International Priority Airmail™ (IPA®) service is available for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in accordance with the shape-based requirements of First-Class Mail International service (see 240) and the requirements of this subchapter. Separate prices are provided for International Service Center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and worldwide nonpresort mail. Volume incentives are available through customized agreements.
With the exception of M-bags (see 261.23), IPA mailpieces are sealed against inspection.
IPA M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing, are subject to the provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in Exhibit 292.452. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, and PS Tag 158, M–bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the sack.
To qualify for IPA service, a mailpiece must meet the First-Class Mail International characteristics as defined in 141.5. Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with IPA service must conform to the weight and size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages (small packets) as described in 240.
IPA service is available to all the foreign countries that are as listed in Exhibit 292.452, which shows the price group assigned to each country.
All mailings must meet a minimum weight quantity of 50 pounds. To achieve the 50-pound minimum, mailings may include a combination of presort mail, worldwide nonpresort mail, or M-bags.
Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 5 pounds qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
Only a direct country sack containing a minimum of 5 pounds or a mixed country sack containing a minimum of 5 pounds qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price.
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this subchapter for each respective category of mail. Priority Mail International items, either ordinary or insured, may not be mailed with IPA service.
See 123 for customs forms requirements.
Extra services are not available for items sent with IPA service.
IPA service has two price options: a presort price with 15 price groups (Exhibit 292.31a), and a worldwide nonpresort price (Exhibit 292.31b). Both options offer full service prices (Exhibit 292.31c) for mail deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in 292.532, and drop shipment prices (Exhibit 292.31d) for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in Exhibit 292.31a and Exhibit 292.31b. The per-piece price applies to each piece regardless of its weight. The per-pound price applies to the net weight (gross weight minus tare weight of sack or tray) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
Exhibit 292.31a
IPA Prices — Direct Country Sacks and Mixed Country Sacks
Exhibit 292.31b
IPA Prices — Worldwide Nonpresort Sacks
Exhibit 292.31c
IPA M-bag Prices — Full Service
Exhibit 292.31d
IPA M-bag Prices — ISC Drop Shipment
Postage is computed on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International Mail.
Compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price as follows:
- Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-piece price.
- Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the applicable per-pound price.
- Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
Compute postage at the presorted price as follows:
- Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price.
- Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the corresponding per-pound price.
- Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.
Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled stamps (see DMM 604).
Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:
- Piece Price. The applicable per-piece postage shown in Exhibit 292.31a or Exhibit 292.31b must be affixed to each mailpiece when paying with a meter. A mailer who has an ICM agreement must affix the applicable per-piece postage as set forth in the ICM agreement.
- Pound Price. Postage for the pound price portion must be paid either by meter stamp(s) attached to the postage statement or from the mailer’s authorized permit imprint advance deposit account.
- Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
- Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in 292.332c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must appear either above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or adjacent to the meter stamp in either the postal inscription slug area or ad plate area. If the postal endorsement appears in the ad plate area, no other information may appear in the ad plate. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
- Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
- Drop Shipment of Metered Mail. A mailer who wants to enter metered IPA mail at a Post Office facility other than where the meter is licensed must obtain a drop shipment authorization. To obtain an authorization, the mailer must submit a written request to the postmaster at the office where the mail will be entered (see DMM 705).
Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following standards:
- Piece Price. The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every piece in the mailing.
- Pound Price. Additional postage is paid at the time of mailing by advance deposit account or meter stamp affixed to the back of the accompanying postage statement.
- Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
- Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in 292.333c must appear on the address side of each piece and must be applied by a printing press, hand stamp, or other similar printing device. It must appear either above the name of the addressee and to the left or below the postage, or adjacent to the precanceled stamp. The endorsement may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. The endorsement is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
- Unmarked Pieces. Unmarked pieces lacking the postage endorsement are subject to the First-Class Mail International single-piece price.
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical weight pieces. Any of the permit imprint formats shown in Exhibit 152.44 is acceptable but must include the “INTL PRIORITY AIRMAIL” rate marking. Postage is calculated as described in 292.32 and is deducted from the mailer’s advance deposit account. Permit imprints must not denote bulk mail, nonprofit, or other domestic or special mail. Mailers may use permit imprint with nonidentical weight pieces only if authorized to use postage mailing systems under DMM 705.
