Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > 3 Special Services > 370 Supplemental Services

370 Supplemental Services

371 International Money Orders

371.1 Description

371.11 General

International postal money order service is available to transfer funds to individuals or firms in countries that have entered into agreements with the United States Postal Service for the exchange of postal money orders. International postal money orders may be sent by letter mail or Global Express Mail™ service (EMS).

371.12 Maximum Amount

The maximum amount for a single international postal money order is $700 unless noted otherwise in parentheses in Exhibit 371.2.

There is no limit on the number of money orders that may be sent to a payee during any time period. There is a limit on the total face value of money orders an individual customer may purchase on any one day (see DMM 509).

371.2 Availability

International postal money orders are exchanged with countries using the pink International Postal Money Order (Form MP1). Exhibit 371.2 lists the countries that accept this form. The maximum amount for a single postal money order is $700 unless noted otherwise in parentheses in Exhibit 371.2.

Exhibit 371.2

Countries Accepting the International Postal Money Order Form (MP1)

⁽¹⁾ In Barbados the amount of the money due for payment will no longer be handwritten on Form MP1 (the form currently states "Amount To Be Written In Words") but will be electronically applied.

⁽²⁾ Bolivia Cape Verde Dominican Republic Ecuador Guinea Honduras Mali Mexico Nigeria and Sierra Leone will not issue money orders for payment in the United States.

⁽³⁾ Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will not issue money orders in U.S. dollars.

⁽⁴⁾ In Japan the Form MP1 money orders issued for payment in the United States must be shown in U.S. dollars preceded by the capital letters "USD."

371.3 Fees

The fee for money orders payable in countries that accept Form MP1 is $3.45 per money order.

371.4 Processing Requirements

371.41 Form Required - International Postal Money Order (Form MP1)

Use the pink International Postal Money Order (Form MP1) for money orders payable to the countries listed in Exhibit 371.2. Follow the issuance procedures in DMM 509.

Note: For money orders payable in Canada the amount of the money order must be expressed in U.S. currency only. Issuing clerks must use the money order imprinter in the usual manner printing the amount received in U.S. currency.

371.42 Preparation by Purchaser

When Form MP1 is used to send funds the purchaser should complete the information requested on both the money order and the customer's receipt. Follow the instructions for preparing domestic money orders in DMM 509 when using Form MP1.The Postal Service is not liable for money orders that are lost before the purchaser completes this information. Money orders may be made payable to the purchaser a person or a firm or a payee by official title. (Example: Director of Publications Canada.)

371.43 Preparation by Postal Service Employee

Follow the instructions for preparing domestic money orders in DMM 509 when issuing Form MP1.

371.5 Procedures for Cashing Money Orders Issued by Foreign Countries

371.51 Valid Postal Money Orders

Valid postal money orders issued by countries listed in 371.2 will be paid in accordance with the procedures for cashing domestic money orders (see DMM 509). However no international money order will be paid after the expiration of the validity date on the money order.

371.52 Canadian Money Orders

Canadian money orders may be paid only if they are addressed to a payee within the United States and the amount is imprinted in United States currency.

371.53 Japanese Money Orders

Valid postal money orders issued by Japan on its Form MP1 are cashed in accordance with DMM 509. Money orders must not be paid after the expiration of the validity date indicated on the money order. The amount to be paid is shown in United States dollars and must not have been altered.

371.6 Lost Reissued Money Orders

Report the facts concerning lost reissued money orders (e.g. an international money order sent to the United States by a foreign country and reissued on a domestic form to the payee in the United States) to:

INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDER SECTION
ACCOUNTING SERVICE CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 82414
ST LOUIS MO 63182-9421

371.7 Inquiries

371.71 Who May Receive Information

Postal Service employees must not disclose information concerning money order transactions to any person except the purchaser the payee the endorsee or a duly authorized agent of one of these. The Office of Accounting Postal Service Headquarters may authorize other requests only when the request concerns a specific money order or a specific party to a money order transaction and when accompanied by a valid court order. Send requests to:

OFFICE OF ACCOUNTING
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5240

371.72 Inquiries Regarding Payment

371.721 Money Orders Issued on International Postal Money Order (Form MP1)

Use PS Form 6401 Money Order Inquiry in accordance with DMM 509 when filing inquiries or requests for replacement of an International Postal Money Order (Form MP1). Only the purchaser may file and receive payment. Replacement will not be made before 6 months after the date of issuance.

371.722 Reissued International Money Orders (89 Series)

Use PS Form 6401 Money Order Inquiry in accordance with DMM 509 when filing inquiries or requests for replacement of reissued international postal money orders. The U.S. payee may file and receive payment.

371.8 Standard International Money Orders (Discontinued)

The sale of standard international postal money orders using the Authorization to Issue an International Money Order form set was discontinued beginning August 10 2002.

