Contents
Transmittal Letter i
1 International Mail Services 1
110 General Information 1
111 Scope 1
112 Mailer Responsibility 1
113 Individual Country Listings 1
114 Availability 1
115 Official Correspondence 2
115.1 Communicating With Headquarters 2
115.11 Operations 2
115.12 Policy and Representation 2
115.13 Transportation and Distribution 2
115.14 Investigations 3
115.15 International Money Orders 3
115.2 Correspondence With Foreign Postal Authorities 3
115.21 Correspondence Permitted 3
115.22 Correspondence Not Permitted 3
115.3 Correspondence With Foreign Individuals 3
115.31 Correspondence Permitted 3
115.32 Customer’s Address 3
120 Preparation for Mailing 3
121 Packaging — Sender’s Responsibility 3
122 Addressing 4
122.1 Destination Address 4
122.2 Return Address 5
122.21 General 5
122.22 Required Use of Return Address 5
122.23 Return Address Elements and Placement 5
123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels 6
123.1 General 6
123.2 Availability 6
123.3 Privately Printed Forms 6
123.4 Nonpostal Forms 7
123.41 Nonpostal Export Regulations 7
123.42 Commercial Invoices 7
123.5 Place of Mailing 7
123.6 Required Usage 7
123.61 Conditions 7
123.62 Known Mailers 10
123.63 Documents and Merchandise 11
123.64 Additional Security Controls 12
123.7 Completing Customs Forms 12
123.71 PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22 — Sender’s Declaration (green label) 12
123.72 PS Form 2976–A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note — CP 72 15
123.73 PS Form 2976–E, Customs Declaration Envelope — CP 91 20
130 Mailability 20
131 General 20
131.1 Domestic Limits 20
131.2 International Limits 20
131.3 Individual Country Prohibitions and Restrictions 21
131.31 Information Available 21
131.32 Prohibited and Restricted Articles 21
131.33 Return or Seizure of Mail 21
131.34 Foreign Customs Information 21
131.4 Mailer Responsibility 21
131.5 Preparation for Mailing 21
131.51 General Packaging Requirements 21
131.52 Special Packaging Requirements 22
132 Written, Printed, and Graphic Matter 22
132.1 Domestic Limits 22
132.2 Reply Cards and Envelopes 22
133 Improperly Addressed Mail 23
134 Valuable Articles 23
134.1 Service Options 23
134.2 List of Articles 23
134.3 Prohibitions 24
135 Mailable Dangerous Goods 24
135.1 Infectious Substances 24
135.11 General Conditions 24
135.12 Type of Mail 25
135.13 Senders and Receivers 25
135.2 Authorization 25
135.21 Authorized Institutions 25
135.22 Request for Authorization 25
135.3 Packaging, Marking, Labeling 25
135.31 Category B Infectious Substances 25
135.32 Nonregulated Materials (Noninfectious Biological Substances) 26
135.33 Exempt Human or Animal Specimens 26
135.4 Handling and Dispatch of Infectious Substances 26
135.41 Biological Substances 26
135.42 Infectious Substances 26
135.5 Radioactive Materials 27
136 Nonmailable Goods 27
136.1 Dangerous Goods 27
136.2 Inert Replica and Explosive Devices 28
136.3 Counterfeit and Pirated Items 28
137 Firearms, Knives, and Sharp Instruments 28
138 Perishable Matter 28
138.1 Animals 28
138.2 Plants 28
138.3 Eggs 29
138.31 Restrictions 29
138.32 Packaging 29
138.4 Food and Other Perishable Articles 29
140 International Mail Categories 29
141 Definitions 29
141.1 General 29
141.2 Global Express Guaranteed 29
141.3 Express Mail International 30
141.4 Priority Mail International 30
141.5 First-Class Mail International 30
142 Official Mail 31
142.1 Mailings by Federal Agencies 31
142.2 Postal Service Mailings 31
142.3 Mail of a Former President and Surviving Spouse of a Former President 31
142.4 General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) 31
142.5 Pan American Sanitary Bureau Mail 32
150 Postage 32
151 Postage Prices 32
152 Payment Methods 32
152.1 Prepayment 32
152.2 Stamps 32
152.3 Computing Postage 33
152.31 Determining Single-Piece Weight 33
152.32 Rounding Numerical Values 33
152.4 Permit Imprint 33
152.41 Conditions of Use 33
152.42 Place of Mailing 34
152.43 Usage Criteria 34
152.44 Required Format 34
153 Placement of Postage 36
154 Remailed Items 36
2 Conditions for Mailing 37
210 Global Express Guaranteed 37
211 Description and Physical Characteristics 37
211.1 General 37
211.2 Physical Characteristics 37
211.21 Weight Limits 37
211.22 Dimensions 37
212 Eligibility 38
212.1 General — All Global Express Guaranteed Shipments 38