IPA mailpieces are subject to the addressing requirements contained in 122, including the requirement of a U.S.-origin return address as defined in 122.2.
- Exception — Canada: IPA items destined for Canada must have the applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address. See 122.1k for the address formatting requirements that generally apply to mailpieces sent to Canada.
- Exception — Direct Country Sacks: IPA items in direct country sacks (see 292.461) are not subject to the interline addressing requirement that is specified in 122.1d. At the sender’s risk, the English translation of the destination post office or city name may be omitted from an address that is printed in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters. An English translation of the country name (for example, Japan) is still required on the individual mailpieces.
The sender should mark “PAR AVION” or “AIR MAIL” on the address side of each piece. Alternatively, the user may use a bordered airmail envelope that contains an “AIR MAIL” endorsement.
Items that might be mistaken for another class of mail because of their size, weight, or appearance should be marked “LETTER-POST” on the address side.
292.43 Sealing and Packaging
Mailers must meet the following sealing and packaging standards for IPA mail:
Mixed Country and Worldwide Nonpresort Price. All mailpieces entered at the mixed country and worldwide nonpresort price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail International service under IMM 244.3 and 244.4.
Direct Country Price. Flat-size mailpieces and small packets entered at the direct country price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for First–Class Mail International service under IMM 244.3 and 244.4. Letter-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must meet one of the following requirements:
- The sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail International service under IMM 244.3 and 244.4.
- The physical standards of a machinable letter under DMM 201.3.
The following standards apply:
- Thickness. Bundles of letter-size mail should be no thicker than approximately a handful of mail (4 to 6 inches thick). Bundles of flat-size mail may be thicker than 6 inches but must not weigh more than 11 pounds.
- Securing Bundles. Each bundle must be securely tied to withstand normal transit. Placing rubber bands around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of letter-size mail. Plastic strapping placed around the length and then the girth is the preferred method of securing bundles of flat-size mail.
- Separation of Bundles. Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled separately.
- Facing of Pieces. All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same direction.
Follow these steps when preparing IPA presort mail:
- Full Service. For presort mailings, all mail that is addressed to an individual country and that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price.
