at the post office and placed by the sender on each letter or letter package containing dutiable merchandise, on each package of dutiable prints, and on each small packet. The label is placed on the address side of each article. See §§ 222.1(e), 222.4(e) (6) and 222.7(f) of this chapter. The label is also used on merchandise packages weighing 8 ounces or less mailed to Canada, as prescribed under the country heading in the appendix. The following facsimile illustrates the type of information the sender must supply when the label is used in its entirety:

When the label is used in its entirety there is no need to enclose the paper form of customs declaration, Form 2976-A, in the package (see § 221.4(b)), except for countries which specifically require it. (See country items in Directory of International Mail.) If the sender prefers not to show the nature and value of the contents on the outside of the article, or if for any reason the use of the label in its entirety is not practicable, the upper part (detached by cutting along the dotted line) may be affixed to the cover, and the paper customs declaration enclosed in the article. The label is not, under any circumstances, to be used on parcel post packages, nor are parcel post forms to be used on postal union mail articles.

(b) Paper customs declaration. The paper form of customs declaration (Form 2976-A) is available at post offices for completion by the sender and enclosure within the classes of articles mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section. The contents of the article must be indicated in detail on the form. Notations of a general character are not allowed. Form 2976-A is not to be used on parcel post packages, nor are parcel post forms described in § 231.4 to be used on postal union articles. The following facsimile illustrates the type of information required on Form 2976-A:

Washington

1e6/23, 155...

(Place and date)

Sender:

(Pays de destination)

§ 222.1

Letters and letter packages.

(a) Rates-(1) Surface. The surface rate for letters and letter packages to Canada and Mexico is 6 cents per ounce or fraction. To all other countries it is 13 cents for the first ounce and 8 cents for each additional ounce.

(2) Airmail. Canada and Mexico, 10 cents per ounce or fraction. To Central America, South America, the Caribbean islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, and St. Pierre and Miquelon, 15 cents per half ounce. To Europe (except Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and U.S.S.R.) and Mediterranean Africa, 20 cents per half ounce. To other countries, 25 cents per half

ounce.

(b) Weight limits. (1) The weight limit for letters and letter packages to all countries except Canada is 4 pounds 6 ounces; for Canada, 60 pounds.

(c) Dimensions.—(1) Maximum dimensions. Maximum length is 24 inches. Maximum “length, breadth, and thickness combined" is 36 inches. When sent in the form of a roll, the length (the maximum of which may not exceed 36 inches) plus twice the diameter may not exceed 42 inches.

(2) Minimum dimensions. The address side must measure at least 44 inches in length and 3 inches in width. When in the form of a roll, the length may not be less than 4 inches, or the length plus twice the diameter may not be less than 634 inches. Articles having lesser dimen

sions are accepted on condition that a rectangular address tag is attached whose dimensions are not less than 4 by 234 inches.

(d) Restrictions. Letters and letter packages may not contain current communications exchanged between persons other than the sender and the addressee or persons living with them.

(e) Merchandise in letters—(1) Dutiable merchandise. Letters or letter packages may contain merchandise which is dutiable in the country of destination unless the country is unwilling to accept such mailings. If a country prohibits dutiable merchandise in letters this is shown under "Prohibitions" in the country item in the Directory of International Mail. The postal service is not able to inform patrons whether or not any items are dutiable in other countries. When mailing articles which may be dutiable, senders must comply with the provisions concerning documentation shown in § 221.4 of this chapter and with any special instructions in the appendix to this subchapter.

(2) Nondutiable merchandise. Articles which the senders know are not dutiable may be mailed to countries which do not accept dutiable merchandise, but only at the risk of the senders. The Post Office Department assumes no responsibility for the treatment which such articles may be given by the foreign postal or customs authorities. As the presence of the green label (Form 2976) mentioned in § 221.41 of this chapter generally denotes dutiable contents, it should be omitted from letter-mail articles when the sender knows the contents are not dutiable.

(f) Endorsement. Senders should add the words "Letter (lettre)" on the address side of letters and letter packages which, because of their size or manner of preparation, may be mistaken for matter of another class.

(g) Preparation and addressing. See § 221.1 of this chapter.

[32 F.R. 12256, Aug. 24, 1967, as amended at 33 F.R. 3280, Feb. 22, 1968]

reply-paid, letter rate (see subparagraph (1) of this paragraph) on message half and 8 cents (surface rate) on reply half. Postage for return of the reply card by air cannot be paid with U.S. stamps. See § 241.3 (c) of this chapter regarding prepayment of foreign reply-paid cards to be transmitted to other countries by airmail.

