| Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual > 2 Conditions for Mailing > 290 Commercial Services > 293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service, including ISAL M-bags, is a commercial service designed for volume mailings of all First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, and large envelopes (flats), and for volume mailings of First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets). The sender must prepare mailpieces in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter and with the content-based and shape-based requirements of the applicable service — see 240 for First-Class Mail International items, and see 250 for First-Class Package International Service items. ISAL shipments are typically flown to the foreign destinations (exceptions apply to Canada and Mexico) and are then entered into that country’s surface nonpriority mail system for delivery. Separate prices are provided for international service center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and nonpresort 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 293.45a. 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. ISAL M-bags always require a fully completed electronically generated PS Form 2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158. Mailers must electronically transmit customs declaration information as required under 123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/node/1850. 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 (except for weight — see 293.24) or the First-Class Package International Service characteristics as defined in 141.6 (except for weight — see 293.24). Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with ISAL service must conform to the 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 only to the foreign countries that are listed in Exhibit 293.45a, which shows the foreign office of exchange code and the price group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada, see Exhibit 293.45b. 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 container with a minimum of 2 pounds qualifies for the presort price. All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price. Eligibility for the presort price is as follows: - Direct country price. For price groups 1–19, a minimum of 2 pounds for each container.
- Mixed country price. For price groups 9–14, a minimum of 5 pounds for each price group; for price groups 15–19, a minimum of 5 pounds for each price group prepared under 293.482a, or a minimum of 5 pounds for each sack prepared under 293.482b.
All remaining mail must be prepared and paid at the worldwide nonpresort price. The maximum weight for an ISAL container is 66 pounds. The maximum weight for an individual ISAL item is as follows: - Letter-size item: 3.5 ounces.
- Flat-size item: 17.6 ounces.
- Package-size item: 4.4 pounds.
Dutiable items may be sent in accordance with the applicable rules in this subchapter for First-Class Package International Service only. Priority Mail International items may not be mailed with ISAL service. For items requiring PS Form 2976, mailers must electronically transmit customs declaration information as required under 123.32 by using USPS-produced Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software listed at postalpro.usps.com/node/1850. 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 19 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 container) 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 Containers: ISAL letter-size and flat-size pieces not requiring a customs form prepared in direct country containers (see 293.46 and 293.48) 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. See Exhibit 293.45a for the ISAL foreign office of exchange code and price group assigned to each country. For additional information for Canada, see Exhibit 293.45b. Exhibit 293.45a (p. 1) ISAL Foreign Office of Exchange Codes and Price Groups Country Labeling Name | Foreign Office of
Exchange Code | Price
Group | Albania | TIA | 16 | Algeria | ALG | 19 | Angola | LAD | 19 | Argentina | BUE | 10 | Aruba | AUA | 17 | Australia | SYD | 9 | Austria | VIE | 12 | Bahrain | BAH | 19 | Bangladesh | DAC | 19 | Belgium | BRU | 12 | Belize | BZE | 17 | Benin | COO | 19 | Bolivia | LPB | 17 | Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba | BON | 17 | Brazil | Letter-size: SAO
Flat-size: SAO Package-size: CWB | 10 | Bulgaria | SOF | 16 | Burkina Faso | OUA | 19 | Cameroon | DLA | 19 | Canada | See Canadian Labeling Information in Exhibit 293.45b. | 1 | Central African Republic | BGF | 19 | Chile | SCL | 17 | China | BJS | 14 | Colombia | BOG | 17 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | FIH | 19 | Cook Islands | RAR | 9 | Costa Rica | SJO | 17 | Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | ABJ | 19 | Curacao | CUR | 17 | Czech Republic | PRG | 16 | Denmark | CPH | 12 | Dominican Republic | SDQ | 17 | Ecuador | GYE | 17 | Egypt | CAI | 19 | El Salvador | SAL | 17 | Ethiopia | ADD | 19 | Fiji | NAN | 18 | Finland | HEL | 12 | France (including Corsica and Monaco) | CDG | 5 | French Guiana | CAY | 17 | Gabon | LBV | 19 | Germany | NIA | 4 | Ghana | ACC | 19 | Greece | ATH | 13 | Guatemala | GUA | 17 | Guyana | GEO | 17 | Haiti | PAP | 17 | Honduras | TGU | 17 | Hong Kong | HKG | 11 | Hungary | BUD | 16 | Iceland | REK | 15 | India | BOM | 14 | Indonesia | JKT | 18 | Ireland | AHE | 13 | Israel | TLV | 13 | Italy | MIL | 7 | Jamaica | KIN | 17 | Japan | KWS | 06 | Jordan | AMM | 19 | Kenya | NBO | 19 | Korea, Republic of (South) | SEL | 11 | Kuwait | KWI | 19 | Lebanon | BEY | 19 | Liechtenstein | ZRH | 15 | Luxembourg | LUX | 15 | Madagascar | TNR | 19 | Malaysia | KUL | 18 | Mali | BKO | 19 | Mauritania | NKC | 19 | Mauritius | MRU | 19 | Mexico | MEX | 2 | Morocco | CAS | 19 | Mozambique | MPM | 19 | Netherlands | HAG | 12 | New Zealand * | AKL | 09 | Nicaragua | MGA | 17 | Niger | NIM | 19 | Nigeria | LOS | 19 | Norway | OSL | 12 | Oman | MCT | 19 | Pakistan | KHI | 19 | Panama | PTY | 17 | Papua New Guinea | BOR | 18 | Paraguay | ASU | 17 | Peru | LIM | 17 | Philippines | MNL | 14 | Poland | WAW | 12 | Portugal | LIS | 13 | Qatar | DOH | 19 | Reunion | RUN | 19 | Romania | BUH | 16 | Russia | MOW | 16 | Saudi Arabia | DMM | 19 | Senegal | DKR | 19 | Singapore | SIN | 11 | Sint Maarten | SXM | 17 | Slovak Republic (Slovakia) | BTS | 16 | South Africa | JNB | 14 | Spain (includes Canary Islands) | MAD | 8 | Sri Lanka | CMB | 19 | Suriname | PBM | 17 | Sweden | STO | 12 | Switzerland | ZRH | 12 | Taiwan | TPE | 14 | Tanzania | DAR | 19 | Thailand | BKK | 14 | Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of | DIL | 18 | Togo | LFW | 19 | Trinidad and Tobago | POS | 17 | Tunisia | TUN | 19 | Turkey | IST | 16 | Uganda | KLA | 19 | United Arab Emirates | DXB | 19 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and The Isle of Man) | LAL | 3 | Uruguay | MVD | 17 | Venezuela | MAI | 17 | Yemen | SAH | 19 | Zambia | NLA | 19 | Zimbabwe | HRE | 19 | * For all destinations to New Zealand other than Cook Islands. For Cook Islands, see the entry for Cook Islands in this exhibit. |
