[NHCOLL-L:4722] RE: Possible change in USPS International Mailing Standards???

[Schlenker, Lori Bryn]

Hi Rich,

This is currently a requirement for USPS Registered mail.  The package
must have every seam covered with flat paper tape (even the glued box
seams must be taped) and be presented to the clerk at the USPS post
office counter.  The clerk will hand stamp every seam many times.  We
have not been asked to use paper tape on any other packages.

Note that Registered Mail is only available (although not a required add
on) with First Class service on international packages. First Class
limitations are:
*	Up to 64 ounces.
*	No more than 24 inches long.
*	No more than 36 inches in combined length, height, and depth.

So, it doesn't work for heavier or larger packages which must be sent
Priority Mail International.

If you find out that USPS is extending the paper tape requirements to
other services, please let me know.

Best,
Lori

Lori Schlenker
KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
lschlenk at ku.edu
 
(785) 864-4540
Fax (785) 864-5335

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Rabeler, Richard
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 10:17 AM
To: 'nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu'
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4717] Possible change in USPS International Mailing
Standards???

Colleagues:

For those of you sending packages from the US to international
destinations via the United States Postal Service, you might be
interested in my recent experience.

We have been told by our University Mail Service (and by extension, our
local Post Office where they drop our packages) that any tape with a
shiny surface cannot be used on a package going to an international
destination.  From what I have learned, packages are now stamped along
all corners - shiny tape causes smudges that look like the package may
have been tampered with.  Paper tape is OK.

>From what I have been able to determine, none of this info is in the
online International Mail Manual nor can I find any bulletins where I
can read about the change.

I'm looking into this further and I would also be interested in learning
if others have seen this same change.

Sincerely,

Rich Rabeler
University of Michigan Herbarium