SENDING GIFTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 290, 5 November 1938, Page 12

SENDING GIFTS

OVERSEAS POSTING. As the posting of Christmas gifts overseas involves consideration oi Customs charges and other conditions imposed in the country ol destination, the Post Office advises consultation with its officers before these packets are forwarded. Sonic countries refuse to deliver .dutiable articles which have been enclosed in letters, while others do not impose this prohibition. Bates of postage are variable, and there is also the important difference iu charges between the sealed and unsealed packet. Christmas cards, for instance, sent to an Empire country in a closed envelope invariably go by air at the l-)d rate per half- ounce, but if unsealed they are forwarded by the slower surface transport at a lower rate. The small-packet post is a convenient/ system recognised by some countries, hut posting at a' Post Office counter is necessary as a Customs label • must always he attached. The charge is lid for each 2oz with a minimum iof (id and a maximum weight of 21b. It ,is important to note that packets 'effectively sealed by gum or other | means so that they cannot easily he opened for inspection are regarded as letter packets and involve payment of air-maid rates if addressed to Empire countries served by the Empire airmail service. Secure tying with string, which enables the packet to he opened without damage for postal inspection (it necessary), does not bring the packet within the scope of the “sealed packet” definition. As a general indication of the varying conditions affecting overseas delivery of dutiable articles, the following examples are quoted by the Post Office:— Australia and dependencies accept dutiable articles by letter-post at Id each ounce; also in small packets and by parcel-post.

Fiji has the same conditions as Australia, excepting that the letter postage rate is ltd for each half-ounce. Canada accepts dutiable articles by letter-post at per lialf-ounce and by parcel-post.

; Great Britain and Northern Ireland accept dutiable articles by letter-post at the Empire air-mail ' rate and also small packets, and by parcel-post. I The Irish Free .State accepts dutiable articles only by parcel-post. | India delivers dutiable articles enclosed in letters at the ltd per haiT- | ounce rate and also by parcel-post. Straits Settlements and Malaya accept dutiable articles hv letter-post (ljd per half-ounce) and parcel-post. South Africa applies the same conditions as Straits Settlements. The United States nf America, though delivering dutiable articles liv letter-post, requires a Customs declaration on the outside and the enclosure of an invoice. Dutiable articles are also accepted by small-packet post and parcel-post. The moss certain method of avoiding difficulties due to Customs requirements is to forward articles by parcel-post, the parcel being then accompanied by a (Pus to ms declaration 'of description and value. Some countries enable the sender to avoid the embarrassment of the recipient having to pay duty on a gift. This is done by making a deposit in New Zealand, the balance being returned by the Post Office on receipt of a notification of the dutiable amount. This facility is provided, for example, in .respect to parcels addressed to Great Britain, the Irish Free - State. Smith Africa, Straits Settlements, and Malaya.