Exhibit 293.45b Canadian Mail Container Labeling Information (Full-service Only) ZIP Code of Entry Post Office* | Canadian Destination | U.S.
Exchange
Office Code | U.S.
Exchange
Office (or ISC) | Foreign Office of Exchange Code | 005, 010–089, 100–212, 214–268, 270–297, 400–418, 420–427, 470–471, 476–477 | MONTREAL QC FWD | 003 | JFK | YMQ | 006–009, 298–339, 341–342, 344, 346–347, 349–352, 354–399, 723 | MONTREAL QC FWD | 33112 | MIA | YMQ | 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 | TORONTO ON FWD | 60290 | ORD | For ISAL letter-size: TOR. For ISAL flat-size: YTO. For ISAL package-size: YTO. | 590–599, 820–821, 832–838, 894–895, 937–961, 970–986, 988–999 | VANCOUVER BC FWD | 94013 | SFO | YVR | 850–853, 855–857, 859–860, 863–865, 889–891, 900–908, 910–928, 930–936 | VANCOUVER BC FWD | 90899 | LAX | YVR | 967–969 | VANCOUVER BC FWD | 96820 | HNL | YVR | * The “ZIP Code of Entry Post Office” column is relevant only for a mailing claimed at the full-service price (i.e., not drop shipped at an ISC) to determine its Canadian destination and U.S. exchange office code container information. |
Price groups 1 through 14 may be prepared in direct country containers (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price). Each direct country container must contain at least 2 pounds of mail. The mailer must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items in separate containers as defined in 293.462a through 293.462c. Smaller quantities qualify only for a mixed country price (price groups 9 through 14 only) under 293.47, or for the worldwide nonpresort price under 293.49. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds. The mailer must prepare direct country containers of presorted ISAL mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price) as follows: - Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail. For each direct country container of letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
- Mail Preparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either 1–foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in flat-size trays/tubs. Do not prepare the content of trays in bundles. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same direction. Ensure that all trays are full enough to keep the mail from mixing during transportation. Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all letter-size and flat-size trays and secure them with strapping.
- Container Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate if the container 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 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the service type code, the container type code, the mail contents shape type code, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial number of the container. (To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.) Finally, tape the PS Tag 155 to the tray cover.
- Packages. For each direct country container of package-size items, the mailer must do the following:
- Mail Preparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them loose in sacks.
- Container Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. Check the appropriate box to indicate if the container 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 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a. To the front side of the tag, apply a barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the service type code, the container type code, the shape type code, the foreign office of exchange code, and the serial number of the container. (To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.) Finally, attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
- Direct Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 is not required to prepare container labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price must complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the applicable container label holder) as follows (see Exhibit 293.462 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 (City and State). Example: Exhibit 293.462 Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only) ISAL 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 | 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, 800–816, 820–838, 840–847, 893–895, 897–898, 937–961, 970–986, 988–999 | 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 mailer may prepare price groups 9 through 14 in mixed country containers (ISC drop shipment price) only after all possible direct country containers have been prepared. Each mixed country price group must contain at least 5 pounds of mail that is destined within the same price group. The mailer must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms and must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items in separate containers as defined in 293.472a and 293.472b. Smaller quantities qualify only for the worldwide nonpresort price under 293.49. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds. The mailer must prepare mixed country containers of presorted ISAL mail (ISC drop shipment price) as follows: - Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail. For each mixed country container of letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
- Mail Preparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either 1–foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in flat-size trays/tubs. Bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 293.44, and bundle each country separately. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as defined in 293.473. Cover (i.e., sleeve or lid) all letter-size trays and flat-size trays/tubs and secure them with strapping.
