Sending parcels overseas for Xmas? Do it now says SAPO!

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The SA Post Office (SAPO) on Thursday urged customers who wish to mail Christmas parcels to other countries, using surface mail, to do so without delay.

SAPO Spokesperson Johan Kruger said it will ensure that parcels reach their destinations in time for Christmas. He said there is a small delay when parcels leave the country as it has to go through a time-consuming clearance procedure in the country of destination.

All airmail items are x-rayed and scanned for contents, and these items will then be re-routed to surface mail. Airmail items should be posted no later than 1 December."

Kruger said for sea and surface mail, customers should post the parcels no later than the dates below:

• The islands of Tristan da Cunha, Ascension and St Helena – no later than 31 October.  
• Parcels to Australia, the Americas (North and South), the Far East and Asia- no later than 31 October. 
• Great Britain, Europe, and the Middle East-no later than 31 October
• Parcels meant for islands in the Indian Ocean – Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius and Reunion – no later than 27 October. 
• For Africa – the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Peoples Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Madagascar, Angola, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe - the last date is 1 December.
• Items meant for countries bordering South Africa should be posted no later than 8 December.  These countries are Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. 

"Parcels must be packaged securely, as they are transported in bulk. If your mail item does not fill the container, fill it with packaging material like shredded paper or polystyrene to act as a shock absorber," said Kruger.

He also cautioned South Africans to ensure that the items they send are legal in the country of destination. 

In most countries, plant and animal material cannot be imported.

Also:

•Items containing ion-lithium batteries may not be transported using air mail.
•Illegal items such as drugs.
•Items that could leak and damage other packages, such as liquids.
•Items that may explode or catch fire during air transport, such as aerosols or flammable liquids.

- African News Agency (ANA)