Sender:

Washington, le6/23, 1955...

(Place and date)

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 32 inches), plus twice the diameter, may not exceed 40 inches.

(2) Minimum dimensions. The address side must measure at least 4 inches in length and 23⁄4 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 length plus width measure not less than 64 inches, with the shorter side not less than 11⁄2 inches.

(d) Restrictions. Letters and letter packages shall not contain any documents having the character of actual personal correspondence addressed to persons other than the addressee or persons living with the addressee.

(e) Dutiable contents—(1) Mailability. Articles liable to customs duty (merchandise) may be forwarded in letters or letter packages, except to the following countries:

NOTE: See individual country items in § 168.5 of this chapter concerning conditions under which certain articles are permitted in letters and letter-packages.

(2) Customs label to be attached. The sender must complete and fix to the address side of such article the green (customs) label, Form 2976, referred to in § 111.4(a) of this chapter. If he knows that the contents of the package are not dutiable, he may, if he prefers, omit Form 2976. Acceptance for mailing will then be at his risk, and the Post Office Department will assume no responsibility for the treatment that may be given the article by the foreign customs authorities. Omission of this form may, however, result in delayed delivery and possible penalties against the addressee, regardless of whether the contents are dutiable or not. Special restrictions exist with respect to certain countries.

A

(3) Acceptance of sender's risk. letter or package containing merchandise offered for mailing to one of the countries named in paragraph (e) (1) of this section may be accepted only on condition that the sender knows that the contents are not dutiable in the country of destination, in which case Form 2976 may be omitted.

(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.

(a) Rates-(1) Surface. Canada and Mexico, 3 cents single; reply-paid, 3 cents each half. All other countries, 7 cents single; reply-paid, 7 cents each half.

(2) Airmail. Canada and Mexico, 5 cents single; reply-paid, 7 cents on message half, 3 cents on reply half. All other countries, 11 cents single; replypaid, letter rate (13, 15, or 25 cents) on message half and 7 cents on reply half. There is no provision whereby the reply half may be prepaid for return to the United States by airmail. See § 131.3(b) of this chapter regarding prepayment of foreign reply-paid cards to be transmitted to other countries by airmail.

(3) Other rates. Letter rates (surface or air) or printed matter rates, according to the nature of the card, apply to all double cards without prepaid reply. The same rates apply to all cards exceeding the prescribed maximum dimensions. (b) Dimensions. Maximum dimensions, 6 by 44 inches. Minimum dimensions, 4 by 234 inches.

(c) Requirements-(1) Form. Post cards shall be made of cardboard that meets the material and color specifications in § 21.2(a) (7) of this chapter or of paper strong enough to withstand handling. Government postal cards may be used, adding postage as required. Folded sheets of paper having the two inner faces glued completely one over the other, so that there is no danger of other articles slipping inside, are treated as post cards. No writing is allowed on the inside of the two halves which must be firmly glued together and conform to the dimensions prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section.

(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.

(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 labels 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 labels or slips 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 international mails, except that it may be used to Canada and Mexico after adding the headings pre

scribed in paragraph (d) (2) of this section for private cards.

(2) Private cards. Double cards which are privately prepared for use as replypaid cards shall have 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 United States postage stamps (3 cents for Canada and Mexico and 7 cents for other countries) 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 on 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 inquiry half attached to the reply-portion, 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 United States 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 § 111.2(f) of this chapter.

§ 112.3 Commercial papers.

(a) Rates (1) Surface. Surface rates for commercial papers for all countries are 5 cents for the first 2 ounces and 3 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction of 2 ounces. Minimum charge is 12 cents.

(2) Airmail. For airmail rates, see individual country items in § 168.5 of this chapter.

(b) Weight limit. Weight limit for commercial papers is 4 pounds 6 ounces.

(c) Dimensions. Maximum and minimum dimensions are the same as for letters and letter-packages. See § 112.1 (c) of this chapter.

(d) Description. The following are considered commercial papers, provided

they do not have the character of actual and personal correspondence:

(1) All papers and documents, wholly or partly written or drawn, such as out-of-date articles of correspondence (opened letters and post cards, even though they bear canceled postage stamps or postage paid impressions which have served to pay the original postage) which have already reached their original destination, and copies thereof.

(2) Papers of legal procedure.

(3) Documents of all kinds drawn up by ministerial officers.

(4) Waybills or bills of lading.
(5) Invoices.

(6) Certain documents of insurance companies.

(7) Copies of or extracts from documents under private seal written on stamped or unstamped paper.

(8) Scores or sheets of music in manuscript.

(9) Manuscripts of literary works or of newspapers sent separately.

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

(11) All articles (even when they have the character of actual and personal correspondence) containing correspondence exchanged between students in schools: Provided, That such articles are sent through the intermediary of the heads of the schools concerned.

(e) Permitted enclosures. The documents enumerated in paragraph (d) of this section may be accompanied by reference slips or memoranda bearing notations showing the number of the pieces composing the shipment, or references to correspondence exchanged between the sender and addressee, such as: Enclosure to our letter of addressed to

Our reference Customer's reference

(f) Preparation and marking. Envelopes or packages containing commercial papers must not be sealed. The sender must mark the address side of the envelope or package Commercial Papers.

