Post Office

Royal Mail Group Limited

SUCCESSOR POSTAL SERVICES COMPANY OVERSEAS LETTER POST SCHEME 2001

NOTE: [This note is not part of the Scheme]

The amendment to the Scheme that follows this Note is made under Section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 and amends the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001. This amendment to the Scheme, which comes into force on 2nd April 2012, provides notification of minor changes to the terms set out in the Scheme and following Schedules.

ROYAL MAIL GROUP LIMITED. OVERSEAS LETTER POST SCHEME (AMENDMENT NO 20) OLPS 1 / 2012.

Made………………………………………………………30th March 2012

Coming into operation……………………….………..…2nd April 2012

Royal Mail Group Ltd(a) by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by section 89 of the POSTAL SERVICES ACT 2000(b) and of all other powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby makes the following amendments to the Scheme:

Commencement, citation and interpretation

1.  This amendment to the Scheme shall come into operation on 2nd April and may be cited as the Royal Mail Group Ltd Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 2012.

2.  This amendment to the Scheme shall be read as one with the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001(c) (referred to as “the Scheme”) as amended by:

the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.1) 2001,(d)

the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.2) 2001,(e)

the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.3),(f)

the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.4) 2002,(g)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.5) 2002,(h)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.6) 2003,(i)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.7) 2003,(j)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.8) 2003, (k)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.9) 2004,(l)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.10),(m)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.11),(n)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.12),(o)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.13),(p)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.14),(q)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No.15),(r)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No16),(s)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No17),(t)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No18),(u)

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No19),(v), and

the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Scheme Amendment (No 20).(w)

3.  A reference in this Scheme to the Successor Postal Services Company shall be read as a reference to Royal Mail Group Ltd.

Explanatory Notes:

Paragraph (1) shall now refer to this Scheme as being made by what is now Royal Mail under section 28 of the Post Office Act 1969 and was originally called the Post Office Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001.

The reference in Paragraph (2) to Royal Mail Group plc shall be replaced by Royal Mail Group Ltd (formerly called Consignia plc).

The reference in Paragraph (3) to Royal Mail Group plc shall be replaced by Royal Mail Group Ltd.

Additionally the references under part 5 of the Scheme at paragraph 40 and to paragraph 42A shall be deleted.

References throughout the text of parts 1-6 of the Scheme and the Schedules to the Scheme to “the Post Office” shall, where is appropriate, now be made to Royal Mail Group Ltd, Royal Mail Group or Royal Mail.

Schedule 7 shall be entitled: Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs — fees and compensation levels

Part 1 interpretation

The definition of “International Reply Coupon” shall be deleted.

Part 3 General Conditions

Under paragraph 13 new subparagraphs (3) and (4) shall be added:

(3) The payment mark should be placed in the top right hand corner on the front of the cover or envelope of the item (unless Royal Mail directs otherwise) and nothing should obscure the payment mark, nor should the payment mark be attached using staples, sticky tape or other means not approved by Royal Mail.

(4) Inland and international mailings should be segregated and each type of mail separately presented according to service type and format (i.e. letter or printed papers or packet) in bundles of convenient size with addresses the same side up and facing the same way. All bags, trays, containers or other receptacle used to present the mail should be identifiable on the basis of the above categories through the use of appropriately marked and securely fastened tags or labels approved by Royal Mail.

Under paragraph 16 there shall be added at the end of subparagraph (1) the words:

“or in respect of mailings which are sent “on account”.”

Part 5 Postal Services

Under paragraph 32 subparagraph (2), which is provided below, the following shall replace the existing text:

The following rules apply when sending the packets and packs mentioned in sub-paragraph (1):

(a) The packet or pack shall not be addressed to an addressee identified by initials only, or addressed by means of a pencil.

(b) Packets or packs containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, securities or instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles may not be sent as printed packets and:

(i) The sender or an officer of the Post Office shall mark on the label affixed to the packet or incorporated into the pack, the amount for which the packet or pack may potentially be compensated which amount shall not exceed whichever shall be the lowest of the following limits:

(ii) the actual cost of the packet or pack with its contents up to a maximum of the market value or 100 times the price of a first class stamp or:

(iii) the sum of compensation which the sender may have purchased for the service used and which the Post Office may from time to time determine for such packets or packs to particular destinations or

(iv) the sum of £100 should the contents include coins, bank notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer and travellers cheques where such items are permitted to be sent.

(v) compensation for mobile telephones is restricted to 100 times the price of a first class stamp where payment is by stamp or franked mail and in the case of a mailing sent “on account” is restricted to £50 regardless of the number of mobile telephones sent in the item. You cannot buy additional compensation if you are sending mobile telephones.

(c) The packet or pack shall be posted by being delivered to an officer of the Post Office on duty at a post office or delivered to an officer of the Post Office authorised to receive such packets or packs though not on duty at a post office.

