292 International Priority Airmail (IPA) Service

292.1 Description

292.11 General

International Priority Airmail™ (IPA^®) service is available 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 shape-based requirements of First-Class Mail International service (see 240) and First-Class Package International Service items (see 250), and the requirements of this subchapter. Separate prices are provided for International Service Center (ISC) drop shipments, presorted mail, and worldwide nonpresort mail. Volume incentives are available through customized agreements.

292.12 Mail Sealed Against Inspection

With the exception of M-bags (see 261.23), IPA mailpieces are sealed against inspection.

292.13 IPA M-bags

292.131 IPA M-bags — General

IPA M-bags (direct sacks of printed matter to one addressee) may be entered in conjunction with an IPA mailing, are subject to the provisions of 260, and may be sent to all destination countries that are referenced in Exhibit 292.452. When using this method of mail preparation, the sender must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, and PS Tag 158, M–bag Addressee Tag. Tags must be securely attached to the neck of the sack.

292.132 IPA M-bags — Customs Forms

IPA 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.

292.2 Eligibility

292.21 Qualifying Mailpieces

To qualify for IPA service, a mailpiece must meet the First-Class Mail International characteristics as defined in 141.5, or the First-Class Package International Service characteristics as defined in 141.6. Mailpieces do not have to be of the same size and weight to qualify. Any item sent with IPA 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.

292.22 Availability

IPA service is available to all the foreign countries that are as listed in Exhibit 292.452, which shows the price group assigned to each country.

292.23 Minimum Quantity Requirements

292.231 Minimum Quantity

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.

292.232 Presort Eligibility — Full Service

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.

292.233 Presort Eligibility — ISC Drop Shipment

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.

292.24 Dutiable Items

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 IPA service.

292.25 Customs Forms Requirements

For items requiring a PS Form 2976 (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.

292.26 Extra Services

Extra services are not available for items sent with IPA service.

292.3 Prices and Postage Payment Methods

292.31 Prices

IPA 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 292.532, 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 or tray) of the mail for the specific price group. Fractions of a pound are rounded to the next whole pound for postage calculation.

292.32 Computation of Postage

Postage is computed on PS Form 3700, Postage Statement — International Mail.

292.321 Computing Worldwide Nonpresort Prices

Compute postage at the worldwide nonpresort price as follows:

1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing by the applicable per-piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of the entire mailing by the applicable per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.

292.322 Computing Presort Prices

Compute postage at the presorted price as follows:

1. Multiply the number of pieces in the mailing destined for countries in a specific price group by the appropriate per-piece price.
2. Multiply the net weight (in whole pounds) of those pieces by the corresponding per-pound price.
3. Add together the two totals in steps 1 and 2.

292.33 Postage Payment Methods

292.331 General

Postage must be paid by postage meter, permit imprint, or precanceled stamps (see DMM 604).

292.332 Postage Meter

Payments made by postage meter are subject to the following standards:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Drop Shipment of Meter Mail. A mailer who wants to enter meter IPA 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).

292.333 Precanceled Stamps

Payments made by precanceled stamps are subject to the following standards:

1. Piece Price. The same denomination of stamp must be affixed to every piece in the mailing.
2. 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.
3. Postage Endorsement. Each piece must be legibly endorsed with the words “INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY AIRMAIL.”
4. Specifications for Endorsement. The endorsement required in 292.333c 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 is not considered adequate if it is included as part of a decorative design or advertisement.
5. 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.

292.334 Permit Imprint

Mailers may use a permit imprint for mailings that contain identical-weight pieces. Any of the permit imprint formats shown in Exhibit 152.64 is acceptable but must include the “INTL PRIORITY AIRMAIL” rate marking. Postage is calculated as described in 292.32 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.

292.4 Mail Preparation

292.41 Addressing and Return Address

IPA 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.

1. Exception — Canada: IPA 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.
2. Exception — Direct Country Sacks: IPA letter-size and flat-size pieces not requiring a customs form prepared in direct country sacks (see 292.461) 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.

292.42 Marking

292.421 Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mailpieces

The sender should mark “PAR AVION” or “AIR MAIL” on the address side of each piece. Alternatively, the user may use a bordered airmail envelope that contains an “AIR MAIL” endorsement.

