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2 Conditions for Mailing > 290 Commercial Services > 293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service
International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®) service is a bulk mailing system that provides fast, economical international delivery of First-Class Mail International and First-Class Package International Service items. The price is lower than for First-Class Mail International service and First-Class Package International Service. ISAL shipments are flown to the foreign destinations and entered into that country’s surface or nonpriority mail system for delivery. Separate prices are provided for International Service Center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and nonpresorted mail. Volume incentives are available through customized agreements.
With the exception of M-bags (see 261.23), ISAL mailpieces are sealed against inspection.
ISAL M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be entered in conjunction with an ISAL mailing, are subject to the provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in Exhibit 293.452. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, and PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the sack.
293.132 ISAL M-bags — Customs Forms
ISAL M-bags always require a fully completed PS Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request information about either of these software solutions, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.
To qualify for ISAL service, a mailpiece must meet the First-Class Mail International characteristics as defined in 141.5, or the First-Class Package International Service characteristicas as defined in 141.6. Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with ISAL service must conform to the weight and size limits for First-Class Mail International postcards, letters or large envelopes (flats) as described in 240, or for First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets) as described in 250.
ISAL service is available to all the foreign countries that are listed in Exhibit 293.452, 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 3 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 3 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 ISAL service.
For items requiring a customs form (see 123.61), mailers must electronically transmit customs data by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. To request information about either of these software solutions, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.
Extra services are not available for items sent with ISAL service.
ISAL service has two price options: a presort price with 15 price groups and a worldwide nonpresort price. Both options offer full-service prices for mail deposited at offices other than the drop shipment offices listed in 293.532, and drop shipment prices for mail deposited at one of the drop shipment offices. The per-piece price and per-pound price are shown in Notice 123, Price List. 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) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.
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 Notice 123, Price List, 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 SURFACE AIR LIFT” or ”ISAL.”
- 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 applicable First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service single-piece price.
- Drop Shipment of Meter Mail. A mailer who wants to enter meter ISAL 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 SURFACE AIR LIFT” or ”ISAL.”
- Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in 293.333c 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 applicable First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service single-piece price.
Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical-weight pieces. Any of the permit imprint formats shown in 152.64 is acceptable but must include the “INTL SURFACE AIR LIFT” rate marking. Postage is calculated as described in 293.32 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.
ISAL 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: ISAL items destined for Canada must have the applicable alphanumeric postcode included in the delivery address. See 122.1j for the address formatting requirements that generally apply to mailpieces sent to Canada.
- Exception — Direct Country Sacks: ISAL letter-size and flat-size pieces not requiring a customs form prepared in direct country sacks (see 293.461) 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 “INTERNATIONAL SURFACE AIR LIFT” or “ISAL” on the address side of each piece. Use of bordered airmail envelopes is prohibited.
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.
All ISAL 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, and for First-Class Package International Service under IMM 254.3 and 254.4.
Mailers must meet the following sealing and packaging standards for ISAL mail entered at the direct country price:
- Letters. 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.
- Flats. Flat-size mailpieces 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.
- Small Packets. Package-size mailpieces (small packets) entered at the direct country price must meet the sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Package International Service under IMM 254.3 and 254.4.
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.
Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.
- Full Service.
- Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered at the worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.
- Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
- ISC Drop Shipment — Direct country sacks.
- Mail that is addressed to an individual country and that contains 3 pounds or more must be sorted into direct country sacks. Mail that cannot be made up into direct country sacks must be prepared and entered at the mixed country or worldwide nonpresort price. Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.
- Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms. Each type of sack must individually meet the 3-pound minimum to qualify.
- ISC Drop Shipment — Mixed country sacks. Mixed county sacks can be prepared only after all possible direct country sacks have been prepared. Only countries in price groups 11–15 are eligible for mixed country sack pricing — see Notice 123, Price List, for the ISAL price group for each country. Mailers must prepare mixed country sacks for items that contain 5 pounds or more and that are destined for an individual country within the same price group. 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. Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack.
293.452 Presorted Mail — Direct Country Bundle Label
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed country sacks require a label (facing slip). Mailers must complete the label and place it on the address side of the top piece of each bundle in such a manner that it will not become separated from the bundle. The pressure-sensitive labels and optional endorsement lines used domestically for presort mail are prohibited for ISAL service. Bundle labels must contain the following information:
Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See Exhibit 293.452.)
Line 2: Country Labeling Name. (See Exhibit 293.452.)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location (City and State).
Example:
VIE
AUSTRIA
ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC
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Exhibit 293.452
ISAL Country Price Groups and Foreign Office of Exchange Codes
Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44. Letters and flats must be bundled separately, although nonidentical pieces may be commingled within each of these categories. Parcel-size pieces that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics must be placed loose in the sack. Labels (facing slips) are not required on any bundles.
The following standards apply:
- General. Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms. When there are 3 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 3-pound minimum, provided items bearing customs forms are sacked separately from items not bearing customs forms. The maximum weight of the sack and contents must not exceed 66 pounds.
