POST OFFICE REGULATIONS

POST OFFICE REGULATIONS

POST OFFICE REGULATIONS
(Cap. 98, section 3)
[1 September 19381

G.N. 656138 -G.N. 410147, G.N.A. 69148, G.N.A. 70148, G.N.A. 139149, G.N.A 23152, G.N.A.
75158, G.N.A. 25159, G.N.A. 30162, L.N. 16163, L.N. 116167, L.N. 90168, L.N. 68171, L.N.
174174, L.N. 84175, L.N. 270175, L.N. 67178, L.N. 176180, L.N. 184181, 31 of 1981, L.N.
394181, L.N. 60185, 41 of 1985, R. Ed. 1985, 1 of 1987, 22 of 1988, L.N. 191188

1. These regulations may be cited as the Post Office Regulations.

2. In any government notification specifying the postage rates for the
time being in force, and in these regulations, unless the context otherwise
requires-

'circular' means a communication produced by typewriting or other mechan-
ical process of which copies are addressed to a number of persons in
identical or nearly identical terms;

'printed paper' means a document which is produced by some mechanical
process other than typewriting.
(L.N. 68171)

3. Circulars for addresses in Hong Kong shall be posted in batches of not
less than 10 of uniform size and weight and shall be posted by being delivered to
an officer of the Post Office.
(1 of 1987 s. 8)

4. The maximum weight for the following postal articles shall be-

Maximum
Weight

(a) Letters for any destination ......2 kg
(b) Printed papers
(i) Inland ...........................1 kg
(ii) Destination elsewhere ...........2 kg
(e) Small packets for any destination 1 kg

(d) Literature for the blind posted as such to any destination 7 kg

(e) (Repealed L.N. 270175)

Books for overseas destinations ....5 kg
(L.N. 68171; L.N. 176180)

5. (1) A class of postal packets called 'small packets' is authorized with
the object of affording facilities, in the international service, for the transmission





of small articles of merchandise in the letter mails. The exchange of small packets is
limited to those countries which have agreed to participate in the service.

(2) The prohibitions applicable to letter post shall apply also to the service of
small packets. In addition, the following shall be specially excluded from
transmission in small packets

(a)letters, notes or documents having the character of actual and personal
correspondence (this prohibition shall not apply to open invoices reduced
to the simplest form, the address of the addressee, the description of the
article and the sender's address);

(b) coins;

(c) banknotes;

(d) currency notes;

(e) negotiable instruments payable to bearer;

(j) platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not;

(g) precious stones;

(h) jewels and other valuable articles;

(i) postage stamps, whether obliterated or not.

(3) Small packets shall be sent in such a manner as to be easily examined. In
addition, the name and address of the sender shall be shown on the outside of the
packet and each packet shall be conspicuously marked SMALL PACKET in the top
left-hand corner. (L.N. 68171)

(4) Small packets may be registered but not insured.

6. (1) The following letters shall not be subject to any postage~---

(a)letters on official business, posted in Hong Kong, from a department of
the Government of Hong Kong, addressed to the United Kingdom or to a
British possession or protectorate, marked ON HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE
and signed in the lower left-hand corner with the usual signature of the
head or assistant head of the department of origin; (1 of 1987 s. 8)

(b)letters on postal business posted in Hong Kong and addressed to the
Postmaster General;

(c)letters on Hong Kong Savings Bank business posted in Hong Kong and
addressed 'Hong Kong Savings Bank'; and

(d)one letter posted in Hong Kong from each candidate at any Legislative
Council election, any Urban Council election, any Regional Council
election or any District Board election addressed to each elector registered
in the final register in respect of the constituency for which the candidate
is nominated containing matter relating only to such election and not
exceeding 50 grams in weight. (L.N. 394181; 41 of 1985 s. 28)





(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(d)--
(a)a person shall not be deemed to be a candidate unless he is shown as a
person validly nominated in the notice of nominations published in
the Gazette in accordance with the provisions of the Legislative
Council (Electoral Provisions) (Procedure) Regulations (Cap. 381, sub.
leg.) or the Electoral Provisions (Procedure) Regulations (Cap. 367,
sub. leg.); but until the publication of that notice any person who
declares himself to be a candidate shall be entitled to exercise the right
to free postage conferred by this regulation if he furnishes the
Postmaster General with such security as may be required for the
payment of postage should he not subsequently be shown in such
notice as a person validly nominated;
(b)the expressions 'constituency', 'elector' and 'final register' have the
meanings assigned to them, respectively, in the Legislative Council
(Electoral Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 381) or the Electoral Pro-
visions Ordinance (Cap. 367). (L.N. 16163; L.N. 394181; 22 of 1988
s.8)

7. The following postal packets shall be charged the same rates of
postage as if they were letters-
(a) all postal packets which are closed to inspection except parcels; and
(b) all postal packets which contain a letter.

