260 Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (M–bags)

261 Description

261.1 General

M-bags are defined as direct sacks of printed matter sent to a single foreign addressee at a single address. There are three types of M-bags:

• Airmail M-bags.
• International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-bags.
• International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-bags.

All M-bags are subject to the following conditions of mailing:

1. Maximum weight of a sack: 66 pounds (including the tare weight of the sack). Lower maximum weights apply to certain countries. See the Individual Country Listings.
2. Availability: All destinations that are referenced in the Individual Country Listings for Airmail M-bags, in Exhibit 292.45 for IPA M-bags, and in Exhibit 293.45 for ISAL M-bags.
3. Identification: PS Tag 158, M–bag Addressee Tag, must be completed and attached to the neck of the sack.
4. Customs Declaration Form: The electronically generated PS Form 2976 must be fully completed and affixed to PS Tag 158.
5. Postage: The applicable postage for Airmail M-bags, International Priority Airmail (IPA), and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) must be affixed to PS Tag 158.
6. Extra services: Certificate of mailing is available. Registry and insurance are not available.

261.2 Eligibility

261.21 Printed Matter

Only printed matter is admissible in M-bags. Articles that meet the definition of “printed matter” include newspapers, magazines, journals, books, sheet music, catalogs, directories, commercial advertising, and promotional matter. “Printed matter” is defined as follows:

1. Papers upon which words, letters, characters, figures, images, or any combinations thereof appear.
2. Papers that do not have the character of a bill or statement of account.
3. Papers that do not have the character of current and personal correspondence.

261.22 Mail Not Sealed Against Inspection

M-bags are not sealed against inspection. Regardless of physical closure, the mailing of an M-bag, including an airmail, IPA, or ISAL M-bag, constitutes consent by the mailer to inspection of the contents.

261.3 Availability

See Exhibit 261.3 for a list of countries for which M-bag service is not available.

Countries that are not listed in Exhibit 261.3 have M-bag service available. See each Individual Country Listing for the Airmail M-bag price group, and for prices, see Notice 123, Price List.

Exhibit 261.3 

Countries For Which M-Bag Service Is Not Available