Summary of Changes

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

Issued July 7, 2014

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 July 28, 2013, as noted in PB issue 22365, the entire IMM is revised to reflect the renaming of “Express Mail International” to “Priority Mail Express International,” the renaming of domestic “Express Mail” to “Priority Mail Express,” and the renaming of “Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA)” to “USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA).” Appropriate revisions appear in more than a thousand places throughout the IMM.
• Effective January 26, 2014, as noted in PB issue 22378, the following sections in chapters 1 and 2 are revised to clarify the mailing procedures for privately printed customs forms:

:

123.3	253.222	292.26
223.222	264.3	292.132
233.222	292.132	292.26
243.3

• Effective May 5, 2014, as noted in PB issue 22386 and 22390, the following sections are revised to refer to the International Research Group (which was formerly the International Inquiry Center) and to PS Form 2855, International Claim for Indemnity, rather than to PS Form 1000, Domestic Claim (which was formerly titled Domestic or International Claim):

:

713.612	Exhibit 922.2	931.1	943.1
921.3	922.3	942.1	943.2
921.4	922.4	942.2

• Effective July 7, 2014, as noted in PB issue 22390, the following sections are revised to update various references regarding the mailing of dangerous goods and to clarify mailability standards based on current criteria:

:

131.1	135.31	135.5	138.2
135.11	135.32	136.4	139.2
135.12	135.33	137	Index

 

