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Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Schemes

The overseas Schemes have been split into Letter and Parcel version from the start. While not as badly affected as the Schemes for letters, the parcel Schemes have their share of mistakes. See the notes in the table.


Date Scheme Preamble
1969
(1 Oct)

Post Office (British Commonwealth and Foreign Parcel Post) Amendment (No.1) Scheme 1969 (link)

none

1971
(15 Feb)

Post Office (British Commonwealth and Foreign Parcel Post) Amendment (No.2) Scheme 1971 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 15th February 1971, makes provision for the changeover to decimal currency, with certain consequential adjustments. The maximum amount of the trade charge which may be collected on delivery of a cash on delivery parcel is increased from £40 to £50.

1971
(1 Jul)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971 (link)

The Scheme which follows this note will come into operation on 1st July 1971, and will replace:

(a) the British Commonwealth and Foreign Parcel Post Regulations 1965 (S.I. 1965 No. 1734) (and the regulations amending them) which by virtue of paragraph 3 (1) of Schedule 9 to the Post Office Act 1969 have effect as if they were provisions of a scheme made under section 28 of that Act; and

(b) the Post Office (British Commonwealth and Foreign Parcel Post) Amendment (No. 1) Scheme 1969 and the Post Office (British Commonwealth and Foreign Parcel Post) Amendment (No. 2) Scheme 1971 (Post Office Scheme P3/1971) which amended those regulations.

The new Scheme consolidates the provisions of the above regulations and schemes with amendments, including amendments giving effect to new provisions of the Universal Postal Union. Charges for services are changed in accordance with those provisions. The principal changes are:

1. The limit of overall size of parcels (i.e. combined length and girth) is raised to 6 feet 7 inches.

2. A new service is introduced for parcels in bond, whereby an incoming parcel may be transferred from one customs depot to another at the request of the addressee.

3. A fee will be charged for storing a parcel in bond (to await customs clearance or readdressing) for any period.

4. Postage rates generally are increased and certain weight steps altered.

1972
(1 Mar)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 1972 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on the 1st March 1972, makes provisions whereby postage stamps in denominations of pre-decimal currency and certain old issues of stamps in denominations of £1 may no longer be used for denoting payment of postage and other postal fees.

1972
(1 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.2) Scheme 1972 (link)

The Scheme which follows this note is made under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 and will come into operation on 1st April 1972, when new air parcel services to the Faroe Islands and to the Yemen (Arab Republic) will be introduced. The Scheme amends the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971 by adding to Schedule 1, which sets out the rates of postage on air parcels, the rates applicable to the new services.

1972
(1 Oct)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.3) Scheme 1972 (link)

Notice is hereby given that the Scheme which follows this note is made under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 and will come into operation on 1st October 1972 when surface parcel services to each country of the United Arab Emirates will be established. The Scheme amends the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971 by making certain alterations to Schedule 1, which sets out the rates of postage on all parcels. Additionally the Scheme provides for the renaming of Ceylon as Sri Lanka, the provision of the parcel service to Bangladesh, the extension of the parcel service to all places in the British Indian Ocean Territory, the withdrawal of the surface parcel service to Madeira via Malta, and the application of the Inland Post Scheme to the Overseas Scheme.

1973
(5 Jul)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.4) Scheme 1973 (link)

The Scheme, which amends the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971, redefines the British postal area so as to exclude the Isle of Man from that definition.

1973
(10 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.5) Scheme 1973 (link)

The Scheme amends the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971 by making amendments to Schedule 1, which sets out the rates of postage on all parcels, and by modifying the conditions concerning postal parcels in bond awaiting Customs clearance.

1974
(24 Jun)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.6) Scheme 1974 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes dnto operation on 24th June 1974 provides for postage rates generally to be revised.

1974
(8 Jul)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.6A) Scheme 1974 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 8th July 1974, provides for postage rates generally to be revised. It revokes the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 6) Scheme 1974 (Post Office Scheme P3/1974) which was made on 23rd May 1974.

