202. pants

They shall be indicated in detail on a CP 77 statement of

charges. This statement shall be affixed at one edge to the

dispatch note.

11 The rates, charges and fees provided for under 9

shall be collected from the sender. Designated operators may

however refrain from calculating the exact amount of these

charges and instead fix standard rates for parcels to be returned

to sender.

12 Parcels returned to the sender and undeliverable to

him shall be dealt with by the designated operator concerned in

accordance with its own legislation.

Article RC 140

Return to sender of wrongly accepted parcels

1 Any parcel wrongly accepted and returned to sender

shall be subject to the rates, charges and fees prescribed in

article RC 139.9.

2 These rates, charges and fees shall be payable by the

sender, if the parcel has been wrongly admitted in consequence of

an error of the sender or if it falls within one of the

prohibitions laid down in article 15 of the

Convention.

3 They shall be payable by the designated operator

responsible for the error, if the parcel has been wrongly

admitted in consequence of an error attributable to the postal

service. In this case the sender shall be entitled to a refund of

the charges paid.

4 If the rates which have been allocated to the

designated operator returning the parcel are insufficient to

cover the rates, charges and fees mentioned in 1, the outstanding

charges shall be recovered from the designated operator of the

sender's country of residence.

5 If there is a surplus, the designated operator which

sends back the parcel shall return the balance of the rates to

the designated operator of the sender's country of residence for

refund to the sender.

Article RC 141

Return to sender due to suspension of services

1 The return

of a parcel to the sender due to the suspension of services shall

be free of charge. The unallocated rates collected for the

outward journey shall be credited to the designated operator of

the sender's country of residence for refund to the

sender.

Article RC 142

Non-compliance by a designated operator with given

instructions

1 When the designated operator of destination or an

intermediate designated operator has not complied with the

instructions given at the time of posting or subsequently, it

shall bear the conveyance charges (outward and return) and any

other uncancelled charges or fees. Nevertheless, the charges paid

for the outward journey shall remain the responsibility of the

sender if he declared, at the time of posting or subsequently,

that in the event of non-delivery he would abandon the

parcel.

2 The designated operator of the sender's country of

residence shall be authorized automatically to bill the charges

referred to in 1 to the designated operator which has not

complied with the instructions given and which, althoughduly

informed, has allowed three months without finally settling the

matter. The period shall run from the date on which that

designated operator was informed of the case.

3 The

provision in 2 shall also apply if the designated operator of the

sender's country of residence has not been informed that the

non-compliance appeared to be due to force majeure or that the

parcel had been detained, seized or confiscated in accordance

with the internal regulations of the country of

destination.

Article RC 143

Parcels containing items whose early deterioration or decay is to

be feared

1 Articles contained in a parcel whose early

deterioration or decay is to be feared shall be separated from

other parcels in order to avoid deterioration to other parcels.

If separation is impossible, the spoilt or decayed articles shall

be destroyed. This provision shall apply in accordance with the

national legislation of the member country.

2 When a parcel has been destroyed in accordance with 1,

a formal report of the destruction shall be drawn up. A copy of

the report accompanied by the dispatch note shall be sent to the

office of origin.

Article RC 144

Treatment of requests for withdrawal of parcels from the post or

for alteration or correction of address

1 The sender of a parcel may ask for it to be returned

or for its address to be altered. He must guarantee payment of

the amounts due for any onward transmission.

2 However, designated operators shall have the option of

not accepting the requests referred to in 1 when they do not

accept them in their internal service.

3 Preparation of request

3.1 Every request for withdrawal of items from the post

or for alteration or correction of address shall entail

completion by the sender of a CN 17 form. One form may be used

for several items posted at the same time, at the same office, by

the same sender to the same addressee.

3.2 In handing in the request at the post office the

sender shall prove his iden­tity and produce the certificate of

posting, if any. The designated operator of the country of origin

shall assume responsibility for the proof of identity.

3.3 A request for simple correction of address (without

alteration of the name or status of the addressee) may be made

direct to the office of destination by the sender. The charge

prescribed in 4 shall not be collected in such a case.

3.4 Through notification of the International Bureau,

any designated operator may make provision for CN 17 requests

concerning it to be exchanged through its central administration

or through a specially appointed office. This notification shall

include the name of this office.

3.5 Designated operators which exercise the option

provided for under 3.4 shall bear any charges which may result

from the transmission in their internal service by post or by

telecommunication of the communications to be exchanged with the

office of destination. Recourse to telecommunication or other

similar service shall be compulsory when the sender has himself

used such means and the office of destination cannot be advised

in time by post.

3.6 If the item is still in the country of origin, the

request shall be dealt with according to the legislation of that

country.

4

Charges

4.1 The sender shall pay, for each request, a special

charge the guideline maximum amount of which shall be 1.31

SDR.

4.2 The request shall be forwarded by post or by

telecommunication at the sender's expense. The forwarding

conditions and the provisions relating to the use of

telecommunications are set out in 6 below.

4.3 The charges prescribed under 4.1 and 4.2 shall be

levied only once for each request for withdrawal from the post or

alteration or correction of address involving several items

posted at the same time, at the same office, by the same sender

to the same addressee.

5 Transmission

of request by post

5.1 If the request is to be sent by post, the CN 17

form, accompanied if possible by a perfect facsimile of the

envelope or of the address of the item, shall be sent direct to

the office of destination under registered cover by the quickest

route (air or surface).

5.2 If requests are exchanged through the central

administrations, a copy of the request may, in an emergency, be

sent direct by the office of origin to the office of destination.

Requests sent direct shall be acted on. The items concerned shall

be withheld from delivery until the arrival of the request from

the central administration.

5.3 On receipt of the CN 17 form, the office of

destination shall search for the item in question and take the

necessary action.

5.4 The action taken by the office of destination on

every request for withdrawal from the post or alteration or

correction of address shall be communicated immediately to the

office of origin by the quickest route (air or surface), using a

copy of the CN 17 form with the "Reply of the office of

destination" part duly completed. The office of origin shall

inform the applicant. The same shall apply in the following

circumstances:

5.4.1 fruitless searches;

5.4.2 items already delivered to the

addressee;

5.4.3 item confiscated, destroyed or seized.

5.5 A non-priority or surface

item shall be returned to origin by priority or by air following

a request for withdrawal from the post when the sender undertakes

to pay the corresponding difference in postage. When an item is

redirected by priority or by air following a request for

alteration or correction of address, the difference in postage

corresponding to the new route shall be collected from the

addressee and retained by the delivering designated

operator.

6 Transmission

of request by telecommunications

6.1 If the request is to be made by telecommunications,

the CN 17 form shall be handed over to the corresponding service

for transmission of the details to the post office of

destination. The sender shall pay the corresponding charge for

that service.

6.2 On receipt of the message received by

telecommunications, the office of destination shall search for

the item in question and take necessary action.

6.3 Any request for alteration or correction of address

concerning an insured item made by telecommunications shall be

confirmed by post, by the first mail, as prescribed under 5.1.

The CN 17 form shall then bear at the head, in bold letters, the

note "Confrmation de la demande transmise par voie des

télécommunications du ..." (Confirmation of request made by

telecom­munications dated ...); pending such confirmation, the

office of destination shall merely retain the item. However, the

designated operator of destination may, on its own

responsibility, act on the request made by telecommunications

without waiting for confirmation by post.

6.4 In relations between two designated operators of

countries which admit this procedure, the sender may ask to be

informed by telecommunications of the action taken by the office

of destination on his request. He shall pay the relevant charge.

If telegrams are used, he must pay the charge for a telegram,

calculated on a fifteen-word basis. When telex is used, the

charge to the sender shall normally be the same amount as that

charged for forwarding the request by telex.

6.5 If the sender of a request sent by

telecommunications has asked to be notified by similar means, the

reply shall be sent by this means to the office of origin. It

shall inform the applicant as quickly as possible. The same shall

apply if a request by telecommunications is not sufficiently

explicit to identify the item with certainty.

Article RC 145

Inquiries

1 Separate inquiries shall be made for uninsured and

insured parcels.

2 Principles

2.1 Within the

period of time prescribed in article 17 of the Convention,

inquiries shall be accepted as soon as the problem is reported by

the sender or the addressee. However, where a sender's inquiry

concerns an undelivered parcel and the anticipated transmission

time has not expired, the sender should be informed of this

transmission time.

3 Preparation

of request

3.1 Every inquiry shall involve the preparation of a CN

08 form.

3.2 The CN 08 form shall be accompanied, whenever

possible, by a facsimile of the address of the item. The inquiry

form shall be completed with all the details called for,

including the mandatory information on charges paid, and very

legibly, preferably in roman capital letters and arabic figures,

or even better, in printed characters.

3.3 If the inquiry concerns a cash-on-delivery item, it

shall also be accompanied by a duplicate form CN

29ter.

3.4 One form may be used for several items posted at the

same time at the same office by the same sender and sent by the

same route to the same addressee.

3.5 Any designated operator may, by notifying the

International Bureau, ask for CN 08 inquiries concerning its

service to be forwarded to the central administration or to one

or more specially appointed offices.

3.6 The first designated operator to receive the CN 08

form and accompanying documents from a customer shall invariably

complete its investigations within ten days and forward the CN 08

form and accompanying documents to the corresponding designated

operator. The form and documents shall be returned to the

designated operator which originated the inquiry as soon as

possible and at the latest within two months from the date of the

original inquiry or within 30 days from the date of the original

inquiry if the case was reported by fax or any other electronic

means. If the sender so requires, they shall be accompanied by

the addressee's declaration made out on a CN 18 form and

certifying the non-receipt of the item under inquiry. After the

corresponding period has elapsed, a reply shall be sent by fax,

e-mail or any other means of telecommunication to the designated

operator of origin, at the expense of the designated operator of

destination.

3.7 Replies to inquiries sent by fax or e-mail must,

wherever possible, be sent by the same means.

3.8 If the sender asserts that,

despite the designated operator of destination's attestation of

delivery, the addressee claims not to have received the item

under inquiry, the following procedure shall be followed. At the

express request of the designated operator of origin, the

designated operator of destination shall be obliged to provide

the sender as soon as possible and, at the latest, within a

period of 30 days from the date of sending of such a request,

through the designated operator of origin, confirmation of the

delivery by letter, CN 07 advice of delivery or some other means,

signed in conformity with article RC 128.4.1, or a copy of a

signature of acceptance or some other form of evidence of receipt

from the recipient, in conformity with article RC 116.2 or RC

125.7.1.1.

4 Inquiries

about ordinary and insured parcels

4.1 Where an inquiry concerns ordinary parcels exchanged

under the system of bulk advice, the number and date of dispatch

of the mail shall be entered on the CN 08 inquiry form. The form

shall, where possible, be sent by fax or e-mail, without

additional cost to the customer; otherwise the inquiry shall be

sent by registered post. In the latter case, the form shall be

sent automatically, without a covering letter and always by the

quickest route (air or surface).

4.2 If the designated operator of origin or the

designated operator of destination so requests, the inquiry shall

be forwarded direct from the office of origin to the office of

destination.

4.3 If, upon receipt of the inquiry, the central

administration of the country of destination or the specially

appointed office concerned is able to say what finally happened

to the item, it shall complete the "Particulars to be

supplied by the service of destination" part of the CN 08

form. In cases of delayed delivery, retention or return to origin

the reason shall be shown briefly on the CN 08 form.

4.4 A designated operator which is unable to establish

either delivery to the addressee or correct transmission to

another designated operator shall immediately order the necessary

inquiry. It shall record in the "Final reply" part of

the CN 08 form its decision on liability.

4.5 The CN 08 form, duly completed as prescribed under

4.3 and 4.4, shall, where possible, be returned by fax or e-mail

or by the quickest route (air or surface) to the address of the

office which prepared it.

4.6 The designated operator of origin shall send

inquiries about parcels sent in transit à découvert at the same

time to both the intermediate designated operator and the

designated operator of destination. Inquiries about items

contained in closed mails which have transited through one or

more inter­mediate designated operators shall in principle be

handled directly between the country of origin and the country of

final destination. Nevertheless, the designated operator of

origin may, in order to speed up the process of investigation,

ask any intermediate designated operator to provide appropriate

dispatch information.

4.6.1 Inquiries sent to intermediate designated

operators that so indicate in the Parcel Post Compendium shall be

accompanied by a CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41, as appropriate. The

copies may be either electronic or physical, according to the

principles stated under 3.6. 4.6.2 Any intermediate designated

operator consulted shall forward the CN 08 form to the next

designated operator, and the corresponding CN 21 form to the

designated operator of origin, as soon as possible, but within a

period not exceeding 10 days.

5 Inquiries

about the non-return to sender of an advice of

delivery

5.1 In the case provided for in

article RC 128.4.3 and if an item has been delivered, the

designated operator of the destination country shall obtain on

the CN 07 advice of delivery form bearing the word

"Duplicate" the signature of the person who has

received the item. Subject to the legislative provisions of the

country of the designated operator dispatching an advice of

delivery, instead of obtaining a signature on the duplicate of

the advice of delivery, it shall also be authorized to attach to

the CN 07 form a copy of a document used in the domestic service

with the signature of the person who has received the item or a

copy of the electronic signature affixed upon delivery of the

item. The CN 07 form shall remain attached to the CN 08 inquiry

form for subsequent delivery to the claimant.

6 Requests to

be sent by telegram, by telex or by EMS

6.1 If a request is made for transmission of an inquiry

by telegraph, a telegram shall be sent, instead of the CN 08 form

either to the designated operator of the country of destination

or to the specially appointed office concerned. The telegraph

charge shall be collected from the inquirer.

6.2 If a request is made for transmission by EMS, the

charges normally collected for this service may be collected from

the inquirer.

6.3 In relations between two designated operators of

countries admitting this procedure, the sender may ask to be

advised by telegram of the action taken on his inquiry. In this

case, he must pay the charge for a telegram, calculated on a

fifteen-word basis. When telex is used, the charge collected from

the sender shall normally be the same amount as that charged for

forwarding the inquiry by telex. The cost of a reply sent by

other means of telecommunication or by EMS shall be waived on the

basis of reciprocity.

6.4 If the inquiry by telegram or by telex does not

establish what happened to an item, the inquiry shall be made

again by post before indemnity is considered. A CN 08 form shall

then be prepared for treatment according to 4.1 to

4.6.

7 If the

inquiry concerns a parcel posted in another country, the CN 08

form shall be forwarded to the designated operator or the

specially appointed office of the designated operator of origin

of the item. It shall reach it within the period prescribed for

the retention of documents. The certificate of posting must be

produced but shall not be attached to the CN 08 form. The latter

shall be endorsed "Vu récépissé de dépôt No … le … par le

bureau de …". (Seen, certificate of posting No. … issued on

… by the office of …).

8 As a

complete replacement for the sending of the CN 08 form for

inquiries, designated operators shall use the common

Internet-based Inquiry System, in cases involving barcoded items.

