On the ratification of the Seventh Additional Protocol to the Charter of the Universal Postal Union

The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 18, 2011 No. 392-IV

     To ratify the Seventh Additional Protocol to the Charter of the Universal Postal Union, signed in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     President       Of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev

Charter, Additional Protocol

     Seventh Additional Protocol to       The Charter of the Universal Postal Union

(Bulletin of International Treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2011, No. 3, Article 30) (Entered into force on March 14, 2011)

     Table of contents

Article I. (amended preamble) II. (added article 1 bis)   Definitions III. (amended Article 22) Acts of the Union IV. (amended Article 30)          Amendment of the Articles of Association V. (amended by art. 31)          Amendment of the General Regulations,                                   Conventions and Agreements VI.                               Accession to the Additional Protocol and other Acts of the Union VII.                              Entry into force and duration of the Additional Protocol to the Charter                                   Universal Postal Union

     Seventh Additional Protocol to       The Charter of the Universal Postal Union

     The plenipotentiary representatives of the Governments of the member countries of the Universal Postal Union, meeting at the Congress in Bucharest, on the basis of Article 30.2 of the Charter of the Universal Postal Union, adopted in Vienna on July 10, 1964, adopted, subject to ratification, the following amendments to the said Charter.

     Article I (Amended preamble)

     In order to develop ties between peoples through the effective functioning of postal services and to promote the lofty goals of international cooperation in cultural, social and economic terms, the plenipotentiary representatives of the Governments of the Contracting Countries have adopted, subject to ratification, this Charter.       The Union aims to stimulate the sustainable development of high-quality, efficient and affordable universal postal services in order to facilitate communication between the inhabitants of the planet: - ensuring the free circulation of mail items through a single postal territory formed by interconnected networks; - promoting the adoption of fair common standards and the use of technology; - ensuring cooperation and interaction of stakeholders; - promoting effective technical cooperation- taking care of meeting the changing needs of customers.

     Article II (Added article 1 bis)       Definitions

     1. The following terms used in the Acts of the Universal Postal Union should have the meanings defined below: 1.1 Postal Service: all postal services, the scope of which is determined by the Union authorities. The main obligations related to these services are to fulfill certain social and economic tasks of the member countries, which is ensured by the reception, sorting, forwarding and delivery of postal items.       1.2 Member country: a country that fulfills the conditions of Article 2 of the Charter.       1.3 Unified Postal Territory (the same postal territory): The obligation imposed on the Contracting Parties in accordance with the Acts of the Union to ensure the mutual exchange of written correspondence, including freedom of transit, and to process postal items in transit from other countries, without discrimination, in the same manner as their own postal items.       1.4 Freedom of transit: the obligation of the intermediate postal administration to carry out the transportation of mail sent to them in transit by another postal administration, providing these items with the same processing as for domestic service items.       1.5 Dispatch of written correspondence: shipments specified in the Convention.       1.6 International Postal Service: postal operations or services regulated by Acts. The totality of such operations or services.

     Article III (Amended article 22)       Acts of the Union

     1. The Charter is the basic Act of the Union. It contains the main provisions of the Union and cannot be the subject of reservations.       2. The General Rules of Procedure consist of provisions ensuring the application of the Charter and the activities of the Union. It is binding on all Member States and cannot be the subject of reservations.       3. The Universal Postal Convention, the Rules of Written Correspondence and the Rules of Postal Parcels include general rules applicable to the international postal service, as well as provisions on services of written correspondence and postal parcels. These Acts are binding on all Member States.       4. The Union agreements and their Regulations regulate services, other than written correspondence and postal parcel services, between the member countries that participate in them. They are mandatory only for these countries.       5. The Regulations, which contain the rules of application necessary for the implementation of the Convention and Agreements, are approved by the Postal Operations Council, taking into account the decisions of the Congress.       6. Possible Final Protocols attached to the Acts of the Union referred to in paragraphs 3-5 contain reservations to these Acts.

     Article IV (Amended article 30)       Amendment of the Charter

     1. In order for the proposals submitted to the Congress relating to this Charter to be adopted, they must be approved by at least two thirds of the member States of the Union who have the right to vote.       2. The amendments adopted by the Congress constitute an additional protocol, and unless the Congress decides otherwise, they enter into force simultaneously with the Acts newly adopted at the same Congress. They shall be ratified as soon as possible by the Member States, and the instruments of ratification shall be considered in accordance with the rule specified in article 26.

     Article V (Amended article 31)       Amendment of the General Regulations, Conventions and Agreements

     1. The General Rules of Procedure, Conventions and Agreements define the conditions for accepting proposals that relate to them.        2. The Convention and the Agreements enter into force simultaneously and for the same period. From the date set by Congress for the entry into force of these Acts, the relevant Acts of the previous Congress shall be repealed.

     Article VI       Accession to the Additional Protocol and other Acts       The Union

     1. Member countries that have not signed this Protocol may accede to it at any time.       2. Member countries that are parties to the Acts revised at the Congress, but which have not signed them, are obliged to join them as soon as possible.       3. The instruments of accession relating to the cases referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 should be sent to the Director General of the International Bureau. The Director General reports them to the Governments of the Member countries.

     Article VII       Entry into force and duration of the Additional Protocol to the Charter of the Universal Postal Union

       This Additional Protocol shall enter into force on January 1, 2006 and shall remain in force indefinitely.        In witness whereof, the plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the Member Countries have drawn up this Additional Protocol, which will have the same force and meaning as if its provisions had been incorporated into the text of the Charter itself, and signed it in a single copy, which will be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy of this copy will be provided to each party by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

       Done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     See the signatures listed below

            Pour                                     Pour L'ETAT ISLAMIQUE D'AFGHANISTAN:             LA REPUBLIQUE ALGERIENNE                                            DEMOCRATIQUE ET POPULAIRE:

            Pour                                     Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AFRIQUE DU SUD:             LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERALE                                                   D'ALLEMAGNE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA RE PUBLIQUE D'ALBANIE:                 LES ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'ANGOLA:                    LA REPUBLIQUE ARGENTINE:

            Pour                                   Pour     ANTIGUA-ET-BARBUDA:                   LA REPUBLIQUE D'ARMENIE:

            Pour                                   Pour LE ROYAUME DE L'ARABIE SAOUDITE:                L'AUSTRALIE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AUTRICHE:                  LE ROYAUME DE BAHRAIN:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AZERBAIDJAN:             LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE                                               DU BANGLADESH:

           Pour                                    Pour LE COMMONWEALTH DES BAHAMAS:                    LA BARBADE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BELARUS:                  LA REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN:

           Pour                                    Pour        LA BELGIQUE:                        LE ROYAUME DE BHOUTAN:

           Pour                                    Pour            BELIZE:                        LA REPUBLIQUE DE BOLIVIE:

           Pour                                    Pour       LA REPUBLIQUE                          BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:   DE BOSNIE-HERZEGOVINE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BOTSWANA:                LA REPUBLIQUE DE BULGARIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERATED LE BURKINA FASO: DU BRESIL:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BURUNDI:                       LE CANADA:

Pour                                    Pour       LE COMMONWEALTH                     LES EMIRATS ARABES UNIS:       DE LA DOMINIQUE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE L'EQUATEUR:             LA REPUBLIQUE D'ESTONIE:

           Pour Pour L'ERYTHREE: LETHIOPIE:

           Pour                                    Pour          L'ESPAGNE:                                FIDJI:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE FINLANDE:                       LA GAMBIE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE:                 LA REPUBLIQUE DE GEORGIE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE GABONAISE:                  LA REPUBLIQUE DU GHANA:

           Pour                                    Pour       LE ROYAUME-UNI                             LA GRENADE:     DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE ET       D'IRLANDE DU NORD, ILES DE LA MANCHE ET ILE DE MAN:

           Pour                                    Pour   LES TERRITOIRES D'OUTRE-MER            LA REPUBLIQUE DU GUATEMALA: DONT LES RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES     SONT ASSUREES PAR LE   GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME-UNI      DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE     ET D'IRLANDE DU NORD:

           Pour                                     Pour          LA GRECE:                           LA REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE:

           Pour                                     Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE-BISSAU:              LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAETI:

           Pour                                     Pour       LA REPUBLIQUE                        LA REPUBLIQUE DU HONDURAS:   DE GUINEE EQUATORIALE:

           Pour                                     Pour          LA GUYANE:                        LA REPUBLIQUE DE HONGRIE:

           Pour                                     Pour               L'INDE:                          LA REPUBLIQUE D'IRAQ:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'INDONIE:                     L'IRLANDE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE D'IRAN: LA REPUBLIQUE D'ISLANDE:

           Pour Pour ISRAEL:                               LA JAMAIQUE:

           Pour                                     Pour          L'ITALIE:                                LE JAPON:

           Pour Pour (AL) JAMAHIRIYA ARABE LIBYENNE LE ROYAUME NAMITE POPULAIRE SOCIALISTE: DE JORDANIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU KAZAKHSTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE DE KIRIBATL:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE KENYA: LE KUWAIT:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU KIRGHIZISTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE POPULAIRE LAO:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DU LESOTHO: LA REPUBLIQUE LIBANAISE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE LETTONIE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE LIBÉRIA:

           Pour Pour L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE LA PRINCIPAUTE DE LIECHTENSTEIN:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE LITUANIE: LA MALAISIE:

           Pour                                     Pour       LE LUXEMBOURG:                              LE MALAWI:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE LA REPUBLIQUE DESMALDIVES: DE MADAGASCAR:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU MALI: MAURICE

           Pour Pour MALTE: LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DE MAURITANIE:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DU MAROC: LES ETATS-UNIS DU MEXIQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE MOLDOVA: LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DU MOZAMBIQUE:

           Pour Pour LA PRINCIPAUTE DE MONACO: L'UNION DE MYANMAR:

           Pour Pour LA MONGOLIE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE NAMIBIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE NAURU: LA REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER:

           Pour Pour LE NE.:                        LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERALE DU NIGERIA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU NICARAGUA: LA NORVEGE

           Pour Pour LA NOUVELLE-ZELANDE: LA REPUBLIQUE D'OUZBEKISTAN:

           Pour Pour LE SULTANAT D'OMAN: LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DU PAKISTAN:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE L'AUGANDA: LA REPUBLIQUE DE PANAMA:

           Pour Pour LA PAPOUASIE - NOUVELLE-GUINEA:          LES ANTILLES NEERLANDAISES ET ARUBA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE PARAGUAY: LA REPUBLIQUE DU PEROU:

           Pour Pour LES PAYS-BAS: LA REPUBLIQUE DES PHILIPPINES:

           Pour Pour LA POLOGNE: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO:

           Pour Pour LE PORTUGAL: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU TIMOR-LESTE:

           Pour Pour L'ETAT DE QATAR: LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DEMOCRATIQUE DE CORÉE:

           Pour                                     Pour        LA ROUMANIE:                           SAINT-CHRISTOPHE                                           (SAINT-KITTS)-ET-NEVIS:

           Pour Pour LA FEDERATION DE RUSSIE: SAINTE-LUCIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE RWANDAISE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE SAINT-MARIN:

           Pour Pour SAINT-VINCENT-ET-GRENADINES: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DE SAO TOME-ET-PRINCIPE:

           Pour                                     Pour      LES ILES SALOMON:                    LA REPUBLIQUE DU SENEGAL:

