314 Processing Requests

314.1 Forms

314.11 Postal Service Forms

The forms used for domestic mail are also used for international mail (see DMM 503).

314.12 Treasury Department Forms

1. The sender may receive a certificate of mailing on Treasury Department (Internal Revenue) Forms P.T. 26, 27–A, or 550 certifying that the sender has waived the right to withdraw the item from the mail. The certificate of mailing fees apply to these forms.
2. Post Office facilities may also certify on Customs Form 4455, Certificate of Registration, the exportation by mail of items sent abroad for alteration, repair, or replacement (see 713.43). The certificate of mailing fees apply to each completed form.

314.13 Agriculture Department Forms

Certain certificates or permits are required for the exportation of dried whole eggs and for tobacco seeds and plants. For procedures and fees see 550 and 560 respectively.

314.2 Preparation

314.21 Sender’s Responsibility

Sender must:

1. Prepare certificate as prescribed in DMM 503.
2. Use a typewriter ink or ballpoint pen.
3. Affix postage stamps or postage meter stamps to the certificate to cover fees or purchase a postage validation imprinter (PVI) label to be affixed by the accepting clerk.
4. If certificate is an additional one for the same item endorse it “DUPLICATE” or “COPY.”
5. Return certificate to the accepting clerk.

314.22 Accepting Clerk’s Responsibility

Accepting clerk must:

1. Make sure that the form has been properly completed and that the correct amount of postage has been affixed.
2. Cancel the stamps with a postmark showing the current date.
3. Sign the Treasury Department forms described in 314.12.

Note: This is the only instance in which certification requires signatures or initials of Postal Service employees.

4. Return the form to the sender.

Exception: Permits for mailing tobacco seeds and tobacco plants are retained by the Post Office facility and forwarded to the Agriculture Department (see 560).