297 International Customized Mail

297.1 Description

International Customized Mail (ICM) service is an international business mail service that is available only pursuant to an ICM service agreement between the Postal Service and a mailer meeting the requirements in 292. The Postal Service provides ICM service on a mailer–specific basis pursuant to the terms and conditions stipulated in a particular ICM service agreement.

297.2 Qualifying Mailers

To qualify for ICM service, a mailer must tender all of its ICM mail to the Postal Service and must be capable, on an annualized basis, of either:

1. Paying at least $2 million in international First-Class Mail International postage (excluding Priority Mail International) to the Postal Service.
2. Tendering at least 600 pieces of non-First-Class Mail International mail to the Postal Service, or paying at least $12,000 in non-First-Class Mail International postage to the Postal Service.

297.3 ICM Service Agreements

Each ICM service agreement must set forth the following:

1. The term of the agreement, including any renewal options.
2. The type of mail to be tendered by the mailer.
3. The destination country or countries.
4. The services to be provided by the Postal Service, including any speed–of–delivery targets.
5. Minimum volume commitments for each service.
6. Postage and method of payment.
7. Weight and size limits.
8. Preparation requirements.
9. Makeup requirements.
10. Any other obligations of either party.
11. The location from which the mailer is required to tender its items to the Postal Service.

297.4 Postal Bulletin Notifications

Within 30 days of entering into an ICM service agreement, the Postal Service must publish the following information about the agreement in the Postal Bulletin:

1. The term of the agreement, including any renewal options.
2. The type of mail involved.
3. The destination country or countries.
4. A brief description of each of the services to be provided by the Postal Service.
5. Minimum volume commitments for each service.
6. A brief description of any worksharing to be performed by the mailer.
7. The agreed–upon rate for each service at the volume level committed to by the mailer.