Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 484

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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

PARCEL POST

General

148. For rates of postage, maximum dimensions and weight, prohibited articles etc., see Appendix III.

149.-No packet can be accepted by an officer of the Departinent for transmission by Parcel Post unless the postage at the above rates is paid. The postage stamps should be affixed by the sender to the cover of the parcel at the right-hand upper corner on the face.

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150. In order that a packet may be sent by Parcel Post it must be presented at the counter of a Post Office for transmission as a parcel and must bear the words Parcel Post" written conspicuously on the upper left-hand corner. It must also bear the name and address of the sender on the bottom left-hand corner of the face of the cover. The parcel should not be left until the weight, size and postage have been tested by the office who accepts it, and a receipt of its being posting obtained. If a "tie on" label is used the address must nevertheless be written on the cover as well.

151.--A declaration of the contents must be made out on the form provided for that purpose, which should be affixed to the parcel.

152.---If a packet, which either bears the words "Parcel Post." or from its appearance seems to be intended for transmission as a parcel, is not posted in accordance with these regulations it is treated as a letter if it is fully prepaid at the letter rates and if other- wise in accordance with the Letter Post regulations. If such parcel is not fully prepaid at the Letter rate it will be returned to the sender.

153. Parcels for Europe and America must be posted before 5 p.in. on the work- ing day next before the feparture of the steamer.

154.-Parcels containing coin, any articles of gold or silver, or any article of value, cannot be sent by Parcel Post to the United Kingdom, any Foreign country or British possession included in the insurance system (for list of such places se Rule 180) unless they are insured for at least part of their value.

155.--For the despatching of parcels to Europe via Siberia see Appendix IV.

Directions as to Packing

156.-Parcels containing any fragile or perishable article must be so packed as to ensure their safe handling and their causing no injury or damage to the mails.

157.-Parcels generally must be so packed and enclosed in a reasonably strong case wrapper, or cover, fastened in a manner calculated to preserve the contents from loss or damage in the post, and to prevent any tampering therewith. The packing of ap ircel must also be such as to protect other postal packets from being damaged in any way by it. Any parcel not so packed will, if tendered for transmission, be refused, and if dis- covered in transit will be liable to be detained.

Parcels for Greece, Persia, Roumania and Russia must be packed in some material stronger than paper or cardboard. No compensation is paid for damage to articles in- sufficiently packed.

158.--For parcels containing liquids and substances which easily liquify the following method should be adopted:-Two receptacles should be used, and between the inner one, which contains the liquid, and the outer one, which should be of wood, or metal, space should be left all round, and this space should be filled with bran, sawdust, or other absorbent material.

Forbidden Articles

159.--No article may be sent by Local or Foreign Parcel Post with any enclosure which bears an address different from that placed on the cover of the parcel.

160.-No letter, even if addressed in the same way as the parcel in which it is enclosed, may be sent in the parcel addressed to any Foreign Country or to Australia, British Central Africa, Cape Colony, Natal and other parts of South Africa, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius, New Zealand, Seychelles, Straits Settlements, Trinidad, the United States. Parcels for other British possessions may contain a letter for the addressee, but packets of letters must not be sent by Parcel Post to any place abroad. An