However, for COD items and transit items, form CN 08 may be used

instead. The following standards shall be used:

8.1 Investigation request: an initial request from the

sending designated operator to the destination designated

operator asking for information from the tracking system. This

shall be returned within 12 working hours where the common

Internet-based Inquiry System or e-mail communication is in

place.

8.2 Special search: if the investigation request is

unsuccessful, the sending designated operator can ask for a check

to be made, by the destination designated operator, of the

distribution centres and offices that the item should have passed

through en route to its destination. This shall be returned

within 24 working hours where the common Internet-based Inquiry

System or e-mail communication is in place.

8.3 Full investigation: if the special search fails to

locate the item, then a further search shall be completed within

160 working hours, after which the sending designated operator

may indemnify the rightful claimant on behalf of the destination

designated operator. An appropriate authorization code should be

provided electronically by the liable designated operator. If the

destination designated operator fails to return the authorization

code within the prescribed time or if the information received

cannot be considered as a final reply within the meaning of

article RC 152.1, the sending designated operator shall indemnify

the rightful claimant automatically on behalf of the destination

designated operator.

9 Designated operators are encouraged to observe the

following indicative targets associated with the on-time response

to inquiries using the common Internet-based Inquiry System with

partner designated operators:

9.1 95% on-time response to

inquiries based on the standards specified in paragraph 8 of this

article if the operator operates a track and trace system;

or

9.2 85% on-time response to

inquiries based on the standards specified in paragraph 8 of this

article if it does not have a track and trace system.

10 No reservations concerning the periods for the

handling and settlement of inquiries may be made to this article,

other than within the framework of a bilateral

agreement.

Chapter 5

Customs matters

Article RC 146

Customs declarations and customs clearance of parcels

1 Designated operators shall accept no liability for the

customs declarations. Completion of customs declarations shall be

the responsibility of the sender alone. However, designated

operators shall take all the necessary steps to inform their

customers on how to comply with customs formalities, and

specifically to ensure that CN 23 customs declarations are

completed in full in order to facilitate rapid clearance of

items.

2 Designated

operators shall take all steps to speed up customs clearance of

air parcels as much as possible.

Article RC 147

Presentation-to-Customs charge

1 The guideline maximum amount of the

presentation-to-Customs charge referred to in article 18.2 of the

Convention which may be levied on parcels submitted to customs

control in the country of origin shall be 0.65 SDR per

parcel.

2 Parcels submitted to customs control in the country of

destination may be subjected to a guideline maximum charge of

3.27 SDR per parcel in accordance with article 18.2 of the

Convention.

3 In the absence of special agreement, the charge shall

be collected at the time of delivery of the parcel to the

addressee. However, in the case of parcels for delivery free of

charges and fees, the presentation-to-Customs charge shall be

collected by the designated operator of origin on behalf of the

designated operator of destination.

Article RC 148

Cancellation of customs duty and other fees

1 Designated

operators shall undertake to seek from the competent authorities

in their countries cancellation of the fees (including customs

duty) in the case of a parcel:

1.1 returned to sender;

1.2 redirected to a third country;

1.3 abandoned by the sender;

1.4 lost in their service or destroyed because of total

damage of the contents;

1.5 rifled or damaged in their service.

2 In cases of

rifled or damaged parcels, cancellation of fees shall be

requested only to the value of the missing contents or the

depreciation suffered by the contents.

Chapter 6

Liability of member countries or designated operators

Article RC 149

Application of the liability of member countries or designated

operators

1

Principles

1.1 Designated operators' liability shall be as binding

for parcels conveyed à découvert as for those forwarded in closed

mails or those returned with no reason for non-delivery given on

the parcel.

1.2 Designated operators which undertake to cover risks

arising from a case of force majeure shall be liable towards

senders of parcels posted in their country for any loss, theft or

damage due to a case of force majeure occur­ring at any time

during transmission of the parcels. This undertaking shall also

cover any redirection or return to sender.

1.3 The designated operator in whose service the loss,

theft, damage or unexplained return occurred shall decide,

according to the laws of its country, whether the loss, theft,

damage or unexplained return damage was due to circumstances

amounting to force majeure. These circumstances shall be

communicated to the designated operator of the country of origin

if the latter designated operator so requests.

1.4 Designated operators participating in the exchange

of COD parcels shall be liable, up to the COD amount, for the

delivery of COD parcels without collection of funds or against

collection of a sum lower than the COD amount. Designated

operators shall assume no liability for delays which may occur in

the collection and dispatch of funds.

1.5 With effect from 1 March

2006, all liability claims shall be limited to parcels identified

by a unique item identifier conforming to Standard S10d

(Identification of postal items: Part D: 13-character identifier

for parcels), as published in the UPU Technical

Standards.

2

Indemnities

2.1 The indemnity referred to in

article 21.4.1 of the Convention shall not exceed the amounts

calculated by combining the rate of 40 SDR per ordinary parcel

and the rate of 4.50 SDR per kilogramme. Charges and fees paid

for posting the item shall be added.

2.2 Designated operators may

agree to apply, in their reciprocal relations, the amount of 130

SDR per parcel regardless of the weight.

2.3 The amount of the indemnity

referred to in article 21.4.2 of the Convention for an ordinary

parcel that is partially rifled or partially damaged shall not

exceed the corresponding amounts mentioned in paragraph 2.1 or in

paragraph 2.2 respectively for parcels that are lost, totally

rifled or totally damaged.

2.4 The indemnity for the

unexplained return of a postal parcel shall be commensurate with

the charges paid by the sender for posting the parcel in the

country of origin and the charges incurred for returning the

parcel from the country of destination.

Article RC 150

Delivery of a rifled or damaged parcel

1 The office making delivery of a rifled or damaged

parcel shall prepare a CN 24 report on the joint inspection and

have it countersigned, whenever possible, by the addressee. One

copy shall be handed to the addressee or, if the parcel is

refused or redirected, attached to it. One copy shall be retained

by the designated operator which prepared the report.

2 When internal regulations so require, a parcel treated

in accordance with 1 shall be returned to the sender if the

addressee refuses to countersign the CN 24 report.

3 If the parcel is delivered, the copy of the CN 24

report prepared by the office of exchange in accordance with

article RC 186.2 shall be dealt with in accordance with the

regulations of the country of destination. If the parcel is

refused, the said copy shall remain attached to the

parcel.

4 If the liability assumed according to article 22.1 of

the Convention has to be shared with another designated operator

the request to this effect shall be sent to it by letter

accompanied by a copy or a translation of the CN 24 report. Where

appropriate, a copy of the CP 78 verification note mentioned in

article RC 183.4 shall be attached to the letter.

Article RC 151

Establishment of sender's liability

1 A designated

operator which finds damage that is due to the fault of the

sender shall inform the designated operator of origin, whose

responsibility it is to take action against the sender where

appropriate.

Article RC 152

Payment of indemnity

1 The

designated operator of origin or destination, as the case may be,

shall be authorized to indemnify the rightful claimant on behalf

of the designated operator which, having participated in the

conveyance and having been duly informed, has allowed two months

and, if the case was reported by fax or any other electronic

means by which the receipt of inquiry can be confirmed, 30 days

to pass without finally settling the matter, or without having

reported:

1.1 that the damage appeared to be due to a case of

force majeure;

1.2 that the item had been detained, confiscated or

destroyed by the competent authority because of its contents or

seized under the legislation of the country of

destination.

2 The periods of two months and thirty days stipulated

under 1 begin to run from the date on which the CN 08 form was

duly completed by the designated operator of origin, including

the necessary information concerning the transmission of

dispatches.

3 This clause shall be valid only if the designated

operator sent the CN 08 form to the correct address of the

recipient designated operator as listed in the Parcel Post

Compendium or updated by an International Bureau

circular.

4 The designated operator of origin shall be authorized

to indemnify the rightful claimant on behalf of the designated

operator of destination which, having been duly informed about

the request of the designated operator of origin to provide

confirmation of delivery of the item under inquiry, mentioned in

article RC 145.3.8, has allowed 30 days to pass, from the date of

sending of such a request by the designated operator of origin,

without replying to a second inquiry concerning inappropriate

execution of service.

5 The designated operator of origin or destination, as

the case may be, shall be authorized to postpone indemnifying the

rightful claimant in cases where the inquiry form is not properly

completed or incorrect and has to be returned foradditional

information or correction, thereby causing the time limit set in

1 to be exceeded. The indemnity may be paid by the end of an

additional period of two months from the date of completion or

correction of the CN 08 form. Without this additional information

or correction, the designated operator concerned shall be

authorized not to indemnify the rightful claimant.

6 In case of an inquiry concerning a COD item, the

designated operator of origin shall be authorized to indemnify

the rightful claimant up to the COD amount on behalf of the

designated operator of destination which, having been duly

informed, has allowed two months to pass without finally settling

the matter.

7 No reservations concerning the periods for the

handling and settlement of inquiries and the period and

conditions for the payment of indemnity and the reimbursement of

paying designated operators may be made to this article, other

than within the framework of a bilateral agreement.

Article RC 153

Period for payment of indemnity

1 The payment of the indemnity shall be made as soon as

possible and, at the latest, within a period of three months from

the day following the day of inquiry.

2 No reservations concerning the period for the payment

of indemnity may be made to this article, other than within the

framework of a bilateral agreement.

Article RC 154

Automatic payment of indemnity

1 The return of a CN

08 form in which the "Particulars to be supplied by the

intermediate services or by the service of destination",

"Particulars to be supplied by the service of

destination" and "Final reply" sections have not

been completed shall not be considered as a final reply within

the meaning of article RC 152.1.

Article RC 155

Determination of liability between designated

operators

1 Until the contrary is proved, liability shall rest

with the designated operator which having received the item

without reporting a discrepancy by means of a CN 43 verification

note and/or a CP 78 verification note, or a CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41

delivery bill, at the time of receipt of the mail in which the

item was dispatched, and being furnished with all the prescribed

means of inquiry, cannot prove either delivery to the addressee

or, where appropriate, correct transfer to another designated

operator.

2 If the loss, theft or damage occurs in course of

conveyance without it being possible to establish in which

country's territory or service it happened, the designated

operators concerned shall bear the loss equally. However, in the

case of an uninsured parcel, when the amount of indemnity does

not exceed the amount calculated in article 21.4.1 of the

Convention for a parcel of one kilogramme, this sum shall be

borne equally by the designated operator of origin and the

designated operator of destination, intermediate designated

operators being excluded.

3 As regards insured items, the liability of a

designated operator towards other designated operators shall in

no case exceed the maximum insured value that it has

adopted.

4 Designated operators not providing the insured items

service shall assume, in respect of such items conveyed in closed

mails, the liability laid down for registered items and/or for

uninsured parcels. This provision shall also apply when

designated operators do not accept liability for insured items

carried on board the ships or aircraft used by them.

5 If the loss, theft or damage of an insured item occurs

in the territory or service of an intermediate designated

operator which does not provide the insured items service, the

designated operator of origin shall bear the loss not covered by

the intermediate designated operator. The same rule shall apply

if the amount of the damage is higher than the maximum insured

value adopted by the intermediate designated operator.

6 Customs duty and other duties of which it has not been

possible to secure cancellation shall be borne by the designated

operator liable for the loss, theft or damage.

7 A designated

operator which has paid the indemnity shall take over the rights,

up to amount of indemnity, of the person who has received it in

any action which may be taken against the addressee, the sender

or third parties.

Article RC 156

Procedures for determining the liability of designated

operators

1 Until the

contrary is proved and subject to article RC 155.2, an

intermediate designated operator or designated operator of

destination shall be relieved of all liability:

1.1 when it has observed the provisions for inspection

of mails and parcels and establishment of

irregularities;

1.2 when it can prove that it was informed of the

inquiry after the destruction of the official records relating to

the parcel in question, the period of reten­tion having expired.

This reservation shall not prejudice the rights of the

claimant.

2 If the theft

or damage has been established in the country of destination or,

in the case of return to sender, in the country of residence, it

shall be for the designated operator of that country to

prove:

2.1 that neither the wrapping nor the fastening of the

parcel bore any apparent trace of theft or damage;

2.2 that in the case of an insured parcel, the weight

established at the time of posting has not varied;

2.3 that, in the case of parcels forwarded in closed

receptacles, both the recep­tacles and their fastening were

intact.

3 When the proof mentioned in 2 has been furnished, none

of the other designated operators concerned may repudiate its

share of liability on grounds that it handed over the parcel

without the next designated operator having made any

objection.

4 In the case of parcels sent in bulk, none of the

designated operators concerned may repudiate its share of

liability by showing that the number of parcels found in the mail

differs from that advised on the parcel bill.

5 In the case of bulk transmission, the designated

operators concerned may agree that liability be shared in the

event of loss of, theft from or damage to certain categories of

parcels, determined by mutual agreement.

6 When a parcel has been lost, rifled or damaged as the

result of force majeure, the designated operator in whose

territorial jurisdiction or services the damageoccurred shall not

be liable towards the designated operator of origin unless the

two designated operators undertake to cover risks of force

majeure.

Article RC 157

Recovery of indemnities paid from air carriers

1 When the loss,

theft or damage occurs in the service of an air carrier, the

designated operator which collects the conveyance dues shall

reimburse the designated operator of origin for the indemnity

paid to the sender. It shall be for the former designated

operator to recover this amount from the air carrier in question.

Where the designated operator of origin settles the conveyance

dues direct with the air carrier, it shall itself seek

reimbursement of the indemnity from the air carrier.

Article RC 158

Reimbursement of the indemnity to the paying designated

operators

1 The designated operator which is liable or on behalf

of which payment is made shall reimburse the paying designated

operator the amount of indemnity, charges and fees paid to the

rightful claimant according to the mandatory information provided

on the CN 08 form. The reimbursement shall be made within two

months of the date of dispatch of the notice of

payment.

2 If the indemnity, charges and fees paid which were

reimbursed to the rightful claimant are due to be borne by

several designated operators, the whole of the indemnity, charges

and fees paid which were reimbursed to the rightful claimant

shall be paid to the paying designated operator, within the

period mentioned under 1, by the first designated operator which,

having duly received the parcel claimed for, is unable to prove

its correct transfer to the next service. It shall rest with this

designated operator to recover from the other designated

operators which are liable each one's share of the indemnity,

paid to the rightful claimant.

Article RC 159

Settlement of indemnities between designated operators

1 If, one year after the date of dispatch of

authorization to pay the indemnity, the paying designated

operator has not debited the account of the designated operator

which is liable, the authorization shall be considered null and

void. The designated operator which received it shall then no

longer be entitled to claim reimbursement of any indemnity

paid.

2 When liability has been admitted, as well as in the

case provided for in article RC 152.1, the amount of the

indemnity may also be automatically recovered from the designated

operator which is liable. This shall be effected through a

liquida­tion account, either direct or through the intermediary

of an designated operator which regularly draws up liquidation

accounts with the designated operator which is liable.

3 If the sender or the addressee takes delivery of an

item found afterwards against repayment of the amount of the

indemnity, that sum shall be refunded to the designated operator

or, where appropriate, designated operators which bore the loss.

