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Vanuatu Consolidated Legislation - 1988

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Post Office Act

Commencement: 7 March 1983


LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
REVISED EDITION 1988


CHAPTER 154


POST OFFICE


Act 27 of 1982


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS


SECTION
1. Interpretation
2. The Post Office
3. Duties of Director
4. Director may delegate functions
5. Contracts for carriage of mails
6. Obligation to carry mails in ships or aircraft
7. Delivery of mails from ship or aircraft
8. Postage
9. Postage stamps and imprinting of postal stationery
10. Automatic stamping machines
11. Special stamps
12. Liability for payment of postage
13. Power to withhold unstamped postal packet
14. Post Office mark evidence of refusal etc.
15. Official mark to be evidence of postage due
16. Registration of postal packets
17. Insurance of postal packets
18. Money orders and postal orders
19. Recovery of money paid to wrong persons
20. Postal packets delivered to hotels etc.
21. Exclusion of liability of the Post Office
22. Liability in respect of registered inland packets
23. Prohibition of certain articles
24. Detention and opening of prohibited packets
25. Detention and opening of postal packets believed to contain dutiable articles
26. Stealing and destruction of mails by officers of Post Office
27. Opening or delaying of postal packets by officers of Post Office
28. Wrongful disclosure of information
29. Fraudulent retention of mail bag or postal packet
30. Criminal diversion of letters from addressee
31. Prohibition of fictitious stamps
32. Prohibition of imitation of Post Office stamps, envelopes etc.
33. Fraudulent use and removal of stamps
34. Prohibition of affixing notices, etc. on Post Office letter boxes, etc.
35. False recording of time of posting
36. Minister may make arrangements with other countries with respect to postal services
37. Minister's power to make regulations


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POST OFFICE


To provide for the operation of the postal services in Vanuatu and for matters incidental thereto.


INTERPRETATION


1. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-


"commander", in relation to an aircraft, includes the pilot or other person in charge of the aircraft;


"Director" means the Director of Posts and includes a person acting for the time being as Director;


"inland", in relation to a postal packet, means posted in, and addressed to, a place within Vanuatu;


"mail bag" includes any form of container or covering in which postal packets in course of transmission by post are conveyed, whether or not it contains any such packets;


"master", in relation to a ship, includes every person (except a pilot) having command or charge of the ship;


"officer of the Post Office" includes the Director and any person employed in any business of the Post Office, whether employed by, or on behalf of, the Post Office;


"Post Office" means the department of the Government referred to in section 2;


"postage" means the charge for the transmission of postal packets by post;


"postage stamp" includes a stamp impressed by a stamping machine as well as an adhesive stamp;


"postal packet" means a letter, post-card, reply post-card, letter-card, newspaper, book, packet, printed paper, pattern or sample packet, small packet or parcel and every other packet or article when in course of transmission by post and includes a telegram when conveyed by post.


(2) For the purpose of this Act-


(a) a postal packet shall be deemed to be in course of transmission by post from the time of its being delivered to a post office to the time of its being delivered to the person to whom it is addressed; and


(b) the delivery of a postal packet of any description to a letter carrier or other person authorised to receive postal packets of that description for the post shall be a delivery to a post office; and


(c) the delivery of a postal packet at the premises to which it is addressed or redirected or to the addressee's servant or agent or other person considered to be authorised according to the usual manner to receive postal packets of the addressee shall be a delivery to the addressee; and


(d) delivery into a private letter box or private mail bag shall be in all respects equivalent to delivery to the addressee.


THE POST OFFICE


2. There shall be a Department of the Government to be known as the Post Office of Vanuatu.


DUTIES OF DIRECTOR


3. The Director shall, under the general supervision of the Minister, have control of the Post Office and it shall be his duty to-


(a) provide, maintain and operate postal services within Vanuatu; and


(b) provide, maintain and operate services by means of which money may be remitted including money orders, postal orders and similar instruments.


DIRECTOR MAY DELEGATE FUNCTIONS


4. The Director may delegate any of his powers, functions or duties under this Act (except this power of delegation) in relation to any particular matter or class of matter and may revoke such delegation at any time.


CONTRACTS FOR CARRIAGE OF MAILS


5. The Director may from time to time enter into contracts with any person for, or in respect of, the conveyance of mails by such means and on such terms as the Director shall think fit.


OBLIGATION TO CARRY MAILS IN SHIPS OR AIRCRAFT


6. (1) The master of any ship and the commander of any aircraft about to depart from any place in Vanuatu to any place within or outside Vanuatu-


(a) shall receive any mails which are tendered to him by any officer of the Post Office;


(b) shall, if required, give a written receipt for the mails;


(c) shall cause a description of the mails to be entered on the manifest of the ship or aircraft;


(d) shall, as far as it is practicable, carefully deposit the mails on board in some place which is secure, dry and vermin proof, and lock up the mails and carry them apart from other things;


(e) shall deliver them, on arriving at the place on his destination without delay.


(2) The proper officer of customs may refuse clearance of the ship or aircraft if it appears to him that the master or the commander thereof, as the case may be, has refused to carry any mails contrary to the provisions of subsection (1).


(3) In the absence of a contract under section 5, there shall be paid to the owner of a ship or aircraft which carries mails under this section such fees and allowances as the Minister shall fix.


(4) Every master of a ship or commander of an aircraft who fails to comply with any provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence.


DELIVERY OF MAILS FROM SHIP OR AIRCRAFT


7. (1) On the arrival of a ship or aircraft at any place in Vanuatu, whether or not from outside Vanuatu, all mails which are on board the ship or aircraft and are intended for discharge at that place shall be delivered to an officer of the Post Office, who shall, if required, give a written receipt for any such mails received by him.


(2) The master of a ship or commander of an aircraft, who having charge of any such mails, refuses or neglects to deliver such mails as provided in subsection (1), or detains or permits the detention of the mails on board, or does not use due diligence in the delivery of the mails, or does not take due care for the proper custody of the mails while they are in his charge, shall be guilty of an offence.


