Certain articles such as explosive and corrosive liquids must never be flown, but new rules have been agreed with the Civil Aviation Authorities which will allow certain items, previously prohibited, to be sent through the post with effect from Monday (July 15).
The new rules allow customers to post to the UK toiletry and medicinal aerosols, nail varnishes, perfumes and aftershaves as well as alcohol provided they are sent in sufficiently small quantities and packaged in such a way as to pose little risk. Customers may now also send electrical equipment with or containing lithium batteries. The prohibitions and restrictions that apply to mail posted on the Isle of Man are identical to those applied by Royal Mail in the UK.
Whilst the removal of some of the prohibitions also apply to international mail, Isle of Man Post Office warns customers that the restrictions on what you may post abroad tend to be more stringent and customers will need to check on the Isle of Man Post Office website (iompost.com) for full details.
Malcolm MacPherson, Mails Managing Director, Isle of Man Post Office said:
"It is important that everyone posting mail is aware of their responsibilities as a sender. Ultimately it is the sender's responsibility for checking whether the items being sent are prohibited or restricted. From Monday, customers will be guided through the new process when posting a package via the Retail Network. All mail for the UK and beyond is scheduled to be flown from the Island and the counter clerk will ask customers to confirm that their item does not contain items listed as something that should not be flown.
"Of course, we don't want to know what's in the package but we do need to make sure it is safe to fly. We would be grateful for cooperation but if a customer should decline to confirm, the item will be refused and returned to the customer. Similarly if the sender tells us that it does contain dangerous goods in quantities that are too large for the exemption to apply, then the item will have to be refused and we'll give advice on how to repackage it so that it may be flown."
Malcolm continued:
"If the package does contain dangerous goods in sufficiently small quantities that it can be flown, the clerk will also check that the sender's name and address is clearly marked on the outer packaging and apply the appropriate warning labels. Customers should also be aware when sending items abroad that the restrictions vary from country to country. All mail that is flown is like any other cargo, screened by x-ray before it is loaded onto the aircraft. Packages found not to be compliant will be either subject to delay, returned to the sender or may even be destroyed."
In every post office across the Island there will be posters and leaflets clearly explaining the restrictions on commodities and goods which may be posted with Isle of Man Post Office. In addition, the television screens throughout the Retail Network will display details and the information will also be available online at iompost.com.
A detailed leaflet will also be delivered to all business and residential addresses next week.
If you are not sure that the item you wish to post is safe to fly, please call our Customer Services Team on 664664 who will be more than happy to assist.
You can also visit our Prohibited and Restricted items web page here for more information
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