(d) There shall be charged and paid for the items mentioned in sub-paragraph 1 the appropriate fees specified in Schedule 7.

(e) On the posting of the packet or pack, the Post Office shall provide the sender the portion of the appropriate service label, bearing a certificate of posting in acknowledgement that the item has been posted.

(f) Additional compensation options cannot be purchased for packets containing mobile telephones. The maximum compensation payable is specified at Paragraph 38.

Under paragraph 37 the following sentence shall be deleted:

“From that date, loss or damage to such items shall be handled in accordance with Royal Mail’s general terms and conditions.”

Under paragraph 37A which is provided below, the following shall replace the existing text:

COMPENSATION FOR AIRSURE PACKETS, AIRSURE PACKS, INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR PACKETS AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR PACKS

(1) The sum payable by way of compensation for an Airsure packet, an Airsure pack, an International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack shall be:

(i)  the actual cost of the item in the packet or pack up to a maximum of the market value or 100 times the value of a 1st Class stamp whichever is the lowest, or the compensation level payable for the service used, in the event that the postage paid was by means of a stamp or by franking mark; or

(ii)  the actual cost of the item in the packet or pack up to a maximum of the market value or £50, whichever is the lowest, or the compensation level payable for the service used, in the event of the sender holding an account or credit agreement with Royal Mail (and under which the item has been sent).

(1a) The maximum amount of compensation which the Post Office will pay in respect of coins, bank notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer and travellers cheques is limited to £100.

(1b) The maximum amount of compensation payable where payment is by stamp or franked mark in respect of lost or damaged mobile telephones shall not exceed 100 times the cost of a first class stamp per postal packet, parcel (or any other posting of any description), regardless of the number of mobile telephones in it. Where a mailing is sent “on account” the compensation will be restricted to £50. Additional compensation cannot be purchased when sending mobile telephones.

(2) Where the Post office pays compensation in respect of an Airsure packet, an Airsure pack, an International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack in accordance with the foregoing sub-paragraphs, it may additionally pay an amount equivalent to the amount of postage and the product fee paid by the sender of the packet or pack.

(3)No compensation may be paid in respect of any Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack or its contents unless the Post Office is satisfied that the conditions set out in paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Schedule 12 of the Scheme have been complied with in the case of that packet or pack.

(4) No compensation may be paid in respect of any Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack or its contents if the letter has been destroyed or otherwise dealt with or disposed of by the Post Office pursuant to section 8 (3) of the Act or sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 18 of the Scheme or by another Postal Administration under a provision of the law of the country or place of that Postal Administration.

(5)No compensation may be paid in respect of any Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack or its contents if the letter was lost, damaged or destroyed in circumstances beyond the control of the Postal Administration in whose service the loss, damage or destruction occurred.

(6) No compensation may be paid in respect of any Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack or its contents unless:

(a) a claim for compensation is made by the sender within a period of six months beginning with the date on which the packet or pack was posted.

(b) the appropriate service label, bearing a certificate of posting referred to in paragraph 32A(2)(e) was obtained at the time of posting.

(7) If compensation has been paid to any person in respect of the loss of an Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack, which the sender has purchased for a sum exceeding the real value of the contents and packing and the packet or pack subsequently comes into the possession of the Post Office, then upon the tender of the packet or pack to that person (whether or not he accepts it), he shall repay to the Post Office the sum paid by way of compensation or such part thereof as the Post Office may require.

Under paragraph 38 which is provided below, the following shall replace the existing text:

COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN OTHER POSTAL PACKETS

(1)  Where Royal Mail is satisfied that any article of pecuniary value enclosed in, or forming part of, a postal packet other than an Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet, International Signed For pack or a postal packet consisting of or containing only literature for the blind, has been lost or damaged whilst in the custody of Royal Mail, it may (but subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph) pay such sum as it may think just by way of compensation for such loss or damage to any sender who in its opinion establishes a reasonable claim thereto.

(2) The total amount of compensation which Royal Mail may pay under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any one postal packet and its contents shall be the actual cost of the item up to a maximum of the market value or 100 times the value of an inland first class stamp whichever is the lower, in the event that the postage paid was by means of a stamp or by franked mark without any account or credit agreement being held with Royal Mail.

(2A) the total amount of compensation which Royal Mail may pay under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any one postal packet and its contents in the event that the sender holds an account or credit agreement with Royal Mail (and under which the item has been sent) shall be nil.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the maximum amount of compensation which Royal Mail Group may pay under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any article enclosed in or forming part of a postal packet shall be such sum as, in its opinion, represents:

(a) in a case where Royal Mail Group is satisfied that the article has been lost or rendered valueless whilst in its custody, the market value thereof (excluding the value of any message or communication) at the time of posting;

(b) in any other case, the amount by which such value has been diminished by damage suffered whilst the packet was in its custody.