This refund shall be made within one year of the date of such

repayment.

4 The designated operators of origin and destination may

agree that the whole of the loss shall be borne by the designated

operator which has to make the payment to the rightful

claimant.

5 The creditor designated operator shall be reimbursed

in accordance with the rules for payment laid down in articles RC

211 and RC 212.

Article RC 160

Accounting for amounts due in respect of indemnity for

parcels

1 When it is necessary to recover payments from the

designated operators which are liable and several amounts are

involved, these shall be summarized on a CN 48 form. The total

amount shall be carried forward to the CP 75 account mentioned in

article RC 207.3.

2 In case of disputed compensation claims unrelated to

article RC 152 received via the CN 48 form, the sending

designated operator shall provide on request evidence to support

its claim, including a copy of both sides of the appropriate CN

08 forms where the Internet-based Inquiry System is not

used.

Chapter 7

Procedures concerning the transmission, routeing and receipt of

parcels

Article RC 161

General principles of the exchange of parcels

1 Designated

operators may exchange, via one or more of their number, closed

mails as well as à découvert parcels according to needs and

service requirements.

2 When

exceptional circumstances oblige a designated operator

temporarily to suspendē its services wholly or in part, it shall

immediately inform the designated operators concerned.

3 When the

conveyance of parcels in transit through a country takes place

without the participation of the designated operator of that

country, this form of transit shall not involve the liability of

the member country or the designated operator of the transit

country.

4 Designated

operators may send surface parcels by air, with reduced priority.

The designated operator of destination shall indicate, by

providing an appropriate entry in the Parcel Post Compendium of

Information, the details of the office of exchange or the airport

of destination that will accept such parcels.

5 Each

designated operator shall state on what conditions it accepts

parcels in transit for countries for which it can act as

intermediary. For that purpose, it shall use the CP 81 and CP 82

tables. These shall show, in particular, the rates to be assigned

to it.

6 The official

Compendium of Information of general interest relating to the

implementation of the postal parcels service provides the details

on the exchange of parcels.

7 On the basis

of that information and of the CP 81 and CP 82 tables of

intermediate designated operators, each designated operator shall

decide on the routes to be used for forwarding its parcels. These

data also enable it to set the charges to be collected from

senders.

8 Designated

operators shall send the CP 81 and CP 82 tables direct to each

other at least one month before their application. They shall

send copies of them to the International Bureau. Subsequent

amendments to these tables shall be announced in the same way.

The time limit for notification shall not apply to the cases

mentioned in article RC 198.1.

9 Each

designated operator shall forward by the routes and means that it

uses for its own parcels those parcels transferred to it by

another designated operator for transit across its

territory.

10 In the event of the

interruption of a prescribed route, parcels in transit shall be

forwarded by the best route available.

11 If the use of the new

dispatch route occasions higher costs (additional land or sea

rates), the transit designated operator shall act in accordance

with article RC 198.1.

12 Transit shall be

effected under the conditions laid down by these Regulations,

even when the designated operator of origin or destination of the

parcels does not participate in the postal parcels

service.

13 In the relations

between designated operators of countries separated by one or

more intermediate territories parcels shall follow the routes

which the designated operators concerned have agreed

upon.

14 Every designated

operator providing the air parcel service shall forward by the

air routes that it uses for its own items of that type, air

parcels transferred to it by another designated operator. If the

forwarding of air parcels by another route offers advantages over

the existing air routes, the air parcels shall be forwarded by

that route.

15 Designated operators

which do not participate in the air parcel service shall forward

such parcels by the air communications they use for the

conveyance of their airmail correspondence. In the absence of an

air link, air parcels shall be forwarded by such designated

operators by the surface route normally used for other

parcels.

16 The exchange of postal

parcel mails shall be carried out by offices called "offices

of exchange". Wherever an office of exchange needs to be

specified on a postal form, this shall be done in accordance with

the rules set out in UPU Technical Standard S34 (Registration of

International Mail Processing Centres). This

encompasses:

16.1 the name of the office of

exchange;

16.2 the name of the designated operator

responsible for the office of exchange;

16.3 in barcoded identifiers: the S34 code

identifying the office of exchange.

17 Designated operators

that send more than 100 tonnes of parcels per year must, and all

other designated operators are encouraged to:

17.1 identify receptacles using UPU-standard

S9 receptacle content identifiers;

17.2 include the S9 identifier on the

receptacle label in accordance with S29;

17.3 electronically pre-advise all outbound

dispatches using UPU-standard compliant messages specifying the

S9 identifiers of the receptacles contained in each

dispatch;

17.4 electronically confirm receipt of

inbound receptacles, that have been preadvised, using

UPU-standard compliant response and/or event reporting

messages.

18 The volume requirements

shall have yearly incremental reductions to allow all designated

operators to comply with these standards. The volume will be

reduced to 75 tonnes of parcels per year beginning in 2011; 50

tonnes of parcels beginning in 2012; and 25 tonnes of parcels

beginning in 2013.

19 All offices of exchange

shall be registered in the International Mail Processing Centre

code list by the designated operator responsible for that office.

This list is published on the UPU website.

20 On any form, an office

of exchange shall be identified by its name, together with the

name of the responsible designated operator, as published in the

above-mentioned code list.

21 In barcoded

identifiers, the S34 code shall be used to identify a particular

office of exchange. Designated operators should maintain a list

of the operator responsible for each code in their

databases.

Article RC 162

Barcode application and specifications

1 All designated operators shall apply a barcodes on all

outward international postal parcels (i.e. air, S.A.L., surface).

The specifications shall be as follows:

1.1 Each parcel must be

identified by a unique item identifier conforming to Standard

S10d (Identification of postal items: Part D: 13-character

identifier for parcels), as published in the UPU Technical

Standards.

1.2 The item identifier must

also be represented by a barcode conforming to Standard

S10d (Identification of postal items: Part D: 13-character

identifier for parcels), as published in the UPU Technical

Standards.

1.3 Designated operators of

origin shall apply only one UPU standard S10d (Identification of

postal items - Part D: 13-character identifier for parcels)

barcode to parcels dispatched to other countries.

1.4 In cases where intermediate

and destination designated operators overlabel parcels with a

barcode label, they shall have the option of either:

1.4.1 applying an S10d overlabel barcode that

shall duplicate the originating designated operator's

original unique item identifier; or

1.4.2 applying an overlabel barcode that shall not cover

the originating designated operator's S10d

barcode.

1.5 In cases where a parcel is

undeliverable and must be returned to the designated operator of

origin, any S10d barcode overlabel that is not identical to the

originating designated operator's unique item identifier

shall be removed or obliterated. The returning designated

operator shall ensure that the sender's address is not

covered by any overlabels.

1.6 Designated operators may

agree bilaterally to the use of unique item identifiers and

barcodes which are already in use on international

parcels.

1.7 Designated operators may

agree bilaterally to the use of licence plates which conform to

Standard S26 (Licence plates for parcels), as published in the

UPU Technical Standards.

Article RC 163

Tracking and tracing - Item and dispatch

specifications

1 Designated

operators that operate a track and trace system shall under-take

to provide track and trace information using UPU messaging

standard M17 - EMSEVT version 1.0 about outward and inward

parcels on their national territory and shall ensure that the

data are exchanged with all partner designated operators for the

following tracking events and associated data

elements:

1.1 Mandatory tracking

events

Events

Description

Data

elements

1.1.1

EMC

Departure from outward office of

exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of Exchange

1.1.2

EMD

Arrival at inward office of exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of Exchange

1.1.3

EMH

Attempted/ Unsuccessful delivery

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office (delivery)

Unsuccessful delivery code

1.1.4

And/EMI

Final delivery

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office (delivery)

1.2 Optional tracking

events

Events

Description

Data

elements

1.2.1

EMA

Posting/Collection

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Origin office

1.2.2

EMB

Arrival at outward office of exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of Exchange

1.2.3

EME

Held by Customs

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of Exchange

Retention code

1.2.4

EMF

Departure from inward office of

exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of Exchange

1.2.5

EMG

Arrival at delivery office

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Delivery Office

1.2.6

EMJ

Arrival at transit office of exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of exchange (transit)

1.2.7

EMK

Departure from transit office of

exchange

Item identification

Destination country

Event date

Event time

Office of exchange (transit)

1.2.8 The capture and transmission of event EMF shall be

mandatory where event EME is captured and transmitted, unless

governmental and legally binding provisions prevent

this.

2 All

designated operators shall capture and exchange pre-dispatch and

dispatch receipt information in accordance with UPU messaging

standards M14 - PREDES version 2.0 and M13 -RESDES version 1.1

inclusive of the following associated data elements:

2.1 PREDES version 2.0 data

element requirements

Description

Data

elements

2.1.1

Dispatch identification

Origin office

Destination office

Dispatch category

Dispatch class

Dispatch year

Dispatch serial number

2.1.2

Dispatch date/time

Dispatch close date

Dispatch close time

2.1.3

Transportation information

Carrier code

2.1.4

Receptacle information

Receptacle type

Receptacle ID

Receptacle number in dispatch

2.1.5

Item information

Item ID

2.2 RESDES version 1.1 data

element requirements

Description

Data

elements

2.2.1

Dispatch identification

Origin office

Destination office

Dispatch category

Dispatch class

Dispatch year

Dispatch serial number

2.2.2

Transportation information

Carrier code

2.2.3

Receptacle information

Receptacle type

Receptacle ID

Receptacle number in dispatch

2.2.4

Event information

Receptacle event code

Receptacle event date

Receptacle event time

2.3 Designated operators may

agree bilaterally to use UPU messaging standard M36b PREDES

version 3 for the transmission of pre-dispatch

information.

Article RC 164

Tracking and tracing - Indicative targets for transmission

times

1 Designated

operators shall endeavour to observe the following targets

associated with the transmission of item event information from

the time of the actual event in the transmission of such

information to partner designated operators:

1.1

EMC

Departure from outward office of

exchange

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.2

EMJ

Arrival at transit office of exchange

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.3

EMK

Departure from transit office of

exchange

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.4

EMD

Arrival at inward office of exchange

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.5

EME

Held by Customs

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.6

EMF

Departure from inward office of

exchange

Within 48 elapsed hours

1.7

EMH

Unsuccessful delivery

Within 120 elapsed hours

1.8

EMI

Final delivery

Within 120 elapsed hours

2 Designated

operators shall endeavour to observe the following targets

associated with the transmission of dispatch information in the

exchange of such information with partner designated

operators:

2.1

PREDES

Pre-advice of dispatch information

Within 24 elapsed hours

2.2

RESDES

Advice of dispatch receipt information

Within 48 elapsed hours

Article RC 165

Tracking and tracing - Indicative performance targets for

transmitting data

1 Designated

operators are encouraged to observe the following indicative

targets associated with the transmission of item event

information in the exchange of such information with partner

designated operators:

1.1 Ninety percent of parcels

that receive an EMC (Departure from office of exchange) event

should have an EMD event transmitted within 48 hours of the event

time and date.

1.2 Ninety percent of parcels

that receive an EMD event should have an EMH and/or an EMI event

transmitted within 120 hours of the event time and

date.

Article RC 166

Steps to be taken in the event of temporary suspension and

resumption of services

1 If services

are temporarily suspended, the designated operator or designated

operators concerned must be notified of the fact by

telecommunications, indicating, if possible, the probable

duration of the suspension of services. The same procedure shall

be applied when the suspended services are resumed.

2 The

International Bureau must be notified of the suspension or

resumption of services if a general announcement is considered

necessary. If necessary, the International Bureau shall notify

designated operators by telecommunications.

3 The

designated operator of origin shall have the option of refunding

the postage charges, special charges and air surcharges to the

sender if, owing to the suspension of services, the benefit

accruing from conveyance of the item in question was obtained

only in part or not at all..

Article RC 167

Different methods of transmission

1 The exchange of parcel mails shall be effected, as a

general rule, by means of receptacles. Adjacent designated

operators may agree to the handing over of certain categories of

parcels unenclosed.

2 In the service between designated operators of

non-adjacent countries, the exchange shall, as a general rule, be

effected in closed mails.

3 Designated operators may agree to effect exchanges in

transit à découvert. However, it shall be obligatory to make up

closed mails if an intermediate desig­nated operator states that

the parcels in transit à découvert are such as to hinder its

work.

4 Surface airlifted parcels (S.A.L.) shall be exchanged

on the conditions agreed upon between the designated operators

concerned.

Article RC 168

Transmission in closed mails

1 In the normal circumstances of transmission in closed

mails, the receptacles (bags, baskets, crates, etc) shall be

marked, closed and labelled in the manner laid down

below.

2 Making up of bags

2.1 Mails, including those made up solely of empty bags,

shall be contained in bags the number of which shall be kept to

the strict minimum. The bags shall be in good condition to

protect their contents. Each bag shall be labelled.

2.2 The bags shall be closed, sealed preferably with

lead. The seals may also be made of light metal or plastic. The

sealing shall be so done that it cannot be handled or tampered

with without showing signs thereof. The impressions of the seals

shall reproduce, in very legible roman letters, the name of the

office of origin or an indication sufficient to identify that

office. However, if the designated operator of origin so wishes,

the impressions of the seals need only reproduce an indication of

the name of the designated operator of origin.

2.3 For the make-up of air parcels, bags either entirely

blue or with wide blue bands shall be used. For making up surface

mails or surface airlifted mails, surface bags of a colour other

than that of the airmail bags (e.g. beige, brown, white, etc)

shall be used. Designated operators of destination must, however,

check all the bag labels in order to ensure correct

processing.

2.4 The bags shall show legibly in roman letters the

office or country of origin and bear the word "Postes"

(Post) or any other similar expression distin­guishing them as

postal dispatches.

3 Labelling of

mails

3.1 The labels of the bags shall be made of sufficiently

rigid canvas, of plastic, of strong cardboard, of parchment, or

of paper glued to wood. They shall be provided with an eyelet.

Yellow ochre coloured CP 83, CP 84 and CP 85 labels shall be

used. Their layout and text shall conform to the specimens

annexed hereto. The gross weight of each bag or receptacle

forming part of the mail shall be shown on each respective label.

The weight shall be rounded up to the nearest hectogramme when

the fraction of the hectogramme is equal to or greater than 50

grammes and rounded down to the nearest hectogramme

otherwise.

3.2 The labels or addresses of closed receptacles

containing air parcels shall bear the indication or label

"Par avion" (By airmail).

3.3 In addition, a special closing may be adopted for

receptacles other than bags, provided that the contents are

sufficiently protected.

4 Intermediate offices shall not enter any serial number

on the labels of bags or packets of closed mails in

transit.

5 Insured parcels shall be sent in separate receptacles.

In case of dispatch in the same bag as uninsured parcels, insured

parcels shall be placed in an inner receptacle sealed with wax or

lead. The outer bag containing insured parcels shall be in good

condition. It shall be provided, if possible, at the edge of its

mouth with piping making it impossible to open the bag illicitly

without leaving visible traces. Receptacles containing insured

parcels, whether alone or together with uninsured parcels, shall

be marked with the letter V.

