[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 107 (Friday, June 5, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26959-26962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13078]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 20
Customs Label Requirements When Mailing Items Internationally
AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service has revised its customs label requirements
when mailing items internationally. This revision will comply with the
Universal Postal Union (UPU) Letter Post Regulations.
DATES: Effective Date: July 1, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klutts, 813-877-0372.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is revising Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail
Manual (IMM[supreg]) part 123 and sections 217.3, 232.4, 244.5, and 276
to comply with Article RL 152.5 of the Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Letter Post Regulations. Under that provision, all small packet items
must bear customs declarations CN 22 (PS Form 2976) or CN 23 (PS Form
2976-A), depending on value and regardless of whether the items are
ordinarily subject to customs control in the destination country. Small
packets are Letter Post items that are not letters, cards, or flats,
and that typically contain merchandise or other goods.
In terms of Postal Service products, the small packet category
includes package-size First-Class Mail InternationalTM items
and the Priority Mail[supreg] Small Flat-Rate Box, as well as certain
Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelopes meeting specific physical
characteristics. We clarify that all such items, regardless of contents
or value, must bear a PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22--Sender's
Declaration. Current Postal Service standards only require a customs
declaration for package-size First-Class Mail International items that
contain potentially dutiable contents.
This change also applies to ``known mailers'', as defined in IMM
123.62, who send documents weighing 16 ounces or more. With these
revisions, only mailpieces that meet the physical characteristic of a
letter or flat may qualify--small packet items must bear a PS Form
2976.
For customer convenience, this change allows the Priority Mail
Flat-Rate Envelopes containing only non-dutiable document contents
weighing less than 16 ounces, and that are flat-size (no more than \3/
4\ inch thick and uniformly thick), to be mailed without a PS Form
2976. However, a customs declaration will still be required for First-
Class Mail International items and Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelopes
with non-dutiable contents if those items weigh 16 ounces or more.
As a further result of UPU Letter Post Regulation Article RL152,
which stipulates that customs declarations must be affixed to the
outside of the mailpiece, and consistent with USPS[supreg] aviation
security guidelines, we will no longer allow the option to place a PS
Form 2976 on the outside of a package and insert the required PS Form
2976-A within the package.
We are also clarifying that packaging must be large enough to
accommodate the applicable customs form(s), postage, and any applicable
markings and extra service labels on the address side of the item to be
mailed, and that items requiring an export license must always use a PS
Form 2976-A. As a result of these requirements, and consistent with UPU
Articles RC 120 and 121, we are clarifying in Exhibit 123.61 that PS
Form 2976-A (which is a parcel customs declaration) may not be used on
Letter Post items. Letter Post items include First-Class Mail
International items, the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope
and small flat-rate box, International Priority Airmail (IPA) items,
and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) items. Consequently, certain
items that were previously mailable in one of the aforementioned Letter
Post categories will now be required to be mailed via a different
category of mail. Specifically, these include First-Class Mail
International items over $400 in value, or any item requiring an export
license.
The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail
Manual (IMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 20.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 20
Foreign relations, International postal services.
0
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 20 is amended as follows:
[[Page 26960]]
PART 20--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 20 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408, 3622,
3632, and 3633.
0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM) as follows:
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International
Mail Manual (IMM)
1 International Mail Services
* * * * *
120 Preparation for Mailing
* * * * *
123 Customs Forms and Online Shipping Labels
* * * * *
123.6 Required Usage
123.61 Conditions
[Revise 123.61 as follows:]
The following conditions apply to customs forms for international
mail items:
a. Except as provided in 123.62, mailers must use PS Form 2976 or
PS Form 2976-A as described in Exhibit 123.61.
b. The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed
must be large enough to contain completely the applicable customs form,
postage, and any applicable markings, endorsements, and extra service
labels.
c. Regardless of any listing in Exhibit 123.61, items containing
articles that require an export license (see 532) must always bear PS
Form 2976-A.
