL is a commercial service, which provides expedited dispatch and transportation for all types of First-Class Mail International items weighing up to 4 pounds. Each ISAL mailing must weigh a minimum of 50 pounds. To achieve the 50-pound minimum, a mailing may consist of a combination of presorted mail, worldwide nonpresort mail, and M-bags.
The structural changes noted above for IPA also apply to ISAL. In addition to those changes, the worldwide nonpresort price previously only available for IPA will now also be available for ISAL. This change will eliminate ISAL residual sacks.
Presort and drop shipment prices, as well as volume pricing, are still available for commercial customers who meet international customized mail program requirements. Postage for ISAL is based on country price groups.
Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (ISAL M-Bags)
M-bags are direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee. Prices are based on the total weight of the contents in the bag.
International Extra Services
Customers may add value to the way mail is shipped or received with a variety of extra services, including: Certificate of mailing, Registered Mail
TM
, restricted delivery, return receipt, business reply cards and envelopes, reply coupons, international postal money orders, and insurance for Global Express Guaranteed®, Express Mail International®, and Priority Mail International
TM
(parcels).
We revised the prices for the following international extra services: Express Mail International insurance, Priority Mail International insurance, Registered Mail, restricted delivery, and return receipt.
The Postal Service hereby adopts the following changes to
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in the
Code of Federal Regulations.
See 39 CFR 20.1
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20
Foreign relations, International postal services.
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 20 is amended as follows:
PART 20—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 20 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408, 3622, 3632 and 3633.
2. Revise the following sections of
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual (IMM), as follows:
2 Conditions for Mailing
220 Express Mail International
221 Description
221.3 Insurance and Indemnity
221.31 Express Mail International Merchandise Insurance
[Revise 221.31 to read as follows:]
Express Mail International merchandise insurance coverage against loss, damage, or rifling is provided up to $100 at no additional charge. Additional insurance coverage above $100 and up to a maximum of $5,000 may be purchased at the sender's option. See Individual Country Listings for merchandise insurance limits. The fee schedule for optional Express Mail International merchandise insurance coverage is as follows:
[Add new Express Mail insurance chart as follows:]
International Insurance
Express Mail International Insurance
Indemnity limit not over
Fee
$0.01 to $100
$0.00
100.01 to 200
0.75
200.01 to 500
2.15
500.01 to 1,000
3.55
1,000.01 to 1,500
4.95
1,500.01 to 2,000
6.35
2,000.01 to 2,500
7.75
2,500.01 to 3,000
9.15
3,000.01 to 3,500
10.55
3,500.01 to 4,000
11.95
4,000.01 to 4,500
13.35
4,500.01 to 5,000
14.75
240 First-Class Mail International
243 Physical Characteristics
243.1 Postcards
243.13 Postage Prices and Fees
[Revise items 243.13a and b, and add new item c as follows:]
The postage prices for postcards are as follows:
a. Canada: $0.75.
b. Mexico: $0.79.
c. All other countries: $0.98.
290 Commercial Services
[Delete current 292 in its entirety and replace to read as follows:]
292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service
292.1 Description
292.11 General
International Priority Airmail (IPA) service is available for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in accordance with the shape-based requirements of First-Class Mail International service (see 240) and the requirements of this subchapter. Separate prices are provided for International Service Center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and worldwide nonpresort mail. Volume incentives are available through customized agreements.
292.12 IPA M-Bags
IPA M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing, are subject to the provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in Exhibit 292.452. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail,
and PS Tag 158,
M-bag Addressee Tag.
Tags must be attached securely to the neck of the sack.
292.2 Eligibility
292.21 Qualifying Mailpieces
Any First-Class Mail International mailpiece that meets the characteristics as defined in 141.5 qualifies. Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent by IPA must conform to the weight and size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets) as described in 240.
292.22 Availability
IPA service is available to all foreign countries, as listed in Exhibit 292.452, which shows the price group assigned to each country.
292.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements
292.231 Minimum Quantity
All mailings must meet a minimum weight quantity of 50 pounds. To achieve the 50-pound minimum, mailings may include a combination of presorted mail, worldwide nonpresort mail, or M-bags.
292.232 Presort Eligibility—Full Service
Only direct country sacks containing a minimum of 5 pounds in each sack qualify for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
292.233 Presort Eligibility—ISC Drop Shipment
Only direct country sacks and mixed country sacks containing a minimum of 5 pounds in each sack qualify for the presort price. Price groups containing less than 5 pounds must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
292.24 Dutiable Items
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this subchapter for each respective category of mail. Priority Mail International items, either ordinary or insured, may not be mailed as IPA.
292.25 Customs Forms Requirements
See 123 for customs forms requirements.
292.26 Extra Services
Extra services are not available for items sent by IPA.
292.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
292.31 Prices
292.311 General
IPA service has two price options: a presort price option with 15 price groups, and a worldwide nonpresort price (292.311a). Both options offer full service prices (292.311b) for mail deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in 292.531; and drop shipment prices (292.311c) for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in Exhibit 292.311a. The per-piece price applies to each piece regardless of its weight. The per-pound price applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare weight of sack or tray) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
Exhibit 292.311a
International Priority Airmail (IPA) Prices
Direct country sacks
Price group
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
Mixed country sacks
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
1
$0.43
$7.12
$4.62
2
0.15
6.69
4.19
3
0.42
9.07
6.57
4
0.45
9.52
7.02
5
0.43
9.26
6.76
6
0.44
9.26
6.76
7
0.42
9.00
6.50
8
0.41
9.00
6.50
9
0.33
9.97
7.47
10
0.41
9.20
6.70
11
0.40
9.00
6.50
$0.42
$6.83
12
0.15
8.00
5.50
0.16
5.78
13
0.16
7.35
4.85
0.17
5.10
14
0.15
9.00
6.50
0.16
6.83
15
0.12
9.50
7.00
0.13
7.35
Worldwide Nonpresort Sacks
Price group
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
n/a
$0.47
$10.98
$8.09
Exhibit 292.311b
International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-Bag—Full Service
Price group
Full service per lb.
1
$4.60
2
5.20
3
6.10
4
6.10
5
6.10
6
6.10
7
6.10
8
6.10
9
8.10
10
7.65
11
6.10
12
6.90
13
6.70
14
7.45
15
7.35
Note:
Full Service
M-bags are subject to the minimum price for 11 lbs.
Exhibit 292.311c
International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-Bag—ISC Drop Shipment
Price group
5 lbs.
6 lbs.
7 lbs.
8 lbs.
9 lbs.
10 lbs.
11 lbs.