212.2 Customs Forms Required 38
212.3 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 38
212.4 Inquiries, Service Guarantees, Postage Refunds, and Indemnity 38
212.41 Service Guarantee 38
212.42 Transit Days for Shipments 38
212.43 Inquiries 39
212.44 Postage Refunds 39
212.45 Global Express Guaranteed Insurance and Indemnity 39
212.46 Indemnity Claims 39
212.47 Liability for Lost or Damaged Contents 40
212.5 Extra Services — Insurance 40
213 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 40
213.1 Availability and Price Application — General 40
213.2 Postage Payment Methods — General 40
213.3 Determining Postage for Global Express Guaranteed Service 41
213.31 USPS-Produced Global Express Guaranteed Envelopes 41
213.32 Mailer-Supplied Packaging 41
213.4 Dimensional Weight 41
213.41 Determining Dimensional Weight for a Rectangular-Shaped Parcel 41
213.42 Determining Dimensional Weight for a Nonrectangular-Shaped Parcel 41
213.5 Destinating Countries and Price Groups 41
213.6 Commercial Base Prices 47
213.7 Online Postage Payment Method 47
213.71 Online Prices 47
213.72 Computing Online Postage 47
213.73 Notification 47
213.74 Postage Adjustments of Online Shipments 47
213.75 Deposit of Online Shipments within 24 Hours 47
213.8 Official Mail 48
213.81 Mailings by Federal Agencies 48
213.82 Postal Service Mailings 48
214 Mail Preparation 48
214.1 Preparation by the Sender 48
214.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee 48
215 Mail Entry and Deposit 49
215.1 Entry Service Areas — U.S. Origins 49
215.2 Place of Mailing 50
215.21 Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps 50
215.22 Items Weighing 13 Ounces or Less and Paid With Postage Stamps 50
215.23 Items Weighing More Than 13 Ounces and Paid With Postage Stamps 50
215.24 Acceptance of Shipments 51
215.3 Pickup On Demand Service 51
215.4 Carrier Pickup Service 51
220 Express Mail International 51
221 Description and Physical Characteristics 51
221.1 General 51
221.2 Express Mail International With Guarantee Service 52
221.3 Express Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope 52
221.4 Physical Characteristics 52
221.41 Weight Limits 52
221.42 Dimensions — Express Mail International Parcels 52
222 Eligibility 52
222.1 General — All Express Mail International Shipments 52
222.2 Prohibited Items in All Express Mail International Shipments 52
222.3 Express Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope 53
222.4 Customs Forms Required 53
222.5 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 53
222.6 Express Mail International Insurance and Indemnity 53
222.61 Merchandise Insurance 53
222.62 Document Reconstruction Insurance 53
222.63 Indemnity for Delivery Delays 53
222.7 Extra Services 54
222.71 Merchandise Insurance 54
222.72 Return Receipt Service 54
223 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 54
223.1 Prices 54
223.11 Availability and Price Application — General 54
223.12 Express Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope Prices 55
223.2 Postage Payment Methods 55
223.21 General 55
223.22 Permit Imprint 55
223.23 Express Mail Corporate Account 56
223.24 Online Postage Payment Method 56
223.3 Official Mail 57
223.31 Mailings by Federal Agencies 57
223.32 Postal Service Mailings 57
224 Mail Preparation 57
224.1 Preparation by Sender 57
224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee 57
225 Mail Entry and Deposit 58
225.1 Place of Mailing 58
225.11 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration 58
225.12 Exceptional Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration 58
225.13 Items Not Requiring a Customs Declaration 58
225.2 Pickup On Demand Service 59
225.3 Carrier Pickup Service 60
230 Priority Mail International 60
231 Description and Physical Characteristics 60
231.1 General 60
231.2 Physical Characteristics 60
231.21 Weight Limits 60
231.22 Dimensions — Priority Mail International Parcels 60
231.23 Measuring Parcel Dimensions 60
232 Eligibility 61
232.1 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope and Small Flat-Rate Box 61
232.2 Priority Mail International Regular/Medium and Large Flat–Rate Boxes 62
232.3 Priority Mail International Parcels 62
232.4 Customs Forms Required 62
232.41 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope and Small Flat-Rate Box 62