- ISC Drop Shipment. For presort mailings, all mail that is addressed to an individual country and that contains 5 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country bundles and sacked in direct country sacks. All mail that is addressed to individual countries within a single price group and that contains 5 pounds or more must be bundled separately and sacked in mixed country sacks. Mail that ultimately cannot be made up into direct country sacks or mixed country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price.
Note: There are separate preparation requirements for mail to Canada. See 292.47.
292.452 Presorted Mail — Direct Country Bundle Label
A label (facing slip) for direct country bundles prepared for mixed county sacks must be completed and placed on the address side of the top piece of each bundle in such a manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. Bundle labels that are addressed to IPA foreign exchange offices (see Exhibit 292.452) must contain the following:
Line 1: Foreign Exchange Office.
Line 2: Country of Destination.
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location.
Example:
Note: The pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort mail are prohibited for IPA service.
Exhibit 292.452
IPA Country Price Groups and Foreign Exchange Offices
Country
|
Exchange Office Name
|
Destination Code
|
Price Group
|
Afghanistan
|
Kabul
|
KBL
|
15
|
Albania
|
Tirana
|
TIA
|
12
|
Algeria
|
Alger Gare
|
ALG
|
15
|
Andorra 1
|
|
|
11
|
Angola
|
Luanda
|
LAD
|
15
|
Anguilla
|
The Valley
|
AXA
|
13
|
Antigua and Barbuda
|
St. John’s
|
ANU
|
13
|
Argentina
|
Buenos Aires Avion
|
BUE
|
13
|
Armenia
|
Yerevan
|
EVN
|
15
|
Aruba
|
Oranjestad
|
AUA
|
13
|
Ascension 1
|
|
|
12
|
Australia 2
|
Sydney
|
SYD
|
9
|
Austria
|
1000 Wien
|
VIE
|
11
|
Azerbaijan
|
Baku
|
BAK
|
15
|
Azores 1
|
|
|
11
|
Bahamas
|
Nassau
|
NAS
|
13
|
Bahrain
|
Bahrain
|
BAH
|
15
|
Bangladesh
|
Dhaka Apt
|
DAC
|
15
|
Barbados
|
Bridgetown
|
BGI
|
13
|
Belarus
|
Minsk PI 2
|
MSQ
|
12
|
Belgium
|
Brussels EMC
|
BRU
|
11
|
Belize
|
Belize City
|
BZE
|
13
|
Benin
|
Cotonou
|
COO
|
15
|
Bermuda
|
Hamilton
|
BDA
|
13
|
Bhutan 1
|
|
|
15
|
Bolivia
|
La Paz
|
LPB
|
13
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
Sarajevo
|
SJJ
|
12
|
Botswana
|
Gabrone
|
GBE
|
15
|
Brazil
|
Curitiba
|
CWB
|
13
|
British Virgin Islands
|
Roadtown
|
RAD
|
13
|
Brunei Darussalam
|
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
BWN
|
14
|
Bulgaria
|
Sofia
|
SOF
|
12
|
Burkina Faso
|
Ouagadougou
|
OUA
|
15
|
Burma (Myanmar)
|
Yangon CME
|
RGN
|
15
|
Burundi
|
Bujumbura
|
BJM
|
15
|
Cambodia
|
Phnom Penh
|
PNH
|
14
|
Cameroon
|
Douala
|
DLA
|
15
|
Canada
|
See 292.47 Canadian Labeling Information
|
|
1
|
Cape Verde
|
Praia
|
RAI
|
15
|
Cayman Islands
|
Grand Cayman
|
GCM
|
13
|
Central African Republic
|
Bangui
|
BGF
|
15
|
Chad
|
N’Djamena
|
NDJ
|
15
|
Chile
|
Santiago Avion
|
SCL
|
13
|
China
|
Beijing
|
BJS
|
14
|
Colombia
|
Bogota Aeropuerto
|
BOG
|
13
|
Comoros Islands 1
|
|
|
15
|
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
|
Kinshasa CTT
|
FIH
|
15
|
Congo, Rep. of the
|
Brazzaville
|
BZV
|
15
|
Cook Islands
|
Rarotonga
|
RAR
|
11
|
Costa Rica
|
San Jose
|
SJO
|
13
|
Cote d’Ivoire
|
Abidjan
|
ABJ
|
15
|
Croatia
|
Zagreb
|
ZAG
|
12
|
Cuba
|
Havana Avion
|
HAV
|
13
|
Cyprus
|
Larnaka Air
|
LCA
|
15
|