           Pour Pour L'ETAT INDEPENDENT DE SAMOA: LA SERBIE ET-MONTENEGRO:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DES SEYCHELLES: LA REPUBLIQUE SLOVAQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE SIERRA LEONE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE SLOVENIA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE SINGAPORE: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DE SOMALIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU SOUDAN: LA CONFERENCE SUISSE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE SOCIALISTE LA REPUBLIQUE DU SURINAME:   DEMOCRATIQUE DE SRI LANKA:

           Pour Pour LA SUADE: LE ROYAUME DU SWAZILAND:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE ARABE SYRIENNE: LA REPUBLIQUE DU TCHAD:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU TADJIKISTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE UNIE DE TANZANIE: LA THAILANDE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE: LA REPUBLIQUE TUNISIENNE:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DES TONGA: LE TURKMENISTAN:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE LA REPUBLIQUE DE TURKIE:     DE TRINITE-ET-TOBAGO:

           Pour Pour TUVALU: LA REPUBLIQUE DE VANUATU:

           Pour Pour L'UKRAINE: L'ETAT DE LA CITÉ DU VATICAN:

           Pour Pou LA REPUBLIQUE ORIENTALE LA REPUBLIQUE DE VENEZUELA: DE L'URUGUAY:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE SOCIALISTE LA REPUBLIQUE DE ZAMBIE: DU VIETNAM:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU YEMEN:                LA REPUBLIQUE DE ZIMBABWE:

General regulations

     General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union

     Table of contents

Chapter I Activities of the Union's bodies

Article 101. Organization and convocation of Congresses and Extraordinary Congresses 102. Composition, activities and meetings of the Administrative Council 103. Information about the activities of the Administrative Council 104. Composition, activities and meetings of the Postal Operations Council 105. Information about the activities of the Postal Operations Council 106. Composition, activities and meetings of the Advisory Committee 107. Information on the activities of the Advisory Committee 108. Internal regulations of the Congresses 109. Working languages of the International Bureau 110. Languages used for documentation, discussions, and official correspondence

Chapter II The International Bureau

111. Election of the Director General and Deputy Director General of the International Bureau 112. Functions of the General Director 113. Functions of the Deputy Director General 114. The Secretariat of the Union's bodies 115. List of member countries 116. References. Opinions. Requests for interpretation and amendment of Acts. Surveys.      Mediation in settlements 117. Technical cooperation 118. Forms provided by the International Bureau 119. Acts of regional unions and special agreements 120. Journal of the Union 121. Report on the activities of the Union for the two-year period

     Chapter III       The procedure for making and reviewing proposals

122. Procedure for submitting proposals to the Congress 123. Procedure for submitting proposals to the Postal Operations Council regarding the preparation of new Regulations in the light of decisions taken by Congress 124. Procedure for submitting proposals between two Congresses 125. Consideration of proposals between the two Congresses 126. Notification of decisions taken between the two Congresses 127. Entry into force of Regulations and other decisions adopted between the two Congresses

     Chapter IV Finance

128. Setting the limit of the Union's expenses and their reimbursement 129. Automatic sanctions 130. Contribution classes 131. Payment for materials supplied by the International Bureau

     Chapter V       Arbitration

132. Arbitration procedure

     Chapter VI Final provisions

133. Conditions for accepting proposals related to the General Regulations 134. Proposals related to Agreements with the Organization      United Nations 135. Entry into force and duration of the General Regulations

     General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union

     The undersigned plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the member States of the Union, on the basis of Article 22.2 of the Charter of the Universal Postal Union, signed in Vienna on July 10, 1964, have worked out, by common consent and taking into account the provisions set out in Article 25.4 of the said Charter, the following provisions in these General Regulations ensuring the application of the Charter and the activities of the Union.

     Chapter I Activities of the Union's bodies

     Article 101       Organization and convocation of Congresses and Extraordinary Congresses (Articles of Association, Articles 14, 15)

     1. Representatives of the member countries shall meet at the Congress no later than four years after the end of the previous Congress year.       2. Each member country may be represented at the Congress by one or more Authorized Representatives to whom the Government of that country has granted the necessary powers. If necessary, it may be represented by a delegation from another Member country. However, it goes without saying that one delegation can represent only one Member country other than its own.       3. During the discussions, each Member country has one vote, unless the sanctions provided for in Article 129.4 are applied. Basically, each Congress determines the country in which the next Congress will be held. If this decision proves unacceptable, the Governing Body is given the right to determine the country in which the meetings of the Congress will be held, after agreeing with it on this issue.       5. In agreement with the International Bureau, the Government of the inviting country sets the final date and exact location of the Congress. In principle, one year before this date, the Government of the inviting country sends an invitation to the Government of each member country. This invitation may be sent either directly, or through the mediation of another Government, or through the Director General of the International Bureau. 6. In the event of a Congress being convened when there is no inviting Government, the International Bureau, with the consent of the Governing Body and in consultation with the Government of the Swiss Confederation, shall take the necessary measures to convene and organize the Congress in the country of the Union's seat. In this case, the International Bureau performs the functions of the Government of the inviting country.       7. The place of convocation of the Extraordinary Congress, in agreement with the International Bureau, is determined by the member countries from which the initiative to convene this Congress originated.       8. The provisions of sections 2-6 apply by analogy to Extraordinary Congresses.

     Article 102       Composition, activities and meetings of the Administrative Council (Charter, art. 17)

1. The Governing Body consists of forty-one members who perform their functions during the period separating two consecutive Congresses.       2. The Chairmanship is assigned by right to the host country of the Congress. If that country withdraws its candidacy, it becomes a member by right, and therefore the geographical group to which it belongs has one additional seat to which the provisions of section 3 do not apply. In this case, the Governing Body elects as Chairman one of the members belonging to the geographical group to which the host country belongs.       3. The forty remaining members of the Administrative Council are elected by the Congress on the basis of equitable geographical distribution. At least half of the members are renewed at each Congress; no member country may be elected by three successive Congresses.       4. Each member of the Administrative Council appoints a representative who must be competent in the postal field.       5. The members of the Administrative Council perform their functions free of charge. The expenses related to the activities of this Council are attributed to the Union.       6. The Administrative Council has the following functions::       6.1 monitor all activities of the Union between Congresses, taking into account the decisions of the Congress, studying issues related to government policy in the postal field, and taking into account international regulatory policies related to service commerce and competition;       6.2 to consider and approve, within its competence, any measures necessary to preserve and improve the quality of the international postal service and its modernization; 6.3 to encourage, coordinate and monitor all forms of postal technical assistance within the framework of international technical cooperation; 6.4 to review and approve the annual budget and annual accounts of the Union; 6.5, if necessary, to allow exceeding the limit expenses in accordance with Article 128.3-5; 6.6 establish Financial Regulations of the UPU;       6.7 establish rules relating to the Reserve Fund; 6.8 establish rules defining the Special Fund; 6.9 establish rules defining the Fund for Special Activities; 6.10 establish rules defining the Voluntary Fund; 6.11 ensure control over the activities of the International Bureau; 6.12 allow, if requested, the transition to a lower contribution class on the terms provided for in article 130.6;       6.13. to allow the transfer from one geographical group to another, if the country requests it, taking into account the views of the member countries of the geographical groups concerned; 6.14. to establish Staff Regulations and conditions of service for elected employees; 6.15. to create or abolish the posts of the International Bureau, taking into account the restrictions related to the established limit of expenses; 6.16. to establish the Regulations of the Social Fund;       6.17 approve the reports prepared by the International Bureau on the activities of the Union and financial activities for a two-year period and, if necessary, provide their comments on this; 6.18 resolve the issue of contacts with postal administrations to perform their functions;       6.19 After consultation with the Postal Operations Council, make decisions on establishing contacts with organizations that are not de jure observers, review and approve the reports of the International Bureau on UPU relations with other international organizations, and decide on the expediency of continuing these contacts and developing them.; Determine in a timely manner, after consultation with the Postal Operations Council and the Secretary General, which international organizations, associations, enterprises and qualified persons should be invited to send representatives to certain meetings of the Congress and its Commissions, if this is in the interests of the Union or may benefit the work of the Congress, and instruct the Director General of the International Bureau to send appropriate invitations;       6.20. to establish, where it deems it appropriate, the principles that the Postal Operations Council should take into account when examining issues with significant financial implications (tariffs, terminal costs, transit costs, basic air freight for mail and the filing of written correspondence abroad), closely monitor the study of these issues and consider and approve proposals of the Postal Operations Council concerning the same issues to ensure their compliance with the above principles;       6.21 To study, at the request of Congress, the Postal Operations Council or postal administrations, administrative, legislative and legal issues of interest to the Union or the international postal service. The Board of Directors should decide in the above-mentioned areas whether it is appropriate or inappropriate to conduct the studies required by the postal administrations in the interval between Congresses; 6.22 Prepare proposals that will be submitted to either the Congress or the postal administrations for approval in accordance with Article 124.;       6.23 to approve, within its competence, the recommendations of the Postal Operations Council concerning the adoption of regulations or new practices, if necessary, pending a decision by Congress; 6.24 to consider the annual report prepared by the Postal Operations Council and, where appropriate, proposals submitted by it; 6.25 in accordance with Article 104.9.16, to submit topics 6.26. to determine the country of the venue of the next Congress in the case provided for in Article 101.4.;       6.27. to determine, in a timely manner and after consultation with the Postal Operations Council, the number of Commissions necessary for the successful conduct of the work of the Congress and to determine their functions; 6.28. After consultation with the Postal Operations Council, and subject to Congressional approval, to appoint member countries that are capable of:       - to serve as Vice-Presidents of the Congress, taking into account, as far as possible, the equitable geographical distribution of the member countries; - to participate in Congressional Commissions with limited membership;       6.29 Review and approve the draft strategic plan submitted to Congress and prepared by the Postal Operations Council with the assistance of the International Bureau; review and approve annual adjustments to the plan adopted by Congress based on the recommendations of the Postal Operations Council and work with the Postal Operations Council to develop and adjust the plan annually; 6.30 define the framework for the organization of the Advisory Committee and facilitate its organization work in accordance with the provisions of Article 106;       6.31 determine the criteria for joining the Advisory Committee and approve or reject requests for membership according to these criteria, ensuring that these requests are considered in accordance with an expedited procedure between meetings of the Governing Body; 6.32 appoint members who will serve on the Advisory Committee; 6.33 receive and discuss the reports and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, as well as consider his recommendations for submission to Congress.       7. At its first meeting, which is convened by the President of the Congress, the Governing Body elects four Vice-Presidents from among its members and approves its Internal Rules of Procedure.       8. Upon convocation of its Chairman, the Administrative Council convenes, in principle, once a year, at the seat of the Union.       9. The Chairman, the Vice-Chairmen, the Chairmen of the Administrative Council Commissions, as well as the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Group form the Steering Committee. This Committee prepares and directs the work of each session of the Governing Body. He approves, on behalf of the Governing Body, the annual report prepared by the International Bureau on the activities of the Union, and also performs all tasks that the Governing Body decides to entrust to him or the need for which arises in the process of strategic planning.       10. A representative of each member of the Administrative Council participating in the sessions of this body, with the exception of meetings held during the Congress, is entitled either to a refund of the cost of a round-trip air ticket in economy class or a train ticket in 1st class, or the cost of travel by any other means of transport, provided that this cost does not exceed round-trip airfare in economy class. The same right is granted to the representative of each member of his Commissions, his Working Groups or his other bodies if they hold meetings outside the Congress or Council sessions.       11. The Chairman of the Postal Operations Council represents him at meetings of the Administrative Council, the agenda of which includes issues related to the body he directs.       12. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee represents him at meetings of the Board of Directors, the agenda of which includes issues of interest to the Advisory Committee.       13. To ensure effective communication between the two bodies, the Postal Operations Council may appoint representatives to attend meetings of the Administrative Council as observers.       14. The postal Administration of the country in which the meetings of the Administrative Council are held is invited to participate in these meetings as an observer, if this country is not a member of the Administrative Council.       

