WASHINGTON -February 15, 2002 The Postal Service announced today a new postage discount and customized mailing program for international packages sent from the United States. "I am pleased to announce that Postal Service customers can better manage their international shipping costs by using our new array of international discount programs," said James P. Wade, Vice President of the Postal Service's International Business. "All international parcel shippers can now take advantage of this new Global Package Discount Program," he added. The program consists of three parts. First, any postal customer paying for Global Express Mail using an Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) will qualify for a discount. Customers will receive a five-percent discount when they open an EMCA or use it to send Global Express Mail items. The discount applies only to Global Express Mail items. The discount is applied to the customer's total monthly international Global Express Mail items. Customers will now be able to open an EMCA by using a credit card. Second, larger discounts are available to customers who use an EMCA to mail at least 600 items or spend at least $12,000 in Global Express Mail postage annually. Customers will be able to receive larger discounts by entering into an International Customized Mail (ICM) agreement with the Postal Service. The ICM provides the terms and conditions of the discounts. The size of the discount varies by the customer's volume or revenue and is adjusted each quarter based upon the actual volume mailed by the customer during the preceding quarter. Third, customers who have special needs or very high volumes will be able to customize the service they receive from the Postal Service for all international packages, including Global Express Guaranteed, Global Express Mail, Global Priority Mail and Global Air Parcel Post. They will be able to customize the service they receive, which include, labeling, customs pre-advise, customs harmonization, providing a landed price for overseas customers and address correction service. Rates and service features for such very high volume customers will be negotiated to meet their unique needs. "I am pleased to be able to offer this unique opportunity for international mailers to participate in our Global Package Discount Program that allows them to better manage their shipping costs," Wade said. For more information about the new Global Package Discount Program, call 1-800-THE-USPS x GD2376.