Section 2: Postal Services

Scope of Service

Subject to the limitations shown in the respective country summary, any postal article, except a Speedpost Worldwide Parcel, may be registered.

Registration Fee

Please refer to website, Postage Rates

Procedure for Registering a Postal Article

A postal article to be registered must be presented at the counter of a Singapore Post branch or postal agency, and a receipt obtained for it; it must not be dropped into a posting box. A postal article intended for registration must be made up in a reasonably strong cover appropriate to its contents. All flaps on letters and packets must be fastened with wax, gum or other adhesive substance. If only a string is used to fasten an article, the string must be sealed with wax or secured at each end by means of a lead, steel or strong metal seal crushed with a press. Whatever method of fastening or sealing is used, it is essential that it should not be possible to remove any part of the contents of a registered article without either breaking or tearing the envelope, wrapper or container, or forcing two adhesive surfaces apart or breaking a seal. If an article is fastened by means of strips of adhesive sealing tape, adhesive paper or gummed paper, each strip must bear stamped or printed on it some mark or word distinctive of the sender such as his initials or name, or must be signed or initialled by him or the person tendering the item for registration. Small packets intended for registration must be made up in manner prescribed for unregistered packets of these categories.

A postal packet addressed to initials or written in pencil cannot be registered. The address must be written or printed in Roman characters on the cover or on a label securely affixed to the cover by gum or other adhesive substance.

Advice of Delivery

The sender of a registered article may obtain an advice of its delivery only at its time of posting at the prevailing charges. Please refer to Appendix 1. Advice of delivery is not available to Denmark and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The article must be plainly marked “AR” or “Avis de reception”.

The weight of an advice of delivery form is taken into account in assessing the postage on a registered article for which the sender requires an advice of delivery.

An advice of delivery form will be returned to the sender of a registered article by ordinary post, duly signed by the addressee or by a person authorised to do so under the local regulations of the country of destination or simply certified by an official of the office of destination. Requests for the advice of delivery form to be signed only by the addressee or any other specific person cannot be entertained.

No charge is made for an enquiry about an advice of delivery that has not been returned to the sender within a reasonable time. A duplicate advice of delivery form will be forwarded for certification by the office of destination and return to the sender if the registered article has already been duly delivered to the addressee.

Enquiry about Non-Delivery

An enquiry about the non-delivery of a registered item may be made within six months of the date of posting. An enquiry in respect of a registered item addressed to an overseas country will as a matter of course be afforded transmission by air, fax or e-mail. Inquiries shall be free of charge. However, if a request is made for transmission by Speedpost Worldwide Courier Service, the additional costs shall be borne by the person.

Articles Irregularly Posted

An article bearing the word REGISTERED or any other word, phrase or mark to the like effect (for example, an abbreviation of the word Registered, the letter R, suggesting that registration was intended), if found posted amongst ordinary correspondence and sufficiently prepaid as regards postage and registration fee, will be compulsorily registered and sent forward to destination without any further charge. If wholly unpaid or with underpaid charges and addressed to a destination (a) in Singapore or Malaysia, it will be compulsorily registered and delivered to the addressee on payment of the normal fee for registration, plus any other charges payable, and (b) outside Singapore or Malaysia, it will be compulsorily registered, similarly taxed and sent to the Returned Letter Unit for return to the sender who will be liable for payment of the charges due. A registered article which is re-posted will be dealt with in the same manner unless the word Registered is obliterated, or cancelled in ink. No compensation is payable on an article which has been compulsorily registered.

Indemnity for Loss

Singapore Post and all member countries of the Universal Postal Union undertake to pay to the sender or the addressee, if the sender waives his claim in favour of the addressee, an indemnity not exceeding sixty-eight Singapore dollars when it is proved to their satisfaction that a postal article accepted for registration has been lost, totally rifled or totally damaged (posted with adequate packing to protect the contents from being bent, torn or rifled), whilst in their custody, but no question of compensation is entertained for the loss of, or damage to, anything contained in an uninsured registered postal article, provided the cover itself is delivered or for any expense arising directly or indirectly from delay in transit. No indemnity is payable in the case of:

1. Force Majeure, i.e. tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, war, etc.
2. An article posted without all the conditions of registration having been complied with.
3. Any article which the Postal Service cannot account for in consequence of the loss of official documents through a cause beyond control.
4. An article accepted in ignorance of the fact that it contained bank or currency notes, the face value of which was in excess of one hundred dollars, or any other article the transmission of which by registered post is prohibited.
5. Any article confiscated under the provisions of any written law of this country or the country of destination or confiscated or destroyed by any competent authority because of its contents.
6. Any article in respect of which no enquiry had been made by the sender within a period of six months from the day following that on which the article was posted.