15. The Governing Body may invite to participate in its meetings, without the right to vote, any international organization, any representative of an association or enterprise, or any qualified person whom it wishes to involve in its work. It may also invite, under the same conditions, one or more postal administrations of the Member States interested in the issues on its agenda.       16. The observers listed below may, at their request, participate in plenary meetings and meetings of the Administrative Council Commissions without the right to vote.:       16.1 members of the Postal Operations Council; 16.2 members of the Advisory Committee; 16.3 intergovernmental organizations interested in the work of the Administrative Council; 16.4 other member countries of the Union.       17. For logistical reasons, the Governing Body may limit the presence of observers to one person. It may also restrict their right to speak during discussions.       18. The members of the Administrative Council take an active part in its activities. Observers may, upon request, be allowed to participate in the ongoing studies, subject to conditions that the Council may establish for the effectiveness and efficiency of its work. They may also be offered the chairmanship of working and project groups when their knowledge or experience justifies it. The participation of observers should not cause additional costs for the Union.       19. In exceptional cases, observers may not be allowed to attend meetings or part of the meeting. Their right to receive certain documents may also be restricted if the confidentiality of the topic of the meeting or document requires it; a decision on such restriction may be taken on a case-by-case basis by any interested body or its chairman; each individual case should be brought to the attention of the Administrative Council or the Postal Operations Council if the issues under consideration are of interest to that body. If the Governing Body deems it necessary, it may subsequently review the restrictions in conjunction with the Postal Operations Council, if deemed appropriate.

     Article 103       Information about the activities of the Administrative Council

     1. After each session, the Governing Body informs the member States of the Union, Regional Unions and members of the Advisory Committee about its activities, sending them, in particular, an analytical report, as well as its resolutions and decisions.       2. The Governing Body shall submit to the Congress a report on all its activities and forward it to the postal administrations of the member States of the Union and the members of the Advisory Committee at least two months before the Congress.

     Article 104       Composition, activities and meetings of the Postal Operations Council (Charter, art. 18)

1. The Postal Operations Council consists of forty members who perform their functions during the period separating two consecutive Congresses.       2. The members of the Postal Operations Council are elected by the Congress on the basis of a special geographical distribution. Twenty-four seats are allocated to developing countries and sixteen seats to developed countries. At least one third of the members are renewed at each Congress.       3. Each member of the Postal Operations Council appoints a representative who is responsible in accordance with the provisions of the Acts of the Union in the field of service provision.       4. Expenses related to the activities of the Postal Operations Council are covered by the Union. Its members do not receive any remuneration. Expenses related to the travel and stay of representatives of postal administrations participating in the work of the Postal Operations Council are covered by these administrations. However, a representative of each of the countries that, according to the United Nations lists, is considered to be in unfavorable conditions has the right, with the exception of meetings held during the Congress, to be reimbursed either for the cost of an economy class round-trip air ticket or a 1st class train ticket, or for the cost of travel by any other means of transport, provided that that this cost does not exceed the cost of an economy class round-trip ticket.       5. At its first meeting, which is convened and opened by the Chairman of the Congress, the Postal Operations Council elects from among its members a chairman, a Vice-Chairman, the Chairmen of the Commissions and the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Group.       6. The Postal Operations Council establishes its own Internal Regulations.       7. The Postal Operations Council, in principle, meets every year at the location of the Union. The date and place of the meeting are set by its Chairman in consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Director General of the International Bureau.       8. The Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, the Chairmen of the Commissions of the Postal Operations Council and the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Group form the Management Committee. This committee prepares and directs the work of each session of the Postal Operations Council and performs all the tasks that it assigns to it or the need for which arises in the strategic planning process.       9. The following functions are assigned to the Postal Operations Council:       9.1 conducting a study of the most important issues of operational, commercial, technical, economic order and technical cooperation that are of interest to the postal administrations of all member States of the Union, in particular, issues with significant financial implications (tariffs, terminal costs, transit costs, basic tariffs for air mail transportation, the share of tariffs for postal parcels and the submission of written correspondence abroad), the development of information and conclusions on their topics; 9.2 review of the Union's Regulations within six months of the closure of the Congress, unless the Congress decides otherwise. In case of urgent need, the Postal Operations Council may also amend these Regulations at other sessions. In both cases, the Postal Operations Council is subject to the directives of the Administrative Council regarding policies and basic principles; 9.3 coordination of practical measures for the development and improvement of international postal services;       9.4 to carry out, subject to the approval of the Governing Body within the competence of the latter, any activities deemed necessary to preserve and improve the quality of the international postal service and its modernization; 9.5 to prepare proposals to be submitted for approval either by Congress or postal administrations in accordance with Article 125; approval by the Governing Body is required when these The proposals relate to issues within the competence of this body.;       9.6 review, at the request of the postal administration of a member country, any proposal that this postal administration sends to the International Bureau pursuant to Article 124, prepare comments on it and instruct the Bureau to attach them to the said proposal before submitting it to the approval of the postal administrations of the member countries; 9.7 recommend, if necessary and possibly after approval by the Governing Body and consultations with all postal administrations on the adoption of regulations or new practices, pending Congressional action on the matter.;       9.8 development and presentation in the form of recommendations to postal administrations of standards in technical, operational and other areas in which practice requires standardization. In addition, if necessary, it makes changes to the standards it has already established; 9.9 reviews, after consultation with the Governing Body and with its approval, the draft strategic plan of the UPU developed by the International Bureau for submission to the Congress.; annually reviews the plan approved by the Congress, with the assistance of the Strategic Planning Group, as well as the International Bureau and with the approval of the Governing Body; 9.10 approval of the annual report of the International Bureau on the activities of the Union in terms of sections that relate to the responsibilities and functions of the Postal Operations Council; 9.11 making decisions on contacts that should be established with postal administrations for performing the functions assigned to it;       9.12 study of education and training issues of interest to young and developing countries; 9.13 take the necessary measures to study and disseminate the experience and achievements of some countries in the field of technology, operation, economics and training of interest to postal services; 9.14 study the current situation and needs of postal services in young and developing countries and the development of appropriate recommendations on ways and means to improve postal services in these countries;       9.15 taking appropriate measures in the field of technical cooperation with all member countries of the Union, especially with young and developing countries, in consultation with the Governing Body; 9.16 considering all other issues submitted to it by any member of the Postal Operations Council, the Governing Body or any other postal administration of the member State;       9.17 Receive and discuss the reports and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on matters of interest to the Postal Operations Council, consider and comment on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee for submission to Congress; 9.18 Appoint members who will serve on the Advisory Committee.       10. On the basis of the strategic plan approved by the Congress, and in particular the part concerning the strategy of the permanent bodies of the Union, the Postal Operations Council, at its session following the Congress, draws up a basic work program that includes a number of tactics aimed at implementing strategies. This core program, which includes a limited number of types of work on relevant topics and topics of common interest, is reviewed annually depending on new conditions and priorities, as well as changes made to the strategic plan. 11. To ensure effective communication between the two bodies, the Administrative Council may appoint representatives to attend meetings of the Postal Operations Council as observers.       12. The following observers may, at their request, participate in the plenary meetings and in the meetings of the Commissions of the Postal Operations Council without the right to vote:       12.1 members of the Administrative Council; 12.2 members of the Advisory Committee; 12.3 intergovernmental organizations interested in the work of the Postal Operations Council; 12.4 other member countries of the Union.       13. For logistical reasons, the Postal Operations Council may limit the presence of observers to one person. He may also limit their right to take the floor during discussions.       14. Members of the Postal Operations Council take an active part in its activities. Observers may, upon request, be allowed to participate in the ongoing studies, subject to conditions that the Council may establish to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of its work. They may also be offered the chairmanship of working and project groups when their knowledge or experience justifies it. The participation of observers should not cause additional costs for the Union.       15. In exceptional cases, observers may not be allowed to attend meetings or part of the meeting. Their right to receive certain documents may also be restricted if the confidentiality of the topic of the meeting or document requires it; a decision on such restriction may be taken on a case-by-case basis by any interested body or its chairman.; Each individual case should be brought to the attention of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council, if the issues under consideration are of particular interest to this body. If the Administrative Council considers it necessary, it may, together with the Postal Operations Council, subsequently review these restrictions.       16. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee represents him at meetings of the Postal Operations Council, the agenda of which includes issues of interest to the Advisory Committee.       17. The Postal Operations Council may invite participants to participate in its meetings without the right to vote.:     17.1 any international organization or any qualified person that he wishes to involve in his work; 17.2 postal administrations of member countries that are not members of the Postal Operations Council; 17.3 any association or enterprise with which he wishes to consult on issues related to his activities.

     Article 105       Information about the activities of the Postal Operations Council

     1. After each session, the Postal Operations Council informs the member countries of the Union, regional unions and members of the Advisory Committee about its activities, sending them, in particular, an analytical report, as well as its resolutions and decisions.       2. The Postal Operations Council prepares an annual report on its activities for the Administrative Council.       3. The Postal Operations Council submits to the Congress a comprehensive report on all its activities and sends it to the postal administrations of the member States of the Union and the members of the Advisory Committee at least two months before the Congress.

     Article 106       Composition, activities and meetings of the Advisory Committee

     1. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to represent the interests of the postal sector in the broadest sense of the word and to serve as a body to ensure effective dialogue between stakeholders. It includes non-governmental organizations representing consumers, mail delivery service providers, organizations of workers, suppliers of goods and services for the postal sector, as well as organizations uniting individuals or companies interested in the activities of international postal services. If these organizations are registered, they must also be registered in a member State of the Union. The Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council appoint their respective members to the Advisory Committee. In addition to the members appointed by the Board of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, membership in the Advisory Committee is determined through a request and approval process determined by the Board of Administration and conducted in accordance with article 102.6.31. 2. Each member of the Advisory Committee appoints his own representative.       3. The expenses related to the activities of the Advisory Committee are distributed between the Union and the members of the Committee in accordance with the forms established by the Administrative Council.       4. The members of the Advisory Committee do not receive any remuneration or compensation.       5. The Advisory Committee is re-established after each Congress according to the conditions determined by the Governing Body. The Chairman of the Administrative Council is the Chairman of the organizational meeting of the Advisory Committee, which elects the Chairman of this Committee at this meeting.       6. The Advisory Committee determines its internal organization and develops its own internal regulations, taking into account the general principles of the Union and subject to approval by the Governing Body after consultation with the Postal Operations Council.       7. The Advisory Committee holds meetings twice a year. Meetings, in principle, are held at the headquarters of the Union during the sessions of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council. The date and place of each meeting are set by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee with the consent of the Chairmen of the Board of Administration and the Postal Operations Council and the Director General of the International Bureau. 8. The Advisory Committee develops its own program in accordance with the following functions:       8.1 review relevant documents and reports of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council; in exceptional circumstances, the right to receive certain texts and documents may be restricted if it is necessary to respect the confidentiality of the topic to which the meeting or document is devoted; a decision on such restriction may be taken on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authority or its Chairman; each specific case will be reported to the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council, if it concerns issues of interest to this body; restrictions may subsequently be reviewed by the Governing Body after consultation with the Postal Operations Council, if necessary; 8.2 to study and discuss issues important to the members of the Advisory Committee; 8.3 to study issues related to the postal services sector and submit reports on these issues; 8.4 to facilitate the work of the Governing Body and the Postal Operations Council, in particular submitting reports and recommendations and giving their opinion at the request of both Councils;       8.5 Submit recommendations to the Congress, subject to approval by the Governing Body, and on issues of interest to the Postal Operations Council, after consideration and comments by the latter. 9. The Chairman of the Administrative Council and the Chairman of the Postal Operations Council represent these bodies at meetings of the Advisory Committee if the agenda of these meetings includes issues of interest to these bodies.       10. In order to ensure effective communication with the Union's bodies, the Advisory Committee may appoint representatives who will participate in meetings of the Congress, the Board of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, as well as in meetings of their respective Commissions as observers without the right to vote.       11. Members of the Advisory Committee may, upon request, have the right to attend plenary meetings and meetings of the Commissions of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council in accordance with articles 102.16 and 104.12. They may also participate in the work of project and working groups in accordance with the provisions of articles 102.18 and 104.14. Members of the Advisory Committee may attend the Congress as observers without the right to vote.       12. The following observers may, at their request, participate without the right to vote in meetings of the Advisory Committee:       12.1 members of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council; 12.2 intergovernmental organizations interested in the work of the Advisory Committee; 12.3 regional unions; 12.4 other members of the Union.       13. For logistical reasons, the Advisory Committee may limit the presence of observers to one person. It may also restrict their right to speak during discussions.       14. In exceptional cases, observers may not be allowed to attend meetings or part of the meeting. Their right to receive certain documents may also be restricted if the confidentiality of the topic of the meeting or document requires it; a decision on such restriction may be taken on a case-by-case basis by any interested body or its chairman.; Each individual case should be brought to the attention of the Administrative Council or the Postal Operations Council, if the issues under consideration are of interest to this body. If the Governing Body deems it necessary, it may subsequently review the restrictions in conjunction with the Postal Operations Council, if deemed appropriate.       15. The International Bureau, under the direction of the Director General, will serve as the secretariat of the Advisory Committee.