Czech Republic
|
Prague 120
|
PRG
|
12
|
Denmark
|
Copenhagen INC
|
CPH
|
11
|
Djibouti
|
Djibouti
|
JIB
|
15
|
Dominica
|
Dominica APT
|
DOM
|
13
|
Dominican Republic
|
Santo Domingo
|
SDQ
|
13
|
Ecuador
|
Quito
|
UIO
|
13
|
Egypt
|
Cairo Int’l Airport
|
CAI
|
15
|
El Salvador
|
San Salvador
|
SAL
|
13
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
Malbo
|
SSG
|
15
|
Eritrea
|
Asmara
|
ASM
|
15
|
Estonia
|
Tallinn
|
TLL
|
12
|
Ethiopia
|
Addis Ababa
|
ADD
|
15
|
Falkland Islands 1
|
|
|
13
|
Faroe Islands 1
|
|
|
12
|
Fiji
|
Nadi
|
NAN
|
14
|
Finland
|
Helsinki
|
HEL
|
11
|
France (includes Corsica)
|
Roissy Courrier International
|
CDG
|
5
|
French Guiana
|
Cayenne
|
CAY
|
13
|
French Polynesia
|
PPT CTCAIR
|
FAA
|
14
|
Gabon
|
Libreville
|
LBV
|
15
|
Gambia
|
Banjul
|
BJL
|
15
|
Georgia, Republic of
|
Tbilisi
|
TBS
|
15
|
Germany
|
Frankfurt/M
|
FRA
|
4
|
Ghana
|
Accra
|
ACC
|
15
|
Gibraltar
|
Gibraltar
|
GIB
|
11
|
Great Britain (includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and The Isle of Man)
|
Great Britain
|
LON
|
3
|
Greece
|
Athens
|
ATH
|
11
|
Greenland 1
|
|
|
11
|
Grenada
|
St. George’s
|
GND
|
13
|
Guadeloupe
|
Pointe-a-Pitre
|
PTP
|
13
|
Guatemala
|
Guatemala
|
GUA
|
13
|
Guinea
|
Conakry
|
CKY
|
15
|
Guinea-Bissau
|
Bissau
|
OXB
|
15
|
Guyana
|
Georgetown
|
GEO
|
13
|
Haiti
|
Port-au-Prince
|
PAP
|
13
|
Honduras
|
Tegucigalpa
|
TGU
|
13
|
Hong Kong
|
Victoria
|
HKG
|
14
|
Hungary
|
Budapest 1005
|
BUD
|
12
|
Iceland
|
Reykjavik
|
REK
|
11
|
India
|
Delhi Air
|
DEL
|
15
|
Indonesia
|
Jakarta SH
|
JKT
|
14
|
Iran
|
Tehran
|
THR
|
15
|
Iraq
|
Baghdad
|
BGW
|
15
|
Ireland
|
Dublin
|
DUB
|
11
|
Israel
|
Tel Aviv-Yafo
|
TLV
|
11
|
Italy
|
Milan
|
MIL
|
7
|
Jamaica
|
Kingston
|
KIN
|
13
|
Japan
|
Narita AP A
|
NRT
|
10
|
Jordan
|
Amman
|
AMM
|
15
|
Kazakhstan
|
Almaty PCI-5
|
ALA
|
15
|
Kenya
|
Nairobi
|
NBO
|
15
|
Kiribati
|
Tarawa
|
TRW
|
14
|
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North) 1
|
|
|
14
|
Korea, Republic of (South)
|
Seoul IPO
|
SEL
|
14
|
Kosovo, Republic of
|
Pristina
|
PRN
|
12
|
Kuwait
|
Kuwait MSC
|
KWI
|
15
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
Bichkek PI-1
|
FRU
|
12
|
Laos
|
Vientiane
|
VTE
|
14
|
Latvia
|
Riga OE Letters
|
RIX
|
12
|
Lebanon
|
Beirut
|
BEY
|
15
|
Lesotho
|
Maseru
|
MSU
|
15
|
Liberia
|
Monrovia
|
MLW
|
15
|
Libya
|
Tripoli
|
TIP
|
15
|
Liechtenstein 1
|
|
|
11
|
Lithuania
|
Vilnius
|
VNO
|
12
|
Luxembourg
|
Luxembourg Ville
|
LUX
|
11
|
Macao
|
Macau
|
MFM
|
12
|
Macedonia
|
1003 SKOP JEB
|
SKP
|
12
|
Madagascar
|
Antananarivo TRI
|
TNR
|
15
|
Madeira Islands 1
|
|
|
11
|
Malawi
|
Limbe
|
LBE
|
15
|
Malaysia
|
Kuala Lumpur
|
KUL
|
14
|
Maldives
|
Male
|
MLE
|
15
|
Mali
|
Bamako
|
BKO
|
15
|
Malta
|
Valletta
|
MAR
|
15
|
Martinique
|
Fort de France
|
FDF
|
13
|
Mauritania
|
Nouakchott
|
NKC
|
15
|
Mauritius
|
Port Louis SSR
|
MRU
|
15
|
Mexico
|
Mexico Aereo DF
|
MEX
|
2
|
Moldova
|
Kishinev
|
KIV
|
15
|
Monaco
|
Monaco Post
|
MON
|
11
|
Mongolia
|
Ulaanbaatar CPO
|
ULN
|
14
|
Montenegro
|
Montenegro Post
|
TGD
|
13
|
Montserrat
|
Plymouth
|
MNI
|
15
|
Morocco
|
Casablanca CCI
|
CAS
|
15
|
Mozambique
|
CPI Maputo
|
MPM
|
15
|
Namibia
|