Each additional pound
1
$19.30
$19.75
$20.20
$20.65
$21.10
$21.55
$22.00
$2.00
2
25.00
25.60
26.20
26.80
27.40
28.00
28.60
2.60
3
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
4
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
5
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
6
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
7
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
8
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
9
47.75
49.60
51.45
53.30
55.15
57.00
58.85
5.35
10
44.50
46.25
48.00
49.75
51.50
53.25
55.00
5.00
11
30.85
31.85
32.85
33.85
34.85
35.85
36.85
3.35
12
38.75
39.90
41.05
42.20
43.35
44.50
45.65
4.15
13
38.65
39.45
40.25
41.05
41.85
42.65
43.45
3.95
14
44.80
45.95
47.10
48.25
49.40
50.55
51.70
4.70
15
42.50
43.85
45.20
46.55
47.90
49.25
50.60
4.60
Note: ISC Drop Shipment M-bags are subject to the minimum price for 5 lbs.
292.32 Computation of Postage
Postage is computed on PS Form 3700,
Postage Statement—International Mail.
292.321 Computing Worldwide Nonpresort Prices
To compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-piece price, multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the applicable per-pound price, and then add the two totals together.
292.322 Computing Presort Prices
To compute postage at the presorted price multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price, multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the corresponding per-pound price, and then add the two totals together.
292.33 Postage Payment Methods
292.331 General
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled stamps (see DMM 604).
292.332 Postage Meter
Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:
a.
Piece Price.
The applicable per piece postage shown in 292.311a must be affixed to each mailpiece when paying with a meter. Mailers who have an ICM agreement must affix the applicable per piece postage as set forth in their ICM agreement.
b.
Pound Price.
Postage for the pound price portion must be paid either by meter stamp(s) attached to the postage statement or from the mailer's authorized permit imprint advance deposit account.
c.
Postage Endorsement.
Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
d.
Specifications for Endorsement.
The endorsement required in 292.332c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must be printed above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or it may be printed adjacent to the meter stamp in either the postal inscription slug area or ad plate area. If the postal endorsement appears in the ad plate area, no other information may be printed in the ad plate. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
e.
Unmarked Pieces.
Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
f.
Drop Shipment of Metered Mail.
Mailers who want to enter metered IPA mail at a Post Office facility other than where the meter is licensed must obtain a drop shipment authorization. To obtain an authorization, the mailer must submit a written request to the postmaster at the office where the mail will be entered (see DMM 705).
292.333 Precanceled Stamps
Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following standards:
a.
Piece Price.
The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every piece in the mailing.
b.
Pound Price.
Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
c.
Postage Endorsement.
Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
d.
Specifications for Endorsement.
The endorsement required in 292.333c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must be printed above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or it may be printed adjacent to the precanceled stamp. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
e.
Unmarked Pieces.
Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
292.334 Permit Imprint
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical weight pieces. Any of the permit imprints shown in Exhibit 152.44 are acceptable. Postage is calculated as described in 292.32 and is deducted from the mailer's advance deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote bulk mail, nonprofit, or other domestic or special mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with nonidentical weight pieces only if authorized to use postage mailing systems under DMM 705.
292.4 Mail Preparation
292.41 Addressing
International Priority Airmail is subject to the addressing requirements contained in 122.
a.
Exception—Canada:
International Priority Airmail items destined for Canada must have the applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address. See 122.1k for the address formatting requirements that generally apply to mailpieces sent to Canada.
b.
Exception—Direct Country Sacks:
International Priority Airmail in direct country sacks (see 292.461) is not subject to the interline addressing requirement that is specified in 122.1d. At the sender's risk, the English translation of the destination Post Office or city name may be omitted from printed addresses that are in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters. An
English translation of the country name (
e.g.
, Japan) is still required on the individual mailpieces.
292.42 Marking
292.421 Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mailpieces
The sender should mark “PAR AVION” or “AIR MAIL” on the address side of each piece. Use of bordered airmail envelopes is optional and may be used for items sent in this service if the envelope contains the “AIR MAIL” endorsement.
292.422 Packages (Small Packets)
Items that might be mistaken for another class of mail due to size, weight, or appearance should be marked “LETTER-POST” on the address side.
292.43 Sealing
Mail that is sent via IPA service may be sealed at the sender's option. See 244.4 for the packaging methods that are applicable to all First-Class Mail International items.
Exception:
For direct country sacks only, First-Class Mail International folded mailpieces, without envelopes, are permitted provided one of the following methods is used:
1. All of the open sides are secured with tape, tabs, or wafer seals of sufficient quantity and strength to prevent the mailpieces from opening or being damaged during postal handling.
2. The mailpieces meet the physical standards and tabbing requirements in DMM 201.3.
292.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles
The following standards apply:
a.
Thickness.
Bundles of letter-size mail must be no thicker than approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick). Bundles of flat-size mail may be thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh more than 11 pounds.
b.
Securing Bundles.
Each bundle must be securely tied to withstand normal transit. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of letter-size mail. Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of flat-size mail.
c.
Separation of Bundles.
Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled separately.
d.
Facing of Pieces.
All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same direction.
292.45 Sortation
292.451 Presort Mailings—General
Follow these steps when preparing IPA presort mail (except for mail to Canada):
a.
Full Service.
For presort mailings, all mail addressed to an individual country that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price.
b.
ISC Drop Shipment.
For presort mailings, all mail addressed to an individual country that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. Next, all mail addressed to individual countries within a single price group containing 5 pounds or more must be bundled separately and prepared in mixed country sacks. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country sacks or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price.
Note:
There are separate preparation requirements for mail to Canada. See 292.47.
292.452 Presorted Mail—Direct Country Bundle Label
A label (facing slip) for direct country bundles prepared in mixed country sacks must be completed and placed on the address side of the top piece of each bundle in such a manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort mail are prohibited for IPA. Bundle labels (see Exhibit 292.452) must contain the following:
Line 1: Foreign Exchange Office.
Line 2: Country of Destination.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location.
Example:
1150 VIENNA FLUG
AUSTRIA
RBA COMPANY, WASHINGTON DC
Exhibit 292.452
IPA Country Price Groups and Foreign Exchange Offices
Price group
Country
Destination code
Exchange office name
15
Afghanistan
KBL
Kabul.
12
Albania
TIA
Tirana.
15
Algeria
ALG
Algiers.
11
Andorra
1
15
Angola
LAD
Luanda.
13
Anguilla
AXA
The Valley.
13
Antigua and Barbuda
ANU
St. John's.
13
Argentina
BUE
Buenos Aires Avion.
15
Armenia
EVN
Yerevan.
13
Aruba
AUA
Oranjestad.
12
Ascension
1
9
Australia
2
SYD
Sydney.
11
Austria
VIE
1000 Wien.
15
Azerbaijan
BAK
Baku.
11
Azores
1
13
Bahamas
NAS
Nassau.
