Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 508

452

CHINESE POST OFFICE-TARIFF OF POSTAGE

NOTES

1.-DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ARTICLES.-(1) Full prepayment of D.mestic rates in Chinese stamps is c mpulsory; articles insufficiently prepaid will be refused when presented for posting, and if dropped into the letter-box are liab e to detention. Articles arriving from abroad insufficiently franked will be forwa ded to destin tion, bit double the deficiency in Union postage -and of Heavy Mail Ar icl s transmitted iul ind, once the deficiency in Domestic pestage-will be collected from the addres-ee on delivery. The a cunt due will be assessed in every case by a Chinese Post Office and indicated in postage-due stamps affixed on the cove; refusal to acquit the postage due so indicated will be equivalent to refusing the article.

(2.) Any Mail Matter destined for inland places where no Chinese Post Office exists will be forwarded through Native Agencies at the risk and expense of the addressee or sender.

(3.) All copies of Trade Circulars must be identical, consist of single sheets of ordinary paper (light Catalogues of Chinese paper not exceeding 30 grammes in weight alone excepted), and contain no manuscript writing; they may be printed on one or both sides, be folded or open,. but not be addressed or placed in envelopes.

·

(4.) Ex ress Mail Matter is accepted at a limited number, f Offices only. Domestic Letters must not be franked with Chinese stamps by the sender, a special "Express Slip" being used instead. Overweight is prepaid in Chinese postage stamps affixed to the cover. International Express Mail Matter is accepted for a limited number of foreign countries, a list of which may be seen at any Domestic Express Del very Office. The Post Office only issues receipts for Interna- tional Express Delivery articles if they are registered.

(5.) Domestic Registered Lett rs may be insured at a limited number of Offices. They must be enclosed in special covers, to be obtained at the Post Office: these are sold in four sizes at 1 cent, 2 cents, and 3 cents each.

2.-PARCELS.—(1) Parcels containing gold or silverware, jewellery, precious stones, or goods of any kind of a value of $30 or more, but not exceeding $200, must be insured. Such Parcels are accepted only for certain i ost Offices that are connected by steamer or railway transport.

(2.) Domestic Parcels may be insured at a limited number of Offices against a Domestic ¡nsurance fee of 1, 2, or 5 p.r cent. (according to destination) of the amount insured. For insura ce

ates on International Parcels, see International Parcel Tariff,

(3.) Parcels taxed with Trade Charges are accepted for transmission between Parrel Insurance Offices on payment of a fee of 2 per cent. on the amount to be collected. When the value of the dollar currency differs at the Offices of origin and of destination, a charge is made at the Office of origin to cover loss by exchange.

(4.) A Return Receipt may be obtained on payment of an additional fee of 5 cents in the case- of Domestic Parcels, and 10 cents in the case of International Parcels.

(5.) Return Receipts are not obtainable for uninsured Parcels ad Iressed to the United Kingdom or sent "vid London."

3.-MONEY ORDERS.-Limit of one Order, $100, between Money Order Offices A, and $50 between Money Order Offices B or between Money Order Offices A and B. Between Money Order Offices A the limit of value of Money Orders issued to one person on one day for the same destination is- $300; between Money Order Offices B, or A and B, $100. For names of Offices to which Money Orders are issuable see "Postal Guide," Part II, column 5 (Special List Nos. 2 and 3; for bank charges (which are additional to the fixed fee of 2 per cent.) inquire at any Money Order Office,

4.-CURRENCY (for the purchase of Stamps).-Full value dollars purchase 100 cents in stumps; inferior dollars and fractional coins are only accepted at current discount. Copper cash are accepted at average dollar exchange rates periodically fixed by Postal Commissioner,

5.-PROHIBITIONS.-It is forbidden to send by post articles which from their nature may soil or damage the correspondence, also contraband, explosive, inflammable, or dangerous substances, as well as opium, morphia, cocaine, salt, copper cash, bullion, arms, munitions of war, and coins of all kinds. Articles liable to Customs Duty, and gold, silver, jewellery, and precious stones, may not be sent in correspondence, but may be sent by Parcel Post under special regulations.