1.  COMMENCEMENT, REVOCATION AND CITATION

1.1 This Scheme was made under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (as amended by Schedule 12 of the Postal Services Act 2011 which among other provisions inserts a new section 89A detailing the powers of OFCOM in relation to Postal Schemes) and came into operation in October 2011. It revoked and replaced the Successor Postal Services Company Inland Letter Post Scheme 2001 (as amended) and the text set out herein is that Scheme.

1.2 Under section 89 a postal operator may make a Postal Scheme in relation to postal services provided by them. However it is a requirement that a postal operator making a Postal Scheme under section 89 does so in accordance with regulatory obligations which are set out in section 89A.

1.3 The regulatory obligations as set out in section 89A have been met and accordingly this is a new Postal Scheme which shall be known as The Royal Mail Scheme for Inland Letters January 2013 and is referred to in this document as ‘This Scheme’.

2. REVOCATION

The Schemes mentioned in Schedule 14 are hereby revoked.

PART 3

General conditions

11. PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

(1) Save as Royal Mail may either generally or in any particular case allow, there shall not be conveyed or delivered by post any postal packet of a description referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of Section 11(1) of the Act.

(2) Prohibited items

(a) Subject to the powers of Royal Mail under paragraph 18, there shall not be posted or conveyed or delivered by post any postal packet:

(i) containing:

• Any article or substance classified as dangerous goods (other than specified lithium batteries contained in equipment)

• Aerosols;

• Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content greater than 24% ABV;

• Ammunition (excluding lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectile;

• Asbestos;

• Batteries that are classed as dangerous goods by the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), when sent in mail including:

(i) Non-spillable batteries that meet Special Provision A67 (e.g. sealed lead-acid, absorbed glass mat and gel cell batteries); and

(ii) spillable lead acid/lead alkaline batteries (e.g. car batteries), used alkaline and nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium batteries when not sent in equipment and damaged batteries of any type;

• Balloons filled with non flammable gas;

• Biological substances including diagnostic specimens e.g. blood and urine. Biological substance, Category B (UN3373) as classified in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);

• Clinical and medical waste (e.g. contaminated dressings, bandages and needles);

• Controlled drugs and narcotics (such as cannabis, cocaine, and heroin. LSD, opium, and amyl nitrate). Those discovered in transit will be stopped and handed to Customs or the Police who may take legal action against the sender and/or recipient;

• Corrosives (including dyes, acids, corrosive paint and rust removers, caustic soda, mercury and gallium metal);

• Counterfeit currency, bank notes and stamps (including any false instrument, or copy of a false instrument within the meaning of section 5 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981);

• Dry ice (UN1845) when used as a coolant for UN3373 or for other perishable items;

• Electronic items sent with lithium batteries of any kind (including laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, portable DVD players and Sat Nav’s etc) when not installed in the electronic item;

• Environmental waste (including used batteries and used engine oil);

• Explosives (including fireworks, flares, blasting caps, and Christmas cracker snaps);

• Flammable liquids (including petroleum, lighter fluid, certain adhesives, solvent based paints, wood varnish, enamels and acetones including nail varnish removers);

• Flammable solids (including magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc and fire lighters);

• Foreign Lottery tickets;

• Frozen water e.g. packs of ice;

• Gases including flammable, non-flammable, toxic and compressed gases (including gas cylinders for camping stoves, butane, ethane, propane, fire extinguishers and scuba tanks);

• Goods made in foreign prisons, except those imported for a non-commercial purpose, of a kind not manufactured in the United Kingdom, or those in transit;

• Human and animal remains including ashes;

• Obscene publications and unlawful indecent images and pornography, including pornography as detailed in Part 5 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 and indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child as detailed in section 160 and 161 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988;

• Infectious substances and pathogens (UN2814 or UN2900) as classified in the latest Edition of the Technical Instructions for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);

• Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas (including used butane and petrol cigar and cigarette lighters);

• Liquids over 1 litre;

