3. Article

In order to qualify for the supplementary remuneration, participating designated operators must fulfil the conditions for this category of items defined in paragraphs 2 and 3. 2 Additional service features 2.1 In order for designated operators offering tracked items and/or opting to link the remuneration of registered and/or insured items with the offer of additional service features to qualify for supplementary remuneration, they shall transmit electronic information for these items, as defined in article 17-131. 3 Deadlines for transmission and quality targets 3.1 In order for the inward registered or insured items to qualify for supplementary remuneration in a relation between a designated operator of origin and destination which meet the conditions set in paragraph 2, the designated operator of destination shall observe (in this specific relation) the following targets associated with the transmission of item scanning event information: 3.1.1 Fifty-six percent of the items that receive an EMC (departure from office of exchange) event shall have an EMD (arrival at inward office of exchange) event transmitted within 24 hours of the event time and date; 3.1.1.1 The target in 3.1.1 shall be considered as achieved in cases where the number of items that receive an EMD event within the respective transmission time set out in paragraph 3.1.1 exceeds the number of items that receive an EMC event; 3.1.1.2 Fifty-six percent of the items that receive an EMD shall have an EDH (arrival at collection point for pick up by recipient) or EMH (attempted/unsuccessful delivery) and/or an EMI (final delivery) event, each transmitted within 24 hours of the event time and date. 3.2 In order for the inward tracked delivery items to qualify for supplementary remuneration in a relation between a designated operator of origin and destination that meet the conditions set in paragraph 2, the designated operator of destination shall observe (in this specific relation) a performance result above 75%. For each flow, the performance result shall be determined on the basis of the lowest between: 3.2.1 The ratio of EMD events transmitted within 24 hours of the event time and date over the number of EMC (departure from office of exchange) events that were transmitted by the origin designated operator; 3.2.2 The ratio of EDH (arrival at collection point for pick up by recipient), EMH (attempted or unsuccessful delivery attempt) and/or EMI (final delivery) events over EMD events, all transmitted within 24 hours of the event time and date. 3.3 For the purpose of determining the performance result in 3.2, the ratio in 3.2.1 shall not apply in cases where the number of items that receive an EMD event within the respective transmission time set out in paragraph 3.2.1 exceeds the number of items that receive an EMC event. 4 Amount of the supplementary remuneration 4.1 On a monthly basis, for the total number of inward registered or insured items in each category exchanged on a given relation between designated operators for which the conditions defined in paragraph 2.1 and the quality targets defined in paragraph 3 are met, a supplementary remuneration of 0.5 SDR per item will be paid by the designated operator of origin to the designated operator of destination. 4.2 On a monthly basis, for the total number of inward tracked items exchanged on a given relation between designated operators for which the conditions defined in paragraph 2.1 and the quality tar- gets in paragraph 3 are met, a supplementary remuneration per item shall be paid by the designated operator of origin to the designated operator of destination. The amount of the supplementary remuneration per qualifying item shall be 0.03 SDR for each percentage point above 75 and up to 100% as determined in paragraph 3.2 above, with a maximum rate of 0.75 SDR per item. 4.3 Qualifying items are all inward tracked delivery items that have both an EMD event and an EDH, EMH or EMI event transmitted within the time limits indicated in 3.2, irrespective of whether these items have an associated EMC event. The total amount of supplementary remuneration for tracked delivery items shall be determined by multiplying the number of qualified items with the remuneration determined in 4.2 above. 5 Communication of the offer of tracked or additional service features 5.1 The offer of additional service features associated with supplementary remuneration for registered and insured items shall be notified to the International Bureau. The offer of the optional tracked delivery service shall also be notified to the International Bureau, so that the designated operator concerned can be eligible to be paid the associated additional payments in paragraph 1.2 and supplementary remuneration in paragraph 4.2, provided it meets the conditions and requirements stipulated in those paragraphs. Relevant information will be presented in the Letter Post Compendium. The reporting and payment of the additional remuneration shall be effective the first quarter after the date of notification but not within less than two months after the date of notification. Article 31-105 Measurement of performance. Reporting and validation 1 Measurement 1.1 The performance against quality targets as well as the list of accountable tracked items for additional payment referred to in article 31-104 shall be measured by a suitable recognized system, which shall make use of the scanning information transmitted. 1.2 Monthly performance reports shall be produced and shall be communicated to the designated operators participating in the supplementary remuneration programme and/or offering tracked items as described in article 31-104.2.1. 2 Reporting 2.1 The monthly reports shall present the performance and corresponding remuneration for the transmission of scanning information for the inward items received by each designated operator in its relation with each of the other designated operators participating in the supplementary remuneration pro- gramme or those designated operators offering tracked items as described in article 31-104.2.1. 2.2 The International Bureau shall complement these monthly performance reports with quarterly reports aggregating the results of the monthly performance reports for the three months in each quarter. These quarterly reports shall sum up the supplementary remuneration due with a list of relations by category of items on which the inward items qualify for the supplementary remuneration. These reports shall be communicated to the designated operators participating in the supplementary remuneration programme or those designated operators offering tracked items as described in article 31-104.2.1 according to the following schedule: 2.2.1 Monthly performance reports - within one month following the end of the reporting period; 2.2.2 Quarterly aggregate reports - in conjunction with the monthly report in the month following the end of each quarter. 2.3 The monthly reports shall be considered as final if no query has been received by the International Bureau within one month of the issue of the most recent monthly report. 3 Treatment of queries 3.1 Designated operators may query the results by bringing evidence to the International Bureau and shall also notify the affected designated operator in question. The POC shall make a binding decision on the query based on an evaluation carried out by the International Bureau, which must include any supporting information provided by the designated operator that submitted the query. 4 Costs 4.1 The costs of administering these additional service features shall be borne by the participating designated operators. Article 31-106 Preparation and transmission of charges for supplementary remuneration accounts and additional payments based on central reports 1 The creditor designated operator shall be responsible for preparing quarterly or annual accounts and forwarding them to the debtor designated operator. The accounts shall be based on the quarterly aggregate reports from monthly reports provided by the International Bureau as described in article 31-105.2.2. 2 The detailed accounts shall be prepared and transmitted as follows: 2.1 The creditor designated operator shall list on a CN 60 form the monthly total number of qualifying items and the corresponding supplementary remuneration or additional payment as reported by the International Bureau. 