South African Post Office. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
These are the items you should never mail, according to the Post Office
Asbestos, some hair dyes and human remains are but a few of the items on the list. The Post Office said there have been several incidents where customers have attempted to send prohibited items overseas recently.
South African Post Office. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
The South African Post Office (SAPO) felt it was necessary to declare which items should never be sent via the post on Wednesday, 10 November. This comes after several incidents recently where customers attempted to post prohibited items overseas.
POST OFFICE SAYS PROHIBITED ITEMS CAUSE DELAYS
The Post Office says that posting prohibited items overseas causes significant delays. The airlines scan all mailbags before loading them and if a single prohibited item is detected, the entire bag is returned to the sorting centre to be opened and searched until the offending item is removed.
“All the items in the mailbag miss the flight and are delayed until the next flight departs,” said the Post Office.
BEST PRACTICES PER POST OFFICE
The Post Office said parcels are bulk loaded into the plane’s cargo hold and therefore parcels must have sturdy packaging – if there is empty space it should be filled with packaging material.
“It is best to state the contents on the parcel and to include the word Gift if it is an item sent by one individual to another.
“This facilitates customs clearance in the country of arrival. Write the mobile phone number of the receiver on the parcel; that allows the postal administration in the receiving country to send the receiver a text message for collecting the item,” said the Post Office.
LIST OF GOODS THAT MAY NOT BE SENT TO OTHER COUNTRIES
Items that are potentially dangerous on a plane:
“Liquids, including creams and lotions. Certain explosives are produced in the form of gels or creams.
Explosives – ammunition, fireworks. These may explode in the hull of an aircraft.
Compressed gas – aerosols, carbon dioxide gas, cigarette lighters. These may also explode in the hull of an aircraft.
Flammable liquids: alcohol, thinners, varnish remover, turpentine, petroleum products.
Flammable solids: Magnesium, matches and zinc powder
Oxidising material: Bleach, some hair dyes, peroxide, fibreglass repair kits. If these items leak, they could produce lethal and explosive gases.
Poisons, including drugs and medicine. An import permit is required for all countries.
Radioactive material (including mercury-filled thermometers)
Magnetised materials. These items can interfere with the navigation system of the aircraft.”
South African Post Office
Prohibited goods:
Bank notes and coins. You need an import and export permit to send these items.
Jewellery, precious stones or precious metails. An import permit is also needed to these items.
Asbestos
Any animal, insect or living organism
Any biological substance
Firearms or parts thereof
Fur, ivory or any other animal product
Human remains, including ashes.
South African Post Office