This chapter, subchapter, part, section, or ICL…	is…	effective…	as noted in Postal Bulletin issue…
Chapter 1, International Mail Services
116	added to list Postal Service trademarks that appear throughout the IMM (in lieu of using the ® and ™ symbols throughout the IMM).	10-7-2013	22371
123.1	revised to reflect revised edition dates for PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	7-28-2013	22367
	revised in its entirety to reflect current information including about PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
123.61	revised in items a and c to reflect current information including about PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
Exhibit 123.61	revised in the “Priority Mail Express International Items” section to add a reference to PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
123.623	revised to reflect new eligibility standards for items that can be mailed under the “known mailer” standards without a customs declaration form.	7-28-2013	22366
Exhibits 123.711a and b	revised to show images from the July 2013 edition of PS Form 2976.	7-28-2013	22367
123.712	revised to clarify that any item bearing a retail customs form that is not accepted by an authorized employee will be returned to the sender.	7-28-2013	22365
Exhibits 123.721a, b, and c	revised to show images from the July 2013 edition of PS Form 2976A.	7-28-2013	22367
123.722	revised to clarify that any item bearing a retail customs form that is not accepted by an authorized employee will be returned to the sender.	7-28-2013	22365
123.73	revised to reflect current information including about PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
134.3	added to provide information regarding the mailing of rough diamonds (with current 134.3 renumbered as 134.4).	1-26-2014	22375
139	added to reflect mailability and preparation requirements for cremated remains (human ashes) mailed internationally.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to reflect current packaging and shipping requirements for cremated remains.	7-7-2014	22390
152.63	revised to provide additional options for mailers to meet the minimum requirements for certain international mailpieces paid by permit imprint.	7-28-2013	22365
152.64	revised to add indicia formats for Priority Mail Express International service, and to note the expiration date for using indicia formats for Express Mail International service.	7-28-2013	22365
Chapter 2, Conditions for Mailing
Throughout Chapter 2	revised throughout the entire chapter to reflect changes to prices and standards for the international shipping services.	1-26-2014	22378
Exhibit 213.5	revised to add entries for Curacao and Sint Maarten, and to remove the entry for Netherlands Antilles.	7-28-2013	22365
222.4	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	1-26-2014	22375
Exhibit 222.4	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	1-26-2014	22375
222.5	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	1-26-2014	22375
224	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	1-26-2014	22375
232.122	revised to note all the countries to which Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service is available.	7-28-2013	22365, 22367
	revised in Exhibit 232.122 to indicate a temporary suspension of Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service to Brazil, Denmark, France, Gibraltar, Italy, Luxembourg, and Portugal.	6-12-2014	22391
232.52	revised to codify who is eligible for Priority Mail International Regional Rate Box prices.	9-3-2013	22370
232.81	revised to reflect the standards for insurance liability payments for Priority Mail International ordinary and insured parcels that have been lost or have been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents.	1-1-2014	22376
Exhibit 232.83	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limits for ordinary Priority Mail International parcels.	1-1-2014	22375
242.42	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	4-7-2014	22384
244.2	revised in item b to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	4-7-2014	22384
244.4	revised to add glue as an option to secure the open sides of First-Class Mail International letter-size and flat-size mailpieces.	11-4-2013	22373
252.22	revised to note all the countries to which Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service is available.	7-28-2013	22365, 22367
	revised in Exhibit 252.22 to indicate a temporary suspension of Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service to Brazil, Denmark, France, Gibraltar, Italy, Luxembourg, and Portugal.	6-12-2014	22391
252.52	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	4-7-2014	22384
254.2	revised in item b to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
270	revised in its entirety to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
292.233	revised in its entirety to reflect current information for IPA service.	1-26-2014	22383
Exhibits 292.45a and 292.45b — which had been designated as “Exhibit 292.452” and “Exhibit 292.47” until January 26, 2014	revised to add entries for Curacao and Sint Maarten, to remove the entry for Netherlands Antilles, and to update the footnote number for New Zealand.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to update the foreign office of exchange code for IPA items sent to Mauritius.	9-3-2013	22366
	revised to update the foreign office of exchange code for IPA items sent to Great Britain.	9-3-2013	22367
	revised to update the foreign office of exchange codes for IPA items sent to Ascension, Bhutan, Falkland Islands, and Saint Helena.	11-4-2013	22373
	revised in Exhibit 292.45b to reflect the current foreign office of exchange code for containers of IPA flat-size items to Canada.	5-5-2014	22386
292.481	revised in the third sentence to reflect current information for IPA service.	1-26-2014	22383
292.483	revised in the title to reflect current information for IPA service.	1-26-2014	22383
293.233	revised in its entirety to reflect current information for ISAL service.	1-26-2014	22383
Exhibits 293.45a and 293.45b — which had been designated as “Exhibit 293.452” and “Exhibit 293.47” until January 26, 2014	revised to add entries for Curacao and Sint Maarten, and to remove the entry for Netherlands Antilles.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to update the foreign office of exchange codes for ISAL items sent to France and Mauritius.	9-3-2013	22366
	revised to update the foreign office of exchange codes for ISAL items sent to Great Britain.	9-3-2013	22367
	revised in Exhibit 293.45b to reflect the current foreign office of exchange code for containers of ISAL flat-size items to Canada.	5-5-2014	22386
293.481	revised in the third sentence to reflect current information for ISAL service.	1-26-2014	22383
293.483	revised in the title to reflect current information for ISAL service.	1-26-2014	22383
Chapter 3, Extra Services
323.1	revised to reflect the standards for insurance liability payments for Priority Mail International ordinary and insured parcels that have been lost or have been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents.	1-1-2014	22376
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.	1-1-2014	22375
333.2	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2014	22375
334.32	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	4-7-2014	22384
334.42	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
335	revised to reflect the standards for insurance liability payments for Registered Mail items that have been lost or have been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents.	1-1-2014	22376
372.2a	revised to indicate that the maximum purchase amount per day is $1,500.	1-26-2014	22378
372.3 and Exhibit 372.3	revised to indicate that the maximum purchase amount, refund amount, and change of payee amount per day is $1,500	1-26-2014	22378
372.5	revised to note that Sure Money (DineroSeguro) service to Argentina is temporarily suspended.	10-28-2013	22375
Chapter 4, Treatment of Outbound Mail
