AB KANTHARAJA: MAIL PRODUCTS

Postal Communication-Traditional Products

1. Letter: The communication is enclosed in an envelope and addressed.
Maximum weight	2 kilograms
Size prescribed	Minimum	Maximum
1) If the letter is in roll form
Any single diameter	10 cm	80 cm
Length + twice the diameter	17 cm	100 cm
2) If the letter is not in roll form:
Any single dimension	11× 7 cm	60 cm
(Length + Breadth)/ Height		90 cm
2. Inland Letter Card Communication is contained on a sheet of paper with prescribed size & folding. Inland letter card is used for transmission within India only.
a) Maximum weight	5 grams
b) The dimensions of the letter card including its flaps when unfolded or folded shall respectively be as follows:
UNFOLDED
Maximum	30 cm × 21 cm
Minimum	28.2 cm × 18.2 cm
Flaps	Letter Card will have three flaps, one each one on the left and right side not exceeding 1.5 cm by 10 cm and another on the top side not exceeding 1.5 cm by 21 cm. Flaps are not required if the Inland Letter Card can be closed by any other effective process.
FOLDED
Maximum	21 cm × 10 cm
Minimum	15.2 cm × 9 cm
Inland Letter Card shall be made of paper of minimum 70 GSM.
Letter Cards of private manufacture suitably folded and closed on all sides through gumming or any other effective process, may be conveyed by post, provided the dimensions and other conditions mentioned in this rule are complied with.
3. Post Card Open communication on a card of prescribed size. Available in two varieties: Single & reply post card. Post cards are for transmission within India only. Dimensions 14 cm × 9 cm (length and breadth). Privately manufactured post cards shall not be thinner or more flexible than an embossed post card, and will have the same size and thickness of embossed post card. There are other varieties of Post cards also such as a) Printed Post Card Post cards containing communication recorded by printing, cyclostyling or by any other mechanical process are classified as ‘Printed Post Cards’. Printed matter includes printed pictures also.b) Meghdoot Post Card The portion next to the address is available for advertisement in four colours.
4. Book Packet
Maximum weight	5 kilograms
Size prescribed	Minimum	Maximum
In roll form length	10 cm	80 cm
Total length + 2 diameters	17 cm	100 cm
Other than roll form	10cm ×7 cm	60cm ×30cm×30cm
Note: Book Packet when sent in card form whether folded or not, shall be neither thinner nor more flexible than Inland Post Cards. Prohibitions: a) There shall be no personal communication enclosed or written up on a book packet b) It shall not contain any paper money, postage or other stamps, cheques etc Exception: It may contain stamped self addressed post card or letter or wrapper.
5. Book Packet containing Printed Books: Specifications are same as for book packet. It shall not contain any publication published in regular intervals. No advertisements permitted.
6. Book Packet containing periodicals: Specifications are same as for book packets Conditions: The contents shall be periodicals registered with the ‘Registrar of Newspapers in India’. The first or last page of the periodical shall have the superscription “Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers in India under serial No………” printed on it.
7. Registered News paper: A News paper is a publication consisting wholly or in great part of political or other news, with or without advertisement. It is published in large numbers at intervals of not more than 31 days. It should have a bonafide list of subscribers. If such news paper is registered in the office of the Superintendent or Senior Superintendent of Post offices of the area where News paper is to be published, it will be treated as ‘Registered News paper’ for concessional rates of postage. There is no fee for registration. The registration number allotted to the paper should be printed on the top of the front page of the News paper preceded by the word ‘Registered”.
8. Blind Literature Packet: India Post allows free transmission of blind literature packets up to 7 kilograms. Papers of any kind, periodicals and books impressed in “Braille” or other special type for the use of blind are allowed to be transmitted by post as Blind literature packets. Size and packing is same as for book packets. Conditions: It must be sent by or to a blind person. No written or printed communication should be enclosed except: i) the title and table of contents ii) the key or instructions iii) a label for return of the packet.
9. Pattern and Sample Packet: It may contain bona fide trade patterns or samples of merchandise not having any saleable value together with or without any matter which may be sent as a book packet. Specifications same as in the case of book packets. Maximum weight 2 kilograms.
10. Parcel: Anything can be sent in a parcel excepting articles whose transmission is prohibited. It can contain single communication to the addressee of the parcel. If the parcel is suspected to contain other than the permitted communication, it will be opened in the presence of the addressee or his authorized agent, and each written communication will be charged on delivery with double the letter postage. If the addressee refuses to pay the charges, the parcel will be returned to the sender from whom the charge will not be recovered.
Size	Minimum	Maximum
Length	as per letter	100 cm
Length + Girth combined (100×30×10)	as per letter	180cm
Maximum weight: unregistered parcel: 4 kgs, registered parcel 20 kgs
11. Registration: The postal article that is registered is given identification and is recorded at every stage of handling. Letters, letter cards, Book and Pattern Packets, Parcels, News papers prepaid with postage may be registered at any post office for transmission at any post office. The registered postal article is delivered specifically to the addressee.
12. Value Payable Letters and Parcels: The VPL or VPP is paid for at the time of receipt. Registered parcels, letters, book packets and news papers may be sent as VPL/VPP. An article which has no intrinsic value can also be sent as value payable article.
13. Insurance: Insurance covers all risks during the course of transmission by post. The following types of articles can be insured: Registered letters Value Payable Letters Registered Parcels Value Payable Parcels Limits Branch offices are allowed to book up to the value of INR 600 Other offices can book up to the value of INR 100000 Insured value should not exceed the value of the articles insured. When articles having intrinsic value such as gold and currency notes are sent they should be insured for the actual value of the contents. The article to be enclosed in a strong cover sealed by means of identical seals, so that it cannot be tampered without breaking the seals or in a special water tear resistant and tamper evident special cover.