Sample Rates 1875-1971

The overseas sample post, as with the corresponding inland service (when available), was mostly restricted to packets containing only bona fide trade samples of merchandise sent as a 'taster' by businesses, but which did not themselves have any resale value in the form supplied.

It also covered scientific and natural history specimens (originally a wide range of such specimens were allowed, but in later years only medicines sent by recognised laboratories qualified), and (in pre-war days at least) keys and printers' blocks.

The weight limit for destinations in the Empire (and later the Commonwealth) was eventually 5lb, which was much higher than the maximum weight allowed for the rest of the world – which over most of this period was only 1lb. Where rates above 1lb are given in the table below this limit should be borne in mind.

The rates shown here originally applied specifically to UPU countries (with any existing agreements applying for countries that had not yet joined the UPU), but were made general from 1st January 1892.

Samples as a distinct category of mail were discontinued from 1st July 1971.

[*]France joined the (then) General Postal Union only as from 1st January 1876. As a consequence, from 1st July to 31st December 1875 samples to several GPU countries were charged at 2d per 2oz if sent via France. This applied to Egypt, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Malta and Turkey, and except in the case of Spain was an optional route.