1974
(2 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.7) Scheme 1974 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 2nd September 1974, provides for rates of postage to be fixed for parcels over the weight limit of 22lbs and for payment of compensation.

1974
(7 Oct)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.8) Scheme 1974 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 7th October 1974, provides for postage rates for surface parcels to certain overseas destinations to be increased.

1975
(17 Mar)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.9) Scheme 1975 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 17th March 1975, provides for postal charges generally to be revised, and for the conditions concerning parcels in bond awaiting Customs clearance to be modified.

1975
(29 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.10) Scheme 1975 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 29th September 1975, revises postal charges generally and substitutes for imperial units of measurement their approximate metric equivalents.

1976
(5 Jan)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.11) Scheme 1976 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 5th January 1976, gives effect to new provisions of the Postal Parcels Agreement signed at Lausanne on 5th July 1974, amends certain country names and the maximum compensation limits for uninsured parcels.

1976
(26 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.12) Scheme 1976 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 26th April 1976, revises the postage charges for surface and air parcels set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1.

1976
(7 Jun)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.13) Scheme 1976 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 7th June 1976, revises the postage charges for surface parcels sent to Forces personnel.

1977
(13 Jun)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.14) Scheme 1977 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 13th June 1977, revises postal charges generally, and provides for a new fee for parcels posted under the "delivery free of charges" service.

1977
(3 Oct)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1977 (link)

The Scheme which follows this note has been made under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 and will come into operation on 3rd October 1977, when it will replace:

(a) the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1971 (Post Office Scheme P8/1971), and

(b) the following schemes which amended that Scheme, that is to say, the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 1) Scheme 1972 (Post Office Scheme P3/1972), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 2) Scheme 1972 (Post Office Scheme P5/1972), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 3) Scheme 1972 (Post Office Scheme P9/1972), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 4) Scheme 1973 (Post Office Scheme P3/1973), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 5) Scheme 1973 (Post Office Scheme P7/1973), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 6A) Scheme 1974 (Post Office Scheme P3A/1974), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 7) Scheme 1974 (Post Office Scheme P7/1974), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 8) Scheme 1974 (Post Office Scheme P8/1974), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 9) Scheme 1975 (Post Office Scheme P3/1975), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 10) Scheme 1975 (Post Office Scheme P12/1975), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 11) Scheme 1975 (Post Office Scheme P16/1975), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 12) Scheme 1976 (Post Office Scheme P3/1976), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 13) Scheme 1976 (Post Office Scheme P5/1976) and the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 14) Scheme 1977 (Post Office Scheme P3/1977).

The new Scheme consolidates the provisions of the above mentioned schemes, with amendments.

1979
(7 Jun)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 1979 (link)

The amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 7th June, 1979, amends the provisions for payment of compensation and introduces a procedure for claims for compensation for loss or damage occurring in the post which cannot readily be resolved, to be submitted to an independent complaints panel for consideration.

1979
(20 Aug)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.2) Scheme 1979 (link)

The Amending Scheme which comes into operation on 20th August 1979, revises postal charges generally and introduces a provision under which parcels upon which no part or a part only of the postage payable has been prepaid, may be returned to sender an order that the postage deficiency be made good.

1980
(4 Feb)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.3) Scheme 1980 (link)

The Amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 4th February 1980 revises postal charges generally and certain fees for ancillary services.

1980
(29 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.4) Scheme 1980 (link)

The Amending Scheme, which comes into operation on 29th September 1980, revises the conditions relating to the despatch of air parcels to European destinations.

1981
(26 Jan)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.5) Scheme 1981 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 26th January 1981, revises postal charges generally and deletes the provision prohibiting transmission, through the post of coin or gold bullion exceeding £200 in value.

1981
(1 Jul)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.6) Scheme 1981 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 1st July 1981, revises fees for certain ancillary services.

