Perishable food

Appendix 3 - Packaging requirements

Carriage of articles to which this appendix relates is prohibited unless the article is packaged and presented in the manner prescribed herein.

Liquids

A liquid shall be properly packed for carriage by post if:

it is enclosed in a leak-proof container made of glass, metal, polythene or plastic material with a secure closure; and
the container is placed in a box of metal, wood, strong plastic material or strong corrugated cardboard which contains enough sawdust, cotton wool or other appropriate protective material to absorb the substance should the container break; and
the box has a lid which is so fixed that it cannot easily work loose; and
where the container is a can with an uncrimped, friction-fitted lid, that lid shall be fastened to the can by spot soldering in at least four places evenly spaced around the lid.

Pastes, powders and tablets

A paste, powder or tablet shall be properly packed for carriage by post if:

being a paste which will easily liquefy, it is packed as for a liquid;
being a paste which will not easily liquefy, it is first enclosed in a box, plastic or cloth bag, or similar secure covering, which in turn is placed in a box of wood, metal or other material strong enough to prevent the contents from leaking due to fracture;
being a dry non-colouring powder, it is first placed in a container of metal, wood, strong plastic material or cardboard which is then placed in a box of those materials;
being a dry colouring powder, it is first placed in a leak-proof box of metal, wood or strong plastic which is then placed in a box of wood, strong plastic material or corrugated cardboard with sawdust or other appropriate protective and absorbent material between the two containers; or
being in tablet form, it is enclosed in securely fastened bottles or cans protected by a strong container, or is enclosed in a strong container made up of a sealed inner section which slides into another section to form a tightly fitting and completely closed container.

Sharp objects

An article containing an object with a sharp edge or point which is not equipped with a securely fitted sheath or guard, shall be properly packed for carriage by post if it is placed in a rigid container and the sharp edge or point is wrapped in or covered by cork, polyurethane foam or other suitable material which will prevent cutting or puncturing of the outer wrapping of the article containing the object. The outer wrapping shall be of metal, wood, strong plastic or other rigid material.

Perishable food

A perishable food shall be properly packed for carriage by post if -

being eggs, the eggs are packed in a rigid leak-proof box with each egg contained in a separate partition. Each egg shall be wrapped separately in shock absorbent material. A layer of shock absorbent material shall be placed in the box above and below the eggs. The box shall contain sufficient absorbent material to take up any escaped contents in case of breakage;
being fish, poultry, meat or game, it is packed in boxes or sewn up in sacking or similar material, with sufficient internal waterproof wrapping or absorbent packing to prevent the contents from:

damaging the outer covering of the article containing the food;
damaging other postal articles; or
emitting an offensive smell;
being fruit or vegetables, it is packed in waterproof material and placed inside a rigid outer container with a tightly fitting lid; or

not being a perishable food specified herein, it is packed to prevent the contents from escaping and damaging other postal articles or emitting an offensive smell.