232.42 Priority Mail International Regular/Medium and Large Flat-Rate Boxes 63
232.43 Priority Mail International Ordinary and Insured Parcels 63
232.5 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 63
232.6 Priority Mail International Insurance and Indemnity 63
232.61 Indemnity 63
232.62 Exclusions 63
232.63 Ordinary Priority Mail International Weight and Indemnity Limits 64
232.7 Extra Services 64
232.71 Certificate of Mailing 64
232.72 Merchandise Insurance 64
232.73 Return Receipt Service 65
232.74 Registered Mail Service 65
232.75 Restricted Delivery 65
233 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 66
233.1 Prices 66
233.11 Availability and Price Application — General 66
233.12 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope and Small Flat-Rate Box 66
233.13 Priority Mail International Regular/Medium and Large Flat-Rate Boxes 66
233.14 Priority Mail International Parcels 66
233.2 Postage Payment Methods 67
233.21 General 67
233.22 Permit Imprint 67
233.23 Online Postage Payment Method 67
233.3 Official Mail 68
233.31 Mailings by Federal Agencies 68
233.32 Postal Service Mailings 68
234 Mail Preparation 68
234.1 Addressing 68
234.2 Marking 68
234.3 Customs Documentation 68
234.4 Sealing 68
234.5 Packaging 69
234.51 Packaging Requirements — General 69
234.52 Types of Containers 69
234.53 Closure Options for Wooden Boxes or Bags 69
235 Mail Entry and Deposit 69
235.1 Place of Mailing 69
235.11 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration 69
235.12 Items Bearing a Completed Customs Declaration With an Electronic Round Date 69
235.13 Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes Not Requiring a Customs Declaration 70
235.2 Pickup On Demand Service 71
235.3 Carrier Pickup Service 71
240 First-Class Mail International 71
241 Description and Physical Characteristics 71
241.1 General 71
241.2 Physical Characteristics 71
241.21 Physical Standards — Letters 71
241.22 Physical Standards — Cards 73
241.23 Physical Standards — Large Envelopes (Flats) 74
241.24 Physical Standards — Packages (Small Packets) 77
242 Eligibility 77
242.1 Content Eligibility 77
242.2 Customs Forms Required 77
242.21 Dutiable Merchandise 77
242.22 Nondutiable Merchandise 78
242.3 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 78
242.4 Extra Services 78
242.41 Certificate of Mailing 78
242.42 Return Receipt Service 78
242.43 Registered Mail Service 78
242.44 Restricted Delivery 78
243 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 79
243.1 Prices 79
243.11 Prices and Price Application — General 79
243.12 Price Computation 79
243.13 Destinating Countries and Price Groups 79
243.2 Postage Payment Methods — General 83
243.3 Permit Imprint — General 83
243.4 Official Mail 84
243.41 Mailings by Federal Agencies 84
243.42 Postal Service Mailings 84
244 Mail Preparation 84
244.1 Addressing 84
244.2 Marking 84
244.3 Sealing 84
244.4 Packaging 85
245 Mail Entry and Deposit — Place of Mailing 85
245.1 Items Requiring a Completed Customs Declaration 85
245.2 Items Bearing a Completed Customs Declaration With an Electronic Round Date 85
245.3 Items Not Requiring a Customs Declaration 86
245.31 Items Weighing 13 Ounces or Less and Paid With Postage Stamps 86
245.32 Items Weighing More Than 13 Ounces and Paid With Postage Stamps 86
245.4 Payment Methods Other Than Postage Stamps 86
250 (Reserved) 86
260 Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (M–bags) 87
261 Description 87
261.1 General 87
261.2 Eligibility 87
261.21 Printed Matter 87
261.22 Other Articles 87
261.23 Mail Not Sealed Against Inspection 88
262 Postage Prices and Fees 88
262.1 Airmail M-bags 88
262.2 International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-bags 88
262.3 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M–bags 88
262.4 Postage Calculation 89
262.5 Stamps, Postage Evidencing Systems, PVI Labels, or Permit Imprint 89
263 Weight and Size Limits 89
263.1 Weight Limits 89
263.2 Size Limits 89
264 Mail Preparation 89
264.1 Marking 89
264.2 Sacking and Labeling 89
264.21 Equipment 89
264.22 Tagging 90
264.23 Multiple Sacks to One Addressee 90
264.24 Country Destination Name 90
264.3 Customs Forms Required 90
265 Extra Services 90
270 Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons 90
271 Description 90
271.1 General 90
271.2 Eligibility 91