Windhoek
|
WDH
|
15
|
Nauru
|
Nauru
|
INU
|
14
|
Nepal
|
Kathmandu
|
KTM
|
14
|
Netherlands
|
Amsterdam EXP
|
AMS
|
8
|
Netherlands Antilles
|
Willemstad 3
|
CUR
|
13
|
St. Maarten 4
|
SXM
|
13
|
New Caledonia
|
Noumea CTC
|
NOU
|
14
|
New Zealand 5
|
Auckland
|
AKL
|
11
|
Nicaragua
|
Managua
|
MGA
|
13
|
Niger
|
Niamey CNTLC
|
NIM
|
15
|
Nigeria
|
Lagos
|
LOS
|
15
|
Norway
|
Oslo Letter Centre
|
OSL
|
11
|
Oman
|
Muscat
|
MCT
|
15
|
Pakistan
|
Islamabad IM
|
ISB
|
15
|
Panama
|
Panama City
|
PTY
|
13
|
Papua New Guinea
|
Boroko
|
BOR
|
14
|
Paraguay
|
Asuion
|
ASU
|
13
|
Peru
|
Lima Transito
|
LIM
|
13
|
Philippines
|
Manila
|
MNL
|
14
|
Pitcairn Island 1
|
|
|
14
|
Poland
|
Warsaw Wer
|
WAW
|
12
|
Portugal
|
Lisbon Province
|
LIS
|
11
|
Qatar
|
Doha
|
DOH
|
15
|
Reunion
|
St. Denis
|
RUN
|
15
|
Romania
|
Bucuresti C
|
BUH
|
12
|
Russia
|
Moscow PCI-1
|
MOW
|
12
|
Rwanda
|
Kigali
|
KGL
|
15
|
Saint Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis
|
Basseterre
|
SKB
|
13
|
Saint Helena 1
|
|
|
13
|
Saint Lucia
|
Castries
|
SLU
|
13
|
Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1
|
|
|
13
|
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
|
Kingstown
|
KTN
|
13
|
San Marino 1
|
|
|
11
|
Sao Tome and Principe 1
|
|
|
12
|
Saudi Arabia
|
Dammam Central Post
|
DMM
|
15
|
Senegal
|
Dakar
|
DKR
|
15
|
Serbia, Republic of
|
Belgrad C
|
BEG
|
12
|
Seychelles
|
Seychelles
|
SEZ
|
15
|
Sierra Leone
|
Freetown
|
FNA
|
15
|
Singapore
|
Singapore
|
SIN
|
14
|
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
|
Bratislava 090
|
BTS
|
12
|
Slovenia
|
Ljubljana 1003
|
LJU
|
12
|
Solomon Islands
|
Honiara
|
HIR
|
14
|
Somalia
|
Mogadishu
|
MGQ
|
15
|
South Africa
|
Johannesburg
|
JNB
|
15
|
Spain (includes Canary Islands)
|
Madrid Airport
|
MAD
|
11
|
Sri Lanka
|
Colombo
|
CMB
|
15
|
Sudan
|
Khartoum
|
KRT
|
15
|
Suriname
|
Paramaribo
|
PBM
|
13
|
Swaziland
|
Manzini
|
MTS
|
15
|
Sweden
|
Stockholm Flug
|
STO
|
11
|
Switzerland
|
Zurich 1
|
ZRH
|
6
|
Syria
|
Damascus
|
DAM
|
15
|
Taiwan
|
Taipei
|
TPE
|
14
|
Tajikistan
|
Dushanbe
|
DYU
|
15
|
Tanzania
|
Dar es Salaam
|
DAR
|
15
|
Thailand
|
Bangkok
|
BKK
|
14
|
Togo
|
Lome
|
LFW
|
15
|
Tonga
|
Nukualofa
|
TBU
|
14
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
Port of Spain
|
POS
|
13
|
Tristan da Cunha 1
|
|
|
15
|
Tunisia
|
Tunis
|
TUN
|
15
|
Turkey
|
Istanbul OE
|
IST
|
12
|
Turkmenistan
|
Achgabat PI-1
|
ASB
|
12
|
Turks and Caicos Islands
|
Grand Turk
|
GDT
|
13
|
Tuvalu 1
|
|
|
14
|
Uganda
|
Kampala
|
KLA
|
15
|
Ukraine
|
Kiev PI-1
|
IEV
|
15
|
United Arab Emirates
|
Dubai
|
DXB
|
15
|
Uruguay
|
Montevideo
|
MVD
|
13
|
Uzbekistan
|
Tashkent
|
TAS
|
15
|
Vanuatu
|
Port Vila
|
VLI
|
14
|
Vatican City
|
Vatican City
|
VAT
|
11
|
Venezuela
|
Caracas
|
CCS
|
13
|
Vietnam
|
Ho Chi Minh ND
|
SGN
|
14
|
Wallis and Futuna Islands 1
|
|
|
14
|
Western Samoa
|
Apia
|
APW
|
14
|
Yemen
|
Sanaa
|
SAH
|
15
|
Zambia
|
Lusaka Airmail
|
LUN
|
15
|
Zimbabwe
|
Harare CSO
|
HRE
|
15
|
1 Direct country sacks are not made to these destinations. Prepare direct country packages and include in mixed direct country sacks labeled to the assigned U.S. Exchange Office listed in Exhibit 292.462.
