International Post Guide - Australia Post

International Post Guide 33
SECTION 5 –
INTERNATIONAL POST – GENERAL PROVISIONS
�5.1 – Scope of the International Post
The conditions of the International Post apply to all places outside Australia except:
� Australian Antarctic Territories TAS 7150
� Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) WA 6798
� Cocos (Keeling) Islands WA 6799
� Norfolk Island NSW 2899.
Within-Australia conditions of service generally apply to these places. Refer to Section 6 of this Post
Guide for specific exceptions. Also, refer to �5.4 – Customs regulations for the requirement for
customs documentation.
The following places are within Australia:
� Lord Howe Island NSW 2898
� Territory of Heard Island TAS 7150
� McDonald Island TAS 7150
�5.2 – International Post and GST
Unless indicated otherwise, International Post charges are GST-free – refer to Post Charges Booklet
(8833665).
GST-free postage stamps
A range of specially designed GST-free postage stamps is available for international mail.
Postage meters and franking machines
If you use a postage meter or a franking machine to apply postage to international mail or domestic
stamps, you must apply postage at 10% above the rate published in the Post Charges Booklet (8833665)
to offset the input tax credits you may claim.
�5.3 – Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Most countries, including Australia, are members of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which is a
United Nations agency that guarantees freedom of transit for postal articles between member
countries.
�5.3.1 – UPU regulations
Most regulations that govern the carriage of articles in the International Post are contained in two
documents:
� the UPU Convention, which covers the carriage of letters
� the UPU Postal Parcels Agreement, which covers the carriage of parcels.
Australia is a signatory to the Convention.
�5.3.2 – Exceptions
Some countries find themselves unable to participate fully in all services defined by the UPU
Convention and the UPU Postal Parcels Agreement. Some countries operate certain services with
restrictions. Consequently, postal services to places outside Australia are not uniform. Refer to
Section 6 of this Post Guide for the specific conditions for each country.
September 2007