262 Postage Rates and Fees

262.1 M–bags

M-bags that are paid for at the First-Class Mail International rate of postage may contain any type of allowable printed matter or merchandise items (see 261). See the Individual Country Listings for the minimum bag charge for weights up to 11 pounds and the per-pound rate for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 11 pounds.

262.2 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M–bags

M–bags that are entered in conjunction with an International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) mailing (see 293) may contain all types of allowable printed matter or merchandise items (see 261.22). See 293.71 for the rate of postage that applies to M–bags mailed to each ISAL destination country.

262.3 Postage Calculation

The amount of postage paid by the mailer is determined by the weight of the sack’s contents, rounded to the next whole pound. For example, if the total weight of the printed matter in an M–bag is 23.2 pounds, exclusive of the tare weight of the sack, the postage computation is based on a total content weight of 24 pounds.

262.4 Stamps, Postage Evidencing Systems, PVI Labels, or Permit Imprint

M–bag postage can be paid by the following means:

1. By affixing postage stamps, meter stamps, PC Postage, or a postage validation imprinter (PVI) label to PS Tag 158, M–Bag Addressee Tag.
2. By placing a permit imprint on PS Tag 158, M–Bag Addressee Tag,
   and making payment through an advance deposit account. When this method of payment is used, the minimum quantity requirement (i.e., 200 pieces or 50 pounds) that is normally a prerequisite for permit imprint usage (see 153.23) does not apply. The postage amount
   must be accounted for on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International Mail.