General Knowledge Questions on Indian Culture & Freedom struggle 1.

 140. PA Exam Materials – PO Guide part I -6
Smt P.Kiruthika Paramasivam

Gist of Major Activities of Various Types of Offices Handling International Mail

• Office of Exchange (OE): Makes up and exchanges international mails with Offices of Exchange of foreign countries after customs clearance. An OE can be an only outward OE, only an inward OE or both. It maintains accounts relating to international mail exchange with foreign countries and handles inquiries and indemnity cases.

• OE of Transit: Receives and dispatches only closed mail bags addressed to or received from OEs in India and OEs in foreign countries. It also handles foreign origin bags received in Closed Transit and forwards the same to destination countries. It exchanges mail bags with carriers or officials of foreign administration.

• FPO: An OE where Customs examination and clearance of imported goods or export goods are carried out. The assessment of Customs Duty is carried out only for articles to be delivered by post offices under that FPO's jurisdiction. Articles to be delivered under the jurisdiction of another FPO are diverted to them for examination and duty assessment. It maintains accounts related to customs duty.

• SFPO: Receives and dispatches international mail to and from mapped offices within the country (inbound or outbound or both). No exchange of mail with other countries. Customs examination of inbound/outbound International mail as assigned to the office. Assessment and accounting of customs duty.

• IBC/DNK: Booking of International Mail to promote exports. Provides guidance in generating IEC for customers and automated PBE. Offers pick-up facility for bulk customers and provision of packing material for customers. Ensures deployment of well-trained staff in customs and postal security related rules and procedures. Focuses on marketing and facilitation in export processes. Provides nodal delivery of inward mail if volumes justify and there is clear delivery advantage. Allows direct exchanges of Bags with SFPO/FPO if volumes justify.

The document provides definitions related to postal services, business hours, payment of postage, supply and sale of postage stamps, fraudulent use of stamps, illegal manufacture or usage of stamps, philately, issuance and sale of commemorative stamps, and standards for addressing items both domestically and internationally.