India Post Parcel Regulations 2024 - Administrative Instructions

 

1. Booking of Parcels

• Parcels can be booked at post office counters, authorized franchisee outlets, self-booking kiosks, or through Department of Posts' web portal/mobile application
• All domestic parcels must be accompanied by Customer Declaration Form (CDF-1) - Annexure I
• Prohibited items for air transmission must be booked as India Post Parcel and sent by surface
• Prohibited items list must be prominently displayed at booking counters
• Contractual customers must provide item-wise declaration with invoice/list at time of booking

2. Packaging of Parcels

• Parcels must be packed to not affect health of officials or damage other items/equipment
• Packaging must follow specifications in Annexure III
• Insured parcels must be sealed with identical wax seals featuring unique private mark
• Tamper-evident tapes available at post offices may be used
• Franchisee services may provide packaging assistance
• Detailed packaging standards provided for different parcel types and materials

3. Transmission

• India Post Parcel transmitted via surface (road/rail/waterways)
• Speed Post Parcel transmitted via air, unless surface is faster
• Parcel bags containing prohibited air items will be offloaded and marked "OFFLOADED BY AIRLINE"
• Offloaded bags will be routed via surface connection

4. Delivery of Parcels

• Delivery through post offices/Nodal Delivery Centers/designated places
• Standard Operating Procedure in Annexure II outlines delivery process
• Intimation to addressee required for accountable items
• Undelivered parcels retained for 7 days after first delivery attempt
• Addressee may request retention for up to 7 days with written instructions
• Smart Delivery Boxes/franchisee outlets may be used for delivery

5. Disposal of Contraband Items

• Parcels containing contraband will be dealt with as per Regulations 33-40

6. Cancellation of Booking

• Cancellation available until parcel not dispatched from booking office
• Requires original receipt, article number, and reason for cancellation
• Valid identification required (KYC documents)
• Supervisor approval required for cancellation
• No refunds for domestic parcels

7. Recall of Parcels

• Sender may have parcel with drawn or address changed (except when delivery in progress)
• Application must be made to booking office in-charge with ₹6.00 fee
• Bulk customer recall process detailed in Annexure IV

8. Compensation

• Speed Post Parcel delay: Speed Post postage paid
• Speed Post Parcel loss/damage: Double postage paid or ₹1000, whichever less
• India Post Parcel (Retail) loss/damage: ₹100
• India Post Parcel (Contractual) loss/damage: ₹500 or actual value, whichever less

9. Insurance

• Contractual customers: ₹4 up to ₹200 value + 1.5% of value exceeding ₹200
• Retail customers: ₹10 up to ₹200 value + ₹6 for every additional ₹100

10. Logistics Post

• Handles parcels without specific weight limit (first slab: 50kg)
• Provides end-to-end supply chain management
• Operational process detailed in Annexure V

11. Cash on Delivery (COD)

• Available for both Speed Post Parcel and India Post Parcel
• Retail limit: ₹10,000; Contractual limit: ₹50,000
• COD articles don't require insurance regardless of amount
• Specific procedures for COD retail items (Annexure VI)

12. Discount Structure - Contractual Customers

• Discount based on monthly revenue (10-30% for Speed Post, 7-20% for India Post Parcel)
• Additional 1-2% discount for advance deposit or payment at booking
• RTS limits: 25% for COD articles, 8% for non-COD articles
• Reduced discount for paper manifests without soft copy
• National Account Facility available for multiple location customers

13. Discount Structure - Retail Customers

• 5% discount for daily revenue ₹2,000-₹100,000
• 10% discount for daily revenue above ₹100,000

14. Operational Guidelines for Contractual Customers

• Minimum revenue requirements: Single location ₹10,000/month, Multiple locations ₹50,000/month, National Account ₹10 lakh/year
• Application process (Annexure VII) and terms & conditions (Annexure VIII)
• Credit facility requires bank guarantee (Annexure IX)
• Billing procedures and payment timelines
• Non-payment penalties and consequences

15. Implementation

• Instructions effective from date of implementation of PO Regulation 2024
• Approved by Director General Postal Services

Download PDF