292.422 Packages (Small Packets)

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.

292.43 Sealing and Packaging

292.431 Mixed Country and Worldwide Nonpresort Price

All IPA 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.

292.432 Direct Country Price

Mailers must meet the following sealing and packaging standards for IPA mail entered at the direct country price:

1. Letters. Letter-size mailpieces entered at the direct country price must meet one of the following requirements:
1. The sealing and packaging methods for First-Class Mail International service under IMM 244.3 and 244.4.
2. The physical standards of a machinable letter under DMM 201.3.
2. 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.
3. 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.

292.44 Physical Characteristics and Requirements for All Bundles

The following standards apply:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Separation of Bundles. Letter-size and flat-size mail must be bundled separately.
4. Facing of Pieces. All pieces in bundles must be faced in the same direction.

Note: Parcel-size pieces do not require bundling.

292.45 Sortation

292.451 Presort Mailings — General

Follow these steps when preparing IPA presort mail:

1. Full Service.
1. 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 292.44. 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.
2. 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.
2. ISC Drop Shipment — Direct country sacks.
1. 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 292.44. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 IPA 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 292.44. 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.

Note: There are separate preparation requirements for mail to Canada. See 292.47.

292.452 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 IPA service. Bundle labels must contain the following information:

Line 1: Foreign Office of Exchange Code. (See Exhibit 292.452.)

Line 2: Country Labeling Name. (See Exhibit 292.452.)

Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location (City and State).

Example:

VIE AUSTRIA ABC COMPANY WASHINGTON DC

Exhibit 292.452 

IPA Country Price Groups and Foreign Office of Exchange Codes

 