• Live animals and reptiles e.g. snakes, mice and rodents;

• Live creatures, insects and invertebrates classified as dangerous within the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 e.g. venomous spiders;

• Magnetised material with a magnetic field strength of 0.159A/metre or more at a distance of 2.1 metres from the outside of the package e.g. PA systems;

• Matches;

• Medicines and drugs classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including Cytotoxic medicines;

• Nail varnish or polish;

• Oxidising materials or organic peroxides (including disinfectants, nitrates, and hair dyes or colourants containing peroxide);

• Perfumes and aftershaves (including eau de parfum and eau de toilette);

• Perishables (including flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables and frozen or chilled foodstuffs);

• Pesticides (including weed killer and any chemical used to kill pests and insects, including fly sprays);

• Poisons, toxic liquids, solids and gases (including substances that are liable to cause death or injury if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact such as arsenic, beryllium, cyanide, fluorine and rat poison);

• Radioactive material and samples that are classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) such as luminous dials from aircraft;

• Solvent-based paints, wood varnishes and enamels;

• Waste, dirt, filth or refuse (including household waste); and

• Weapons (including CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, taser and stun guns).

(ii) containing or bearing any fictitious stamp (not being a fictitious stamp made with the approval of Royal Mail), or any counterfeit impression authorised by or under this Scheme to be used to denote payment of postage or fees;

(iii) having thereon, or on the cover thereof any words, letters or marks (used without due authority) which signify or imply or may reasonably lead the recipient thereof to believe, that the postal packet is sent on Her Majesty’s service;

(iv) of such a form or colour or so made up for transmission by post as to be likely in the opinion of Royal Mail to embarrass the officers of Royal Mail in dealing with the packet;

(v) having on the outer cover a metal fastener with sharp edges such as might injure any person dealing with the packet or obstruct or impede the performance of any postal operation;

(vi) having anything written, printed or otherwise impressed upon or attached to any part of the postal packet which, either by tending to prevent the easy and quick reading of the address of the packet or by inconvenient proximity to the stamp or stamps used to denote payment of postage or fees or in any other way is in itself or in the manner in which it is written, printed, impressed or attached, likely in the opinion of Royal Mail to embarrass the officers of Royal Mail in dealing with the packet;

(vii) bearing any stamp or denoting payment of postage or fees which is imperfect or mutilated or defaced in any way, or across which anything is written or printed or otherwise impressed; but a stamp shall not be deemed to be imperfect or mutilated or defaced or to have anything written or printed or impressed across it within the meaning of this provision by reason only that it is distinctly perforated with initials by means of a punch if the perforating holes are not larger than those dividing one stamp from another in a sheet of stamps;

(viii) the cover whereof or the part thereof reserved for the address is divided into separate sections for the insertion of successive addresses;

(ix) the cover whereof is entirely transparent or has therein any open panel

Provided that there may be not more than 2 transparent panels in the cover, in which case the following rules shall apply:

(a) where there is one transparent panel in the cover, such panel shall be used solely for the purpose of showing the address of the addressee, subject to such rules as may be prescribed;

(b) where there are 2 transparent panels in the cover, one panel shall be used solely for the purpose of showing the address of the addressee, while the other shall be used for the purpose of advertising, subject to such rules as may be prescribed;

(x) whereon the payment of any postage or fees purports to be denoted by any stamp or franking mark or other impression which has been previously used to denote payment of the postage or fees on any other postal packet (including a parcel);

(xi) consisting of or containing two or more postal packets (of the same or of different descriptions) addressed to different persons who are at different addresses;

(xii) whereon the payment of any postage or fees is denoted by an adhesive stamp or stamps, and where the stamp or stamps have not been securely affixed in such manner as Royal Mail may require;

(xii) of a type referred to in sub-paragraphs (3)(a) and (5)(a) of this paragraph;

(xiv) containing or bearing any franking mark which has been made by franking equipment used otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Post Office Scheme for Franking Letters and Parcels 2000 as amended from time to time or any franking mark which does not in any other respect comply with that Scheme.