In each case it must appear that the loss did not arise wholly or in part through the fault of the sender and that it occurred while the article was in the post. If a registered postal article considered lost is subsequently found, the sender, or where applicable the addressee, is informed that he may take delivery of the article within three months on repayment of the amount of compensation paid to him. If at the end of that period, the sender or where applicable the addressee has not claimed the article, the addressee or where applicable the sender, is notified that he may take possession of the article within a similar period on payment of the compensation paid to the sender or where applicable the addressee. If both the sender and the addressee have declined to take delivery, the article will become the property of Singapore Post. Compensation may be considered for theft of or damage to a registered item and provided that the packing was recognised as sufficient to guarantee the contents effectively against accidental risks of theft or damage, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the theft or damage; consequential losses or loss of profits shall not be taken into consideration and the irregularities in question were established before delivery of the item was taken by the addressee, or by the sender in the case of return to origin. However, this indemnity may in no case exceed the amount of sixty-eight Singapore dollars. When an indemnity is due to loss of, total theft from or total damage to a registered item, the sender, or the addressee, as the case may be, shall also be entitled to repayment of the charge paid on posting of the item, with the exception of the registration charge. In case of loss of, total theft from or total damage to a registered item due to force majeure, for which indemnity is not payable, the sender shall be entitled to repayment of all the charges paid on posting of the item. This provision does not apply to all countries.

Scope of Service Insurance Premium for Speedpost Worldwide Service(Courier, Air and SpeedSurface)

Insurance affords a means of cover against loss, part loss or damage, beyond that covered by the registration service. Only first-class mail (letters and letter packets) and Speedpost Worldwide Parcels may be insured, subject to availability of the insured service. Please refer to website http://www.speedpost.com.sg.

Insurance Fees (Mail)

For all destinations where the insured service is available:

$5.00 for the first $500.00 and $1.00 for every $100 of insured value or part thereof.

With the exception of insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcels, the fees for insurance are in addition to the registration fee and the postage, and all charges including postage, etc., must be prepaid at the time of posting.

Insured letters for transmission by airmail are subject to the same charges (i.e. insurance fee plus registration fee plus the appropriate air mail letter postage rate). As few stamps as possible should be used for the prepayment of charges on insured articles. They must be affixed with spaces between them so that they cannot serve to hide damage to the envelope or packing and must not be folded over the two sides of the envelope or packing so as to cover an edge.

Limits of Insurance (Mail)

Subject to the limits affixed by the countries of destination, the maximum amount of insurance in respect of a single letter posted at post offices in Singapore is $3,800. Insured articles cannot be accepted at a postal agency.

Procedure for Insuring a Postal Article

Articles intended for insurance must not be dropped into a letter box but must be presented at the counter of post office and a certificate of posting obtained by the sender. An advice of delivery for or an enquiry relating to an insured article may be obtained under the same conditions as those applicable to registered letters.

An insured article must not be addressed in pencil or bear an address composed of initials. The full address must be written in Roman characters on the envelope or cover without any erasure or correction.

All the seals on an insured article must be of the same kind of wax (or lead or steel in the case of Speedpost Worldwide Parcels), and must bear distinct impressions of the same private device of the sender. Coins must not be used for sealing; and the device must not consist merely of straight, crossed or curved lines that could readily be imitated. If an article tendered for insurance does not in the opinion of the officer of a post office to whom it is tendered, fulfil the foregoing conditions as to packing and sealing, it is his duty to refuse to insure it.

Nevertheless, the onus of properly enclosing, packing, and sealing the packet lies upon the sender; and Singapore Post assumes no liability for loss arising from defects which may not be observed at the time of posting. The amount for which an article is to be insured must be written in local currency by the sender or his representative above the address of the article in words in Roman lettering, and in Arabic figures, without erasure or alteration, thus “Insured for two hundred and fifty dollars ($250)”. Indication of the amount of the insured value in pencil or indelible pencil is not permitted. The amount must also, in the case of a Speedpost Worldwide Parcel, be entered on the despatch note, if one is used.

No letter can be insured for more than:

1. The sum representing the limit of insurance in the country or place to which it is addressed.
2. The actual value of its contents, but the insurance of a part only of that value is permitted. The amount of the insured value of papers representing value by reason of the cost of their preparation may not exceed cost of replacing these documents in case of loss.

Insured articles cannot be sent by all the routes available for ordinary postal articles and may therefore be detained until they can be despatched by an authorised route or vessel. Insured letters and Speedpost Worldwide Parcels are accepted for transmission by air to certain countries only. The only declaration as to contents or value allowed on the cover of an insured article (except such declaration as is required for Customs purposes) is the value for which the contents are insured.

Packing and Make-up of Insured Letters

The letters to which the insurance system is applicable are those which contain valuable paper (bank notes, currency notes, bonds, securities, etc.).

Such articles, if liable to Customs duty, may be sent in insured letters only to those countries that admit dutiable articles by letter post. Postcards, small packets or letter containing articles other than those mentioned above, cannot be insured. An object of value that cannot be sent in an insured letter may generally be sent in an insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcel.

Any insured packet containing articles liable to Customs duty must come with the Green Label (i.e. Form CN 22) shall be affixed to the item. The Customs declarations must be securely attached to the outside of the item. If the country of destination so requires the Customs declarations shall be inserted in the insured packet itself.

Letters intended for insurance must fulfil the following conditions:

1. they must be sealed with identical wax seals, lead seals, adhesive tapes, or other effective means, with a special uniform design or mark of the sender. Use of paper seals are permitted by Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand;
2. the envelopes or the packing must be strong and hardy and shall permit the seals to adhere completely; the envelopes must be made in one piece; the use of envelopes or packing which are wholly transparent or which have a transparent panel, is prohibited, in cases of high-value articles such as banknotes and precious stones, senders shall wrap them in an internal packing which is stronger than paper such as cardboard, plastic or metal;
3. the make-up must be such that the contents cannot be tampered with without obvious damage to the envelope, the packing or the seals;
4. the seals, the postage stamps representing the prepaid postage and the postal service and other official service labels must be spaced out so that they cannot serve to hide damage to the envelope or to the packing; the postage stamps and the labels must not be folded over the two sides of the envelope or the packing so as to cover an edge. It is forbidden to affix to insured letters labels other than those relating to the postal service;
5. if they are tied with string and sealed as described in (a), the string itself need not be sealed; and
6. for paper based insured contents, the envelopes must be strong and the contents double packed in materials such as cardboard or plastic.