8. No postal packet shall contain any inclosure which is directed to a
name and address different from the name and address borne on the cover and
which is inclosed with the intention of evading postage. Any such inclosure may
be taken out and may be forwarded to the addressee charged with separate
postage.

9. (1) Where the postage payable on any postal packet is required to be
prepaid and has not been prepaid or has not been fully prepaid, the following
surcharge shall be payable- (1 of 1987 s. 9)
(a)in the case of an overseas postal packet, a fee of $3 in addition to the
postage or the deficiency as the case may be; and (L.N. 184181; L.N.
60185; L.N. 191188)
(b)in the case of an inland postal packet, double the postage or double
the deficiency as the case may be,
save that in the case of a postal packet other than a letter, the Postmaster
General may detain the packet and return it to the sender.
(2) An air mail packet on which no part, or a part only, of the postage pay-
able thereon has been prepaid may be dealt with as if it were not an air mail
packet.
(L.N. 270175)

10. Notwithstanding any alternative method of treatment and disposal of
prohibited articles authorized by the Ordinance, it shall be lawful for the
Postmaster General, or any officer of the Post Office authorized by him in that
behalf, forthwith to destroy any postal packet and the contents thereof which
may have been opened under the authority of section 10, 12, or 13 of the





Ordinance and the contents of which may be any obscene, immoral, indecent,
offensive or libellous writing, picture or other thing.

11. Subject to any special agreement between the Postmaster General and
any particular steamship company, the rates of the gratuities payable under
section 19 of the Ordinance, shall be-
(a) For transit mails other than parcels conveyed
to Indo-China and to ports in China south of
Shanghai ........................$0.50 per bag or
.................................paper packet.
(b) For transit mails other than parcels conveyed
to Canada, the United States (including Haw-
aii), Europe, Australia and New Zealand $2.00 per bag.
(c) For transit mails other than parcels conveyed
to any other destination ........$1.00 per bag.
(d) For mails other than parcels made up in Hong
Kong ............................$0.20 per kilogram
.................................or part
.................................thereof. (L.N.
.................................176180)
(e) For parcels originating in Hong Kong or
transit parcels .................$0.05 per parcel.

12. (1) Any parcel remaining unclaimed at the expiry of 7 days from the
posting of a notification of arrival shall be liable to a demurrage charge of $1 for
each day that it remains unclaimed after the expiration of that period, with a
minimum charge of $8. (L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)
(2) If such parcel is not collected within 2 months from the posting of a
notification of arrival it may be returned to the sender or otherwise disposed of
as the Postmaster General thinks fit. (L.N. 184181)
(3) AH fees payable under this regulation shall be payable in cash in such
manner as the Postmaster General may direct.
(L.N. 270175)

13. (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, the Postmaster
General may let private boxes or provide private bag services to any person
applying therefor on payment in advance of the following annual fees in
respect of each such box or bag service-
..........................Large Small Private
..........................BoxBox Bag
(a) at the General Post Office, or the
Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office 350 280 150
(b) at the Kowloon Central Post Office
for small box and private bag only - 180 150

(c) at any other Post Office 180 150 150,
(L.N. 191188)





but where the initial letting is for a period of more than 12 months the fee
payable shall be the annual fee and for the period in excess of 12 months for
each month or part thereof one twelfth of the annual fee. (L.N. 184181)

(2) Every private box shall be let or bag service provided for an initial
period of not less than 12 months with effect from the first day of the month in
which the box is supplied or the service provided, and such letting or service
shall thereafter be renewable at the discretion of the Postmaster General for
further periods of-

(a)12 months at a time upon payment of the annual rent prescribed in
subregulation (1) 7 days before the date of expiry of the current
period. (L.N. 184181)

(b) (Repealed L.N. 184181)

(3) With the consent of the Postmaster General any private box service
may be let jointly to 2 or more persons, and in every such case the fee for such
service shall be 75% of the fee prescribed by subregulations (1) and (2) and shall
be payable by each such person.

(4)(a) The Postmaster General shall supply free of charge to every
lessee of a private box 1 key thereto and, on application and payment
of a fee of $10 for each key, such additional keys as may be required,
and no key other than those supplied by the Postmaster General shall
be used with any such box. (L.N. 184181)

(b)The applicant for every private bag service shall supply to the
Postmaster General for use in such service 2 bags each bag to be fitted
with a lock, 1 key to which shall be delivered to the Postmaster
General for retention by him during the continuance of such service.