(b) Any item which resembles a prohibited item may be subject to additional scrutiny which may cause delays.

(c) Failure to comply with these conditions could result in prosecution resulting in a fine or imprisonment.

(d) Failure to comply with these conditions could affect your ability to claim compensation.

(e) We reserve the right to destroy, dispose of or otherwise deal with any prohibited dangerous goods discovered in the Royal Mail network.

(f) The sender is responsible for checking whether an item is prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any other item banned by law or that in our opinion may be harmful or dangerous to our customers or employees.

(g) Some countries have their own rules regarding restrictions on what they will allow in the post. These rules can vary from country to country, and can sometimes apply to items which you may think are ordinary. You are responsible for checking whether an item is restricted in the relevant country.

Restricted items

(h) There are some items, known as restricted items that we can, for legal or safety reasons, only carry through our postal network provided that you meet certain requirements. These are:

• Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content less than 24% ABV (e.g. wine and champagne): Volume per item should not exceed 1 litre per container. Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from breakage. Mark as “FRAGILE” when sending glass bottles. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Batteries, specifically new and used lithium metal and lithium alloy when sent in equipment (e.g. non-rechargeable): Each cell and battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. Batteries are subject to these tests irrespective of whether the cells of which they are composed have been so tested. Cells and batteries must be manufactured under a quality management programme as specified in the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Cells or batteries that are defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged are prohibited. Any person preparing or offering cells or batteries in equipment for transport must receive adequate instruction on the requirements commensurate with their responsibilities. Each package must contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in equipment. The lithium content of a lithium metal/alloy cell or battery must not be more than 1g per cell or 2g per battery. For lithium ion/polymer cells and batteries, the watt-hour rating must not exceed 20Wh per cell or 100Wh per battery. Cells and batteries must be protected against short circuit. The equipment containing cells or batteries must be packed in strong rigid packaging and must be secured against movement within the outer packaging and packed to prevent accidental activation. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Each package is subject to the maximum weight limits of 2kg (see schedule 6).

• Batteries, specifically new alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd): Must be new and sent unopened in their original retail packaging. Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Christmas crackers: Can only be sent new in their made up form in their original retail packaging. ‘Banger’ must be removed from parcels intended for BFPO. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Currency, bank notes and stamps: Do not write or indicate in any way that cash or coins are enclosed within the package. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Financial instruments (e.g. cheques and postal orders): Do not write or indicate in any way that cheques or postal orders are enclosed within the package.

• Lighters (when new, empty and unused): Must be sent unopened in their original retail packaging. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Live creatures, insects and invertebrates (e.g. bees, caterpillars, and stick insects): Bees, caterpillars, cockroaches, crickets, destroyers of noxious pests, earthworms, fish fry and eggs, leeches and other parasites, lugworms, maggots, mealworms, pupae and chrysalides, rag worms, silkworms, spiders, stick insects and some other insects are allowed. Must be boxed and packaged to protect the creatures, our staff and our customers from harm. Use Airmail as the minimum service. Items must be clearly marked “URGENT - LIVING CREATURES - HANDLE WITH CARE”. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Magnetised materials, other than those that are prohibited (including loud speakers): The magnetised material must have a magnetic field strength of less than 0.159A/m at a distance of 2.1m from the outside of the package. Wrap soft packing material at least 2cm thick around each item. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Prescription medicines and drugs sent for scientific or medical purposes that are not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including asthma inhalers: May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. The medicines must be securely closed and placed in a leak-proof container such as a sealed polythene bag (for liquids) or a siftproof container (for solids). Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to prevent any damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Radioactive material and samples that are not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Technical Instructions (ICAO) e.g. samples of granite rock: Surround with cushioning material e.g. bubble wrap. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