15
Bahrain
BAH
Bahrain.
15
Bangladesh
DAC
Dhaka Apt.
13
Barbados
BGI
Bridgetown.
12
Belarus
MSQ
Minsk PI 2.
11
Belgium
BRU
Brussels EMC.
13
Belize
BZE
Belize City.
15
Benin
COO
Cotonou.
13
Bermuda
BDA
Hamilton.
15
Bhutan
1
13
Bolivia
LPB
La Paz.
13
Bonaire
1
3
12
Bosnia and Herzegovina
SJJ
Sarajevo.
15
Botswana
GBE
Gabrone.
13
Brazil
RIO
Rio de Janeiro.
13
British Virgin Islands
RAD
Roadtown.
14
Brunei Darussalam
BWN
Bandar Seri Begawan.
12
Bulgaria
SOF
Sofia.
15
Burkina Faso
OUA
Ouagadougou.
15
Burundi
BJM
Bujumbura.
14
Cambodia
PNH
Phnom Penh.
15
Cameroon
DLA
Douala.
1
Canada
See 292.47 Canadian Labeling Information.
15
Cape Verde
RAI
Praia.
13
Cayman Islands
GCM
Grand Cayman.
15
Central African Republic
BGF
Bangui.
15
Chad
NDJ
N'Djamena.
13
Chile
SCL
Santiago Avion.
14
China
BJS
Beijing.
13
Colombia
BOG
Bogota Aeropuerto.
15
Comoros Islands
1
15
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
FIH
Kinshasa CTT.
15
Congo, Rep. of the
BZV
Brazzaville.
Cook Islands
RAR
Rarotonga.
5
Corsica
1
13
Costa Rica
SJO
San Jose.
15
Cote d'Ivoire
ABJ
Abidjan.
12
Croatia
ZAG
Zagreb.
13
Cuba
HAV
Havana Avion.
13
Curacao
3
CUR
Willemstad.
15
Cyprus
NIC
Nicosia.
12
Czech Republic
PRG
Prague 120.
11
Denmark
CPH
Copenhagen INC.
15
Djibouti
JIB
Djibouti.
13
Dominica
DOM
Roseau.
13
Dominican Republic
SDQ
Santo Domingo.
13
Ecuador
UIO
Quito.
15
Egypt
CAI
Cairo Int'l Airport.
13
El Salvador
SAL
San Salvador.
15
Equatorial Guinea
SSG
Malbo.
15
Eritrea
ASM
Asmara.
12
Estonia
TLL
Tallinn.
15
Ethiopia
ADD
Addis Ababa.
13
Falkland Islands
1
12
Faroe Islands
1
14
Fiji
NAN
Nadi.
11
Finland
HEL
Helsinki.
5
France
CDG
Roissy CI.
13
French Guiana
CAY
Cayenne.
14
French Polynesia
FAA
PPT Centre Traitement Courier Air.
15
Gabon
LBV
Libreville.
15
Gambia
BJL
Banjul.
15
Georgia, Republic of
TBS
Tbilisi.
4
Germany
FRA
Frankfurt/M.
15
Ghana
ACC
Accra.
11
Gibraltar
GIB
Gibraltar.
3
Great Britain (includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and The Isle of Man)
LON
Great Britain.
11
Greece
ATH
Athens.
11
Greenland
1
13
Grenada
GND
St. George's.
13
Guadeloupe
PTP
Pointe-a-Pitre.
13
Guatemala
GUA
Guatemala.
15
Guinea
CKY
Conakry.
15
Guinea-Bissau
OXB
Bissau.
13
Guyana
GEO
Georgetown.
13
Haiti
PAP
Port-au-Prince.
13
Honduras
TGU
Tegucigalpa.
14
Hong Kong
HKG
Victoria.
12
Hungary
BUD
Budapest 1005.
11
Iceland
REK
Reykjavik.
15
India
DEL
Delhi Air.
14
Indonesia
JKT
Jakarta Soekarnohatta.
15
Iran
THR
Tehran.
15
Iraq
BGW
Baghdad.
11
Ireland
DUB
Dublin.
11
Israel
TLV
Tel Aviv-Yafo.
7
Italy
MIL
Milan.
13
Jamaica
KIN
Kingston.
10
Japan
NRT
Narita AP A.
15
Jordan
AMM
Amman.
15
Kazakhstan
ALA
Almaty PCI-5.
15
Kenya
NBO
Nairobi.
14
Kiribati
TRW
Tarawa.
14
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of (North)
1
14
Korea, Republic of (South)
SEL
Seoul IPO.
15
Kuwait
KWI
Kuwait MSC.
12
Kyrgyzstan
FRU
Bichkek PI-1.
14
Laos
VTE
Vientiane.
12
Latvia
RIX
Riga OE Letters.
15
Lebanon
BEY
Beirut.
15
Lesotho
MSU
Maseru.
15
Liberia
MLW
Monrovia.
15
Libya
TIP
Tripoli.
11
Liechtenstein
1
12
Lithuania
VNO
Vilnius.
11
Luxembourg
LUX
Luxembourg Ville.
12
Macao
MFM
Macau.
12
Macedonia
SKP
1003 SKOP JEB.
15
Madagascar
TNR
Antananarivo TRI.
15
Malawi
LBE
Limbe.
14
Malaysia
KUL
Kuala Lumpur.
15
Maldives
MLE
Male.
15
Mali
BKO
Bamako.
15
Malta
MAR
Valletta.
13
Martinique
FDF
Fort de France.
15
Mauritania
NKC
Nouakchott.
15
Mauritius
MRU
Port Louis SSR.
2
Mexico
MEX
Mexico Aereo DF.
15
Moldova
KIV
Kishinev.
11
Monaco
MCM
Monte Carlo.
14
Mongolia
1
ULN
Ulaanbaatar CPO.
13
Montenegro
TGD
Montenegro Post.
15
Montserrat
MNI
Plymouth.
15
Morocco
CAS
Casablanca CCI.
15
Mozambique
MPM
CPI Maputo.
15
Namibia
WDH
Windhoek.
14
Nauru
INU
Nauru.
14
Nepal
KTM
Kathmandu.
8
Netherlands
AMS
Amsterdam EXP.
13
Netherlands Antilles
1
3
14
New Caledonia
NOU
Noumea CTC.
11
New Zealand
AKL
Auckland.
13
Nicaragua
MGA
Managua.
15
Niger
NIM
Niamey CNTLC.
15
Nigeria
LOS
Lagos.
11
Norway
OSL
Oslo Letter Centre.
15
Oman
MCT
Muscat.
15
Pakistan
ISB
Islamabad IM.
13
Panama
PTY
Panama City.
14
Papua New Guinea
BOR
Boroko.
13
Paraguay
ASU
Asuncion.
