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Packing of items

Materials used for packing of items must be firm and safe, befitting the weight and shape of articles sent. Packing must be resistant to splitting and shredding, protect postal equipment from damage, and not to endanger the health of postal staff. Plastic bags used for other purposes (advertising bags, bags from shopping centres) are not acceptable for packing of postal items.

Tips for reliable and safe packing of items:

  • Razor-edge and non-standard in shape articles should be sent in envelopes covered with a protective soft inner layer.
  • Packing must be firm enough to hold the contents of the item.
  • Bubble wrapping or styrofoam may be used to cover the inside of packing (they are available for purchase at post offices).
  • Write the sender’s address down on the item.
  • Put inside the item a card with the contact person’s name, address and telephone number.
  • Seal carefully the item’s edges with nylon or vinyl tape, tape gaps and holes.

The table below contains some more advises on proper packing and mailing of items.

Contents of item Make up of item Packing
Batteries (except for lead batteries) To be mailed in manufacturer’s packing only. Wrap with protective material and mail in proper packing.
Bulk products (e.g. tea, coffee)  Pour into a hermetic and firm receptacle (e.g. polyethylene bag) and seal with adhesive tape. Put inside another receptacle and seal it carefully with adhesive tape. The item contained in the double receptacle should be put into a box of corrugated paper.
Drawings and maps   Thick cardboard or plastic cylinders with a maximum length of 90cm.
Fragile articles (glass, porcelain, plastic, etc.) Wrap separately protruding parts (ware tags, endings of sculptures). Protective materials should make a protective area of minimum 0.5cm. Firm and crushproof box.
Electronic devices   Crushproof receptacle. Courier mail recommended.
Flowers Each flower should be wrapped separately with wrapping paper. Should the cut flowers are put into water containers or moist oasis sponge, use waterproof wrapping paper. A firm box of corrugate paper or a special styrofoam package. At least first class mail service recommended.
Cameras/projectors Objectives, lenses and other component parts should be packed apart and sent in manufacturer’s packing, when possible. Crushproof receptacle.
Films (camera and photo) Wrap into polyethylene material, seal with adhesive tape and indicate clearly the address. Envelopes with protective inner soft layer. Seal carefully.
Books To avoid damage to book binding and bending of edges, choose the right packing. For small books: envelopes with protective inner soft layer. For large books: packing of corrugate paper.
Magnetic articles (e.g. audio or video magnetic tapes or speaker magnets)   Write clearly the sender’s name and address on the item. To be sent apart from other articles to protect other items (discs, cassettes) from damaging.
Framed photographs and pictures Cover with a thick cardboard or styrofoam. To be sent in a crushproof receptacle.
Photographs without frames Wrap into wrapping paper. Crushproof cardboard envelope or, if possible, a crushproof cylinder, which must be taped/sealed.
Vinyl discs Put into thick cardboard and wrap into a protective material. After wrapping with a thick paper, seal with adhesive tape.
Keys Use cardboard paper and affix a card with the contact person’s name and address. To be sent in an envelope with protective inner soft layer.
Liquid substances and fats Wrap into polyethylene material and seal with adhesive tape. Cover the packing with absorbing material, e.g. cutting or newspaper. Waterproof box of wooden fibre or styrofoam.
Water-based paints Volume max. 150ml. Wrap with protective material, use a crushproof receptacle.
Scissors, knives, and other sharp articles   Cover edges and tips with a thick cardboard.