GIFTS FOR OVERSEAS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIX, Issue 87, 1 November 1938, Page 7

GIFTS FOR OVERSEAS

POSTAGE RATES AND

CONDITIONS

SENDERS ADVISED TO ENQUIRE

BEFORE POSTING

A statement regarding the postage of Christmas gifts" for overseas" destination has been made by the Post Office as follows:—

The Post Office is anxious to correct a misapprehension that appears to exist regarding the forwarding of Christmas gifts and cards to Great Britain by post. It has been stated that Christmas cards will be sent by sea unless letter rates are paid, but this is true only if the cards are posted in unsealed envelopes. Any article that is sealed against inspection is treated as a letter and surcharged accordingly. It has also been suggested that gifts like ties and handkerchiefs may be posted for sea despatch to England in unsealed or slitted envelopes. The position is that the parcel post is the only means of sending gifts to many countries, while in other cases "small packet" post may be used or letter post if letter rates are paid. In the case of Great Britain, an alternative to the letter post for forwarding of gifts is parcel post or the small packet post, but Customs declarations must be completed and postings should be made over post office counters. In the case of the Irish Free State, gifts can be sent only by parcel post, as dutiable articles are not permitted in the letter post and small packet post does not operate.

To avoid difficulty and unnecessary expense for friends overseas, the public is strongly recommended to enquire at the Post Office before making postings of gifts to any country, British or foreign.