1981
(20 Jul)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.7) Scheme 1981 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on the 20th July 1981, revises certain air parcel postage charges.

1981
(1 Oct)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.8) Scheme 1981 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 1st October 1981, contains details of a procedure for claims for compensation for loss or damage occurring in the post which cannot readily be resolved, to be submitted to an independent complaints panel for consideration.

1982
(1 Feb)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1982 (link)

The Scheme which follows this note has been made under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 and will come into operation on 1st February 1982 when it will replace:

(a) The Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1977 (Post Office Scheme P6/1977) and

(b) the following schemes which amended that Scheme, that is to say, the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 1) Scheme 1979 (Post Office Scheme P3/1979), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 2) Scheme 1979 (Post Office Scheme P6/ 1979), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 3) Scheme 1980 (Post Office Scheme P3/1980), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 4) Scheme 1980 (Post Office Scheme P8/1980), the Post Office Parcel Post Amendment (No. 5) Scheme 1981 (Post Office Scheme P3/1981), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 6) Scheme 1981 (Post Office Scheme P8/1981), the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 7) Scheme 1981 (Post Office Scheme P9/1981) and the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No. 8) Scheme 1981 (Post Office Scheme P16/1981).

The new Scheme consolidates the provisions of the above mentioned schemes, with amendments; revises surface parcel postage charges generally, revises certain fees for ancilliary services and introduces a provision under which addressees of incoming parcels may request that despatch notes relating to such parcels may be delivered to them upon payment of a prescribed fee.

1983
(5 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 1983 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 5th April 1983, revises certain fees for ancillary services, extends to incoming parcels the provisions of paragraph 23(4) of the Post Office Inland Post Scheme 1979 relating to the obtaining of a receipt on the delivery of a parcel and makes sundry minor alterations to conditions, procedures and text.

1984
(3 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.2) Scheme 1984 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 3rd September 1984, revises certain postal charges and certain fees for ancillary services and makes sundry minor alterations to the text.

1985
(2 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.3) Scheme 1985 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 2nd September 1985, revises HM Forces surface parcel postage rates.

1985
(4 Nov)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.4) Scheme 1985 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 4th November 1985, revises parcel postage rates generally, and fees for Cash on Delivery parcels.

1986
(2 Jan)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.5) Scheme 1985 (link)

The Scheme, which comes: into operation on 2nd January 1986, revises the levels orf compensation for insured parcels, and uninsured parcels, and raises the maximum limit for cash on delivery trade charges.

1986
(1 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.6) Scheme 1986 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 1st September 1986, revises HM Forces surface parcel postage rates and the maximum level of compensation for insured parcels sent through a British Forces Post Office or to a ship of the Royal Navy.

1986
(20 Oct)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.7) Scheme 1986 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 20th October 1986, revises fees for certain ancillary services and adds the name of the Republic of Ireland, together with appropriate rates of postage, to the list of overseas countries or places of destination to which the Post Office operates an overseas parcel service.

1987
(2 Mar)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.8) Scheme 1987 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 2nd March 1987, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries, and certain other fees, and amends the definition of an "air parcel".

1987
(7 Sep)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.9) Scheme 1987 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 7th September 1987, revises the charges applicable to certain outgoing parcels.

1988
(5 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.10) Scheme 1988 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 5th April 1988, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1989
(3 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.11) Scheme 1989 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 3rd April 1989, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1990
(2 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.12) Scheme 1990 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 2nd April 1990, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1991
(2 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.13) Scheme 1991 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into operation on 2nd April 1991, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees, increases compensation levels and withdraws the outward insured parcel service.

1992
(6 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.14) Scheme 1992 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 6th April 1992, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1993
(6 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.15) Scheme 1993 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 5th April 1993, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees. The Express and Delivery Free of Charges facilities are ceased. Services to the Channel Islands, which now becomes an International destination, are now provided under this Scheme.