271.3 Matter Sent to or by Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons 91
272 Postage Prices 91
273 Weight and Size Limits 91
273.1 Weight Limit 91
273.2 Size Limits 91
274 Mail Preparation 91
274.1 Addressing 91
274.2 Marking 92
274.3 Sealing 92
274.4 Packaging 92
274.41 Mail Not Sealed Against Inspection 92
274.42 Types of Containers 92
275 Extra Services 92
276 Customs Forms Required 92
280 (Reserved) 92
290 Commercial Services 93
291 (Reserved) 93
292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service 93
292.1 Description 93
292.11 General 93
292.12 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 93
292.13 IPA M-bags 93
292.2 Eligibility 93
292.21 Qualifying Mailpieces 93
292.22 Availability 93
292.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements 93
292.24 Dutiable Items 94
292.25 Customs Forms Requirements 94
292.26 Extra Services 94
292.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 94
292.31 Prices 94
292.32 Computation of Postage 96
292.33 Postage Payment Methods 96
292.4 Mail Preparation 98
292.41 Addressing and Return Address 98
292.42 Marking 98
292.43 Sealing and Packaging 98
292.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles 99
292.45 Sortation 99
292.46 Sacking Requirements 105
292.47 Mail Preparation for Canada 107
292.5 Mail Entry and Deposit 109
292.51 Separation by Price Group 109
292.52 Full Service 109
292.53 Drop Shipment 109
293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service 110
293.1 Description 110
293.11 General 110
293.12 Mail Sealed Against Inspection 111
293.13 ISAL M-bags 111
293.2 Eligibility 111
293.21 Qualifying Mailpieces 111
293.22 Availability 111
293.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements 111
293.24 Dutiable Items 111
293.25 Customs Forms Requirements 112
293.26 Extra Services 112
293.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods 112
293.31 Prices 112
293.32 Computation of Postage 113
293.33 Postage Payment Methods 114
293.4 Mail Preparation 115
293.41 Addressing and Return Address 115
293.42 Marking 116
293.43 Sealing and Packaging 116
293.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles 116
293.45 Sortation 117
293.46 Sacking Requirements 120
293.5 Mail Entry and Deposit 122
293.51 Separation by Price Group 122
293.52 Full Service 122
293.53 Drop Shipment 122
294 (Reserved) 124
295 (Reserved) 124
296 (Reserved) 124
297 Customized Agreements 124
297.1 Description 124
297.2 Qualifying Mailers 124
297.3 Criteria 124
3 Extra Services 125
310 Certificate of Mailing 125
311 Description 125
312 Availability 125
312.1 At Time of Purchase 125
312.2 After Mailing (Additional Criteria) 125
313 Fees 125
313.1 Individual Pieces 125
313.2 Bulk Pieces 126
314 Processing Requests 126
314.1 Forms 126
314.11 Postal Service Forms 126
314.12 Treasury Department Forms 126
314.13 Agriculture Department Forms 126
314.2 Preparation 126
314.21 Sender’s Responsibility 126
314.22 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility 126
320 Insurance 127
321 Global Express Guaranteed Insurance 127
321.1 Description 127
321.2 Availability 127
321.3 Additional Coverage and Fees 127
322 Express Mail International Insurance 127
322.1 Description 127
322.2 Availability 127
322.3 Additional Coverage and Fees 128
322.4 Return Receipt Service 128
323 Priority Mail International Insurance 128
323.1 Description 128
323.2 Availability 128
323.3 Coverage and Fees 128
323.4 Return Receipt 128
323.5 Insured Value and Indemnity Claims 129
323.51 Insured Value and Declared Value 129
323.52 Indemnity Claims and Payments 129
323.6 Preparation of Insured Priority Mail International Parcels 129
323.61 Mailing Receipt and Insurance Number 129
323.62 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility 129
323.63 Postmarking 132
323.7 Sender’s Responsibility 132
323.71 Mailing Receipt 132
323.72 Marking 132
323.73 Sealing 132
330 Registered Mail 132
331 Description 132
332 Availability 132
333 Fees and Indemnity Limits 133
333.1 Registration Fees 133
333.2 Indemnity Limit 133
334 Processing Requests 133
334.1 Mailing Receipt and Registration Number 133
334.11 General Use 133
334.12 Sender’s Responsibility 133
334.13 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility 133
334.14 Preparation 134
334.2 Marking 134
334.3 Postmarking 134
334.31 Placement 134
334.32 Registered Matter for the Blind 134