• Sharp objects and instruments (including scissors, kitchen knives and utensils): Wrap heavy cardboard around sharp edges and points, strong enough to ensure that the contents do not pierce the outer packaging. Wrap each item with cushioning material. Place in a suitable outer container such as a padded envelope. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Vaccines that are not classified as dangerous goods in the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): May only be sent by, or at the specific request of, a qualified medical practitioner, registered dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse or a recognised laboratory or institution. Must be tightly packed in strong outer packaging and must be secured or cushioned to contain any leakage and to prevent any damage to the individual items contained within the package. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

Water-based paints, wood stains and enamels: Volume per item should not exceed 150ml. No more than 4 items can be sent in any one package. Wrap in polythene and seal with tape. Surround with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage. The sender’s name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.

(i) Any item which resembles a restricted item may be subject to additional scrutiny which may cause delays.

(j) Failure to comply with these conditions could result in prosecution resulting in a fine or imprisonment.

(j) Failure to comply with these conditions could affect your ability to claim compensation.

(k) We reserve the right to destroy, dispose of or otherwise deal with any restricted dangerous goods discovered in the Royal Mail network that do not meet the terms and conditions of postage.

(l) The sender is responsible for checking whether an item is prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse any other item banned by law or that in our opinion may be harmful or dangerous to our customers or employees or that do not meet the terms and conditions of postage.

(m) Some countries have their own rules regarding restrictions on what they will allow in the post. These rules can vary from country to country, and can sometimes apply to items which you may think are ordinary. You are responsible for checking whether an item is restricted in the relevant country.

(3) (a) This sub-paragraph applies to incoming postal packets addressed to persons at addresses within the British postal area which were posted outside that area by or on behalf of any one person resident or carrying on business in that area, not being packets addressed to that person or to an agent of that person, and having been produced and made ready for sending within the British postal area.

(b) If Royal Mail receives an incoming postal packet(s) to which this sub-paragraph applies, being a packet(s) posted by or on behalf of any one person, all or any of such packets so received within that period may, if Royal Mail so determines be either:

(i) detained and returned to the country or place of origin;

(ii) or (at the discretion of Royal Mail) forwarded charged, in the case of each packet, with such amount of postage as Royal Mail may in the particular case determine (not exceeding the amount of postage which would have been pre-payable thereon if it had been originally posted in the British postal area (singly) as a first class letter plus any surcharge Royal Mail deems appropriate); and if a packet shall be so forwarded, the amount charged and/or surcharged thereon shall be payable on or before the delivery of the packet, and Royal Mail may withhold the packet from delivery until such amounts have been paid.

(c) In this sub-paragraph “person” includes any corporation or unincorporated association of persons or partnership, and “any one person” shall be construed accordingly; and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph a postal packet (by whomsoever and wheresoever made up) shall be deemed to have been posted by or on behalf of a person, corporation, association or partnership if it was posted for the purposes of that person, corporation, association or partnership.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this Scheme there shall not be posted or conveyed or delivered by post any postal packet (other than an Airsure letter or small packet, an International Signed For letter or small packet containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, securities or instruments payable to bearer, travellers cheques, platinum, gold or silver whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels, or other valuable articles.

(5) (a) This sub-paragraph applies to incoming postal packets, addressed to persons at addresses within the British postal area which were posted by or on behalf of any one person resident or carrying on business outside that area in a country other than the country in which he resides or carries on business.

(b) If within any period of 30 days Royal Mail receives more than 50 incoming postal packets to which this sub-paragraph applies, all or any of such packets so received may, at the discretion of Royal Mail, be detained and returned to the country in which they were posted or to the country in which the sender resides or carries on business.

29A. COMPENSATION FOR PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED ITEMS

(1) No compensation may be paid in respect of any letter, parcel or packet or the contents of any letter, parcel or packet if it contains anything the posting of which is prohibited by or under any enactment of this Scheme.

(2) No compensation may be paid in respect of any letter, parcel or packet or the contents of any letter, parcel or packet if it contains any dangerous, hazardous or restricted items where the instructions have not been heeded and/or the terms and conditions of postage have not been met.