PostalPlus for SME
How to Choose Overseas Postal Services
SMEs in Hong Kong keep in close contact with their overseas business partners every day through dispatch of samples, documents, goods, etc. Hence, it is crucial to select appropriate overseas postal services. Hongkong Post provides SMEs with a range of efficient and reliable overseas postal solutions catering different courier needs, helping them achieve maximum operational effectiveness at the least postal costs.
To help members get the way to select appropriate overseas postal services, a list of services offered by Hongkong Post is given below for easy reference in making smart choices:-
(I) Consideration Factors for Selecting the Overseas Postal Services
| Types of mail |    |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Service | Vantage (Courier) | Speedpost (EMS Service) |
e-Express Service | Air Mail | Registered Air Mail | Bulk Air Mail | Surface Mail (International) |
| 1.Checking on Delivery Status | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes | You can select a free value-added tracking feature for your mail bags and mail items. This tracking feature provides two tracking information including “date of posting” and “date of departure” on bag level. | N/A |
| 2.Delivery Speed | 4 to 15 working days | 2 - 5 working days1 (Major Destinations) |
7 to 14 working days (subject to flight availability and progress of customs clearance and aviation security check, etc.) | 4 - 24 working days | 4 - 24 working days | 4 - 24 working days | 2 - 110 working days |
| 3.Minimum Posting Quantity / Weight | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Minimum weight for each mail bag in the same posting is to be set at 7kg | N/A |
| 4.Maximum Weight Limit (per Mail Item) | 30kg (Europe); 11kg (USA); 20kg (Australia & New Zealand) |
30kg2 (Major Destinations) |
2kg | 2kg | 2kg | 2kg | 2kg |
| 5.Compensation for Loss or Damage of Mail Item | Up to HK$1,500 (with full refund of postage of the item) |
Up to HK$1,500 (with full refund of postage of the item) |
(i) up to a maximum HK$1,000 for any item weighing 500g and above (ii) up to a maximum of HK$500 for any item weighing less than 500g is payable to the claimant |
N/A | Up to HK$320 and charges and fees paid, (except registration charge) | N/A | N/A |
| 6.Compensation for Delay in Delivery of Mail Item | N/A | Up to HK$1,500 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 7.Price Ranking | Medium | Medium - High | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low - Medium | Low |
| 8.1 Extra Insurance Option | N/A | Available (for Speedpost Freight Service - up to HK$200K / consignment; for other Speedpost services – up to $50K/Item) |
It is entirely voluntary to purchase extra insurance coverage. Under the existing contract, the premium is $10.5 per item. | N/A | Available (up to HK$46,000 for certain destinations) |
N/A | Available (up to HK$46,000 for certain destinations) |
| 8.2 "Postage Paid by Addressee" Service | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 8.3 "Cash On Delivery" Service | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Types of mail |  |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Service | Vantage (Courier) |
Speedpost (EMS Service) |
Air Mail | Surface Mail (International) |
| 1.Checking on Delivery Status | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| 2.Delivery Speed | 4 to 15 working days | 2 - 5 working days1 (Major Destinations) |
6 – 28 working days | 3 – 120 working days |
| 3.Minimum Posting Quantity / Weight | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 4.Maximum Weight Limit (per Mail Item) | 30kg (Europe); 11kg (USA); 20kg (Australia & New Zealand) |
30kg2 (Major Destinations) |
10 - 30kg (Depends on destination) |
10 - 30kg (Depends on destination) |
| 5.Compensation for Loss or Damage of Mail Item | Up to HK$1,500 (with full refund of postage of the item) |
Up to HK$1,500 (with full refund of postage of the item) | Damage : according to the weight of the item upon posting. Loss : according to the weight of the item plus refund of the postage upon posting. |
N/A |
| 6.Compensation for Delay in Delivery of Mail Item | N/A | Up to HK$1,500 | N/A | N/A |
| 7.Price Ranking | Medium | Medium - High | Medium | Low |
| 8.1 Extra Insurance Option | N/A | Available (for Speedpost Freight Service - up to HK$200K / consignment; for other Speedpost services – up to $50K/Item) |
Available (up to HK$46,000 for certain destinations) |
Available (up to HK$46,000 for certain destinations) |
| 8.2 "Postage Paid by Addressee" Service | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| 8.3 "Cash On Delivery" Service | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A |
(II) Posting Procedures
| Types of mail | |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Service | Vantage (Courier) | Speedpost (EMS Service) |
e-Express Service | Air Mail | Registered Air Mail | Bulk Air Mail | Surface Mail (International) |
| 1. Check Overseas Letter Mail Zoning | N/A | N/A | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 2. Check Postage | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 3. Check Delivery Speed | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 4. Service Information by Destination | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 5. Packing Preparation and Customs Declaration | Details | Details | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration | Packing Preparation;Mail Specifications & Customs Declaration | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration |
| 6. Request for Posting Documents and Packing Materials | Enter “Post Now” or log on EC-Ship platform. Input or upload delivery information, then Print out a shipping label and affix it to the surface of a mail item. | Details | Enter “Post Now” or log on EC-Ship platform. Input or upload delivery information, then Print out a shipping label and affix it to the surface of a mail item. | Collect postal stationery from the any one post office prior to posting | Collect postal stationery from the any one post office prior to posting | Collect postal stationery from the bulk acceptance offices prior to posting | Collect postal stationery from the any one post office prior to posting |
| 7. Applicable Posting Office | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Applicable to Bulk Acceptance Offices only | Details |
| 8. Check Latest Time of Posting | N/A | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| Types of mail | |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Service | Vantage (Courier) | Speedpost (EMS Service) |
Air Mail | Surface Mail (International) |
| 1. Check Overseas Letter Mail Zoning | N/A | N/A | Details | Details |
| 2. Check Postage | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 3. Check Delivery Speed | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 4. Service Information by Destination | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 5. Packing Preparation and Customs Declaration | Details | Details | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration | Packing Preparation & Customs Declaration |
| 6. Request for Posting Documents and Packing Materials | Enter “Post Now” or log on EC-Ship platform. Input or upload delivery information, then Print out a shipping label and affix it to the surface of a mail item. | Details | Collect postal stationery from the any one post office prior to posting | Collect postal stationery from the any one post office prior to posting |
| 7. Applicable Posting Office | Details | Details | Details | Details |
| 8. Check Latest Time of Posting | N/A | Details | Details | Details |
Remark:
- The delivery time of Speedpost items varies depending on the destination. Please refer to Speedpost website for details.
- The maximum weight of Speedpost items varies depending on the destination. Please refer to Speedpost websitefor details.
- Information contained in this issue is for general reference only. For latest updates, please visit relevant product webpage. In case of discrepancy between this issue and the webpage, the respective product webpage version shall prevail.