     Article 107       Information on the activities of the Advisory Committee

     1. After each session, the Advisory Committee informs the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council about its activities, sending to the Chairmen of these bodies, among other things, an analytical report on its meetings, as well as its recommendations and conclusions.       2. The Advisory Committee prepares an annual report on its activities for the Administrative Council, sending one copy to the Postal Operations Council. This report is included in the documentation of the Governing Body sent to the member States of the Union and Regional Unions in accordance with Article 103. 3. The Advisory Committee prepares a report on all its activities for the Congress and sends it to the postal administrations of the member States of the Union at least two months before the opening of the Congress.

     Article 108       Internal Regulations of the Congresses (Articles of Association, art. 14)

     1. To organize its work and conduct discussions, the Congress applies the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Congresses.       2. Each Congress may amend these Rules of Procedure on the terms determined by the Internal Rules themselves.

     Article 109 Working languages of the International Bureau

     The working languages of the International Bureau are French and English.

     Article 110       Languages used for documentation, discussions       and official correspondence

1. The documentation of the Union shall be drawn up in French, English, Arabic and Spanish. German, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian are also used, provided that printing in these languages is limited to the main, most important documentation. Other languages may also be used, provided that the Member countries that require them bear all costs.       2. A member country or member countries that have expressed a desire to use a language other than the official language constitute a linguistic group. 3. The documentation is published by the International Bureau in the official language and in the languages of the approved linguistic groups, either directly or through the regional bureaux of these groups, in accordance with an agreement with the International Bureau. Publication in different languages is carried out in the same way.       4. Documentation published directly by the International Bureau is distributed, as far as possible, simultaneously in the various requested languages.       5. Correspondence between postal administrations and the International Bureau, as well as between the latter and third parties, may be conducted in any language used in the translation services of the International Bureau. 6. Translation costs into any language, including those related to the application of Section 5, shall be borne by the linguistic group whose members requested documents in that language. language. Member countries using the official language make a pre-determined contribution for the translation of informal documents, the amount of which, according to the contribution unit, is equal to the amount paid by member countries using another working language of the International Bureau. All other expenses related to the distribution of documents are borne by the Union. The limit of the expenses incurred by the Union for printing documents in German, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian is set in a resolution of the Congress.       7. The expenses that will be attributed to any linguistic group are distributed among the members of this group in proportion to their contributions to the expenses of the Union. These costs may be distributed among the members of the linguistic group in any other ratio, but subject to agreement among themselves and notification of their decision to the International Bureau through a representative of the group.       8. The International Bureau shall take into account, for a period not exceeding two years, any change in the choice of language requested by a Member State.       9. When discussing at meetings of the Union's bodies, French, English, Spanish and Russian are allowed, through a translation system with or without electronic equipment, the choice of which is at the discretion of the organizers of the meeting after consultation with the Director General of the International Bureau and interested member countries.       10. Other languages are also allowed during the discussions and meetings referred to in § 9.11. Delegations using other languages shall provide simultaneous interpretation into one of the languages mentioned in section 9, either by applying the system specified in the same paragraph, if it is possible to make necessary technical changes to this system, or by using separate interpreters.       12. The costs associated with simultaneous interpretation are distributed among the member countries that use the same language in proportion to the contributions to the Union's expenses. However, the costs of installation and maintenance of the equipment are attributed to the Union.       13. Postal administrations can agree on the language they will use in official correspondence. In the absence of such an agreement, French is used.

     CHAPTER II       The International Bureau

     Article 111       Election of the Director General and Deputy Director General of the International Bureau

     1. The Director General and the Deputy Director General of the International Bureau shall be elected at the Congress for a period separating two consecutive Congresses, with a minimum term of office of four years. The credentials are renewed only once. Unless otherwise decided by Congress, they take office on January 1 of the year following the Congress.       2. At least seven months before the opening of the Congress, the Director General of the International Bureau sends a note to the Governments of the member countries, inviting them to submit candidates for the posts of Director General and Deputy Director General, and at the same time indicating whether or not the Director General and Deputy Director General are interested in a possible resumption of their powers. The candidates, along with their biographies, must be submitted to the International Bureau at least two months before the opening of the Congress. Candidates must be citizens of the member countries that nominate them. The election of the General Director and Deputy General Director is conducted by secret ballot. The first elections are held for the position of CEO.       3. In the event of a vacancy for the position of Director General, the Deputy Director General shall perform his functions until the expiration of the powers provided for the Director General.; He/she has the right to be elected to this post and is a candidate in the official order, provided that his/her powers as Deputy Director General have not already been renewed at the previous Congress, as well as if he/she expresses a desire to be a candidate for the post of Director General.       4. In the event of a simultaneous vacancy for the position of Director General and Deputy Director General, the Board of Directors elects the Deputy Director General from among the candidates received as a result of the competition for the period until the next Congress. Section 2.5 applies by analogy to the submission of candidates. In the event of a vacancy for the post of Deputy Director General, the Board of Directors, on the proposal of the Director General, assigns one of the directors of rank D 2 in the International Bureau to serve as Deputy Director General until the next Congress.

     Article 112 Functions of the Director General

1. The Director General organizes, manages and directs the International Bureau, of which he is the legal representative. He can also assign positions to G1-D2 ranks and appoint and promote employees with these ranks. When appointing P1-D2 posts, he is required to take into account the professional qualifications of candidates recommended by the postal administrations of the Member countries to which they belong or in which they carry out their professional activities, taking into account equitable geographical continental distribution and languages. Candidates from regions other than those represented by the Director-General and Deputy Director-General should be appointed to D2 posts, as far as possible, taking into account the prevailing consideration regarding the effectiveness of the International Bureau. However, in cases where positions require special qualifications, the CEO may turn to external specialists. When appointing a new specialist, he also takes into account that, in principle, persons with ranks D2, D1 and P5 must be representatives of various member countries of the Union. When assigning the ranks D2, D1 and P5 to an employee of the International Bureau, he is not obliged to apply the same principle. In addition, in the recruitment process, the requirements regarding equitable geographical distribution and languages are taken into account after merit. Once a year, he reports to the Board of Directors on all appointments and promotions from P 4 to D 2. 2. The functions of the Director General are as follows:       2.1 perform the functions of the depositary of the Acts of the Union and the mediator upon joining and joining the Union, as well as upon withdrawal from it;       2.2 to inform all Governments of the member countries about the decisions taken by the Congress; 2.3 to inform all postal administrations about the approval or revision of the Regulations by the Postal Operations Council; 2.4 to prepare, at the lowest possible level, the draft annual budget of the Union in accordance with the needs of the Union and to submit it in a timely manner to the Administrative Council; to report on the budget to the member countries of the Union after its approval 2.5 to carry out the special activities required by the organs of the Union and the activities required by the Acts of the Union.;       2.6 take measures aimed at achieving the goals set by the Union's bodies, within the framework of established policies and available means; 2.7 submit suggestions and suggestions to the Administrative Council or the Postal Operations Council; 2.8 after the Congress closes, in accordance with the Internal Regulations of the EIT, submit proposals to the Postal Operations Council regarding amendments to the Regulations resulting from the decisions of the Congress.;       2.9 to prepare for the Postal Operations Council and, based on the directives given by it, a draft strategic plan for submission to Congress and a draft annual review; 2.10 to ensure the representation of the Union; 2.11 to mediate between:       - UPU and regional unions; - UPU and the United Nations; - UPU and international organizations whose activities are of interest to the Union;       - UPU and international organizations, associations or enterprises with which the Union's bodies would like to consult or join their work; 2.12 perform the functions of Secretary General of the Union's bodies and, in this capacity, monitor, taking into account the special provisions of these Regulations, in particular: - preparation and organization of the work of the Union's bodies; - development, publication and distribution of documents, reports and protocols; - activities of the secretariat during meetings of the Union's bodies;       2.13 attend meetings of the Union's bodies and take part in discussions without the right to vote, having the opportunity to be represented by another person.

     Article 113 Functions of the Deputy Director General

     1. The Deputy Director General shall assist and be responsible to the Director General.       2. In the absence of the Director General or when he is unable to perform his duties, the Deputy Director General performs his duties. The Deputy Director General shall also perform the duties of the Director General in the event of a vacancy in his post provided for in Article 111.3.

     Article 114       The Secretariat of the Union's organs (Articles of Association, Articles 14, 15, 17, 18)

     The secretariat of the Union's bodies is provided by the International Bureau under the responsibility of the Director General. It sends all documents related to each session to the postal administrations of the members of the authority, to the postal administrations of countries that, not being members of the authority, cooperate in the ongoing studies, to regional unions, as well as to other postal administrations of the member countries that request it.

     Article 115       List of member countries (Charter, art. 2)

     The International Bureau draws up and clarifies a list of the member States of the Union, indicating their contribution class, geographical group and position in relation to the Acts of the Union.

     Article 116       References. Opinions. Requests for interpretation and amendment of Acts.       Surveys. Mediation in settlements (Articles of Association, art. 20, General Regulations, art. 124, 125, 126)

     1. The International Bureau is always at the disposal of the Administrative Council, the Postal Operations Council and Postal Administrations to provide them with all useful information related to official matters.       2. He is charged, in particular, with collecting, coordinating, publishing and distributing all kinds of information of interest to the international postal service; to communicate, at the request of interested parties, opinions on controversial issues.; to make inquiries regarding the interpretation and amendment of Acts of the Union and generally to conduct studies and carry out work on the compilation or collection of documentation that are entrusted to him by the above-mentioned Acts or that will be entrusted to him in the interests of the Union.       3. It also conducts surveys at the request of postal administrations in order to find out the opinions of other postal administrations on a specific issue. The results of the survey are not voting in nature and are not bound by any official obligations.       4. It can act as an intermediary as a compensating authority for the payment of any bills related to international postal exchange.