6 Fragile parcels shall also be sent in separate

receptacles. They shall be provided with the label referred to in

article RC 130.5.1.

7 Express parcels shall be sent in separate receptacles,

if their number justifies it. Receptacles containing only or some

such parcels shall bear the label or indication

"Exprès" (Express).

8 COD parcels shall be sent in separate receptacles, if

their number so justifies. Receptacles containing COD parcels

only shall bear the label or indication "Remboursement"

(COD).

9 The label of the receptacle containing the parcel bill

shall always be marked with a very clearly drawn F. By special

agreement between the designated opera­tors concerned, it may be

marked with the number of bags making up the mail and, if

applicable, the number of parcels sent à découvert.

10 Cumbersome parcels, fragile parcels, or those whose

nature necessitates it may be sent unenclosed: in order to

determine the mail of which they are part, such parcels shall be

provided with a CP 83 or CP 84 label. Labels of unenclosed

insured parcels shall be endorsed with the letter V. However,

parcels going by sea, with the exception of cumbersome parcels,

shall be sent in receptacles.

11 As a general rule, bags and other receptacles

containing parcels shall not weigh more than 32

kilogrammes.

12 For conveyance purposes, bags of parcels and

unenclosed parcels may be placed in containers. The methods of

using containers shall be subject to special agreement between

the designated operators concerned.

Article RC 169

Use of barcodes

1 Designated operators may use computer-generated

barcodes and a unique identification system in the international

postal services for purposes such as track/ trace systems and

other identification purposes. The specifications shall be laid

down by the Postal Operations Council.

2 Designated operators which choose to use barcodes in

the international services shall comply with the technical

specifications laid down by the Postal Operations

Council.

Article RC 170

Parcel bills

1 All the parcels to be forwarded by surface, S.A.L or

air shall be entered by the dispatching office of exchange on a

CP 87 parcel bill. The gross weight of the dispatch shall always

be entered on the CP 87.

2 The parcel bill shall be inserted in one of the

receptacles comprising the mail. Where appropriate, it shall be

inserted in one of the bags containing insured parcels or express

parcels.

3 The parcel bills relating to mails containing insured

parcels shall be inserted in a pink envelope. If the insured

parcels are placed in a wax-sealed inner receptacle, the pink

envelope containing the parcel bill shall be attached to the

outside of this receptacle.

4 The parcel bill shall be completed with all the

details called for.

5 Designated operators may agree, bilaterally or

multilaterally, to exchange parcel bills or parcel bill data via

electronic means. In this case, they may decide that the

dispatches they exchange do not need to be accompanied by a CP 87

parcel bill.

6 As regards service parcels and prisoner-of-war and

civilian internee parcels sent by air, the air conveyance dues

shall be credited to the designated operators

concerned.

7 In the absence of special agreement, surface and

S.A.L. parcel bills shall be numbered separately according to an

annual series for each dispatching office of exchange and each

office of exchange of destination. The numbering shall be

different for each route if more than one route is used. The last

number of the year shall be shown on the first parcel bill of the

following year. If a mail is cancelled, the dispatching office

shall enter on the parcel bill beside the number of the mail the

indication "Dernière dépêche" (Last mail). In the case

of sea and air services, the name of the ship carrying the mail

or, where appropriate, the air service used shall be shown,

whenever possible, on the parcel bills.

8 If air parcels are sent from one country to another by

surface routes along with other parcels, their presence shall be

shown by an appropriate note on the CP 87 parcel bill.

9 Every insured parcel shall be entered on the parcel

bill with the letter "V" in the

"Observations" column.

10 Every parcel redirected or returned to sender shall

be entered on the parcel bill with the note "Réexpédié"

(Redirected) or "Retour" (Return) in the

"Observa­tions" column.

11 The number of receptacles comprising the mail and,

unless otherwise agreed between the designated operators

concerned, the number of receptacles to be returned, shall be

entered on the parcel bill. In the absence of special agreement,

designated operators shall number the receptacles of the same

mail. The serial number of each receptacle shall be written on

the CP 83 and CP 84 label.

12 Where closed mails are exchanged between designated

operators of coun­tries which are not adjacent, the dispatching

office of exchange shall prepare for each of the intermediate

designated operators a CP 88 special parcel bill. That office

shall insert thereon the total number of parcels and the gross

weight of the mail. The CP 88 parcel bill shall be numbered in an

annual series for each dispatching office of exchange and for

each intermediate designated operator. In addition, it shall bear

the serial number of the relative mail. The last number of the

year shall be shown on the first parcel bill of the following

year. In the case of sea services, the name of the ship carrying

the mail shall be entered on the CP 88 parcel bill, whenever this

is possible.

13 When air parcels are forwarded by surface mail, the

dispatching office of exchange shall prepare a CP 88 special

parcel bill for the transit designated opera­tors

concerned.

14 The special CP 88 parcel bill shall be sent

unenclosed or in any other way agreed between the designated

operators concerned, accompanied, where appro­priate, by the

documents required by the intermediate countries.

Article RC 171

Drawing up of CP 87 parcel bills

1 With the exception of those categories of parcels

mentioned in 2 to 6 below, all parcels sent to designated

operators of destination shall be entered in bulk in the CP 87

parcel bill. The number and total weight of these parcels,

including the weight of the bags, shall be indicated in the

"Bulk entry" section of the parcel bill.

2 Parcels which are redirected, parcels returned to

sender or parcels forwarded in transit à découvert shall always

be entered individually, with the amount of dues payable or the

corresponding rate mentioned. The number and weight of these

parcels shall not be included in the number and gross weight of

the parcels indicated in the "Bulk entry" section of

the parcel bill. The number and gross weight of the parcels

indicated in the "Bulk entry" section of the parcel

bill shall always include all parcels other than those

redirected, returned to sender, or forwarded in transit à

découvert.

3 Insured parcels shall also be entered individually but

without mention of the corresponding rate. Their number and

weight shall be included in the number and total weight of the

parcels indicated in the "Bulk entry" section of the

parcel bill.

4 When the designated operators concerned have agreed to

detailed entry of parcel bills, all ordinary parcels sent to

designated operators of destination shall be entered individually

in the parcel bill, but without the corresponding inward land

rate. In accordance with paragraph 2, their number and weight,

including the weight of the bags, shall be included in the number

and total weight of the parcels indicated in the "Bulk

entry" section of the parcel bill.

5 The presence of COD parcels shall be indicated in the

bulk entry section of the form.

6 Service parcels and prisoner-of-war and civilian

internee parcels for which, under article 7.1 and 2 of the

Convention, no rates are allocated shall not be included in the

number and total weight of the parcels indicated on the parcel

bill. Article RC 170.6 shall be applicable for the dispatch of

such parcels by air.

Article RC 172

Dispatch of documents accompanying parcels

1 The accompanying

documents referred to in article RC 122.1 and 2 shall be affixed

to the relevant parcel.

2 The CP 72 manifold set shall be pasted on the

parcel.

3 If the CP 72 manifold set cannot be pasted on the

parcel or if the parcel is to be accompanied by other documents

not included in the set, the accompanying documents shall be

placed in a CP 91 or CP 92 transparent adhesive envelope. This

shall be affixed to the parcel.

4 Where applicable, the COD money order forms, franking

notes and advices of delivery shall be dispatched in the same

way.

5 The designated operators of origin and destination may

agree to attach the accompanying documents to the parcel

bill.

6 In the case provided for in 5, the designated

operators concerned may agree to send the parcel bill and the

documents accompanying the parcels by air to the office of

exchange of destination.

7 In the case of parcels on which the CP 72 manifold set

cannot be pasted or to which the transparent adhesive envelope

cannot be affixed because of the size or the nature of the

wrapping of the parcels, the accompanying documents shall be

attached firmly to the parcel.

8 Designated operators which are unable to use

transparent adhesive enve­lopes shall have the option of sending

the accompanying documents by attaching them firmly to the

parcels.

9 The designated operators of origin and destination may

agree that docu­ments accompanying parcels exchanged in direct

mails shall be dispatched in accordance with any other system

which suits them.

Article RC 173

Routeing of mails

1 Closed mails shall be forwarded by the most direct

route possible.

2 When a mail consists of several bags, these shall as

far as possible remain together and be forwarded by the same

post.

3 The designated operator of the country of origin may

prescribe the route to be followed by the closed mails which it

dispatches, provided that the use of that route does not entail

special costs for an intermediate designated operator.

Information about the routeing shall be entered on the CN 37, CN

38 or CN 41 bills and on the CP 83, CP 84 or CP 85

labels.

4 Closed airmails shall be forwarded by the fight

requested by the designated operator of the country of origin,

provided that it is used by the designated operator of the

country of transit for the transmission of its own mails. If that

is not the case or if there is insufficient time for the

transhipment, the designated operator of the country of origin

shall be so informed.

5 In the event of a change in a service for the exchange

of closed mails estab­lished between two designated operators via

one or more third-party countries, the designated operator of

origin of the mail shall inform the designated operators of those

countries of the fact.

6 If it is a question of an alteration in the routeing

of mails, the new route to be followed shall be reported to the

designated operators which previously provided the transit. The

old route shall be reported, for information, to the designated

operators which will provide the transit in the

future.

Article RC 174

Transhipment of air parcels and of surface airlifted (S.A.L.)

parcels

1 In principle, the transhipment at the same airport of

parcel mails in course of transmission shall be performed by the

designated operator of the country in which the transhipment

takes place.

2 This shall not apply when the transhipment takes place

between aircraft of the same airline performing successive stages

of the journey.

3 In the case referred to under 2 and where the

designated operators of origin and of destination and the airline

concerned agree in advance, the airline making the transhipment

may prepare, if necessary, a special delivery bill to replace the

original CN 38 or CN 41 bill. The parties concerned shall

mutually agree on the relevant procedures and form in conformity

with article RC 176.

4 If the designated operator of the country of origin so

wishes, its mails shall be transhipped directly at the transit

airport, between two different airlines. The airlines concerned

must however agree to make the transhipment and the designated

operator of the transit country must be informed of it

beforehand.

5 In the case referred to under 4 and where the

designated operators of origin and of destination and the airline

concerned agree in advance, the airline making the transhipment

may prepare if necessary a special delivery bill to replace the

original CN 38 or CN 41 bill. The parties concerned shall

mutually agree on the relevant procedures and form in conformity

with article RC 176.

6 In the cases referred to under 2 and 4, the bags of

mails may be provided with a CN 42 label, in addition to the

labels provided for the conveyance of airmail.

7 When surface mails from a designated operator are

reforwarded by air by another designated operator, the conditions

of such reforwarding shall be covered by a special agreement

between the designated operators.

Article RC 175

Steps to be taken when direct transhipment of air parcels cannot

take place as scheduled

1 If mails documented for direct transhipment fail to

connect with the sched­uled fight at the transhipment airport,

the airline shall hand them over immediately to postal officials

at the transhipment airport for reforwarding by the quickest

route (air or surface).

2 This shall not apply when:

2.1 the designated operator dispatching the mails has

provided for reforwarding on a later fight;

2.2 in the absence of the arrangements referred to under

2.1, the airline responsible for handing over the mails can

arrange for them to be reforwarded within 24 hours of their

arrival at the transhipment airport.

3 In the case

referred to under 1, the office which did the reforwarding shall

inform the office of origin of each mail by CP 78 verification

note, indicating in particular on the verification note the air

service from which the mail was taken and the services used (air

or surface) for onward transmission to its

destination.

Article RC 176

Preparation and checking of CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41 delivery

bills

1 The delivery bills shall be completed, in accordance

with their layout, on the basis of the particulars appearing on

the bag labels or with the address. The total number and total

weight of the bags and items in each mail shall be entered in

bulk by category. Designated operators of origin may elect to

enter each bag individually should they wish to do so. However,

any intermediate or transit country must list each transit

receptacle individually, maintaining the designated operator of

origin, office of destination, dispatch and receptacle number

indicated by the designated operator of origin. The six-character

IMPC code identifying the origin and destination of the

receptacle shall be recorded in columns 2 and 3

respectively.

2 Any intermediate office or office of destination which

notices errors in the entries on the CN 38 or CN 41 delivery bill

shall immediately correct them. It shall report them by CP 78

verification note to the last dispatching office of exchange and

to the office of exchange which made up the mail. Designated

operators may agree to make systematic use of electronic mail or

any other appropriate means of telecommunication for reporting

irregularities.

3 When the

mails forwarded are inserted in containers sealed by the postal

service, the serial number and the number of the seal of each

container shall be entered in the column of the CN 37, CN 38 or

CN 41 bill reserved for that purpose.

Article RC 177

Missing CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41 delivery bill

1 In the absence of the CN 37 bill, the receiving office

shall prepare one in triplicate in accordance with the load

received. Two copies accompanied by a CP 78 verification note

shall be sent to the dispatching office, which shall return one

copy after examination and signature.

2 When a mail reaches the airport of destination - or an

intermediary airport responsible for forwarding it with another

carrier - without a CN 38 or CN 41 bill, the designated operator

under whose jurisdiction the airport comes shall automati­cally

prepare one. The latter shall be duly countersigned by the

carrier from whom the mail is received. This fact shall be

reported by CP 78 verification note, together with two copies of

the CN 38 thus prepared, to the office responsible for loading

the mail. The latter office shall be requested to return one copy

duly authenticated.

3 If the original CN 38 or CN 41 bill is missing, the

designated operator receiving the mail shall accept the CN 46

substitute bill prepared by the airline. This fact shall be

reported to the office of origin by means of a CP 78 verification

note, accompanied by two copies of the CN 46 substitute

bill.

4 Designated operators may agree to make systematic use

of electronic mail or any other appropriate means of

telecommunication for settling cases where the CN 38 or CN 41

bill is missing.

5 The exchange office at the airport of destination - or

an intermediary airport responsible for forwarding the mail with

another carrier - may accept, without prepa­ration of a CP 78

verification note, a CN 38 or CN 41 bill provided by the original

carrier which has been electronically transmitted from its office

at the airport of dispatch and signed by its representative at

the airport where the mail is unloaded.

6 If the airport of loading cannot be determined, the

verification note shall be sent straight to the office of

dispatch of the mail for it to forward the note to the office

through which the mail transited.

Article RC 178

Steps to be taken in the event of an accident

1 When, as a result of an accident in course of

conveyance, a ship, train, aircraft or any other transport

facility is unable to continue its journey and deliver the mail

at the scheduled ports of call or stations, the crew shall hand

over the mails to the post office nearest to the place of the

accident or to the office best able to reforward the mail. If the

crew are unable to do this, that office, having been informed of

the accident, shall take immediate action, taking over the mail

and reforwarding it to its destination by the quickest route

after its condition has been checked and any damaged items put in

order.

