MAILS FOR ENGLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23182, 31 October 1938, Page 13

MAILS FOR ENGLAND

CHRISTMAS CARDS AND GIFTS POSTAGE RATES EXPLAINED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Sunday 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 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 dospatch to England in unsealed or slit ted envelopes. The position is that parcel post is tho 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, alternatives to letter post for the forwarding of gifts are parcel post or "small packet" post, but customs declarations must be completed, and postings should be made over the post office counters. In the case of tho Irish Free Statft, gifts can bo 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 icconimended to inquire at the post office before making postings of gifts to any country, British or foreign.