13
Peru
LIM
Lima Transito.
14
Philippines
MNL
Manila.
14
Pitcairn Island
1
12
Poland
WAW
Warsaw Wer.
11
Portugal
LIS
Lisbon Province.
15
Qatar
DOH
Doha.
15
Reunion
RUN
St. Denis.
12
Romania
BUH
Bucuresti C.
12
Russia
MOW
Moscow PCI-1.
15
Rwanda
KGL
Kigali.
13
Saba
1
3
13
Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis
SKB
Basseterre.
13
Saint Eustatius
1
3
13
Saint Helena
1
13
Saint Lucia
SLU
Castries.
13
Saint Maarten
3
SXM
Philipsburg.
13
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
1
13
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
KTN
Kingstown.
11
San Marino
1
12
Sao Tome and Principe
1
15
Saudi Arabia
DMM
Dammam Central Post.
15
Senegal
DKR
Dakar Centre de Tri Postal.
12
Serbia, Republic of
BEG
Belgrad C 11003 Letters.
15
Seychelles
SEZ
Victoria Seychelles Post Office.
15
Sierra Leone
FNA
Freetown.
14
Singapore
SIN
Singapore.
12
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
BTS
Bratislava 090.
12
Slovenia
LJU
Ljubljana 1003.
14
Solomon Islands
HIR
Honiara.
15
Somalia
MGQ
Mogadishu.
15
South Africa
JNB
Johannesburg.
11
Spain
MAD
Madrid Airport.
15
Sri Lanka
CMB
Colombo.
15
Sudan
KRT
Khartoum.
13
Suriname
PBM
Paramaribo.
15
Swaziland
MTS
Manzini.
11
Sweden
STO
Stockholm Flug.
6
Switzerland
ZRH
Zurich 1.
15
Syria
DAM
Damascus.
14
Taiwan
TPE
Taipei.
15
Tajikistan
DYU
Dushanbe.
15
Tanzania
DAR
Dar es Salaam.
14
Thailand
BKK
Suvarnabhumi Mail Centre.
15
Togo
LFW
Lome.
14
Tonga
TBU
Nukualofa.
13
Trinidad and Tobago
POS
Port of Spain.
15
Tristan da Cunha
1
15
Tunisia
TUN
Tunis.
12
Turkey
IST
Istanbul Uluslararasi Posta Isleme.
12
Turkmenistan
ASB
Achgabat PI-1.
13
Turks and Caicos Islands
GDT
Grand Turk.
14
Tuvalu
1
15
Uganda
KLA
Kampala.
15
Ukraine
IEV
Kiev PI-1.
15
United Arab Emirates
DXB
Dubai.
13
Uruguay
MVD
Montevideo.
15
Uzbekistan
TAS
Tashkent.
14
Vanuatu
VLI
Port Vila.
11
Vatican City
VAT
Vatican City.
13
Venezuela
CCS
Caracas.
14
Vietnam
SGN
Ho Chi Minh Ville.
14
Wallis and Futuna Islands
1
14
Western Samoa
APW
Apia.
15
Yemen
SAH
Sanaa.
15
Zambia
LUN
Lusaka Airmail.
15
Zimbabwe
HRE
Harare CSO.
Footnotes:
1
Direct country sacks are not made to these destinations. Prepare direct country packages and include in mixed direct country sacks labeled to the assigned U.S. exchange office listed in 292.462.
2
At the mailer's option, a finer sortation for IPA items addressed to Australia may be used. If this option is chosen, items addressed with postal codes beginning with 0, 1, 2, 4, and 9 and uncoded mail should be sorted and packaged to Sydney. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Sydney as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code, “SYD,” and the country name, Australia, should be entered in the “TO” block of Tag 178. Items addressed with postal codes beginning with 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 should be sorted and packaged to Melbourne. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Melbourne as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code, “MEL,” and the country name, Australia, should be entered in the “TO” block of Tag 178.
3
Netherlands Antilles includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten.
292.453 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail—Bundles
IPA mail paid at the worldwide nonpresort price must be made into bundles as defined in 292.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack and do not require labeling (facing slips).
292.46 Sacking Requirements
292.461 Direct Country Sack (5 Pounds or More)
The following standards apply:
a.
General.
When there are 5 pounds or more of mail addressed to the same country, the mail must be enclosed in a Direct Country Sack. All types of mail, including letter-size bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the same sack for each destination and counted toward the 5-pound minimum. The maximum weight of the sack and contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
b.
Direct Country Sack Tags.
Direct country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail
, showing the destination country. The mailer must also specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Direct Country Sack Label.
The sack label must be completed as follows. (See Exhibit 292.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents—DRX COUNTRY
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
IPA—DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE, ALBANY, NY
292.462 Mixed Country Sacks (5 Pounds or More—ISC Drop Shipment Only)
The following standards apply:
a.
General.
When mail is prepared under the ISC drop shipment option, direct country bundles destined to a specific country that cannot be made up in direct country sacks must be prepared in a mixed country sack. A mixed country sack must be prepared for each price group. Only countries in price groups 11 through 15 are eligible for this price. The maximum weight of the sack and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
b.
Mixed Country Sack Tags.
Mixed country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail
, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Mixed Country Sack Label.
The sack label must be completed as follows.
(See Exhibit 292.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents—DRX MIXED
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
IPA—DRX MIXED
ABC STORE, ALBANY NY
Exhibit 292.462
Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
IPA acceptance office 3-digit ZIP code prefix
U.S. exchange office and routing code for line 1
004-005, 010-089, 100-268, 270-297, 400-418, 420-427, 470-471, 476-477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003.
006-009, 298-339, 341-342, 344, 346-347, 349-397, 399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112.
424, 430-469, 478-516, 520-528, 530-531, 534-535, 537-567, 570-588, 600-620, 622-631, 633-641, 644-658, 660-662, 664-681, 683-693, 700-708, 710-799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290.
590-599, 821, 832-838, 970-986, 970-999
AMC SEATTLE WA 980.
800-816, 820, 822-831, 840-847, 893-898, 937-961
ISC SAN FRANCISCO CA 94013.
850, 852-853, 855-857, 859-860, 863-865, 870-875, 877-884, 889-891, 900-908, 910-928, 930-936
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900.
967-969
P&DC HONOLULU HI 967.
292.463 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sacks
The following standards apply:
a.
General.
The working bundles of mixed country mail and loose items must be enclosed in sacks unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office. Nonpresorted letter-size mail may be presented in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum weight of the sack, or tray, and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
Note:
Working bundles of mixed country mail cannot be enclosed in mixed country sacks.
b.
Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Tags.
Sack tags for worldwide nonpresort sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail
that identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify “WW” (worldwide) on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Label.