- Direct Country Sack Tags Issued Before February 2013. For each direct country sack, the mailer must do the following:
- Complete both sides of PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag, the mailer must identify the destination country and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 293.452. On the back of the tag, the mailer must specify the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.452. In addition, mailers must apply to the tag a barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the service type code, the receptacle type, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial number of the sack. To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e–mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.
- Attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
- Direct Country Sack Tags Issued February 2013. For each direct country sack, the mailer must do the following:
- Complete both sides of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag, the mailer must check the appropriate box to indicate if the sack contains items with or without customs forms, identify the destination country, and enter the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 293.452, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.452. In addition, the mailer must apply to the front side of the tag a barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the service type code, the receptacle type, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial number of the sack. To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov. On the reverse side of the tag, the mailer must indicate the sack/container label and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing.
- Attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
- Direct Country Sack Label. Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 are not required to prepare sack labels. Mailers who claim the full-service price must complete sack labels as follows (see Exhibit 293.461 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:
Exhibit 293.461
Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices (Full-service Only)
ISAL Acceptance Office
3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix
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U.S. Exchange Office and Routing Code for Line 1
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005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268, 270–297, 400–418, 420–427, 470–477
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ISC NEW YORK NY 003
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006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347, 349–352, 354–399
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ISC MIAMI FL 33112
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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
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ISC CHICAGO IL 60290
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590–599, 800–816, 820–838, 840–847, 893–895, 897–898, 937–961, 970–986, 988–999
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ISC SAN FRANCISCO CA 94013
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850–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 870–875, 877–884, 889–891, 900–908, 910–928, 930–936
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ISC LOS ANGELES CA 900
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967–969
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P&DC HONOLULU HI 967
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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 Issued Before February 2013. The mailer must affix PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, to mixed country sacks. PS Tag 155 identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify only the price group on the back of PS Tag 155.
- Mixed Country Sack/Container Tags Issued February 2013. For each mixed country sack, the mailer must do the following:
- Complete both sides of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag, the mailer must identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.452 followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g. “14–Mixed”). On the reverse side of the tag, the mailer must indicate the sack/container label and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing.
- Attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
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 Mail Sack/Container Tags Issued Before February 2013. Sack tags for worldwide nonpresort sacks must be labeled with PS Tag 155, Surface Airlift Mail, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify “WW" (for “worldwide”) on the back of PS Tag 155.
- Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Tags Issued February 2013. For each worldwide nonpresort mail sack, the mailer must do the following:
- Complete both sides of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the front of the tag, the mailer must identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 293.452, and must use the abbreviation “WW" (for “worldwide”) for the price group. On the reverse side of the tag, the mailer must indicate the sack/container number and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing.
- Attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
- Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Label. Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 are not required to prepare sack labels. Mailers who claim the full-service price must complete sack labels as follows (see Exhibit 293.461 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:
Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 are not required to use sack labels. Mailers who claim the full-service price must complete sack labels as follows (see Exhibit 293.47 for the list of Canadian Destinations and U.S. Exchange Offices):
Line 1: Canadian Destination, U.S. Exchange Office Code
Line 2: Contents (i.e., ISAL)
Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location
Example:
Exhibit 293.47
Canadian Mail Sack Labeling Information (Full-service Only)
ZIP Code of Entry Post Office *
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Canadian Destination
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U.S.
Exchange
Office Code
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U.S.
Exchange
Office (or ISC)
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Foreign Office of Exchange Code
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005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268, 270–297, 400–418, 420–427, 470–471, 476–477
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MONTREAL QC FWD
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003
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JFK
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YMQ
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006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347, 349–352, 354–399, 723
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MONTREAL QC FWD
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33112
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MIA
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YMQ
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430–469, 472–475, 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, 716–722, 724–731, 733–741, 743–816, 822–831, 840–847, 870–875, 877–885, 893, 897–898
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TORONTO ON FWD
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60290
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ORD
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YTO
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590–599, 820–821, 832–838, 894–895, 937–961, 970–986, 988–999
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VANCOUVER BC FWD
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94013
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SFO
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YVR
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850–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 889–891, 900–908, 910–928, 930–936
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VANCOUVER BC FWD
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90899
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LAX
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YVR
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967–969
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VANCOUVER BC FWD
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96820
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HNL
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YVR
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* The “ZIP Code of Entry Post Office” column is relevant only for mailings claimed at the full-service price (i.e., not drop shipped at an ISC) to determine their Canadian destination and U.S. exchange office code container information.
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The mailer must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing as indicated on the sack/container tag.
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 293.532. 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 offices noted in Exhibit 293.532.
Note: California, Illinois, and New York locations accept both “cleared” mail (mail that has been previously presented and paid for at a BMEU) and “uncleared” mail (mail that has not been previously presented and paid for at a BMEU). For Florida locations, refer to footnotes 1 and 2 for special requirements.
Exhibit 293.532
ISAL Drop Shipment Locations
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