POSTAGE


8. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, there shall be paid on every postal packet for transmission by post such postage as may be prescribed.


(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act the postage in respect of any postal packet posted within Vanuatu shall be prepaid by means of adhesive postage stamps not previously used, obliterated or defaced, and, in default thereof, there shall be payable, at the time of delivery, upon every such postal packet double the amount of the deficiency due:


Provided that-


(a) the postage upon business reply cards and upon large quantities of postal packets, may, with the approval of the Director, be either paid in cash at the time of posting, or an agreed sum may be deposited with the Director on account of posting, or be paid or secured in such other manner as the Director shall direct;


(b) the use of postage stamps perforated with initials may be permitted.


POSTAGE STAMPS AND IMPRINTING OF POSTAL STATIONERY


9. (1) The Director may, with the approval of the Minister, cause-


(a) postage stamps to be printed and sold indicating the amounts of postage;


(b) to be made and sold postcards, envelopes, lettercards, wrappers, and other postal stationery bearing thereon imprinted postage stamps.


(2) The provisions of this Act relating to adhesive stamps and to postage stamps generally shall, as far as they are applicable, and with the necessary modifications, apply to stamps imprinted under subsection (1)(b).


AUTOMATIC STAMPING MACHINES


10. (1) The Director may on receiving such security as he thinks fit permit any person to use automatic stamping machines for making impressions denoting the sign of postage and the amount of stamp values and for recording any such amounts.


(2) Impressions made by any such machine lawfully used shall be valid for the payment of postage in the same manner as if adhesive stamps were used.


(3) The amount of stamp values recorded by any such machine shall be paid to the Post Office at such intervals as the Director shall determine.


(4) The Director may make refunds of the amounts represented by impressions made and recorded by any such machine in error and not used.


(5) There shall not be posted or conveyed by post any postal packet-


(a) containing or bearing any counterfeit impression purporting to be made by a stamping machine used in pursuance of this section;


(b) purporting to be prepaid with any stamping machine impression which has been previously used to prepay any other postal packet.


(6) No stamping machine impression which is imperfect or mutilated or defaced in any way shall be used in payment or to denote payment of postage.


(7) A person contravening any of the provisions of subsection (5) or (6) shall be guilty of an offence.


SPECIAL STAMPS


11. (1) The Director may, with the approval of the Minister, cause to be printed and sold special stamps of such denominations as he shall think fit, which shall be available only for the purposes mentioned in subsection (3), and for those purposes each such denomination shall have a value of such amount as the Director shall deter-mine.


(2) The use of special stamps instead of ordinary stamps shall be optional for the user.


(3) The revenue additional to postage revenue from the sale of special stamps shall be applied for such purposes in relation to the promotion of public health or other special purposes beneficial to the community as the Council of Ministers may approve.


(4) The purposes for which the additional revenue from the sale of special stamps is to be applied shall be determined before the creation of the stamps and shall be clearly indicated on such stamps.


LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF POSTAGE


12. (1) The person to whom any postal packet is tendered for delivery on which postage is due shall be legally bound to pay the postage on his accepting delivery of the packet unless he forthwith returns it unopened.


(2) If any postal packet appears to the satisfaction of the Director to have been maliciously sent for the purpose of annoying the addressee, he may remit the postage due.


(3) If any postal packet on which postage is due is refused by the addressee or if the addressee is dead or cannot be found then the sender shall be bound to pay the postage.


POWER TO WITHHOLD UNSTAMPED POSTAL PACKET


13. If a person refuses to pay any postage which he is legally bound to pay in respect of any postal packet the Director may withhold from that person any such packet until the postage has been paid, and if the default continues the packet shall be dealt with or disposed of, in such manner as may be prescribed.


POST OFFICE MARK EVIDENCE OF REFUSAL ETC.


14. In every proceeding for the recovery of any postage alleged to be due the production of a postal packet having thereon the official mark of the Post Office denoting that the packet has been refused or that the addressee is dead or cannot be found shall be prima facie evidence of the fact so denoted.


OFFICIAL MARK TO BE EVIDENCE OF POSTAGE DUE


15. The official mark on a postal packet denoting that any postage is due in respect thereof to the Post Office or to the postal authority of any other country shall be prima facie evidence that the postage so denoted is due.


REGISTRATION OF POSTAL PACKETS


16. (1) The sender of any postal packet (other than a parcel addressed to a place outside Vanuatu) may, upon payment of a prescribed registration fee in addition to the ordinary postage, have that packet registered and obtain a receipt for the same, but no such registration or receipt shall confer on any person a right to compensation except as provided in section 22.


(2) Every postal packet containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, negotiable instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels and other valuable articles shall, if posted unregistered, be liable to compulsory registration and to a charge on delivery equal to double the amount of any deficiency in prepayment as a registered packet but no compensation shall be paid in case of the loss of such packet or of the contents thereof.


INSURANCE OF POSTAL PACKETS


17. The Director may provide for the insurance of postal packets subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.


MONEY ORDERS AND POSTAL ORDERS


18. (1) The Minister may provide for the remitting of money through the Post Office by means of money orders and postal orders and may make regulations in relation thereto and, in particular, may prescribe-


(a) the limit of the amount for which money orders and postal orders may be issued;


(b) the period during which money orders and postal orders shall remain valid; and


(c) the rates of commission or the fees to be charged on money orders and postal orders or in respect thereof.


(2) The Director may from time to time determine at what post offices money orders or postal orders may be issued and paid.


RECOVERY OF MONEY PAID TO WRONG PERSONS


19. If any person without reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie on him, neglects or refuses to refund-


(a) any amount paid to him in respect of a money order or postal order by an officer of the Post Office in excess of what ought to have been paid; or


(b) the amount of a money order or postal order paid by an officer of the Post Office to him instead of to some other person to whom it ought to have been paid, such amount shall be recoverable at the suit of the Director from the person so neglecting or refusing.


POSTAL PACKETS DELIVERED TO HOTELS ETC.


20. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1(2), every postal packet delivered to a hotel, shipping or airline office, bank or travel agency, shall be deemed to be under the control of the Post Office until it reaches the hands of the addressee or his agent.


(2) If a postal packet delivered to any place referred to in subsection (1) has not reached the addressee or his agent within 1 month after delivery, the person in charge of such place shall, if no instructions to the contrary have been received by him from the addressee, return the packet to the Post Office with the reasons therefor.


(3) A person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.


EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY OF THE POST OFFICE


21. (1) Except as provided in section 22, no proceedings shall lie against the Post Office in respect of any loss or damage suffered by any person by reason of-


(a) detention, delay, opening, forfeiture, loss, destruction, or disposal of a postal packet or its contents;


(b) any delay in the payment of a money order or postal order or other irregularity in connection with a money order or postal order.


(2) No officer of the Post Office shall be subject, except at the suit of the Director, to any civil liability for any loss or damage in respect of which liability of the Post Office is excluded by subsection (1).


(3) The detention, destruction or disposal under this Act of a postal packet or its contents shall not relieve any person from his liability for any offence against this Act or any other enactment.


LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF REGISTERED INLAND PACKETS


22. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, proceedings shall lie against the Post Office under this section, but not otherwise, in respect of loss of, or damage to, a registered inland packet in so far as the loss or damage is due to any wrongful act done or any neglect or default committed by an officer of the Post Office while performing or purporting to perform his functions as such in relation to the receipt, carriage, delivery or other dealing with the packet; but no proceedings shall lie under this section unless begun within 12 months from the day on which the packet was posted.


(2) For the purposes of any proceedings under this section it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that loss of, or damage to, a packet was due to a wrongful act done, or neglect or default committed, by an officer of the Post Office while performing or purporting to perform such functions of his as aforesaid.


(3) The amount recoverable in any proceedings under this section shall not exceed such maximum amount as may be prescribed.


(4) The Post Office shall not be liable under this section in respect of a registered postal packet unless the conditions, if any, prescribed to be complied with in relation to registered inland packets have been complied with in the case of the packet.


PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ARTICLES


23. (1) No person shall send or attempt to send or procure to be sent a postal packet which-


(a) except as the Director may either generally or in a particular case allow, contains any explosive, dangerous or noxious substance, any filth, any sharp instrument not properly protected, or any creature or thing which is likely to damage other postal packets in course of transmission or injure an officer of the Post Office;


(b) contains any indecent or obscene article whatsoever;


(c) has on the packet, or on the cover thereof, any words, marks or designs which are seditious, grossly offensive, indecent or obscene.


(2) Any person contravening any of the provisions of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.


DETENTION AND OPENING OF PROHIBITED PACKETS


24. If the Director has reason to believe that a postal packet contains any matter in contravention of the provisions of section 23, he may cause such packet to be detained and opened, and, if it is found to contain such matter, he may cause it to be destroyed:


Provided that a sealed letter shall not be so opened without the consent in writing of the Attorney General.


DETENTION AND OPENING OF POSTAL PACKETS BELIEVED TO CONTAIN DUTIABLE ARTICLES


25. If the Director has reason to believe that a postal packet contains any articles on which customs duty is payable or which are in contravention of the law relating to customs, he may detain such packet and may open the same in the presence of the addressee or his agent; if the addressee or his agent, after being duly notified fails to attend, it shall be lawful for the Director to open and examine the same; if any articles on which customs duty is payable or which are in contravention of the law relating to customs are found in such packet, the Director shall deliver such articles to the Director of Customs for the purposes of proceeding in respect thereof according to law, and if no such articles are found the packet shall be delivered to the addressee or his agent if present, and, if absent, shall be forwarded to the addressee subject in either case to the payment of any postage thereon.


STEALING AND DESTRUCTION OF MAILS BY OFFICERS OF POST OFFICE


26. An officer of the Post Office who steals, or destroys a postal packet in course of transmission by post or any contents thereof shall be guilty of an offence.


Penalty: Imprisonment for 7 years.


OPENING OR DELAYING OF POSTAL PACKETS BY OFFICERS OF POST OFFICE


27. (1) An officer of the Post Office, who, contrary to his duty, opens, or causes or suffers to be opened, any postal packet in course of transmission by post, or without lawful excuse detains or delays, or causes or suffers to be detained or delayed, any such postal packet, shall be guilty of an offence.


Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.


(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall apply to the opening, detaining or delaying of a postal packet returned for want of a true direction, or returned by reason that the addressee thereof has refused it, or has refused or neglected to pay the postage thereon, or that the packet cannot for any other reason be delivered, or to the opening, detaining or delaying of a postal packet under the provisions of this Act.


WRONGFUL DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION


28. (1) An officer of the Post Office who without lawful excuse divulges to any person any information as to a postal packet or the contents thereof that has come to his knowledge in the course of his duty shall be guilty of an offence.


Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.


(2) Any person, other than an officer of the Post Office acting in the course of his duty, who having examined the contents of a postal packet not intended for him, divulges without lawful excuse to any person information obtained by him from or as to the postal packet or contents thereof, shall be guilty of an offence.


FRAUDULENT RETENTION OF MAIL BAG OR POSTAL PACKET


29. A person who fraudulently retains, or wilfully secretes or keeps, or detains, or who, when required by an officer of the Post Office, neglects or refuses to deliver up-


(a) any postal packet which is in course of transmission by post and which ought to have been delivered to any other person; or


(b) any postal packet which is in course of transmission by post or any mail bag which has been found by him or by any other person,


shall be guilty of an offence.


CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF LETTERS FROM ADDRESSEE


30. (1) If a person not being an officer of the Post Office steals or wilfully and maliciously opens or causes to be opened any postal bag or any postal packet which ought to have been delivered to another person, or does any other act whereby the due delivery of the packet to its addressee is prevented or impeded, he shall be guilty of an offence.


(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to a person who does any act to which this section applies if he is a parent, or in the position of parent or guardian, of the addressee.