2.2 The rules for the transfer and acceptance of accounting forms provided for in article 35-001 shall be applied to CN 60 accounts. 2.3 The CN 60 accounts shall be sent to the debtor designated operator no later than one month following receipt from the International Bureau of the supplementary remuneration quarterly or annual reports to which they refer. 2.4 In principle, the statements shall be regarded as fully accepted as rendered with no changes or amendments since the account information used is from a suitable recognized system and the reports are provided by the International Bureau. Statements that are not accepted shall be accompanied with evidence that the debtor designated operator has queried the results of the report published by the International Bureau for the month in question. 3 The debtor designated operator shall make payment for the amount billed within the six-week period provided for in article 35-004.10. Article 31-107 Calculation of the rates of terminal dues for countries applying articles 30.5 to 13 and 31.5 to 9 of the Convention 1 The charges referred to in article 30.5 of the Convention shall be in force on 1 June of the year preceding the calendar year to which the terminal dues rates apply. They shall be notified to the International Bureau by the same date and in compliance with the conditions provided for in article 31-108. 2 On the basis of these charges, expressed in local currency, the International Bureau shall annually convert the values notified, expressed in SDR, into a rate per item and a rate per kilogramme, in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4. To calculate the rates in SDR the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the five-month period ending 31 March of the year preceding the terminal dues reference year. The resultant rates shall be notified by circular no later than 1 July. 3 A rate per item and a rate per kilogramme shall be determined by linear interpolation between the reference charges for the 20-gramme letter-post item and the 175-gramme letter-post item specified in article 30.5 of the Convention, at the weights of 10 grammes and 175 grammes, respectively. These rates per item and per kilogramme shall be changed to a rate per item and rate per kilogramme with an item-to- kilogramme ratio of 12.8% at 91.9 grammes. On the basis of these rates, the terminal dues revenue for an item of 37.6 grammes and an item of 375 grammes shall be calculated. 4 The terminal dues rate per item and rate per kilogramme for small (P) and for large (G) letter-post items shall be determined following the steps below: 4.1 Calculate the floor terminal dues revenue for an item of 37.6 grammes, using the minimum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention; 4.2 Calculate the cap terminal dues revenue for an item of 37.6 grammes, using the maximum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention for the group of countries to which the country concerned belongs; 4.3 Compare the terminal dues revenue obtained in 3 with the values in 4.1 and 4.2, and: 4.3.1 if this value is below the value in 4.1, the applicable rates per item and per kilogramme shall be the minimum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention; 4.3.2 if this value is between the value in 4.1 and 4.2, multiply the minimum rates per item and per kilo- gramme by the ratio: revenue in 3 divided by revenue in 4.1. The resulting rates shall be rounded to three decimal places; 4.3.3 if this value is above the value in 4.2, use the maximum rates per item and per kilogramme provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention for the group of countries to which the country concerned belongs. 5 The terminal dues rate per item and rate per kilogramme for bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter- post items shall be determined following the steps below: 5.1 Calculate the floor terminal dues revenue for an item of 375 grammes, using the minimum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention; 5.2 Calculate the cap terminal dues revenue for an item of 375 grammes, using the maximum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention for the group of countries to which the country concerned belongs; 5.3 Compare the terminal dues revenue obtained in 3 with the values in 5.1 and 5.2, and: 5.3.1 if this value is below the value in 5.1, the applicable rates per item and per kilogramme shall be the minimum rates provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention; 5.3.2 if this value is between the value in 5.1 and 5.2, multiply the minimum rates per item and per kilogramme by the ratio: revenue in 3 divided by revenue in 5.1. The resulting rates shall be rounded to three decimal places; 5.3.3 if this value is above the value in 5.2, use the maximum rates per item and per kilogramme provided for in articles 30 and 31 of the UPU Convention for the group of countries to which the country concerned belongs. 6 The terminal dues rates calculated in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 shall be proportionally adjusted so that they do not exceed the maximum revenue increases specified in articles 30.7 and 31.3 of the Convention concerning the terminal dues revenue for an item of 37.6 grammes for small (P) and for large (G) letter-post items and for an item of 375 grammes for bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items, compared with the previous year. 7 If no charge has been communicated to the International Bureau by 1 June, the charges used for the calculation for the previous year for the designated operator concerned shall apply. If the calculation is made for the first time for the designated operator concerned, the rates provided for in article 30.10 and 11 of the Convention shall apply. 8 Notwithstanding the provisions set out under 2 and 6, the International Bureau must be informed of any reduction in the charge in the domestic service referred to in article 30.5 of the Convention by the designated operator concerned. 9 The new rates calculated on the basis of this article shall come into effect on 1 January and remain in force for the entire calendar year. In cases of charges queried by other countries or reported by the International Bureau in accordance with article 31-108.6 and 7, the calculated rates shall be regarded as provisional, until the Postal Operations Council decides as provided for in article 31-108.8. Article 31-108 Conditions applying to the notification of the reference charges for the calculation of terminal dues rates 1 The domestic charges provided in article 30.5 of the Convention for the calculation of terminal dues rates (reference charges) shall correspond to domestic items equivalent to the basic services defined in article 17 of the Convention. 2 Article 17-105 defines the specifications with respect to formats, dimensions and weight of items with which the reference charges shall conform. 3 In terms of speed of treatment, the reference charges shall correspond to items equivalent to those defined in article 17-101.2.1 as priority items. 4 The designated operators of countries in the target system shall notify to the International Bureau by 1 June the charges in force on 1 June of the year preceding the calendar year to which the terminal dues rates apply. 5 In cases where the items to which the notified charges correspond are not compliant with the requirements set out in article 30.5 of the UPU Convention and in paragraphs 1 to 3 above, the Postal Operations Council shall decide, on the basis of a report by the International Bureau, on the appropriate reference charge to be used for the calculation of terminal dues. The following rules shall apply: 5.1 In cases where, in the domestic service, the classification of items by format does not apply, the charges of items not classified by format, corresponding to the weights and dimensions provided for in article 17-105, shall be applied. 5.2 In cases where the specifications of the items, as defined in 17-105, do not apply in the domestic service of a specific country, the charge corresponding to the item with specifications nearest to the reference item shall apply, the format followed by the weight being the determinant criteria. 5.3 In cases where the conditions in paragraphs 1 to 3 are met by more than one item, the lowest charge shall apply. 