(5) Every key supplied for use with any private box shall remain the
property of the Postmaster General and shall be returnable to him on termina-
tion of the rental of the box in question; and every key supplied to the
Postmaster General for use with any private bag service shall remain the
property of the supplier thereof and shall be returnable by the Postmaster
General on request by the supplier or on termination of the service.

(6) Where during the currency of any rental period any lessee of a private
box requires that the lock thereof be changed, the Postmaster General-

(a) upon application in writing; and

(b) upon payment of the sum of $30; and (L.N. 184181; L.N. 191188)

(c)upon return of every key supplied for use therewith, or payment of the
sum of $10 in lieu for each such key not returned, (L.N. 60185)

shall cause such lock to be changed for another lock and shall supply therewith,
free of charge, 1 key to each lessee of such box.
(G.N.A. 75158)

14. The fee for a certificate of posting shall be 60 cents for each packet
posted. It shall be payable in advance by means of postage stamps to the value
of 60 cents affixed to the certificate.
(L.N. 184181; L.N. 191188)





15. The fee for the reception of mail matter shall be $65 per year or part of a
year. The certificate shall lapse on 31 December of the year in which it is issued
unless renewed.

(L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

16. (1) The registration fee shall be $7 for each postal packet.

(2) The fee for requesting advice of delivery of a registered postal packet shall
be $7.

(3) (Repealed L.N. 270175)

(4) The registration fee and the postage on a registered packet shall be prepaid.

(G.N.A. 69148; L.N. 116/67; L.N. 68171; L.N. 84175; L.N. 270175;
L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

17. Unregistered postal packets found to contain banknotes, used or unused
postage stamps, cheques payable to bearer or uncrossed postal orders or postal
notes shall be subject to compulsory registration and shall be charged a registration
fee of $14 for each such packet.

(L.N. 116167; L.N. 184181; L.N. 270175; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

18. (1) For cash on delivery parcels a special fee of 1 % of any trade charge
shall be payable by the sender. (L.N. 116/67; L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185)

(2) The trade charge on any one parcel shall not exceed $1,200. (L.N. 184181)

(3) Each person collecting a cash on delivery parcel shall, in addition to paying
the trade charge, pay a fee of $6. (L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

(4) In this regulation, 'trade charge' means the amount to he collected on
delivery.

19. (1) Local money orders, not exceeding $1,000 Hong Kong currency, will be
issued payable in Hong Kong. Commission shall be charged at $15 for each local
money order. (L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

(2) Foreign money orders will be issued at rates of exchange fixed from time to
time by the Postmaster General. Commission shall be charged at $15 for each foreign
money order. (L.N. 184181; L.N. 191188)

(3) The maximum amount for which a foreign money order may be issued or
paid in Hong Kong shall be $1,000, Hong Kong currency. (G.N.A. 30162)

(4) A foreign money order remaining unpaid for 1 year after the date of issue
shall be treated as void.

(5) The fee for an advice of payment shall be $15. (L.N. 270175; L.N. 191188)

(6) The purchaser of a money order may, on payment of a fee of $15, request
the Postmaster General to provide information on the payment of that money order.
(L.N. 191188)





(7) A local money order may, on payment of a fee of $15, be renewed by the
Postmaster General. (L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

(8) The Postmaster General may, on payment of a fee of $15,- (L.N. 191188)

(a) stop payment of any money order;

(b) issue a duplicate of a money order;

(c) repay the purchaser of any local money order that has become void; or

(d)in relation to an overseas money order that has become void, refund to the
purchaser the price he paid in Hong Kong dollars for it. (L.N. 60185)

20. British postal orders will be issued at rates of exchange fixed by the
Postmaster General from time to time.

(G.N.A. 30162)

21. The fee for insurance shall be $2.50 for each $500 or part thereof. The right
to insure, the limits up to which insurance may be effected, and the right to
compensation in case of loss or damage, shall be subject in all respects to the
provision of the Postal Guide. In this regulation, 'Postal Guide' means the Postal
Guide issued by the Postmaster General, current at the time of insuring or claiming
as the case may be, and includes any amendments of the same whereof notice may
from time to time be exhibited at the Post Office.

(L.N. 68171; L.N. 270175; L.N. 60185)

22. The selling price of an International reply coupon shall be $8.

(L.N. 270175; L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

23. (1) The Business Reply Envelope and Card system mentioned in this
regulation enables a person to obtain transmission, through the local post, without
prepayment of postage, of envelopes and cards addressed to himself which he may
distribute inclosed with advertising or other matter.