The seals on an ordinary envelope should be placed as shown below:

Insured letters which have the exterior appearance of a box must fulfil the following additional conditions:

1. they must be of wood, metal or plastic and sufficiently strong
2. the walls of wooden boxes must have a minimum thickness of 8mm
3. they must be tied crosswise with a single strong string (not two or more pieces joined together), the two ends of the string being held together under a seal of fine wax bearing a private mark of the sender. The string must also be sealed to the box on the four sides with seals identical with that used for the ends of the string. The box must not be wrapped, but the surfaces of the top and bottom must be covered with white paper for the inscription of the addressee’s name and address, the insured value of the contents and the impression of the official stamps. Space must be left between the postage stamps and the postal labels. They must not be folded over the edge of the box.
4. Letters which, although addressed to a country or place to which the insurance system does not extend, have been irregularly insured, will be returned to the senders.
5. A fresh insurance fee is not payable in respect of a redirected insured letter. No insured letter may be re-directed to a country or place to which the insurance system does not extend.

Packing and Make-up of Insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcels

Every insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcel must be packed carefully and substantially, with due regard to the nature of contents and the length of the journey, and must be sealed by one or more lead seals or identical wax seals or by some other effective means, with a special design or mark of the sender, on any one Speedpost Worldwide Parcel, only one uniform design or mark may be used; should the Speedpost Worldwide Parcel be secured by string, it may be sealed by a security sticker or other effective means to ensure no tampering can occur.

Where the insurance system is restricted to particular post offices in the country of delivery, Speedpost Worldwide Parcels intended for destinations beyond those post offices are regarded as insured only for that part of the journey which terminates at one or other of the offices named as participating in the insurance system. In such cases, the cover of the Speedpost Worldwide Parcel must be inscribed by the sender “To be insured as far as the service permits”.

If an insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcel is re-directed from one country to another, fresh postage and the insurance fees are payable, provided that no insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcel shall be re-directed to country or place which does not participate in the exchange of insured Speedpost Worldwide Parcels.

Miscellaneous

In these rules:

1. The expression “coin” means coin of all kinds whether or not current in Singapore or elsewhere, except such as is used or designed for purposes of ornament.
2. The expression “bullion” means uncoined and unmanufactured gold or silver (as the case may be).

3. The expression “paper money” means -

   Singapore or elsewhere;

   1. bank notes and currency notes of all sorts, whether current in
   2. money orders and postal orders;
   3. unobliterated postage or revenue stamps;
   4. exchequer bills, bank post bills, bills of exchange, promissory notes, cheques, travellers’ cheques, credit notes which entitle the holder to money or goods, and all orders and authorities for the payment of money, whether negotiable or not;
   5. bonds, coupons and securities for money, whether negotiable or not;
   6. coupons, vouchers, tokens, cards, stamps or similar documents exchangeable (singly or with other such documents) for money, goods or services.

4. The expression “jewellery” means -

   1. gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals in a manufactured state, that is to say, a state in which value is added to the raw material by skilled workmanship, and in this definition are included any coins used or designed for purpose of ornament;
   2. diamonds and precious stones;
   3. watches, the cases of which are entirely or mainly composed of gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals; and
   4. any articles of a like nature which, apart from the workmanship, has an intrinsic or marketable value.

Compensation

Insured articles have all the safeguards of the registration system and subject to the following regulations, compensation may be paid if an insured article is lost or damaged (provided the article has been adequately packed and its contents protected from damage as prescribed hereof) or any article of pecuniary value enclosed in of forming part of an insured article is lost, damaged or abstracted from that article whilst in course of conveyance by post.

Compensation for the loss of or damage to an insured article, or the loss or abstraction of or damage to its contents while in the post will not exceed the actual amount of the loss, abstraction, damage or the amount of the insured value and will not be paid at all for any letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel which has been delivered without external trace of injury and accepted without remark by the addressee; nor will compensation be given when loss arises from tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, war or other causes beyond control.

No compensation either for loss, abstractions or damage will be given where:

1. a letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel contains any article which may not, under the regulations in force for the time being, be lawfully sent by the post by which it is in fact sent; and similarly for items confiscated or destroyed by the competent authority because of its contents;
2. the loss or damage has been caused by the fault or negligence of the sender, due to improper or insecure packing or otherwise, or arises from the nature of the article;
3.  the insurance has been fraudulently made for a sum above the actual value of the contents, or there has been any other fraud on the part of the sender or addressee;
4. the insured article cannot be traced in consequence of the destruction of the documents relating to it from causes beyond control;
5. the insured article has been accepted contrary to any of the rules under this section;
6. the contents of the article are likely to become offensive through natural delay during the time occupied in transmission;
7. the insured article has been confiscated under the provisions of any written law of this country or the country of destination;
8. a letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel contains any article of an exceptionally fragile character or any article which from its nature cannot with reasonable safety be sent by post such as a clay figure, a soapstone or alabaster model, a collection of butterflies or moths, a vacuum flask, etc.
9. the insured article has been duly delivered to and accepted by the addressee or his agent without reserve;
10. the insured article of which the sender has made no enquiry within one year from the day following that on which the article was posted.