6 Any member country or designated operator applying article 30 of the Convention may query the use of a charge by another member country or its designated operator for the calculation of terminal dues rates within the UPU. The query should be submitted to the International Bureau at least six weeks before the next Postal Operations Council starting date, and be made available with the result of the technical evaluation to Postal Operations Council members and the member country or designated operator whose charge is the subject of the query, at least two weeks before the starting date. 7 The International Bureau shall report to the Postal Operations Council any cases where the notified reference charges have been contested or do not appear to be compatible with article 30 of the Convention and with this article. 8 The Postal Operations Council shall decide on the cases in paragraphs 6 and 7 at its next meeting following notification, on the basis of a technical evaluation by the International Bureau, whether the notified reference charges are compatible with article 30 of the Convention and with this article. 9 In accordance with article 29.7 of the Convention, any initial self-declared rates beginning with effect from 1 July 2020 shall be furnished to the International Bureau no later than 1 March 2020, and the resultant initial rates shall thereafter be published by the International Bureau by 1 April 2020. For the initial rates set on 1 July 2020, the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the period from 1 August 2019 to 31 December 2019. Article 31-109 Quality of service-linked terminal dues remuneration 1 Terminal dues remuneration shall be based on quality of service performance of the designated operators of the country of destination. 2 Participation in a UPU-agreed system, compliant with the UPU GMS Technical Design, for quality of service measurement of the inward flow in the country or territory of destination, for the link between terminal dues and quality of service, is voluntary. If the designated operator of a country or territory of origin does not participate in the measurement of the inward flow, it shall pay to the designated operator of the country or territory of destination participating in the measurement quality of service adjusted terminal dues, but not less than 100% of the base terminal dues rates (terminal dues rates without any incentive or adjustment for quality of service performance). If a designated operator of a country or territory of destination does not put in place a UPU-agreed system for quality-of-service measurement of the inward flow compliant with the UPU GMS Technical Design, it shall receive 100% of the base terminal dues rates. 3 Notwithstanding the provisions set out under 1 and 2, designated operators which have a total annual inward mail volume below 100 tonnes and which do not participate in a UPU-agreed system for quality of service measurement of inward flows shall receive from, and pay to, all the other designated operators 100% of the base terminal dues rate. This provision shall not apply to designated operators in the target system prior to 2010. 4 For the application of paragraph 3, designated operators concerned shall notify to the International Bureau by 1 June of each year the total inward mail volumes of the previous calendar year. On the basis of their notifications, the International Bureau shall publish by 1 July the list of designated operators applying the provisions in paragraph 3 for the following year. In the absence of notification, the provisions in paragraph 2 shall apply. 5 Designated operators participating in a UPU-agreed quality of service measurement system, com- pliant with the UPU GMS Technical Design, for the link between terminal dues and quality of service shall, as an incentive, receive a terminal dues increase of 5% for their whole inward letter mail flow. 6 Designated operators shall be subject to a penalty if the quality targets fixed have not been met. This penalty shall be 1/3% of the terminal dues remuneration for each percent under the performance target. The penalty shall in no case exceed 10%. Owing to the 5% incentive for participation, the maximum penalty shall not lead to remuneration lower than 95% of the base terminal dues rates. 7 Notwithstanding the provisions set out under 6, where terminal dues rates are determined in accordance with articles 30 and 31 of the Convention (i.e. they are not self-declared pursuant to article 29 of the Convention), the application of penalties in cases where the quality targets have not been met shall not result in remuneration that is lower than the minimum rates provided in articles 30.10, 30.11, 31.5, 31.8 and 31.9 of the Convention. 8 Provisional quality of service-linked terminal dues rates shall be calculated by the International Bureau and notified by circular no later than 1 July of each year. The provisional rates shall come into effect on 1 January of the following year and shall remain in force for the entire calendar year. The provisional terminal dues rates shall be calculated in accordance with article 31-107 but shall, in addition, include an incentive and an adjustment based on the quality of service results of the previous calendar year. 9 Final quality of service-linked terminal dues rates shall be calculated by the International Bureau following the publication of the final quality of service results relating to the calendar year in question. The final quality of service-linked terminal dues rates shall be notified by International Bureau circular no later than 1 May of the year following the calendar year in question and shall replace the provisional terminal dues rates previously issued for that calendar year. 10 The Postal Operations Council shall fix the annual quality of service standards and targets in accordance with the provisions in article 31-110. Article 31-110 Principles for setting or revising quality of service standards and targets for the quality of service-linked terminal dues remuneration 1 For the purpose of the quality of service-linked terminal dues remuneration, the annual quality of service standards and targets shall be set by the Postal Operations Council based on standards and targets applicable in the domestic service with respect to comparable items and conditions. 2 The Postal Operations Council shall also decide on requests from designated operators to change their standards and targets due to changes to their domestic standards or targets. The revised standards or targets approved by the Postal Operations Council shall enter into force from the latter of the date of the implementation of such changes in the domestic services and the date of the receipt by the International Bureau of the change request from the designated operators concerned. 3 These standards and targets shall not be less favourable than those established for the inward letter- post items pursuant to article 14 of the UPU Convention. 4 Subject to the provisions in paragraph 3, the standards shall be set in compliance with the following principles: 4.1 The applicable standard shall correspond to the standard of the domestic service whose charges are used for calculating terminal dues. In cases where the terminal dues rates are not based on domestic charges the standard shall correspond to the domestic standard for the priority letter service. The domestic standards shall be verifiable by being published on the website of the designated operator concerned, printed in its general conditions or confirmed in writing by its regulator. 4.2 In the absence of domestic standards, the applicable standard shall be established taking into account the ability of the designated operator concerned to achieve a minimum level of performance, defined by the Postal Operations Council. 4.3 The standards shall in principle have a critical tag time (CTT) no earlier than 15.00. 5 Subject to the provisions in paragraph 3, the targets shall be fixed in compliance with the following principles: 5.1 The target shall be set at the highest of the domestic target set by the regulator and the most recent annual performance of the designated operator concerned within a UPU-agreed measurement system, rounded down to the nearest full percentage, subject to a minimum target of 75% and a maxi- mum target of 88%. 5.2 In the absence of annual performance results as in paragraph 5.1, the applicable target shall be the domestic target set by the regulator, subject to the minimum and the maximum targets above. 