Common Questions About The New Postal Changes

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1. When do I have to be in compliance with the new changes to the law?
   
Everyone will be required to be in compliance with the amendments to the Post Office Act and regulations by August 31, 2009.


2. What is the first thing I should do to be sure that I am in compliance?
   

The first step is to contact all of your correspondents, both local and international, to ensure that they have your correct mailing address. If you have a Post box at the General Post Office or one of our Sub Post Offices and prefer your mail to be delivered there please ensure that your correspondents have your post box as your mailing address.  Then you should have a mail box placed as close as practicable to your boundary and easily accessible by the postman.

3. What happens if I am not in compliance with the law after August 31, 2009?

Anyone who is not in compliance with the amendments to the Post Office Act and regulations by August 31, 2009 will not receive mail to that address.

4. What will happen to my mail if I am not in compliance with the law after August 31, 2009?

Mail that cannot be delivered will be returned to sender. If there is no return to sender address on the mail packet it will go to the Bermuda Post Office’s Dead Letter Office. All international mail without a return to sender address will be returned t the country of origin. All local mail without a return to sender address will remain at the DLO and if unclaimed after 1 month the mail packet will be destroyed.

5. What is a properly addressed mail packet?

A properly addressed mail packet consists of the following components:

1. The name of the recipient
2. Apartment/Unit name or number
3. The correct house/building number
4. The correct street name
5. The correct parish
6. The correct Postal code
7. A Return to Sender address

Please refer to the Post Office section of the blue pages of the Telephone Directory for assistance.

6. What happens if I don't have all of the components listed on my mail packet?

If any of the information is incorrect, incomplete or the address is not valid the mail will be returned to sender. If there is no return to sender address listed then the mail will go to the Dead Letter Office. All international mail without a return to sender address will be returned t the country of origin. All local mail without a return to sender address will remain at the DLO and if unclaimed after 1 month the mail packet will be destroyed.

7. Do I need to have a private post box at my residence or business?

The amendments to the Post Office Act and Regulations states that any unit requiring a delivery to a physical address must have a mail situated as close as practicable to the boundary of the property.  Also the mail box must be easily accessible to the post person.

8. Why does my mailbox have to be on the boundary of my property?

To reduce the amount of time a Postman has to spend traveling inside a property to deliver mail. Mailboxes are to be erected as close as practicable to the boundary. This will allow more time for a consistent delivery to the entire route.

9. I don't have a number on my house. Will this be an issue??

Under the new legislation all premises are required, by law, to have the correct house number visible from the highway or private road boundary to the property. This is to aid the Postman in locating and delivering to the correct address more efficiently.

10. What about the security of my mail. How do I ensure that no one tampers with it if the box is near my boundary?

It is a criminal offence to interfere with the mail. Section 69 of the Post Office Act 1900 states: “Any person who stops a mail with intent to search the mail or to steal any postal packet in the mail, commits an offence against this Act: Punishment on conviction on indictment: imprisonment for four years.”

Local vendors provide many styles of mailboxes including ones with locks. You should erect a mailbox that suits your needs as well as complies with the new legislation.

11. What type of mailbox should I get?

You should make that decision based on the type of mail you expect to receive. Take into consideration the size of the opening of the box as well as the size of the cavity (holding area). Mailboxes can be purchased from the General Post Office in Hamilton or other local vendors like SAL, Gorham’s and Masters.

12. I have apartments on my house, where should their mailboxes be?

Multi dwelling houses should have all mailboxes located in the same place as close as practicable to the boundary of the property and be visibly identifiable (e.g. with apartment names or numbers). This will assist the Postman in his delivery and reduce the amount of stops needed at one location.

13. I live in a condominium development; can I have a box outside my unit?

Condominium developments have a different requirement. Condos require cluster boxes for their cluster of units or one cluster box area/building for the entire development. The Manager of Delivery Services can assist in determining the best solution for your development. Please have the Condo Association contact the Bermuda Post Office for a site visit and consultation.

14. What type of cluster box do I need and where can I purchase it?

The Manager of Delivery Services can assist in determining the best solution for you. Please contact the Bermuda Post Office for a site visit and consultation. Or you can consult one of the following on island vendors who can supply you with cluster boxes.

Gorham's Limited Henry Adderley 295-1550	Conspec Limited Dennis Cherry 296-5775
Smooth & Easy Limited Gary Wolfe     236-5317	Bermuda Garage Door Co. Ltd. John Rocha 236-9654
Baptiste Builders Supply Todd Holleman 236-2095 ext. 231

15. My office is on the top floor of a multi story office building that has a number of different offices. Where should I place my post box?

Multi story office buildings, like condominiums require a central mail delivery drop. Buildings should be fitted with a cluster mail box, a mail room or reception area on the ground floor to accept mail on behalf of the building’s tenants.

16. My neighbour's dogs are never tied up. How will this affect my delivery?

The Post Office Amendment Act is very clear; Postmen will not deliver to any area that he is exposed to personal risk or injury to them or their vehicles/equipment. This applies to animals as well as construction sites or other hazardous areas. In this instance however, you should encourage your neighbor to take corrective action and/or contact the appropriate authorities to assist.

17. My mother is elderly and physically challenged and would have a long way to travel to the boundary of her property to collect her mail. Is there anyway to assist her?

The Postmaster General has the discretion to make exceptions under special circumstances for the placement of mail boxes. Please contact the Bermuda Post office for a site visit and consultation.

18. Where can I find or confirm my correct address?

The Government Land Valuation Department maintains all correct unit addresses by assessment number.   Please refer to their data at www.landvaluation.bm or telephone 297-7964.