[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 International<SUP>TM</SUP> 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

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                                  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