5.3 In the absence of a domestic target set by the regulator and of annual performance results as in paragraph 5.1, the initial target shall be set at the minimum target. 5.4 In principle, the target for a year shall not be set at a lower level than the target of the previous year. 5.5 At the request of the designated operator, the target may exceed the maximum target in 5.1. Article 31-111 Quality of service-linked terminal dues remuneration. Reporting and validation 1 Reporting 1.1 For the purpose of the quality of service performance results referred to in articles 31-109 and 31- 110, reports shall be produced and communicated on a monthly basis to the designated operators participating in a UPU-agreed quality of service measurement system, compliant with the UPU GMS Technical Design, no later than 30 days after the end of the month being reported upon. 1.2 The full calendar year quality of service results shall be produced and communicated to the designated operators participating in a UPU-agreed quality of service measurement system, compliant with the UPU GMS Technical Design, no later than 15 February of the year following the calendar year in question. 1.3 All queries submitted to the International Bureau concerning the measurement and calculation of quality of service results shall be submitted no later than 30 days after the date of notification of monthly or annual results. If no request for review is made within that period, the results shall be regarded as having been accepted. 1.4 The final annual quality of service results shall be notified by International Bureau circular no later than 1 April of the year following the calendar year in question. 2 Queries concerning quality measurement 2.1 Designated operators participating in a UPU-agreed quality of service measurement system may ask the measurement system provider to review inconsistencies with regard to specific test items. If the query cannot be mutually resolved between the designated operator and its measurement system provider, then the designated operator may submit a request to the International Bureau in accordance with the review request procedures in 2.2. 2.2 The Postal Operations Council shall establish relevant request review procedures and, as necessary, decide on such reviews in accordance with these procedures. Article 31-112 Mechanism for revising the rates of terminal dues 1 A designated operator sending or receiving flows of more than the flow threshold specified in article 31-117 (excluding M bags) may ask the corresponding designated operator for the application of the revision mechanism described below for determining the new rate of terminal dues suited to their traffic. This request may be made subject to the following conditions: 1.1 when a designated operator in the target system establishes that the average number of items per kilogramme (IPK) received from a designated operator in the transition system is higher than 12; 1.2 when a designated operator in the transition system establishes that the average number of items per kilogramme sent to another designated operator is lower than 7; 1.2.1 if the designated operator in the transition system requests the application of the revision mechanism under 1.2 for a flow to a designated operator in the target system, the latter can request the application of the mechanism also in the opposite direction when the other conditions for downward revision are fulfilled; 1.3 when a designated operator in the transition system establishes that the average number of items per kilogramme received from another designated operator is higher than 12; 1.4 when a designated operator requests the application of the revision mechanism for a flow, the corresponding designated operator may do likewise, independently of the flow size when the other conditions for upward or downward revision are fulfilled. 2 The revision mechanism shall consist in carrying out a special statistical count to calculate the average number of items per kilogramme, in accordance with the procedures set out in articles 31-119 and 35-006. 3 The designated operator intending to apply the revision mechanism shall so notify the corresponding designated operator at least five months in advance. 4 The request shall be supported by statistical data showing that the average number of items per kilogramme of the flow concerned deviates from the world average. These statistical data shall be obtained from a sampling of the flow concerned over the second quarter of a calendar year. The flow may be sampled using continuous sampling or 12 observation days spread as uniformly as possible over the period. 5 While respecting the time limit provided for under 3, the statistical period shall commence at the beginning of a calendar year. 6 The new terminal dues rate for the traffic in question shall be calculated in SDR as follows: rate per kilogramme = (Average number of items per kilogramme x rate per item provided for in article 31.5 to 31.8) + rate per kilogramme provided for in article 31.5 to 31.8. The average number of items per kilogramme is taken from the sampling under 4. 7 In cases where the average number of items per kilogramme falls between 7 and 12, the rate provided for in article 31.9 of the Convention shall apply to the traffic in question for the following calendar year. For the calendar year for which the average number of items falls between 7 and 12, the average number of items per kilogramme from the sampling shall be used for calculating the terminal dues rate. In addition, sampling for items per kilogramme shall cease if the average number of items per kilogramme from the sampling performed under 4 falls between 7 and 12 for the whole calendar year, until such time as the conditions for sampling have been satisfied and sampling has been reactivated. Article 31-113 Request for payment specific to bulk mail 1 The designated operator of destination shall be authorized to request the application of the payment specific to bulk mail when it establishes: 1.1 the receipt, in the same mail, or in one day when several mails are made up per day, of 1,500 or more items posted by the same sender; 1.2 the receipt, in a period of two weeks, of 5,000 or more items posted by the same sender; 1.3 in the case of items received from countries (designated operators) with terminal dues accounting and billing on the basis of a rate per kilogramme only, the receipt, in a period of four weeks, of mails whose total weight is composed of at least 90% of bulky (E) or small packet (E) letter-post items. 2 The designated operator of destination that wishes to apply the payment specific to bulk mail shall notify the designated operator of origin within two weeks of its receipt of the first instance of bulk mail. This notification shall be sent by fax or electronic means to the special address provided for in article 35-001.2 and it shall contain the dispatch number, date of dispatch, origin office of exchange, destination office of exchange and a photocopy of a sample of the mail pieces in question. 2.1 Except for the cases provided for under 3 and 4, specific payment shall not come into force until three months from the receipt of such notification from the designated operator of destination. Such specific payment shall only apply to bulk mails dispatched after the expiry of the three month notification period. 2.2 Receipt of bulk mails under 2.1 shall be established by the designated operator of destination in accordance with the provisions of article 17-137.6. 3 Notwithstanding the provisions under 2.1, the designated operator of destination shall be authorized to apply with immediate effect the payment specific to bulk mail when it establishes: 3.1 the receipt, in the same mail, or in one day when several mails are made up per day, of 3,000 or more items posted by the same sender; 3.2 the receipt, in a period of two weeks, of 10,000 or more items posted by the same sender; 3.3 in the case of items received from countries with terminal dues accounting and billing on the basis of a rate per kilogramme only, the receipt, in a period of four weeks, of mails whose total weight is composed of at least 90% of bulky (E) or small packet (E) letter-post items and which represents a 50% increase in the total weight of such mail received in the same four weeks the year before. 