Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 2 Conditions for Mailing > 230 Global Priority Mail

230 Global Priority Mail

231 Description

231.1 General

Global Priority Mail^® is an expedited airmail letter-post service providing fast, reliable, and economical delivery of all mailable items not over 4 pounds. Global Priority Mail items receive priority handling in the United States and in destination countries. Service is available only to destination countries identified in 231.4.

231.2 Allowable Contents

All items which may be sent as letter-post mail (see 241.1) are accepted in Global Priority Mail, provided that the contents are mailable and fit securely in the envelope or box. Items must fit comfortably within the envelope or box without distorting or bursting the container. Do not use excessive tape to keep the envelope or box from bursting. Use only one piece of tape to secure the flap. Global Priority Mail items may contain dutiable merchandise unless the country of destination specifically prohibits dutiable merchandise in letters. Any item that is prohibited in international mail is prohibited in Global Priority Mail. Refer to the "Country Conditions of Mailing" in the Individual Country Listings for individual country prohibitions.

231.3 Service Standards

Global Priority Mail is accepted at all Postal Service retail locations. Prepaid GPM items may be tendered to a letter carrier, deposited in an Express Mail street collection box, or placed in a Post Office facility or lobby mail drop.

Note: GPM mailings consisting of 200 or more identical pieces, which bear a permit imprint, must be deposited at a locally designated business mail entry unit.

231.4 Destinations

See Exhibits 231.4a and b for a list of the destination countries (and service limitations, if applicable) to which Global Priority Mail (GPM) items may be sent and the rate group designation that is associated with each of those locations.

Exhibit 231.4a

GPM Destination Countries

Note: See Exhibits 232.11 and 232.12 for the GPM Flat-Rate Envelope rates and the Variable-Weight Option rates that correspond to Rate Groups 1-5, respectively.

Exhibit 231.4b

GPM Locations - China

232 Postage

232.1 Rates

232.11 Flat-Rate Envelope Postage Rates

Each Global Priority Mail flat-rate envelope is charged at a flat rate. The rate is based on the geographic rate zone regardless of its actual weight. Postage is required for each piece. (See Exhibit 232.11.)

Exhibit 232.11

Flat-Rate Envelope Postage Rates

232.12 Variable-Weight Option Postage Rates

Global Priority Mail variable-weight rates are calculated in half-pound (or fraction thereof) increments based on the weight of each piece (up to 4 pounds) and the destination geographic rate zone. Each GPM mailpiece that is paid for on that basis must have a variable-weight sticker affixed to the address side or be enclosed in a Postal Service-furnished flat-size (Tyvek) envelope or cardboard box that is specifically intended for the transmittal of GPM items. (See Exhibit 232.12.)

Exhibit 232.12

Variable-Weight Option Postage Rates

232.2 Payment of Postage

232.21 Methods of Payment

Nonidentical-weight piece mailings must have the applicable postage affixed by adhesive stamps, meter stamps, or, if presented at a Post Office facility, postal validation imprinter (PVI labels). Identical-weight piece mailings may be paid by meter stamps, adhesive stamps, PVI labels, or permit imprint, subject to certain standards. To use a permit imprint, a mailing must consist of 200 or more identical-weight pieces. Mailers may use a permit imprint with nonidentical pieces only if authorized by the Postal Service under a Manifest Mailing System (MMS), as specified in DMM 705.

232.22 Permit Imprint Content and Format

All permit imprints on Global Priority Mail must show city and state, "Global Priority Mail," "U.S. Postage Paid," and permit number. They may show the mailing date, amount of postage paid, or the number of ounces.

232.23 Postage Meter Stamps

At a minimum, a meter stamp must show in the postmark the month, day, and year; city and state designation of the licensing Post Office facility; the number; and the amount of postage. See DMM 604.

233 Preparation Requirements

233.1 Addressing

All items must bear the complete delivery address of the addressee and the full name (no abbreviations) of the destination country. See 122.

233.2 Packaging

Flat-rate Global Priority Mail must be enclosed in a designated Postal Service envelope (EP-15A or EP-15B). Variable-weight Global Priority Mail must be tendered in a Postal Service Tyvek envelope (EP-15GP), a Postal Service Global Priority Mail box (O1099), or have a Global Priority Mail sticker (DEC-10) affixed to the address side of the mailpiece. (GPM mailing supplies can be obtained by calling 800-222-1811.) Unmarked pieces are subject to regular airmail letter-post rates and treatment.

233.3 Customs Form Required

Use Exhibit 233.3 to determine the appropriate customs form for a GPM mailpiece.

Exhibit 233.3

GPM Customs Forms Requirements

Note: GPM customers who send flat-rate envelopes or variable-weight option packages that weigh 16 ounces or more, bear a permit imprint, and contain correspondence, business papers, or nondutiable printed matter are eligible for the "known mailer" exemption that is referenced in 123.62.

234 Size and Weight Limits

234.1 Size Limits

234.11 Flat-Rate Envelope Sizes

a. Small - 6 x 10 inches.

b. Large - 9-1/2 x 12-1/2 inches.

234.12 Package Sizes for Variable-Weight Option

a. Minimum length and height: 5-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches.

b. Minimum depth (thickness): .007 inches.

c. Maximum length: 24 inches.

d. Maximum length, height, and depth (thickness) combined: 36 inches.

234.13 Rolls

a. Minimum length: 4 inches.

b. Minimum length plus twice the diameter combined: 6-3/4 inches.

c. Maximum length: 36 inches.

d. Maximum length plus twice the diameter combined: 42 inches.

234.14 Global Priority Mail Tyvek Envelope

The dimensions of the Global Priority Mail Tyvek envelope are 12 x 15-1/2 inches.

234.2 Weight Limit

All Global Priority Mail items are subject to a 4-pound weight limit.

235 Special Services

Mailers may obtain certificates of mailing (see 310). No other special services, such as registry, insurance, restricted delivery, return receipt, or recorded delivery, are available.

236 Mail Entry

236.1 Preparation

Unless otherwise instructed by Postal Service acceptance personnel, customers who tender Global Priority Mail at a business mail entry unit (BMEU) must separate the items by destination rate group and by flat-rate envelope size (i.e., small or large), if applicable. Mailpieces that bear a permit imprint or a postage meter impression must be faced in the same direction.

236.2 Deposit of Mail

Global Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes and variable-weight option mailpieces, which bear either stamped or metered postage, may be deposited wherever Express Mail is accepted. This includes acceptance by a retail employee at a Post Office counter; acceptance by a letter carrier while a delivery route is being served; deposit into an Express Mail street collection box if the mailpiece weighs less that 16 ounces; or by telephoning 800-222-1811 to request pickup at the customer's premises. Global Priority Mail that bears a permit imprint must be deposited at a business mail entry unit or other acceptance point that is authorized by the postmaster. Global Priority Mail that bears a meter stamp or impression must be deposited at a location that is under the jurisdiction of the licensing Post Office facility, except as permitted under DMM 604.

236.3 Pickup Service

On-call and scheduled pickup services are available for Global Priority Mail acceptance cities. There is a charge of $13.25 for each pickup stop, regardless of the number of pieces picked up. 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. Pickup service is not available for GPM items that bear a permit imprint and that are paid for through an advance deposit account.