(4) No compensation may be paid under sub-paragraph (1) for loss of, or damage to, any such article as is described in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 35 of the Scheme.

(5) No compensation may be paid under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any postal packet or its contents unless Royal Mail Group is satisfied that the conditions set out in Schedule 12 hereto have been complied with in the case of that postal packet.

(6) In the case of a postal packet which was redirected under paragraph 41 of the Scheme after delivery at the place to which it was addressed, no compensation may be paid under sub-paragraph (1) for loss of, or damage to, the postal packet, or any of its contents while in the custody of Royal Mail Group, unless the postal packet was so re-directed by being posted anew and full postage was prepaid on such reposting, in which case compensation may be paid subject to and in accordance with this paragraph, for any such loss or damage which Royal Mail Group is satisfied occurred while the postal packet was in its custody after such reposting.

(7) No compensation may be paid under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any postal packet or its contents if the packet has been destroyed or otherwise dealt with or disposed of by Royal Mail Group pursuant to section 8(3) of the Act or sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 18, or paragraph 19, of the Scheme.

(8) No compensation may be paid in respect of any postal packet or its contents unless:

(a) a claim for such compensation is received from the sender within a period of six months beginning with the date on which the packet was posted;

(b) in the case of an outgoing packet, a certificate was obtained on the posting of the packet.

Paragraph 40 which sets out the terms on which International Reply Coupons shall be provided is marked as now deleted.

Paragraph 42A which sets out the terms on which Local Collect shall be provided is marked as now deleted.

The Schedules

Schedule 1 which sets out the rates of postage on airmail letters and postcards other than airmail packets and printed papers shall include an additional “on account” rate which shall be the same as the franking rate specified from time to time.

Schedule 1 shall also include a provision which will read as follows:

“On Account mailings are subject to a minimum annual spend of £5,000 on standard tariff services, invoiced over any 12 month period.”

Schedule 2 which sets out the rates of postage on Airmail printed paper and Airmail small packets to Europe and Rest of the World shall also include an additional “on account” rate which shall be the same as the franking rate specified from time to time.

Schedule 2 shall also include a provision which will read as follows:

“On Account mailings are subject to a minimum annual spend of £5,000 on standard tariff services, invoiced over any 12 month period.”

Schedule 7 which sets out the rates for sending Airsure packets and packs shall include an additional “on account” rate which shall be the same as the franking rate specified from time to time.

Schedule 7 shall also include a provision which will read as follows:

“On Account mailings are subject to a minimum annual spend of £5,000 on standard tariff services, invoiced over any 12 month period.”

Signed by: Helen Lamont for and on behalf of Royal Mail Group Ltd

Date: 30th March 2012

(a) Royal Mail Group Ltd., (a company registered in England and Wales under number 4138203) is the designated universal service provider for postal services pursuant to the Postal Services Act 2011. Royal Mail Group Ltd., is the successor postal services company referred to in article 37(1) of the Postal Service Act 2000. (Commencement No.4 and Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2001 (2001/1148 (C.37)). Royal Mail Group Ltd., was formerly known as Royal Mail Group plc and before that Consignia plc.

(b) 2000 c26

(c) The Post Office Overseas Letter Scheme 2000 was amended, renamed the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001and treated as made under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 by the article 37(1) of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No.4 and Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2001 (2001/1148(C37))

(d) Belfast Gazette, 29 June 2001, issue number 6257

(e) Belfast Gazette, 17 August 2001, issue number 6271

(f) Belfast Gazette, 14 December 2001, issue number 6305

(g) Belfast Gazette, 28 June 2002, issue number 6363

(h) Belfast Gazette, 28 October 2002, issue number 6396

(i) Belfast Gazette, 11 April 2003, issue number 6445

(j) Belfast Gazette, 2 May 2003, issue number 6451

(k) Belfast Gazette, 3 October 2003, issue number 6495

(l) Belfast Gazette, 26 March 2004, issue number 6545

(m) Belfast Gazette, 5 April 2005, issue number 6648

(n) Belfast Gazette, 24th March 2006, issue number 6752

(o) Belfast Gazette, 2nd June 2006, issue number 6770

(p) Belfast Gazette, 28th July 2006, issue number 6788

(q) Belfast Gazette, 16th March 2007, issue number 6854

(r) Belfast Gazette, 28th March 2008, issue number 6964

(s) Belfast Gazette, 27th March 2009, issue number 7070

(t) Belfast Gazette, 2nd April 2010, issue number 7176

(u) Belfast Gazette, 28th January 2011, issue number 7264

(v) Belfast Gazette 1st April 2011 issue number 7283

(w) Belfast Gazette 30th March 2012 issue number 7388