To file an inquiry regarding a standard international postal money order issued in the United States before August 10 2002 send PS Form 6684 Inquiry Concerning International Money Order Issued in the United States to:

INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDER SECTION
ACCOUNTING SERVICE CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 82412
ST LOUIS MO63182-9421

372 International Reply Coupons

372.1 Description

a. The sender of a letter may prepay a reply by purchasing reply coupons which are sold and exchangeable for postage stamps at post offices in member countries of the Universal Postal Union. The period of exchange of international reply coupons issued by the Universal Postal Union on or after January 1 1975 is unlimited.

b. International reply coupons (in French Coupons-Reponse Internationaux) are printed in blue ink on paper that has the letters "UPU" in large characters in the watermark. The front of each coupon is printed in French. The reverse side of the coupon shows the text relating to its use in German English Arabic Chinese Spanish and Russian.

c. Coupons sold in the United States have the selling price printed on them while coupons in other countries may not.

372.2 Availability

Reply coupons may be requisitioned by Post Office facilities in the same manner as postage stamps. The coupons should be stocked at Post Office facilities that have a demand for them.

372.3 Selling Price and Rate of Exchange

a. The selling price of a reply coupon in the United States is $1.85. One coupon is exchangeable in any other member country for a stamp or stamps representing the minimum postage on an unregistered air letter. Unused U.S. coupons (that is those with the U.S. selling price stamped on them) may be exchanged only for United States postage stamps by the original purchaser at a discount of 1 cent below the purchase price.

b. International reply coupons purchased in foreign countries are exchangeable at U.S. Post Office facilities toward the purchase of postage stamps and embossed stamped envelopes (including aerogrammes) at the rate of $0.84 per coupon irrespective of the country where they were purchased.

372.4 Processing Requests

a. When an international reply coupon is sold the Postal Service clerk must place a postmark in the block which is headed control stamp of the country of origin.

b. Under Universal Postal Union's regulations member countries are not required to place a control stamp or postmark on the international reply coupons that they sell. Therefore some foreign issue reply coupons which are tendered for redemption may bear the name of the issuing country (generally in French) rather than the optional control stamp or postmark. Such coupons are exchangeable for U.S. postage as specified in 372.3b.

c. A Post Office facility redeeming an unused U.S. coupon must postmark it in the unpostmarked circle. A Post Office facility exchanging a foreign reply coupon must postmark it in the right circle. Post Office facilities must not accept foreign coupons that already bear a Postal Service postmark.

d. Reply coupons issued by foreign countries prior to January 1 1975 are no longer redeemable at U.S. Post Office facilities. These old-style coupons are distinguishable from the newer coupons printed by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union because the name of the country of origin is always present on the old-style coupons. Customers processing pre-1975 coupons of foreign origin should be advised to return them to their correspondents in the country of issue for replacement or redemption through the selling post office.

e. Reply coupons formerly issued by the Postal Union of the Americas and Spain are no longer valid. These coupons are printed in green ink and bear the caption Cupon Respuesta America-Espanol. Customers possessing any of these coupons should return them to their correspondents in the country of issue for redemption through the selling post office.

f. Postmasters must process exchanged foreign and redeemed U.S. coupons as prescribed in 426.9 International Reply Coupons (IRCs) Handbook F-1 Post Office Accounting Procedures.

373 International Business Reply Service

373.1 Description

International Business Reply Service (IBRS) is similar to domestic business reply mail service. It allows envelopes and cards to be distributed to and deposited in certain foreign countries for return to the addressee in the United States without prepayment of postage. Postage and service fees are collected from the U.S. addressee at delivery. Special services cannot be used with IBRS.

373.2 Availability

International Business Reply Service (IBRS) is available to every country and territorial possession in the world that is a destination point for U.S.-originating international mail. To be admissible in the international mails IBRS envelopes and cards must conform to the size weight and format requirements that are specified in 373.5 and 373.6 respectively. Qualifying mailpieces receive airmail treatment upon being returned by the foreign postal administrations to United States addressees. See 373.4 for the standard IBRS fees that apply to each envelope or card that is returned to the holder of a business reply mail (BRM) permit.

Note: Domestic business reply items are not mailable outside the United States. If deposited in a foreign postal system they will be treated in accordance with that country's internal postal regulations and may not be returned to the U.S. addressee.

373.3 Who May Distribute IBRS Mail

In order to initiate IBRS mail the U.S. sender must be a business reply mail (BRM) permit holder who has paid the prescribed accounting fee to participate in the Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) program (see DMM 507). Prior to producing IBRS mail the mailers must advise in writing the postmaster of the Post Office facility where their permit is held that they intend to distribute IBRS mail. IBRS mail must meet all specifications of QBRM including using unique ZIP+4 codes identification of the rate category and using the corresponding barcode. The postmaster must assign the unique ZIP+4 codes as part of the application process. Participating mailers are encouraged to submit preproduction samples for approval. The postmaster responsible will issue a letter of authorization to the mailer.

