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Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 1 International Mail Services > 150 Postage
150 Postage
See Individual Country Listings.
152 Payment Methods
152.1 Prepayment
Each item must be fully prepaid to ensure prompt dispatch and to avoid
assessment of charges against the addressee. For the treatment of shortpaid
and unpaid mail, see 420.
a. Postage and fees for special services (see chapter 3) may be
paid by means of U.S. postage stamps, postage meter stamps, or
postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels. PVIs are acceptable for all
international mail transactions.
b. Mailer precanceled stamps may be used with international mail under
the same conditions as are applicable to domestic mail. See DMM 604.
c. Airmail stamps may not be used on economy items.
d. Nondenominated postage stamps (except for those that bear uniquely
domestic markings, such as First-Class Presort, Bulk Rate, Presorted
Standard, or Nonprofit Organization) may be affixed to postal items that
are sent to foreign countries. The value of such stamps is linked to
either a current or a former domestic rate (e.g., the "H" stamp has a
postage value of $0.33). Since the international postage rates are
always higher than the comparable domestic postage rates, mailers
who affix a single nondenominated postage stamp to their outbound
mailpieces must add additional postage to comply with the international
rate schedule. Note: The nondenominated Breast Cancer Research
semipostal stamp, which has a postage value that is equivalent to the
domestic rate for a 1-ounce letter, may be used for international mailing
purposes.
Note: See DMM 604 for stamps not valid as postage.
152.3 Permit Imprint
152.31 Conditions of Use
Postage may be paid by permit imprints, subject to the general conditions
stated in DMM 124, 604, and 705. Postage charges are computed on PS
Form 3651-LP, Postage Statement - International Letter-post Permit Imprint;
PS Form 3651-PP, Postage Statement - International Parcel Post - Permit
Imprint; or other postage statement as required. This postage payment
method may be used for postage and special service fees for Global Priority
Mail, letter-post, and Parcel Post.
To use a permit imprint for international mailing purposes, a mailer must enter
a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail matter that is identical in size
and weight and addressed to recipients in foreign countries. All of the
mailpieces bearing a permit imprint do not have to be addressed to the same
destination country. See 292.13 and 293.2 for the minimum
quantity requirements that govern the entry of International Priority Airmail
(IPA) items and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) items, respectively.
Note: The 200-piece or 50-pound minimum requirement does not apply
to M-Bags.
152.33 Required Format
Each mailpiece sent under this payment method must bear a permit imprint
indicia showing that postage is paid. Permit imprint indicias for international
mail must be prepared in one of the formats shown in Exhibit 152.3. No
variations or additions, such as Bulk Rate, Media Mail, Presorted Standard,
Enhanced Carrier Route Sort, Automation Rate, Nonprofit Organization, or
Bound Printed Matter, are allowed.
Exhibit 152.3
Indicia Formats
152.4 Publishers' Periodicals
Postage on publishers' periodicals (Periodicals Mail) mailed by publishers or
registered news agents who are domestic Periodicals Mail permit holders
may be paid as provided in 294.26 and 294.27.
153 Placement of Postage
a. Postage stamps and postage-paid impressions must be applied to the
address side of mail in the upper-right corner. The postage meter
stamp, postage validation imprinter (PVI) label, or permit may be affixed
directly on the mailpiece or on the wrapper when plastic wrap is used.
b. Nonpostage stamps, labels resembling postage stamps, or impressions
resembling postage-paid impressions must not be placed on the
address side of international mailpieces.
154 Remailed Items
New postage is required when mailpieces are reentered after having been
returned to the sender by a foreign postal administration.
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