4 The designated operator of destination that wishes to apply the payment specific to bulk mail with immediate effect shall: 4.1 if based on provision 3.1 or 3.2, notify the designated operator of origin within three working days of the receipt of the bulk mail. This notification shall be in the form of a verification note specifying the dispatch number, date of dispatch, origin office of exchange, destination office of exchange and a photocopy of a sample of the mail pieces in question, sent by fax or electronic means to the special address provided for in article 35-001.2; 4.2 if based on provision 3.3, notify the sending designated operator that it will check, for a period of four weeks, the composition of the mail, to determine the percentage of total weight of bulky (E) or small packet (E) letter-post items. After this period, if the conditions in 3.3 are met, the bulk mail rates can be charged, provided that the total weight of such mail received has increased by more than 50% compared to the same four weeks the year before. 5 Once the designated operator of destination has requested the application of the specific payment for bulk mail, within three months the designated operator of origin may request the application of the specific payment to all bulk mail it dispatches to that designated operator, unless the original request by the designated operator of destination is withdrawn. 6 Termination of specific payment for bulk mail invoked under 5 must be notified by the designated operator of origin three months in advance of termination or be decided by mutual consent. 7 Notwithstanding the rules provided under 1 to 6, bulk mail provisions shall not be used in the target system between designated operators within the same terminal dues remuneration group when statistical counts for exchanges of mail are used for accounting. Article 31-114 Closed mails exchanged with military units 1 It shall be the responsibility of the designated operators of countries to which military units, warships or military aircraft belong to settle direct with the designated operators concerned the transit charges and terminal dues arising from the mails sent by those military units, ships or aircraft. 2 If these mails are redirected, the redirecting designated operator shall report the fact to the designated operator of the country to which the military unit, ship or aircraft belongs. Article 31-115 General principles for statistical sampling and estimation of the number of items per kilogramme 1 The following principles shall apply to all types of mail flow sampling that are required for the pur- poses of payment of terminal dues based on per item and per kilogramme charges (e.g. sampling related to the revision mechanism, exchanges between designated operators in the target system). 1.1 Both sampling and estimation of the average number of items per kilogramme shall reflect the com- position of the mail. As the composition of the mail varies with transportation mode, format, container type, time of year (month), and day of week, the sample of the mail shall reflect these variations and resemble, as closely as is practical, the entire mail flow. Likewise, the method of estimation shall also reflect these variations. 1.2 The statistical sampling program shall be designed to achieve a target statistical precision of ± 5% with 95% confidence and on estimate of IPK of the average number of items per kilogramme and of the number of items exchanged between designated operators. 1.2.1 This target statistical precision defines a goal that all designated operators which conduct sampling should attempt to achieve through their designs. It does not define a minimum precision requirement. 1.3 The design of the sampling programme, the selection of the samples, the method of collecting data and the estimation process shall conform to generally accepted principles of mathematical statistics, probability sampling theory, and design of statistical surveys. 1.4 Within the constraints of these principles, each designated operator has sufficient flexibility to adapt the design of its sampling programme to the attributes of its mail flow and its resource constraints. However, each designated operator must notify the corresponding designated operator of its design decisions, including estimation approach, in advance of the observation period. Article 31-116 Statistical counts for exchanges of mail between designated operators of countries in the target system 1 For exchanges of mail between designated operators of countries in the target system prior to 2010, a statistical count shall be carried out. However, to avoid sampling costs for small exchanges between designated operators of countries in the target system prior to 2010, the average number of items per kilogramme between designated operators of countries in the target system shall be applied for mail flows below a certain threshold, if both designated operators concerned so agree. The POC shall fix the threshold and the average number of items per kilogramme to be applied. 2 For flows above 50 tonnes a year between countries that joined the target system in 2010, 2012 and 2016, as well as between these countries and countries that were in the target system prior to 2010, a statistical count shall be carried out. Below this threshold, statistical counts shall be carried out only if both designated operators concerned so agree. These designated operators may also agree to apply the average number of items per kilogramme between designated operators of countries in the target system for mail flows below a certain threshold. The POC shall fix the threshold and the average number of items per kilogramme to be applied. The size of a flow shall be based on the last four approved consecutive quarters. 3 The POC shall also fix the thresholds and the average number of items per kilogramme to be applied in case of mails separated into two formats (S and E), and in case of mails separated into three formats (P, G and E). 4 The statistical count shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115. If designated operators exchange letter trays and flat trays, the estimates of items per kilogramme (IPK) by modes of transportation and quarter shall reflect the composition of the mail by container type and format. Except as otherwise provided below in paragraph 4.1, the statistical count shall be carried out by means of continuous sampling, in which a systematic or randomized sample of receptacles is computer-selected for testing throughout the observation period. The designated operators concerned shall agree on the statistical forms to be used. 4.1 For the years up to and including 2019, the statistical count may be carried out employing 48 days of observation per year of sampling with four days per month. Within an observation day, designated operators may employ subsampling, if it is not feasible to conduct a complete count of all the mail received during the day concerned. The receiving designated operator shall not be required to notify the dispatching designated operator in advance as to the observation days or mail receptacles that are chosen to be sampled. 5 Estimation of the annual number of items 5.1 The annual number of items shall be the weighted average of the numbers of items computed separately for each transportation mode and quarter. It shall be computed as follows: 5.1.1 The average number of items per kilogramme obtained by sampling a given transportation mode over a given quarter shall be multiplied by the total weight of mail for that transportation mode and quarter, the aim being to estimate the total number of items for that transportation mode and quarter. 5.1.2 The estimates of the total number of items per transportation mode and quarter shall be added together to calculate the estimated annual number of items. 6 Each designated operator must notify the corresponding designated operator of its sampling pro- gramme design decisions, including estimation approach, at least three months in advance of the observation period. 