The postal service delivers 99 percent of letters by fast post between 1–9 days, but private courier services take up to 10 days. Locally, rapid post has a 98 percent delivery rate, while courier services have a 93 percent delivery rate. Letters sent by airmail take longer to reach their destination. Airmail takes 7–8 days to Europe and 14–15 days to the US. Standard mail takes 2–3 weeks to Europe and 4–5 weeks to the US. Indian Postal Service uses special airmail boxes at major airports to send letters overseas. These letters are given top priority by all carriers and usually arrive at their destinations within a week. Indian Postal Service uses diplomatic bags of Indian embassies and high commissions for sending important documents and papers overseas. These bags are made in India and often contain valuable antiques. It also uses consular bags of foreign embassies in New Delhi for the same purpose. These bags are used to carry official documents and letters from one country to another. Consular bags are usually large and heavy and must be shipped by air cargo because they cannot be transported by rail or road. Important letters sent through Indian Postal Services are insured by it against loss or damage. The insurance covers only written correspondence, not material such as books and magazines.