Post by allanorn on Nov 16, 2017 4:25:30 GMT
While I was reading about the proposed price increase, I noticed something posted in the official documents of the USPS:
Further, while the Postal Service is not changing prices for Outbound Single- Piece First-Class Mail International, it is making a billing determinant adjustment because of another change in Universal Postal Union (UPU) regulations outside its control. Specifically, effective January 1, 2018, goods mailed in international letter post (which includes First-Class Mail International) may no longer be enclosed in letter and flat shape formats (formats P and G). Rather, they may be enclosed only in packet shape formats (format E).
The Postal Service will give effect to this UPU mandate by changing the mailing standards in the International Mail Manual to prohibit goods from being included within First-Class Mail International pieces.
Source
From the Federal Register (for USPS):
In order for the Postal Service to meet this new standard, the contents of First-Class Mail International postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail; International Priority Airmail (IPA) postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail; and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail will be limited to documents. (Bolding mine)
Effective January 1, 2018, mailers who wish to mail any type of goods, regardless of shape, must use First Class Package International Service or another available service. Technical details and proposed IMM changes will be published at a later date and before implementation.
Source
Since this is coming from the member nations of the Universal Postal Union, everyone’s going to be affected by this. It only applies to international mail, but YCMV (Your Country May Vary).
With the disclaimer that I’m not a postal worker or a lawyer, I’m guessing there will be more scrutiny being placed on international letters to see if there are objects outside of paper or phots that they can discern. Since some of us like posting mail art, or sending small objects through the mail (example: tea bags, unused safety razor blades), be mindful of this change as mail may be returned for insufficient postage - or you could be paying a lot more to send it even though it’s in an envelope!
Further, while the Postal Service is not changing prices for Outbound Single- Piece First-Class Mail International, it is making a billing determinant adjustment because of another change in Universal Postal Union (UPU) regulations outside its control. Specifically, effective January 1, 2018, goods mailed in international letter post (which includes First-Class Mail International) may no longer be enclosed in letter and flat shape formats (formats P and G). Rather, they may be enclosed only in packet shape formats (format E).
The Postal Service will give effect to this UPU mandate by changing the mailing standards in the International Mail Manual to prohibit goods from being included within First-Class Mail International pieces.
Source
From the Federal Register (for USPS):
In order for the Postal Service to meet this new standard, the contents of First-Class Mail International postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail; International Priority Airmail (IPA) postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail; and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) postcard, letter, and large envelope (flat) mail will be limited to documents. (Bolding mine)
Effective January 1, 2018, mailers who wish to mail any type of goods, regardless of shape, must use First Class Package International Service or another available service. Technical details and proposed IMM changes will be published at a later date and before implementation.
Source
Since this is coming from the member nations of the Universal Postal Union, everyone’s going to be affected by this. It only applies to international mail, but YCMV (Your Country May Vary).
With the disclaimer that I’m not a postal worker or a lawyer, I’m guessing there will be more scrutiny being placed on international letters to see if there are objects outside of paper or phots that they can discern. Since some of us like posting mail art, or sending small objects through the mail (example: tea bags, unused safety razor blades), be mindful of this change as mail may be returned for insufficient postage - or you could be paying a lot more to send it even though it’s in an envelope!