     Article 117       Technical cooperation (Charter, art. 1)

     Within the framework of international technical cooperation, the International Bureau is responsible for providing technical assistance in the field of postal communications in all forms.

     Article 118 Forms provided by the International Bureau (Statute, art. 20)

     The International Bureau is responsible for producing international return coupons and supplying them at cost to postal administrations upon their request.

     Article 119       Acts of regional unions and special agreements (Charter, art. 8)

     1. Two copies of the Acts of regional unions and special agreements concluded in accordance with Article 8 of the Charter must be submitted to the International Bureau by the institutions of these unions or, in the absence of such, by one of the Contracting Parties.       2. The International Bureau is charged with ensuring that the Acts of Regional Unions and special agreements do not provide less favorable conditions for clients than those provided for in the Acts of the Union, and informing postal administrations of the existence of the aforementioned unions and agreements. The International Bureau shall inform the Administrative Council of any violation established on the basis of these regulations.

     Article 120 Journal of the Union

     The International Bureau, using the documents provided to it, publishes the journal in German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French and Russian.

     Article 121       Report on the activities of the Union for the two-year period (Charter, art. 20, General Regulations, art. 102.6.17)

     The International Bureau draws up a report on the activities of the Union for a two-year period, which, after its approval by the Governing Body, is sent to the postal administrations, regional unions and the United Nations.

     CHAPTER III       The procedure for making and reviewing proposals

     Article 122       Procedure for submitting proposals to the Congress (Statute, art. 29)

1. Subject to the exceptions provided for in paragraphs 2 and 5, any proposal to the Congress shall be submitted by the postal administrations of the member countries in accordance with the following procedure: (a) Proposals that are received by the International Bureau at least six months before the Congress are allowed; (b) no editorial proposal is accepted during the six-month period. preceding the date set for the Congress;       (c) Substantive proposals submitted to the International Bureau between six and four months before the scheduled date of the Congress are allowed if they are supported by at least two postal administrations; (d) Substantive proposals submitted to the International Bureau between four and two months before the date set for the opening of the Congress., are allowed only if they are supported by at least eight postal administrations. Offers received later are no longer accepted.;       (e) Applications for support must be received by the International Bureau within the same time period as the proposals to which they relate.       2. Proposals on the Statute or General Rules of Procedure must be submitted to the International Bureau at least six months before the opening of the Congress; proposals received after that date, but before the opening of the Congress, can only be considered if the Congress decides on the matter by a two-thirds majority of the countries represented at the Congress, and if The conditions provided for in Section 1.3 must be met. Each proposal, in principle, should have only one purpose and contain only changes confirmed by this purpose. 4. On editorial proposals, the postal administrations representing them make a note in the title: "Proposal d'ordre redactionnel" ("Editorial proposal"), and the International Bureau publishes them under the number followed by the letter "R". Proposals that do not have this mark, but, in the opinion of the International Bureau, are of an editorial nature only, are published with the appropriate mark.; The International Bureau is compiling a list of these proposals for the Congress.       5. The procedure laid down in sections 1 and 4 does not apply either to proposals relating to the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Congresses or to amendments to previously submitted proposals.

     Article 123       Procedure for submitting proposals to the Postal Operations Council regarding the preparation of new Regulations       in light of the decisions taken by the Congress

     1. The Regulations of the Universal Postal Convention and the Agreement on Postal Payment Services should be drawn up by the EIT in the light of decisions taken by the Congress.       2. Proposals resulting from proposed amendments to a Convention or Agreement on Postal Payment Services are submitted to the International Bureau at the same time as the proposals to the Congress to which they relate. They can be submitted by one postal administration of a member country without the support of other postal administrations of the member countries. Such proposals are sent to all member countries no later than one month before the Congress.       3. Other proposals concerning Regulations for consideration by the EIT in preparing new Regulations within 6 months after the Congress shall be submitted to the International Bureau at least two months before the Congress.       4. Proposals concerning amendments to the Regulations as a result of the decisions of the Congress, submitted for consideration by the postal administrations of the member countries, must be received by the International Bureau no later than two months before the opening of the EIT. Such proposals are sent to all member countries no later than one month before the opening of the EIT.

     Article 124       The procedure for submitting proposals between two       Congresses (Statute, art. 29, General Regulation, art. 116)

     1. In order for every proposal concerning a Convention or Agreements made by a postal administration between two Congresses to be accepted, it must be supported by at least two other postal administrations. These proposals will not be considered if the International Bureau does not receive the necessary number of statements of support at the same time as the proposals.       2. These proposals are sent to other postal administrations through the International Bureau. 3. Proposals concerning Regulations do not need support, but are taken into account by the Postal Operations Council only if it confirms their urgent need.

     Article 125       Consideration of proposals between the two Congresses (Charter, Articles 29, General Regulations, Articles 116, 124)

     1. The following procedure applies to any proposal concerning the Convention, Agreements and their final Protocols: if the postal administration of a member country has submitted a proposal to the International Bureau, the latter shall forward it to all postal administrations of the member countries for examination. They have two months to study the proposal and send comments to the International Bureau, if necessary. Amendments are not allowed. After these two months, the International Bureau shall send to the postal administrations of the member countries all the comments it has received and invite each postal administration of the member country to vote for or against the proposal. The postal administrations of the member States that have not communicated their opinion within two months are considered to have abstained. The above-mentioned dates shall start from the date of publication of the circulars of the International Bureau. 2. Proposals to amend the Regulations are being considered by the Postal Operations Council.       3. If the proposal concerns an Agreement or its Final Protocol, only the postal administrations of the Member States participating in this Agreement may participate in the actions referred to in paragraph 1.

     Article 126       Notification of decisions taken between the two Congresses (Charter, Articles 29, General Regulations, Articles 124, 125)

     1. Amendments to the Convention, Agreements and Final Protocols of these Acts are formalized by notification of the Director General of the International Bureau to the Governments of the member countries.       2. The changes made by the Postal Operations Council to the Regulations and their Final Protocols are communicated to the postal administrations by the International Bureau. The same applies to the provisions provided for in article 36.3.2 of the Convention and to the relevant provisions of the Agreements.

     Article 127       Entry into force of Regulations and other decisions adopted between the two Congresses

     1. The Regulations shall enter into force at the same time and for the same period as the Acts adopted at the Congress.       2. Subject to the provisions of section 1, decisions on amendments to the Acts of the Union adopted between two Congresses are subject to implementation only three months after notification of these amendments.

     Chapter IV Finance

     Article 128       Setting the limit of the Union's expenses and their reimbursement (Charter, art. 21)

1. Subject to the provisions set out in sections 2-6, annual expenses related to the activities of the Union's organs should not exceed the following amounts for 2005 and subsequent years: 37,000,000 Swiss francs for 2005-2008. The main limit for 2008 also applies to subsequent years in case of postponement of the Congress, which is scheduled to be held in 2008.2 Expenses related to the holding of the next Congress (relocation of the Secretariat, transportation costs, installation of technical equipment for simultaneous interpretation and expenses for publishing documents during the Congress, etc.) should not exceed the limit of 2,900,000 Swiss francs.       3. The Board of Directors is allowed to exceed the limits set out in sections 1 and 2 in order to take into account increases in the salary scale, pension contributions or benefits, including job benefits, accepted by the United Nations for its employees working in Geneva. 4. Depending on the Swiss consumer price index, the Governing Body also has the right to equalize the amount of expenses annually, except for those related to staff.       5. By way of derogation from section 1, the Board of Administration or, if absolutely necessary, the Director General may authorize exceeding the established limits for carrying out significant and unforeseen repairs to the International Bureau building, but so that the amount does not exceed 125,000 Swiss francs per year.       6. If the credits provided for in sections 1 and 2 prove insufficient to ensure the normal operation of the Union, these limits may be increased only with the approval of the majority of the member States of the Union. Any consultation should contain a complete list of facts justifying such a request.       7. Countries that joined the Union or were admitted to the Union as members of the Union, as well as countries leaving the Union, must pay their membership fees for the entire year during which their entry or withdrawal takes place.       8. The member countries, on the basis of the budget established by the Governing Body, pay their part of the annual contributions to the Union in advance. These contributions must be paid no later than the first day of the fiscal year to which the budget relates. After this period, interest is accrued on the amounts due to the Union at the rate of 3% per annum for the first six months and 6% per annum starting from the seventh month.       9. When the debts of the member countries on mandatory contributions without interest due to the Union are equal to or exceed the amount of the contributions of that member country for the previous two financial years, that member country may irrevocably cede to the Union all or part of its debts to other member countries on the basis of the methods established by the Governing Body. The terms of assignment of debts should be determined on the basis of an agreement concluded between the member country, its debtors/creditors and the Union.       10. Member countries that are unable to make such a transfer for legal or other reasons undertake to sign a repayment plan for their outstanding accounts.       11. With the exception of special circumstances, the repayment of arrears on mandatory contributions due to the Union may not be carried out for a period of more than 10 years.       12. In exceptional circumstances, the Governing Body may exempt a Member country from all or part of the interest due if it has paid its debts in full.       13. As part of a debt repayment plan approved by the Governing Body of a member State, it may also be exempt in whole or in part from accumulated or remaining interest; however, exemption is possible if the repayment plan is fully and accurately followed within a maximum period of ten years.       14. To cover the insufficient funds of the Union's treasury, a Reserve Fund has been established, the amount of which is set by the Administrative Council. This fund primarily includes budget surpluses. It can also serve to balance the budget or to reduce the amount of contributions from member countries.       15. As for the temporary missing treasury funds, the Government of the Swiss Confederation will advance the necessary amounts for a short period of time in accordance with the conditions that must be established by general agreement. This Government also oversees, without incurring costs, the management of financial accounts, as well as the reporting of the International Bureau within the limits of credits established by Congress.

     Article 129       Automatic sanctions

     1. Any Member country that is unable to make the transfer provided for in Article 128.9 and which does not agree to comply with or comply with the repayment plan proposed by the International Bureau in accordance with Article 128.10 shall automatically lose its voting rights at the Congress and at meetings of the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council, and may not to be elected to these two Councils.       2. Automatic sanctions are officially lifted immediately as soon as the member country concerned has fully repaid its debts on mandatory contributions due to the Union, on the amount of the principal debt and on interest, or if it agrees to sign a repayment plan for its outstanding accounts.

     Article 130       Contribution classes (Charter, Articles 21, General Regulations, Articles 115, 128)

     1. The Member States shall participate in covering the expenses of the Union in accordance with the contribution class to which they relate. These are the following classes:       class of 50 units; class of 45 units; class of 40 units; class of 35 units; class of 30 units; class of 25 units; class of 20 units; class of 15 units; class of 10 units; class of 5 units; class of 3 units; class of 1 unit;       The 0.5 unit class is intended for the least developed countries listed by the United Nations and for other countries designated by the Governing Body.       2. In addition to the contribution classes listed in Section 1, any member country may choose to pay a number of contribution units exceeding 50 units. 3. Member countries are included in one of the above-mentioned contribution classes at the time of their acceptance or accession to the Union in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 21.4 of the Constitution.       4. Member countries may subsequently change the contribution class, provided that their notification is received by the International Bureau at least two months before the opening of the Congress. This communication, which has been brought to the attention of the Congress, is effective from the date of entry into force of the financial regulations adopted at the Congress. Member countries that have not indicated within the prescribed time frame that they wish to change their contribution class remain in the class they previously belonged to.       5. Member countries may not simultaneously require their transfer to a lower category by more than one class.       6. However, in exceptional cases, such as natural disasters, when international assistance is required, the Governing Body may temporarily allow one class lower to be transferred once between two Congresses if that country provides evidence of its inability to maintain its contribution in accordance with the originally selected class. In the same circumstances, the Governing Body may also allow non-least developed country member countries that are already in the 1-unit class to upgrade to the 0.5-unit class.       7. Temporary downgrading in accordance with Section 6 may be authorized by the Governing Body for a maximum period of two years or until the next Congress, if the last One takes place before the end of this period. At the end of the specified period, the country concerned is automatically transferred to its original class.       8. By way of derogation from the provisions of sections 4 and 5, there is no restriction on transfer to a higher class.