2 The designated operator of the country in which the

accident occurred shall inform all designated operators of

previous ports of call or stations, by telecom­munications, of

the fate of the mail. These designated operators in turn shall

advise by the same means all other designated operators

concerned.

3 Designated operators which had mail on the transport

facility involved in the accident shall send a copy of the CN 37,

CN 38 or CN 41 delivery bills to the designated operator of the

country where the accident occurred.

4 The qualified office shall then notify the offices of

destination of the mails involved in the accident by CP 78

verification note giving details of the circumstances of the

accident and the results of the check of the mails. One copy of

each verification note shall be sent to the offices of origin of

the relative mails and another to the designated operator of the

country to which the transport company belongs. These documents

shall be sent by the quickest route (air or surface).

Article RC 179

Steps to be taken in the event of an interrupted fight, or of

diversion or missending of air parcels

1 When an aircraft interrupts its fight for a length of

time likely to delay the mails or when, for any reason

whatsoever, the mails are unloaded at an airport other than that

given on the CN 38 delivery bills, the airline shall hand over

such mails immediately to the officials of the designated

operator of the country where the stop has been made. The latter

shall reforward them by the quickest route (air or

surface).

2 The designated operator which receives missent airmail

dispatches or bags owing to a labelling error shall attach a new

label to the dispatch or bag, with an indication of the office of

origin, and reforward it to its correct destination.

3 In every

case the office which did the reforwarding shall inform the

office of origin of each dispatch or bag by CP 78 verification

note, indicating in particular on the verification note the air

service from which the mail was taken, the services used (air or

surface) for onward transmission to its destination and the cause

of missending, such as transportation or labelling

error.

Article RC 180

Steps to be taken in the event of an interrupted fight, or of

diversion or missending of surface airlifted (S.A.L.)

parcels

1 When mails

included in a surface dispatch sent by air (S.A.L.) are on a

fight that is interrupted or are unloaded at an airport other

than the one indicated on the CN 41 delivery bill, the procedure

shall be as follows:

1.1 Officials of the designated operator of the country

where the mails are in transit shall take charge of them and

reforward them by surface if conditions are such that the mails

can be sent promptly to the country of destination. The

designated operator of origin shall be informed by e-mail or any

other form of telecommunication.

1.2 If rapid delivery by surface to the country of

destination cannot be ensured, the designated operator of the

transit country shall get in touch, by e-mail or any other form

of telecommunication, with the designated operator of origin of

the mails to determine how the latter are to be reforwarded to

their destination and how compensation for reforwarding is to be

calculated and settled.

1.3 The designated operator of the country of transit

shall make out a new delivery bill (CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41, as

required) and redirect the mails as instructed by the designated

operator of origin.

Article RC 181

Preparation of trial notes

1 To determine the

most favourable route for the dispatch of parcels, the

dispatching office of exchange may send to the office of exchange

of destination a trial note in the form of the specimen CN 44.

This note shall be attached to the parcel bill on which its

presence shall be indicated. If the CN 44 form is missing when

the mail arrives, the office of destination shall make out a

duplicate. The trial note, duly completed by the office of

destination, shall be returned by the quickest route to the

address indicated or, in the absence of such an indication, to

the office which prepared it.

Article RC 182

Transfer of mails

1 Surface

parcels

1.1 In the absence of special agreement between the

designated operators concerned, the transfer of surface parcel

mails shall be carried out by means of a CN 37 delivery

bill.

1.2 Two copies of the CN 37 bill shall be prepared. The

first shall be for the receiving office and the second for the

dispatching office. The receiving office shall acknowledge

receipt on the second copy and return it imme­diately by the

quickest route (air or surface).

1.3 The CN 37 delivery bill may be prepared in

triplicate when the transfer of mails between two corresponding

offices is made through a transport service. In that case, the

first copy shall be for the receiving office and shall accompany

the mail. The second shall receive the acknowledgement of receipt

by the transport service and shall be given to the dispatching

office. The third shall be retained by the transport service

after being signed by the receiving office.

1.4 The CN 37 delivery bill may also be prepared in

triplicate when the trans­mission of mails is effected by a means

of transport without accompanying staff. The first two copies

shall be sent with the mail and the third retained by the

dispatching office. The first copy shall be for the receiving

office and the second shall be returned by the quickest route,

duly signed by the latter, to the dispatching office.

1.5 Because of their internal organization, certain

designated operators may request that separate CN 37 bills be

made out for letter-post mails on the one hand, and for parcels

on the other.

1.6 When the transfer of mails between two corresponding

offices involves a sea service, the dispatching office of

exchange may prepare a fourth copy of the CN 37 delivery bill,

which the receiving office of exchange shall return after

certifying it. In this case the third and fourth copies shall

accompany the mail. One copy of the CN 37 bill must be sent

beforehand by air or by electronic mail or any other appropriate

means of telecommunication, either to the receiving office of

exchange or the port of offloading or to its central

administration.

2 Air parcels

and surface airlifted (S.A.L.) parcels

2.1 Air parcel mails to be handed over at the airport

shall be accompanied by CN 38 forms.

2.2 Mails to be handed over at the airport shall be

accompanied by fve copies of a CN 38 delivery bill, for each stop

in the case of air parcels or a CN 41, in the case of surface

airlifted (S.A.L.) parcels.

2.3 One copy of the CN 38 or CN 41 bill, signed as a

receipt for the parcels by the airline or the authority

responsible for the ground services, shall be retained by the

dispatching office.

2.4 Two copies of the CN 38 or CN 41 bill shall be

retained at the airport of loading by the airline carrying the

parcels.

2.5 Two copies of the CN 38 or CN 41 bill shall be

inserted in a CN 45 envelope. These shall be conveyed in the

aircraft's fight portfolio or other special pouch in which the

fight documents are kept. Upon arrival at the airport of

offloading of the parcels, the first copy, duly signed as a

receipt for the parcels, shall be kept by the airline which has

carried the parcels. The second copy shall accompany the parcels

to the post office to which the CN 38 or CN 41 bill is

addressed.

2.6 CN 38 or CN 41 bills which have been transmitted

electronically by the air carrier may be accepted at the

receiving exchange office if the two copies identified under 2.4

are not immediately available. In this case, two copies of the CN

38 or CN 41 bill must be signed by the air carrier representative

at the destination airport prior to submission to the receiving

designated operator. Except as noted in 2.6.1 and 2.6.2, one copy

shall be signed by the receiving designated operator as a receipt

for the parcels and shall be kept by the air carrier. The second

copy shall, in any case, accompany the parcels to the post office

to which the CN 38 or CN 41 bill is addressed.

2.6.1 Designated operators that have developed an

electronic receipting system for parcel dispatches which they

receive from transport carriers may use the receipting records of

that system instead of the CN 38 or CN 41 process described under

2.6. In lieu of the signed copy of the CN 38 or CN 41 forms, the

receiving designated operator may provide the air carrier with a

printed copy of the electronic receipting record for that

dispatch.

2.6.2 Alternatively, designated operators that exchange

EDI messaging for parcel dispatches and consignments may use the

EDI receipt messages instead of the CN 38 or CN 41 process as

described under 2.6. In lieu of the signed copy of the CN 38 or

CN 41 forms, the receiving designated operator may transmit the

EDI receipt message.

2.7 Designated operators may agree among themselves to

make systematic use of electronic mail or any other appropriate

means of telecommunica­tion for transmitting CN 38 or CN 41 bills

between the office preparing the document and the office

receiving it.

2.8 When parcels are sent by surface to an intermediate

designated operator for reforwarding by air, they shall be

accompanied by a CN 38 or CN 41 bill for the intermediate office.

A CN 38 or CN 41 bill shall also be prepared for the designated

operator of the country of destination in respect of air parcels

reforwarded by surface.

3 If CN 37, CN 38 and CN 41 delivery bills are produced

by electronic means and transmitted online to a transport service

or a cooperating agent without the direct participation of the

designated operator's staff and printed out there, the designated

operators or companies involved in the transport operations may

agree that a signature shall not be required on the delivery

bills.

4 The receiving designated operators shall ensure that

the carriers can hand over the parcels to a competent

service.

5 The mails shall be handed over in good condition.

However, a mail may not be refused because of damage or

theft.

6 The weight of bags

or other receptacles containing insured air parcels shall be

shown separately on the CN 38 delivery bill. The letter V shall

also be written in the "Observations" column opposite

this entry.

Article RC 183

Check of mails

1 Every office of exchange receiving a mail shall

immediately check the receptacles and their fastening. It shall

also check the origin and destination of the bags making up the

mail and entered on the delivery bill, and then the parcels and

the various documents which accompany them. These checks shall be

made in the presence of the other interested parties whenever

this is possible.

2 The office of destination shall keep a close check on

whether the mails arrive in the sequence in which they were

dispatched, particularly in the case of mails containing insured

parcels.

3 When the receptacles are opened, the constituent parts

of the fastening (string, lead seal, label) shall be kept

together; to achieve this, the string shall be cut in one place

only.

4 Any irregularities discovered shall be reported

without delay by a CP 78 verification note. When the office of

exchange of destination has not sent off a CP 78 note by the

first available post, it shall be considered, until the contrary

is proved, as having received all the bags and parcels in good

condition.

5 When the findings of an office of exchange are such as

may involve the liability of a transport undertaking, they must

where possible be countersigned by the representative of that

undertaking as well as by the designated operator of transit or

of destination taking over the mails, which shall confirm that

there are no irregu­larities. This signature may be made either

on the CP 78 verification note, a copy of which shall be handed

to the undertaking, or, as the case may be, on the CN 37, CN 41

or CN 38 delivery bill accompanying the mail. Should there be any

reservations with respect to the carrier service, the copies of

the CN 37, CN 38 or CN 41 delivery bill must indicate such

reservations. By analogy, designated operators exchanging

information electronically may apply the procedures outlined in

article RC 182.2.6.

6 The discovery, at the time of the check, of any

irregularities whatsoever may in no case be the cause of the

return of a parcel to sender except as provided for in article RC

135.3 and 4.

Article RC 184

Discovery of irregularities and processing of verification

notes

1 When an

intermediate office receives a mail in bad condition, it shall

check the contents if it thinks that they have not remained

intact and put it in new packing just as it is. It shall copy the

particulars from the original label on to a new one and apply to

the latter an impression of its date-stamp, preceded by the

endorsement "Remballé à ..." (Repacked at ...). The

fact shall be reported by means of a CP 78 verification note, to

be prepared in four or five copies, as appropriate. One copy

shall be retained by the office which prepared it, and the others

shall be sent to:

1.1 the office of exchange from

which the mail was received (two copies);

1.2 the dispatching office of

exchange (if this is not the office referred to above); and

1.3 the office of

destination (inserted in the repacked mail).

2 In the event

of the absence of a mail or one or more of the bags comprising

it, or of any other irregularity the fact shall be notified as

described in 1. However, intermediate offices of exchange shall

not be bound to check the documents accompanying the parcel

bill.

3 If the

office of exchange of destination discovers errors or omissions

in the parcel bill it shall immediately make the necessary

corrections. It shall take care to cross out the incorrect

entries in such a way as to leave the original entries legible.

These corrections shall be made in the presence of two officials;

unless there is an obvious error, the corrections shall be

accepted in preference to the original statement. The office of

exchange shall also carry out the routine checks when the

receptacle or its fastening gives grounds for presuming that the

contents have not remained intact or that some other irregularity

has occurred. The irregularities which have been established

shall be notified without delay to the dispatching office of

exchange by a CP 78 verification note, to be prepared in three or

four copies as appropriate. One copy shall be retained by the

office of exchange which prepared it and the others shall be sent

to:

3.1 the dispatching office of

exchange (two copies); and

3.2 the intermediate office of

exchange from which the mail was received (if the mail was not

received direct).

4 The absence

of a mail or of one or more of the bags comprising it, or of the

parcel bill, shall be notified as described in 3. If the parcel

bill is missing, the office of exchange of destination shall

prepare a replacement parcel bill.

5 The absence

of a surface parcel mail or air parcel mail shall be notified at

the latest on receipt of the first mail following the missing

mail. Similarly, the absence of one or more bags or parcels sent

unenclosed in a surface parcel mail or air parcel mail shall be

notified at the latest on receipt of the first mail following the

said mail.

6 The office

of exchange of destination shall have the right not to make

corrections and not to make out a CP 78 verification note if the

errors or omissions in respect of the rates due do not exceed 10

SDR per parcel bill.

7 Verification

notes shall be sent preferably by telefax or by any other

electronic means of communication or, if sent by mail, by the

quickest route in a special envelope marked in bold letters

"Bulletin de verification" (Verification note). These

envelopes may either be pre-printed or distinguished by a stamp

impression clearly reproducing the indication. Irregularities

concerning insured parcels which involve the liability of member

countries or designated operators shall always be notified

immediately by electronic means, if available.

8 The offices

to which the CP 78 verification notes are sent shall return them

as promptly as possible after having examined them and indicated

thereon their observations, if any; they shall retain one copy.

The returned verification notes shall be attached to the parcel

bills to which they relate. Corrections made to a parcel bill

which are unsupported by documentary evidence shall not be

considered valid. However, if these verification notes are not

returned to the office of exchange which issued them within a

period of one month from the date of their dispatch they shall be

considered, until the contrary is proved, as duly

accepted.

Article RC 185

Discrepancies of weight or size of parcels

1 Unless there is an obvious error, the view of the

office of origin shall prevail as regards the establishment of

the weight or size.

2 Discrepancies in weight less than one kilogramme

relating to ordinary parcels may not be made the subject of

verification notes or the cause of the parcels being

returned.

3 Discrepancies in weight of insured parcels up to ten

grammes above or below the weight stated may not be queried by

the intermediate designated operator or designated operator of

destination unless the external condition of the parcel makes it

necessary.

Article RC 186

Receipt by the office of exchange of a damaged or insufficiently

packed parcel

1 Any office of exchange which receives a damaged or

insufficiently packed parcel shall send it on, after having

repacked it if necessary. The original packing, the address and

the labels shall be preserved as far as possible. The weight of

the parcel before and after repacking shall be shown on the

actual packing of the parcel. This indication shall be followed

by the note "Remballé à ..." (Repacked at ...) stamped

with an impression of the date-stamp and signed by the officials

who did the repacking.

2 If the condition of the parcel is such that the

contents could have been removed or damaged, this fact shall be

reported to the dispatching office of exchange by means of a

sufficiently explicit note on the CP 78 verification note. The

parcel shall also be automatically opened and its contents

checked. The results of this check shall be given in a CN 24

report. This shall be prepared in duplicate, one copy shall be

retained by the office of exchange which prepared it and the

other attached to the parcel.

3 The procedure described in 2 shall also apply if the

parcel shows a discrepancy in weight such as to suggest the

removal of the whole or part of the contents.

Article RC 187

Notification of irregularities for which designated operators may

be liable

1 Any office

of exchange which, on the arrival of a mail, discovers the

absence of, theft from or damage to one or more parcels shall

proceed as follows:

1.1 It shall indicate in as much detail as possible on

the CP 78 verification note or in the CN 24 report the condition

in which it found the outer packing of the mail. Unless this is

impossible for a stated reason, the receptacle, the string, the

lead or other seal and the label shall be kept intact for a

period of six weeks from the date of verification. They shall be

sent to the designated operator of origin if it so

requests.

