Summary of Changes

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service,
International Mail Manual

Issued January 27, 2013

This Summary of Changes to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM^®) includes revisions that have become effective during the previous 12 calendar months.

In chapters 1–9 and in “Country Price Groups and Weight Limits” of this online version of the IMM, change bars (vertical lines in the margin) indicate that Postal Bulletin updates have been incorporated in the adjacent text (note that the change bars appear only in the PDF version, and only for revisions effective in the calendar year 2013, not for all the previous 12 months). However, in the individual country listings (ICLs) of this online IMM, change bars do not appear even though Postal Bulletin updates have been incorporated in the ICL text.

• Effective January 27, 2013, as noted in PB issue 22352, the following sections in chapters 1 through 9 are revised to add references to First-Class Package International Service in addition to First-Class Mail International service. First-Class Package International Service is a new service for shipping packages (small packets), which previously were shipped with First-Class Mail International service. Consequently, many previous references to just First-Class Mail International service also need to include references to First-Class Package International Service:

 

123.5	141.4	273.2	293.11	423.24
123.621	152.61	274.2	293.21	781.2
134.1	213.622	275	293.332	Exhibit 921.2
135.12	223.131	292.11	293.333	941.1
135.5	233.131	292.21	311.21
138.1c(4)	241.232	292.332	312.21
141.1	273.1	292.333	332

 