     Article 131       Payment for materials supplied by the International Bureau (General Regulation, art. 118)

     Supplies of materials that are made by the International Bureau to postal Administrations for a fee must be paid as soon as possible, but no later than six months from the first day of the month following the month when the invoice was sent to the aforementioned bureau. Upon expiration of this period, 5% per annum in favor of the Union is accrued on the amount to be paid starting from the date of the specified period.

     Chapter V       Arbitration

     Article 132       Arbitration procedure (Statute, art. 32)

     1. In the event of a disagreement that must be resolved by arbitration, each of the postal administrations involved in the dispute chooses a postal administration of a member country that is not directly interested in the dispute. If several postal administrations act jointly, they are considered to be one administration when applying this provision.       2. If one of the administrations involved in the dispute does not respond to the proposal to appoint arbitration within six months, the International Bureau, when contacting it, invites the evading postal administration to appoint arbitration or appoints one on its own.       3. The parties to the dispute may agree among themselves on the appointment of only one arbitrator, who may be the International Bureau. 4. The decision of the arbitrators shall be taken by a majority vote.       5. In case of a split vote, the arbitrators choose another postal administration, which is also not interested in the dispute, to resolve the differences. In the absence of agreement on the choice of an arbitrator, such a postal administration is appointed by the International Bureau from among the postal administrations not proposed by the arbitrators.       6. If there is a disagreement concerning one of the Agreements, arbitrators may be appointed only from among the postal administrations participating in this Agreement.

     Chapter VI Final provisions

     Article 133       Conditions for accepting proposals related to the General Regulations

For the adoption of proposals submitted to the Congress relating to these General Regulations, they must be approved by a majority of the member countries represented at the Congress and entitled to vote. Two thirds of the eligible member States of the Union must be present at the time of voting.

     Article 134       Proposals related to Agreements with the Organization       United Nations (Charter, art. 9)

     The conditions for acceptance of proposals provided for in article 133 shall also apply to proposals to amend Agreements concluded between the Universal Postal Union and the United Nations, insofar as these Agreements do not provide for conditions for amending the provisions contained therein.

     Article 135       Entry into force and duration of the General Regulations

     These General Regulations come into force on January 1, 2006 and are valid for an indefinite period of time.       In witness whereof, the plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the member Countries have signed these General Regulations in a single copy, which will be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy will be provided to each party by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

     Done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     The signatures are the same

Agreement on Postal Payment Services

Agreement on Postal Payment Services

     Table of contents

     Chapter I       Preliminary provisions

     1. Subject of the Agreement and services

     Chapter II       Postal money transfers

Article 2. Definition of the service 3. Submission of payment orders 4. Pricing plans 5. Obligations of the issuing Postal Administration 6. Transfer of payment orders 7. Processing in the destination country 8. Compensation to the postal administration making the payment 9. Obligations of the postal administration making the payment

     Chapter III       Transfer from one account to another

10. Definition of service 11. Submission of payment orders 12. Tariffs 13. Obligations of the issuing Postal Administration 14. Transfer of payment orders 15. Processing in the destination country 16. Compensation to the postal administration making the payment 17. Obligations of the postal administration making the payment

     Chapter IV       Mutual bills, monthly bills, complaints,       responsibility

18. Financial relations between the participating postal administrations 19. Complaints 20. Responsibility

     Chapter V       Electronic networks

21. General rules

     Chapter VI Various provisions

22. Application for opening a current postal account abroad

     Chapter VII Final provisions

23. Final provisions

  Agreement on Postal Payment Services

     The undersigned plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the member States of the Union, on the basis of Article 22.4 of the Charter of the Universal Postal Union, adopted in Vienna on July 10, 1964, with the general consent and subject to Article 25.4 of this Charter, have worked out the following Agreement.

     Chapter I       Preliminary provisions

     The first article       Subject of the Agreement and services

     1. This Agreement regulates all postal services intended for the transfer of funds. The countries participating in the Agreement agree among themselves on the products provided for in this Agreement, which they intend to implement in bilateral relations.       2. Non-postal organizations may participate through the postal administration, the postal receipt service or through any institution that manages the postal money transmission network in an exchange carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. These organizations should agree with the postal administration of their country to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Agreement and, within the framework of this agreement, to exercise their rights and perform their duties as a postal administration, as defined by this Agreement. The Postal Administration will serve as an intermediary for them in their relations with the postal administrations of other Contracting Countries and the International Bureau. If any postal administration does not provide the financial services specified in this Agreement, or if the quality of the service does not meet the requirements of the clientele, postal administrations may cooperate with non-postal organizations in this country.       3. Within six months of the closure of the Congress, member countries must inform the International Bureau of the name and address of the government body charged with overseeing postal financial services, as well as the name and address of the operator officially designated to provide postal financial services and fulfill obligations arising from Acts of the Union on their territory.       3.1 Within six months of the closure of the Congress, member countries must inform the International Bureau of the coordinates of those responsible for the operation of postal financial services and the complaints service.       3.2 During the period between the two Congresses, it is necessary to notify the International Bureau as soon as possible of any changes concerning government agencies, officially designated operators and responsible persons. 4. This Agreement regulates the following postal payment services:       4.1 postal money transfers, including postal money transfers by cash on delivery;       4.2 transfers from account to account.       5. Other services may be provided on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements between the concerned postal administrations.

     Chapter II       Postal money transfers

     Article 2       Service Definition

     1. Simple money transfer 1.1 The sender submits an amount of money to the post office's operating window or instructs to withdraw it from his account debit and requests that the recipient pay the entire amount in cash without any deductions.       2. A money transfer with money deposited into an account.       2.1 The sender submits an amount of money to the post office's operating window and requests that it be deposited without any deductions to the recipient's account managed by the postal administration or to an account managed by other financial organizations.       3. Cash transfer by cash on delivery.       3.1 The recipient of the "cash on delivery" shall pay or order the debit from his account and the payment of the entire amount without any deductions to the sender of the "cash on delivery".

     Article 3       Submission of payment orders

     1. Unless otherwise agreed, the amount of the postal money transfer is indicated in the currency of the destination country.       2. The issuing Postal Administration sets the conversion rate of its monetary unit to the monetary unit of the destination country.       3. The maximum amount of postal money transfers is set on a two-way basis.       4. The issuing Postal Administration has every right to determine the documents and conditions for submitting postal money transfers. If the money transfer is sent by mail, then only the forms provided for in the Regulations are used.

     Article 4 Tariffs

     1. The issuing Postal Administration, at its discretion, determines the tariffs to be paid at the time of submission. 2. For postal money transfers exchanged through a signatory country between a signatory country and a non-signatory country, the interim administration may charge a fee determined by it, depending on An additional tariff depends on the operating costs incurred, the amount of which is agreed upon between the interested postal administrations and is charged on the amount of the postal money transfer.; Nevertheless, this tariff may be charged to the sender in favor of the postal administration of the intermediate country, if the interested postal administrations have agreed to this.       3. Documents, securities and payment orders related to postal money transfers between postal administrations using postal channels are exempt from charging any tariffs under the conditions provided for in Articles 110 and 111 of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

     Article 5       Obligations of the issuing Postal Administration

     1. In order to provide satisfactory customer service, the issuing Postal Administration must comply with the service standards set out in the Regulations.

     Article 6       Transfer of payment orders

     1. Money transfers are exchanged via electronic data transmission networks provided by the UPU International Bureau or other organizations.       2. The exchange via electronic data transmission channels is carried out by sending a payment order directly to the payment institution or to any exchange institution. The protection and quality of the exchange should be guaranteed by the technical specifications of the networks used or by a bilateral agreement between the postal administrations.       3. Postal administrations may arrange for the exchange of money transfers using paper forms provided for in the Regulations and sent by priority mail.       4. Postal administrations may agree on the use of other exchange methods.

     Article 7       Processing in the destination country

1. Postal money transfer payments are made in accordance with the rules of the destination country.       2. As a rule, the recipient is paid the entire amount of the postal money transfer; optional fees may be charged if the recipient requests additional special services.       3. The validity period of electronic postal money transfers is established on the basis of bilateral agreements.       4. The validity period of postal money transfers using paper forms expires, as a rule, at the latest at the end of the first month following the date of issue.       5. Upon expiration of the above-mentioned period, the unpaid postal money transfer is immediately sent to the issuing postal administration.

     Article 8       Compensation to the postal administration making the payment

     1. For each paid postal money transfer, the issuing postal administration shall pay compensation to the postal administration making the payment, the amount of which is established in the Regulations.       2. Instead of the compensation amounts set out in the Regulations, postal administrations have the right to agree on different amounts of compensation.       3. Transferring funds without charging fees does not entitle you to compensation.       4. If there is an agreement between the concerned postal administrations, transfers of financial assistance funds that are exempt from fees by the issuing postal administration may be exempt from compensation.

     Article 9       Obligations of the postal administration making the payment

     1. The postal administration making the payment, in order to provide satisfactory customer service, must comply with the standards of the service established in the Regulations.

     Chapter III       Transfer from one account to another

     Article 10      Service Definition

     1. The owner of the postal account requests that a sum of money be debited from his account and deposited into the account of the payee managed by the postal administration or into some other account through the postal administration of the destination country.

     Article 11       Submission of payment orders

     1. The transfer amount is expressed in the currency of the destination country or in any other currency in accordance with the agreement between the issuing and receiving postal administrations.       2. The issuing Postal Administration sets the conversion rate of its currency into the currency indicated in the transfer.       3. The amount of transfers is unlimited, unless there is a decision by the concerned postal administrations.       4. The issuing Postal Administration has every right to determine the documents and conditions for making transfers.

     Article 12 Tariffs

     1. The issuing Postal Administration, at its discretion, determines the tariff to be paid upon issue. In the appropriate case, it adds tariffs for special services provided to the sender to this basic tariff.       2. For transfers carried out through any country that has signed this agreement, an additional tariff may be charged by the interim administration between the country that has signed the agreement and the country that has not signed the agreement. The amount of this tariff is agreed upon between the respective administrations and is charged on the transfer amount. Nevertheless, this tariff may be charged to the sender in favor of the administration of the intermediate country, if the administrations concerned have agreed to do so.       3. Documents, securities and payment orders related to postal transfers from one account to another carried out through postal channels between postal administrations under the conditions provided for in Articles 110 and 111 of the Republic of Kazakhstan are exempt from charging any tariffs.

     Article 13       Obligations of the issuing Postal Administration

     1. In order to provide satisfactory customer service, the issuing Postal Administration must comply with the standards of the service provided for in the Regulations.