(3) In this section the expression "postal packet" means a postal packet which is in course of transmission by post or which has been delivered by post.


PROHIBITION OF FICTITIOUS STAMPS


31. (1) Except for such purposes as may be approved by the Director in writing and in accordance with such (if any) conditions as may be attached to the approval, a person shall not-


(a) make, knowingly utter, deal in or sell any fictitious stamps;


(b) have in his possession, unless he shows a lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp; or


(c) make or, unless he shows a lawful excuse, have in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making a fictitious stamp.


(2) A person shall not knowingly use for the purpose of prepayment of postage any fictitious stamp.


(3) Any person who acts in contravention of this section, shall be guilty of an offence.


(4) Any stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials found in the possession of any person in contravention of subsection (1) may be seized and shall be forfeited.


(5) The importation into Vanuatu-


(a) of any facsimile, imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp for denoting a rate of postage of any country; or


(b) of any die, plate, instrument or materials for making such a facsimile, imitation or representation,


is prohibited.


(6) In this section "fictitious stamp" means a facsimile, imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp for the time being authorised or required to be used for the purposes of the Post Office or of any current stamp for denoting a rate of postage of any country.


PROHIBITION OF IMITATION OF POST OFFICE STAMPS, ENVELOPES ETC.


32. (1) A person shall not without due authority-


(a) make, issue, or send by post any envelope; wrapper, card, form or paper in imitation of one issued by or under the authority of this Act or of any other postal administration, or having thereon any words, letters or marks which signify, or are likely to lead the recipient to believe, that a postal packet bearing them is sent on Government service;


(b) make on any envelope, wrapper, card, form or paper for the purpose of being issued or sent by post, any mark in imitation of, or similar to, or purporting to be, any stamp or mark of the Post Office or of any other postal administration, or any words, letters or marks which signify, or are likely to lead the recipient to believe, that a postal packet bearing them is sent on Government service; or


(c) issue or send by post or otherwise any envelope, wrapper, card, form or paper so marked.


(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence.


FRAUDULENT USE AND REMOVAL OF STAMPS


33. (1) A person who with intent to defraud-


(a) removes from any postal packet any postage stamp affixed thereon;


(b) removes from any postage stamp previously used any mark made thereon by the Post Office;


(c) uses for prepayment of postage an obliterated or defaced postage stamp; shall be guilty of an offence.


(2) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) proof that the person charged is the writer of the address of the postal packet on which the stamp is affixed shall, unless the contrary is proved by him, be evidence that he is the person who affixed the postage stamp.


PROHIBITION OF AFFIXING NOTICES, ETC. ON POST OFFICE LETTER BOXES, ETC.


34. (1) A person shall not without due authority affix or attempt to affix any placard, advertisement, notice, list, document, board or thing in or on any post office, Post Office letter box, or other property belonging to or used by the Post Office and shall not in any way disfigure any such office, box or other property.


(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section, shall be guilty of an offence.


FALSE RECORDING OF TIME OF POSTING


35. A person who falsely marks a postal packet so as to lead any person to believe that it was posted at a time other than the time when it was in fact posted shall be guilty of an offence.


MINISTER MAY MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES WITH RESPECT TO POSTAL SERVICES


36. The Minister may make arrangements with the proper postal authority of any country with respect to-


(a) the transmission of mails between Vanuatu and any other country;


(b) the appointment, determination and collection of postage, fees and other charges upon postal packets conveyed between Vanuatu and any other country;


(c) the division and mutual accounting for and payment of the moneys collected under any such arrangement;


(d) the purposes above mentioned in the case of postal packets transmitted through Vanuatu to or from any other part of the world;


(e) the prepayment (in full or otherwise) of the postage payable on postal packets;


(f) the transmission to places outside Vanuatu free of postage or upon such terms as to the amount of postage or fine to be collected and paid on delivery, and as to the application and payment thereof as may be agreed upon, of postal packets posted in Vanuatu, or as to the collection, application and payment of postage or fines on postal packets received from places outside Vanuatu on which no postage or insufficient postage has been paid;


(g) the payment of compensation for the loss or injury of any registered postal packets;


(h) payment in Vanuatu of money orders and postal orders issued in any country outside Vanuatu and for the payment in that country of money orders and postal orders issued in Vanuatu and for the accounting for, and transmission of, moneys for those purposes.


MINISTER'S POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS


37. (1) The Minister may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for the carrying out or giving effect to this Act, and, in particular, may make regulations for all or any of the following purposes-


(a) providing for the establishment and management of post offices and the receipt, despatch, carriage and delivery of postal packets;


(b) prescribing the maximum weight and dimensions of postal packets;


(c) providing for-


(i) transmission and delivery of parcels;


(ii) the conditions under which parcels may be received, transmitted, delivered, returned to the senders or otherwise disposed of;


(iii) the maximum weight, rates or fees to be charged for the transmission, delivery, return, insurance or registration of parcels; and


(iv) the manner in which such rates or fees are to be paid and the arrangements for the collection of any customs duties or any other duties or fees which may be payable in respect of any parcel;


(d) prescribing fees to be paid upon postal packets registered under this Act or posted after the time appointed for closing the mails;


(e) providing for private boxes and private bags and prescribing the rentals or fees payable therefor;


(f) prescribing the form of and the mode of issuing licences for the sale of stamps and the commission to be allowed thereon;


(g) prescribing the mode of defacing or obliterating stamps on postal packets;


(h) prescribing-


(i) the manner of dealing with postal packets believed to contain articles in respect of which Customs duties are payable; and


(ii) fees to be paid in respect of the delivery of postal packets that contain such articles;


(i) prescribing the mode of sale, distribution or destruction of undelivered newspapers;


(j) providing for the management of philatelic services;


(k) exempting any class, however defined, of postal packets from postage; prescribing forms to be used in relation to any matter in connection with the operation or use of the postal service.