7 Where the sampling of items per kilogramme has not been performed or the results have not been made known within five months after the end of the fourth quarter, the other designated operator shall have the right to submit its own sampling results for the missing data. The statistical sampling and estimation shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115, except that a target precision of ± 7.5%, instead of ± 5%, shall apply. If no data are available, the lower of the last agreed average number of items per kilogramme or the average number of items per kilogramme agreed for target member country flows shall be used. 8 Registered letter-post items designated by dispatch mail subclass code UR and tracked letter-post items designated by dispatch mail subclass code UX shall be excluded from statistical sampling. The statistical values shall instead be based on the actual counts of registered and tracked items recorded on forms CN 31, CN 33, CN 55 and CN 56. 9 When sampling has been carried out in accordance with the thresholds in paragraph 2, the results from the sampling shall be used for settling the accounts. Article 31-117 Statistical counts for exchanges in the transition system 1 The sampling shall reflect the composition of the mail, and shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115. 2 As provided for in article 31.10 of the Convention, for mail flows above 100 tonnes a statistical count may be carried out to revise the terminal dues rates, other than those applicable to bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items that have been self-declared pursuant to article 29, on the basis of the actual number of items per kilogramme as determined in accordance with the provisions of articles 31-112 and 31-119. The revision mechanism shall not apply in case of mail flows below 100 tonnes, in which case the relevant per- item and per-kilogramme components shall be converted into a total rate per kilogramme on the basis of the worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail, as referred to in article 30.14. 3 Sampling of mail flows referred to in articles 29.1.5, 31.12 and 13 of the Convention shall apply the same provisions in relation to sampling of mail flows in the target system, which are provided in paragraphs 2 to 9 of article 31-116 and in article 31-118. Article 31-118 Alternative approach for statistical counts for exchanges of mail between designated operators of countries applying target system procedures 1 For those exchanges between designated operators of countries in the target system or for those exchanges referred to in paragraph 3 of article 31-117.3 where letter trays and/or flat tubs are exchanged, designated operators may take steps to develop estimates of items based upon receptacle type. The statistical count shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115. 1.1 It is recommended that designated operators may instead employ continuous sampling, in which a systematic or randomized sample of receptacles is computer selected for testing throughout the observation period. The designated operators concerned shall agree on the statistical forms to be used. 1.2 Where continuous sampling is not performed, observation days shall be spread as uniformly as possible over the working days of the week (with only the working days for the office of exchange concerned taken into consideration), and shall reflect modes of transportation used for the entire mail flow. The statistical count shall consist of at least 48 days of observation per year of sampling with four days per month. Within an observation day, designated operators may employ subsampling, if it is not feasible to conduct a complete count of all the mail received during the day concerned. 2 Estimation of the annual number of items 2.1 The annual number of items shall be the weighted average of the numbers of items computed separately for each receptacle type and transportation mode. It shall be computed as follows: 2.1.1 The average number of items per kilogramme obtained by sampling a given receptacle type and transportation mode, shall be multiplied by the total weight of mail for that receptacle type and transportation mode, the aim being to estimate the total number of items for that receptacle type and transportation mode. 2.1.2 The estimates of the total number of items per receptacle type and transportation mode shall be added together to calculate the estimated annual number of items. 3 Designated operators shall indicate the weight of mail sent by receptacle type (e.g. weight in letter trays, weight in flat tubs, weight in bags, etc.) on duly modified forms, and provide receptacle information by electronic data interchange (EDI), if possible. 4 Each designated operator must notify the corresponding designated operator of its sampling pro- gramme design decisions, including estimation approach, at least two months in advance of the observation period. Nevertheless, the receiving designated operator shall not be required to notify the dispatching designated operator in advance as to the observation days or mail receptacles that are chosen to be sampled. 5 Where the sampling of items per kilogramme has not been performed or the results have not been made known within five months after the end of the fourth quarter, the other designated operator shall have the right to submit its own sampling results for the missing data. The statistical sampling and estimation shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115, except that a target precision of ± 7.5%, instead of ± 5%, shall apply. If no data are available, the lower of the last agreed average number of items per kilogramme or the average number of items per kilogramme agreed for target member country flows shall be used. Article 31-119 Special statistical count for the application of the revision mechanism 1 To apply the revision mechanism, in the absence of a special arrangement, such as a mutual agreement to use the UPU average number of items per kilogramme in mail flows from transitional to target member countries from the latest UPU flow study, a statistical count shall be carried out on the basis of a sampling of the flow in question. 1.1 The sampling shall reflect the composition of the mail, and shall conform to the principles set forth in article 31-115. The statistical count shall include at least 48 days of observation within the twelve- month period to which it refers. On an observation day, designated operators may employ subsampling, if it is not feasible to conduct a complete count of all the mail received during the day concerned. 1.1.1 As an alternative to sampling on a specified set of days, designated operators may instead employ continuous sampling, in which a systematic sample of receptacles is selected for testing throughout the observation period. The designated operators concerned shall agree on the statistical forms to be used. 1.2 The observation days shall be spread as uniformly as possible over the working days of the week (only working days for the office of exchange concerned shall be taken into consideration) and the modes of transportation over the entire mail flow. They shall be chosen on a yearly basis as shown below: 1.2.1 at least 48 observation days in a twelve-month period; each working day of the week shall be observed at least twice per quarter. 2 Estimation of the average number of items per kilogramme 2.1 The average annual number of items per kilogramme shall be the weighted average of the average numbers of items per kilogramme computed separately for each transportation mode and quarter. It shall be computed as follows: 2.1.1 The average number of items per kilogramme, obtained by sampling a given transportation mode over a given quarter, shall be multiplied by the total weight of mail for that transportation mode and quarter, the aim being to estimate the total number of items for that transportation mode and quarter. 2.1.2 The sum of the estimations of the total number of items for each transportation mode and quarter shall be divided by the total annual weight of mail. 3 The designated operator requesting application of the revision mechanism shall choose the statistical system to be applied and shall notify the corresponding designated operator thereof so that the latter can take any necessary control measures. Alternatively, the designated operator requesting application of the revision mechanism may agree with the corresponding designated operator to apply the UPU average number of items per kilogramme in mail flows from transitional to target countries from the latest UPU flow study. 