373.4 Fees

The fees for IBRS are as follows:

a. Envelopes up to 2 ounces: $1.25

b. Cards: $0.84

Note: The fee for each returned IBRS envelope and card includes the per piece charge that is applied to domestic business reply and subject to QBRM accounting procedures. It is not necessary for the sender to obtain a separate international business reply permit to have IBRS items processed through their advance deposit account.

373.5 Size and Weight Requirements

373.51 Cards

The following size and weight requirements apply to cards:

a. Minimum size: 3-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches.

b. Maximum size: 4-1/4 by 6 inches.

c. Thickness: Not less than .007 inch nor more than .016 inch.

Note: IBRS cards must be printed on paper stock meeting a standard industry basis weight of 75 pounds with none less than 71.25 pounds for 500 sheets measuring 25 inches by 38 inches and must also have a thickness of at least .007 inch and not more than .016 inch. The paper must be free from groundwood except when coated with a substance that adds to the paper's ability to resist an applied bending force.

373.52 Envelopes

The following size and weight requirements apply to envelopes:

a. Minimum size: 3-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches.

b. Maximum size: 6-1/8 by 11-1/2 inches.

c. Thickness: Not less than .007 inch or more than .2 inch.

d. Maximum weight: 2 ounces.

373.6 Format Requirements (Exhibit 373.6)

373.61 FIM

Each International Business Reply Service (IBRS/CCRI) item must contain a Facing Identification Mark (FIM) pattern C printed at the top right portion of the address side of the item. The top of the FIM C bar pattern must be within 1/8 of an inch of the edge of the item and may extend to the edge. The right-most bar of the pattern must be within 2 inches (plus or minus 1/8 of an inch) of the right edge of the item. The FIM bars must be 5/8 (plus or minus 1/8) of an inch long. The entire FIM pattern must be completely contained within a rectangular clear zone measuring 1-1/4 inches in length and 5/8 of an inch in height; with its top edge formed by the top edge of the item and its right edge beginning 1-3/4 inches from the right edge of the item.

373.62 Barcodes

ZIP+4 Postnet Barcodes preassigned by the U.S. Postal Service must be printed on the address side of each International Business Reply Service (IBRS/CCRI) item within the "barcode read area" which must be free of any printing other than the barcode. The read area extends 5/8 of an inch from the bottom and at least 4-1/2 inches from the right edge of the item. The bottom of the bars must be positioned 1/4 inch (plus or minus 1/16 of an inch) from the bottom edge of the item and the barcode must be completely contained within the read area.

373.63 No Postage Necessary Endorsement

The endorsement "NE PAS AFFRANCHIR NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED TO THE UNITED STATES" must be printed in the upper right corner of the face of the piece with a partial diagonal bar. The endorsement must not extend farther than 1-3/4 inches from the right edge of the mailpiece.

373.64 Business Reply Legend

The legend "INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS REPLY MAIL/REPONSE PAYEE" must appear above the address in capital letters at least 3/16 of an inch high. Immediately below the legend the words "PERMIT NO." followed by the permit number and the issuing Post Office facility (city and state) must be shown in capital letters. This information must appear between two horizontal bars at least 3/32 of an inch thick and at least 1/2 inch apart. The endorsement "POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE" must appear immediately below the lower bar.

373.65 Address

The complete address must appear including the name of the permit holder street address (and/or Post Office box number) city state and unique ZIP+4 code that is preassigned and the country of destination (United States of America) with the bottom line of the address no lower than 5/8 of an inch and the city state and ZIP+4 code line no higher than 2-1/4 inches from the bottom edge of the mailpiece. A clear margin void of any extraneous matter (except for the horizontal bars specified below) of at least 1 inch is required between the left and right edges of the mailpiece and the address.

373.66 Air Mail Endorsement

The endorsement "AIR MAIL/PAR AVION" must be shown in the upper left corner on reverse print. Immediately beneath this endorsement must appear the words "IBRS/CCRI NO." followed by the permit number.

373.67 Horizontal Bars

A series of horizontal bars parallel to the length of the mailpiece must be printed immediately below the endorsement "NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED TO THE UNITED STATES." The bars must be uniform in length at least 1 inch long and 1/16 of an inch to 3/16 of an inch thick and evenly spaced. The vertical column of horizontal bars must not extend below the delivery address line which is the line above the line containing the ZIP+4 code. There must be at least 1/2 of an inch clearance between the ZIP+4 code and the bars.

Exhibit 373.6

Format Requirements - US IBRS

373.7 Foreign International Business Reply Service

Mailers in the countries listed in 373.2 may be authorized to distribute IBRS mail in the United States. These items similar to the format in Exhibit 373.7 are accepted without the prepayment of postage for return by air to the destination country. These items are forwarded with ordinary letters and cards to the designated international air exchange office for return to the appropriate country.

Exhibit 373.7

Format Requirements - Foreign IBRS