334.4 Sealing 134
334.41 Sender’s Responsibility 134
334.42 Registered Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons 134
334.5 Return Receipt and Restricted Delivery 134
335 Indemnity Claims and Payments 135
340 Return Receipt 135
341 Description 135
342 Availability 135
343 Fee 135
344 Processing Requests 135
344.1 Form 135
344.11 Sender’s Responsibility 135
344.12 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility 135
344.2 Marking 136
344.3 Return Receipt Improperly Completed or Not Received 136
350 Restricted Delivery 136
351 Description 136
351.1 General 136
351.2 Undeliverable Mail 136
352 Availability 136
353 Fee 136
354 Processing Requests 137
354.1 Marking 137
354.2 Postage 137
360 (Reserved) 137
370 International Money Transfer Services 137
371 International Money Orders 137
371.1 Description 137
371.11 General 137
371.12 Maximum Amount 137
371.2 Availability 137
371.3 Fees 138
371.4 Processing Requirements 138
371.41 Form Required — International Postal Money Order (Form MP1) 138
371.42 Preparation by Purchaser 138
371.43 Preparation by Postal Service Employee 138
371.5 Procedures for Cashing Money Orders Issued by Foreign Countries 139
371.51 Valid Postal Money Orders 139
371.52 Canadian Money Orders 139
371.53 Japanese Money Orders 139
371.6 Lost Reissued Money Orders 139
371.7 Inquiries 139
371.71 Who May Receive Information 139
371.72 Inquiries Regarding Payment 139
372 Sure Money (DineroSeguro) 140
372.1 Description 140
372.2 Options and Restrictions 140
372.3 Fees 140
372.4 Participating Post Offices 140
372.5 Availability 141
372.6 Currencies by Country 141
372.7 Service Guarantee 141
380 Supplemental Services 141
381 International Reply Coupons 141
381.1 Description 141
381.2 Availability 142
381.3 Selling Price and Exchange Value 142
381.4 Processing Requests 142
382 International Business Reply Service 143
382.1 Description 143
382.2 Availability 143
382.3 Who May Distribute IBRS Mail 143
382.4 Fees 143
382.5 Size and Weight Requirements 144
382.51 Cards 144
382.52 Envelopes 144
382.6 Formatting Requirements 144
382.61 General 144
382.62 Air Mail Endorsement 144
382.63 FIM 144
382.64 No Postage Necessary Endorsement 145
382.65 Horizontal Bars 145
382.66 Business Reply Legend 145
382.67 Delivery Address 145
382.68 Barcode 146
382.7 Foreign International Business Reply Service 148
4 Treatment of Outbound Mail 149
410 Postmarking 149
420 Shortpaid and Unpaid Mail 149
421 Check for Sufficient Postage 149
422 Unpaid Mail 149
422.1 With Return Address 149
422.2 No Return Address 149
422.21 First-Class Mail International and Postcards 149
422.22 Other Unpaid Mail 149
423 Shortpaid Mail 149
423.1 General Procedures at the Originating Mailing Office 149
423.2 Disposition 150
423.21 Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) Shipments 150
423.22 Express Mail International Shipments 150
423.23 Priority Mail International Shipments 150
423.24 First-Class Mail International and Postcard Shipments 150
423.3 Credit for Postage Paid 150
423.4 Parcels at Other Than Mailing Offices 151
430 Improperly Prepared Mail 151
431 Insufficient Address 151
432 Oversized or Undersized Items 151
433 Oversized Cards 151
434 Reply–Paid Cards 151
435 Detached Customs Declaration Forms 151
440 Extra Services Mail — Registered Mail 152
441 Recording and Dispatching 152
442 Registered Mail Found With Ordinary Mail 152
442.1 Disposition 152
442.2 Complete the Registration Process 152
442.3 Shortpaid Mail 152
5 Nonpostal Export Regulations 153
510 (Reserved) 153
520 Foreign Trade Regulations — U.S. Census Bureau 153
521 General 153
522 Additional Assistance 153
523 Mailpieces Sent to APOs, FPOs, and DPOs 153
524 Proof of Filing Citation (PFC) 153
524.1 General 153
524.2 Filing Requirements 154
524.21 Mandatory Filing 154
524.22 How to File Electronic Export Information and Obtain a Proof of Filing Citation 155
525 AES Downtime Citation 155
526 Exemption and Exclusion Legend 155
526.1 General 155
526.2 When Applicable 156
527 Placement of PFC, AES Downtime Citation, or Exemption and Exclusion Legend 156
530 Commodities and Technical Data 157
531 Scope and Applicability of Export Licensing Requirements 157
531.1 U.S. Department of Commerce — Bureau of Industry and Security; Export Controls 157
531.2 Export Enforcement 158
532 Export Licenses 158
532.1 General 158
