I am going to do a 1,200 mile LEJOG this spring (Land's End, England to John O'Groats, Scotland). Does anybody have any experience mailing a bounce box in the UK? What do they want on the label? How long will they hold the box? Any customs issues?
Thanks,
--Jack Frost
Sounds interesting.
Subscribed.
4eyedbuzzard
02-06-2011, 11:18
There shouldn't be any customs issues as you're not conducting commerce, but there will be restrictions on flammables, perishables, etc.
I don't know the details offhand, but my wife works for USPS, and has access to some of their procedures. I'll ask her and post back this coming week if she can get any further info. You could also contact Royal Mail customer service.
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/product1?catId=500185&mediaId=400023
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/product1?catId=500185&mediaId=400144
I did find this regarding General Delivery in the UK at http://www.usp1.com/General_delivery/encyclopedia.htm
In the United Kingdom, mail is addressed to POSTE RESTANTE (or TO BE CALLED FOR), which is written after the full name of the recipient (as appears on the identification to be presented e.g. a passport, if abroad), then the name and full address of the destination post office, thus:
Mr. John Smith
POSTE RESTANTE
Islington Post Office
116 Upper Street
Islington
London N1 1AE
If only addressed to a town name, for example “POSTE RESTANTE, LONDON”, mail will go to the closest main post office branch (there being more than a hundred crown offices – directly-managed post office branches – in London[1]).
The sender should also include their return address. In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail holds mail posted from within the UK for two weeks, whereas mail posted from abroad is normally held for one month, if the recipient is at sea however, it will be held for two months.[2] Where mail is not collected within that time, it will be returned to the sender, or if there is no sender indicated, will be treated as undeliverable. If the sender would like uncollected mail returned sooner, they can indicate this on the envelope. Timescales vary from country to country according to local practice.
Thanks, Buzzard. I've seen this "POSTE RESTANTE" before, but didn't know what it was. This should do the trick.
--Jack Frost