ARCHIVED IMM - JAN 27, 2013

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, Mbag 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.
  4. 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

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

Netherlands Antilles

CUR 4

13

SXM 5

13

New Caledonia

NOU

14

New Zealand 6

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

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). 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.

2 Service temporarily suspended.

3 For all destinations to France other than Monaco. For Monaco, see the entry for Monaco in this exhibit.

4 Includes Bonaire and Curacao.

5 Includes Saba and Saint Eustatius.

6 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 Tags. 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 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. 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 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):
  4. 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. 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.  

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.
  2. Note: Working bundles of mixed country mail cannot be enclosed in mixed country sacks.

  3. Worldwide Nonpresort Sack Tags. 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.
  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):
  5. 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. 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. In addition, the mailer must complete PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, must write “Canada” on the front side of the tag, and must tape the tag to the tray sleeve. 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 destination office of exchange, and the serial number of the tray. To request technical specifications for the barcode, send an e-mail to globalbusiness-sales@usps.gov.
  2. Packages. Prepare package-size items (i.e., items that cannot be prepared in trays because of their size or shape) loose in sacks. Affix PS Tag 178, Airmail Bag Label LC (CN 35/AV 8) (white), to the neck of the sack and write “Canada” in the “To” block of the tag. In addition, affix PS Tag 115, International Priority Airmail, to the neck of the sack and write “Canada” on the back of the tag. 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 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.
  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 identify each container (letter tray, flat tray, or sack) to show the Canadian destination, followed by the U.S. exchange office code, and the content, as defined in Exhibit 292.47.
  4. Example:

    Line 1: Canadian Destination, U.S. Exchange Office Code

    Line 2: Contents (i.e., IPA)

    Line 3: Mailer, Mailer Location

     

    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)

Optional Destination Code for Barcoded Containers

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 specify the price group on the back of PS Tag 115 (for example, with “1” for Canada or “WW” for worldwide nonpresort) and must physically separate the sacks by price group at the time of mailing.

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

 

 


Note: This facility accepts cleared and uncleared IPA mail.For drop shipment locations of ISAL mail, refer to 293.532.




ARCHIVED IMM - JAN 27, 2013
ARCHIVED IMM - JAN 27, 2013