1994
(4 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.16) Scheme 1994 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 4th April 1994, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1995
(3 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.17) Scheme 1995 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 3rd April 1995, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1996
(15 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.18) Scheme 1996 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 15th April 1996, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1997
(7 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.19) Scheme 1997 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 7th April 1997, revises the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1998
(6 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.20) Scheme 1998 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 6th April 1998, revised the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and certain other fees.

1999
(26 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.21) Scheme 1999 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 26th April 1999 revised the charges applicable to parcels to all countries and makes certain changes relating to compensation.

2000
(27 Apr)

Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.22) Scheme 2000 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into effect on 27 April 2000, makes certain amendments consequential to the Post Office Inland Letter Post Scheme 1999 (IL1/2000) and the Post Office Scheme for Franking Letters and Parcels 1999 (Fl/2000), and revises certain postage charges to international destinations.

2001
(2 Jul)

Consignia plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 2001 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 2nd July 2001 revises certain postal charges.

2001
(9 Jul)

Consignia plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.2) Scheme 2001 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 9 July 2001 introduces the Local Collect service.

2002
(2 Jan)

Consignia plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.3) Scheme 2002 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 2nd January 2002 amends the restrictions upon the contents of parcels and revises certain postal charges.

2002
(2 Apr)

Consignia plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.4) Scheme 2002 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 2 April 2002 revises certain postal charges.

2003
(17 Mar)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.5) Scheme 2003 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 17 March 2003, revises certain postal charges.

2003
(27 Mar)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.6) Scheme 2003 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 27 March 2003, revises certain postal charges.

2004
(8 Jan)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.7) Scheme 2003 (link)

The Scheme, which comes into force on 8 January 2004, revises certain postal charges.

2004
(23 Sep)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.8) Scheme 2004 (link)

The Scheme,which comes into force on 23 September 2004, revises certain postal charges.

2005
(26 Sep)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.9) Scheme 2005 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 26 September 2005, changes certain products and their prices.

2006
(21 Aug)

Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.10) Scheme 2006 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 21 August 2006, changes certain products and their prices.

2007
(23 Jul)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.11) Scheme 2007 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 23rd July 2007, changes certain products and their prices.

2008
(7 Apr)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.12) Scheme 2008 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 7th April 2008, changes certain products and their prices.

2008
(12 Apr)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.13) Scheme 2008 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 12th April 2008, changes certain products and their prices.

2009
(19 Jan)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.14) Scheme 2009 (No.13 in LG) (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 19th January 2009, changes certain products and their prices.

Numbered as No.13 in the Gazette, but treated as No.14 later

2010
(6 Apr)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.15) Scheme 2010 (No.14 in LG) (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 6th April 2010, changes certain products and their prices.

Numbered as No.14 in the Gazette, but treated as No.15 later

2011
(31 Jan)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.16) Scheme 2011 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 31st January 2011, changes certain products and their prices.

2011
(4 Apr)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.17) Scheme 2011 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 4th April 2011, changes certain products and their prices.

2012
(30 Apr)

Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Parcel Post Amendment (No.18) Scheme 2012 (link)

The Amendment Scheme, which comes into force on 30th April 2012, changes certain products and their prices.

2014
(20 Jun)

Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 2001 (link)

(1) The Scheme which follows this note was made under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 on 11 January 1982 and was originally called the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1982. By virtue of article 41 (1) and (2) of The Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2001 (referred to in these notes as Commencement Order No. 4), this Scheme may be cited as the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 2001 and continues in force after 26 March 2001 as if made by the successor postal services company (namely, Royal Mail Group Limited) under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000.

(2) The Scheme came into operation on 1 February 1982 when it replaced:

(a) the Post Office Overseas Parcel Post Scheme 1977 (Post Office Scheme 116/1977) and;

(b)all schemes which amended that scheme.