Summary of Changes

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

Issued July 28, 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 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 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
121.2	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
	revised to reflect revised edition dates for PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	7-28-2013	22367
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 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
123.623	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
123.7	revised throughout to reflect revisions to PS Form 2976 and PS Form 2976-A.	11-5-2012	22348
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
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
	revised to clarify that lithium metal or lithium-ion cells or batteries may not be mailed using GXG service.	2-7-2013	22356
136.1	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
139	added to reflect mailability and preparation requirements for cremated remains (human ashes) mailed internationally.	7-28-2013	22365
141.3	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) shipments.	1-27-2013	22360
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
	revised to add for clarity the corresponding IMM citations that refer to the payment methods for mailing single-piece outbound international items.	5-6-2013	22361
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 First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
	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
Exhibit 213.5	revised to add entries for Curacao and Sint Maarten, and to remove the entry for Netherlands Antilles.	7-28-2013	22365
221.3	revised to reflect the current maximum weight of 4 pounds for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) Flat Rate Envelopes.	1-27-2013	22352
222.4	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
222.5	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
222.71	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
222.8	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
224	revised to reflect preparation requirements for Priority Mail Express International shipments.	7-28-2013	22365
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
232.122	revised to note all the countries to which Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service is available.	7-28-2013	22365, 22367
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
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	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
250	revised from “Reserved” status to reflect current information regarding First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
252.22	revised to note all the countries to which Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service is available.	7-28-2013	22365, 22367
264.3	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
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 preparation requirements for IPA mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
	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
292.46	revised throughout to reflect preparation requirements for IPA mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
292.461	revised to refer to “foreign office of exchange” (rather than “destination office of exchange”) for IPA service.	5-6-2013	22360
292.47	revised in item c to clarify the labeling instructions for full-service IPA containers prepared to Canada.	5-6-2013	22361
	revised to reflect preparation requirements for IPA mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
292.47 and Exhibit 292.47	revised to refer to “foreign office of exchange” (rather than “destination office of exchange”) for IPA service.	5-6-2013	22360
292.51	revised to reflect preparation requirements for IPA mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
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 add entries for Curacao and Sint Maarten, and to remove the entry for Netherlands Antilles.	7-28-2013	22365
293.46	revised throughout to reflect preparation requirements for ISAL mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
293.461	revised to refer to “foreign office of exchange” (rather than “destination office of exchange”) for ISAL service.	5-6-2013	22360
293.47 and Exhibit 293.47	revised to refer to “foreign office of exchange” (rather than “destination office of exchange”) for ISAL service, and to clarify the labeling instructions for full-service ISAL sacks prepared to Canada.	5-6-2013	22360
293.51	revised to reflect reflect preparation requirements for ISAL mailings.	6-3-2013	22363
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 (now Priority Mail Express International) shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
322.3	revised to reflect current information regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express 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
Exhibit 382.6	revised to include an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb).	3-4-2013	22356
382.681	revised to mention the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) first.	3-4-2013	22356
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
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
533.3	revised to change the term “Proof of Filing Citation (PFC)” to “Internal Transaction Number (ITN).”	11-5-2012	22348
	revised to reflect the applicability of the July 2013 edition of PS Form 2976-A.	7-28-2013	22367
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
	revised to update the Postal Qualified Wholesaler program regarding an eligibility criterion.	5-16-2013	22363
620	added to provide information on the new Global Direct Entry (GDE) Wholesaler Program.	8-6-2012	22341
622.1	revised to update the GDE Wholesaler program regarding certain eligibility criteria.	5-16-2013	22363
623.1	revised to update the GDE Wholesaler program regarding a certain eligibility criterion.	5-16-2013	22363
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
941.1c	added to clarify that mailers who are incorrectly assessed return charges for returned letter-post items under IMM 771 may apply for a refund.	4-1-2013	22357
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
Country Table	revised in the heading for First-Class Mail International service to also include First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
Curacao	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
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’s ICL	reorganized to enhance clarity, improve ease-of-use, and increase customers' ability to find information for each country's mailing services. Note, though, that this reorganization reflects no substantive changes.	4-1-2013	22358
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 Priority Mail Express International service — which had been titled “Express Mail International” service until July 28, 2013	revised to reflect current information regarding the maximum weight for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) Flat Rate Envelopes and regarding merchandise insurance for Express Mail International (now Priority Mail Express International) shipments.	1-27-2013	22352
	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
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	revised to add the availability of the new First-Class Package International Service. Note: All countries except North Korea and Somalia offer First-Class Package International Service.	1-27-2013	22352
Each country that offers airmail M–bag service	revised in the price group table to reflect applicable price categories.	5-6-2013	22361
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
	revised to note that Registered Mail service is available with First-Class Package International Service.	7-28-2013	22366
Each country that offers restricted delivery service	revised to reflect that restricted delivery service is discontinued.	1-27-2013	22352
Belarus	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	3-4-2013	22356
Brazil	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	6-3-2013	22362
Canada	revised to reflect a change to the Observations section.	3-4-2013	22356
Curacao	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Finland	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Observations sections.	3-4-2013	22356
Germany	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions section.	11-29-2012	22351
India	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	3-4-2013	22356
Italy	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	1-18-2013	22355
Kenya	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	3-4-2013	22356
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	3-4-2013	22356
Netherlands Antilles	removed (to indicate that it has ceased to exist as a separate entity).	7-28-2013	22365
Norway	revised to reflect a change to the Prohibitions section.	3-4-2013	22356
Peru	revised to reflect changes to the Prohibitions and Observations sections.	1-27-2013	22354
Sint Maarten	added (to indicate that it is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands).	7-28-2013	22365
Ukraine	revised to reflect changes to the Restrictions and Observations sections.	3-4-2013	22356
Uruguay	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	3-4-2013	22356
Vietnam	revised to reflect changes to the Observations section.	8-6-2012	22341