Postal_Guide_September_1961 — Page 49

46 Packing and make-up

Dyes, powder and similar substances.

These must be enclosed in a stout metal box, placed inside a wooden box, with sawdust between the two receptacles.

Food and other articles attractive to rats. When sent to tropical or sub-tropical countries or through the tropics such articles must be packed in receptacles which are rat-proof and do not allow the smell of their contents to escape.

Gramophone Records (Shellac). These should be enclosed in their envelopes and sorted in sets according to size. Each set should be cross-tied to form a compact bundle. The bundle or bundles should then be firmly embedded in sufficient soft packing material in a rigid box of wood (or of stout leatherboard, preferably with a lid extending about two-thirds of the box) of sufficient size to permit at least 1 inch of packing above, below, and around the records.

Gramophone Records (Plastic). These should be enclosed in their envelopes and sorted in sets according to their size. Each set should be placed between corrugated cardboard fillers and enclosed in a separate rigid box of stout cardboard or fibreboard, preferably with a tight-fitting sleeve or fold-over lid, so that the records cannot move about in the box. The box should be large enough to enable sufficient filler material to be packed inside all round to protect the edges of the records. To guard against scratching, it is recommended that the records should be interleaved with paper-faced corrugated cardboard. If the box is of cardboard, a final wrapping of strong water- proof material is advisable. When it may be desired to send records of more than one size in the same box, any empty spaces around the edges of the smaller records should be tightly filled with soft packing material.

Liquids. For liquids and substances which casily liquefy two containers must be used. The inner container (a bottle, tin etc.) must be securely sealed; bottles should also be wrapped separately, special attention being paid to the packing around the shoulders, and if more than one is enclosed, they should be separated by at least 2 in. of soft pack- ing. The outer container must be of strong metal or wood. Between this and the inner container space to a depth of at least 2 in. must be left all round which must be filled with sawdust or other absorbent material. There must be a sufficient quantity of this material to absorb all the liquid in the event of breakage.

Live bees or leeches. These must be enclosed in a box so constructed as to avoid all danger and to allow the contents to be ascertained. The wrapping of the parcel as well as the despatch note must bear a label in bold letters inscribed "ANIMAUX VIVANTS".

Paints, varnishes, enamels and kindred substances. Those with a flashpoint of 150°F. or over must be enclosed in a receptacle securely scaled and packed in accordance with the regulations given above under Liquids.

Those with a flashpoint between 90°F. and 150°F. must comply with the following regulations in addition to those given under Liquids. The substance must be in a metal container hermetically sealed by the Farwig method or, if in a lever top tin, with the lid fastened to the body of the tin by means of solder. Tins with lids affixed to the body solely by means of wire clips must not be used, An air space of not less than 74 per cent. of the container's total cubic content must be left in each tin.

Not more than one quart may be enclosed in a single parcel.

The sender must in each case accept the risk of parcels being stopped if found to contravene any of the regulations of the country of destination.

Paints and so on with a flashpoint below 90°F. are totally prohibited.

Umbrellas and similar articles. These should be enclosed in stout cases made of wood at least inch thick; but the two small ends of such cases may be of three-ply wood. Plenty of soft interior packing should be used for the protection of any brittle or fragile part, such as a handle.

Radio and Electrical equipment. Such articles especially if consisting wholly or partly of plastic material, should be packed in a strong wooden case, with sufficient soft packing to prevent movement. Particular attention should be given to, the protection of any projecting fragile parts and additional support should be provided for heavy component parts. The values, electric bulbs, etc. should be sent separately packed in ample soft packing such as cotton wool and enclosed in a strong wooden case.