This chapter, subchapter, part, section, or ICL…	is…	effective…	as noted in Postal Bulletin issue…
Chapter 1, International Mail Services
121	revised in to codify allowable use of USPS-owned mail transport equipment (MTE).	6-24-2012	22336
121.2	revised to reflect current information regarding use of USPS equipment.	9-4-2012	22343
122	revised to stipulate that the addressee’s full legal name and complete address must appear on international mailpieces.	1-27-2013	22351
123.1	revised to reflect revised edition dates for PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	11-5-2012	22348
123.3	revised to reflect the new address for the National Customer Support Center (the new address is effective December 1, 2012, but appears in the November 15, 2012, issue of the IMM).	12-1-2012	22348
123.6	revised to reflect eligibility standards for items that can be mailed under the “known mailer” standards.	11-15-2012	22350
Exhibit 123.61	revised in two places to replace the phrase “potentially dutiable contents” with “any goods,” to reflect appropriate wording under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).	6-24-2012	22336
	revised to reflect eligibility standards for items that can be mailed under the “known mailer” standards.	11-15-2012	22350
	revised to add an entry for First-Class Package International Service, which replaces the entry for First-Class Mail International packages (small packets).	1-27-2013	22352
123.623a	revised to replace the phrase “other contents that are potentially dutiable” with “goods,” to reflect appropriate wording under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).	6-24-2012	22336
123.7	revised throughout to reflect revisions to PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	11-5-2012	22348
135.31	revised to reflect current requirements for mailing Category B infectious substances.	1-27-2013	22352
135.6	added to remove the current prohibition against mailing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries internationally, or to or from any APO, FPO, or DPO location.	11-15-2012	22350
136.1	revised to reflect current information regarding “dangerous goods.”	5-16-2012	22336
	revised to remove item “i” (to reflect the removal of the current prohibition against mailing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries internationally, or to or from any APO, FPO, or DPO location).	11-15-2012	22350
141.5	revised to reflect current information regarding First-Class Mail International mailpieces.	1-27-2013	22352
141.6	added to reflect current information regarding First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
142.4	revised to reflect current standards for sending OAS General Secretariat official mail.	1-27-2013	22352
142.5	revised to reflect current standards for sending items from the Pan American Sanitary Bureau.	1-27-2013	22352
152	revised to better identify and define various postage payment methods, including postage stamps, postage meter imprints, postage validation imprint (PVI) labels, Forever Print-on-Demand Indicia labels, and PC Postage imprints.	11-5-2012	22346
152.31	revised to reflect current information regarding Forever stamps and Global Forever stamps.	1-27-2013	22352
152.32	revised to reflect current information regarding domestic postage used on international mailpieces.	1-27-2013	22352
152.44 and Exhibit 152.44	revised to reflect current information about permit imprint indicia formats used for international mail. Note: Per revisions noted in part 152, this section and exhibit have been renumbered as 152.64 and Exhibit 152.64 effective 11-5-2012.	6-24-2012	22337
152.64	revised to add indicia formats for First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
Chapter 2, Conditions for Mailing
Exhibit 213.5	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
213.82	revised to reflect current information regarding USPS-approved software available for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus pricing for GXG items paid with a permit imprint.	4-1-2012	22331 and 22332
215.2	revised to reflect new pickup and deposit options for GXG services.	5-21-2012	22337
221.3	revised to reflect the current maximum weight of 4 pounds for Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes.	1-27-2013	22352
222.3	revised to note the addition of the Express Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope to the Express Mail International product category.	6-24-2012	22337
222.71	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
222.8	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
223.222a	revised to reflect current information regarding USPS-approved software available for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus pricing for Express Mail International items paid with a permit imprint.	4-1-2012	22331
225.1	revised to reflect new pickup and deposit options for Express Mail International service.	5-21-2012, 6-14-2012	22337, 22339
232.1	revised in its entirety to reflect current information regarding Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.	1-27-2013	22352
Exhibit 232.83	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels.	1-1-2013	22349
232.95	removed to reflect that restricted delivery service is discontinued.	1-27-2013	22352
233.222a	revised to reflect current information regarding USPS-approved software available for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus pricing for Priority Mail International items paid with a permit imprint.	4-1-2012	22331
235.1	revised to reflect new pickup and deposit options for Priority Mail International service.	5-21-2012	22337
241.1	revised to reflect the removal of packages (small packets) from First-Class Mail International service.	1-27-2013	22352
241.24	removed in its entirety to reflect the removal of packages (small packets) from First-Class Mail International service.	1-27-2013	22352
242.44	removed to reflect that restricted delivery service is discontinued.	1-27-2013	22352
243.11	revised to reflect the removal of packages (small packets) from First-Class Mail International service.	1-27-2013	22352
243.13	revised in its entirety, including the removal of Exhibit 243.13.	1-27-2013	22352
Exhibit 243.13	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
	removed in its entirety effective 1-27-2013.	1-27-2013	22352
243.3	revised to reflect requirements for international letter-post mailpieces bearing a customs declaration form when the items are paid with a permit imprint.	11-5-2012	22347
244	revised throughout to reflect current information about preparing First-Class Mail International items.	1-27-2013	22352
245	revised to reflect new pickup and deposit options for First-Class Mail International service.	5-21-2012	22337
250	revised from “Reserved” status to reflect current information regarding First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
262.5	revised to reflect current information about permit imprint indicia formats used for international mail.	6-24-2012	22337
264.3	revised to omit wording that includes the phrase “potentially dutiable,” to reflect appropriate wording under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).	6-24-2012	22336
	revised to reflect requirements for international letter-post mailpieces bearing a customs declaration form when the items are paid with a permit imprint.	11-5-2012	22347
265	revised to reflect current information regarding extra services for M-bags.	1-27-2013	22352
272	revised to reflect current eligibility information regarding items marked “Free Matter for the Blind or Physically Handicapped.”	1-27-2013	22352
292	revised in several sections to reflect requirements for international letter-post mailpieces bearing a customs declaration form when the items are paid with a permit imprint.	11-5-2012	22347
292.43	revised in its entirety to reflect sealing and packaging requirements for ISAL mailpieces.	1-27-2013	22352