1.2 It shall send a duplicate of the verification note

to the last intermediate office of exchange, if any, at the same

time as to the dispatching office of exchange.

2 If it considers it necessary, the office of exchange

of destination may, at the expense of its designated operator,

inform the dispatching office of exchange of its discoveries by

telecommunications.

3 Where offices of exchange in direct contact are

concerned, the respective designated operators of these offices

may agree on the method of procedure in the case of

irregularities for which they may be liable.

Article RC 188

Check of mails of parcels forwarded in bulk

1 Articles RC 183 to RC 187 shall be applicable only to

rifled and damaged parcels as well as to parcels entered

individually on the parcel bills. The other parcels shall be

simply checked in bulk.

2 The designated operator of origin may agree with the

designated operator of destination to limit to certain categories

of parcels the detailed check and the preparation of the CP 78

verification notes and CN 24 reports. The same may be agreed with

the intermediate designated operators.

3 If the number of parcels found in the mail differs

from the number given on the parcel bill, the verification note

shall correct only the total number of parcels.

4 If the gross weight of the mail given on the parcel

bill does not correspond to the gross weight found, the

verification note shall correct only the gross weight of the

mail.

Article RC 189

Reforwarding of a parcel arriving out of course

1 Any parcel arriving out of course shall be reforwarded

to its proper destina­tion by the quickest route (air or

surface).

2 Any parcel reforwarded in application of this article

shall be subject to the rates for forwarding to its proper

destination and the charges and fees mentioned in article RC

136.4.3.

3 The reforwarding designated operator shall report the

matter in a CP 78 verification note to the designated operator

from which the parcel has been received.

4 It shall treat the parcel arriving out of course as if

it had arrived in transit à découvert. If the rates which have

been allocated to it are insufficient to cover the costs of

reforwarding, it shall credit the true designated operator of

destination and, where appropriate, the intermediate designated

operators with the relative conveyance rates. It shall then

credit itself, through a claim on the designated operator

responsible for the office of exchange which missent the parcel,

for the amount of the expense which it has incurred. This

designated operator shall collect them

Article RC 190

Return of empty receptacles

1 In the absence of special agreement between the

designated operators concerned, bags shall be returned empty by

the next post in a mail for the country to which they belong and

if possible by the normal route followed on the outward journey.

The number of bags returned by each mail shall be noted on the CP

87 parcel bill.

2 Designated operators of origin may make up special

mails for the return of empty bags. However, the make-up of

special mails shall be compulsory when the designated operators

of transit or destination so request. For bags being returned by

air, the make-up of special mails shall be compulsory. The

special mails shall be described on CN 47 bills. If special mails

for empty bags being returned by surface are not made up, the

number and the weight of sacks of empty bags shall be entered in

the appropriate column of the CN 37 bill.

3 The return shall be carried out between offices of

exchange appointed for the purpose. The designated operators

concerned may agree among themselves as to the procedure for the

return. In long-distance services, they shall, as a general rule,

appoint only one office responsible for receiving the empty bags

returned to them.

4 The empty bags shall be rolled into suitable bundles.

Where appropriate, the label blocks, labels of canvas, parchment

or other stout material shall be placed inside the

bags.

5 If there are not too many of them, the empty bags to

be returned may be placed in the bags containing postal parcels.

In all other cases, including when empty bags are being returned

by air, they shall be placed in separate bags labelled with the

name of the offices of exchange. These bags may be sealed by

agreement between the designated operators concerned. The labels

shall be endorsed "Sacs vides" (Empty bags).

6 If the check made by a designated operator establishes

that bags belonging to it have not been returned to its service

within a period longer than that required for their transmission

(round trip), it shall be entitled to claim reimbursement of the

value of the bags as provided for under 7. The designated

operator in question may refuse this reimbursement only if it can

prove the missing bags were returned.

7 Each designated operator shall fix, periodically and

uniformly for each kind of bag used by its offices of exchange, a

value in SDRs and communicate it to the designated operators

concerned through the International Bureau. In case of

reimbursement, the cost of replacing the bags shall be

considered.

8 By prior agreement, a designated operator may use the

bags belonging to the designated operator of destination for

making up its own airmails. The bags of third parties may not be

used.

9 Mails of empty bags shall be treated like letter-post

mails which do not give rise to the payment of terminal dues but

are subject to the payment of 30% of the transit charges

applicable to letter-post mails.

10 A dispatching designated operator may indicate

whether or not it would like to have the receptacles used for a

particular dispatch returned. This indication shall be made on

the parcel bill used for the dispatch.

Chapter 8

Quality of service

Article RC 191

Quality of service targets

1 Member countries

or designated operators shall monitor actual performance against

the service targets fixed by them.

Chapter 9

Rates and air conveyance dues

Article RC 192

Inward land rates

1 Level of the

inward land rates base rate

1.1 For the years 2010 to 2013,

the level of inward land rates referred to in article 33.1 of the

Convention is given below:

1.1.1 The base rate shall be a country-specific maximum

inward land rate per parcel and per kilogramme. These rates shall

be calculated by setting the rate at 71.4% of the rate set by an

individual designated operator for the year 2004 plus any

inflation adjustments requested under article RC 193.

1.1.2 However, if the new base inward land rate is less

than 2.85 SDR per parcel and 0.28 SDR per kilogramme, subject to

the cap set in 1.1.3, the inward land rate applicable to such a

designated operator shall be the level of the global minimum

inward land rate of 2.85 SDR per parcel and 0.28 SDR per

kilogramme.

1.1.3 Where a particular designated operator applies the

minimum inward land rate as determined under 1.1.2, the actual

application shall be subject to a cap of the combined per-parcel

and per-kilogramme remuneration of 4.25 SDR for a parcel of 5

kilogrammes. If 71.4% of the sum of the 2004 per-parcel and

per-kilogramme remuneration is above 4.25 SDR, the minimum rate

shall be formed by 71.4% of both the per-parcel and perkilogramme

rate. If 71.4% of the sum of the 2004 per-parcel and

per-kilogramme remuneration is below 4.25 SDR, the minimum rates

shall be formed in accordance with 1.1.2.

1.1.4 For the purposes of determining inward land rates,

the term "designated operator" shall be considered to

refer to each country or territory which operates an independent

parcelpost service. Where the parcel-post services of a country

or territory are operated by the designated operator of another

country or territory, in accordance with article 12 of the

Convention, they shall be considered to be part of that

designated operator, both for the purpose of determining the

service features provided, and for calculating the inward land

rates based on service features provided.

2 Bonus

payments

2.1 Provided that a designated

operator complies with the mandatory acceptance of liability for

lost, rifled and damaged parcels according to article 21 of the

Convention and complies with the mandatory use of the UPU

standard S10d barcode according to article RC 162.1, it will be

possible for that designated operator to increase the base rates

referred to in 1 by providing between one and four of the clearly

defined "service features" (described below) which, in

turn, will enable it to qualify for bonus payments of up to 40%

of its base rate. The possibility of qualifying for bonus

payments shall be open to any designated operator, irrespective

of whether it has been awarded a countryspecific or global base

rate.

3 Definition

of service features and bonus payments

3.1 Service feature 1: track and

trace

3.1.1 If a designated operator provides track and trace

information about inward parcels bearing a UPU standard S10d

barcode and is technologically equipped to transmit data on all

the mandatory tracking events and actively transmits such data in

accordance with the associated data elements defined in article

RC 163.1.1 to all partner designated operators, in line with the

indicative performance targets for transmission times defined in

RC 164, it shall be entitled to receive, in addition, a bonus of

10% of the base rates referred to in 1.

3.1.2 If a designated operator provides track and trace

information about inward parcels bearing a UPU standard S10d

barcode and is technologically equipped to transmit data for

events EME and EMF, and actively transmits such data in line with

the definition and associated data elements defined in article RC

163.1.2 and with the indicative performance targets for

transmission times defined in RC 164, it shall be entitled to

receive, in addition, a bonus of 5% of the base rates referred to

in 1.

3.1.3 If a designated operator provides track and trace

information about inward parcels bearing a UPU standard S10d

barcode and is technologically equipped to transmit

dispatch-level information using PREDES version 2 and RESDES

version 1.1 messages, and actively transmits such data in line

with the definition and associated data elements defined in

article RC 163.2 and with the indicative performance targets for

transmission times defined in RC 164, it shall be entitled to

receive, in addition, a bonus of 5% of the base rates referred to

in 1.

3.1.4 If a designated operator meets the target fixed in

article RC 165.1.2, it shall be entitled to receive, in addition,

a bonus of 5% of the base rates referred to in 1.

3.2 Service feature 2: home

delivery

3.2.1 Except for voluntary P.O. Box customers, if a

designated operator makes an initial attempt at physical delivery

to the addressee's address and leaves a card at the

addressee's address if the addressee or any other person at

the address is absent and if a designated operator, for taxable

and dutiable items, offers the addressee the option of paying the

tax or duty and taking physical delivery of the item, it shall

receive, in addition, a bonus of 5% of the base rates referred to

in 1.

3.3 Service feature 3: delivery

standards

3.3.1 In accordance with article 20.1 and 20.2 of the

Convention, if a designated operator provides all the following

information required for an entry in the Parcel Post Compendium,

it shall be entitled to receive, in addition, a bonus of 5% of

the base rates referred to in 1.

3.3.1.1

Delivery standards for air and surface parcels, as defined by the

matrix and headings in the Parcel Post Compendium.

3.3.1.2

An indication of the average customs clearance time for air and

surface parcels.

3.4 Service feature 4: use of

the common Internet-based Inquiry System

3.4.1 A designated operator shall be entitled to

receive, in addition, a bonus of 5% of the base rate referred to

in paragraph 1 if the following cumulative conditions are

fulfilled:

3.4.1.1

it uses the UPU common Internet-based Inquiry System to handle

all inquiries with designated operators using this common system

according to article RC 145.8, and achieves the target fixed in

article RC145.9.

4 The measurement of service features, provided that

designated operators meet the minimum requirements in 2.1, shall

be based on the performance of individual designated operators.

In cases where recognized UPU reports do not provide the

necessary information, the International Bureau will seek

confirmation from the designated operators concerned to determine

whether they meet the requirements of the service feature and are

eligible for the relevant bonus.

4.1 Service feature 1: track and

trace

4.1.1 If the designated operator transmits EMC, EMD, EMH

and EMI events for inbound parcels to its partners, and

transmission is in place and continuously operational, it shall

receive a bonus of 10%.

4.1.2 If the designated operator transmits EMF events

for items for which it provides an EME event (unless governmental

and legally binding provisions prevent this), and transmission is

in place and continuously operational, it shall receive a bonus

of 5%.

4.1.3 If the designated operator transmits PREDES V2

messages to its partners, and transmits RESDES messages for the

PREDES messages it receives, and transmission is in place and

continuously operational, it shall receive a bonus of

5%.

4.1.4 If the designated operator transmits EMH and/or

EMI events to its partners for 90% of inbound parcels for which

an EMD event has been transmitted, it shall receive a bonus of

5%.

4.2 Service feature 2: home

delivery

4.2.1 The International Bureau will seek information on

whether or not a designated operator implements the provisions

set out in the definition of service feature 2, as defined in

3.2.1. If a designated operator indicates that it does provide

the service feature, then it shall, where eligible, receive a

bonus of 5%. Notwithstanding the answer from the designated

operator, the POC may determine that a designated operator is not

eligible for the bonus based upon information provided in a

report from the International Bureau for a decision on

eligibility. If a designated operator fails to provide any

information at all, it shall not qualify for the 5%

bonus.

4.2.1.1

If governmental or legally binding restrictions mean that a

designated operator faces certain limitations in implementing

service feature 2, it may be able to qualify for the 5% bonus if

it publishes information on the nature of the limitation in an

appropriate entry in the Parcel Post Compendium. The accuracy of

entries provided by designated operators for the Parcel Post

Compendium may be subject to review by the International Bureau

in cases where doubts are raised by partner designated operators.

In such cases, entitlement to the 5% bonus may also be

reviewed.

4.3 Service feature 3: delivery

standards

4.3.1 If a designated operator provides all the

information set out in article 20.1 and 20.2 of the Convention

and as described in the definition of service feature 3,

including an indication of an average customs clearance time, and

therefore has a complete entry in the Parcel Post Compendium, and

in addition, provides an annual update or confirmation of this

information inclusive of an indication or notation of customs

clearance time, by 31 August of the year prior, it shall receive

a bonus of 5%. A designated operator that does not have a

complete entry in the Compendium shall not qualify for the

bonus.

4.4 Service feature 4: use of

the common Internet-based Inquiry System

4.4.1 If a designated operator uses the common

Internet-based Inquiry System in accordance with RC 145.8 and

achieves the target performance indicated in article RC 145.9, it

shall receive a bonus of 5%.

Article RC 193

Modifications of the inward land rates

1 Designated

operators wishing to claim an inflation-linked increase in their

base inward land rate will be asked to provide, by 31 August in

the year prior to that date, documentary evidence based on the

country's official overall consumer price index in support of

such a claim to the International Bureau. In no case shall the

inflation-linked increase be above 5% for each year over which

the inflation rate is calculated. The designated operator shall

provide the official source and name of the organization

responsible for the published index and the period taken into

consideration. If this deadline has not been observed, such

modifications shall not come into force until 1 January of the

following year. Increases in the base inward land rates due to

inflation-linked adjustment may only come into force on 1

January.

2 Designated

operators shall indicate to the International Bureau the service

features they are to provide from 1 January and 1 July, by 31

August in the year prior to that date. If designated operators

have not notified their existing offer or their intention to

implement these service features in the annual questionnaire,

such potential modifications shall not come into force before 1

January of the following year regardless of when the designated

operator implements the service feature.

2.1 For increases in the inward

land rates applicable from 1 January for service features

provided, the relevant service features must have been in place

and continuously operational since 1 July in the prior year and

continuously thereafter.

2.2 For increases in the inward

land rates applicable from 1 July for service features provided,

the relevant service features must have been in place and

continuously operational at the latest since 1 January of that

year and continuously thereafter.

2.3 A designated operator

requesting an increase in the inward land rates based on the

introduction of new service features which fails to implement any

announced service feature by the date indicated shall immediately

inform the International Bureau. In such a case, the increase in

inward land rates shall not apply.

2.4 The International Bureau

shall monitor whether service features are in place and

designated operators fulfil the requirements under this article

before performing potential modifications.

3

Modifications to the bonus payment of the inward land rates based

on the service features provided may be implemented twice a year,

on 1 January and 1 July. The International Bureau shall notify

applicable inward land rates to all designated operators by 30

September of the year prior to that in which they come into

force, including any intended changes to inward land rates to

apply from 1 July due to designated operators qualifying for

additional bonus payments. The International Bureau shall confirm

to all designated operators by 31 March any changes to ILRs that

apply from 1 July.

