Discuss all your shipping related queries with Indian Posts, 21 Sep,(11-12)

[sapana@ebay.com]

Hi,

As an eBay seller, it is extremely important to have a reliable and cost effective shipping channel. In this workshop, staff from the Indian Postal department will discuss with you the services that it offers to the sellers and will answer your queries on the topic.

Host: Indian Postal Department
Date: Wednesday, 21st September 2005
Time: 11.00 am to 12.00 pm (IST)

Hope to see you there!

Regards,
Sapana

[indiapost-mah]

3) How does one prevent loss of package or damages?

Customer is required to make a good packing of the consignment taking into account the size, weight and nature of the contents to be sent so that the packing may not break during the course of transmission. However, in case of loss and damage to the article there is a facility for the customer known as insurance of the article. If an article is not insured but Registered only then a ex-gratia compensation upto maximum of Rs. 100/- can be granted in case of loss or damage to the article. However, if the article is sent by Insured post then full compensation for actual loss may be paid to the customer. Maximum value of insurance may be Rs. 1 lakh only.

4) How does insurance work?

Letters, parcels, VP, Speed Post, EPP can be sent by Insured Post. Maximum value of insurance may be Rs. 1 lakh. Rate of insurance fee is as under:-

Value up to Rs. 200/- …………….. Rs. 10/-
Every additional Rs. 100 or part thereof …. Rs. 6/-

This Fee is in addition to the normal postage and registration fee. Fee to be paid in the form of postage stamp at the time of booking. This covers the insurance of the article during the course of transmission by post. The sender has to declare the value of content at the time of booking and the amount of insurance should not be less than the actual value of contents of the article.

You can also use third parties like Oriental Insurance for insuring the packages - with whom the Dept has a tie-up.

[indiapost-mah]

5) I am a big seller. Can I get a bulk discount? What is the process for this?

Bulk discount can be given to a customer who gives a business of more than Rupees ten thousand during a month, the discount is allowed to the customers who have entered into a written agreement with DOP.

6) Your website mentions special schemes for “bulk customers” – book now, pay later, free pickup facility and extension counters at customer’s premises. Can you explain these in detail? How do I qualify as bulk customer?

Bulk Customer:- A customer who regularly gives a good business in speed post \ express parcel post may apply in writing with the Postmaster General and enter into an agreement for getting special rates of graded discount on monthly business is a bulk customer.

Book Now Pay Later Scheme:- Corporate and Government Sector SP/EPP customer who regularly gives an average monthly business of Rs. 5000/- or more can be provided with BNPL facility. He will have to apply in writing for this and will be given a BNPL Account Number. He will be allowed credit for a month on Bank/cash guarantee. Bill will be served at the end of the month which the customer has to pay within 7 days.
Free Pick-up facility- Free pickup from the premises of the customer is provided for EPP and also for SP articles to the customers who provide a regular business.

Extension Counter:- Generally SP /EPP/Business Post articles are booked at Departmental Business Post/ Mailing Centers. However, an Extension Counter may be opened in very exceptional circumstances in the premises of the Organization provided they are giving huge business. Extension Counter may be opened when it is found fully justified in all respects. The concerned Organization provides the Space and other infrastructure required for the Extension Counter.

[indiapost-mah]

7) Can I send a product internationally through Speed/India Post? Can this item be tracked?

Yes through any of the services given mentioned under Question.1. Track facility is available for EMS articles for identified countries. You can trace the disposal of our EMS article going to the Website of the concerned country.


8) What are the requirement and procedures to clear customs?

At the time of booking, the sender has to fill in certain forms prescribed by the Customs. On the basis of these forms, the Customs may clear the article as per normal rules. However, in case of Insured article, the sender has to close his article in the presence of the Custom Officer. This facility is available at SEEPZ PO, Mumbai GPO and Foreign Post Office. All rules and regulations of Import Export policy will apply here.

[sitare_india]

We are a Seller from Siliguri, Dist.Darjeeling, West Bengal.
We are continuously sending Parcels to all across the country and also abroad since the last one year.
The India POst poses difficulty in accepting Parcels with Insurance, through it is mentioned in the Website. The Insurance charges are also very high, approx. 6% of the Value which is total impractical.Please look into it.
Thanks,Ashok

[plusvalue]

Hello,

Actually we ebay seller can give you a huge business. Your people should be trained from customer service.
Best wishes

[indiapost-mah]

9) Are there restrictions on types of items that can be shipped? How can one know about these?

Details of Matter prohibited to be transmitted by post are given in PO Guide Part-I ( we will be posting this as a link for reference after the workshop). Certain electronic items also cannot be sent in articles given Air lift. For EMS articles, Customs Regulations will also apply. Besides, there are countries where only documents can be sent and Merchandise items are allowed in selected countries only.


10) I am a small one-time seller, who has got an order from an international customer? Would the procedure for me be the same? Is there any simpler way?

Procedure is same for Bulk and Small seller. Before booking of speed post articles, customs clearance is essential. Following items/documents need to be submitted to customs -
1) covering letter to Asst Commisioner of Customs, Export Section
2) IE code ( for commercial/trade customers)
3) Customs declarations forms - CN-23, CP-71 ( we will be putting up scanned copies of these forms as well)
4) Invoice - 3 copies
5) Rs 2/- Court fee stamp
6) P.P. Form ( Exchange Control Form) in duplicate, duly attested by Bank.

For 1 time sellers who do not need to pay any export-duty, documentation is minimal. Only the relevant forms need to be filled (items 3 & 4)

[indiapost-mah]

The main thing about Internationl Shipments is clearing customs. For high value shipments or any shipments that attract the attention of customs it is best to send the parcel from the Foreign Post office as the custom official queries can be handled right there and then. However, this is not cumpulsory - individual, small shipments can be sent from any post office. You must just take care to fill the form carefully and in detail - as that helps prevent/handle customs queries.

[indiapost-mah]

Dear sitare_jewels, plusvalue_in1,

We are planning to open a call-centre to handle queries from customers. However, this may take some time. In the meantime, please direct any specfic queries to apmgbdmh@yahoo.co.in or apmgbd@rediffmail.com. We will be glad to respond to any specfic queries.

You can also call 022-22696714 for specfic queries regarding our services.

[indiapost-mah]

Dear nicemall_in1,

Cloth packing is not mandatory. However it is in the interest of the customer to give a secure packaging. As far as packing article in front of PO staff is concerned - it is as per existing rules - the rationale being that no undesirable/banned substance is sent through the postal channels. In the case of regular customers, exceptions can be made.

For insured packages, sealing is required.

[indiapost-mah]

Dear snrama,

CDs can be sent by all postal channels. Electronic items cannot be sent by Air-transport - which is a prohibition prescribed by Air Travel Authority. However, Electronic items can be sent by Surface by Speed Post or EPP.