Exhibit 292.452	revised to reflect that service is temporarily suspended to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.	5-7-2012	22335
	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
293	revised in several sections to reflect requirements for international letter-post mailpieces bearing a customs declaration form when the items are paid with a permit imprint.	11-5-2012	22347
293.43	revised in its entirety to reflect sealing and packaging requirements for IPA mailpieces.	1-27-2013	22352
Exhibit 293.452	revised to reflect that service is temporarily suspended to Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.	5-7-2012	22335
	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
297.2	revised to reflect a new minimum threshold to qualify for a Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) contract.	4-1-2012	22332
Chapter 3, Extra Services
310	revised in its entirety to reflect current mailing standards for certificate of mailing service.	8-6-2012	22341
311.3	revised to reflect current information when using certificate of mailing service and mailing three or more pieces.	1-27-2013	22352
312	revised to reflect a change in title (i.e., removal of “Bulk”).	1-27-2013	22352
312.3	revised to reflect current information regarding fees for certificate of bulk mailing service.	1-27-2013	22352
322.1	revised to reflect current information regarding insurance for Express Mail International shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
322.3	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
323.62 and Exhibit 323.62	revised to reflect a change in the conversion rate between special drawing right (SDR) values and U.S. dollars.	1-1-2013	22349
333.2	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2013	22349
334.13	revised to reflect current procedures for processing Registered Mail items.	1-27-2013	22352
350	revised in its entirety to reflect that restricted delivery service is discontinued.	1-27-2013	22352
371	revised to reflect current information about sending international postal money orders.	1-27-2013	22352
372.2	revised to reflect the current maximum purchase amount per transaction per day for Sure Money service.	12-1-2012	22353
372.3	revised to reflect current fees for Sure Money service.	1-27-2013	22352
	revised to reflect the current maximum purchase amount and fees for Sure Money service.	12-1-2012	22353
381	revised in its entirety to reflect that the U.S. Postal Service has discontinued the sale of international reply coupons, although procedures still exist for the exchange of previously sold coupons.	1-27-2013	22352
Chapter 5, Nonpostal Export Regulations
520	revised throughout to change the term “Proof of Filing Citation (PFC)” to “Internal Transaction Number (ITN),” and the term “Exemption and Exclusion Legend” to “Automated Export System (AES) Exemption.”	11-5-2012	22348
524.21	revised to reflect that mailers shipping goods to Sudan, including “gift parcels or humanitarian donations,” must file export information.	1-27-2013	22352
533.3	revised to change the term “Proof of Filing Citation (PFC)” to “Internal Transaction Number (ITN).”	11-5-2012	22348
Chapter 6, Special Programs
613.3	revised to update the conditions by which the Postal Service may disqualify a wholesaler from the Postal Qualified Wholesaler program.	1-27-2013	22352
620	added to provide information on the new Global Direct Entry (GDE) Wholesaler Program.	8-6-2012	22341
Chapter 7, Treatment of Inbound Mail
775	revised in its entirety to reflect current information regarding return charges for letter-post items.	1-27-2013	22352
Chapter 9, Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds
934.2	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2013	22349
Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
Introductory Text	revised to note the addition of a fifth principal category of international mail (i.e., First-Class Package International Service).	1-27-2013	22352
Footnote 2	revised to include current information regarding First-Class Mail International service and First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
Footnote 4 (Cuba)	revised to replace the phrases “[d]utiable articles” and “[p]otentially dutiable items” with “[a]rticles containing goods,” to reflect appropriate wording under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).	6-24-2012	22336
Country Table	revised in the heading for First-Class Mail International service to also include First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
Timor-Leste	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
Individual Country Listing
Each country that has a Prohibition, Restriction, or Observation regarding First-Class Mail International service	revised to also include a reference to First-Class Package International Service, as needed.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers Express Mail International service	revised to reflect current information regarding the maximum weight for Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers First-Class Mail International service	revised to reflect the removal of packages (small packets) from First-Class Mail International service, and to reflect the availability of First-Class Package International Service for Matter for the Blind.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers First-Class Package International Service	added to show the availability of First-Class Package International Service for all countries except North Korea and Somalia.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers extra services	revised to reflect changes to the fees for international extra services.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers international reply coupon service	revised to reflect that the U.S. Postal Service has discontinued the sale of international reply coupons.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers Registered Mail service	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2013	22349
Each country that offers restricted delivery service	revised to reflect that restricted delivery service is discontinued.	1-27-2013	22352
Belgium	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Brazil	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Observations sections.	6-24-2012	22336
Cameroon	revised to reflect that insurance for Priority Mail International parcel service is not available to Cameroon.	5-7-2012	22333
Cuba	revised to replace the phrase “[p]otentially dutiable items” with “[i]tems containing goods,” to reflect appropriate wording under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).	6-24-2012	22336
Czech Republic	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Denmark	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Germany	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	11-29-2012	22351
Jamaica	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Lebanon	revised to reflect that insurance for Priority Mail International parcel service is not available to Lebanon.	5-7-2012	22333
Montenegro	revised to reflect the availability of insurance for Priority Mail International parcel service to Montenegro.	5-7-2012	22333
Netherlands	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Nicaragua	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Pakistan	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Peru	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Observations sections.	1-27-2013	22354
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Sudan	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	6-24-2012	22336
Thailand	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	6-24-2012	22336
Timor-Leste	revised to add an entry for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste).	6-24-2012	22337
Vietnam	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	8-6-2012	22341