4 At the

initiative of designated operators, reductions in the inward land

rates may come into force on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1

October. They shall be notified to designated operators by the

International Bureau without delay.

Article RC 194

Transit land rates

1 The rates

applied to calculate the transit land rate in accordance with

article 33.2 of the Convention are given below:

1.1 0.200 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

kilometre up to 1,500 kilometres;

1.2 0.140 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary kilo­metre up to 5,000 kilometres;

1.3 0.100 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary kilo­metre;

1.4 the distance rate shall be calculated per

100-kilometre distance step, based on the mid-value in each

step.

2 For parcels

in transit à découvert, intermediate designated operators shall

be authorized to claim a single rate of 0.40 SDR per

item.

Article RC 195

Application of transit land rates

1 No transit land

rate shall be payable for:

1.1 the transfer of airmails between two airports

serving the same town;

1.2 the transport of such mails between an airport

serving a town and a warehouse situated in the same town and the

return of the same mails for reforwarding.

2 Each of the designated operators taking part in

conveyance shall be authorized to collect for each parcel the

transit land rates applicable to the relevant distance step. If

there is no land route, only the single rate mentioned in article

RC 194.2 shall apply.

3 Reforwarding, where applicable after warehousing, by

the designated operators of an intermediate country of mails in

transit à découvert entering and leaving by the same port or

airport (transit not involving a land route) shall be subject to

the single rate per parcel mentioned in article RC 194.2, but not

to transit land rates.

4 When a foreign transport service crosses the territory

of a country without the participation of the latter's services

in accordance with article RC 161.3, parcels thus conveyed shall

not be subject to the transit land rate.

Article RC 196

Sea rate

1 The rates applied

to calculate the sea rate in accordance with article 33.3 of the

Convention are given below:

1.1 0.070 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

nautical mile (1.852 km) up to 1,000 nautical miles;

1.2 0.040 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary nautical mile up to 2,000 nautical

miles;

1.3 0.034 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary nautical mile up to 4,000 nautical

miles;

1.4 0.022 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary nautical mile up to 10,000 nautical

miles;

1.5 0.015 thousandths of an SDR per kilogramme and per

supplementary nautical mile;

1.6 the distance rate shall be calculated per

100-nautical-mile distance step, based on the mid-value in each

step.

Article RC 197

Application of sea rate

1 If necessary, the distance steps used to determine the

amount of the sea rate applicable between two member countries

shall be calculated on the basis of a weighted average distance.

This shall be determined in terms of the tonnage of the mails

carried between the respective ports of the two member

countries.

2 Sea conveyance between two ports of the same member

country may not give rise to the collection of the sea rate when

the designated operator of that member country already receives,

for the same parcels, payment in respect of land

conveyance.

3 The sea rate for intermediate designated operators or

services shall be applicable to air parcels only where the parcel

is conveyed by an intermediate sea service. For this purpose

every sea service provided by the designated operator of origin

or destination shall be regarded as an intermediate

service.

4 In the case of an increase, this shall also be applied

to parcels originating in the member country to which the

services providing sea conveyance belong. Nevertheless, this

obligation shall not apply either in the relations between a

member country and the territories for whose international

relations it is responsible, or in the relations between these

territories.

5 Article RC 193 shall apply in case of modification of

the sea rate.

Article RC 198

Application of new rates following unforeseeable changes in

routeing

1 Reasons of force

majeure or any other unforeseeable occurrence may oblige a

designated operator to use, for the conveyance of its own

parcels, a new dispatch route which causes additional sea or land

conveyance costs. In such a case, it shall be required to inform

immediately by telecommunications all the designated operators

whose parcel mails or à découvert parcels are sent in transit

through its country. From the fifth day following dispatch of

this information, the intermediate designated operator shall be

authorized to charge the designated operator of origin the land

and sea rates corresponding to the new route.

Article RC 199

Weight of mails used for remuneration of designated

operators

1 For the purposes

of remunerating designated operators of destination or transit,

the gross weight of the mails shall include the weight of

receptacles (trays, mailbags, etc) but shall not include that of

shipping or airline containers. Designated operators of origin

and destination may however agree bilaterally to use net weights,

whatever the method of entry used for completing CP 87 or CP 88

parcel bills.

Article RC 200

Allocation of rates

1 Allocation of

rates to the designated operators concerned shall be made, in

principle, in respect of each parcel.

Article RC 201

Rates and dues credited to other designated operators by the

designated operator of origin of the mail

1 In the case of exchange of closed mails, the

designated operator of origin of the mail shall credit the

designated operator of destination and each intermediate

designated operator with its land and sea rates, including the

exceptional rates authorized by the Convention or its Final

Protocol thereto.

2 In the case of exchange in transit à découvert the

designated operator of origin of the mail shall

credit:

2.1 the designated operator of destination of the mail

with the rates enumerated in 1 as well as rates due to the

subsequent intermediate designated operators and to the

designated operator of destination of the parcel;

2.2 the designated operator of destination of the mail

with the amounts in respect of air conveyance dues to which it is

entitled for reforwarding air parcels;

2.3 the intermediate designated operators preceding the

designated operator of destination of the mail with the rates

enumerated in 1.

3 Charges for handling closed transit mails shall be

borne by the designated operator of origin of the mails. The rate

applied shall be 0.195 SDR per kilogramme.

4 Transhipment at the same airport, in the course of

transmission, of air parcels conveyed successively by several

separate air services shall be performed without

remuneration.

Article RC 202

Allocation and recovery of rates, charges and fees in the case of

return to sender or redirection

1 When rates, charges and fees have not been paid at the

time of return to sender or redirection, the returning or

redirecting designated operator shall proceed as indicated

below.

2 In the case of exchange of direct mail the returning

or redirecting designated operator shall recover from the

designated operator to which the mail is addressed:

2.1 the rates due to it and to the intermediate

designated operators;

2.2 the charges and fees due to it and which it has

incurred.

3 The designated operator returning or redirecting the

parcel in a closed mail shall credit the intermediate designated

operators with the rates due to them.

4 In the case of transmission in transit à découvert,

the intermediate designated operator shall be debited by the

designated operator which returns or redirects the parcel with

the amounts mentioned in 2. It shall credit itself by debiting

the designated operator to which it hands over the parcel, with

the sum due to it and with that due to the returning or

redirecting designated operator. This procedure shall be

repeated, if need be, by each intermediate designated

operator.

5 The air conveyance dues for parcels returned to sender

or redirected by air shall be recovered, where appropriate, from

the designated operator of the countries where the request for

return or redirection originated.

6 The allocation and the recovery of the rates, charges

and fees in the case of the redirection of missent parcels shall

be made in accordance with article RC 189.4.

7 Air conveyance dues for air parcel dispatches

re-routed in the course of conveyance shall be settled in

accordance with articles RC 203 and RC 205.

Article RC 203

Calculation of air conveyance dues

1 Air conveyance dues relating to air parcel mails shall

be calculated according to, on the one hand, the actual basic

rate and the kilometric distances given in the "List of

Airmail Distances" and, on the other, the gross weight of

the mails. The actual basic rate may be less than and at most

equal to the rate mentioned in article 32.1 of the

Convention.

2 The air conveyance dues payable to the intermediate

designated operator for à découvert air parcels shall be fixed in

principle as indicated in 1, but per half kilogramme for each

country of destination. Nevertheless, when the territory of the

country of destination of these parcels is served by one or more

lines with several stops in that territory, dues shall be

calculated on the basis of a weighted average rate. This shall be

determined on the basis of the weight of the parcels offoaded at

each stop. The dues to be paid shall be calculated for each

individual parcel, the weight of each being rounded upwards to

the next half-kilogramme.

Article RC 204

Air conveyance dues for lost or destroyed air parcels

1 The designated

operator of origin shall be exempt from any payment in respect of

the air conveyance of air parcels lost or destroyed as a result

of an acci­dent occurring to the aircraft or through any other

cause involving the liability of the air carrier. This exemption

shall apply for any part of the fight of the line

used.

Article RC 205

Air conveyance dues for diverted or missent mails or

bags

1 The designated operator of origin of a mail which has

gone off its route in course of conveyance shall pay the

conveyance dues for the mail relating to the sectors actually

covered.

2 It shall settle the conveyance dues as far as the

airport of offloading initially provided for on the CN 38

delivery bill when:

2.1 the actual forwarding route is not known;

2.2 the dues for the sectors actually covered have not

yet been claimed; or

2.3 the diversion is attributable to the airline which

effected the conveyance.

3 The

supplementary dues relating to the sectors actually covered by

the diverted mail shall be reimbursed as follows:

3.1 by the designated operator that committed the error

in the case of misrouteing;

3.2 by the designated operator which has collected the

conveyance dues paid to the airline when the latter has offloaded

in a place other than that shown on the CN 38 delivery

bill.

4 The provisions set out under 1 to 3 shall be

applicable by analogy when part only of a mail is offloaded at an

airport other than that indicated on the CN 38 delivery

bill.

5 The designated operator of origin of a mail or bag

missent owing to a labelling error shall pay the conveyance dues

relating to the whole distance flown in accordance with article

32.3.1 of the Convention.

Article RC 206

Payment of air conveyance dues for the transport of empty

bags

1 Air conveyance

dues for the transport of empty bags shall be payable by the

designated operator owning the bags.

2 The maximum

rate applicable in respect of the air conveyance of dispatches of

empty bags shall correspond to 30% of the basic rate set in

accordance with the provisions of article 32.1 of the

Convention.

Chapter 10

Preparation and settlement of accounts

Article RC 207

Preparation of accounts

1 Each

designated operator shall have its offices of exchange prepare

immediately a CP 94 statement at the end of each month or quarter

for all the items received from one and the same designated

operator by dispatching office and per mail.

2 In the event

of alteration of CP 88 or CP 87 parcel bills, the number and date

of the CP 78 verification note prepared by the transferring

office of exchange or the office of exchange to which the

transfer is made shall be shown in the "Observations"

column of the CP 94 statement.

3 The CP 94

statement shall be summarized in a CP 75 account.

4 Designated

operators that were net creditors in the preceding year would

have the option of receiving payment on a monthly, quarterly,

half-yearly or annual basis. The option exercised shall remain in

force for a period of one calendar year starting from 1

January.

5 Designated

operators may use the direct billing system or the bilateral

offsetting system.

6 Under the

direct billing system, the CP 75 accounts would serve as bills

for direct settlement. The CP 75 account, accompanied by the CP

94 statement, but without the parcel bills, shall be sent by the

quickest route to the designated operator concerned for

acceptance and payment on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or

annual basis. This dispatch shall be made during the two months

following the arrival of the last parcel bill of the period to

which it related.

7 The debtor

designated operator shall pay the amount billed within a period

of two months. If the designated operator which has sent the

account does not receive any notice of amendment within two

months, the account shall be regarded as fully accepted. When any

difference exceeding 9.80 SDR occurs, the CP 94 statement should

be corrected and be attached with the amended CP 75 account as

proof. Debtor designated operators may refuse to check and to

accept CP 75 accounts which have not been submitted by the

creditor designated operators within six months of the period to

which they refer.

8 Under the bilateral offsetting system, the creditor

designated operator shall prepare both the CP 75 and the CN 52

accounts and submit both simultaneously and by the quickest route

to the debtor designated operator on a monthly, quarterly,

half-yearly or annual basis. Nevertheless, as soon as the CP 75

accounts between two designated operators are accepted or

regarded as fully accepted, they may be summarized in a CN 52

general account prepared at one of the above-mentioned

frequencies.

9 The debtor designated operator shall accept or amend

the CP 75 and CN 52 accounts and submit payment to the creditor

designated operator within two months. If the designated operator

which has sent the accounts does not receive any notice of

amendment within two months, the accounts shall be regarded as

fully accepted.

10 When any difference exceeding 9.80 SDR is noted by

the debtor designated operator, the CP 94 statements shall be

corrected and be attached with the amended CP 75 account as

proof.

11 When the balance of a CP 75 or CN 52 account does not

exceed 163.35 SDR, it shall be carried into the next CP 75 or CN

52 account when the designated operators concerned participate in

the clearing system of the International Bureau.

Article RC 208

Settlement of accounts

1 Settlements of international accounts arising from

postal traffic between designated operators may be regarded as

current transactions and effected in accordance with the current

international obligations of the member countries concerned, when

there are agreements to this effect. In the absence of such

agreements, accounts shall be settled in accordance with the

following provisions.

2 Each designated operator shall draw up its accounts

and refer them in duplicate to the others concerned. One accepted

copy, if necessary amended or accompanied by a statement of

discrepancies, shall be returned to the creditor designated

operator. This account shall serve as a basis for the

preparation, as necessary, of the final liquidation account

between the two designated operators.

3 Designated operators may settle their accounts either

bilaterally, or through the multilateral clearing system of the

International Bureau, or by any other system of settling

accounts. Participation in the multilateral clearing system of

the Inter­national Bureau shall be open only to designated

operators that have signed the membership agreement pertaining to

the system.

4 The creditor designated operator shall choose the

method of settling the accounts after consulting the debtor

designated operator. If there is disagreement, the choice of the

creditor designated operator shall prevail in all cases. In the

case of settlement through the multilateral clearing system of

the International Bureau both the creditor and debtor should be

signatories to the relevant membership agreement and mutually

agree to include the relevant account in the system.

5 The balance of each CP 75 account prepared by the

creditor designated operator shall be paid to it by the debtor

designated operator in accordance with the provisions of articles

RC 209 to 212.

6 In the case of

bilateral offsetting and of billing based on the

imbalance:

6.1 the preparation and dispatch of a general account

may be carried out, without waiting for a possible amendment of

the CP 75 account, as soon as a designated operator which has all

the accounts relative to the period concerned finds that it is

the creditor. The check of the CN 52 account by the debtor

designated operator and payment of the balance shall be carried

out within a period of two months after receipt of the general

account; the debtor designated operator shall not be obliged to

accept accounts which are not transmitted to it within six months

of the end of the year to which they refer;

6.2 any designated operator which has consistently owing

to it every month by another designated operator a sum greater

than 9,800.72 SDR shall be entitled to claim a monthly payment on

account of up to three quarters of the amount of the debt; its

request shall be met within a period of two months.

Article RC 209

Settlement of accounts through the International

Bureau

1 The settlement of

accounts through the clearing system of the International Bureau

shall be effected through the following provisions:

1.1 Participation in the clearing system of the

International Bureau is open to designated operators or their

services that have signed the membership agreement obligating

them to abide by the terms of a system charter.

1.2 The International Bureau shall publish by means of a

circular an updated list of participants at appropriate

intervals.