The sack label must be completed as follows: (See Exhibit 292.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents WKG
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
IPA—WKG
ABC COMPANY, MIAMI FL
292.47 Mail Preparation for Canada
Letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items must be prepared in separate containers. To qualify for the presort price, the same eligibility requirements for full service (see 292.232), or ISC drop shipment (see 292.233) apply. If the total mailing contains less than 5 pounds of mail for Canada, then the mail only qualifies for the worldwide nonpresort price but may be included with mail for other countries. Mailings that only contain worldwide nonpresort mail for Canada (50 pound minimum) are prepared under 292.453 and 292.463. The preparation requirements of presorted mail to Canada are as follows.
a.
Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail
. Letter-size items are prepared in letter trays, either 1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Flat-size items are prepared in flat trays. All items must be faced in the same direction, and all trays must be full enough to keep the mail from mixing during transportation. Do not prepare the content of the tray in bundles. Letter-size and flat-size trays must be sleeved or covered and secured with strapping. The mailer must
identify each tray label to show the destination in Canada, content and the dispatching U.S. international exchange office in the following format: See Exhibit 292.47 for Canadian labeling information.
Line 1: Canadian Destination, U.S. Exchange Office Code
Line 2: Contents
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
MONTREAL QC FWD 003
IPA
ABC COMPANY, NEW YORK NY
In addition, the mailer must complete PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail
. Write “Canada” on the reverse and tape the tag to the tray sleeve. All trays must be banded.
b.
Packages
. Items that cannot be prepared in trays because of their size or shape must be placed loose in sacks. Mailers must complete PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail
. Write “Canada” on the reverse side of the tag and label. In addition, mailers must also attach a completed PS Tag 178,
Airmail Bag Label
.
Exhibit 292.47
Canadian Labeling Information
Origin ZIP code
Exchange office
Canadian destination
U.S.
exchange
office
code
004-005, 010-089, 100-268, 270-297, 400-418, 420-427, 470-471, 476-477
JFK
MONTREAL QC FWD
003
298-339, 341-342, 344, 346-347, 349-397, 399, 723
MIA
MONTREAL QC FWD
33112
430-469, 472-475, 478-516, 520-528, 530-567, 570-588, 600-631, 633-641, 644-658, 660-662, 664-681, 683-693, 700-708, 710-722, 724-816, 822-831, 840-847, 870-885, 893, 898
ORD
TORONTO ON FWD
60290
590-599, 821, 832-838, 970-999
SEA
VANCOUVER BC FWD
98158
820, 894-895, 937-961
SFO
VANCOUVER BC FWD
94013
850, 852-853, 855-857, 859-860, 863-865, 889-891, 900-908, 910-928, 930-936
LAX
VANCOUVER BC FWD
90899
967-969
HNL
VANCOUVER BC FWD
96820
292.5 Enter and Deposit
292.51 Separation by Price Group
The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115,
International Priority Airmail
, with (
e.g.
, “1” for Canada, and “WW” for Worldwide nonpresort), and must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing.
292.52 Full Service
Mailings must be deposited at a Post Office facility where bulk mail is accepted and the mailer holds an advance deposit account or postage meter license.
292.53 Drop Shipment
To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one of the locations in 292.531. The mailer must pay postage at the drop shipment location either through an advance deposit account or postage meter license at the serving Post Office facility. As an alternative, mailers who are participating in the Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) program may have the mail verified, accepted, and paid for at the mailers plant or at the origin Post Office facility serving the mailers plant if authorized under DMM 705. Plant-verified drop shipment mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop shipment location and the mail must be accompanied by PS Form 8125,
Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance.
292.531 Drop Shipment Locations
Drop shipments are available through the following offices:
New York:
John F Kennedy Airport Mail Ctr, US Postal Service, John F Kennedy International Airport Bldg 250, Jamaica, NY 11430-9998.
Florida:
Miami International Service Ctr*, US Postal Service, 11698 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33112-9997.
Miami Processing and Distribution Ctr, US Postal Service, 2200 NW 72nd Ave., Miami, Fl 33152-9997.
Texas:
North Texas P&DC, US Postal Service, 951 W Bethel Rd, Coppell, TX 75099-8811.
Illinois:
JT Weeker International Service Center, US Postal Service, O'Hare International Airport, 514 Express Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60688-9998.
California:
Los Angeles ISC, US Postal Service, 5800 W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90009-9998.
San Francisco ISC, US Postal Service, 2650 Bayshore Blvd., Daly City, CA 94013-1631.
* Only plant-verified mail is transported to these facilities by the mailer.
[Delete current 293 in its entirety and replace to read as follows:]
293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service
293.1 Description
293.11 General
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) is a bulk mailing system that provides fast, economical international delivery of First-Class Mail International items. The cost is lower than First-Class Mail International service. ISAL shipments are flown to the foreign destinations and entered into that country's surface or nonpriority mail system for delivery. Separate prices are provided for International Service Center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and nonpresorted mail. Volume incentives are available through customized agreements.
293.12 ISAL M-Bags
ISAL M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing, are subject to the provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in Exhibit 293.452. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 155,
Surface Air Lift Mail
, and PS Tag 158,
M-Bag Addressee Tag
. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the sack.
293.2 Eligibility
293.21 Qualifying Mailpieces
Any First-Class Mail International mailpiece that meets the characteristics defined in 141.5 qualifies to be mailed as ISAL. Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight. Any item sent by ISAL must conform to the weight and size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets) as described in 240.
293.22 Availability
ISAL service is available to all foreign countries, as listed in Exhibit 293.452, which shows the price group assigned to each country.
293.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements
293.231 Minimum Quantity
All mailings must meet a minimum weight quantity of 50 pounds. To achieve the 50-pound minimum, mailings may include a combination of presort mail, worldwide nonpresort mail, or M-bags.
293.232 Presort Eligibility—Full Service
Only direct country sacks containing a minimum of 5 pounds in each sack qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
293.233 Presort Eligibility—ISC Drop Shipment
Only direct country sacks and mixed country sacks containing a minimum of 5 pounds in each sack qualifies for the presort price. Price groups containing less than 5 pounds must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
293.24 Dutiable Items
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this subchapter for those classes of mail. Priority Mail International items, either ordinary or insured, may not be mailed as ISAL.
293.25 Customs Forms Requirements
See 123 for customs forms requirements.
293.26 Extra Services
Extra services are not available for items sent by ISAL.
