(7) Values payable to bearer, unless sent by registered mail. Some countries prohibit such values entirely (see country items in Directory of International Mail). The term "values payable to bearer" includes checks, drafts, or securities which can be legally cashed or easily negotiated by anyone who may come into possession of them. A check or draft payable to a specific payee is not regarded as payable to bearer unless the payee has endorsed it in blank. If not endorsed, or if endorsed in favor of another specific payee, it is not regarded as payable to bearer.

(8) Gold coin, gold bullion, or gold dust exceeding $100 in value. (See § 254.4 of this chapter.)

(9) Articles whose acceptance or circulation is prohibited in the country of destination. See paragraph (c) of this section.

(10) Written communications having the character of current correspondence, except in the form of letters or post cards, or under the conditions stated in §§ 222.4 (d) (2) (i), 222.4(d) (4) (v) or § 222.5 of this chapter. Sound recorded communications having the character of current correspondence, except as letters, or under the conditions stated in § 222.4(d) (2) or 222.5 of this chapter.

NOTE: Recordings of music or other sounds not of the nature of letters are mailable under the classes of postal union mail available for the transmission of merchandise-see § 222.1(e) or 222.7(g) of this chapter; or as parcel post. The same applies to opened correspondence, written or recorded, that has already reached the original addressee and is no longer current.

(11) Articles may not contain any card or envelope intended for reply purposes with postage denoted by U.S. stamps, business reply, or other indicia.

NOTE: The prohibition against business reply items need not be applied when they are bound or stapled into a magazine or other publication, or form an integral part of the printed page. These may be accepted so long as no objection is raised by the postal administrations of the countries concerned. NOTE: For general parcel post prohibitions, see § 231.2(a) of this chapter.

(b) Restricted articles-(1) Gold and gold certificates. (See Part 254 of this chapter.)

(2) Tobacco seed and plants. (See § 255.2 of this chapter.)

(3) Plant material generally. (See § 231.2(b) (5) of this chapter.)

(4) Combustible liquids. (See § 231.2 (b)(1) of this chapter.)

(5) Perishable biological materials. Perishable biological materials, including those of pathogenic nature, when sent in the postal union mail are accepted only as letter packages. The following conditions apply:

(i) Mailing restrictions. If a country prohibits perishable biological materials this is shown under "Prohibitions" in the country item in the Directory of International Mail. The packages must be packed as prescribed in paragraph (b) (5) (iii) of this section, and must bear distinctive violet labels by which they can be readily recognized and receive careful handling and prompt delivery.

(ii) Qualification of mailers. (a) Only officially recognized laboratories may send or receive letter packages containing perishable biological materials. Laboratories of the following categories are so designated:

Laboratories of local, State, and Federal Government agencies.

Laboratories of federally licensed manufacturers of biologic substances derived from bacteria and viruses.

Laboratories affiliated with or operated by hospitals, universities, research facilities, and other teaching institutions. Private laboratories licensed, certified, recognized, or approved by a public authority.

(b) A laboratory desiring to mail letter packages containing materials of this kind shall make written application on its letterhead stationery to the International Service Division, Bureau of Transportation and International Services, Post Office Department, Washington, D.C. 20260, explaining its qualifications and those of the prospective addressee to send and receive such materials, and stating how many packages are to be mailed. On approval, the mailer will receive a sufficient number of the violet labels for the contemplated shipments.

(iii) Packaging. (a) Perishable biological material not of a pathogenic nature must be packed in a nonporous container surrounded by sufficient absorbent material to take up all the liquid and must be placed in an outer protective container where it should fit tightly toavoid any shifting.

(b) Perishable biological material of a pathogenic nature must be packed in a tightly closed bottle or tube or heavy glass wrapped in thick absorbent material rolled several times around the bottle or tube and tied at the ends, sufficient in quantity to absorb all the liquid; the wrapped container must be placed in a strong well-closed metal box constructed to prevent any contamination outside of it. This metal box must be wrapped in cushioning material and placed in an outer protective box where it should fit tightly to avoid shifting. The outer container must consist of a hollow block of strong wood, metal, or other equally strong material with a tight lid so fitted that it cannot open during transportation.

(c) In addition to the requirements in (a) and (b) of this subdivision, packages must comply with the regulations governing the transmission of such materials in the domestic mail.

(d) The mailer must place on each package one of the violet labels mentioned in subdivisions (i) and (ii) (b) of this subparagraph.

(6) Radioactive materials. Radioactive materials are restricted as provided in $ 125.2(e) of this chapter. Senders of mailable radioactive materials must place on the wrapper of the package a white label bearing the French words "Matiéres radioactives." The label must be supplied by the sender and is to be gummed or taped to the address side of the package. The package must also bear a conspicuous request for return to sender in case of nondelivery.

(c) Individual country prohibitions and restrictions. See § 231.2 (c) of this chapter.

(d) Foreign customs information. See § 231(b) (4) of this chapter.

§ 221.4 Documentation.

(a) Green customs label. A green customs label, Form 2976, must be obtained 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

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:

(Pays de destination)

le6/23, 1955...

Washington

(Place and date)

(c) Furnishing to public. Patrons requesting them may be furnished a reasonable supply of Forms 2976 and 2976-A for preparation at their homes or business establishments.

(d) Nonpostal documentation. Packages sent in the postal union mail may require one or more of the forms described in Part 251 of this chapter.

PART 222-RATES AND CONDITIONS FOR SPECIFIC CLASSES

Sec.

222.1

222.2

222.3

Letters and letter packages.
Post cards.

Commercial papers.

222.4 Printed matter.

222.5 Matter for the blind.

222.6

222.7

222.8 222.9

Samples of merchandise.

Small packets.

Combination packages.
Articles grouped together.

AUTHORITY: The provisions of this Part 222 issued under 5 U.S.C. 301, 39 U.S.C. 501, 505.

SOURCE: The provisions of this Part 222 appear at 32 F.R. 12256, Aug. 24, 1967, unless otherwise noted.

§ 222.1 Letters and letter packages.

(a) Rates.-(1) Surface. The surface rate for letters and letter packages to Canada and Mexico is 5 cents per ounce. To all other countries it is 13 cents for the first ounce and 8 cents for each additional ounce.

(2) Airmail. Canada and Mexico, 8 cents per ounce. 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 dimensions 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 dutjable 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.

§ 222.2 Post cards.

(a) Rates (1) Surface. Canada and Mexico, 4 cents single; reply-paid, 4 cents each half. All other countries, 8 cents single; reply-paid, 8 cents each half.

(2) Airmail. Canada and Mexico, 6 cents single; reply-paid, 8 cents on message half, 4 cents (surface rate) on reply half. All other countries, 13 cents single; reply-paid, letter rate (see § 222.1(a) (2)) on message half and 8 cents (surface rate) on reply half. Postage for return of the reply card by air can not 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 airmal.

(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 specification in § 131.2(a) (7) 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 postage 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 pre

scribed 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.

§ 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."

§ 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 subdivisions (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subparagraph, are:

(a) To Canada and Mexico-4 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 permanently bound books having at least 22 printed pages and containing no advertising other than incidental announcements of other books 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-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 the first 2 ounces and 11⁄2 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, except that to Canada the rates, are 2 cents for the first 2 ounces and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction until November 1, 1967. Effective November 1, 1967, the rates to Canada will be 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 publica