Directory_and_Chronicle_1913 — Page 559

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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

(n) The amount of the value insured must be expressed in francs and centimes, and must be written by the sender on the cover of the packet in words and in figures, without erasure or correction, even if certified. (6) The sender's name and address must be endorsed on the left-hand lower

corner on the face of the cover.

(p) Except in cases beyond control, ie., fire, tempest, earthquake, war, shipwreck, etc., where an inusred letter has been lost or damaged or its contents abstracted, the sender or at his request the addressee, is etnitled to an indemnity corresponding with the actual amount of the loss, abstraction, or damage, unless the damage has been caused by the fault or negligence of the sender, or arises from the anture of the article, and provided that this indemnity may not exceed in any case the sum for which the letter has been insured.

(4) In case of loss the sender is also entitled to a return of the expenses of

transmission.

(») Every letter tendered for insurance must be enclosed in a strong cover, which must be securely fastened and sealed with fine wax, in such a way that it cannot be opened without either breaking the seals or leaving obvious traces of violation. Envelopes with black or coloured borders must not be used. No labels may be affixed except those of the postal service. Seals must be placed over each flap or seam of the cover of a packet; and if the packet is tied round with string or tape, a seal must be placed on the ends where they on tied. No letter can be insured for more than its actual value, or for more than the sum entered in the Tables of Rates against the name of the Country or Colony to which it is addressed. A letter of which the contents have no saleable value may, however, be insured for a nominal sum in order to obtain the safeguards to the registration system. Over-insurance is an obstacle to compensation.

FOREIGN PARCEL POST.-GENERAL REGULATIONS

(Postage, Dimensions and Weight)

196.—For Postage,maximum dimensions and weight, see Table of Rates of Postage,etc.

PREPAYMENT, ADDRESS, METhod of Posting, CERTIFICATE OF POSTING 197.-The rules as to the method of address, as to the method of posting, and as to certificates of posting, are similar to the rules for local parcels given in Rule 80 respec- tively.

CUSTOMS DECLARATION AND DESPATCH NOTE

198.—Parcels are subject to Customs regulations, and the sender of each parcel is required to make for Customs purposes--upon a special form or forms, which can be obtained at any Post Office-an accurate statement of the nature and value of the contents and other particulars. Undervaluing the contents or failure to describe them fully may result in seizure of the parcels. The net weight or quantity of the various articles contained in a parcel should, if possible, be stated, and any other particulars which would facilitate the assessment of Customs duty; such as, in the case of clothing, the material of which it is composed, and whether it is new or has been worn, 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.

CUSTOMS DUTY AND CHARGES ON DELIVERY

199.-All parcels are liable to be open for Customs examination, and their con- tents are subject to Customs duty according to the laws of the country or colony of destination. Such duty cannot be prepaid, but is collected from the addressee on delivery, except in the case of parcels sent under the arrangements explained in Rule 202. In most Foreign countries and British coloines 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 sanitary regulations to which the contents of parcels are subject.

200.-In addition to Customs duty, a charge of 6d, per parcel for stamp duty clearance, &c., is levied on all dutiable parcels entering Cape Colony and Natal This charge is increased to 1s. 6d. in the case of parcels for Rhodesia and Orange River Colony. Innost European countries and some others a fee not exceeding 24d. per parcel is leviable for delivery and Customs formalities. In Honduras and Salvador the fee is 1 centavo for each 4 oz., with a minimum of 5 centavos. As to the charge on parcels for the Congo Free State-ride footnote in Table of Postage.