293.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods
293.31 Prices
293.311 General
ISAL service has two price options: a presort option with 15 price groups and a worldwide nonpresort option (293.311a). Both offer full service prices (293.311b) for mail deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in 293.531; and drop shipment prices (293.311c) for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in Exhibit 293.311a. The per-piece price applies to each piece regardless of its weight. The per-pound price applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare weight of sack or tray) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
Exhibit 293.311a
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Prices
Direct country sacks
Price group
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
Mixed country sacks
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
1
$0.43
$3.85
$2.85
2
0.12
4.86
3.86
3
0.43
4.49
3.49
4
0.43
4.59
3.59
5
0.43
4.56
3.56
6
0.43
4.45
3.45
7
0.44
4.66
3.66
8
0.43
4.45
3.45
9
0.31
4.76
3.76
10
0.46
4.67
3.67
11
0.43
4.49
3.49
$0.46
$3.67
12
0.15
5.45
4.45
0.16
4.68
13
0.15
5.55
4.55
0.16
4.78
14
0.15
5.45
4.45
0.16
4.68
15
0.12
6.60
5.60
0.13
5.88
Worldwide Nonpresort Sacks
Price group
Per piece
Full service per lb.
ISC drop shipment per lb.
n/a
$0.51
$7.63
$6.47
Exhibit 293.311b
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-Bag—Full Service
Price group
Full service per lb.
1
$1.60
2
1.70
3
2.00
4
2.00
5
2.00
6
2.00
7
2.00
8
2.00
9
3.00
10
2.80
11
2.03
12
2.35
13
2.35
14
2.60
15
3.25
Note:
Full Service
M-bags are subject to the minimum price for 11 lbs.
Exhibit 293.311c
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-Bag—ISC Drop Shipment
Price group
5 lbs.
6 lbs.
7 lbs.
8 lbs.
9 lbs.
10 lbs.
11 lbs.
Each additional pound
1
$15.90
$16.00
$16.10
$16.20
$16.30
$16.40
$16.50
$1.50
2
14.30
14.85
15.40
15.95
16.50
17.05
17.60
1.60
3
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
4
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
5
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
6
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
7
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
8
11.45
12.75
14.05
15.35
16.65
17.95
19.25
1.75
9
18.25
20.25
22.25
24.25
26.25
28.25
30.25
2.75
10
16.25
18.40
20.55
22.70
24.85
27.00
29.15
2.65
11
11.65
12.99
14.33
15.67
17.01
18.35
19.69
1.79
12
12.90
14.60
16.30
18.00
19.70
21.40
23.10
2.10
13
14.40
15.85
17.30
18.75
20.20
21.65
23.10
2.10
14
12.05
14.35
16.65
18.95
21.25
23.55
25.85
2.35
15
16.20
19.00
21.80
24.60
27.40
30.20
33.00
3.00
Note: ISC Drop Shipment M-bags are subject to the minimum price for 5 lbs.
293.32 Computation of Postage
Postage is computed on PS Form 3700,
Postage Statement—International Mail.
293.321 Computing Worldwide Nonpresort Prices
To compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-piece price, multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the applicable per-pound price, and then add the two totals together.
293.322 Computing Presort Prices
To compute postage at the presorted price, first multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price, then multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the corresponding per-pound price, and then add the two totals together.
293.33 Postage Payment Methods
293.331 General
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled stamps (see DMM 604).
293.332 Postage Meter
Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:
a.
Piece Price.
The applicable per piece postage shown in 293.311a must be affixed to each mailpiece when paying with a meter. Mailers who have an ICM agreement must affix the applicable per piece postage as set forth in their ICM agreement.
b.
Pound Price.
Postage for the pound price portion must be paid either by meter stamp(s) attached to the postage statement or from the mailer's authorized permit imprint advance deposit account.
c.
Postage Endorsement.
Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL”.
d.
Specifications for Endorsement.
The endorsement required in 293.332c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must be printed above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or it may be printed adjacent to the meter stamp in either the postal inscription slug area or ad plate area. If the postal endorsement appears in the ad plate area, no other information may be printed in the ad plate. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
e.
Unmarked Pieces.
Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
f.
Drop Shipment of Metered Mail.
Mailers who want to enter metered ISAL mail at a Post Office facility other than where the meter is licensed must obtain a drop shipment authorization. To obtain an authorization, the mailer must submit a written request to the postmaster at the office where the mail will be entered (see DMM 705).
293.333 Precanceled Stamps
Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following standards:
a.
Piece Price.
The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every piece in the mailing.
b.
Pound Price.
Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
c.
Postage Endorsement.
Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL”.
d.
Specifications for Endorsement.
The endorsement required in 293.333c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must be printed above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or it may be printed adjacent to the precanceled stamp. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
e.
Unmarked Pieces.
Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
293.334 Permit Imprint
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical weight pieces. Any of the permit imprints shown in Exhibit 152.44 are acceptable. Postage is calculated as described in 293.32 and is deducted from the mailer's advance deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote bulk mail, nonprofit, or other domestic or special mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with nonidentical weight pieces only if authorized to use postage mailing systems under DMM 705.
293.4 Mail Preparation
293.41 Addressing
International Surface Air Lift is subject to the addressing requirements contained in 122.
Exception—Canada:
International Surface Air Lift items destined for Canada must have the applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address. See 122.1k for the address formatting requirements that generally apply to mailpieces sent to Canada.
Exception—Direct Country Sacks:
International Surface Air Lift in direct country sacks (see 293.451) is not subject to the interline addressing requirement that is specified in 122.1d. At the sender's risk, the English translation of the destination Post Office or city name may be omitted from printed addresses that are in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters. An English translation of the country name (
e.g.
, Japan) is still required on the individual mailpieces.
293.42 Marking
293.421 Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mailpieces
The sender should mark “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL” on the address side of each piece. Use of bordered airmail envelopes is prohibited.
293.422 Packages (Small Packets)
Items that might be mistaken for another class of mail because of their size, weight, or appearance should be marked “LETTER-POST” on the address side.
293.43 Sealing
Mail that is sent via ISAL service may be sealed at the sender's option. See 244.4 for the packaging methods that are applicable to all First-Class Mail International items.
Exception:
For direct country sacks only, First-Class Mail International folded mailpieces, without envelopes, are permitted provided one of the following methods is used:
1. All of the open sides are secured with tape, tabs, or wafer seals of sufficient quantity and strength to prevent the mailpieces from opening or being damaged during postal handling.
2. The mailpieces meet the physical standards and tabbing requirements in DMM 201.3.
293.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles
The following standards apply:
a.
Thickness.
Bundles of letter-size mail must be no thicker than approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick). Bundles of flat-size mail may be thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh more than 11 pounds.
b.
Securing Bundles.
Each bundle must be securely tied to withstand normal transit. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of letter-size mail. Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of flat-size mail.
c.
Separation of Bundles.
Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled separately.
d.
Facing of Piece.
All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same direction.
293.45 Sortation
293.451 Presort Mailings—General
Follow these steps when preparing ISAL presort mail:
a.
Full Service.