     Article 14       Transfer of payment orders

     1. Transfers from account to account are carried out via electronic networks provided by the UPU International Bureau or other organizations based on technical specifications adopted by the administrations concerned.       2. The protection and quality of the exchange must be guaranteed either by the technical specifications of the networks used, or by a bilateral agreement between the issuing and paying postal administrations.       3. Postal administrations may agree to use paper forms provided for in the Regulations and sent by priority mail for transfers.       4. Postal administrations may agree on the use of other means of exchange.

     Article 15       Processing in the destination country

     1. Incoming transfers are processed in accordance with the applicable regulations of the destination country.       2. As a rule, fees in the destination country are paid by the recipient; however, according to a bilateral agreement, this amount can be collected from the sender in favor of the postal administration of the destination country.

     Article 16       Compensation to the postal administration making the payment

     1. With each transfer, the postal administration making the payment may require payment of the incoming tariff. This tariff can either be debited from the beneficiary's account, or paid by the issuing postal administration by writing to the debit of its mutual current postal account.       2. Transfers from one account to another without charging fees do not qualify for compensation.       3. If there is an agreement between the interested postal administrations, transfers of financial resources provided for assistance, which are exempt from fees by the issuing postal administration, may be exempt from compensation.

     Article 17       Obligations of the postal administration making the payment

     1. The postal administration making the payment, in order to provide satisfactory customer service, must comply with the service standards set out in the Regulations.

     Chapter IV       Mutual bills, monthly bills, complaints,       responsibility

     Article 18 Financial relations between the participating postal administrations

     1. Postal administrations shall agree among themselves on the technical methods used to pay off their debts.       2. Mutual accounts 2.1 As a rule, if postal administrations have a postal and checking institution, each of them opens a mutual account in the relevant administration in its own name, through which it settles mutual debts and amounts owed resulting from the exchange of transfers and postal money transfers and any other transactions that can be negotiated using these funds. postal administrations.       2.2 If the postal administration of the destination country does not have a postal receipt system, a mutual account may be opened with another administration.       2.3 Postal administrations may agree to pay for the financial exchange through administrations designated in accordance with a multilateral agreement.       2.4 In the case of an uncovered balance in the mutual account, interest is accrued on the amounts due, the amount of which is determined in the Regulations.       2.5 Interest may be accrued on a mutual account with a credit balance.       3. Monthly invoices 3.1 In the absence of a mutual invoice, each postal administration making the payment draws up a monthly invoice for each issuing postal administration, which shows the amounts paid for postal transfers. Monthly accounts are periodically included in the general account, which allows you to determine the balance.       3.2 Bills can also be paid on the basis of monthly bills without compensation.       4. The provisions of this article and the provisions of the Regulations resulting from it cannot be limited by any unilateral measures, such as the temporary suspension of payments, a ban on the transfer of funds, etc.

     Article 19 of the Complaint

     1. Complaints are accepted for consideration within six months from the day following the day of submitting a postal money transfer or making a transfer.       2. Postal administrations have the right to charge customers a tariff for complaints regarding postal money transfers or transfers from account to account.

     Article 20       Responsibility

1. Principle and scope of responsibility 1.1 The Postal Administration is responsible for amounts paid in the transaction window or credited to the debit of the sender's account until the transfer amount is properly paid or credited to the recipient's account.       1.2 The Postal Administration is responsible for erroneous information resulting in either non-payment or errors in the transfer of funds. Liability applies to errors in converting amounts, as well as errors in forwarding.       1.3 The Postal Administration is exempt from any responsibility:       1.3.1 in the event of a delay that may occur during the transfer, transfer or payment of securities and payment orders; 1.3.2. if, as a result of the destruction of official documents due to force majeure, she cannot report on the transfer of funds, unless other evidence of her responsibility is provided; 1.3.3 if the sender has not filed any complaint within the period provided for in Article 19; 1.3.4 if the limitation period for transfers in the issuing country has expired.       1.4 In the case of payment of a refund, regardless of the reason, the amount refunded to the sender may not exceed the amount that he transferred or which was debited from his account.       1.5 Postal administrations may agree among themselves to expand the scope of responsibility depending on the needs of their internal services. 1.6 The conditions for the application of the liability principle and especially the issues of determining liability, payment of amounts due, complaints, payment period and provisions on compensation due to the administration that reimbursed the losses are defined in the Regulations.

     Chapter V       Electronic networks

     Article 21       General rules

     1. To transfer payment orders using electronic means, postal administrations should use the UPU network or any other network that makes it possible to carry out fast, reliable and guaranteed money transfers. 2. UPU electronic financial services should be regulated between postal administrations on the basis of bilateral agreements. The general operating rules for UPU electronic financial services should be subject to the relevant provisions of the Acts of the Union.

     Chapter VI       Different positions

     Article 22 Application for opening a current postal account abroad

     1. When opening a current postal account or any other account abroad, or if a request for financial services is submitted abroad, the postal organizations of the signatory countries agree to provide such services.       2. The parties may agree on a bilateral basis on the assistance that they can provide to each other according to a detailed procedure, as well as on payment for the provision of such assistance.

     Chapter VII Final provisions

     Article 23 Final provisions

     1. The Convention applies by analogy in all cases not specifically specified in this Agreement.       2. Article 4 of the Charter does not apply to this Agreement.       3. Conditions for the approval of proposals concerning this Agreement and its Regulations.       3.1 In order to be accepted for execution, the proposals submitted to the Congress relating to this Agreement must be approved by a majority of the signatory member countries present and voting and having the right to vote. At least half of these member countries represented at the Congress and eligible to vote must be present during the voting.       3.2 In order to be accepted for execution, proposals related to the Rules of this Agreement must be approved by a majority of the members of the Postal Operations Council who have signed the Agreement and have the right to vote.       3.3 In order to be accepted for execution, proposals submitted between the two Congresses on this Agreement must receive: 3.3.1 two-thirds of the votes, of which at least half belong to the Member countries that signed the Agreement and have the right to vote, who participated in the voting when it comes to adding new provisions; 3.3.2 a majority of votes, at least half of which belong to the member countries that have signed the Agreement and have the right to vote, and participated in the voting, if it is a question of amending the provisions of this Agreement.;       3.3.3 majority of votes when it comes to interpreting the provisions of this Agreement.       3.4 Notwithstanding the provisions provided for in paragraph 3.3.1, any Member country whose national legislation is not yet compatible with the proposed addendum has the right, within 90 days from the date of notification of this addendum, to make a written statement to the Director General of the International Bureau stating that it is unable to agree with this addendum.       4. This Agreement shall enter into force on January 1, 2006. and it will remain in effect until the Acts of the next Congress come into force.

     In witness whereof, the plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the Contracting Countries have signed this Agreement in a single copy, which shall be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy of the Agreement will be provided to each party by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

     Done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     See the signatures listed below

            Pour                                     Pour L'ETAT ISLAMIQUE D'AFGHANISTAN:             LA REPUBLIQUE ALGERIENNE                                            DEMOCRATIQUE ET POPULAIRE:

            Pour                                     Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AFRIQUE DU SUD:             LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERALE                                                   D'ALLEMAGNE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA RE PUBLIQUE D'ALBANIE:                 LES ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'ANGOLA:                    LA REPUBLIQUE ARGENTINE:

            Pour                                   Pour     ANTIGUA-ET-BARBUDA:                   LA REPUBLIQUE D'ARMENIE:

            Pour                                   Pour LE ROYAUME DE L'ARABIE SAOUDITE:                L'AUSTRALIE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AUTRICHE:                  LE ROYAUME DE BAHRAIN:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'AZERBAIDJAN:             LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE                                               DU BANGLADESH:

           Pour                                    Pour LE COMMONWEALTH DES BAHAMAS:                    LA BARBADE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BELARUS:                  LA REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN:

           Pour                                    Pour        LA BELGIQUE:                        LE ROYAUME DE BHOUTAN:

           Pour                                    Pour            BELIZE:                        LA REPUBLIQUE DE BOLIVIE:

           Pour                                    Pour       LA REPUBLIQUE                          BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:   DE BOSNIE-HERZEGOVINE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BOTSWANA:                LA REPUBLIQUE DE BULGARIE:

           Pour                                    Pour   LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERATIVE                     LE BURKINA FASO:          DU BRESIL:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU BURUNDI:                       LE CANADA:

           Pour                                    Pour LE ROYAUME DU CAMBODGE:                   LA REPUBLIQUE DU CAP-VERT:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN:             LA REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE:

           Pour                                    Pour          LE CHILI:                       LA REPUBLIQUE DE COLOMBIE:

            Pour                                   Pour LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DE CHINE:            L'UNION DES COMORES:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE CHYPRE:                   LA REPUBLIQUE DU CONGO:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE COREE:                    LA REPUBLIQUE DE CROATIE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE COSTA-RICA:               LA REPUBLIQUE DE CUBA:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE COTE D'IVOIRE:           LE ROYAUME DE DANEMARK:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE DJIBOUTI:              LA REPUBLIQUE ARABE D'EGYPTE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE:              LA REPUBLIQUE DE EL SALVADOR:

           Pour                                    Pour       LE COMMONWEALTH                     LES EMIRATS ARABES UNIS:       DE LA DOMINIQUE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE L'EQUATEUR:             LA REPUBLIQUE D'ESTONIE:

           Pour Pour L'ERYTHREE: LETHIOPIE:

           Pour                                    Pour          L'ESPAGNE:                                FIDJI:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE FINLANDE:                       LA GAMBIE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE:                 LA REPUBLIQUE DE GEORGIE:

           Pour                                    Pour LA REPUBLIQUE GABONAISE:                  LA REPUBLIQUE DU GHANA:

Pour                                    Pour       LE ROYAUME-UNI                             LA GRENADE:     DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE ET       D'IRLANDE DU NORD, ILES DE LA MANCHE ET ILE DE MAN:

           Pour                                    Pour   LES TERRITOIRES D'OUTRE-MER            LA REPUBLIQUE DU GUATEMALA: DONT LES RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES     SONT ASSUREES PAR LE   GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME-UNI      DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE     ET D'IRLANDE DU NORD:

           Pour                                     Pour          LA GRECE:                           LA REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE:

           Pour                                     Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE-BISSAU:              LA REPUBLIQUE D'HAETI:

           Pour                                     Pour       LA REPUBLIQUE                        LA REPUBLIQUE DU HONDURAS:   DE GUINEE EQUATORIALE:

           Pour                                     Pour          LA GUYANE:                        LA REPUBLIQUE DE HONGRIE:

           Pour                                     Pour               L'INDE:                          LA REPUBLIQUE D'IRAQ:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE D'INDONIE:                     L'IRLANDE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE D'IRAN: LA REPUBLIQUE D'ISLANDE:

           Pour Pour ISRAEL:                               LA JAMAIQUE:

           Pour                                     Pour          L'ITALIE:                                LE JAPON:

           Pour Pour (AL) JAMAHIRIYA ARABE LIBYENNE LE ROYAUME NAMITE POPULAIRE SOCIALISTE: DE JORDANIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU KAZAKHSTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE DE KIRIBATL:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE KENYA: LE KUWAIT:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU KIRGHIZISTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE POPULAIRE LAO:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DU LESOTHO: LA REPUBLIQUE LIBANAISE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE LETTONIE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE LIBÉRIA:

           Pour Pour L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE LA PRINCIPAUTE DE LIECHTENSTEIN: DE MACEDOINE

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE LITUANIE: LA MALAISIE:

           Pour                                     Pour       LE LUXEMBOURG:                              LE MALAWI:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE LA REPUBLIQUE DES MALDIVES: DE MADAGASCAR:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU MALI: MAURICE