Exhibit 123.61 Customs Declaration Form Usage by Mail Category
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Declared value,
Type of item weight, or physical Required PS Form Comment
characteristic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Express Guaranteed Items
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All items.................... All values........... 6182................ PS Form 6182, Commercial Invoice, is
required for certain commodities
and destinations. For
determination, see Publication 141,
Global Express Guaranteed Service
Guide.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Express Mail International Items
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All items.................... All values........... 2976 or 2976-A...... Required customs forms and
endorsements vary by country and
are specified in the Individual
Country Listings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Mail International Items except Flat-Rate Envelope and Small Flat-Rate Box
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority Mail All values........... 2976-A.............. Except for the Priority Mail
International items except International flat-rate envelope
the flat-rate envelope and and small flat-rate box, all items
small flat-rate box. mailed in USPS-produced Priority
Mail International packaging or any
other container bearing a Priority
Mail sticker or marked with the
words ``Priority Mail'' are
considered to be within the scope
of this requirement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope (Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority Mail Under 16 ounces, no None*...............
International flat-rate more than \3/4\-inch
envelopes containing only thick, and uniformly
documents except for the thick.
known mailer exemption
described in the entry below.
16 ounces or more, 2976................
more than \3/4\-inch
thick, or not
uniformly thick.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority Mail No more than \3/4\- None*...............
International flat-rate inch thick and
envelopes containing only uniformly thick.
documents that are entered
by a known mailer as defined
in 123.62.
More than \3/4\ inch 2976................
thick or not
uniformly thick.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Priority Mail $400 or less......... 2976................ Merchandise is permitted unless
International flat-rate prohibited by the destination
envelopes containing country.
potentially dutiable
contents, regardless of
weight.
Over $400............ Prohibited.......... Items over $400 must be mailed using
Global Express Guaranteed service,
Express Mail International service,
or Priority Mail International
service (other than the flat-rate
envelope or small flat-rate box).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Mail International Small Flat-Rate Box (Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 26961]]
All Priority Mail $400 or less......... 2976................ Merchandise is permitted unless
International small flat- prohibited by the destination
rate boxes, regardless of country.
contents.
Over $400............ Prohibited.......... Items over $400 must be mailed using
Global Express Guaranteed service,
Express Mail International service,
or Priority Mail International
service (other than the flat-rate
envelope or small flat-rate box).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail International Letters and Large Envelopes (Flats), Including International Priority Airmail
(IPA) Items and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Items (Maximum weight limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All letter-size and flat-size Under 16 ounces...... None*...............
items, as defined in 243,
containing only documents
except for the known mailer
exemption described in the
entry below.
16 ounces or more.... 2976................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All letter-size and flat-size ..................... None*...............
items, as defined in 243,
containing only documents
that are entered by a known
mailer as defined in 123.62.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All items containing $400 or less......... 2976................ Merchandise is permitted unless
potentially dutiable prohibited by the destination
contents, regardless of country.
weight.
Over $400............ Prohibited.......... Items over $400 must be mailed using
Global Express Guaranteed service,
Express Mail International service,
or Priority Mail International
service (other than the flat-rate
envelope or small flat-rate box).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail International Packages (Small Packets), Including IPA Items and ISAL Items (Maximum weight
limit: 4 pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All First-Class Mail $400 or less......... 2976................ Merchandise is permitted unless
International packages prohibited by the destination
(small packets), as defined country.
in 243.4, regardless of
contents.
Over $400............ Prohibited.......... Items over $400 must be mailed using
Global Express Guaranteed service,
Express Mail International service,
or Priority Mail International
service (other than the flat-rate
envelope or small flat-rate box).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All items.................... Follow above Follow above Free matter for the blind or other
requirements for requirements for physically handicapped persons
relevant mail relevant mail requires a customs form for all
category, as category, as articles.
appropriate. appropriate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M-bags (Airmail, IPA Service, and ISAL Service)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All M-bags................... $400 or less......... 2976................ A fully completed PS Form 2976 must
to be affixed to PS Tag 158, M-bag
Addressee Tag.
Over $400............ Prohibited..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Qualifying items must be uniformly thick (243.34). First-Class Mail International items claimed at the package
price, or Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes that are not uniformly thick, or IPA and ISAL
packages (small packets) containing only documents must always use PS Form 2976.