(3) Other rates. The letter rate (surface or air), or the surface printed matter rate if the card conforms to printed matter requirements, applies to double cards without prepaid reply and to single cards exceeding the dimensions for post cards.

(b) Dimensions. Maximum dimensions 6 by 44 inches. Minimum dimensions, 44 by 3 inches.

(c) Requirements—(1) Form and marking. Post cards shall be made of cardboard that meets the material and color specifications in § 131.2(b) (2) of this chapter or of paper strong enough to withstand handling. Government postal cards may be used and postage added as required. Post cards of private manufacture must bear on the front the heading Post Card, although this is not obligatory for picture post cards.

(2) Preparation, addressing, and mailing. Post cards shall be sent unenclosed, without wrapper or envelope. The right half, at least, of the address side is reserved for the address of the addressee and the notations or labels relating to the service. The sender may use the back and the left half of the address side. Postage must appear on the address side, in the upper right corner of the card; otherwise, the card is treated as unprepaid. Undeliverable post cards are disposed of in the country of address unless they bear the name and address of the sender.

(3) Attachments. Do not join or attach samples of merchandise or similar articles to post cards. However, illustrations, photographs, stamps of any kind, labels, and clippings of any kind, of paper or other very thin material, as well as address lables or slips to be folded back, may be glued thereto, on condition that they do not alter the character of the post cards and that they adhere completely to the card. These articles may be glued only on the back or left half of the address side of the card, except address slips, tabs, or labels which may occupy the entire address side. Stamps of any kind, likely to be confused with post

age stamps, may be placed only on the back.

(d) Reply-paid cards-(1) Availability. Reply-paid postal cards, bearing the required endorsements and imprinted postage are available at post offices. The domestic reply-paid postal card shall not be used in the international mail, except that it may be used to Canada and Mexico after adding the headings prescribed in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph for private cards.

(2) Private cards. Double cards which are privately prepared for use as replypaid cards shall bear in printing on the front, in the French language, as the heading of the first or message part, the words "Carte postale avec réponse payée" (post card with reply paid), and the words "Carte postale réponse" (reply post card) as the heading on the second or reply part. Each of the two parts must fulfill the other conditions laid down for a single card. Prepayment of the two halves shall be by means of U.S. postage or meter stamps affixed to each half.

(3) Preparation and mailing. The two parts of a reply-paid card are folded one part over the other, so that the fold forms the upper edge, and they may not be sealed in any manner. Prepare the card so that when it is folded the address of the addressee is on the part bearing the words "Carte postale avec réponse payée," and the address on the reply part is folded in the inside. The sender may have printed on the back of the reply half a questionnaire to be filled in by the addressee. The latter may return the part is folded on the inside. The sender inquiry half attached to the replyportion, in which case the address on the inquiry half is crossed out and folded on the inside of the card.

(4) Validity of postage. The prepayment of the reply by means of U.S. postage is valid only if the card is addressed to this country. If this condition is not met, it is treated as an unprepaid post card.

(5) Foreign cards. See paragraph (f) of this section.

[32 F.R. 12256, Aug. 24, 1967, as amended at 33 F.R. 3280, Feb. 22, 1968]

§ 222.3 Commercial papers.

The "Commercial Papers" class was discontinued effective January 1, 1966. Certain items formerly admitted as "Commercial Papers" are admitted at regular printed matter rates. See § 222.4

(d) (2). Items that were accepted as "Commercial Papers," but not transferred to the "Printed Matter" class, must be mailed as "Letter Mail," "Small Packets," or "Parcel Post."

[32 F.R. 12257, Aug. 24, 1967]

§ 222.4 Printed matter.

(a) Rates (1) Surface. Surface rates for printed matter are as follows:

(i) Regular printed matter. The rates on regular printed matter, that is, printed matter other than books, sheet music, publishers' second-class, and publishers' controlled circulation publications described in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, are:

(a) To Canada and Mexico-6 cents for the first 2 ounces and 2 cents for each additional ounce or fraction.

(b) To countries other than Canada and Mexico-6 cents for the first 2 ounces and 4 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(ii) Books and sheet music. The rates on books meeting the qualifications in § 135.2(a) (4) (i) of this chapter and on printed sheet music are:

(a) To Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Republic of Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela-14 cents for the first 10 ounces and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(b) To all other countries-14 cents for the first 10 ounces and 12 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(iii) Second-class publications. The rates on publications entered domestically as second-class, when mailed by the publishers or by registered news agents, are:

(a) To PUAS countries (see § 211.2 of this chapter)-3 cents for the first 2 ounces and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(b) To all other countries-4 cents for first 2 ounces and 12 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(c) No separate rates are provided for nonprofit publications or for classroom publications. These second-class publications are subject to the rates stated in subsections (a) and (b) of this subparagraph. Complete sample copies may also be mailed at those rates, whether or not the number of such sample copies exceeds 10 percent of the subscriber copies. Copies mailed by the public are subject to the regular printed matter rates stated in subparagraph (2) (i) of this paragraph.