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SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION


POST OFFICE (POSTAL TARIFF) REGULATIONS


Order 13 of 1987


ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS


REGULATION
1. Interpretation
2. Transmission of articles within and beyond Vanuatu
3. Aerogrammes
4. International reply coupons
5. Transmission of articles by air to other countries
6. Transmission of parcels by surface route within Vanuatu
7. Transmission of parcels by air within Vanuatu
8. Transmission of parcels by air to other countries
9. Transmission of parcels by surface route to other countries
10. Postal boxes
11. Telegrams
12. Redirection of correspondence


SCHEDULE

Part 1-A- Postage Rates

Part 1-B- Postage Fees

Part 2- Postage (Airmail) Rates

Part 3- Postage (Parcels Surface Mail) Rates

Part 4- Postage (Parcels Airmail Within Vanuatu) Rates

Part 5- Postage (Parcels Airmail Outside Vanuatu) Rates

Part 6- Postage (Parcel Surface Mail Outside Vanuatu) Rates

Part 7- Postal Boxes (Fees)


----------------------------------


SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION


POST OFFICE (POSTAL TARIFF) REGULATIONS


To prescribe postal rates and set conditions applicable to articles transmitted by post to places within and beyond the Republic of Vanuatu.


INTERPRETATION


1. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-


"Internal rates" means rates applicable to articles, other than parcels, addressed to any place within Vanuatu transmitted by surface route, and where available, by airmail;


"International rates" means rates applicable to articles, other than parcels, addressed to any other country transmitted by surface route.


TRANSMISSION OF ARTICLES WITHIN AND BEYOND VANUATU


2. The postage in respect of the transmission of articles-


(a) within Vanuatu; and


(b) from Vanuatu to any other country,


specified in Part 1-A of the Schedule shall be paid at the rates and subject to the conditions specified in that Part of the Schedule.


There shall be payable in respect of the matters specified in Part 1-B of the Schedule postage fees at the rates specified in that Part of the Schedule.


AEROGRAMMES


3. The postage in respect of the transmission of an aerogramme from Vanuatu to any other country shall be VT40 only.


INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPONS


4. The rate payable for the sale of International Reply Coupons shall be as follows-


(a) sale of Reply Coupon-VT90;


(b) exchange of Reply Coupon-VT40.


TRANSMISSION OF ARTICLES BY AIR TO OTHER COUNTRIES


5. The postage in respect of the transmission of articles, other than parcels or aerogrammes, specified in Part 2 of the Schedule from Vanuatu to any other country by air, shall be paid at the international rate as specified in Part 1-A in addition to the airmail surcharge rates specified in Part 2 of the Schedule and subject to the conditions, if any, specified in that Part.


TRANSMISSION OF PARCELS BY SURFACE ROUTE WITHIN VANUATU


6. The postage in respect of the transmission of parcels to any place within Vanuatu by surface route specified in Part 3 of the Schedule shall be paid at the rates and subject to the conditions specified in that Part of the Schedule.


TRANSMISSION OF PARCELS BY AIR WITHIN VANUATU


7. The postage in respect of the transmission of parcels specified in Part 4 of the Schedule to any place within Vanuatu by air shall be paid at the rates and subject to the conditions specified in that Part of the Schedule.


TRANSMISSION OF PARCELS BY AIR TO OTHER COUNTRIES


8. The postage in respect of the transmission of parcels specified in Part 5 of the Schedule to any place outside Vanuatu by air shall be paid at the rates and subject to the conditions specified in that Part of the Schedule.


TRANSMISSION OF PARCELS BY SURFACE ROUTE TO OTHER COUNTRIES


9. The postage in respect of the transmission of parcels specified in Part 6 of the Schedule to any place outside Vanuatu by surface route shall be paid at the rates and subject to the conditions specified in that Part of the Schedule.


POSTAL BOXES


10. (1) A subscriber shall pay in advance for each postal box an annual rental and deposit to the Post Office at the rates specified in Part 7 of the Schedule.


(2) Half the rentals specified in Part 7 of the Schedule shall be payable if a box is rented after 30 June in any year.


(3) There shall be no refunds if a box is surrendered during the course of a year.


(4) There shall be payable for every new lock installed in a box the sum of VT500.


(a) There shall be payable for every transfer of a Post Office Box a fee of VT300.


(b) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), the following persons are exempted from paying the transfer fee-


(i) an heir to a Post Office Box holder (individual) who has died;


(ii) a partnership firm-


(a) which is undergoing a change due to the retirement or addition of its partners;


(b) which has been dissolved and one or more of the partners continue to carry on the business at the original address or at a new address.


TELEGRAMS


11. There shall be payable for every telegram within Vanuatu the sum of VT5 per word, subject to a minimum charge of VT35 per telegram.


REDIRECTION OF CORRESPONDENCE


12. There shall be payable for every redirection of correspondence, excluding parcels to overseas destinations, for a period of 1 month the sum of VT200 and, for each succeeding month or part thereof the sum of VT100.


SCHEDULE


PART 1-A POSTAGE RATES


INTERNAL RATES

INTERNATIONAL RATES

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Category
Unit of Weight
Rates in VT
Category
Unit of Weight
Rates in VT





Limits of size:
Letters

Letters


Up to 20 grammes
20
Up to 20 grammes
40
Maxima:
above 20 grs up to 50
35
above 20 grs up to 100
90
Length, width and depth combined shall not exceed 900 mm; the greatest dimension may not exceed 600 mm with a tolerance of 2 mm.
Above 50 grs up to 100
50
100 grs up to 250
180
Above 100 grs up to 250
90
250 grs up to 500
360
Above 250 grs up to 500
130
500 grs up to 1000
660
Above 500 grs up to 1000
250
1000 grs up to 2000
960
Above 1000 grs up to 2000
400







In roll form:




Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 1040 mm; the greatest dimension may not exceed 900 mm with a tolerance of 2 mm.

























Minima:




To have a surface measuring not less than 90 x 140 mm with a tolerance of 2 mm.












In roll form:




Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 170 mm; the greatest dimension shall not be less than 100 mm.
