Country Labeling Name	Foreign Office of Exchange Code	Price Group
Afghanistan	KBL	15
Albania	TIA	12
Algeria	ALG	15
Andorra, via Spain	MAD	11
Angola	LAD	15
Anguilla	AXA	13
Antigua and Barbuda	ANU	13
Argentina	BUE	13
Armenia	EVN	15
Aruba	AUA	13
Ascension, via Great Britain	LON	12
Australia 1	SYD	9
Austria	VIE	11
Azerbaijan	BAK	15
Bahamas	NAS	13
Bahrain	BAH	15
Bangladesh	DAC	15
Barbados	BGI	13
Belarus	MSQ	12
Belgium	BRU	11
Belize	BZE	13
Benin	COO	15
Bermuda	SGE	13
Bhutan, via Great Britain	LON	15
Bolivia	LPB	13
Bosnia-Herzegovina	SJJ	12
Botswana	GBE	15
Brazil	CWB	13
British Virgin Islands	RAD	13
Brunei Darussalam	BWN	14
Bulgaria	SOF	12
Burkina Faso	OUA	15
Burma (Myanmar)	RGN	15
Burundi	BJM	15
Cambodia	PNH	14
Cameroon	DLA	15
Canada	See 292.47 Canadian Labeling Information	1
Cape Verde	RAI	15
Cayman Islands	GCM	13
Central African Republic	BGF	15
Chad	NDJ	15
Chile	SCL	13
China	BJS	14
Colombia	BOG	13
Comoros Islands, via France	CDG	15
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the	FIH	15
Congo, Rep. of the	BZV	15
Cook Islands	RAR	11
Costa Rica	SJO	13
Cote d’Ivoire	ABJ	15
Croatia	ZAG	12
Cuba 2	—	13
Curacao (includes Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius)	CUR	13
Cyprus	LCA	15
Czech Republic	PRG	12
Denmark	CPH	11
Djibouti	JIB	15
Dominica	DOM	13
Dominican Republic	SDQ	13
Ecuador	UIO	13
Egypt	CAI	15
El Salvador	SAL	13
Equatorial Guinea	SSG	15
Eritrea	ASM	15
Estonia	TLL	12
Ethiopia	ADD	15
Falkland Islands, via Great Britain	LON	13
Faroe Islands, via Denmark	CPH	12
Fiji	NAN	14
Finland	HEL	11
France 3	CDG	5
French Guiana	CAY	13
French Polynesia	FAA	14
Gabon	LBV	15
Gambia	BJL	15
Georgia, Republic of	TBS	15
Germany	FRA	4
Ghana	ACC	15
Gibraltar	GIB	11
Great Britain (includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and The Isle of Man)	LON	3
Greece	ATH	11
Greenland, via Denmark	CPH	11
Grenada	GND	13
Guadeloupe	PTP	13
Guatemala	GUA	13
Guinea	CKY	15
Guinea-Bissau	OXB	15
Guyana	GEO	13
Haiti	PAP	13
Honduras	TGU	13
Hong Kong	HKG	14
Hungary	BUD	12
Iceland	REK	11
India	DEL	15
Indonesia	JKT	14
Iran 2	—	15
Iraq	BGW	15
Ireland	DUB	11
Israel	TLV	11
Italy	MIL	7
Jamaica	KIN	13
Japan	NRT	10
Jordan	AMM	15
Kazakhstan	ALA	15
Kenya	NBO	15
Kiribati	TRW	14
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of (North), via Hong Kong 2	—	14
Korea, Republic of (South)	SEL	14
Kosovo, Republic of	PRN	12
Kuwait	KWI	15
Kyrgyzstan	FRU	12
Laos	VTE	14
Latvia	RIX	12
Lebanon	BEY	15
Lesotho	MSU	15
Liberia	MLW	15
Libya	TIP	15
Liechtenstein, via Switzerland	ZRH	11
Lithuania	VNO	12
Luxembourg	LUX	11
Macao	MFM	12
Macedonia	FRA	12
Madagascar	TNR	15
Malawi	LBE	15
Malaysia	KUL	14
Maldives	MLE	15
Mali	BKO	15
Malta	MAR	15
Martinique	FDF	13
Mauritania	NKC	15
Mauritius	MRU	15
Mexico	MEX	2
Moldova	KIV	15
Monaco	MON	5
Mongolia	ULN	14
Montenegro	TGD	13
Montserrat	MNI	13
Morocco	CAS	15
Mozambique	MPM	15
Namibia	WDH	15
Nauru	INU	14
Nepal	KTM	14
Netherlands	AMS	8
New Caledonia	NOU	14
New Zealand 4	AKL	11
Nicaragua	MGA	13
Niger	NIM	15
Nigeria	LOS	15
Norway	OSL	11
Oman	MCT	15
Pakistan	ISB	15
Panama	PTY	13
Papua New Guinea	BOR	14
Paraguay	ASU	13
Peru	LIM	13
Philippines	MNL	14
Pitcairn Island, via New Zealand	AKL	14
Poland	WAW	12
Portugal (includes Azores and Madeira Islands)	LIS	11
Qatar	DOH	15
Reunion	RUN	15
Romania	BUH	12
Russia	MOW	12
Rwanda	KGL	15
Saint Christopher and Nevis	SKB	13
Saint Helena, via Great Britain	LON	15
Saint Lucia	SLU	13
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, via Canada	See 292.47 Canadian Labeling Information	13
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines	KTN	13
San Marino, via Italy	MIL	11
Sao Tome and Principe, via Portugal	LIS	12
Saudi Arabia	DMM	15
Senegal	DKR	15
Serbia, Republic of	BEG	12
Seychelles	SEZ	15
Sierra Leone	FNA	15
Singapore	SIN	14
Sint Maarten	SXM	13
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)	BTS	12
Slovenia	LJU	12
Solomon Islands	HIR	14
Somalia	Service Suspended	15
South Africa	JNB	15
Spain (includes Canary Islands)	MAD	11
Sri Lanka	CMB	15
Sudan 2	—	15
Suriname	PBM	13
Swaziland	MTS	15
Sweden	STO	11
Switzerland	ZRH	6
Syria 2	—	15
Taiwan	TPE	14
Tajikistan	DYU	15
Tanzania	DAR	15
Thailand	BKK	14
Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of	DIL	14
Togo	LFW	15
Tonga	TBU	14
Trinidad and Tobago	POS	13
Tristan da Cunha, via South Africa	JNB	15
Tunisia	TUN	15
Turkey	IST	12
Turkmenistan	ASB	12
Turks and Caicos Islands	GDT	13
Tuvalu, via Fiji	NAN	14
Uganda	KLA	15
Ukraine	IEV	15
United Arab Emirates	DXB	15
Uruguay	MVD	13
Uzbekistan	TAS	15
Vanuatu	VLI	14
Vatican City	VAT	11
Venezuela	CCS	13
Vietnam	SGN	14
Wallis and Futuna Islands, via New Caledonia	NOU	14
Western Samoa	APW	14
Yemen	SAH	15
Zambia	LUN	15
Zimbabwe	HRE	15
1 At the mailer’s option, a finer sortation for IPA items addressed to Australia may be used. If this option is chosen, items addressed with postal codes beginning with 0, 1, 2, 4, and 9 and uncoded mail should be sorted and packaged to Sydney. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Sydney as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code (“SYD”) and the country name (“Australia”) should be entered in the “To” block of PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), or of the February 2013 edition of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail. Items addressed with postal codes beginning with 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 should be sorted and packaged to Melbourne. Direct country sacks should be tagged to Melbourne as well. Both the three-letter exchange office code (“MEL”) and the country name (“Australia”) should be entered in the “To” block of PS Tag 178 or of the February 2013 edition of PS Tag 115. 2 Service temporarily suspended. 3 For all destinations to France other than Monaco. For Monaco, see the entry for Monaco in this exhibit. 4 For all destinations to New Zealand other than Cook Islands. For Cook Islands, see the entry for Cook Islands in this exhibit.