532.2 Export — Definition 158
532.3 How to Determine If an Export License Is Needed 159
532.4 Additional Information 159
533 Additional Standards 160
533.1 Shipper’s Export Declaration 160
533.2 Shipper’s Electronic Export Filing Required 160
533.3 Processing at Post Office Facilities 160
540 Munitions and Related Technical Data 160
541 Licensing Requirements 160
541.1 Individual Licenses 160
541.11 Exporting Munitions 160
541.12 Obtaining Information 161
541.2 Mail Exempt From Licensing 161
541.21 Technical Data 161
541.22 Government Shipments 161
542 Mailing Under Individual Licenses 161
542.1 Marking by Sender 161
542.2 Processing in Post Office Facilities 161
542.21 Examination of List of Contents 161
542.22 Amount of Mailing Authorized by License 162
550 Dried Whole Eggs 162
551 Description 162
552 Charges 162
553 How to Mail 162
553.1 Preparation by Sender 162
553.11 Marking 162
553.12 Certificate of Mailing Dried Whole Eggs 162
553.2 Processing in Office of Mailing 163
553.21 Postage 163
553.22 Signature of Postmaster 163
560 (Reserved) 163
570 Consular and Commercial Invoices 163
580 Drawback Arrangement 164
581 Description 164
582 Processing Drawback Claims 164
582.1 Forms Required 164
582.11 List of Forms 164
582.12 Where to Obtain the Forms 164
582.2 Preparation by Senders 164
582.21 Claiming Drawback 164
582.22 Waiver of the Right to Withdraw the Package 164
582.3 Processing by Postmaster 165
582.31 Postmaster’s Certification 165
582.32 Disposal of Forms 165
590 Exporting Wildlife and Protected Plants 165
591 Special Requirements for Wildlife and Certain Plant Exports 165
592 Declaration Requirements 166
592.1 Declaration of Wildlife Exports 166
592.2 Declaration of Scientific Specimens or Parts 166
592.3 Declaration of Plant Exports 166
593 Export Licenses and Inspection Requirements for Commercial Wildlife Exports 166
594 Marking Requirements for Wildlife Exports 167
595 Permit Requirements for Wildlife and Plant Exports 167
596 Obtaining and Using Permits for Wildlife and Protected Plant Exports 167
596.1 Export Permits 167
596.2 CITES Permit 167
596.3 Export of Migratory Birds 168
597 How to Obtain Additional Information 168
598 Wildlife Inspection Offices 168
6 Special Programs 169
610 Postal Qualified Wholesaler Program 169
611 Description 169
612 Pricing 169
613 Qualifying as a Wholesaler 169
613.1 Letter of Request 169
613.2 Criteria 170
613.3 Disqualification 171
614 Benefits 171
614.1 Qualified List 171
614.2 Preapproved Advertising 171
614.3 Right of First Refusal 172
615 Length of Qualification 172
615.1 Approval Period 172
615.2 Disqualification 172
7 Treatment of Inbound Mail 173
710 U.S. Customs Information 173
711 Customs Examination of Mail Believed to Contain Dutiable or Prohibited Articles 173
711.1 What Is Subject to Examination 173
711.2 Treatment of Mail Believed to Contain Dutiable or Prohibited Articles 173
711.21 Treatment at Exchange Offices 173
711.22 Treatment at Distribution Offices 174
711.23 Priority Treatment of Airmail 174
711.3 Examination of Registered Mail and Sealed Letters 174
711.4 Extraction of Samples for Advisory Information 174
711.5 Treatment of Mail Following Customs Examination 174
711.51 Repacking After Customs Examination 174
711.52 Identification of Dutiable/Nondutiable Articles 175
711.6 Handling Subsequent to Customs Inspection 175
711.61 Postal Service Handling Procedures 175
711.62 U.S. Customs Service Locations 175
712 Customs Clearance and Delivery Fee 176
712.1 Description 176
712.11 Collecting Postal Service Fees 176
712.12 Collecting Postal Service Fee for Each Package 177
712.13 Accounting for the Postal Service Fee 177
712.14 Recording and Reporting 177
712.2 Articles Exempted From Postal Service Fee 177
712.3 Amount of Postal Service Fee 177
712.4 Postal Service Fee Not Refundable 177
712.5 Customs Duties and Customs Fee Not Exempt 177
713 Treatment of Dutiable Mail at Delivery Office 178
713.1 Detection and Dispatch of Dutiable Mail 178
713.11 Detecting Dutiable Items 178
713.12 Dispatch to Delivery Units 178
713.2 Delivery of Dutiable Mail 178
713.21 Delivery Methods 178
713.22 Delivery Procedures 178
713.23 Addressee Protests Duty Charged 179
713.3 Forwarding or Returning Dutiable Mail 181
713.31 Forwarding Dutiable Mail Within the U.S. 181
713.32 Forwarding Dutiable Mail to Another Country 181