4 The designated operator requesting application of the revision mechanism shall not be required to provide notification in advance of the observation days that it has chosen. Article 31-120 Self-declaration of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items 1 For the purposes of article 29.1.2.3 of the Convention, the midpoint shall be calculated as follows: 1.1 When the total number of zones is even, the midpoint shall be the mean of the middle two zones. When the total number of zones is odd, the midpoint shall be the median of the total number of zones. 1.2 When the domestic tariffs for any given zone are equivalent to those of at least one other zone in all weight increments, then all such zones with equivalent rates shall be treated as a single zone for the purpose of determining the midpoint rate. 1.3 Non-contiguous zones shall be excluded when they exclusively relate to origin and destination pairs between contiguous and non-contiguous zones. Zones used for origin and destination pairs in a contiguous portion of the territory shall not be excluded for purposes of determination of the midpoint rate. 2 For the purposes of article 29.1.2.3 of the Convention, the actual weighted average distance of a designated operator's inbound bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items shall be calculated using sample estimates and/or electronic scanning census data. Supporting data shall be for the latest calendar year and from the receiving office(s) of exchange to the destination delivery points. 3 Other special situations with zonal tariffs shall be handled on a case-by-case basis. 4 Where zonal tariffs are used, the designated operator shall make an official declaration to the International Bureau of the method to be applied (the median approach or the weighted distance calculation) by 1 June of the year preceding the calendar year to which the terminal dues rates apply. If the designated operator chooses to apply the average distance methodology to zonal tariffs, the average distance with sup- porting data must be provided before or with the official declaration. In selecting the appropriate tariffs, the rules shall be applied in the following order: firstly, article 29.1.2.2 related to multiple packet tariffs; then, article 29.1.2.3 related to zonal tariffs; and, lastly, article 29.1.2.4 related to tariffs with additional service features. Article 31-121 Calculation of cost-to-tariff ratio for designated operators applying article 29.8 of the UPU Convention 1 For the purposes of article 29.8 of the Convention, the competent authority's determination as to whether a designated operator's costs for the handling and delivery of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter- post items are being covered, thereby enabling the designated operator to self-declare a cost-to-tariff ratio that exceeds 70%, shall be informed by the approach described below. 2 The approach considers the cost-to-tariff ratio in paragraph 1 as the relationship between the costs and the revenue at the average weight of an E format item specific to the inbound flow of the designated operator of the destination country. All inbound bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items shall be included in order to determine the average weight. 2.1 The estimated average revenue shall be determined for the year following that in which the notification takes place in accordance with article 29.8. The average revenue shall be calculated at the average weight determined in paragraph 2 and shall be based on the rates per item and per kilogramme for E format items that are calculated on the basis of a linear regression of 11 points corresponding to 100% of the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services for 20-, 35-, 75-, 175-, 250-, 375-, 500-, 750-, 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,000-gramme bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items, exclusive of any tax, in effect on 1 June of the year preceding that in which the self-declared rates would apply. The business rules set out in paragraphs 1.2.2, 1.2.3 and 1.2.4 of article 29 shall be applied. The item-to-kilo ratio from the E format terminal dues rates that are self- declared, in accordance with article 29.7 to 29.9 and notified on 1 June of the year preceding that in which they would apply, shall be used to calculate the estimated average revenue. The revenue shall be calculated without quality of service adjustment. 2.2 The estimated average cost shall be determined at the average weight determined in paragraph 2, considering the average composition of the items by dimension. The estimated average cost shall be determined using the latest available cost information adjusted for inflation, based on the country's official overall consumer price index, in order to reflect the average cost for the year following that in which the notification is carried out in accordance with article 29.8. The inflation-linked increase shall be applied to each year following that for which the latest available cost information is provided. Additional costs linked to supplementary services shall not be included. The cost shall be based on reliably identified causal relationships, and shall be calculated consistently with the costing system and methodologies used by the competent authority for other products evaluated by the competent authority. 2.3 The cost-to-tariff ratio shall be calculated by dividing the estimated average cost according to paragraph 2.2 by the estimated average revenue according to paragraph 2.1. The cost-to-tariff ratio shall be displayed as a percentage rounded to one decimal place. 3 The cost-to-tariff ratio may be increased as high as required to cover projected costs, but shall in no event be higher than one percentage point above the highest percentage ever set for the operator in question, subject to the overall cap in Convention article 29. 4 In the event that the cost-to-tariff ratio in 2.3 is lower than the ratio currently in effect, the cost-to-tariff ratio used for the self-declared rates shall be reduced to the highest between the ratio in 2.3 and 70%. 5 If no ratio is submitted, or if no supporting information is furnished by the respective notification deadlines referred to in Convention article 29.8, the cost-to-tariff ratio shall be 70%. Article 31-122 Remuneration for returned undeliverable letter-post items 1 The designated operator returning the undeliverable items as referred to in article 19-103 is authorized to request from the designated operator in the country of origin the remuneration in paragraphs 2 and 3 below. 2 The rate for the return handling of undeliverable items shall be 0.907 SDR per kilogramme for 2022, 0.930 SDR per kilogramme for 2023, 0.952 SDR per kilogramme for 2024, and 0.975 SDR per kilogramme for 2025. 3 The remuneration shall be complemented with a rate based on distance, as follows: 3.1 For air transport: the basic air conveyance rate set by the Postal Operations Council using the formula in article 34-101 multiplied by 86%; 3.2 For land transport: 3.2.1 per kilogramme and per kilometre up to 1,000 kilometres: 0.366 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.375 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.385 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.394 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.2.2 per kilogramme and per supplementary kilometre up to 3,000 kilometres: 0.157 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.161 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.165 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.169 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.2.3 per kilogramme and per supplementary kilometre up to 5,000 kilometres: 0.137 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.140 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.143 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.147 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.2.4 per kilogramme and per supplementary kilometre: 0.091 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.093 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.095 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.098 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.2.5 the rate based on distance being calculated per 100-kilometre distance step, based on the mid-value in each step; 3.3 For sea transport: 3.3.1 per kilogramme and per nautical mile (1.852 km) up to 1,000 nautical miles: 0.175 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.180 