Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 2 Conditions for Mailing > 290 Commercial Services > 295 Books and Sheet Music

295 Books and Sheet Music

295.1 Description

295.11 Definition

This classification encompasses:

a. Books (including books issued to supplement other books) that have the following characteristics:

(1) Eight or more printed pages.

(2) Consist wholly of reading matter or scholarly bibliography, or reading matter with incidental blank spaces for notations.

(3) Contains no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books, in the form of book pages, and other bound and loose enclosures that are permissible under the provisions of DMM 373. Advertising includes paid advertising and publishers' own advertising in display, classified, or editorial style.

b. Printed sheet music.

295.12 Minimum Entry Requirements

To use the economy (surface) books and sheet music classification, the mailer must tender at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail matter that conforms to the content description in 295.11. The minimum weight requirement can be met by entering (1) individually addressed mailpieces that have a combined weight of 50 pounds or more; or (2) individually addressed mailpieces, plus one or more M-bags, that have a combined weight of 50 pounds or more. See 262.12 for a regulatory exception that relates to the mailing of M-bags that contain books and sheet music.

295.2 Postage

295.21 Rates

See the Individual Country Listings for the economy (surface) postage rates that are applicable to books and sheet music mailings.

295.22 Postage Payment Methods

295.221 General

a. Identical-weight mailpieces can be paid for by (1) affixing meter stamps to the packaging or (2) using an authorized permit imprint. When postage is paid through an advance deposit account, the mailer must complete PS Form 3651-LP, Postage Statement - International Letter-post Permit Imprint.

b. Nonidentical weight mailpieces must have meter stamps affixed to the packaging unless the mailer is authorized to use a Manifest Mail System (MMS) as specified in DMM 705.

295.222 M-Bags

M-bags that contain books or sheet music can be paid for by (1) affixing meter stamps or a postage validation imprinter (PVI) label to PS Tag 158, M-Bag Addressee Tag, or (2) using an authorized permit imprint and paying postage through an advance deposit account. When M-bag postage is paid through an advance deposit account, the mailer must complete PS Form 3651-M, Postage Statement - International M-Bag - Permit Imprint.

295.3 Weight and Size Limits

295.31 Weight Limit

The weight limit for individually addressed items is 4 pounds.

295.32 Size Limits

295.321 Envelopes and Packages

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

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

c. Maximum length: 24 inches.

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

295.322 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.

295.4 Makeup Requirements for Books and Sheet Music

295.41 Endorsements

The sender must endorse the address side "BOOKS" or "SHEET MUSIC" on all items containing books or sheet music and paid at those rates.

295.42 Sortation

Books and sheet music must be sorted into country packages as follows:

a. Country packages must be prepared when six or more copies are addressed to the same country. Packages may be prepared according to foreign alphanumeric postal codes. Each package must bear a facing slip showing the country of destination. Packages that destinate in Canada must be prepared using the Canadian postal codes that are specified in Exhibit 295.44. At the mailer's option, a finer presort based on Canadian postal codes may be used.

b. Copies remaining after country packages are prepared are residual copies. Residual copies must be packaged and bear a facing slip marked "MIXED WORKING FOREIGN." The packages must be labeled to the appropriate international exchange office or, for Canada-bound mail, a concentration center as instructed by the Post Office of mailing.

c. All pieces in a package must have the address side facing up. Each package must be securely banded or tied with rubber bands or string to withstand handling without breakage or damage and to prevent injury to postal personnel or damage to sorting equipment.

295.43 Sacking and Labeling

295.431 Country Sacks and Labels (Except Canada)

Books and sheet music must be sacked and labeled when there are 11 pounds of mail to a particular country or country separation. All country packages must be included in the same country sack. See Exhibit 295.43 for separations, city, and routing ZIP Codes. Each sack must be labeled to show the destination, contents, and entry Post Office facility as follows:

Label color: Blue
Format:
Line 1: Destination exchange office code and country routing ZIP Code
Line 2: Contents "AO"
Line 3: City and state of Post Office of mailing and ZIP Code

Example:

Note: More than one separation is required for China, Great Britain, and Japan (see Exhibit 295.43). When mailpieces containing books or sheet music are mailed to those destination countries, the label should reflect the destination exchange office name along with the city code and the country name.