In no case will Singapore Post give compensation for indirect loss or loss of profits or for injury or damage consequent upon the loss of, damage or delay to any insured letter, packet or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel or loss of, or abstraction from, or damage or delay to any article contained therein.

Where compensation is given for the loss of an insured letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel, or the loss or abstraction of any article contained in an insured letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel, Singapore Post will take over, up to the amount paid, the rights of the persons who has received compensation. If ultimately, however, an article regarded as lost or stolen is found, in whole or in part, the sender or addressee if the sender had waived his rights in favour of the addressee, is informed that he may take delivery of the article within a period of three months on repayment of the amount of compensation paid to him.

If at the end of that period, the sender or the addressee where appropriate has not claimed the article, the addressee or the sender, where appropriate, is notified that he may take possession of the article within a similar period on payment of the amount of compensation paid to the sender. Where both the sender and the addressee have refused to take delivery, the article will become the property of Singapore Post.

No responsibility is assumed on account of Customs Declarations in whatever form these are made or of decisions taken by the Customs Services during the examination of items submitted to Customs Control.

Singapore Post may in every case either of loss or damage, if it thinks fit, reinstate the contents of a letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel instead of giving pecuniary consideration.

No legal liability to give compensation for indirect loss or loss of profits or in respect of any letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel for which an insurance fee has been paid attaches to Singapore Post. The final decision upon all questions of compensation rests with the Postal Administration of the country in which the loss has taken place.

Claims for Compensation

Applications for compensation should be addressed to Singapore Post. No claim for compensation will be admitted if not made within six months from the day following that on which the insured letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel was posted.

Where the application relates to the damage of a letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel or to the damage or loss or abstraction of any article contained therein, the letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel should be retained for inspection as nearly as possible in the condition in which it was delivered.

Where a letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel when delivered bears signs of damage, the recipient should call attention to the fact of such damage at the time of delivery, and, if possible, open the article in the presence of an officer of the Post Office. In such a case, the contents of the letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel will be verified and entered in an inventory, which will be prepared in duplicate, and must be signed by the addressee.

The sender, or the addressee, where the sender has waived his rights in favour of the addressee, may be paid compensation corresponding to the actual amount of the loss, abstraction or damage, with the restriction that this compensation will not exceed in any case the amount of the insured value.

The addressee and not the sender shall be entitled to the compensation after delivery of a rifled or damaged insured item provided that the conditions specified in the preceding paragraph have been complied with. The sender or the addressee may authorise a third party to receive the compensation.

In the case of loss of the insured article or of complete destruction or abstraction of its contents, and if compensation is paid to the sender, or where appropriate the addressee, he is also entitled to refund of the postage and registration fee.

An official form of receipt is always given without further charge in respect of a registered article posted in accordance with the regulations. A poster who requires evidence of posting of any other class of postal article entrusted to a servant or messenger may obtain a Certificate of Posting on payment of a fee. (Please refer to Appendix 1). A Certificate of Posting is given on an official form provided by Singapore Post. Counter officers are not permitted to endorse any entry purporting to be a certificate of posting in any book, or on any paper or unauthorised form presented by a poster, except in a special book or list, which has been approved by Singapore Post for use by large posters of several articles posted at the same time, irrespective of whether the articles are all of the same class of postal matter, are prepaid at the same rate of postage and are addressed to the same address.

A Certificate of Posting must be completed by the poster; it must contain an exact copy of the address on the postal article and must be handed in at a post office with the postal article. A Certificate of Posting will not be given at any time other than the time of posting of the article.

The fee must be paid by means of postage stamps affixed to the Certificate.

The postage stamps will be cancelled by the counter officer before the Certificate is handed back to the poster.

Normally a separate Certificate of Posting is given for each postal article tendered, but a single certificate may be given for several articles posted together provided they are all of the same class of postal matter, are prepaid at the same rate of postage and are all addressed to the same address.

A Certificate of Posting will not be given in respect of a postal article which bears any mark or endorsement to the effect that it contains anything of value (except on a prescribed form of Customs declaration), or to the effect that it is an article in respect of which a Certificate of Posting has been furnished, and any such article which is tendered at a post office may be refused.

Postal articles in respect of which Certificates of Posting are given are not registered but are treated in the same way as articles deposited in posting boxes. The Certificate of Posting confers no title to compensation in the event of loss, damage or delay.

A Certificate of Posting does not constitute evidence of the nature of the contents of a postal article.

General

The Poste Restante is provided only for the convenience of travellers. The service may not be used by people who reside in Singapore.

Postal articles showing the words ‘To Be Called For’ or ‘Poste Restante’ will be delivered to travellers at the Singapore Post Centre Branch during normal opening hours. The service may be used for a period not exceeding three months.

Postal articles addressed to initials or to fictitious names, or to a Christian or forename without a surname are not accepted for Poste Restante but at once sent to the Returned Letter Unit for disposal.

Delivery

To ensure delivery of Poste Restante mail to the right person, applicants must furnish evidence of identity or a written authority from the addressees concerned. They should also be able to state from what country or place they expect the mail.

