Postal_Guide_1939 — Page 113

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IMPERIAL AND FOREIGN POST

Delivery of Parcels from Abroad

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 it 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.

Any parcel remaining unclaimed for a period of twenty one days (exclusive of Sundays and Holidays) shall be liable to a demurrage charge of 5 cents for each day beyond such 21 days. The demurrage chargeable on any one parcel shall not exceed $1. The fee shall be payable in postage stamps. No demurrage shall be charged on parcels addressed to persons serving on board ships.

In the absence of a definite request for abandonment a parcel which is undeliverable at the original address, or at the alterative address (if one is furnished) will at the expiration of 21 days from the date of its receipt in this Colony (except in the case of a "Poste Restante" parcel) be returned to the sender without previous notification and at his expense.

A parcel received in the Colony addressed to care of "Post Office" or "Poste Restante" will be retained for a period of 2 months before being treated as unde- liverable or abandoned. Such a parcel will be liable to demurrage charges as laid down above. This extension of time applies to parcels addressed to travellers and persons employed on board vessels only.

In default of proper application and payment of the charges due, undelivered parcels are liable to be finally disposed of one year after the date of their return to the General Post Office. If, however, during this period or during the period of retention at a Post Office the contents of a parcel become or are likely to become worthless through natural decay, or are found to be offensive or injurious, they are liable to be dis- posed of forthwith.