(iv) Controlled circulation publications. The rates on periodicals that are approved domestically as controlled circulation publications, when mailed by the publishers are 5 cents for the first 2 ounces and 2 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction, to all countries.

(2) Airmail AO (other articles) air rates apply, as follows:

(i) To Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, and St. Pierre and Miquelon, 40 cents for the first 2 ounces and 10 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction. To Canada the letter rate of 10 cents per ounce applies.

(ii) To South America, Europe (except Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and U.S.S.R.) and Mediterranean Africa, 50 cents for the first 2 ounces and 20 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(iii) To Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, U.S.S.R., Asia, the Pacific, and Africa (other than Mediterranean), 60 cents for the first 2 ounces and 30 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(iv) The rates are shown under the country items in the appendix of this subchapter.

(b) Weight limits. (1) The following weight limits apply to individual packages of printed matter:

11 pounds..... 22 pounds......

All other prints

6 pounds 9

ounces.

22 pounds. 33 pounds.

For countries not listed below...

33 pounds..

(2) See § 222.4(b) concerning use of direct sacks for mailing large quantities of prints to one addressee.

(3) Packages or bundles of secondclass and controlled circulation publications mailed to Canada by publishers or registered news agents may weigh up to 30 pounds. When mailed by other than publishers or news agents, the weight limit is 6 pounds 9 ounces.

(c) Dimensions-Maximum and minimum dimensions are the same as for letters and letter packages. See § 222.1(c).

(d) Description (1) General definition. The term "printed matter" applies to reproductions on paper, cardboard or other materials commonly used in printing, produced in several identical copies by means of a mechanical or photographic process involving use of a plate, stencil, or negative. Several copies of printed matter items may be sent together in a single package, but they must not bear names and addresses of different senders or addressees.

(2) Articles specially admitted. The following may be mailed as printed matter if they otherwise conform to the prescribed conditions of form and makeup, even though they may be wholly or partly handwritten or typed:

(i) Communications (including those in the form of sound recordings) exchange between students in schools, provided they are sent through the intermediary of the heads of the schools.

(ii) Original and corrected exercises of students, without any notes not relating directly to the execution of the work.

(iii) Manuscripts of literary works or of newspapers.

(3) Items not admissible. The following are not admitted as printed matter:

(i) Printed papers which bear any marks whatever capable of constituting a conventional language or those whose text has been modified after printing, except for the additions mentioned in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph.

(ii) Stamps or forms of prepayment, canceled or not, including Internal Revenue strip stamps, and all printed papers representing a monetary value.

(iii) Articles of stationery in quantities of more than one article per package. This includes letterheads, billheads,

unused cards, diaries, checkbooks, memo pads, and other similar items having some printing on them but on which additional entries are intended to be made.

(iv) Framed photographs and certificates.

(v) Photographic negatives and slides. (vi) Films.

(vii) Phonograph records and other types of sound recordings, except under the conditions prescribed in subparagraph (2) (i) of this paragraph; also perforated papers intended to be used on automatic musical instruments. (viii) Playing cards.

(ix) Typewritten matter, or carbon copies thereof, except as authorized in subparagraphs (4) and (5) of this paragraph.

(4) Permitted additions. The following additions may be made by hand or by any other process on condition that the additions must have a direct bearing on the printed matter on which they are placed and must not give the text the character of personal correspondence:

(i) Name and address of sender and addressee, with or without showing the status, profession, and style.

(ii) Place and date of mailing of the item.

(iii) Serial or registration number referring solely to the item.

(iv) Correction of printing errors.

(v) Deletion, marking, or underlining of certain words or certain parts of the printed text.

(vi) On notices concerning the departure and arrival of ships and planes: The dates and time of such departures and arrivals, as well as the names of the ships, planes, and ports of departure, call, and arrival.

announcements:

(vii) On travelers' The name of the traveler, the date, time, and name of the place through which he contemplates passing as well as the place where he is stopping.

(viii) On order, subscription, or offer blanks for publications, books, newspapers, engravings, and pieces of music: The publications and number of copies ordered or offered, the prices of such publications, as well as notations representing price factors, terms of payment, the edition, the names of the authors or publishers, the catalog number and the