§ 112.4 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) through (iv) of this subparagraph are:

(a) To Canada and Mexico-3 cents for the first 2 ounces and 12 cents for each additional ounce or fraction.

(b) To countries other than Canada and Mexico-5 cents for the first 2 ounces and 3 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, Guatemala, Haiti, Republic of Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay, and Venezuela-2 cents for the first 2 ounces and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(b) To all other countries-3 cents for the first 2 ounces and 12 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

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

(a) To PUAS countries (see § 101.2 of this chapter) -2 cents for the first 2 ounces and 1 cent for each additional 2 ounces or fraction.

(b) To all other countries-3 cents for the 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 (a) and (b) of this subdivision. Second-class publications mailed by the public are subject to the regular printed matter rates stated in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.

(iv) Controlled circulation publications. The rates on periodicals that qualify domestically as controlled circulation publications, when mailed by the publishers, are 4 cents for the first 2 ounces and 2 cents for each additional 2 ounces or fraction, to all countries.

(2) Airmail. Airmal rates are shown under individual country items in § 168.5 of this chapter.

(b) Weight limits-(1) Printed matter except books. The weight limit is 6 pounds 9 ounces, except as follows:

(i) Packages of printed matter for Paraguay and Peru may weigh up to 11 pounds.

(ii) Packages of printed matter for Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Fernando Po, Rio Muni, Spain (including Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and Spanish offices in Northern Africa), and Spanish West Africa may weigh up to 22 pounds.

(iii) Packages of printed matter for Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Republic of Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Uruguay, and Venezuela may weigh up to 33 pounds.

(iv) Packages of second-class publications for Canada may weigh up to 66 pounds.

(2) Books including directories, and catalogs. The weight limit is 11 pounds, except as stated in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.

(c) Dimensions. Maximum and minimum dimensions are the same as for letters and letter packages. See § 112.1(c) of this chapter.

(d) Description-(1) General definition. The term "printed matter" applies to all impressions, or reproductions obtained upon paper, or materials similar to paper, parchment, or cardboard, by means of printing, engraving, lithography, photography, or any other easily recognizable mechanical process; however, reproductions obtained by means of stamps with movable or immovable type, and the typewriter are not considered printed matter.

(2) What is admissible as printed matter. The following are admitted as printed matter:

(i) Newspapers and periodicals.

(ii) Books and pamphlets, including those composed of sheets produced by mimeograph, multigraph, or other similar process, whether or not permanently bound or furnished with covers of cardboard or other material.

(iii) Sheet music.

(iv) Visiting cards, address cards, greeting cards.

(v) Printing proofs (with or without the relative manuscripts).

(vi) Unframed photographs, engravings.

(vii) Albums containing photographs.

(xiii) Matrices of material similar to paper or cardboard.

(xiv) Communications in the form of reproductions of handwriting or typewriting obtained by means of the printing press, mimeograph, multigraph, or similar mechanical process are acceptable as printed matter provided a minimum of 20 identical copies are mailed at one time.

(3) Not admissible as printed matter. The following are not acceptable at the printed rate:

(i) Printed paper which bears 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, when it appears clearly that the printed text is not the essential part of the article.

(iv) Framed photographs and certificates.

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

(vii) Phonograph records, and perforated papers intended to be used on automatic musical instruments.

(viii) Disc or wire recordings of correspondence, etc.

(ix) Cards bearing the title "Post Card". These must be mailed as post cards, if they comply with the conditions prescribed for post cards, or as letters.

(x) Bulk shipments of printed envelopes, letterheads, billheads, calendar pads, and similar articles, as well as diaries (books), check books, greeting cards or folders, and the like, which, although containing some printed matter, such as dates, headings, etc., have blank spaces or pages in which entries are to be made in manuscript or on the typewriter.

(xi) 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, either by

hand or by mechanical process, on the outside or inside of printed articles:

(i) The name, title, profession, firm, and address of the sender and the addressee; the date of mailing; the signature; telephone or teletype number and exchange; telegraphic address and code; current postal check or bank account of the sender; an order or entry number relating exclusively to the article.

(ii) Corrections of mistakes in printing.

(iii) Striking, underlining, or encircling of certain words or passages of the printed text, unless it gives the text the character of personal correspondence.

(iv) 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.

(v) On travelers' announcements: 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.

(vi) 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 words "broché" (stitched or paperbound), "cartonné" (boards) or "relié" (bound).

(vii) On forms used in connection with loans from libraries: the titles of books, number of copies requested or sent, names of authors or publishers, catalog numbers, number of days permitted for reading, name of person desiring to consult the book, other brief indications relating to the books in question.

(viii) On illustrated cards, printed visiting cards, and Christmas and New Year cards: good wishes, greetings, congratulations, thanks, condolences, or other forms of politeness expressed in not more than five words or by means of not more than five conventional initials.

(ix) On printing proofs: such changes and additions as relate to the correction, form and printing, notes such as Ready for printing, O.K. for printing, or any similar note relating to the preparation of the work. In case of lack of space,