24
HONG KONG POSTAL GUIDE
senders. The net weight or quantity of the different kinds of articles contained In a parcel should be separately stated. Any other particulars should be given which would facilitate the assessment of Customs Duty, such as the material of which clothing is composed, and whether it is new or not. In the case of articles returned to the country where they originated, the fact should be stated. The forms for foreign parcels should, when possible, be filled up in both English and French; and the address upon the despatch-note should always be as complete as that upon the parcel itself. For further particulars as to declarations, see note against the names of the various countries in the Appendix
IV.
131.-All parcels are liable to be opened for Customs examination; and their contents are subject to Customs Duty according to the laws of the country of destination. The duty is collected from the addressee on delivery, except in the case of parcels sent under the special arrangements explained in paragraphs 132, 133, 134. In most Foreign Countries and British Colonies the articles which are not subject to Customs Duty on importation are comparatively few. The Post Office can give no information as to the Customs tariff or procedure of particular countries, nor does it accept any responsibility for loss, delay, or charges arising from the Customs or other regulations to which the contents of parcels are subject.
M
132.-Persons sending parcels to the United Kingdom and Australia can take upon themselves the payment of the Customs and other charges ordinarily payable by the addressees.
133. The sender must pay a fee of 25 cents, must sign an undertaking to pay on demand the amount due, and must make a deposit on account of the charges. A final settlement will take place as soon as the amount of the charges due has been ascertained from the country of destination. An under- taking to pay the charges under this arrangement cannot be accepted when the sender is residing only temporarily in Hong Kong or is unable to give a settled address in this colony.
134. As regards the United Kingdom, deposits to defray customs charges are at the rate of 50 cents per lb. for ten, $8.00 per lb. for cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco, 20 cents per lb. for sugar, $4.00 per £ ad valorem for Silk, Lace, Embroidery, Clocks and Watches etc. On receipt of account from London any balance of deposit made by the sender will be refunded.
135. In the United Kingdom a fee for clearance through the Customs is charged on every parcel on which Customs charges are levied. The amount of this fee is 1/- for each parcel on which the Customs charges exceed 10/- and 6d. for each parcel on which the Customs charges do not exceed 10/- The fee is collected from the addressee except in the cases of duty prepaid parcels when the amount must be prepaid by the sender.
3.
136.-In Hong Kong parcels from other countries are not, like letters, delivered at the residences of the addressees. Notice of the arrival of a parcel is sent to the addressee, who must then claim the parcel at the Post Office where it is lying. Local parcels, however, (i.e. those posted in Hong Kong to addresses within the Colony) are delivered.