For presort mailings, all mail addressed to an individual country that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort prices.
b.
ISC Drop Shipment.
For presort mailings, all mail addressed to an individual country that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. Next, all mail addressed to individual countries within a single price group containing 5 pounds or more must be bundled separately and sacked in mixed country sacks. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country sacks or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort prices.
293.452 Presorted Mail—Direct Country Bundle Label
A label (facing slip) for direct country bundles prepared for mixed country sacks must be completed and placed on the address side of the top piece of each bundle showing the country of destination. The pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort mail are prohibited for ISAL.
Exhibit 293.452
ISAL Country Price Groups and Foreign Exchange Offices
International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service Network Countries and Price Groups
Country
City
3-Letter
exchange
office code
Price group
Argentina
Buenos Aires
BUE
13
Australia
Sydney
SYD
19
Austria
Vienna
VIE
11
Belgium
Brussels
BRU
11
Belize
Belize City
BZE
13
Bolivia
La Paz
LPB
13
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
RIO
13
Canada
See 292.47
1
Chile
Santiago
SCL
13
China
Beijing (Peking)
PEK
14
Colombia
Bogota
BOG
13
Costa Rica
San Jose
SJO
13
Czech Republic
Prague
PRG
12
Denmark
Copenhagen
CPH
11
Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
SDQ
13
Ecuador
Guayaquil
GYE
13
Egypt
Cairo
CAI
15
El Salvador
San Salvador
SAL
13
Finland
Helsinki
HEL
11
France
Paris
PAR
5
Germany
Frankfurt
FRA
4
Great Britain
London
LON
3
Greece
Athens
ATH
11
Guatemala
Guatemala City
GUA
13
Guyana
Georgetown
GEO
13
Haiti
Port-au-Prince
PAP
13
Honduras
Tegucigalpa
TGU
13
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
HKG
14
Hungary
Budapest
BUD
12
India
Mumbai
BOM
15
Indonesia
Jakarta
JKT
14
Ireland
Dublin
DUB
11
Israel
Tel Aviv
TLV
11
Italy
Rome
ROM
7
Japan
1
Osaka Int'l
OSA
10
Tokyo
TYO
10
Jordan
Amman
AMM
15
Kenya
Nairobi
NBO
15
Korea, Rep. of (South)
Seoul
SEL
14
Mexico
Mexico City
MEX
2
Netherlands
Amsterdam
AMS
8
Netherlands Antilles
Curacao
CUR
13
New Zealand
Auckland
AKL
11
Nigeria
Lagos
LOS
15
Norway
Oslo
OSL
11
Panama
Panama City
PTY
13
Peru
Lima
LIM
13
Philippines
Manila
MNL
14
Poland
Warsaw
WAW
12
Portugal
Lisbon
LIS
11
Romania
Bucharest
BUH
12
Russia
Moscow
MOW
12
Saudi Arabia
Dhahran
DHA
15
Singapore
Singapore
SIN
14
South Africa
Johannesburg
JNB
15
Spain
2
Madrid
MAD
11
Sweden
Stockholm
STO
11
Switzerland
Basel
BSL
6
Taiwan
Taipei
TPE
14
Thailand
Bangkok
BKK
14
Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain
POS
13
Turkey
Istanbul
IST
12
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
DXB
15
Uruguay
Montevideo
MVD
13
Venezuela
Caracas
CCS
13
1
To expedite handling, Japan Post has requested that U.S. shippers make the following optional separation of their ISAL mail:
—Mail destined for locations in Japan with post code prefixes 52-93 should be labeled to Osaka International (OSA).
—Mail destined for all other post code prefixes should be labeled to Tokyo (TYO).
All ISAL mail that is not optionally separated as specified above should be labeled to Tokyo (TYO).
2
Including the Canary Islands.
293.453 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail—General
ISAL mail paid at the worldwide nonpresort price must be made into bundles as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack and do not require labeling (facing slips).
293.46 Sacking Requirements
293.461 Direct Country Sack (5 Pounds or More)
The following standards apply:
a.
General
. When there are 5 pounds or more of mail addressed to the same country the mail must be enclosed in a Direct Country Sack. All types of mail, including letter-size bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the same sack for each destination and counted toward the 5-pound minimum. The maximum weight of the sack and contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
b.
Direct Country Sack Tags
. Direct country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, showing the destination country. The mailer must also specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Direct Country Sack Label
. The sack label must be completed as follows. (See Exhibit 293.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents—DRX
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
ISAL—DRX COUNTRY
ABC STORE, ALBANY NY
293.462 Mixed Country Sacks (5 Pounds or More—ISC Drop Shipment Only)
The following standards apply:
a.
General
. When mail is prepared under the ISC drop shipment option, direct country bundles destined to a specific country that cannot be made up in direct country sacks must be prepared in a mixed country sack. A mixed country sack must be prepared for each price group. Only countries in price groups 11 through 15 are eligible for this price. The maximum weight of the sack and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
b.
Mixed Country Sack Tags
. Mixed country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail
, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Mixed Country Sack Label
. The sack label must be completed as follows. (See Exhibit 293.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents—DRX MIXED
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
ISAL—DRX MIXED
ABC STORE, ALBANY NY
Exhibit 293.462
Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
ISAL acceptance office
3-Digit ZIP code prefix
U.S. exchange office and routing code for line 1
004-005, 010-089, 100-268, 270-297, 400-418, 420-427, 470-471, 476-477
ISC NEW YORK NY 003.
006-009, 298-339, 341-342, 344, 346-347, 349-397, 399
ISC MIAMI FL 33112.
424, 430-469, 478-516, 520-528, 530-531, 534-535, 537-567, 570-588, 600-620, 622-631, 633-641, 644-658, 660-662, 664-681, 683-693, 700-708, 710-799, 885
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290.
590-599, 821, 832-838, 970-986, 970-999
AMC SEATTLE WA 980.
800-816, 820, 822-831, 840-847, 893-898, 937-961
ISC SAN FRANCISCO CA 94013.
850, 852-853, 855-857, 859-860, 863-865, 870-875, 877-884, 889-891, 900-908, 910-928, 930-936
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900.
967-969
P&DC HONOLULU HI 967.
293.463 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sacks
The following standards apply:
a.
General.
The working bundles of mixed country mail and loose items must be enclosed in sacks unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office. Nonpresorted letter-size mail may be presented in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum weight of the sack, or tray, and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
Note:
Working bundles of mixed country mail cannot be enclosed in mixed country sacks.
b.
Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Tags.
Sack tags for worldwide nonpresort sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail,
that identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify “WW” (worldwide) on the back of PS Tag 155.
c.
Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Label.
The sack label must be completed as follows: (See Exhibit 293.462 for list of U.S. International Exchange Offices.)
