The air mail service between South Africa and Hong Kong has been suspended owing to a lack of capacity on aircraft. The service will be reintroduced as soon as space becomes available.

The mail service to and from China remains in operation.

When sending items to other countries, please make sure that the items will be allowed into the country. The best source of information is the website of the postal administration in the destination country.

New Zealand and Australia, for example, do not allow any items made of wood or straw into the country. This means that a traditional pencil, for example, will be confiscated.

The parcel should be sturdy, the address correct and the receiver’s mobile phone number should appear on the parcel. The post office in the destination country needs it to send the receiver a text message to collect the item.

Customers can easily access the electronic customs declaration form on the Post Office website for quick clearance of parcels. The form is under “tools” on the website www.postoffice.co.za(link is external).

South Africans are entitled to two tax-free gifts from abroad per year, provided the value of each gift is below R1400. More information is on the SARS website at https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/sending-or-receiving-goods-in-the-post/.

Source: Government of South Africa