International Mail Manual; Incorporation by Reference

Published

Nov 4, 2026

Effective

Nov 4, 2026

Citation

91 FR 69504

Final rule.

Summary

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has officially adopted the latest version of its International Mail Manual (IMM), which sets the rules for how mail sent abroad must be prepared, labeled, and handled. By incorporating the IMM into the federal regulations, the USPS makes these standards legally binding, helping to ensure that international shipments are processed consistently and efficiently, reducing delays and errors for senders and recipients worldwide. The rule was issued by the Postal Service, the federal agency that operates the nation’s mail system. It applies to anyone who sends or receives international mail through the USPS—businesses, individuals, and third‑party mailing services that use the postal network for overseas deliveries. The rule became effective on November 4, 2026, the same day it was published in the Federal Register (91 FR 69504). Because this is a final rule, there is no open comment period; the USPS will now enforce the IMM standards as part of the Code of Federal Regulations. Companies and individuals should review the updated manual to ensure their international mailing practices comply with the new requirements.

AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.

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