India Post Advises Against Booking International Rakhi as Registered Letter Mail
With the festive season approaching, postal authorities have reiterated important guidelines regarding the booking of International Rakhi consignments. It has been observed that, despite repeated instructions and amendments to the Postal Regulations, Rakhi articles containing goods are still being incorrectly booked as Registered Letter Mail.
According to the advisory, this practice is not permitted under the applicable postal regulations and is also non-compliant with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Convention. Such incorrect booking may result in financial loss to the Government and operational issues during international transmission.
Why Registered Letter Mail Should Not Be Used
The advisory highlights that a Rakhi containing goods or merchandise should not be accepted as Registered Letter Mail. If booked incorrectly, the consignment may:
- Be returned by the destination country's postal administration.
- Be detained or seized by customs authorities.
- Attract fines or penalties in the destination country.
- Cause inconvenience and delays to customers.
It has also been clarified that International Rakhi consignments containing goods cannot be sent through Ordinary Post.
Recommended Booking Channels
To ensure smooth international delivery and compliance with postal regulations, the Department has advised that International Rakhi shipments should be booked only through:
- ITPS (International Tracked Packet Service) – for standard international delivery.
- EMS (Express Mail Service) – for faster, express international delivery.
These services are designed for articles containing goods and provide a safer and regulation-compliant option for sending Rakhis abroad.
Advisory to Postal Staff
All postal officials have been requested to widely circulate these instructions among Post Offices and staff members to ensure that International Rakhi articles are accepted only under the appropriate postal products. Proper acceptance at the booking stage will help avoid returns, customs issues, and inconvenience to customers.
Conclusion
Customers sending Rakhi to relatives and friends abroad should ensure that the consignment is booked through ITPS or EMS and not as Registered Letter Mail or Ordinary Post. Following the prescribed booking procedure will facilitate hassle-free international transmission and ensure compliance with UPU regulations while protecting customer interests.
