First-Class Package International Service packages (small packets) are charged postage for each addressed piece according to its weight and price group. For prices, see Notice 123, Price List.
First-Class Package International Service prices are charged per ounce or fraction thereof; any fraction of an ounce is rounded up to the next whole ounce. For example, if a piece weighs 1.2 ounces, the weight (postage) increment is 2 ounces. The minimum postage per addressed piece is that for a piece weighing 1 ounce.
Each Individual Country Listing shows the country-specific price group for First-Class Package International Service. For postage prices, see Notice 123, Price List.
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 253.222, or by the online methods described in 253.231, qualifies for the First-Class Package International Service Commercial Base prices, which are less than First-Class Package International Service retail prices. For prices, see Notice 123, Price List.
An approved mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint under 253.222, or through a registered end-user of a USPS-approved PC Postage product, qualifies for the First-Class Package International Service Commercial Plus prices, which are less than the First-Class Package International Service Commercial Base prices. For prices, see Notice 123, Price List.
To qualify for Commercial Plus pricing, customers must agree to all terms and conditions in a standardized agreement with the Postal Service and tender at least $100,000 per year for international shipping products. For this purpose, “international shipping products” includes any combination of Global Express Guaranteed, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, or First-Class Package International Service items.
Mailers meeting the minimum revenue thresholds under 253.151 must complete an agreement with the Postal Service by contacting their account manager, or USPS Global Business via e-mail at globalcpp@usps.gov, for a commitment agreement form or for additional information.
First-Class Package International Service items may be paid with postage stamps, postage validation imprinter (PVI) labels, postage meter stamps, information-based indicia (IBI), PC Postage service, or permit imprint.
First-Class Package International Service shipments paid with a permit imprint through an advance deposit account are permitted only when requirements for Commercial Base prices or Commercial Plus prices (see 253.222) are followed. Postage paid with a permit imprint is subject to the general conditions in IMM 152.4 and in DMM 604 and 705.
253.222 Permit Imprint — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
A mailer who pays postage with a permit imprint qualifies for the First-Class Package International Service Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices, which are less than First-Class Package International Service retail prices. The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price applies only to the postage portion of First-Class Package International Service prices. In addition, mailers must meet the following requirements:
- 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 https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=internationalvendors. (To request information about either of these software solutions, send an e-mail to globalbusinesssales@ usps.gov.)
- Pay for postage with a permit imprint through an advance deposit account.
- Meet manifesting and permit imprint requirements under IMM 152.4 and DMM 604 and the manifesting requirements under DMM 705.
253.231 Online Prices — Commercial Base or Commercial Plus Prices
For selected destination countries, First-Class Package International Service items qualify for discounted prices (equal to the Commercial Base price or Commercial Plus price) when mailers use one of the following online shipping methods:
- Commercial Base Price: Click-N-Ship service using online postage; registered end-users of USPS-approved PC Postage products using online postage; or Click-N-Ship for Business using metered postage.
- Commercial Plus Price: Registered end-users of an authorized PC Postage vendor.
The Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price is automatically applied to each shipment that uses one of the above postage payment methods. The discount applies only to the postage portion of the First-Class Package International Service price. It does not apply to any other charges or fees, such as Registered Mail service or shipments made under a customized agreement.
First-Class Package International Service items claiming the Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price paid with PC Postage must bear the appropriate price marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the PC Postage indicia. Mailers must place the applicable marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage using one of the following formats:
- Commercial Base Price, Commercial Base Pricing, or ComBasPrice.
- Commercial Plus Price, Commercial Plus Pricing, or ComPlsPrice.
For each addressed mailpiece, refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable Commercial Base or Commercial Plus price.
First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by federal agencies and departments are subject to the same standards under 250 as First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities.
First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by U.S. Postal Service entities are subject to the same standards under 250 as First-Class Package International Service shipments that are entered by nongovernmental entities, except that U.S. Postal Service mailings must bear the G-10 permit indicia prescribed for all Postal Service official mail. See 142.2.