Period of Retention

Unclaimed letters and other articles addressed “Poste Restante” or “To Be Called For” are detained for the following periods from the date of receipt at the Singapore Post Centre Branch:

1. For articles posted in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Christmas Island – detained for 1 month.
2. For articles posted in all other countries – detained for 2 months Letters not called for by the end of the prescribed period are sent to the Returned Letter Unit for disposal. When, however, they bear a request for their return within a specified time if not delivered, they are dealt with in accordance with such request, provided that the period of detention at the “Poste Restante” does not exceed that prescribed above.

Conditions

Any postal article posted in Singapore and not yet despatched may be redelivered to the sender when in course of transmission by post, without reference to the consent of the addressee. This request is subjected to the availability of the item.

Every application should be accompanied by a written statement (which may be enclosed in a sealed cover) of the reasons why redelivery is sought.

Postal articles in course of transmission by post cannot be redelivered to anyone but the sender and applications for redelivery can only be considered when made by the sender or by some person authorised in that behalf by the sender in writing.

Charges

A fee must be paid in respect of each postal article the redelivery of which is applied for. Please refer to Appendix 1.

General

Postage may be prepaid by means of adhesive postage stamps or by the use of stamped stationery. However, an embossed or impressed stamp cut out or otherwise detached from an envelope, cover, postcard or other postal form cannot be used for the prepayment of postage or registration, etc; and any postal article prepaid wholly or in part by such a stamp is treated as anunderpaid postal article as the case may be. Postage may also be prepaid by means of cash, cheque or impressions of franking machines under prescribed conditions.

Conditions of acceptance of items. Make-up. Packing (Mail)

1. Items shall be made up securely and in such a way that there is no risk of other items getting trapped in them. The packing shall be adapted to the shape and nature of the item and the conditions of transport. In the case of letters and small packets, it must ensure the integrity of the contents during transport. Every item shall be made up in such a way as not to affect the health of officials. The makeup shall prevent any danger if the item contains articles of a kind likely to injure officials called upon to handle it or soil or damage other items or postal equipment. Metal fasteners used for closing items shall not have sharp edges, nor shall they hamper the execution of the postal service.

2. For overseas posting, the addressee’s address shall be written in compact form, without leaving a space between the letters of the words and without a blank line between the line containing the place of destination and the other elements of the address. The place and country of destination and the postcode number, if any, shall not be underlined.

    

   Example: Monsieur

   Pierre Noir

   Rue du Midi 26

   1009 PULLY

   SWITZERLAND

3. The name and address of the sender shall be shown on the item with the postcode number or delivery zone number, if any. When they appear on the address side of the envelope, these indications shall be placed in the top left-hand corner and should be sufficiently separated from the addressee’s address to avoid any misunderstanding.

4. The addresses of the sender and the addressee shall be shown in an appropriate manner inside the item and as far as possible on the contents. This applies particularly to unsealed items.

5. Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, service instructions and labels shall be placed on the address side of the item. They shall be positioned in so far as possible in the top left-hand corner, beneath the sender’s name and address where these are given. The service instructions shall be written in French or in some other language generally known in the country of destination. A translation of the instructions in the language of the country of origin may also be given.

6. Non-postal stamps and charity or other labels as well as designs, likely to be mistaken for postage stamps or service labels, may not be affixed to or printed on the address side. This shall also apply to stamp impressions which could be mistaken for franking impressions.

7. In all cases in which the item is under wrapper, the addressee’s address shall be written on the latter.

8. Envelopes whose edges are provided with coloured bars shall be reserved exclusively for airmail items.

9. The address of items sent poste restante shall show the name of the addressee, the town, the country of destination and, if possible, the post office at which the item is to be collected. The indication “Poste restante” shall be written in bold letters on the address side. The use of initials, figures, forenames only, fictitious names or code marks of any kind shall not be permitted for these items.

    

   Example: Mademoiselle

   Louise Bertholet

   Poste restante

   1211 GENEVA 13

   SWITZERLAND

10. On printed papers, the addressee’s name may, exceptionally, be followed by the indication “or occupant”, in French or a language accepted by the country of destination

     

    Example:

    Monsieur Pierre Sansonnens or occupant

    Rue Pinet 10

    1017 LAUSANNE

    SWITZERLAND

11. The envelope or wrapping may bear only one sender’s address, and one addressee’s address. In the case of bulk postings, the sender’s address must be located in the country of posting of the item.

12. No manner of item shall be admitted of which the whole or part of the address side has been marked off into several divisions intended to provide for successive addresses.

Special packing

1. Articles of glass or other fragile objects shall be packed in a strong box filled with an appropriate protective material. Any friction or knocks during transport either between the objects themselves or between the objects and the sides of the box shall be prevented.
2. Liquids and substances which easily liquefy shall be enclosed in perfectly leak-proof containers. Each container shall be placed in a special strong box containing an appropriate protective material to absorb the liquid should the container break. The lid of the box shall be fixed so that it cannot easily work loose.
3. Fatty substances which do not easily liquefy, such as ointments, softsoap, resins, etc., and silk-worm eggs, the conveyance of which presents few difficulties, shall be enclosed in a first packing (box, bag of cloth, plastic, etc.) which is itself placed in a box stout enough to prevent the contents from leaking.
4. Dry colouring powders, such as aniline blue, etc., shall be admitted only in perfectly leak-proof metal boxes, placed in turn in strong boxes with an appropriate absorbent and protective material between the two containers.
5. Dry non-colouring powders shall be placed in strong containers (box, bag). These containers shall themselves be enclosed in a stout box.
6. Live bees, flies of the family Drosophilidae, leeches and parasites shall be enclosed in boxes so constructed as to avoid any danger.
7. The postal administration of origin has the option of recommending to its customers that they place a light green label on items containing urgent medicines or chemical reference substances, on the side which bears the addressee’s address.
   
