424
HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE
NOTE: When perforated wooden blocks are used having a thickness of 1/10" in the thinnest part, sufficiently provided inside with absorbent material and supplied with a lid, it is not necessary that the blocks shall be enclosed in a second case.
(c) Fatty substances which are not easily liquified, such as ointments, soft soap, resin, etc., the transmission of which offers less inconvenience, must be enclosed in an inner cover (box, bag of linen or parchment, etc.) which must itself be placed in a second box of wood, metal, or strong and thick leather.
(d) Dry colouring powders must be placed in bags of leather, rubber- dressed linen, or oil paper of stout substance, and dry powders not dyes, in boxes of metal, wood or cardboard. These bags or boxes are themselves enclosed in a bag of linen or parchment.
(e) Live bees must be enclosed in boxes so constructed as to avoid all danger
and to allow the contents to be ascertained.
63.-Keys sent singly, fresh cut flowers, objects of natural history (dried or preserved animals and plants, geological specimens and other similar objects) as also tubes of serum and pathological objects rendered innocuous by their mode of preparation and packing, are also admitted to transmission at the rate of postage for samples of merchandise, provided that they are not sent for a commercial purpose and they are packed in the manner prescribed for samples of merchandise generally.
64.-The postage rate for Samples is 2 cents per 2 ozs. with a minimum charge of 4 cents.
65.-The limit of weight for packets of samples for the United Kingdom, British Colonies or Possessions or Non-Union countries is 5 lbs., but for foreign countries in the Postal Union the limit is 12 ozs.
66.-A packet of samples sent to the United Kingdom or any British Colony or Possession or Non-Union country must not exceed 2 feet in length by 1 foot in width or depth, but to any foreign place comprised in the Postal Union a packet must not exceed 12 inches in length, 8 in width, or 4 in depth, unless it be in the form of a roll, in which case the limit of size is 12 inches in length and 6 inches in diameter.
67.-Type samples of unmanufactured tobacco and of spirits (except perfumed spirits) are admitted by post into the United Kingdom provided that such samples are sent for trade purposes, that they do not exceed 6 ozs. and 12 ozs. respectively in gross weight, and that they comply with the general regulations of the Sample Post. Upon the delivery of such samples there is levied from the addressee a charge of 2s. 6d. and 1s. 4d. respectively for Customs duty.
68.-Packets of samples, when they do not accord with the regulations, are returned to the senders when possible.
Mixed Packets
69.-Printed papers, commercial papers and samples of merchandise may be enclosed in the same packet provided that:-
(a) Each article taken separately shall not exceed the limits of weight and
size applicable to it.
(b) The total weight shall not exceed 5 lbs. if intended for the United Kingdom, British Colonies and Possessions and Non-Union countries, and 4 lbs. for foreign countries in the Postal Union.
(c) The minimum rate of postage for each packet shall be 10 cents if it contains commercial papers and 4 cents if it consists of printed papers and samples.
Mails
70.-The date and hours of closing all mails in the General Post Office are published twice daily in a special Mail Notice, except on Sundays and Holidays.
71. This information is also given on the Mail Notice Board in front of the Office; is case of doubt this should be consulted, as notifications of sailings, etc., are often received too late for insertion in a mail notice.
72.-Inward mails are advertised as above whenever practicable.