713.33 Returning Dutiable Mail to Sender 181
713.34 Forwarding or Returning Dutiable Mail by Stations and Branches 181
713.4 Payment of Duty 182
713.41 Duty Rate Information 182
713.42 Prepayment of Customs Duty Abroad 182
713.43 Registration of Items to Be Returned to the United States 182
713.44 Return of Audio–Visual Materials 183
713.45 Assessment of Duty in Foreign Countries 183
713.46 Recording and Reporting Collections 183
713.5 Treatment of Uncollected Items 183
713.51 Disposal of Uncollected Items 183
713.52 Reporting of Uncollected Items 183
713.53 Past–Due Entries 184
713.54 Detached Customs Mail Entries 184
713.6 Refund of Customs Duty 184
713.61 Action by Postmaster 184
713.62 Refunds by Customs Service 185
720 Plant and Animal Quarantine Inspection 186
721 What Is Subject to Inspection 186
722 Segregation and Handling 186
722.1 Treatment of Packages Labeled for Inspection 186
722.11 Dispatch of Packages 186
722.12 Marking 186
722.2 Treatment of Packages Exempt From Inspection 186
722.3 Treatment of Unauthorized Importations 186
722.4 Packages Containing Prohibited Material 186
723 Agriculture Inspection Stations and Offices 187
730 Shortpaid Mail to the United States 187
731 Computation of Postage Due 187
732 Shortpaid Letters and Cards From Canada 188
733 Shortpaid Items Bearing U.S. Postage 188
740 Irregular Mail 188
741 Invalid Foreign Postage 188
742 Stamps Not Affixed 189
742.1 Marking 189
742.2 Parcels Without Postage Stamps 189
743 Parcels Addressed Through Banks or Other Organizations 189
743.1 Notification of Arrival 189
743.2 Filing Authorization 189
744 Foreign Dispatch Notes 189
744.1 Delivery Instructions 189
744.2 Undeliverable Parcels 190
744.3 Dispatch Notes Not Associated With Parcels 190
750 Extra Services 190
751 Insured Parcels 190
751.1 Identification 190
751.11 Evidence of Insurance 190
751.12 List of Insurance Endorsements 190
751.2 Delivery 190
751.3 Indemnity Claims and Payments 190
752 Registered Mail 190
752.1 Identification 190
752.11 Evidence of Registration 190
752.12 List of Registry Endorsements 191
752.13 Treatment of Registered Items 191
752.14 Treated as Ordinary Mail 191
752.2 Treatment by Office of Delivery 191
752.21 Delivery 191
752.22 Mail Unaccounted for After Assignment for Delivery 191
752.23 Indemnity Claims and Payments 191
753 Return Receipt 191
753.1 Completion of Return Receipt Form 191
753.2 Foreign Receipt Form Missing 192
754 Restricted Delivery 192
754.1 Inbound Registered Mail 192
754.2 Failed Delivery Attempt 192
760 Forwarding 192
761 General Procedures 192
761.1 Items Addressed to Foreign Countries 192
761.2 Forwarding to a Third Country 192
761.3 Endorsement Not to Forward 192
761.4 Scanning Procedures 192
762 Mail of Domestic Origin 193
762.1 Addressee Moved to Another Country 193
762.11 Letters and Postcards 193
762.12 Mail Other Than Letters and Postcards 193
762.2 Undeliverable Domestic Mail Bearing U.S. Postage and a Foreign Return Address 193
763 Items Mailed Aboard Ships (Paquebot) 194
763.1 General 194
763.2 Mail Forwarded by Air 194
763.3 Mail Posted on a U.S. Ship 194
763.4 Forwarding Ship Passenger and Crew Mail 194
763.41 Items That Do Not Contain Merchandise 194
763.42 Accepting Employee’s Responsibility 195
764 Mail of Foreign Origin 195
764.1 Forwarding Within the United States 195
764.11 Mail Other Than Periodicals and Parcels 195
764.12 Periodicals 195
764.13 Parcels 196
764.2 Forwarding to Another Country 196
764.21 Mail Other than Periodicals and Parcels 196
764.22 Periodicals 196
764.23 Parcels 196
764.24 Customs Entry Forms 197
764.3 Backstamping 197
765 Directory Service 197
766 Retention Period 197
766.1 General Procedure 197
766.2 Exceptions 197
766.21 Refused, Undeliverable, or Unforwardable Item 197
766.22 Request for Return 197
766.23 Items Conditionally Refused by Addressee 198
766.24 Items Returned From Customs Custody 198
766.25 Request for Delivery to Alternate Addressee 198
770 Undeliverable Mail 198
771 Mail of Domestic Origin 198
771.1 General Procedure 198
771.2 Exceptions 198
771.3 Endorsements 199
771.4 Remailing of Returned Mail 199
771.5 Return Charges for First-Class Mail International 199
771.51 General Procedure 199
771.52 Exceptions 200
771.6 Return Charges for Priority Mail International 200
771.7 Handling of Returned Parcels 200
771.71 Refused by Sender 200