Of weight:




2 kg.
Postcards

Postcards

Of size:
Single
20
Single
30
Maxima:




105 mm x 148 mm with a tolerance of 2 mm.




Minima:




As per letter: Postcards exceeding the maxima may be accepted at letter rates.








Printed Papers

Printed Papers

Of size:
Up to 20 grammes
10
Up to 20 grammes
20
As per letter
above 20 grs up to 50
15
above 20 grs up to 100
40

50 grs up to 100
20
100 grs up to 250
90
Of weight:
100 grs up to 250
30
250 grs up to 500
150
3 kg (internal)
250 grs up to 500
65
500 grs up to 1000
250
5 kg for books and pamphlets
500 grs up to 1000
95
1000 grs up to 2000
350
2 kg (international)
Each succeeding 1000 grs or fraction thereof
70
Each succeeding 1000 grs or fraction thereof
150






Literature for the Blind
Exempt
Literature for the Blind
Exempt
Of size:




As per letters




Of weight:




7 kg

[Subsidiary]
(regulation 2(1))


(Schedule-Part 1-A continued)

INTERNAL RATES

INTERNATIONAL RATES

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Category
Unit of Weight
Rates in VT
Category
Unit of Weight
Rates in VT






Small Packets

Small Packets

Of weight:
Up to 100 grammes
25
Up to 100 grammes
50
1 kg (internal)
above 100 grs up to 250
40
above 100 grs up to 250
80

Above 250 grs up to 500
75
250 grs up to 500
150
1 kg (international except the following countries)-
above 500 grs up to 1000
120
500 grs up to 1000
250
500 grs: Australia, Bolivia,
Burma, Canada, Chile, Columbia and Cuba


above 1000 grs up to 2000

2 kg: Denmark, Japan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United States of America


(Optional weight step)
350


(regulation 2(2))


PART 1-B
POSTAGE FEES


INTERNAL RATES

INTERNATIONAL RATES

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Rates
in VT

Rates
in VT




Registration Fee for articles (excluding parcels) transmitted by post containing valuable items

Registration Fee for articles (excluding parcels) transmitted by post containing valuable
items








100
100

Advice of Delivery Fee
(At time of posting)

Advice of Delivery Fee
(At time of posting)


100
100

Enquiry Fee
75
Enquiry Fee
75

Express Delivery Fee
150
Express Delivery Fee
150

Handling Fee for Tax Articles
20
Handling Fee for Tax Articles
20

Handling Fee for Philatelic Items (Client own First Day Cover)

Handling Fee for Philatelic
Items (Client own First Day Cover)





10
10

Withdrawal from Post or
A Iteration or correction of Address Fee

Withdrawal from Post or
A Iteration or correction of
Address Fee





100
100


[Subsidiary]
(regulation 5)


PART 2
POSTAGE (AIRMAIL) RATES


The airmail rates for articles, other than parcels or aerogrammes, transmitted from Vanuatu to any other country shall consist of the international rate as set out in Part 1, in addition to the following airmail surcharge rate-


SURCHARGE RATES

GENERAL
CONDITIONS
Category
Rates in VT



Letter Item


Per 10 grs or part thereof


ZONE A
5

ZONE B
15

ZONE C
25

Small Packet


Per 20 grs or part thereof


ZONE A
5

ZONE B
10

ZONE C
20

Printed Matter


Per 20 grs or part thereof


ZONE A
5

ZONE B
10

ZONE C
20


ZONES AND COUNTRIES
ZONE A
ZONE B
Australia including Cocos Is.
Afghanistan
Dominica
Laos
Anguila
Dominican Republic
Lebanon
Cook Is.
Antigua
Easter Is.
Macao
Fiji
Argentina
Ecuador
Malaysia
French Polynesia
Bahamas
El Salvador
Maldives
(Keeling)
Bahrain
Falkland Is.
Malagache Rep.
Kiribati
Bangladesh
French Guyana
Mariana Is.
Lord Howe Is.
Barbados
Grenada
Marshall Is.
Nauru
Belize
Guam-Guadeloupe
Martinique
New Caledonia
Bermuda
Guatemala
Mexico
New Zealand
Bhutan
Guyana
Mauritius
Niue
Bolivia
Haiti
Montserrat
Norfolk Is.
Brazil
Hawaii
Nepal
Papua New Guinea
Brunei
Honduras (Rep.)
Nevis
Pitcairn
Burma
Hong Kong
Nicaragua
Samoa (American)
Cambodia
India
Oman
Samoa (Western)
Canada
Indonesia
Pakistan
Solomon Is.
Caroline Is.
Iran
Panama
Tokelau Is.
Cayman Is.
Iraq
Paraguay
Tonga
Chile
Israel
Peru
Tuvalu
China (People's Rep.)
Jamaica
Philippines
Wallis & Futuna
Colombia
Japan
Puerto Rico

Costa Rica
Jordan
Qatar

Cuba
Korea
Reunion

Cyprus
Kuwait
St. Helena

continued


ZONES AND COUNTRIES
ZONE B
ZONE C
St. Kitts
Afars and Issas (Djibouti)
Finland
Malawi
St. Lucia
Albania
France
Mali
St. Pierre and Miquelon
Andorra
Gabon
Malta
St. Vincent
Angola
Gambia
Mauritania
Saudi Arabia
Ascension
Germany
Mayotte
Singapore
Austria
Ghana
Monaco
Sri Lanka
Belgium
Gibraltar
Mozambique
Surinam
Benin
Great Britain including Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey & Isle of Man
Mongolia
Syria
Bielo-Russia
Greece
Morocco
Taiwan
Botswana
Greenland
Niger
Thailand
Bulgaria
Guinea (Rep.)
Nigeria
Timor (East)
Burundi
Guinea-Bissau
Norway
Trinidad and Tobago
Cameroon
Holland
Poland
Turkey
Cape Verde Is.
Hungary
Portugal
Turks and Caicos
Central African Republic
Ireland
Romania
United Arab Emirates
Chad
Italy
Rwanda
U.S.A.
Comoros Is.
Ivory Coast
San Marino
Uruguay
Congo
Kenya
St. Thomas and Principe
Venezuela
Czechoslovakia
Lesotho
Senegal
Vietnam
Denmark
Liberia
Seychelles
Virgin Is.
Ethiopia
Libya
Sierra Leone
Wake Is.
Egypt
Liechtenstein
Somalia

Equatorial Guinea
Luxembourg
South Africa

continued


ZONES AND COUNTRIES
ZONE C

South West Africa



Spain



Sudan



Swaziland



Sweden



Switzerland



Tanzania



Togo



Tristan da Cunha



Tunisia



Uganda



Ukraine



Upper Volta



U.S.S.R.