123.62 Known Mailers
[Revise 123.62 as follows:]
123.621 Overview
A ``known mailer'' may be exempt from the customs form requirement
that would otherwise apply to flat-size mailpieces as defined in 243,
weighing 16 ounces or more. A ``known mailer'' must meet one of the
definitions in 123.622 and must meet the conditions in 123.623.
123.622 Definition
A ``known mailer'' must meet one of the following definitions:
a. A federal, state, or local government agency whose mail is
regarded as Official Mail.
b. A contractor who sends out prepaid mail on behalf of a military
service, provided the mail is endorsed ``Contents for Official Use--
Exempt from Customs Requirements.''
c. A business mailer who enters volume mailings through a business
mail entry unit (BMEU) or other bulk mail acceptance location,
completes a
[[Page 26962]]
postage statement at the time of entry, pays postage through an advance
deposit account, and uses a permit imprint for postage payment. For
this purpose, the categories of mail that qualify are as follows:
1. Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope.
2. First-Class Mail International service.
3. International Priority Airmail (IPA) service.
4. International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service.
123.623 Conditions
The following conditions apply to ``known mailers'':
1. The mailpieces must contain no merchandise items or other
contents that are potentially dutiable.
2. The mailpieces must be letter-size or flat-size as defined in
243.
3. If the mailpieces are mailed with a postage statement, the
mailer must certify on the postage statement that the mailpieces
contain no dangerous materials that are prohibited by postal
regulations.
4. The import regulations of the destination country must allow
individual mailpieces without a customs form affixed.
5. For IPA and ISAL mailings, the mailer must pay with a permit
imprint or with a combination postage method (meter postage affixed to
the piece and additional postage by permit imprint). IPA and ISAL
mailpieces that are paid for by postage solely with a meter do not
qualify for the ``known mailer'' exemption.
* * * * *
123.7 Completing Customs Forms
* * * * *
123.72 PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note--CP 72
123.721 Sender's Preparation of PS Form 2976-A
* * * * *
[Revise item r to read as follows in its entirety:]
Place the form set inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope) and
affix it to the address side of the package. Allow the Postal Service
employee to complete PS Form 2976-A as described in 123.722.
* * * * *
2 Conditions for Mailing
210 Global Express Guaranteed
* * * * *
217 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
[Revise the heading and text of 217.3 as follows:]
217.3 Customs Forms
PS Form 6182, Commercial Invoice, is required for certain
commodities and destinations. For determination, see Publication 141,
Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide.
* * * * *
230 Priority Mail International
* * * * *
232 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope and Small Flat-Rate
Box
* * * * *
[Revise the heading and text of 232.4 as follows:]
232.4 Customs Forms
Priority Mail International flat-rate envelopes (see 123.61) may be
required to bear PS Form 2976 depending on their physical
characteristics and may not exceed $400 in value. Priority Mail
International small flat-rate boxes must always bear PS Form 2976 and
may not exceed $400 in value.
* * * * *
240 First-Class Mail International
* * * * *
244 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
244.5 Customs Forms Required
244.51 Dutiable Merchandise
* * * * *
[Revise item c and add new item d as follows:]
c. When mailing articles that may be dutiable, the sender must use
PS Form 2976 (see 123) and must also follow the special instructions
under ``Customs Forms Required'' and ``Observations'' in the Individual
Country Listings.
d. The maximum value for dutiable merchandise is $400. Items over
$400 must be mailed using Global Express Guaranteed service, Express
Mail International service, or Priority Mail International service
(other than the flat-rate envelope or small flat-rate box).
* * * * *
260 Direct Sacks of Printed Matter to One Addressee (M-bags)
* * * * *
264 Mail Preparation
* * * * *
264.3 Customs Forms Required
[Revise 264.3 as follows:]
M-bags that contain potentially dutiable printed matter or any
category of printed matter that is combined with allowable merchandise
items (see 261.22) must be accompanied by a fully completed PS Form
2976, which is to be affixed to PS Tag 158, M-bag Addressee Tag. The
maximum allowable value is $400.
* * * * *
270 Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons
* * * * *
276 Customs Forms Required
[Revise the first sentence in 276 as follows:]
As defined in Exhibit 123.61, a fully completed PS Form 2976 or
2976-A must be affixed to each item. * * *
* * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E9-13078 Filed 6-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P