Post Office mail service expanded to 46 destinations

DURBAN - The Post Office has expanded its international mail service to 46 destinations.

In a statement, the South African Post Office(Sapo) spokesperson Johan Kruger said more transport connections have become available under Covid-19 Lockdown Level 1 and the SA Post Office has been able to expand its international mail service to 46 destinations.

“More surface mail destinations became available since ships are not as severely affected by travel restrictions as aeroplanes,” he said, adding that surface mail is currently available to the US.

Sapo advised customers to remember to include their cellphone number with their address details for the delivery from the Post Office and to send an SMS when the item is ready for collection.

“Customers who are expecting an international item are requested to collect the item from their local Post Office when they receive an SMS asking them to do so,”said Kruger.

Kruger noted that mail is currently not available to Egypt, while air mail has become available to Ukraine.

What to expect:

International items are delivered within an average of 10 working days.

For a quicker service, the Post Office offers the EMS service, which delivers items within 24 hours of arrival in the destination country.

Customers can easily access the electronic customs declaration form on the Post Office website for quick clearance of parcels. The form is under “tools” on the website www.postoffice.co.za.

South Africans are entitled to two tax-free gifts from abroad per year, provided the value of each gift is below R1400. More information is on the SARS website at

Sapo also advised customers who send parcels abroad to pack the items very securely and to use padding, as the mail is transported as bulk freight.

Kruger said international parcels can be tracked all the way to delivery.

He said it is illegal to send or receive live animals or plants, flammable or explosive goods or illegal substances such as drugs in the mail.

“Any form of medication may only be imported into South Africa if the sender has a permit to export medication to SA. Some countries do not allow the importing of any plant or animal products, even in sealed packaging,” said Kruger.

For more information, visit the website of the postal administration in the receiving country.

The mail service is now available to the following countries:

Air Mail