Hi, The REVISED FOREIGN SURFACE POSTAGE RATES APPLICABLE TO ALL FOREIGN COUNTRIES as given on their site still shows it as exempt from postage; though the revision date is not mentioned. Check http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Foreign_Postage_Rates.htm.
The Postal guide which was shared on AccessIndia sometime ago was not by us, but as a reply to our query, Vikas Kapoor shared the link. It was part 1 of the postal guide. Part 1 of the Postal guide deals with Inland post, and part 2 deals with foreign post. Part 1 is available for download from their website in pdf format, but apparently part 2 is not there. Jean, try to quote the above link if you can talk to some higher official. May be take a print of the same to show it to them. Let us know if this helps, regards, Pranay Gadodia | Programme Manager Project Eyeway - A knowledge resource for living a fuller life with vision loss C/o Score Foundation, 17/107, Basement, Vikram Vihar, Lajpatnagar 4, New Delhi 110024, INDIA. Helpdesk:+91 - 11 - 460 70 380 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm) Office Phone: +91 - 11 - 26472582/81 Email: [email protected] Website: www.eyeway.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean Parker" <[email protected]> To: "BHAWANI SHANKAR VERMA" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 8:14 AM Subject: Re: [AI] problem sending free matter again Bhawani: Thanks very much for the info. The most recent postal "official" claimed there was no more surface mail and therefore, the package could not be sent. Does anyone know anything about this claim? Many thanks for all help, Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "BHAWANI SHANKAR VERMA" <[email protected]> To: "Jean Parker" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 7:16 PM Subject: Re: [AI] problem sending free matter again > it is still continued. here is the rule: > > Concession on Postage for blind literature > Blind Literature packets are exempted from payment of postage (both inland > and foreign) if sent by surface post. Air-mail charges are to be paid if > packets are sent by air. According to the Rule 129 of the Post Office > Guide, besides being exempted from the payment of postage, ' Blind > Literature' packets are exempted from payment of > (I) Registration fee > (II) Fee for acknowledgement and > (III) Fee for attested copy of the receipt. > > Rule 130 of the Post Office Guide defines the Contents and Conditions of > posting of Blind Literature. According to this rule: Papers of any kind, > periodicals and books printed in Braille or other special type for the use > of the blind may be transmitted by post as 'Blind Literature' packets > provided that they are posted in accordance with the below mentioned > conditions. Plates bearing the characters of writing, sound records for > the use of the blind, and discs, films, tapes and wires on which spoken > message for the blind have been recorded, when sent by, or addressed to, > an officially recognised institution for the blind, shall also be treated > as 'Blind Literature'. > (a) The packets shall consist only of articles specially impressed for the > use of the blind, and shall not contain any communication either in > writing or printed in ordinary type, except the title and table of > contents of the book or periodical and any key to, or instruction for, the > use of special type, or any enclosure except a level for the return of the > packet. > (b) The packet shall bear on the outside the inscription 'Literature for > the Blind' and the written or printed name and address of the sender. > (c) The packet shall be posted without a cover, or in a cover open at both > ends, which can easily be removed for the purpose of examination. > (d) No 'Blind Literature' packet may weigh more than 7 kg. > (e) 'Blind Literature' packets are subject to the same limits of > dimensions as printed papers. > > Rule 131 of the of the Post Office Guide defines the penalty for breach of > condition: > Should any of the conditions mentioned above be infringed, the packet > (unless it is admissible as an ordinary packet) will be charged on > delivery with letter or parcel postage, whichever may be less. The penalty > for breach of the conditions in respect of foreign postage is specified > under rule 307 of the of the Post Office Guide. It states that: > 'Blind Literature' packets which contain any note or document having the > character of actual and personal correspondence, or packets that do not > allow easy examination of the contents, or which contain postage stamps, > form of pre payment whether obliterated or not or paper representing any > value, or which infringe any of the foregoing conditions will not be > forwarded, but will be returned to the sender and will be charged in on > delivery with letter or parcel postage at the internal postage rate > whichever is applicable. If the sender wishes to report the article after > complying with the necessary conditions, he may do so. It is permissible > in such cases to use the original wrapper, but the use of a fresh wrapper > is preferable and is recommended. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jean Parker" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 9:40 PM > Subject: [AI] problem sending free matter again > > >> Colleagues: >> Several weeks ago I wrote to this list to inquire whether India's free >> matter for the blind rules had been changed. I had attempted to send a >> package containing Braille and recorded material to the US from India. I >> had tried at both the Kondhwa post office in Pune as well as from the >> Pune GPO. At that time I was told the free matter rule had been revoked. >> Earlier this week, a friend attempted to send the box from the Pune GPO >> and was told by someone claiming authority in such things, that the free >> matter policy had been revoked for five years. How then is it possible >> for those of us who receive talking books from the US to continue sending >> them back and forth to the US with no interference if the rules have been >> changed? >> >> In my original posting, I asked if someone could provide the actual >> government circular containing the free matter provision so I may show it >> to the postal authorities in Pune and instruct them in their own rules >> and policies. The only response I received was an informal one from >> someone who said they regularly receive materials at home under the free >> matter provision. >> >> Clearly, the Pune postal authorities are unequipped to read and interpret >> their own rules so someone else must do it for them. I am asking once >> again for either the actual publications where these rules are outlined >> or, at the very least, a web site where I may download them myself. >> Kanchan, Rajesh, someone from NAB? Someone else entirely? Where can the >> rules be obtained? And, how can I report this matter to the real >> authorities for resolution? >> >> Many thanks for all efforts, >> Jean >> >> >> Search for old postings at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to >> [email protected] >> with the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please visit the list home page at >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> > Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. 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