Example:

295.432 Residual Sacks

After the required country sacks are prepared, residual packages must be sacked and labeled to the international exchange office as directed by the entry Post Office facility. Each sack must be labeled as follows:

Label color: Pink
Format:
Line 1: International exchange office and routing ZIP Code
Line 2: Contents "AO" and "Mixed Working Foreign"
Line 3: City and state of Post Office of mailing and ZIP Code

Example:

295.44 Canadian Sacks

Sacks of books or sheet music for delivery in Canada must be sorted by the Canadian post code designations that are specified in Exhibit 295.44 and labeled in the following manner:

Label color: White or Terra-Cotta
Format:
Line 1: Name of destination office in Canada is left-justified; routing ZIP Code for applicable Postal Service exchange office is right-justified
Line 2: Content designation "AO"
Line 3: City, state, and ZIP Code of U.S. Post Office of mailing

Example:

Residual mail for Canada is prepared under 295.432, except it is labeled to the local concentration center.

295.45 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for Sacks

Sacks must meet these requirements:

a. Maximum Weight. No more than 66 pounds of mail may be placed in any one sack. The weight of tying, wrapping, and packaging materials is included in determining the weight of the mail enclosed in a sack.

b. Sacks. Disposable plastic sacks are recommended; however, other appropriate equipment may be provided by Post Office facilities.

c. Labels. Handbook PO-423, Requisitioning Labels, contains instructions for ordering labels. Mailers may also preprint labels if they are of the colors specified and used by the Postal Service.

295.5 Customs Forms Required

Printed matter known to be dutiable in the country of destination must have a green customs label (PS Form 2976) affixed to the address side of the articles. (See 123 for detailed requirements for customs documentation.) This requirement is applicable to dutiable printed matter mailed in a direct sack (M-bags).

Exhibit 295.44

Books and Sheet Music - Canada Labeling and Routing Information (Standard Entry)

296 (Reserved)

297 International Customized Mail

297.1 Description

International Customized Mail (ICM) service is an international business mail service that is available only pursuant to an ICM service agreement between the Postal Service and a mailer meeting the requirements in 292. The Postal Service provides ICM service on a mailer-specific basis pursuant to the terms and conditions stipulated in a particular ICM service agreement.

297.2 Qualifying Mailers

To qualify for ICM service, a mailer must tender all of its ICM mail to the Postal Service and must be capable, on an annualized basis, of either:

a. Tendering at least 1 million pounds of international letter-post mail (excluding Global Priority Mail) to the Postal Service, or paying at least $2 million in international letter-post postage to the Postal Service.

b. Tendering at least 600 pieces of international non-letter-post mail (including Global Priority Mail) to the Postal Service, or paying at least $12,000 in international non-letter-post postage to the Postal Service.

297.3 ICM Service Agreements

Each ICM service agreement must set forth the following:

a. The term of the agreement, including any renewal options.

b. The type of mail to be tendered by the mailer.

c. The destination country or countries.

d. The services to be provided by the Postal Service, including any speed-of-delivery targets.

e. Minimum volume commitments for each service.

f. Postage and method of payment.

g. Weight and size limits.

h. Preparation requirements.

i. Makeup requirements.

j. Any other obligations of either party.

k. The location from which the mailer is required to tender its items to the Postal Service.

297.4 Postal Bulletin Notifications

Within 30 days of entering into an ICM service agreement, the Postal Service must publish the following information about the agreement in the Postal Bulletin:

a. The term of the agreement, including any renewal options.

b. The type of mail involved.

c. The destination country or countries.

d. A brief description of each of the services to be provided by the Postal Service.

e. Minimum volume commitments for each service.

f. A brief description of any worksharing to be performed by the mailer.

g. The agreed-upon rate for each service at the volume level committed to by the mailer.