The SA Post Office (SAPO) has urged customers to start sending international Christmas parcels and mail soon to ensure they reach their destinations on time.
“Customers who use surface mail to send their Christmas gifts abroad should do so soon, as this will ensure that their parcels reach their destinations before Christmas Day,” said joint business rescue practitioner (BRP) Anoosh Rooplal.
Those who choose to use airmail have slightly more time. The struggling state-owned entity, which is in business rescue, has clinched a deal with Ethiopian Airlines to move international post and parcels by air.
SAPO said the final date for posting surface mail to destinations, such as Australia and China, was 18 October, while surface mail to Europe, the UK, and the US had to be posted by 25 October. For all airmail destinations, the final date is 25 November.
Registered items will incur an additional cost. SAPO said this insures against non-delivery, but not damage.
As SAPO seeks to deal with the Christmas rush, it is also waiting to hear whether it will receive a R3.8-billion bailout from the Treasury.
Rooplal and his colleague, Juanito Damons, have said if SAPO doesn’t receive the funds by next month, it will likely be forced into liquidation.