- The deadline for airmail to Australia for the festive season is 17 November.
- A Qantas repatriation flight will be leaving South Africa later this month.
- The SA Post Office has warned that mail that misses the deadline will be sent via surface mail, which can take up to six weeks.
Are you planning to send your loved ones in Australia a Christmas gift? Well, you'll need to hurry to make sure you get it onto the last plane out.
The South African Post Office said Australian airline Qantas informed it of a scheduled repatriation flight to that country, which would allow people to send gifts for the festive season by airmail.
"No regular flights are available between South Africa and Australia. Customers must hand in items for Australia at their local post office by no later than 17 November 2021," the SA Post Office said in a statement.
READ | Post Office says 'only' 11% of mail doesn't reach destination on time
Any items that miss the deadline will be sent by surface mail, which can take up to six weeks.
No items containing animal or plant products, medication or any illegal substances may be posted. Liquids that may leak or items such as aerosols (which could explode in an unpressurised aircraft) may not be posted. All outgoing parcels are x-rayed to check the contents for banned items.
As international transport connections open up, there are mail services to more countries, the SA Post Office said.
However, only surface mail is available for those posting items to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The statement read:
The SA Post Office has introduced an electronic customs declaration form on its website for faster customs clearance of incoming and outgoing parcels.
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