These postal tips should help customers avoid problems with their parcels. Please clip out this article for future reference.

We have put together information regarding some of the most frequently asked questions concerning mail content restrictions. If you wish to clarify any concerns, please contact your nearest post office for information. The telephone listing for post offices is in the telephone directory's 'blue pages'. You can email your query to: postcorp_admin@colis.com.

RESTRICTIONS

When you present your parcel to the customer service representative at the post office, you are required to declare if it includes prohibited items or materials that require special packaging. Why? Obviously, illegal drugs, guns, ammunition, fireworks and such items are a no-no. Toy guns, realistic-looking toy daggers and similar items are not allowed. This is also the case with any type of equipment used by the armed forces (e.g. army-type camouflage uniforms).

Note that improperly packaged sharp instruments are dangerous, and fall in the 'restricted' category along with explosives, inflammables such as cigarette lighters, as well as harmful, noxious, or filthy substances.

It's best to get the Ministry of Health (MoH) to preapprove prescription medicines to ensure that the recipient gets them without delay. These must be approved by MoH before being released.

Scientists: Note that biological or chemical samples and poisons expose postal workers to danger and may even damage other articles or postal equipment during conveyance, so these are not allowed via post except with priorapproval and must be placed in special containers/packaging.

As articles infringing trademark or copyright laws are disallowed, it is OK to send a copy of your wedding video but not a pirated DVD of the cinema's latest movie.

PERISHABLE/AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

Perishable items including foodstuff and plants - or anything that attracts rats - must be packed in special ratproof and spillproof containers. Liquids must be packed in specially sealed containers.

Note also that agricultural items face international restrictions to avoid the spread of pests and diseases, even if they have been through some element of processing. You can only send 500 grams (or about one pound) of coffee in any parcel.

A special note regarding valuables: money is to be sent via postal order or by the electronic MoneyGram money-transfer service available at numerous post offices islandwide. All valuables must be sent via registered mail and the contents and their estimated value indicated on a declaration form available at the post office.

These are standardised international regulations that apply to every country.