Postal Explorer > International Mail Manual - Issue 32 > Transmittal Letter

International Mail Manual

Issue 32 January 8, 2006

A. Purpose. The U.S. Postal Service^® has created a comprehensive Transformation Plan that defines the actions being pursued to continue fulfilling its long-standing mission of providing affordable, universal mail service. The Plan's key strategies include improving operational efficiency, supporting growth through added value to customers, and enhancing our performance-based culture. Many of the subjects contained in the International Mail Manual (IMM) support Transformation Plan efforts. It is more important than ever that each of us be aware of the latest policies, regulations, and procedures that affect our international operations so that we can effectively implement the elements of the Transformation Plan. This latest revision of the IMM will help you do that.

B. Explanation. Issue 32 replaces Issue 31 of the IMM. It contains all IMM revisions published in the Postal Bulletin from May 13, 2005, through December 22, 2005. Items published in the Postal Bulletin after December 22, 2005, are effective but have not been incorporated into Issue 32. In addition, Issue 32 corrects printing and format errors and omissions in Issue 31. Recycle Issue 31 and all previous issues of the IMM.

C. Summary of Changes and Change Bars. The Summary of Changes contains a description of the changes made to the manual since Issue 31.

D. Forms Index. In the Forms Index, each form mentioned in the IMM is cross-referenced to each section that contains a reference to that form. By using the Forms Index, if you know the title or number of a form, you will be able to find every section in the manual that contains a reference to that form.

E. Distribution. There is no automatic distribution of the IMM to Postal Service™ facilities. To order copies of the IMM, Postal Service facilities must contact the Material Distribution Center (MDC) by using touch tone order entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.)

Use the following information to order the IMM (contact the MDC for price, maximum quantity, and bulk pack quantity):

PSIN: IMMISSUE
PSN: 7610-02-000-9904
Unit of Measure: Each
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Quick Pick Number: 032

The electronic version of the IMM is available on the World Wide Web and on the internal and external Postal Service Web sites at http://pe.usps.gov, and once at that site, click on International Mail Manual (IMM).

F. Sale to the Public. The IMM is available to the public on a subscription basis only from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (telephone number: 202-512-1800). The subscription price for one issue is $36 to addresses in the United States and $50.40 to all foreign addresses. Turn to the third page of this manual for instructions and an order form.

G. Comments. If you cannot find or understand certain material or discover that topics were omitted, send a memo outlining the problem through management channels to:

MAILING STANDARDS
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 3436
WASHINGTON DC 20260-3436

H. Effective Date. Issue 32 is effective January 8, 2006.

Stephen M. Kearney
Vice President
Pricing and Classification