   This label shall bear the following text and symbol:
8. Packing shall not be required for articles in one piece, such as pieces of wood, metal, etc., which it is not the custom of the trade to pack. In this case, the address of the addressee should be given on the article itself.

Conditions of acceptance of items. Make-up and Packing. (Parcels)

1. General packing conditions
   1. Every parcel shall be packed and closed in a manner befitting the weight, the shape and the nature of the contents as well as the mode and duration of conveyance. The packing and closing shall protect the contents against crushing or damage by repeated handling and shall also be such that it is impossible to tamper with the contents without leaving clear traces thereof.
   2. Every parcel shall be made up particularly securely if it has to be:
      1. conveyed over long distances;
      2. transhipped or handled many times;
      3. protected against major changes in climate, temperature or, in the case of conveyance by air, variations in atmospheric pressure.
   3. It shall be packed and closed in such a way as not to endanger the health of officials and so as not to present any danger if it contains articles of a kind likely to injure officials called upon to handle it or to soil or damage other parcels or postal equipment.
   4. It shall have, on the packing or the wrapping, sufficient space for service instructions and for affixing stamps and labels.
   5. The following shall be accepted without packing, and the address of the addressee may be given on the article itself:
      1. articles which can be fitted together or put and kept together by a strong cord with lead or other seals, so as to form one single parcel which cannot come apart;
      2. parcels in one piece, such as pieces of wood, metal, etc., which it is not the custom of the trade to pack.
   6. The following shall be accepted without packing, and the address of the addressee may be given on the article itself:
      1. articles which can be fitted together or put and kept together by a strong cord with lead or other seals, so as to form one single parcel which cannot come apart;
      2. parcels in one piece, such as pieces of wood, metal, etc., which it is not the custom of the trade to pack.
2. Addresses of the sender and the addressee
   1. To be admitted to the Post, every parcel shall bear, in roman letters and in arabic figures on the parcel itself or on a label firmly attached to it, the complete addresses of the addressee and the sender. If other letters and figures are used in the country of destination, it shall be recommended that the address be given also in these letters and figures. Addresses written in pencil shall not be allowed; nevertheless, parcels of which the address is written in indelible pencil on a surface previously dampened shall be accepted.
   2. Only one person or a corporate body may be designated as addressee. However, addresses such as “Mr. A at ... for Mr. Z at ...” or “Bank A at ...for Mr. Z at ...” may be admitted, it being understood that only the person indicated under A shall be regarded by administrations as the addressee. In addition, the addresses of A and Z shall be in the same country. . The office of posting shall also advise the sender to put in theparcel a copy of his address and that of the addressee
   3. The office of posting shall also advise the sender to put in theparcel a copy of his address and that of the addressee.

Please refer to website,http://www.singpost.com/send-receive/receive-mail-parcel/mailing-packaging-tips

Importance of Proper Addressing

Considerable inconvenience and delay in sorting occur in consequence of persons’ not having their correspondence sufficiently addressed, and in cases where there are several individuals of the same surname such correspondence may consequently be delivered to the wrong persons, who are apt to open it in error. It should be remembered that the address on a postal article is the guide to the Postal Services as to where it is to be delivered, and the public is therefore reminded that the correspondence should always be addressed as fully as possible.

The address of every postal article should be fully and clearly written in Roman characters and in Arabic numerals parallel to the length of the letter or packet and with sufficient blank space above the address for postage stamps, postmarks, etc.

The whole of the right-hand half at least of the address side should be reserved for the address of the addressee, postage stamps or postal franking impressions and service instructions or labels. Non-postal stamps and charity or other labels as well as designs likely to be mistaken for postage stamps or service labels must not be affixed to or printed on the address side.

Correspondence for places abroad should bear, besides the name of the town or city, the name of the country of destination (this should be written in large characters on the envelope). The postcode, if known, should be included in the address. Particular attention is invited to this rule, as it will prevent letters being misrouted when there are towns of the same name in different countries.

Every article should bear the name and address of the sender either on the front at the lower left-hand corner or on the back in order to facilitate and expedite return in the event of non-delivery.

The senders are urged always to include the Postal Code in the address of correspondence intended for local delivery. The use of the postal code facilitates the sorting of correspondence and thereby expedites delivery. A complete list of postal codes for streets, buildings etc, is provided in the Postal Code Directory. The information is also available in the Singapore Street Directory.

The addresses of the sender and the addressee should be shown inside the item as far as possible on the contents or, should the case arise, on a tie-on label that should be securely attached to the item. This should apply particularly to the unsealed items.

If the wrapping or the contents are not suitable for the writing of the address and the service indications, or for the application of the postage stamps or postal franking impressions, the sender should securely attach to the items an address label not less than 70 mm by 100 mm. This should also be done if the date stamping is likely to cause damage to the item.