771.72 Sender Has Moved to Another U.S. Address 200
771.73 Sender Has Moved to Another Country 200
772 Mail of Foreign Origin 201
772.1 Marking 201
772.11 Reason for Nondelivery 201
772.12 Postmarking 201
772.13 Address 201
772.14 Method of Return 201
772.15 Abandoned Parcel 201
772.2 Dutiable Mail 201
772.3 Disposal 201
772.31 General Procedure 201
772.32 Exceptions 201
780 Items Mailed Abroad by or on Behalf of Senders in the United States 202
781 Payment Required 202
781.1 Postage Payment Required 202
781.2 Handling Charges 202
782 Definition of Terms 202
782.1 Resident 202
782.2 By or on Behalf 202
782.3 Place of Business 203
782.4 Agent 203
783 Advance Payment Required 203
783.1 Sample Mailpiece 203
783.2 Headquarters Notification 203
784 Advance Payment Not Made 203
784.1 Return or Disposal of Items 203
784.2 Mailings Without Advance Payment 204
785 Report of Mailings 204
8 (Reserved) 205
9 Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds 207
910 Reports Encouraged 207
920 Inquiries and Claims 207
921 Inquiries 207
921.1 Definition 207
921.2 Initiating an Inquiry 207
921.3 How to Initiate 208
921.4 Inquiry Process 208
921.5 General Procedures 208
921.51 Nondelivery 208
921.52 Return Receipts Improperly Completed or Not Received 209
921.53 Express Mail International Items, Registered Mail Items, and Insured and Ordinary Parcels With Damaged or Missing Contents 209
921.54 Wrapper Found Without Contents 209
922 Claims 209
922.1 General Description 209
922.2 Filing a Claim 209
922.3 Claims Process 210
922.31 Evidence of Indemnity Coverage 210
922.32 Evidence of Value 210
922.4 Processing Claims for Damaged or Missing Contents 211
922.41 Postal Service 211
923 Disposition of Damaged Mail 211
930 Indemnity Payments 212
931 Adjudication and Approval 212
931.1 When to Be Instituted 212
931.2 International Claims 212
931.21 Indemnity Claims for International Registered Mail, Insured Parcels, and Ordinary Parcels of U.S. and Foreign Origin 212
931.22 Country of Origin Pays Indemnity 212
931.3 Appeals 213
931.31 Appealing a Claims Decision 213
931.32 Final Postal Service Decision of Claims 213
932 General Exceptions To Payment — Registered Mail, Priority Mail International Insured Parcels, and Priority Mail International Ordinary Parcels 213
933 Payments for Priority Mail International Insured Parcels and Priority Mail International Ordinary Parcels 214
933.1 General Provisions 214
933.11 Insured Parcels 214
933.12 Indemnity Will Not Be Paid 214
933.13 Ordinary Priority Mail International Parcels — Indemnity Limitations 215
933.14 Ordinary Priority Mail International Parcels — Exceptions to Indemnity 215
933.2 Special Provisions 216
934 Payments for Registered Mail 216
934.1 General Provisions 216
934.11 Indemnity Paid by Country of Origin 216
934.12 Parcels Erroneously Accepted as Registered Mail 216
934.13 Indemnity Will Not Be Paid 216
934.14 Indemnity Paid by Country of Destination 216
934.2 Special Provisions 216
935 Payments for Express Mail International 216
935.1 When Authorized 216
935.2 When Prohibited 217
940 Postage Refunds 217
941 Postage Refunds for First-Class Mail International and Priority Mail International 217
941.1 General 217
941.2 Applications by Senders 217
941.3 Processing Refund Applications 217
941.31 Items Originating in United States 217
941.32 Items Originating in a Country Other Than the United States 218
942 Postage Refunds for Express Mail International Items 218
942.1 Who May File 218
942.2 Conditions 218
942.21 Express Mail International Refunds 218
942.22 Express Mail International With Guarantee Refunds 218
942.3 Applications by Senders 219
942.31 Express Mail International 219
942.32 Express Mail International With Guarantee 219
942.4 Processing of Refund 219
942.5 Unallowable Refunds — Express Mail International With No Service Guarantee 219
942.51 Postage Refunds — Express Mail International 219
942.52 Unallowable Refunds — Express Mail International With Guarantee Service 220
942.53 Consequential Damages 220
943 Processing Refund Applications 220
943.1 Items Originating in the United States 220
943.2 Items Originating in a Country Other Than the United States 220
Index of Countries and Localities 221
Country Price Groups and Weight Limits 226
World Map 232
Individual Country Listings 235
List of Exhibits 901
Forms Index 905
Index 907