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.184 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.188 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.3.2 per kilogramme and per supplementary nautical mile up to 2,000 nautical miles: 0.097 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.099 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.102 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.104 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.3.3 per kilogramme and per supplementary nautical mile up to 4,000 nautical miles: 0.063 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.064 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.066 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.067 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.3.4 per kilogramme and per supplementary nautical mile up to 10,000 nautical miles: 0.007 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.007 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.007 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.008 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.3.5 per kilogramme and per supplementary nautical mile: 0.003 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2022, 0.003 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2023, 0.003 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2024, and 0.003 thousandth of an SDR for the year 2025; 3.3.6 the rate based on distance being calculated per 100-nautical-mile distance step, based on the mid- value in each step. 4 The designated operator returning the undeliverable items that wishes to collect the remuneration in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall inform other designated operators by entering the relevant information in the Letter Post Compendium online by no later than 31 October for the rates to enter into force on 1 January of the following year. 5 A designated operator shall be remunerated for the return of undeliverable letter-post items only if these items are returned in separate dispatches, of mail subclass UV. Format separation is not necessary for these dispatches. Dispatches of mail subclass UV shall contain only undeliverable letter-post items being returned to the designated operator of origin. They shall not contain items returned in open transit. 6 For interested designated operators returning dispatches of undeliverable items, all associated statements and accounts are issued centrally by the International Bureau and are made available to creditors and debtors. The mechanism is as follows: 6.1 These designated operators must ensure, with their EDI network provider, that PREDES messages for dispatches of mail subclass UV that they send are forwarded to the International Bureau on a monthly basis. 6.2 Where a verification note is raised on a dispatch of mail subclass UV sent by these designated operators, the designated operator raising the verification note must forward it to the International Bureau when it is raised and when it is resolved, if it impacts the associated centralized accounting. 6.3 The International Bureau performs cost calculations based on a pre-defined published algorithm. 6.4 The International Bureau generates quarterly CN 72 accounting statements and yearly CN 73 accounts for UV dispatches sent by interested designated operators. The statements for a quarter are generated in the last two weeks of the following quarter. The CN 73 is generated no later than two weeks after the end of the acceptance period for the CN 72 of the last quarter of the year. 6.5 The International Bureau publishes the statements and accounts on a secured platform so that only the creditor and debtor of a statement or account have access to it. 6.6 Where the CN 72 total amount is disputed by a designated operator within two months of the date of the CN 72 statement and the parties agree on a value different from the one in the published form, the creditor shall inform the International Bureau of the agreed value so that it can be reflected in the yearly CN 73 account. 7 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 6, designated operators may issue statements and accounts themselves for accounting returned undeliverable letter-post items. The mechanism is as follows: 7.1 These designated operators shall indicate in the Letter Post Compendium Online that they choose to generate all accounts for returned undeliverable letter-post items themselves. This choice may only be changed yearly and shall be announced with the same deadline as that indicated in paragraph 4. 7.2 Where a verification note is raised on a dispatch of mail subclass UV sent by these designated operators, the designated operator raising the verification note does not need to forward it to the International Bureau. 7.3 These designated operators shall send their receiving partners CN 72 accounting statements on a quarterly (recommended frequency), half-yearly or yearly basis, between two and three months after the end of a period, and yearly CN 73 accounts no later than two weeks after the end of the acceptance period for the last CN 72 of the year. 8 The acceptance period for the CN 72 statement and CN 73 account shall be two months. 9 When the balance in a CN 73 account does not exceed 163.35 SDR, it shall be carried over to the next CN 73 account, unless the designated operators concerned participate in the clearing system of the International Bureau. 10 Settlements associated with the return of undeliverable letter-post items may be made in accordance with the provisions of article 35-002. Article 32-101 Invoicing and payment of amounts due into the Quality of Service Fund 1 Invoicing and payment of amounts due to countries classified in group IV as per article 32, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the Convention 2 On the basis of the CN 61 detailed accounts accepted or regarded as fully accepted which have been sent to it, the International Bureau, the organization responsible for billing, shall prepare CN 64bis statements for the designated operators of countries classified in groups I, II and III. These statements shall contain the following information: 2.1 the names of the designated operators of countries classified in group IV to which the data relates; 2.2 the SDR amount subject to the increases specified in article 32 of the Convention; 2.3 the total amount to be paid by the designated operator concerned. 3 The CN 64bis statement shall be sent by electronic mail or through the relevant Quality of Service Fund billing platform3 for approval to each designated operator concerned. If, within one month of the date of dispatch of the statement, no comment has been received by the International Bureau, the amount of that statement shall be regarded as fully accepted. 4 On the basis of the information provided in the CN 61 statements, the International Bureau shall calculate the additional amount owed by each country in the target system to the countries in the transition system not reaching the minimum of 20,000 SDR, as set out in article 32.8 of the Convention, in proportion to the volumes sent to the beneficiary designated operator. 5 The invoice for the additional amount indicated in 4 shall be accompanied by a CN 64ter statement, containing the following information: 5.1 the names of the designated operators of countries classified in group IV to which the data relate; 5.2 the reference year; 5.3 the additional amount (in SDR) needed to reach the minimum of 20,000 SDR specified in article 32.8 of the Convention; 5.4 the share of this additional amount (expressed as a percentage) owed by the designated operator concerned, in proportion to the mail volumes exchanged; 5.5 the amount to be paid by the designated operator concerned. 6 Invoicing and payment of amounts due to the Common Fund (CF) as per article 32.5 and 32.6 of the Convention: 6.1 Billing shall be based on the terminal dues payable by the countries of groups I to III to the countries of group III. 6.2 Countries classified as group III countries shall provide the International Bureau with a copy of the CN 61 forms detailing the mail flows described in article 32.5 and 32.6 of the Convention. 6.3 On the basis of the CN 61 special accounts transmitted to it that are accepted or considered as fully accepted, the International Bureau shall prepare CF statements for the designated operators of countries classified in groups I, II and