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents WKG
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
ISAL—WKG
ABC COMPANY, MIAMI FL
293.5 Enter and Deposit
293.51 Separation by Price Group
The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 155,
Surface Airlift Mail,
with (
e.g.
, “1” for Canada, and “WW'' for Worldwide nonpresort), and must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing.
293.52 Full Service
Mailings must be deposited at a Post Office facility where bulk mail is accepted and the mailer holds an advance deposit account or postage meter license.
293.53 Drop Shipment
To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one of the locations in 293.531. The mailer must pay postage at the drop shipment location either through an advance deposit account or postage meter license at the serving Post Office facility. As an alternative, mailers who are participating in the Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) program may have the mail verified, accepted, and paid for at the mailers plant or at the origin Post Office facility serving the
mailers plant if authorized under DMM 705. Plant-verified drop shipment mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop shipment location and the mail must be accompanied by PS Form 8125,
Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance.
293.531 Drop Shipment Locations
Drop shipments are available through the following offices:
New York:
John F. Kennedy Airport Mail Ctr, US Postal Service, John F Kennedy International Airport Bldg 250, Jamaica, NY 11430-9998.
Florida:
Miami International Service Ctr*, US Postal Service, 11698 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33112-9997.
Miami Processing And Distribution Ctr, US Postal Service, 2200 NW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33152-9997.
Texas:
North Texas P&DC, US Postal Service, 951 W Bethell Rd, Coppell, TX 75099-8811.
Illinois:
JT Weeker International Service Center, US Postal Service, O'Hare International Airport, 514 Express Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60688-9998.
California:
Los Angeles ISC, US Postal Service, 21750 Arnold Center Rd, Carson, CA 90810-9998.
San Francisco ISC, US Postal Service, 2650 Bayshore Blvd., Daly City, CA 94013-1631.
*Only plant-verified mail is transported to these facilities by the mailer.
3 Extra Services
310 Certificate of Mailing
313 Fees
313.1 Individual Pieces
[Revise 313.1 by changing the certificate of mailing fee from $1.10 to $1.15 (in two places); and the Firm Mailing Book fee from $0.40 to $0.42.]
313.2 Bulk Pieces
[Revise the table in 313.2 as follows:]
Up to 1,000 pieces
$6.50
Each addition 1, 000 pieces or fraction
0.75
Duplicate copy
1.15
330 Registered Mail
333 Fees and Indemnity Limits
333.1 Registration Fees
[Change the registry fee to $11.50.]
340 Return Receipt
343 Fee
[Revise 343 by changing the fee to $2.30.]
350 Restricted Delivery
353 Fee
[Revise 353 by changing the fee to $4.50.]
Index of Countries and Localities
Country Conditions for Mailing
[Replace the current price tables in the Individual Country Listings with the following:]
First-Class Mail International Letters
Weight not over (oz.)
Price groups
1
2
3, 4, 5
6, 7, 8, 9
1
$0.75
$0.79
$0.98
$0.98
2
1.00
1.34
1.82
1.76
3
1.25
1.89
2.66
2.54
3.5
1.50
2.44
3.50
3.32
Postcards
0.75
0.79
0.98
0.98
First-Class Mail International Large Envelopes (Flats)
Weight not over (oz.)
Price groups
1
2
3, 4, 5
6, 7, 8, 9
1
$1.03
$1.03
$1.24
$1.24
2
1.29
1.59
2.08
2.03
3
1.55
2.15
2.92
2.82
4
1.81
2.71
3.76
3.61
5
2.07
3.27
4.60
4.40
6
2.33
3.83
5.44
5.19
7
2.59
4.39
6.28
5.98
8
2.85
4.95
7.12
6.77
12
3.83
6.50
8.84
8.44
16
4.81
8.05
10.56
10.11
20
5.79
9.60
12.28
11.78
24
6.77
11.15
14.00
13.45
28
7.75
12.70
15.72
15.12
32
8.73
14.25
17.44
16.79
36
9.71
15.80
19.16
18.46
40
10.69
17.35
20.88
20.13
44
11.67
18.90
22.60
21.80
48
12.65
20.45
24.32
23.47
52
13.63
22.00
26.04
25.14
56
14.61
23.55
27.76
26.81
60
15.59
25.10
29.48
28.48
64
16.57
26.65
31.20
30.15
First-Class Mail International Packages (Small Packets)
Weight not over (oz.)
Price groups
1
2
3, 4, 5
6, 7, 8, 9
1
$1.23
$1.23
$1.44
$1.44
2
1.49
1.79
2.28
2.23
3
1.75
2.35
3.12
3.02
4
2.01
2.91
3.96
3.81
5
2.27
3.47
4.80
4.60
6
2.53
4.03
5.64
5.39
7
2.79
4.59
6.48
6.18
8
3.05
5.15
7.32
6.97
12
4.03
6.70
9.04
8.64
16
5.01
8.25
10.76
10.31
20
5.99
9.80
12.48
11.98
24
6.97
11.35
14.20
13.65
28
7.95
12.90
15.92
15.32
32
8.93
14.45
17.64
16.99
36
9.91
16.00
19.36
18.66
40
10.89
17.55
21.08
20.33
44
11.87
19.10
22.80
22.00
48
12.85
20.65
24.52
23.67
52
13.83
22.20
26.24
25.34
56
14.81
23.75
27.96
27.01
60
15.79
25.30
29.68
28.68
64
16.77
26.85
31.40
30.35
[Replace the current tables in the Individual Country Listings for countries with Express Mail International merchandise insurance with current fees to read as follows:]
Insurance (221.3)
Insured amount
not over
Fee
Insured amount
not over
Fee
$100
No fee
For insurance coverage above $2,000, add $1.40 for each $500 or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of $5,000 per shipment.
200
$0.75
500
2.15
1,000
3.55
1,500
4.95
2,000
6.35
$5,000 max
$14.75
[Revise the Canada Country Listing as follows:]
Canada
Insurance (320)
Available for Priority Mail International parcels only (see 344.3 for markings).
Insured amount
not over
Fee
$50
$1.75
100
2.25
200
2.75
300
4.70
400
5.70
500
6.70
600
7.70
675
8.70
[Revise all other country listings to which Priority Mail International parcel insurance is offered up to the amount available as follows:]
Insured amount
not over
Fee
Insured amount
not over
Fee
$50
$2.50
Add $1.00 for each additional $100 or fraction of insurance coverage.
100
3.40
200
4.40
300
5.40
400
6.40
500
7.40
$5,000 max
$52.40
[Revise the following Extra Services fees in the Individual Country Listings:]
Registered Mail (330) Fee: $11.50
Restricted Delivery (350) Fee: $4.50
Return Receipt (340) Fee: $2.30
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E9-3962 Filed 2-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.