Vatican



Yemen



Yugoslavia



Zaire



Zimbabwe




[Subsidiary]
(Regulation 6)


PART 3
POSTAGE (PARCELS SURFACE MAIL) RATES


Rates and general conditions applicable to parcels transmitted to any place within Vanuatu by surface route shall be as follows-


Category
Unit of Weight
Rates in VT
Limits of Weight
Limits of size



Parcels


Maxima:

Up to 3 kg
120
20 kg
Not exceeding 1.25 m for any one dimension nor 2 m for length and the greatest circumference.
Above 3 kg up to 5 kg
160

Above 5 kg up to 10 kg
240

Above 10 kg up to 15 kg
325

Minima:

Above 15 kg up to 20 kg
400

To have a surface measuring not less than 90 mm x 140 mm.



In roll form:




Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 170 mm, but the smallest dimension may not be less than 100 mm.










[Subsidiary]
(Regulation 7)


POSTAGE (PARCELS AIRMAIL WITHIN VANUATU) RATES


Rates and general conditions applicable to parcels transmitted to any place within Vanuatu by air shall be as follows-


CATEGORY OF WEIGHTS IN KILOGRAMS (kg)
up to 1 kg, Over 1 kg and up to 2 kg, Over 2 kg and up to 3 kg, Over 3 kg and up to 4 kg, Over 4 kg and up to 5 kg, Over 5 kg and up to 6 kg, Over 6 kg and up to 7 kg, Over 7 kg and up to 8 kg, Over 8 kg and up to 9 kg, Over 9 kg and up to 10 kg



GENERAL CONDITIONS
Maxima:
Not exceeding 1.05 m for any one dimension nor 2 m for the sum of length and the greatest circumference.
To have a surface measuring not less than 90 mm x 140 mm.
In roll form:
Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 170 mm, but the smallest dimension may not be less than 100 mm.


_______________

[Subsidiary]
(regulation 8)


PART 5
POSTAGE (PARCELS AIRMAIL OUTSIDE VANUATU) RATES


TABLE 1


Rates and general conditions applicable to parcels transmitted to any place outside Vanuatu by air shall be as follows-


CATEGORY OF
WEIGHTS IN
KILOGRAMS (kg)
RATES IN VT
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
ZONE 4
ZONE 5
up to 1 kg
960
1260
1660
1860
2260
Over 1 kg up to 2 kg
1170
1770
2470
2870
3470
Over 2 kg up to 3 kg
1380
2280
3280
3880
4680
Over 3 kg up to 4 kg
1590
2790
4090
4890
5890
Over 4 kg up to 5 kg
1800
3300
4900
5900
7100
Each additional kg
210
510
810
1010
1210

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Limits of weight:
10 kg
Limits of size-
Maxima:
Not exceeding 1.05 m for any one dimension nor 2 m for the sum of length and the greatest circumference.
Minima:
To have a surface measuring not less than 90 mm x 140 mm.
In roll form:
Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 170 mm, but the smallest dimension may not be less than 100 mm.


Table 2 sets out countries into Zones for the purpose of transmitting parcels by post to places beyond Vanuatu.


TABLE 2
Zones and countries applicable for international air parcel post


ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
ZONE 4
Australia
Brunei
Bangladesh
Macao
Afghanistan
Madagascar
Cook Islands
French
Bhutan
Maldives
Bahrain
Mexico
Fiji
Polynesia
Burma
Mariana Is. (Including Guam)
Canada
Newfoundland
Kiribati
Indonesia
China
Comoros
Oman
Nauru
Irian Jaya
Hawaii
Cyprus
Qatar
New Caledonia
Malaysia
Hong Kong
Mauritius
Iran
Reunion
New Zealand
Pitcairn Is.
India
Nepal
Iraq
St. Pierre and Miquelon
Niue
Singapore
Japan
Pakistan
Israel
Papua New Guinea
Tahiti
Kampuchea
Philippines
Jordan
Saudi Arabia
Timor (Indonesia)
Korea (D.B.R.)
Ryuku Is.
Kuwait
Syria
Samoa (American)
Tokelau Islands
Korea (Republic)
Sri Lanka
Lebanon
United Arab Emirates
Samoa (Western)
U.S. Territories in Oceania
Laos (P.D.R.)
Taiwan

U.S.A. (Excluding Hawaii)
Solomon Is.

Thailand

Tonga
Wallis and Futuna Is.

Vietnam (S.R.)


Tuvalu

TABLE 2 (continued)
Zones and countries applicable for international air parcel post (continued)