440 (with previous 440 renumbered as 450)	added to establish what actions the Postal Service will take when an air carrier refuses an international mailpiece.	9-3-2013	22368
Chapter 5, Nonpostal Export Regulations
524.1	revised to update various mailing standards consistent with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Regulations.	6-2-2014	22388
524.21	revised to update various mailing standards consistent with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Regulations.	6-2-2014	22388
524.22	revised in item 1 to reflect an updated Internet address for the AESDirect Web site.	9-3-2013	22369
526.2	revised to update various mailing standards consistent with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Regulations.	6-2-2014	22388
527	revised in items a and d to reflect the applicability of the July 2013 editions of PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	7-28-2013	22367
	revised in its entirety to reflect current information including about PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
533.3	revised to reflect the applicability of the July 2013 edition of PS Form 2976-A.	7-28-2013	22367
	revised in its entirety to reflect current information including about PS Form 2976-B.	9-3-2013	22368
541.11	revised with minor updates regarding the exporting of defense articles, including an update to the Internet address for the U.S. Department of State.	6-2-2014	22388
560	revised to provide information regarding the mailing of rough diamonds. (Previously, 560 was “Reserved.”)	1-26-2014	22375
Chapter 6, Special Programs
622.2	revised to reflect the new mailing address for applications and to change the title of “manager of Regional Business Development” to “manager of Global Direct Entry.”	11-14-2013	22376
622.3	revised to change the title of “manager of Regional Business Development” to “manager of Global Direct Entry.”	11-14-2013	22376
623.1	revised to remove the following reason for the Postal Service to disqualify a GDE wholesaler: that the wholesaler, a subsidiary, an affiliate, an agent, or a company of the wholesaler operates or participates in the equivalent of a GDE Wholesaler Program that is in direct competition with the Postal Service.	11-14-2013	22376
	revised to clarify that the Postal Service will disqualify a Global Direct Entry (GDE) participant as a wholesaler if it is listed in the System of Award Management (SAM) Exclusions Extract.	6-2-2014	22388
Chapter 7, Treatment of Inbound Mail
Exhibit 711.62	revised to reflect current information for U.S. Customs Service locations.	9-3-2013	22369
713.11	revised to clarify that the envelope applied to inbound dutiable mail is issued by Customs and Border Protection.	10-7-2013	22371
Chapter 9, Inquiries, Indemnities, and Refunds
922.2 and Exhibit 922.2	revised to reflect the standards for insurance liability payments for Registered Mail items and for Priority Mail International ordinary and insured parcels that have been lost or have been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents.	1-1-2014	22376
Exhibit 922.2	revised to indicate how customers file claims for GXG items that are returned to sender and that might have damaged or missing contents.	7-7-2014	22391
930	revised in several sections (931.22, 933.11, 933.12, 933.14, 934.11, 934.13, and 934.14) to reflect the standards for insurance liability payments for Registered Mail items and for Priority Mail International ordinary and insured parcels that have been lost or have been delivered in damaged condition or with missing contents.	1-1-2014	22376
934.2	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2014	22375
941.32	revised in its entirety to reflect new contact information for mailers requesting postage refunds from foreign countries.	3-3-2014	22382
Index of Countries and Localities
Throughout	revised to reflect the current names of certain countries and to delete certain country names that are no longer current.	5-5-2014	22386
Tokelau	revised to reflect the current information for Tokelea.	7-7-2014	22390
Country Price Groups and Weight Limits
Curacao	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Mexico	revised to reflect that the weight limit for Priority Mail Express International items and Priority Mail International items is 70 pounds.	1-26-2014	22378
Netherlands Antilles	removed (to indicate that it has ceased to exist as a separate entity).	7-28-2013	22365
Sint Maarten	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Individual Country Listing
Each country that offers Priority Mail Express International service — which had been titled “Express Mail International” service until July 28, 2013	revised to rename “Express Mail International” to “Priority Mail Express International,” and to add a note to the “Customs Forms Required” table about preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	1-26-2014	22375
Each country that offers Free Matter for the Blind service	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
Each country that offers Registered Mail service	revised to note that Registered Mail service is available with First-Class Package International Service.	7-28-2013	22366
	revised to reflect changes to the indemnity limit for Registered Mail items.	1-1-2014	22375
	revised to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	3-3-2014	22382
Azerbaijan	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	4-7-2014	22384
Belarus	revised to reflect a change to the Restrictions section.	1-26-2014	22376
Belgium	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	4-7-2014	22384
Bhutan	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	9-3-2013	22368
Brazil	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	3-3-2014	22382
Canada	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	1-26-2014	22376
Cayman Islands	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Observations sections.	3-3-2014	22382
China	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions and Observations sections.	10-7-2013	22371
Curacao	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Ecuador	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	1-26-2014	22378
Great Britain and Northern Ireleand	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	9-3-2013	22368
Greece	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	9-3-2013	22368
Iran	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	9-3-2013	22368
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North Korea)	revised in the second preliminary note to reflect current information for Free Matter for the Blind service.	4-7-2014	22384
Kyrgyzstan	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions section.	10-7-2013	22371
Laos	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	1-26-2014	22376
Mexico	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Observations sections.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect that the weight limit for Priority Mail Express International items and Priority Mail International items is 70 pounds.	1-26-2014	22378
Moldova	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	4-7-2014	22384
Netherlands Antilles	removed (to indicate that it has ceased to exist as a separate entity).	7-28-2013	22365
Peru	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	9-3-2013	22368
Qatar	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	1-26-2014	22376
Russia (Russian Federation)	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	10-7-2013	22371
Sint Maarten	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Turkey	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Restrictions sections.	9-3-2013	22368
Ukraine	revised to reflect a change to the Restrictions section.	9-3-2013	22368
	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	4-7-2014	22384
Uruguay	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	7-7-2014	22390
Uzbekistan	revised to reflect a changes to the Prohibitions section.	9-3-2013	22368
Venezuela	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions and Observations sections, and to the Priority Mail Express International section.	1-26-2014	22376