- Container Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, tape PS Tag 155 to the tray cover.
- Packages. For each mixed country container of package-size items, the mailer must do the following:
- Mail Preparation. Prepare package-size items by placing them loose in sacks.
- Container Tags. Complete the front side of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. Identify the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). Finally, attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed country containers require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the label and place it on the address side of the top item 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 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b.) Line 2: Country Labeling Name. (See Exhibit 293.45a.) Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location (City and State). Example: Mailers must prepare price groups 15 through 19 in direct country containers (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price) or mixed country containers (ISC drop shipment price). Each direct country container must contain at least 2 pounds of mail. Each mixed country price group must contain a minimum of 5 pounds when prepared under 293.47, or a minimum of 5 pounds for each sack when sorted under 293.483. Smaller quantities qualify only for the worldwide nonpresort price under 293.49. The mailer must separately containerize items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms. The maximum container weight is 66 pounds. The mailer has two options to prepare direct country or mixed country containers of presorted ISAL mail, as follows: - Prepare mail as described in 293.46 and 293.47, including using letter-size trays for letter-size items, flat-size trays/tubs for flat-size items, and sacks for package-size items.
- Prepare mail in sacks for all processing categories as defined in 293.483 and 293.484.
The mailer may optionally prepare direct country sacks or mixed country sacks of presorted ISAL mail when sacks are used for all processing categories as follows: - Full-Service and ISC Drop Shipment — Direct country sacks.
- Preparation. Mail (letter-size, flat-size, and package-size) that is addressed to an individual country and that contains 2 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 as mixed country sacks or as worldwide nonpresort sacks. The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size items as defined in 293.44. The mailer must bundle letter-size items and flat-size items separately, although nonidentical items may be commingled within each of these categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as defined in 293.473. Place package-size items loose in the sack provided that items bearing customs forms are separated from items not bearing customs forms.
- Container Tags. The mailer must complete the front side of PS Tag 155, International Surface Air Lift, which identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. 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 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 293.45a. To the front side of the tag, the mailer must apply a barcode that indicates the mailer’s permit number, the product code, the service type code, the container type, the shape 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.) Finally, the mailer must attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
- Direct Country Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 is not required to prepare container labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price must complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the applicable container label holder) as follows (see Exhibit 293.483 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 (City and State). Example: Exhibit 293.483 Labeling of ISAL Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices
(Full-service only) ISAL 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 | 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, 800–816, 820–838, 840–847, 893–895, 897–898, 937–961, 970–986, 988–999 | 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 |
- ISC Drop Shipment — Mixed country sacks.
- Mixed country sacks can be prepared only after all possible direct country sacks have been prepared. The mailer must prepare mixed country sacks for items that contain 5 pounds or more and that are destined 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. The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size items as defined in 293.44. The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size items separately, although nonidentical items may be commingled within each of these categories. Face all letter-size items and flat-size items in the same direction and apply a label (facing slip) to the top item as defined in 293.483. Place package-size items that cannot be bundled because of their physical characteristics loose in the sack provided that items bearing customs forms are separated from items not bearing customs forms.
- Container Tags. The mailer must complete the front side 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 293.45a followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “15–Mixed”). Finally, the mailer must attach PS Tag 155 to the neck of the sack.
Only letter-size and flat-size direct country bundles prepared for mixed country sacks require a label (facing slip). The mailer must complete the label and place it on the address side of the top item 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 293.45a or Exhibit 293.45b.) Line 2: Country Labeling Name. (See Exhibit 293.45a.) Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location (City and State). Example: The following standards apply when the mailer prepares worldwide nonpresort ISAL mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price): - General. A mailer claiming any mail at the direct country or mixed country price cannot enclose the mail in worldwide nonpresort sacks. The mailer must bundle letter-size and flat-size mail. All types of mail, including letter-size bundles, flat-size bundles, and loose items, can be commingled in the same sack. Labels (facing slips) are not required on any bundles. Containers other than sacks are not authorized unless other equipment is specified by the acceptance office — for example, the mailer may present nonpresorted letter-size mail in trays if authorized by the acceptance office. The maximum weight of any container is 66 pounds.
- Worldwide Nonpresort Container Label. A mailer who claims the ISC drop shipment price and enters the mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 293.532 is not required to prepare container labels. A mailer who claims the full-service price must complete 2-inch container labels (and insert them into the applicable container label holder) as follows (see Exhibit 293.483 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 (City and State). Example: The mailer must physically separate the containers by price group at the time of mailing as indicated on the 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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