Postal_Guide_1929 — Page 21

HONG KONG POSTAL GUIDE

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126. Parcels containing any articles of gold or silver, or any article of value, cannot be sent to the United Kingdom, any Foreign country or British possession included in the insurance system (for such places see appendix IV), unless they are insured for at least part of their value.

127. A certificate of posting is given for each parcel. Such certificates do not indicate that any liability or responsibility attaches to the Post Office for loss, damage or delay in respect of any parcel.

128.-Each parcel must be securely and substantially packed by the sender, with due regard to the nature of the contents, the length of the journey, the conditions of transit, climatic conditions, etc., e.g., cardboard or ordinary brown paper is not in general sufficient packing for foreign parcels. Light and bulky articles should be packed in strong wooden cases. For some countries especial

• kinds of packing are required and particulars in these cases will be found op- posite the names of countries in Appendix IV. No compensation is paid tor damage to articles inadequately packed or to exceptionally fragile articles which from their nature cannot reasonably be expected to travel safely by post such as clay figures, soapstone and alabaster models, vacuum flasks, etc.

129.-For liquids and substances which liquefy easily two receptacles must be used. The outer receptacle must be of strong wood or metal. Between this and the inner receptacle containing the liquid, space must be left all round; and this space must be filled with bran, sawdust, or other absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb all the liquid contents in the case of breakage.

Celluloid must be well packed in a tin case enclosed in a strong wooden box. This applies also to cinematograph films. Any other article composed wholly or partly of celluloid must be enclosed in a strong wooden box. If the lid or bottom or any of the sides of the box is composed of more than one piece of wood, the pieces must be jointed together by means of tongues and grooves. A lining of suitable material must be placed between the upper edges of the box and the lid must be firmly screwed down. A white label bearing the word "Films" or "Celuloid," as the case may be in plain black letters, should be affixed to the parcel and to the despatch note, when one is used.

As to the packing and sealing of insured parcels, see paragraph 170.

130.-Parcels are subject to Customs regulations. 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. The forms should be filled up in ink. Two forms of Customs declaration are in use:-(1) A form, intended to be affixed to the covers of parcels for British Colonies and Possessions and a few foreign countries; and (2) a form, which is used for parcels for all other foreign countries. Several identical copies of the latter form must in many cases be made out (see appendix IV). When the Latter form is used the sender must also fill up a despatch-note. Undervaluation of the contents or failure to describe them fully may result in seizure of the parcels, and in the case of parcels addressed to the United States of America in the imposition of heavy fines, which will not be remitted even if the parcels are returned to the