Sample Packets

(1) The expression “sample packet” in these Regulations means any packet which consists of genuine trade patterns or samples of merchandise without saleable value. (2) The following articles may be transmitted by sample post41 (a) printers’ plates; (b) cut-out patterns sent unaccompanied; (c) keys sent unaccompanied; (d) cut fresh flowers; (e) articles of natural history (such as dried or preserved animals and plants, and geological specimens); and (f) tubes of serum or vaccine and medicines urgently required and difficult to obtain, provided that the said articles, except tubes of serum or vaccine sent in the public interest by laboratories or institutions officially recognised, shall not be sent for a commercial purpose. (3) Samples of merchandise shall be placed in bags, boxes, or envelopes which are unclosed or can be easily opened. (4) Articles of glass, or other fragile materials shall be securely packed in boxes of metal, wood or strong corrugated cardboard so as to prevent any danger to an officer of the Post Office or to correspondence. (5) Liquids, oils and substances which easily liquefy shall be enclosed in hermetically sealed containers. Each container shall be placed in a special box of metal, tough wood or strong corrugated cardboard containing a sufficient quantity of sawdust, cotton wool or spongy material to absorb the liquid should the container break. The lid of the box shall be fixed so that it cannot easily work loose. (6) Fatty substances which do not easily liquefy, such as ointments, soft soaps, resins, and silk worm eggs shall be enclosed in a first covering (box, bag of cloth, parchment, etc.) 42 which is itself placed in a second box of wood, metal, or stout thick leather. (7) Dry colouring powders, such as aniline or blue are only admitted in strong tin boxes, placed in turn in wooden boxes with sawdust between the two containers. Dry non-colouring powders shall be placed in boxes of metal, wood or cardboard, those boxes shall themselves be enclosed in a bag of cloth or parchment. (8) Live bees, leeches and parasites shall be enclosed in boxes so constructed as to avoid any danger. (9) Articles which would be spoiled if packed according to the general rules and samples packed in transparent packing permitting check of their contents, may be admitted in a hermetically sealed packing. The same applies to samples of industrial and vegetable products posted in a packing sealed by the manufacturer or by an examining authority in the country of origin. In these cases, the Postmaster General may require the sender or addressee to assist in the check of the contents, either by opening such items as requested, or in some other manner satisfactory to the Postmaster General. (10) There shall be no writing in or upon any sample packet, or in or upon the cover thereof, except an indication, by hand or by a mechanical process outside or inside the packet (and, in the latter case, on the sample itself or on a special sheet of paper referring to it), of the business name, status, profession, firm and address of the sender and of the addressee, and the date of despatch, the sender’s signature, telephone number, telegraphic address and code, postal cheque or banking account, a manufacturer’s trade mark, a short note referring to the manufacturer and to the person supplying the goods or concerning the person for whom the sample is intended, and serial or registration numbers, prices, and notes representing the essential elements of the price and particulars relative to the weight, measurement and size, or to the quantity to be disposed of, and such as are necessary to determine the origin and 43 character of the goods. The indication “sample” must be marked conspicuously in the top left-hand corner of the address side. (11) Paragraph (9) of regulation 30 shall apply to sample