ZONE 5
Albania
Chad
Gibraltar
Malawi
St. Helena
Turkey
Algeria
Chile
Greece
Mali
St. Lucia
Turks & Caicos
Andorra
Colombia
Greenland
Malta
St. Thomas & Principe
Uganda
Angola
Congo
Grenada
Martinique
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
United Kingdom
Antigua & Barbuda
Costa Rica
Guadeloupe
Mauritania
San Marino
Upper Volta
Argentina
Cuba
Guatemala
Monaco
Senegal
Uruguay
Ascension
Czechoslovakia
Guinea
Mongolia (P.R.)
Seychelles
U.S.S.R.
Austria
Denmark
Guinea-Bissau
Morocco
Sierra Leone
Vatican City State
Azores
Djibouti
Guyana
Mozambique
Somalia (D.R.)
Venezuela
Bahamas
Dominica
Haiti
Namibia
South Africa
Virgin Is. (Brit.)
Barbados
Dominican Rep.
Honduras
Netherlands
Spain
Virgin Is.
Belgium
Ecuador
Hungary
Netherlands
Sudan (D.R.)
(U.S.A.)
Belize
Egypt (A.R.)
Iceland (Rep.)
Antilles
Surinam
Windward Is.
Benin (P.R.)
El Salvador
Ireland
Nicaragua
Swaziland
(now Dominica,
Bermuda
Equatorial
Italy
Niger
Sweden
Grenada,
Bolivia
Guinea
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Switzerland
St. Lucia or
Botswana
Ethiopia
Jamaica
Norway
Tanzania
St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
Brazil
Falkland Is.
Kenya
Panama
Togo
Bulgaria
Finland
Leeward Is.
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Yemen (A.R.)
Burundi
France
Lesotho
Peru
Tristan da Cunha
Yemen (P.D.R.)
Cameroon
French Guyana
Liberia
Poland
Canary Is.
Gabon
Libya (A.J.)
Portugal
Tunisia
Yugoslavia
Cape Verde
Gambia
Liechtenstein
Puerto Rico

Zaire
Cayman Is.
German (D.R.)
Luxembourg
Romania

Zambia
Central Africa
German (F.R.)
Madeira
Rwanda

Zimbabwe

Ghana





[Subsidiary]
(Regulation 9)


PART 6
POSTAGE (PARCEL SURFACE MAIL OUTSIDE VANUATU) RATES


TABLE 1


Rates and general conditions applicable to surface parcel transmitted to any place outside Vanuatu shall be as follows-


CATEGORY OF WEIGHTS
IN KILOGRAMS (kg)
RATES IN VT
GENERAL CONDITIONS
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
up to 1 kg
700
900
Limits of weight:
Over 1 kg up to 2 kg
900
1200
20 kg
Over 2 kg up to 3 kg
1100
1500

Over 3 kg up to 4 kg
1300
1800
Limits of size.
Over 4 kg up to 5 kg
1500
2100

For each additional kg
200
300
Maxima:



Not exceeding 1.05 m for any one dimension nor 2 m for the sum of length and greatest circumference.



Minima:



To have a surface measuring not less than 90 mm x 140 mm.



In roll form:



Length plus twice the diameter shall not exceed 170 mm, but the smallest dimension may not be less than 100 mm.

Table 2 sets out countries into zones for the purpose of transmitting surface parcels by post to places outside Vanuatu.


TABLE 2


Zones and countries applicable to surface parcel service outside Vanuatu


ZONE 1
Australia
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Burma
China
Cook Is.
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
French Polynesia
Guam
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Irian Jaya
Japan
Kampuchea
Kiribati
Laos, Peoples Rep.
Macao
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Is.
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Norfolk Is.
Northern Mariana Is.
North Korea
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Pitcairn Is.
Ryukyu Is.
Samoa (American)
Samoa (Western)
Singapore
Solomon Is.
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Tokelau Is.
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna Is.



(Schedule-Part 6 continued)


TABLE 2 (continued)
Zones and countries applicable to surface parcel service outside


ZONE 2
Afghanistan
Djibouti
Lesotho
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Albania
Dominica
Liberia
San Marino
Algeria
Dominican Rep.
Libyan Arab
Sao Tome & Principe
Andorra
Ecuador
Jamahiriga
Saudi Arabia
Angola
Egypt
Liechtenstein
Senegal
Antigua and Barbuda
El Salvador
Luxembourg
Seychelles
Argentina
Equatorial Guinea
Madagascar
Sierra Leone
Ascension
Ethiopia
Madeira
Somalia
Austria
Falkland Is.
Malawi
South Africa
Azores
Finland
Mali
Spain
Bahamas
France
Malta
Sudan
Bahrain
French Guyana
Martinique
Surinam
Barbados
Gabon
Mauritania
Swaziland
Belgium
Gambia
Mauritius
Syria
Belize
German Dem. Rep.
Mexico
Tanzania
Benin
German Fed. Rep.
Monaco
Togo
Bermuda
Ghana
Mongolia
Trinidad and Tobago
Bolivia
Gibraltar
Morocco
Tristan da Cunha
Botswana
Greece
Mozambique
Tunisia
Brazil
Greenland
Namibia
Turkey
Bulgaria
Grenada
Netherlands
Turks and Caicos Is.
Burkina Faso
Guadeloupe
Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
Uganda
Burundi
Guinea
Newfoundland
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Rep.
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Rep.
Guinea-Bissau
Nicaragua
United Arab Emirates
Cameroon
Guyana
Niger
United Kingdom
Canada
Haiti
Nigeria
Upper Volta
Canary
Hawaii
Norway
Uruguay
Cape Verde
Honduras
Oman
U.S.A.
Cayman Is.
Hungary
Panama
U.S.S.R.
Central African Rep.
Iceland
Paraguay
Vatican City
Chad
Iran
Peru
Venezuela
Chile
Iraq
Poland
Virgin Is. (British)
Columbia
Ireland
Portugal
Virgin Is. (U.S.A.)
Comoros
Israel
Puerto Rico
Yemen Arab Rep.
Congo
Italy
Qatar
Yemen Peoples' Dem. Rep.
Costa Rica
Ivory Coast
Reunion
Cuba
Jamaica
Romania
Yugoslavia
Cyprus
Jordan
Rwanda
Zaire
Czechoslovakia
Kenya
St. Helena
Zambia
Denmark
Kuwait
St. Lucia
Zimbabwe

Lebanon
St. Pierre & Miquelon


Leeward Is.



PART 7
POSTAGE BOXES (FEES)
(regulation 10)


The following rates shall be payable for the hire of postal boxes



Size of box
Rental fee
Deposit one key
Deposit second key
(a)
Small box
VT2000
VT750
VT200
(b)
Medium box
VT3000
VT750
VT200
(c)
Large box
VT4000
VT750
VT200

-----------------------------------------------------


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