 

292.453 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail — Bundles

Mailers must bundle letter-size and flat-size pieces as defined in 292.44. 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.

292.46 Sacking Requirements

292.461 Direct Country Sack (3 Pounds or More)

The following standards apply:

1. 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.
2. Direct Country Sack/Container Tags Issued Before February 2013. For each direct country sack, the mailer must do the following:
1. Complete PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), which is a white tag designed to route the sack to a specific country. The mailer must complete the “To” block showing the destination country and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 292.452. 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. Postal Service personnel — not the mailer — must complete the blocks for date, weight, and dispatch information.
2. Complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, which is a pink tag that identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. On the back of PS Tag 115, the mailer must specify the price group as listed in Exhibit 292.452.
3. Attach both PS Tag 178 and PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
3. Direct Country Sack Tags Issued February 2013. For each direct country sack, the mailer must do the following:
1. Complete both sides of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 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 292.452, and the price group as listed in Exhibit 292.452. Also, 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 destination office of exchange, 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 number and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing.
2. Attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
4. Direct Country Sack Label. Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 292.532 are not required to prepare sack labels. Mailers who claim the full-service price must complete sack labels as follows (see Exhibit 292.461 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:

ISC NEW YORK NY 003 ipa — DRX country ABC STORE ALBANY NY

Exhibit 292.461 

Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices (Full-service only)

 

IPA 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

292.462 Mixed Country Sacks (5 Pounds or More — ISC Drop Shipment Only)

The following standards apply:

1. 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.
2. Mixed Country Sack Tags Issued Before February 2013. The mailer must affix PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, to mixed country sacks. PS Tag 115 identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115.

 

3. Mixed Country Sack Tags Issued February 2013. For each mixed country sack, the mailer must do the following:
1. Complete both sides of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 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 292.452 followed by the word “Mixed” (e.g., “14–Mixed”). 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.
2. Attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.

292.463 Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sacks

The following standards apply:

1. 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.

2. Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack Tags Issued Before February 2013. The mailer must affix PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, to worldwide nonpresort sacks. PS Tag 115 identifies the mail to ensure it receives priority handling. The mailer must specify “WW” (for “worldwide”) on the back of PS Tag 115.
3. Worldwide Nonpresort Mail Sack/Container Tags Issued February 2013. For each worldwide nonpresort mail sack/container, the mailer must do the following:
1. Complete both sides of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 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 292.452, 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.
2. Attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
4. Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Label. Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 292.532 are not required to prepare sack labels. Mailers who claim the full service price must complete sack labels as follows (see Exhibit 292.461 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:  

