All items that may be sent with First-Class Mail International service (see 241) may be sent in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope or small flat-rate box provided the contents are mailable, they fit securely in the envelope or box, and they are entirely confined within the container with the provided adhesive as the means of closure. The flap must close within the prefabricated fold. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or for reinforcement, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the container in any way. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Insurance is not available. Registered Mail service may be available — see 330 and the Individual Country Listings for Registered Mail service availability, limitations, and coverage.
All mailable items that qualify to be sent as Priority Mail International parcels may also be sent in the Priority Mail International regular/medium and large flat-rate boxes. Written communication having the nature of current and personal correspondence may be included, provided it is exchanged between the sender and the addressee or other persons living with the addressee. Archived correspondence (e.g., personnel records) is also permitted and may be sent to any addressee. The contents must fit securely and must be entirely confined within the box. The box flaps must be able to close within the prefabricated folds. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or reinforcement, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and taping or reconstructing the container in any way. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Regular/medium and large flat-rate boxes may be insured — see 320 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered Mail service is not available.
Priority Mail International parcel service is designed for the carriage of outbound international postal parcels. Written communication having the nature of current and personal correspondence may be included, provided it is exchanged between the sender and the addressee or other persons living with the addressee. Archived correspondence (e.g, personnel records) is also permitted and may be sent to any addressee. Refer to the Individual Country Listings for additional prohibitions for each country. Priority Mail International parcels may be insured — see 320 and the Individual Country Listings for insurance availability, limitations, and coverage. Registered Mail service is not available.
A Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope might be required to bear PS Form 2976 depending on its physical characteristics and may not exceed $400 in value.
Each Priority Mail International small flat-rate box must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976 and may not exceed $400 in value.
See 123.61 for more information on customs forms usage with Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes and small flat-rate boxes.
Each Priority Mail International regular/medium or large flat-rate box must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
Each Priority Mail International ordinary and insured parcel must bear a properly completed PS Form 2976-A.
Only Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes and small flat-rate boxes are sealed against inspection. All other Priority Mail International items (USPS-produced flat-rate boxes, USPS-produced Tyvek envelopes, or customer-supplied boxes) are not sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of Priority Mail International items constitutes consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.
Ordinary — i.e., uninsured — Priority Mail International parcels, except the small flat-rate box, include indemnity coverage against loss, damage, or missing contents up to the amounts shown in Exhibit 232.63. Indemnity is limited to the lesser of the actual value of the contents or the maximum indemnity based on the weight of the article. If the parcel has been delivered to the addressee, payment for damage and missing contents is made to the addressee unless the addressee waives payment, in writing, in favor of the sender.
Note: International insured mail service provides insurance coverage greater than the indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels (including the regular/medium and large flat-rate boxes) to many countries. See 320 and the Individual Country Listings for availability and limitations of coverage. When international insurance is purchased, it replaces the ordinary indemnity coverage.
Ordinary indemnity coverage is not paid for the following:
- Parcels containing coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to the bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles.
- Consequential losses, delay, concealed damage, spoilage of perishable items, articles improperly packaged, articles too fragile to withstand normal handling in the mail, or prohibited articles.
Exhibit 232.63 lists the weight and indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels.
Exhibit 232.63
Ordinary Priority Mail International Weight and Indemnity Limits
Certificate of mailing service is available for purchase for only the following Priority Mail International items:
- Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes or small flat-rate boxes.
- Ordinary (uninsured) Priority Mail International parcels including regular/medium and large flat-rate boxes.
Insured mail service provides insurance coverage greater than the indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels (including the regular/medium and large flat-rate boxes) to many countries. When international insurance is purchased, it replaces the ordinary indemnity coverage. See 320 and the Individual Country Listings for availability and limitations of coverage. See Exhibit 232.72 for the fee schedule for optional Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.
Exhibit 232.72
Priority Mail International Merchandise Insurance
Maximum indemnity varies by country. (Canada’s maximum indemnity is $675.)
Return receipt service is available for purchase for the following items:
- Priority Mail International parcels when purchased with insurance.
- Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes when purchased with Registered Mail service.
- Priority Mail International small flat-rate boxes when purchased with Registered Mail service.
In addition, return receipt service for the Priority Mail International items noted above is available only to the countries listed in Exhibit 232.73.
See 340 for preparation procedures.
Exhibit 232.73
Return Receipt Service for Applicable Priority Mail International Items
Registered Mail service is available for purchase for only the following Priority Mail International items:
- Flat-rate envelopes, including free matter for the blind items.
- Small flat-rate boxes, including free matter for the blind items.
Restricted delivery service is available for purchase for only the following Priority Mail International items:
- Flat-rate envelopes that use both Registered Mail service and a return receipt.
- Small flat-rate boxes that use both Registered Mail service and a return receipt.
In addition, restricted delivery service for the applicable Priority Mail International items noted above is available only to certain destinations — see the Individual Country Listings for availability.
