It’s time to post your Christmas parcels, says SA Post Office

To ensure gifts are received in time for Christmas, the SA Post Office has released recommended dispatch dates for those wanting to send parcels to loved ones abroad.

“This is to make sure the parcels reach their loved ones in time for the festive season,” said the SA Post Office’s spokesperson, Johan Kruger.

He stated that all airmail items to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States of America must be posted by December 3. Surface mail items to these destinations must be posted by 5 November 2021.

“Items to certain African countries must be posted by December 3. Road transport is the only means of transportation available to these countries,” said Kruger.

The SA Post Office advised customers to pack the contents of the parcels securely and to use padding, if the contents are loose, as the parcels are transported in bulk.

“Make sure you send only items that will be allowed into the destination country. All parcels to foreign destinations are X-rayed to check for illegal and prohibited goods. No jewellery or cash, animals or plants, medication, or illegal substances, such as drugs, may be posted. These items require permits for import,” said Kruger.

In addition, Kruger advised customers to add a mobile phone number to the delivery address.

“This enables the destination Post Office to inform the customer that their parcel is ready for collection,” said Kruger.

In April this year, the SA Post Office launched a campaign to clear sorting centre floors. This reduced the backlog of incoming international items from 2.1 million to zero.

The SA Post Office said air mail can be sent to: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Comoros, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.