ISC MIAMI FL 33112 IPA — WKG ABC COMPANY MIAMI FL

292.47 Mail Preparation for Canada

Mailers must sack separately items bearing customs forms from items not bearing customs forms. Mailers must prepare letter-size, flat-size, and package-size items destined to Canada in separate containers as defined in items a through c. To qualify for the presort price, the same eligibility requirements apply as for full service (see 292.232) or ISC drop shipment (see 292.233). If the total mailing contains less than 3 pounds of mail for Canada, then the mail qualifies only for the worldwide nonpresort price but may be included with mail for other countries. Mailings that exclusively contain worldwide nonpresort mail to Canada must have a 50-pound minimum, and mailers must prepare them under 292.453 and 292.463. Mailers must prepare presorted IPA mail (full-service price and ISC drop shipment price) to Canada as follows:

1. Letter-Size and Flat-Size Mail. For each direct country tray of letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
1. Mail Preparation. Prepare letter-size items in letter trays, either 1–foot or 2-foot, depending on volume. Prepare flat-size items in flat trays. 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”) all letter-size and flat-size trays and secure them with strapping. Do not prepare the content of trays in bundles.
2. Tray Tags for Tags Issued Before February 2013. The mailer must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, and must write “Canada” on the front side of the tag, In addition, the mailer 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 tray. To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov. Finally, the mailer must tape PS Tag 115 to the tray sleeve.
3. Tray Tags for Tags Issued February 2013. The mailer must complete both sides of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 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 tray contains items with or without customs forms, indicate the destination country as “Canada,” indicate the price group as “1,” and enter the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 292.47. In addition, mailers 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 tray number and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing. Finally, the mailer must tape the PS Tag 115 to the tray sleeve.
2. Packages. For each direct country tray of letter-size or flat-size mail, the mailer must do the following:
1. Mail Preparation. Prepare package-size items (i.e., items that cannot be prepared in trays because of their size or shape) loose in sacks.
2. Sack Tags for Tags Issued Before February 2013. On PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), the mailer must write “Canada” in the “To” block of the tag. On PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, the mailer must write “Canada” on the back of the tag and must apply to PS Tag 115 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. Finally, the mailer must affix both PS Tag 178 and PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
3. Sack Tags for Tags Issued February 2013. The mailer must complete both sides of PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, 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 tray contains items with or without customs forms, indicate the destination country as “Canada,” indicate the price group as “1,” and enter the date of mailing, the 10-digit permit number, and the foreign office of exchange code as listed in Exhibit 292.47. In addition, mailers 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 number and the total number of sacks/containers in the mailing. Finally, the mailer must attach PS Tag 115 to the neck of the sack.
3. Direct Country Container Label. Mailers who claim the ISC drop shipment price and enter their mail at an authorized drop shipment location under 292.532 are not required to use container labels. Mailers who claim the full-service price must complete labels for containers (letter trays, flat trays, or sacks) as follows (see Exhibit 292.47 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., IPA)

Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

Example:

MONTREAL QC FWD 003 IPA ABC COMPANY NEW YORK NY

 

Exhibit 292.47 

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 IPA letters and flats: TOR. For IPA packages: 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 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.

292.5 Mail Entry and Deposit

292.51 Separation by Price Group

The mailer must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing as indicated on the sack/container tag.

292.52 Full Service

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.

292.53 Drop Shipment

292.531 General

To qualify for the drop shipment price, mailers must present the mail to one of the locations in 292.532. 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.

292.532 Drop Shipment Locations

Drop shipments are available through the offices noted in Exhibit 292.532.

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 292.532 

IPA Drop Shipment Locations

 

State	Facility
California	LOS ANGELES ISC US POSTAL SERVICE 5800 w century blvd los angeles ca 90009-9998 SAN FRANCISCO ISC US POSTAL SERVICE 660 W FIELD RD SAN FRANCISCO CA 94128-3161
Florida	MIAMI ISC 1 US POSTAL SERVICE 11698 NW 25TH ST MIAMI FL 33112-9997 MIAMI PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION CTR 2 US POSTAL SERVICE 2200 NW 72ND AVE MIAMI FL 33152-9997
Illinois	JT WEEKER ISC US POSTAL SERVICE 11600 W IRVING PARK RD CHICAGO IL 60666-9998
New York	JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT MAIL CTR US POSTAL SERVICE JOHN F KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BLDG 250 JAMAICA NY 11430-9998

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