Thin envelopes should not be used, especially for large packages. Being often handled and in mail bags subject to pressure or friction, such envelopes are frequently torn open or burst without any fault on the part of those who handle them. All articles, which are likely to suffer from stamping or pressure, should be packed in strong covers. The Postal Service cannot take any special precautions to secure the safety of fragile articles. Envelopes, the edges of which are provided with coloured bars must be reserved for airmail correspondence.

The use of sealing wax should be avoided. It often causes letters to adhere to each other, and the addresses are sometimes rendered illegible in the attempt to separate the letters. When sealing wax is used for seals outside letters and packets a piece of tissue paper should be laid over the wax before pressing it with a seal.

Articles of considerable value should not be sent by post, unless registered or insured. Any person who sends such articles otherwise not only runs a risk of losing his property without compensation, but exposes everyone through whose hands the articles pass to temptation.

In the case of currency notes, bank-notes or travellers’ cheques, which should not be enclosed in a letter unless it is registered or insured, a memorandum should always be made of the number and particulars of each note in order to afford means of identification. Cheques sent by post should always be crossed.

Suggestions to avoid delay -- Delay to correspondence and mistakes in delivery are due mainly to the use of incorrect or incomplete postal addresses. Singapore Post therefore appeals to members of the public to cooperate in preventing delay by :

1. Displaying their own correct postal address on their notepaper, visiting cards, business communications, advertisements and so on. If there is any doubt, the correct postal code address may be ascertained from the local post office.
2. Addressing letters, postcards and so on with the full address given by the person to whom they are writing, including the postcard and post town, followed by the name of the country. Mail for local delivery should bear correct Postal Code as part of the address.
3. Typing or writing the address legibly, in the lower part, and towards the right-hand side of the front of the envelope, with a clear margin above (not less than 40 mm deep) for the postage stamps and postmarks.

Affixing Postage Stamps to Mail

Postage stamps should be affixed to the top right-hand corner of the address side of the cover. Stamps other than postage stamps and label which might be mistaken for postage stamps must be affixed to the address side.

Prepayment of postage on postal articles can only be effected by means of postage stamps which are valid in the country or place in which the articles are posted. Correspondence posted on the high seas may be prepaid by means of the postage stamps and according to the tariff of the country to by which it is maintained.

Stamps should be affixed to the printed matters as not to cause the covers to adhere to the articles enclosed, thus sealing the articles and subjecting them to letter rates on delivery. On redirected letters, care should be taken not to place the fresh stamps over those which have been previously used.

Definition

The delivery of a postal article at the house or office of the addressee, or to the addressee (or to his servant or agent or other person considered to be authorised to receive the article according to the usual manner of delivering postal articles to the addressee), and, where the addressee is a guest or is resident of a hotel, delivery to the proprietor or manager thereof or to his agent, shall be deemed to be delivery to the addressee.

Times of Delivery

Generally, there is at least one mail delivery a day by postmen from Mondays to Fridays, and no deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The times of postmen’s delivery calls at specific points are liable to vary from day to day according to the volume of mail received.

Delivery to Callers

No person living in an area for which there is a daily delivery can obtain his letters etc., at a post office unless he rents a PO box.

Conditions of Delivery

Letters can be delivered only as addressed, or in accordance with general instructions for redirection. Applications that letters addressed to private individuals at their business houses may be delivered at their private residences cannot be entertained.

Articles addressed to initials will only be delivered if posted to the care of some known person or firm.

Articles on which the postage has not been prepaid, or has not been fully prepaid are forwarded and delivered under special arrangements which will involve delay.

Postmen are forbidden to deliver any article on which any sum of money is due to Singapore Post, whether on account of postage or any other account, without receiving immediate payment of the amount due, or to deliver any registered or insured letter or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel without obtaining the signature of the addressee or his representative on the receipt and on the Advice of Delivery, if any. Postmen are also forbidden to deviate from their prescribed beats, and cannot therefore be required to call again to receive payment of sums due. They are not bound to give change.

Registered and Insured Articles and Speedpost Worldwide Parcels

No registered or insured article or Speedpost Worldwide Parcel will be delivered until the addressee or his representative has signed his name legibly either in Roman characters or in vernacular script in ink or copying-ink pencil on the official form of receipt and also, if appropriate, on the Advice of Delivery. If the addressee or his representative is unable to furnish a signature in Roman characters or vernacular script, he may mark the receipt with his right thumb impression. When a representative is authorised to take delivery, the representative’s name must be stated. Proof of identify should be furnished in all cases when the addressee or his representative is not personally known to the delivery postman. If the article is addressed to a Government Department, institution, business house or hotel, the name of the department, institution, business house or hotel must be stamped on the receipt form in addition to the name of the person accepting the article.

Where the addressee or his agent refuses to give such a receipt the article will be withheld and disposed of in such manner as Singapore Post in its discretion directs or authorises.

The conditions governing delivery of registered articles also apply to insured articles.

The addressee or his representative may be required to take delivery of a Speedpost Worldwide Parcel or Speedpost Worldwide Parcels at the post office and the officer in charge of a post office may, if it is found necessary to do so, delay Speedpost Worldwide Parcels in order to secure the due despatch or delivery of letter mail.

Mail Liable to Customs Duty

Any postal article received from another country and suspected to contain undeclared goods liable to Customs duty will be opened at the Customs Counter at Singapore Post Centre in the presence of the addressee or his agent and of an officer of the Customs Department. The Customs duty will be assessed and the article delivered to the addressee or his agent on payment of the charges due, unless such article is required for ulterior proceedings.

