Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-05-27
About Postal Matters. NO. d.

|
Postal union includes the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Germany, France,
Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland
and most Though not all) foreign coun-
tries. The rates of postage to the coun-
tries in the U. P. U. Except Canada
and Mexico, which will be stated fur
ther along) are as follows:
Letters, ounce or fraction thereof,
5 cents.
Postal cards, cents.
Newspapers and other printed mat
ter, for each 2 ounces, l cent.
Samples of merchandise, packets not
in excess of 4 ounces, cents; packets
in excess of 4 ounces, for each 2 ounces
or fraction thereof, l cent.
Strictly commercial papers, under
which head are enumerated documents
OF legal procedure, deeds, way-bills, in
voices and papers of mercantile char
acter, ETC., up to 10 ounces in weight.
are chargeable with cents; above that
weight with ] cent for each ounces;
but the minimum charge on a package
IS 5 cents, though it may weigh less
than half an ounce. If such packages
contain any letters or communications
in the nature of personal correspond
ence, they are rated at full letter post
age, to-wit, cents for each J ounce.
The rates Of postage to Canada and
Mexico are the same as in the United
States, but there are some restrictions
as to certain articles which pass un-
challenged in this country. Full in
formation may always be obtained at
the postofice on this point.
Packets of patterns or samples of
merchandise for dispatch in the mails
to foreign countries are restricted to
bona fde trade samples or specimens
having no salable or commercial value
in excess of that actually necessary tor
their use as samples or specimens.
Goods sent for sale, in execution of an
order, or as gifts, however small the
quantity, are not admissible at sample
rates and conditions.
Pairs Of articles = such as gloves.
shoes, socks, etc.-are not transmissi-
BILE by mail to foreign countries at the
postage rates and conditions applicable
to samples of merchandise; but one
article Of a pair may be so transmitted.
Samples of merchandise must not ex-
ceed 81 ounces in weight, s inches in
length, 4 inches in breadth, or inches
in depth, except that by special agree
ment between the United States and
France, Great Britain, Belgium and
Switzerland, packages are admissible
in the mails for those countries up to
II ounces in weight, 12inches in length,
s inches in width and 4 inches in depth
Books and other printed matter for
Germany and Great Britain must not
measure over foot by feet.
If it is desired to send articles of
value, liable to duty, they may be sent
under certain prescribed regulations
by Parcel Post, and should be de-
posted for mailing in the registry de-
partment of the postofice. Many arti-
cles are prohibited in the mails to for
eign countries, and it is always we'll to
ask at the postoffice for information as
to the rates and regulations concerning
mail matter other than letters
An invoice or bill may be inclosed in
the same package with printed matter
to which it relates (but to no other ar
ticle or purchase) without subjecting
the package to a higher rate of postage
than would apply if it contained ex-
clusively printed matter.
The letter StT'' stamped upon the
wrapper OF mail received from foreign
countries indicates that it was consid-
cred in that country as not fully pre-
paid, and that additional postage is to
collected on delivery. An 80" stamped
as above indicates that the stamps were
of no value for prepayment of postage
in the country in which the article was
| mailed. Wholly unpaid letters are
liable to charge of 10 cents per !
| ounce double the prepaid rate) and
| those insufficiently paid are charged
double the amount of the deficiency.
Valuable matter should always be
registered. The fee is 10 cents, in ad
dition to the postage. The endorse
ment on the parcel, Return Receipt
! Demanded" /" will always secure the re-
turn to the sender of a receipt from
the addressee, without additional
charge.
Avoid the use of sealing wax and
thin envelopes in correspondence with
foreign countries.
This is but mere outline Of the reg
ulations as to foreign mail, which are
quite voluminous | have undertaken
| to give only those which are a part of
every day life in the postoffice and
such as will be found most useful to
the public. Information as to other
points, and concerning countries not
embraced in the Postal union, can be
obtained at all times at the postof1ce.
j T. MoAK, P. NJ.