(2) A person desiring the facilities afforded by the Business Reply Envelope
and Card system must first obtain a permit from the Postmaster General.

(3) The fee for a permit shall be $65 and must be paid in advance. Every permit
will expire at the end of 1 year from date of issue but may be renewed for further
periods of 1 year at a time on payment of a fee of $65 in respect of each such
renewal. (L.N. 270175; L.N. 184181; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

- (4) Complete printed proofs of the envelopes or cards must be forwarded to the
Postmaster General for approval and must conform in size, form and quality to the
conditions prescribed for letters and post cards of the local post and be printed in
black. The address side of the envelope or card should be printed strictly in
accordance with the specimen shown below and must not bear any other printings
or markings.





No. Postage
Postage Stamp
will be necessary
paid by if posted in
Addressee. Hong Kong.

BUSINESS REPLY CARD*
PERMIT NO. 60.

John Smith & Co.,
1 Chater Road,
Hong Kong.

* or Envelope.

(5) The postage due on such cards and envelopes transmitted to the permit-
holder will be calculated at prepaid rates applicable to such articles and will be
collected from him on delivery, together with a surcharge of 30 cents for each article
delivered. (L.N. 270175; L.N. 67178; L.N. 60185; L.N. 191188)

(6) Business reply envelopes and cards cannot be registered, insured or
marked for express delivery.

(7) Without prejudice to any other penalties prescribed in the Ordinance, the
permit will be liable to cancellation in the event of default in payment of postage due
on such cards and envelopes as are transmitted to the permit-holder through the
post.

24. (Repealed L.N. 270175)

25. If the Postmaster General is of the opinion that the delivery of telegrams and
postal articles cannot readily be effected at any place without danger to the officers
of the Post Office or because there are not at such place proper facilities for the
receipt of telegrams and postal articles, he may suspend delivery at such place for
such period as he may think fit upon giving notice of such suspension either by
leaving the same with any adult person at such place or by causing the same to be
inserted in a daily newspaper published in Hong Kong.

(1 of 1987 s. 8)

26. The sender of a parcel may be required to prove his identity and it shall be
lawful for the Postmaster General or any officer of the Post Office authorized in that
behalf to refuse a parcel the sender of which has after being so required failed to
submit such proof.





27. The sender of a parcel or of a small packet referred to in these regulations
addressed to a place outside Hong Kong must make a customs declaration stating
the full address, the nature, value and the net weight of the contents.

(1 of 1987 s. 8)

28. The issue of postage stamps for use under the Ordinance and the
withdrawal of postage stamps from such use shall be under the control and
management of the Postmaster General, and postage stamps so issued shall be of
such kinds and in such denominations as the Postmaster General may determine.

(31 of 1981 s. 65)

29. (1) The Postmaster General may issue a licence to any person in such form
as the Postmaster General may determine authorizing such person, subject to such
terms and conditions as the Postmaster General may specify in the licence, to use a
franking machine for the purpose of denoting prepayment of postage or the payment
of other fees payable by means of postage stamps or in respect of services provided
by the Postmaster General.

(2) No person shall use a franking machine for a purpose referred to in
subregulation (1) without a licence issued in respect thereof under this regulation or
otherwise than in accordance with the terms or conditions specified in such licence.

(3) The Postmaster General may cancel a licence issued under this regulation in
respect of a franking machine pursuant to the terms of the licence or if there are
reasonable grounds for believing that any person has used the franking machine in
contravention of subregulation (2).

(31 of 1981 s. 65)

30. (1) The Postmaster General may authorize the repurchase of postage stamps
(including postage stamps impressed on any material) in respect of which either of
the following conditions is satisfied

(a)the postage stamps were purchased solely for postal purposes and have
not been used for those or any other purposes; or

(b)the postage stamps have been inadvertently and undesignedly spoiled or
rendered unfit for use.

(2) There shall be payable in respect of the repurchase of postage stamps
under this regulation such commission as the Postmaster General may determine.

31. The sender of a parcel or a registered item may, on payment of a fee of $7,
request the Postmaster General to provide information on the delivery of that parcel
or that registered item.

(L.N. 191188)

32. The Postmaster General may redirect a postal packet on payment in
advance of the following fees by the addressee





Private Business
user user

(a) for a period not exceeding 3 months Free Free
(b) for each 12 months thereafter $130 S400
...............................(L.N. 191188)

33. The fee for express service for a postal packet shall be $5.
(L.N. 191188)

https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/2434

1964

v7

98

10