Postal articles declared to contain goods liable to Customs duty will be opened at the Customs Counter at Singapore Post Centre and the duty assessed by the Customs Department.

On payment of the charges due, delivery will be effected to the addressee or his agent. When an agent is authorised to take delivery, the agent’s name must be stated and his identity fully established before delivery can be effected.

Receipt of Incorrectly Addressed Mail

Mail received at an address as a result of incorrect addressing by the sender, or where the addressee is not known at the address, should be handed to the postman on his next call or any postmaster. Alternatively, the recipient may post the letter into any posting box after cancelling the address particulars by making two parallel lines (preferably in red) across and writing boldly near the addressee’s name ‘NO SUCH PERSON AT THIS ADDRESS’.

Undeliverable postal articles originating in Singapore for delivery to an address in Singapore

The following procedures shall apply to any postal articles (other than a parcel, unregistered direct mail and a courier item) that is posted in Singapore and addressed to an addressee at an address in Singapore and for any reason cannot be delivered. No return postage is payable unless the article is underpaid or unpaid.

1. Unregistered Letter

   Unregistered Letter are not returned and shall be destroyed, unless they bear on the outside a request for return in the event of non-delivery and the legible address of the sender.

2. Unregistered Direct Mail/printed package

   Unregistered Direct Mail/printed package are not returned and shall be destroyed, unless they bear on the outside a request for return in the event of non-delivery and the legible address of the sender.

3. Registered and insured articles

   A registered or insured postal article is returned unopened to the sender if it has a return address shown on the outside of the article. If there is no sender's address shown on the article, the article shall be opened by an authorized SingPost's employee to ascertain any return address. If there is no return address, the postal article shall be kept for a period of one year and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of if not claimed within that period.

   An undeliverable article, other than a parcel, posted in Singapore is returned free of charge if the correct postage was paid. If the article was originally unpaid or underpaid and if returned to the sender, he will be liable to pay the deficient postage, plus any other charges payable. It is not compulsory for the sender to accept and pay any charges raised on a returned postal article which does not bear a request for return. If the sender refuses to pay the charges due, the article shall be treated as an undelivered postal article and it shall be disposed.

Undeliverable postal articles originating in Singapore for delivery to an address outside Singapore.

1. This regulation shall apply to any postal article (other than a parcel) that —
   1. is posted inside Singapore and addressed to an addressee at an address outside Singapore; and
   2. for any reason cannot be delivered by the foreign postal administration.
2. Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) and regulation 14 of Postal Services Regulation 2008, an undelivered postal article to which this regulation applies shall, when returned to the postal administration for Singapore by the foreign postal administration, be dealt with by the postal administration for Singapore as follows:
   1. if practicable, it shall be redirected and forwarded to the addressee; or
   2. if it cannot be redirected and forwarded to the addressee, it shall, if the name and address of the sender appears on the outside, or can be ascertained by an employee authorised by the postal administration for Singapore to open such articles and bound to secrecy, be returned to the sender on payment of any charges due.
3. An undelivered postal article to which this regulation applies may be destroyed where —
   1. the postal article is an unregistered printed packet (not being a printed packet containing books) and no request for its return to the sender appears thereon; or
   2. the postal article consists of a postcard without the sender's address.
4. Where an undelivered postal article to which this regulation applies is returned to the sender in accordance with paragraph (2) and —
   1. the postage paid on that postal article is equal to or less than the postage which would have been payable on a postcard posted in Singapore and addressed to an addressee in Singapore, the sender of the undelivered postal article shall be charged with a second postage fee equal in amount to the postage originally chargeable, less the amount of any postage prepaid by the sender; or
   2. the postage paid on that postal article is greater than the postage which would have been payable on a postcard posted in Singapore and addressed to an addressee in Singapore, the undelivered postal article shall be returned to the sender free of charge.

Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles

1. Subject to paragraph (2), undelivered postal articles to which regulation 12 or 13 applies and which cannot be disposed of under either of those regulations shall be retained by the postal administration for Singapore for such period, and shall be disposed of in such manner, as the postal administration for Singapore may specify in its terms of service.
2. At the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1) —
   1. any such undelivered and unregistered postal article may bedestroyed; and
   2. any undelivered and registered postal article, and any insured letter, with their contents shall be retained by the postal administration for Singapore for a period of one year, reckoned from and including the date the postal administration for Singapore cannot dispose of the article under regulation 12 or 13, and may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with this regulation if not claimed within that period.
3. If any undelivered postal article retained under paragraph (2)(b) remains unclaimed at the end of a period of one year, reckoned from and including the date the postal administration for Singapore cannot dispose of the article under regulation 12 or 13, the postal administration for Singapore may open the unclaimed and undelivered postal article and examine its contents, and shall —
   1. pay all moneys contained therein into the funds of the postal administration for Singapore for the benefit of any person entitled thereto; or
   2. sell such saleable property contained in the unclaimed and undelivered postal article by public auction or otherwise dispose of the property in any manner as it thinks fit, and the proceeds of the sale or disposal shall be paid into the funds of the postal administration for Singapore for the benefit of any person entitled thereto, after deducting any expenses incurred in carrying out the sale or disposal.
4. No claim shall be allowed to the moneys or the proceeds of sale of property referred to in paragraph (3)(b) after the expiration of 2 years from the payment of the same into the funds of the postal administration for Singapore.

Charges are correct as at 1st August 2008