Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 2 Conditions for Mailing > 220 Global Express Mail

220 Global Express Mail

221 Description

221.1 General

Global Express Mail^® (EMS^®) is a reliable high-speed mail service available to certain countries (see Individual Country Listings for service availability). Global Express Mail with Guarantee service - which offers a date-certain, money-back guarantee - is available only to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, Republic of (South Korea). Global Express Mail is available at designated Postal Service facilities authorized to accept domestic Express Mail.

221.2 Allowable Contents

Any item not prohibited in international mail is allowed in EMS. Refer to the "Country Conditions for Mailing" in the Individual Country Listings for individual country prohibitions. International postal money orders are admissible in EMS. However, they are only negotiable if the proper form is used. The following items are prohibited in all EMS shipments: coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler's checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles.

221.3 Insurance and Indemnity

Global Express Mail items are insured against loss, damage, or rifling at no additional cost. Indemnity will be paid by the U.S. Postal Service as provided in DMM 609 and 503. However, Global Express Mail items are not insured against delay in delivery. Neither indemnity payments nor postage refunds will be made in the event of delay.

221.31 EMS Merchandise Insurance

Global Express Mail merchandise insurance coverage against loss, damage, or rifling is provided up to $100 at no additional charge. Additional insurance coverage above $100 may be purchased at the sender's option. The fee for optional Global Express Mail merchandise insurance coverage is $1.00 for each $100 or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of $5,000 per shipment. See the Individual Country Listings for the applicable Global Express Mail insurance fees.

221.32 Purchase of Additional Insurance

When a mailer wants to insure an EMS merchandise shipment in an amount more than $100, the insurance fee is entered in the block marked "Insurance" on the mailing label. Coverage is limited to the actual value of the contents, regardless of the fee paid, or the highest insurance value increment for which the fee is fully paid, whichever is lower. See DMM 503.

221.33 Document Reconstruction Insurance

Nonnegotiable EMS documents are insured against loss, damage, or rifling at no additional cost to the mailer. Document reconstruction insurance coverage is limited to a maximum of $100 per shipment. Additional coverage beyond the $100 indemnity limit is not available. See DMM 609 and 503.

Note: EMS indemnity payments are subject to the provisions of DMM 609 and 503, and IMM 935. Neither indemnity payments nor postage refunds are payable for delayed delivery.

221.4 Return Receipt Service

Return Receipt service is available for Global Express Mail items only to the following countries at no additional charge (see 340 for preparation procedures):

222 Postage

222.1 Rates

222.11 Country Rates

See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Global Express Mail.

222.12 Global Express Mail Corporate Account Rates

Global Express Mail (EMS) rates will be reduced by 5 percent for all payments made through an Express Mail corporate account (EMCA) or through the federal agency payment system. The discount applies only to the postage portion of EMS rates. It does not apply to the pickup service charge, additional merchandise insurance coverage fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

222.13 Online Rates - General

Discounted rates apply to Global Express Mail (EMS) customers who prepare and pay for Global Express Mail shipments online using the shipping site at www.usps.com.

222.131 Eligibility for Online Discounts

To be eligible for discounts for purchasing Global Express Mail online, customers must register via the shipping site at www.usps.com. Registration is accomplished by selecting the designated icon on the Web site and following the accompanying instructions. This one-time registration will establish a shipping record and a customer history. To be eligible for online discounts, customers must prepare their shipping labels and pay for their shipments online using a credit card. The following credit cards are accepted for payment online: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.

222.132 Online Discounts

Global Express Mail published rates will be reduced by 5 percent for all payments made through the shipping site at www.usps.com. The discount applies only to the postage portion of Global Express Mail rates. It does not apply to the pickup service charge, additional merchandise insurance coverage fees, or shipments made under an International Customized Mail agreement.

222.2 Payment of Postage

222.21 Methods of Payment

Global Express Mail items may be paid by postage stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information-based indicia (IBI), or through the use of an Express Mail corporate account.

222.22 Application for Corporate Account

A written application is required before mailing can be made under a corporate account (see DMM 114).

222.23 Official Mail

222.231 Mailings by Federal Agencies

Global Express Mail shipments that are entered by federal agencies and departments are subject to the same postage payment requirements, weight and size limits, customs form requirements, and general conditions for mailing as EMS shipments that are originated by nongovernmental entities.

222.232 Postal Service Mailings

EMS shipments mailed by U.S. Postal Service entities must bear the G-10 permit indicia that is prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. There is a 66-pound weight limit for Postal Service-originated EMS shipments going to all destination countries, unless the destination country has a higher weight limit. See 143.2.

222.24 Pickup Service

On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for an added charge of $13.25 for each pickup stop, regardless of the number of pieces picked up. Only one pickup fee will be charged if domestic Express Mail, domestic Priority Mail, international parcel post, Global Express Guaranteed, and/or domestic Parcel Post is picked up at the same time. No pickup fee will be charged when International Express Mail is picked up during a delivery stop or during a scheduled stop made to collect other mail not subject to a pickup fee. Pickup service is provided in accordance with the information in DMM 507.5; for more information, also visit the online site at usps.com/pickup.

223 Weight and Size Limits

223.1 Weight Limits

See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Global Express Mail.

223.2 Size Limits

a. Maximum length: 36 inches.

b. Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches.

Note: For exceptional size limits, see Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Global Express Mail.

224 Preparation Requirements

224.1 Preparation by Sender

a. Complete the "From" and "To" portions of Label 11-B, Express Mail Post Office to Addressee, or online label for each piece of mail and affix the completed label to each piece.

b. Prepare and affix the appropriate customs form to the piece of mail. See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Global Express Mail for required customs declarations.

224.2 Preparation by Acceptance Employee

a. Check the address label to ensure that the sender has completed the "From" and "To" portions.

b. Verify that customer has properly completed the appropriate customs declaration form, if required.

c. Enter the originating facility ZIP Code; date and time received; weight; merchandise insurance fee, if applicable (see 221.31 and 221.32); total postage; and initial. Ensure that the correct amount of postage is affixed to the mailpiece.

d. Give the Customer Receipt copy to the mailer and retain the Finance Copy. Peel off the backing of the remaining portion and affix it to the item. For online shipments, customer receipts are not necessary; for non-IRT and POS offices, record the required Finance information on the special form provided for this purpose.

e. After acceptance, place each item in the appropriate working pouch and forward it to the international exchange office authorized to dispatch Global Express Mail to that destination. (See Handbook T-5, International Mail Operations.)

224.3 Customs Forms Required

See the Individual Country Listings for countries that offer Global Express Mail. Mailers are responsible for determining customs requirements and complying with them. Mailers should confirm before mailing merchandise whether an import license is required for that class of goods.