262 Postage Prices and Fees

262.1 Airmail M-bags

Airmail M-bags may contain any type of allowable printed matter and certain other articles (see 261.22). See the Individual Country Listings for the maximum weight limit for each country. Each Airmail M-bag that weighs 11 pounds or less is charged the applicable 11-pound price; a bag that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable 11-pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 11 pounds.

262.2 International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-bags

IPA M-bags that are entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing (see 292) may contain all types of allowable printed matter and certain other items (see 261.22). See Exhibit 292.31c or Exhibit 292.31d for the postage price that applies to M-bags mailed to each IPA destination country. Each full service IPA M-bag that weighs 11 pounds or less is charged the applicable 11–pound price; a bag that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable 11–pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 11 pounds. Each International Service Center (ISC) drop shipment IPA M-bag that weighs 5 pounds or less is charged the applicable 5-pound price; a bag that exceeds 5 pounds is charged the applicable 5-pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 5 pounds.

262.3 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M–bags

ISAL M-bags that are entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing (see 293) may contain all types of allowable printed matter and certain other articles (see 261.22). See Exhibit 293.31c or Exhibit 293.31d for the postage price that applies to M-bags mailed to each ISAL destination country. Each full service ISAL M-bag that weighs 11 pounds or less is charged the applicable 11–pound price; a bag that exceeds 11 pounds is charged the applicable 11–pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 11 pounds. Each International Service Center (ISC) drop shipment ISAL M-bag that weighs 5 pounds or less is charged the applicable 5-pound price; a bag that exceeds 5 pounds is charged the applicable 5-pound price and the applicable per-pound price for each additional pound or fraction of a pound over 5 pounds.

262.4 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.

262.5 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 152.43) does not apply. The postage amount must be accounted for on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International Mail.