1.3 A creditor designated operator intending to settle

an account through the International Bureau shall send a copy of

the account concerned to the debtor with the indication

"Proposé pour inclusion dans UPU*Clearing". If the

debtor has no modifcations to propose, the account shall be sent

to the International Bureau and to the creditor designated

operator with the remark "Accepté pour inclusion dans

UPU*Clearing". In case the debtor has any modification to

propose the account shall be sent back to the creditor designated

operator, who shall, if the modification proposed is accepted,

forward the account to the International Bureau. Accounts shall

be forwarded to the International Bureau only when there is

complete agreement by both debtor and creditor.

1.4 Payment shall be made in accordance with conditions

laid down in the system charter.

1.5 In the case of non-compliance or faulty performance

of obligations indicated in the system charter by a participant,

the International Bureau shall take appropriate measures and

inform all participants of the measures taken.

Article RC 210

Adjustment of outstanding debts arising from the settlement of

accounts through the International Bureau clearing

system

1 Debts payable as a result of settlement of accounts

through the Interna­tional Bureau clearing system by any

designated operator which are overdue may be adjusted against

credits due to the debtor designated operator from any other

designated operator. Before undertaking such a step, the

International Bureau shall consult the creditor designated

operator concerned and send a reminder to the defaulting debtor.

If no payment is made within a period of one month from the date

of this reminder, the International Bureau is competent to

unilaterally make the necessary accounting adjustments after

informing all the parties concerned. The consent of the

defaulting debtor is not necessary.

2 When making these accounting adjustments, the

International Bureau will only offset accounts that have been

accepted by both the defaulting debtor and the designated

operator owing money to the defaulting debtor.

3 The defaulting debtor will have no claim against the

designated operator owing money to it for any credits attributed

by the International Bureau to the creditor in accordance with

the procedure described in paragraph 1.

Article RC 211

Payment of debts expressed in SDRs. General provisions

1 The rules for payment set out below shall apply to all

debts arising out of a postal transaction and expressed in SDRs.

These debts may result from general accounts or statements drawn

up by the International Bureau or from liquidation accounts or

statements not drawn up by the Bureau. The said rules shall also

relate to the settlement of discrepancies, of interest or, where

applicable, of payments on account.

2 Any designated operator may discharge its liabilities

by payments on account, from which its debts shall be deducted

when these have been established.

3 Provided the periods for payment are observed, any

designated operator may settle postal debts expressed in SDRs by

offsetting credits or debits in its relations with another

designated operator. The offsetting may be extended by mutual

agreement to debts arising from telecommunications services when

both designated operators operate postal and telecommunications

services. Offsetting may not be effected with debts in respect of

transactions contracted out to an organization or company under

the control of a designated operator if that designated operator

objects.

4 The inclusion of an airmail account in a general

account containing different debts shall not result in delaying

the payment of the air conveyance dues owed to the airline

concerned.

Article RC 212

Rules for payment of accounts not settled through the

International Bureau

1 Debts shall be paid in the currency selected by the

creditor designated operator after consultation with the debtor

designated operator. If there is disagreement, the choice of the

creditor designated operator shall prevail in all cases.If the

creditor designated operator does not specify a currency, the

choice shall rest with the debtor designated operator.

2 The amount of the payment, as determined in the

selected currency, shall be equivalent in value to the balance of

the account expressed in SDRs.

3 Subject to the provisions set out under 4, the amount

to be paid in the selected currency shall be determined by

converting the SDR into currencies of payment in accordance with

the following provisions:

3.1 In the case of currencies for which the SDR exchange

rate is published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the

exchange rate in force on the day prior to payment or the most

recent rate published shall be used.

3.2 In the case of other currencies of payment, as a

first stage, the amount in SDRs shall be converted into an

intermediate currency for which the value is published daily by

the IMF in terms of the SDR, using the most recent exchange rate

published. As a second stage, the result thus obtained shall be

converted into the currency of payment, applying the latest rate

of exchange quoted on the exchange market of the debtor member

country.

4 If, by mutual agreement, the creditor designated

operator and the debtor designated operator have chosen the

currency of a country which is not a member of the IMF and whose

laws do not permit the application of the provisions set out

under 3, the designated operators concerned shall agree on the

relationship between the SDR and the value of the selected

currency.

5 For the purpose of determining the equivalent of a

currency, the rate referred to shall be the closing rate for

currency which can be used in the majority of merchandise trade

transactions on the offcial foreign exchange market.

6 The debtor designated operator shall pay, on the date

of payment, the amount of the selected currency by postal giro or

any other means acceptable to both designated

operators.

7 Creditor designated operators shall publish, by means

of a circular issued by the International Bureau, any changes to

addresses to which cheques or wire transfers are to be

sent.

8 The payment charges (fees, clearing charges, deposits,

commission, etc) collected in the debtor country shall be borne

by the debtor designated operator. The charges collected in the

creditor country, including payment charges collected by banks in

intermediate countries, shall be borne by the creditor designated

operator. When the postal giro transfer system, with exemption

from charges, is used, exemption shall also be granted by the

office of exchange in the third country or countries acting as

intermediary between the debtor designated operator and the

creditor designated operator when there are no direct exchanges

between these.

9 If, between the dispatch of the transfer order or the

remittance by other means and its receipt by the creditor

designated operator, a variation occurs in the equivalent value

of the selected currency calculated as described under 3, 4 or 5,

and if the difference resulting from such variation exceeds 5% of

the amount due (as calculated following such variation), the

total difference shall be shared equally between the two

designated operators.

10 Payment shall be made as quickly as possible and at

the latest within six weeks from the date of acceptance or of

notification of official acceptance for liquidation accounts and

accounts indicating the amounts or balances to be settled. After

that period the amounts due shall be chargeable with interest at

the rate of 6% per annum reckoned from the day following the day

of expiry of the said period. By payment is meant the dispatch of

funds or of the instrument of payment (cheque, draft, etc) or the

signing of the order for transfer or deposit by the organization

responsible for the transfer in the debtor member

country.

11 When payment is made, the document of transfer

(cheque, draft, etc), shall be accompanied by particulars of the

title, period and amount in SDRs, conversion rate used and

applicable date of such rate for each amount included in the

total sum remitted. If it is not possible for details to

accompany the transfer or remittance, an explanatory letter shall

be provided by electronic means or else by mail and by the

fastest route (air or surface) on the day that the payment is

made. The detailed explanation shall be in French or in a

language understood in the designated operator to which payment

is made.

Chapter 11

Miscellaneous provisions

Article RC 213

Information to be supplied by designated operators

1 Designated operators shall communicate to the

International Bureau, on the forms sent by the latter, the

necessary information concerning the operation of the postal

parcels service. This information shall cover the decisions taken

on the optional application of certain general provisions of the

Convention and of its Regulations.

2 Each designated operator shall notify the other

designated operators, through the intermediary of the

International Bureau, of:

2.1 the inward rates and, where appropriate, the transit

land rates and sea rates which it collects;

2.2 relevant information concerning the optional

services, conditions of acceptance, limits of weights, limits of

sizes and other special features.

3 Any

amendment to the information mentioned in 1 and 2 shall be

notified without delay by the same means.

Article RC 214

International Bureau publications

1 The International Bureau shall publish, on the basis

of information supplied by the member countries and/or designated

operators an official compendium of information of general

interest relating to the implementation of the Convention and its

Regulations in each member country. It shall also publish similar

compendia relating to the implementation of the Postal Payment

Services Agreement and its Regulations, on the basis of the

information supplied by the member countries and/or designated

operators concerned in accordance with the relative provisions in

the Regulations of that Agreement.

2 It shall also publish, from information supplied by

designated operators and, if appropriate, by the Restricted

Unions as regards 2.1, or the United Nations as regards

2.5:

2.1 a list of addresses, heads and senior officials of

member countries and designated operators and Restricted

Unions;

2.2 an international list of post offices;

2.3 a compendium of transit information

comprising:

2.3.1 a list of kilometric distances relating to land

sectors of mails in transit;

2.3.2 a list of transit services provided for surface

mail (including S.A.L. mail);

2.4 a list of equivalents;

2.5 a list of prohibited articles which shall also

include narcotics prohibited under the multilateral treaties on

narcotics and the definitions of dangerous goods prohibited from

conveyance by post drawn up by the International Civil Aviation

Organization;

2.6 a compendium of designated operators' internal

charges;

2.7 statistical data relating to the postal services

(internal and international);

2.8 studies, opinions, reports and other statements

relating to the postal service;

2.9 the following three catalogues:

2.9.1 International Bureau library catalogue (listing

the works acquired by the library);

2.9.2 International Bureau periodicals catalogue

(listing the periodicals received at the International

Bureau);

2.9.3 International Bureau film library catalogue

(listing the films available for loan by the International Bureau

to member countries and designated operators);

2.10 a catalogue of postal equipment;

2.11 a liste générale des services aéropostaux (known as

"Liste CN 68") (General List of Airmail Services or CN

68 List), which shall be updated annually. Designated operators

shall communicate updates to the International Bureau by 1

October of a given year, and the International Bureau shall

publish the updated CN 68 before the end of that year. Changes

shall come into effect on 1 January of the following year;

2.12 a liste des distances aéropostales

(List of Airmail Distances) drawn up in collaboration with the

air carriers.

3 It shall

also publish:

3.1 the Manuals of the Convention and of the Postal

Payment Services Agree­ment;

3.2 the other Acts of the UPU annotated by the

International Bureau;

3.3 the Multilingual Vocabulary of the International

Postal Service.

4 Amendments to the various publications listed under 1

to 3 shall be notified by circular, bulletin, supplement or other

appropriate means. However, any amendments to the publications

listed under 2.11 and 2.12 and the date on which the amendments

take effect shall be notified to member countries and designated

operators by the quickest means (air or surface), with the

minimum of delay and in the most appropriate form.

5 The publications published by the International Bureau

shall be distributed to designated operators in accordance with

the following rules.

5.1 All publications, excepting the one specified under

5.2, shall be distributed in three copies, one of which shall be

in the official language. The other two shall be supplied either

in the official language or in the language requested in

accordance with article 110 of the General

Regulations.

5.2 The periodical Union Postale shall be distributed in

proportion to the number of contribution units assigned to each

member country and designated operator under article 130 of the

General Regulations.

5.3 Over and above the number of copies distributed free

of charge by virtue of the rules set out under 5.1, member

countries and designated operators may purchase International

Bureau publications at cost price.

6 Publications

published by the International Bureau shall also be sent to the

Restricted Unions.

Article RC 215

Telegraphic addresses

1 For

telegraphic communications exchanged between one another,

designated operators shall use the following telegraphic

addresses:

1.1 "Postgen" for telegrams intended for

central administrations;

1.2 "Postbur" for telegrams intended for post

offices;

1.3 "Postex" for telegrams intended for

offices of exchange.

2 These telegraphic addresses shall be followed by the

indication of the place of destination and, where appropriate,

any other details considered necessary.

3 The telegraphic address of the International Bureau

shall be "UPU Berne".

4 The telegraphic addresses indicated under 1 and 3,

completed as necessary by the indication of the dispatching

office, shall also serve as the signature to telegraphic

communications.

Article RC 216

Period of retention of documents

1 Documents of the international service shall be kept

for a minimum period of 18 months from the day following the date

to which they refer. However, if the documents are reproduced on

microfilm, microfiche or similar medium, they may be destroyed as

soon as it is established that the reproduction is

satisfactory.

2 Documents concerning a dispute or inquiry shall be

kept until the matter has been settled. If the initiating

designated operator, being duly informed of the result of the

inquiry, allows six months to pass from the date of the

communication without raising any objections, the matter shall be

regarded as closed.

Article RC 217

Forms

1 The forms

shall conform to the annexed specimens.

2 The texts, colours and dimensions of forms as well as

other characteristics such as the position reserved for entering

the barcode shall be those prescribed in these Regulations.

Wherever an office of exchange needs to be specified on a postal

form, the rules as set out in article RC 161.16 shall

apply.

3 Forms for the use of the public shall bear an

interlinear translation in French when they are not printed in

that language.

4 Forms for the use of designated operators in their

relations with one another shall be drawn up in French with or

without interlinear translation, unless the desig­nated operators

concerned arrange otherwise by direct agreement.

5 Forms as well as any copies thereof shall be completed

in such a way that the entries are fully legible. The original

form shall be sent to the appropriate designated operator or to

the party most concerned.

6 The following forms shall be considered as forms for

the use of the public:

CN 07

(Advice of receipt/of delivery/of payment/of entry);

CN 08

(Inquiry);

CN 11

(Franking note);

CN 17

(Request for withdrawal from the post, alteration or correction

of address, cancellation or alteration of the COD

amount);

CN 23

(Customs declaration);

CN 29

(COD label);

CN 29ter (International

COD coupon);

CN 30 (R

label combined with the name of office of origin, the number of

the item and the triangle with word "Remboursement"

(Cash-on-delivery);

CP

71

(Dispatch note);

CP

72

(manifold set) (Dispatch note/Customs declaration);

CP

95 ("COD"

label).

Article RC 218

Application of standards

1 The execution of some Regulations may involve the

application of certain standards. Member countries and designated

operators should refer to the relevant UPU standards

publications, which contain the standards approved by the

UPU.

2 Except where the application of a UPU standard is

explicitly required by a reference to it in the Regulations, the

application of UPU standards shall be voluntary. Nevertheless,

member countries and designated operators are advised to adhere

to the standards that are relevant to their domestic and

international operations in order to enhance processing

efficiency and the interoperability of their systems and

processes with other member countries and designated

operators.

3 A UPU standard should be adopted in its entirety.

Member countries and designated operators shall ensure that their

use of a UPU standard is fully compliant with the requirements

specified therein. They may deviate from recommendations only to

the extent permitted by the standard concerned.

Chapter 12

Transitional and final provisions

Article RC 219

Entry into force and duration of the Regulations

1 These Regulations shall come into force on the day on

which the Convention comes into operation.

2 They shall have the same duration as that Convention,

unless otherwise decided by the Postal Operations

Council.

Done at Berne, 11 November 2008.

Final Protocol to the Parcel Post

Regulations

At the moment of proceeding to approval of the Parcel

Post Regulations, the Postal Operations Council has agreed the

following:

Article RC I

Provision of the postal parcels service

1 Australia, Latvia and Norway reserve the right to

provide the postal parcels service either as laid down in the

Convention or, in the case of outward parcels and after bilateral

agreement, by any other means which is more favourable to their

customers.

Article RC II

Special conditions relating to limits of weights for

parcels

1 Notwithstanding article RC 114, Canada shall be

authorized to limit to 30 kilogrammes the maximum weight of

inward and outward parcels.

Article RC III

Delivery procedure

1 Notwithstanding article RC 125.7.1.1, the designated

operators of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are authorized not

to obtain a signature of acceptance or some other form of

evidence of receipt from the recipient when delivering or handing

over an insured parcel without a barcode that meets all

applicable UPU standards.

2 Notwithstanding article RC 116.2, the designated

operators of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are authorized not

to obtain a signature of acceptance or some other form of

evidence of receipt from the recipient when delivering or handing

over an ordinary parcel without a barcode that meets all

applicable UPU standards.

Article RC IV

Maximum limits for insured items