2 At the mailer’s option, a finer sortation for IPA items addressed to Australia may be used. If this option is chosen, items addressed with postal codes beginning with 0, 1, 2, 4, and 9 and uncoded mail should be sorted and packaged to Sydney. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Sydney as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code (“SYD”) and the country name (“Australia”) should be entered in the "TO" block of PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white). Items addressed with postal codes beginning with 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 should be sorted and packaged to Melbourne. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Melbourne as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code ("MEL") and the country name ("Australia") should be entered in the "TO" block of PS Tag 178.
3 Includes Bonaire and Curacao.
4 Includes Saba and St. Eustatius.
5 For all destinations to New Zealand other than Cook Islands. For Cook Islands, see the entry for Cook Islands in this exhibit.
|
IPA mail paid at the worldwide nonpresort price must be made into bundles as defined in 292.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack and do not require labeling (facing slips).
The following standards apply:
- General. When there are 5 pounds or more of mail addressed to the same country, the mail must be enclosed in a direct country sack. All types of mail, including letter-size bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the same sack for each destination and counted toward the 5-pound minimum. The maximum weight of the sack and contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
- Direct Country Sack Tags. Direct country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8), and PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, as follows:
- PS Tag 178 is a white tag designed to route the sack to a specific country and airport of destination. The mailer must complete the “To” block showing the destination country. Postal Service personnel — not the mailer — must complete the blocks for date, weight, and dispatch information.
- PS Tag 115 is a pink tag that identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115.
- Direct Country Sack Label. The sack label must be completed as follows (see Exhibit 292.462 for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents — DRX COUNTRY
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
The following standards apply:
- General. When mail is prepared under the ISC drop shipment option, direct country bundles destined to a specific country that cannot be made up in direct country sacks must be prepared in a mixed country sack. A mixed country sack must be prepared for each price group. Only countries in price groups 11 through 15 are eligible for this price. The maximum weight of the sack and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
- Mixed Country Sack Tags. Mixed country sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115.
- Mixed Country Sack Label. The sack label must be completed as follows (see Exhibit 292.462 for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents — DRX MIXED
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
Exhibit 292.462
Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
IPA Acceptance Office 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix
|
U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code for Line 1
|
005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268, 270–297, 400–418, 420–427, 470–477
|
ISC NEW YORK NY 003
|
006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347, 349–352, 354–399, 569
|
ISC MIAMI FL 33112
|
424, 430–469, 478–516, 520–528, 530–532, 534–535, 537–551, 553–567, 570–577, 580–588, 600–620, 622–631, 633–641, 644–658, 660–662, 664–681, 683–693, 700–701, 703–708, 710–714, 716–731, 733–741, 743–799, 885
|
ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
|
590–599, 821, 832–838, 970–986, 988–999
|
P&DC SEATTLE 980
|
800–816, 820, 822–831, 840–847, 893–895, 897–898, 937–961
|
ISC SAN FRANCISCO CA 94013
|
850–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 870–875, 877–884, 889–891, 900–908, 910–928, 930–936
|
ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
|
967–969
|
P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
|
The following standards apply:
- General. The working bundles of mixed country mail and loose items must be enclosed in sacks unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office. Nonpresorted letter-size mail may be presented in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum weight of the sack and the contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
Note: Working bundles of mixed country mail cannot be enclosed in mixed country sacks.
- Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Tags. Sack tags for worldwide nonpresort sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify "WW" (for "worldwide") on the back of PS Tag 115.
- Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Label. The sack label must be completed as follows (see Exhibit 292.462 for the list of U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Appropriate U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code
Line 2: Contents WKG
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
For letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items destined to Canada, mail must be prepared in separate containers. To qualify for the presort price, the same eligibility requirements apply as for full service (see 293.232) or ISC drop shipment (see 293.233). If the total mailing contains less than 5 pounds of mail for Canada, then the mail qualifies only for the worldwide nonpresort price but may be included with mail for other countries. Mailings that contain only worldwide nonpresort mail for Canada (50-pound minimum) are prepared under 292.453 and 292.463. The preparation requirements of presorted mail to Canada are as follows:
- Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail. Letter-size items are prepared in letter trays, either 1-foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Flat-size items are prepared in flat trays. All items must be faced in the same direction, and all trays must be full enough to keep the mail from mixing during transportation. Do not prepare the content of the tray in bundles. Letter-size and flat-size trays must be sleeved or covered and secured with strapping. The mailer must identify each tray label to show the destination in Canada, the content, and the dispatching U.S. exchange office in the following format (see Exhibit 292.47 for Canadian labeling information):
Line 1: Canadian Destination, U.S. Exchange Office Code
Line 2: Contents
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
In addition, the mailer must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail. Write “Canada” on the reverse and tape the tag to the tray sleeve. All trays must be banded.
- Packages. Items that cannot be prepared in trays because of their size or shape must be placed loose in sacks. Mailers must complete PS Tag 115. Write "Canada" on the reverse side of the tag. In addition, mailers must attach a completed PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white).
Exhibit 292.47
Canadian Labeling Information
Origin ZIP Code
|
Exchange Office
|
Canadian Destination
|
U.S. Exchange Office Code
|
Optional Destination Code for Barcoded Tray and Sack Labels
|
004–005, 010–089, 100–268, 270–297, 400–418, 420–427, 470–471, 476–477
|
JFK
|
MONTREAL QC FWD
|
003
|
YMQ
|
298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347, 349–397, 399, 723
|
MIA
|
MONTREAL QC FWD
|
33112
|
YMQ
|
430–469, 472–475, 478–516, 520–528, 530–567, 570–588, 600–631, 633–641, 644–658, 660–662, 664–681, 683–693, 700–708, 710–722, 724–816, 822–831, 840–847, 870–885, 893, 898
|
ORD
|
TORONTO ON FWD
|
60290
|
For IPA letters and flats: TOR.
For IPA packages: YTO.
For all ISAL mailings: YTO.
|
590–599, 821, 832–838, 970–999
|
SEA
|
VANCOUVER BC FWD
|
98158
|
YVR
|
820, 894–895, 937–961
|
SFO
|
VANCOUVER BC FWD
|
94013
|
YVR
|
850, 852–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 889–891, 900–908, 910–928, 930–936
|
LAX
|
VANCOUVER BC FWD
|
90899
|
YVR
|
967–969
|
HNL
|
VANCOUVER BC FWD
|
96820
|
YVR
|
The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115 (for example, with “1” for Canada or “WW” for worldwide nonpresort) and must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing.
Mailings must be deposited at a Post Office facility where bulk mail is accepted and where the mailer holds an advance deposit account or postage meter license.
To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one of the locations in 292.532. The mailer must pay postage at the drop shipment location either through an advance deposit account or postage meter license at the serving Post Office facility. As an alternative, mailers who are participating in the plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) program may have the mail verified, accepted, and paid for at the mailer’s plant or at the origin Post Office facility serving the mailer’s plant if authorized under DMM 705. PVDS mail must be transported by the mailer to the drop shipment location, and the mail must be accompanied by PS Form 8125, Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance.
Drop shipments are available through the following offices:
New York:
JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT MAIL CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
JOHN F KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BLDG 250
JAMAICA NY 11430-9998
Florida:
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CTR*
US POSTAL SERVICE
11698 NW 25TH ST
MIAMI FL 33112-9997
MIAMI PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
2200 NW 72ND AVE
MIAMI FL 33152-9997
Texas:
north texas p&dc
us postal service
951 w bethel rd
coppell tx 75099-8811
Illinois:
JT WEEKER INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CENTER
US POSTAL SERVICE
OHARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
514 EXPRESS CENTER DR
CHICAGO IL 60688-9998
California:
LOS ANGELES ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
5800 w century blvd
los angeles ca 90009-9998
SAN FRANCISCO ISC
US POSTAL SERVICE
2650 BAYSHORE BLVD
DALY CITY CA 94013-1631
*Only plant-verified mail is transported to this facility by the mailer.