           Pour Pour MALTE: LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DE MAURITANIE:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DU MAROC: LES ETATS-UNIS DU MEXIQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE MOLDOVA: LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DU MOZAMBIQUE:

           Pour Pour LA PRINCIPAUTE DE MONACO: L'UNION DE MYANMAR:

           Pour Pour LA MONGOLIE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE NAMIBIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE NAURU: LA REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER:

           Pour Pour LE NE.:                        LA REPUBLIQUE FEDERALE DU NIGERIA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU NICARAGUA: LA NORVGE:

           Pour Pour LA NOUVELLE-ZELANDE: LA REPUBLIQUE D'OUZBEKISTAN:

           Pour Pour LE SULTANAT D'OMAN: LA REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DU PAKISTAN:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE L'AUGANDA: LA REPUBLIQUE DE PANAMA:

           Pour Pour LA PAPOUASIE - NOUVELLE-GUINEA:          LES ANTILLES NEERLANDAISES ET ARUBA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE PARAGUAY: LA REPUBLIQUE DU PEROU:

           Pour Pour LES PAYS-BAS: LA REPUBLIQUE DES PHILIPPINES:

           Pour Pour LA POLOGNE: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO:

           Pour Pour LE PORTUGAL: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU TIMOR-LESTE:

           Pour Pour L'ETAT DE QATAR: LA REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DEMOCRATIQUE DE CORÉE:

           Pour                                     Pour        LA ROUMANIE:                           SAINT-CHRISTOPHE                                           (SAINT-KITTS)-ET-NEVIS:

           Pour Pour LA FEDERATION DE RUSSIE: SAINTE-LUCIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE RWANDAISE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE SAINT-MARIN:

           Pour Pour SAINT-VINCENT-ET-GRENADINES: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DE SAO TOME-ET-PRINCIPE:

           Pour                                     Pour      LES ILES SALOMON:                    LA REPUBLIQUE DU SENEGAL:

           Pour Pour L'ETAT INDEPENDENT DE SAMOA: LA SERBIE ET-MONTENEGRO:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DES SEYCHELLES: LA REPUBLIQUE SLOVAQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE SIERRA LEONE: LA REPUBLIQUE DE SLOVENIA:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DE SINGAPORE: LA REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DE SOMALIE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU SOUDAN: LA CONFERENCE SUISSE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE SOCIALISTE LA REPUBLIQUE DU SURINAME:   DEMOCRATIQUE DE SRI LANKA:

           Pour Pour LA SUADE: LE ROYAUME DU SWAZILAND:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE ARABE SYRIENNE: LA REPUBLIQUE DU TCHAD:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU TADJIKISTAN: LA REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE UNIE DE TANZANIE: LA THAILANDE:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE TOGOLAISE: LA REPUBLIQUE TUNISIENNE:

           Pour Pour LE ROYAUME DES TONGA: LE TURKMENISTAN:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE LA REPUBLIQUE DE TURKIE:     DE TRINITE-ET-TOBAGO:

           Pour Pour TUVALU: LA REPUBLIQUE DE VANUATU:

           Pour Pour L'UKRAINE: L'ETAT DE LA CITÉ DU VATICAN:

           Pour Pou LA REPUBLIQUE ORIENTALE LA REPUBLIQUE DE VENEZUELA: DE L'URUGUAY:

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE SOCIALISTE LA REPUBLIQUE DE ZAMBIE: DU VIETNAM

           Pour Pour LA REPUBLIQUE DU YEMEN:                LA REPUBLIQUE DE ZIMBABWE:

The Convention

     Universal Postal Convention

     Universal Postal Convention Final Protocol

     Universal Postal Convention

     Table of contents

     The first part       General rules applicable to the International Postal Service

     Chapter one       General provisions

     Article

1. Definitions 2. Designation of the entity or entities responsible for fulfilling obligations arising from accession to the Convention 3. Universal Postal Service 4. Freedom of transit 5. The affiliation of mail items. Review of mail items.    Change or correction of the address. Forwarding. Return of non-deliverable items to the sender 6. Pricing plans 7. Exemption from payment of postal tariffs 8. Postage stamps 9. Postal Security 10. Environment 11. Offences

     The second part

     Rules applicable to written correspondence and postal parcels

Chapter 1       Provision of services

12. Basic services 13. Additional services 14. E-mail, EMS, integrated logistics and new services 15. Non-permitted shipments. Prohibitions 16. Permissible radioactive and biological substances 17. Complaints 18. Customs control. Customs duties and other charges 19. Exchange of closed dispatches with military units 20. Standards and benchmarks in the field of service quality

     Chapter 2       Responsibility

21. Responsibility of postal administrations. Refunds 22. Exemption of postal administrations from liability 23. Sender's responsibility 24. Payment of compensation 25. Possible recovery of compensation from the sender or addressee 26. The principle of reciprocity applied to liability clauses

     Chapter 3       Special provisions related to written correspondence

27. Submission of written correspondence abroad

     The third part       Payment

     Chapter I       Special provisions related to written correspondence

28. Terminal expenses. General provisions 29. Terminal expenses. Provisions applicable to the exchange between the countries of the final system 30. Terminal expenses. Provisions applicable to destination mail flows to, from and between countries participating in the transition system 31. Service Quality Improvement Fund 32. Transit expenses

     Chapter 2       Other provisions

33. Basic tariffs and regulations related to air transportation costs 34. Land and sea shares of the tariff for postal parcels 35. The right of the SPE to set the amount of expenses and the share of the tariff

     The fourth part is the final provisions

36. Conditions for the approval of proposals for the Convention and Regulations 37. Reservations presented during the Congress 38. Entry into force and duration of the Convention

     Final Protocol of the Universal Postal Convention

     Article

I. Affiliation of postal items. Review of mail items.       Change or Correction of the address. II. Tariffs III.  Exception in exemption from payment of postal tariffs for shipments for the blind (secograms) IV. Basic services V.    Small VI packages.   Notification of receipt VII.  The International Commercial Correspondence Response Service (ICCO) VIII. Prohibitions (written correspondence) IX. Prohibitions (postal parcels) X. Items subject to customs duties XI.   Complaints XII.  Tariff for presentation to Customs XIII. Submission of written correspondence abroad XIV.  Exclusive incoming land shares of Tariff XV.   Special rates

     Universal Postal Convention

     The undersigned plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the member States of the Union, on the basis of Article 22.3 of the Charter of the Universal Postal Union, adopted in Vienna on July 10, 1964, with the general consent and subject to Article 25.4 of this Charter, have developed in this Convention the rules applicable to the international postal service.

     The first part       General rules applicable to the International Postal Service

     Chapter one       General provisions

     The first article       Definitions

     1. The following terms used in the Universal Postal Convention should have the meanings defined below: 1.1 universal postal service: providing on an ongoing basis high-quality basic postal services at all points in the territory of a member country for all customers at affordable prices; 1.2 closed dispatch: a bag with a label, or several bags or other containers sealed with a seal or without it, containing postal items;       1.3 Open transit: the sending by an intermediate transit country of items whose quantity or weight does not justify the preparation of closed dispatches for the destination country; 1.4 postal: a general term referring to any item sent by postal services (written correspondence, postal parcels, postal orders, etc.); 1.5 terminal expenses: compensation that the postal administration The applicant must pay to the postal administration of the destination to reimburse the costs associated with receiving written correspondence in the country of destination; 1.6 Transit costs: compensation for services provided by the carrier in the country of crossing (postal administration, other service, or combination of two services) related to the land, sea, and/or air transit of dispatches; 1.7 Incoming land share of the tariff: compensation that the postal administration of origin must pay to the postal administration of destination to reimburse expenses related to receiving parcels in the destination country;       1.8 transit land share of the tariff: compensation for services provided by the carrier in the country of crossing (postal administration, other service or combination of two services) related to land and/or air transit of parcels through its territory; 1.9 maritime share of the tariff: compensation due for services provided by the carrier (postal administration, other service or combining two services) involved in the transportation of parcels by sea.

     Article 2       Appointment of the entity or entities responsible for fulfilling obligations arising from joining the       Conventions

     1. Member countries must inform the International Bureau within six months following the conclusion of the Congress of the name and address of the State body responsible for postal control. Member countries must also inform the International Bureau, within six months following the conclusion of the Congress, of the name and address of the operator or operators officially designated to operate the postal service and fulfill obligations arising from the application of Acts of the Union on their territory. During the period between Congresses, information on changes concerning government agencies or officially designated operators should be sent to the International Bureau as soon as possible.

     Article 3       Universal Postal Service

     1. In order to strengthen the concept of the unity of the postal territory of the Union, the member States pay great attention to ensuring that all users/customers have the right to access a universal postal service that would match the offer of permanent basic postal services throughout their territory at affordable prices.       2. To this end, the Member States, within the framework of their national postal legislation or by other conventional means, determine the importance of the relevant postal services, as well as the conditions of quality and reasonable prices, taking into account both the needs of the population and their national conditions.       3. Member Countries shall pay special attention to ensuring that the provision of postal services and quality standards are respected by the operators responsible for providing the universal postal service.       4. Member countries should provide a solid foundation for the provision of a universal postal service, thus ensuring its sustainable development.

     Article 4       Freedom of transit

     1. The principle of freedom of transit is set out in Article one of the Charter. According to this principle, each postal administration is obliged to send, always by the fastest routes and using the most reliable means, which it uses for its own shipments, closed dispatches and written correspondence sent in open transit, which are transmitted to it by another postal administration. This principle also applies to mailed items or dispatches. 2. Member countries that do not participate in the exchange of letters containing biological perishable or radioactive substances have the right to prevent these shipments from open transit through their territory. This also applies to written correspondence, excluding letters, postcards, and transcripts. This also applies to printed publications, periodicals and magazines, small packages and M bags, the attachment of which does not comply with the legal provisions governing the conditions of their publication or circulation in the country being crossed.       3. The freedom of transit of postal parcels sent by land and sea is limited to the territories of the countries participating in this service.       4. Freedom of transit of air parcels is guaranteed throughout the territory of the Union. However, Member countries that do not participate in the postal parcel service may not be required to ensure that air parcels are sent by land.       5. If any Member country does not comply with the provisions concerning freedom of transit, the remaining member countries have the right to terminate postal communication with that country.

     Article 5       The affiliation of mail items. Review of mail items. Change or correction of the address.       Forwarding. Return of non-deliverable items to the sender

     1. Any postal item belongs to the sender until it is delivered to the addressee, unless it has been detained in accordance with the legislation of the country of origin or destination and in the case of application of Article 15.2.1.1 or 15.3 in accordance with the legislation of the transit country.       2. The sender of the mail item can withdraw it from the mail, change or correct its address. Tariffs and other conditions are set out in the Regulations.       3. The Member States shall ensure the forwarding of postal items in the event of a change in the recipient's address, and also return non-deliverable items to the sender in accordance with the conditions and tariffs set out in the Regulations.

     Article 6 Tariffs

1. Tariffs related to various international and special postal services are established by postal administrations in accordance with the principles set out in the Convention and Regulations. In principle, they should be related to the costs related to the performance of these services. 2. The Postal Administration of Russia sets the payment rates for the forwarding of written correspondence and postal parcels. The payment rates include the cost of delivering items to recipients at home, unless the destination countries have a delivery service for the items in question.       3. The applicable tariffs, including the tariffs indicated as indicative in the Acts, must at least be equal to the tariffs applicable to domestic shipments having the same characteristics (category, quantity, processing time, etc.). 4. Postal administrations are allowed to exceed all the indicative tariffs indicated in the Acts.       5. In case of exceeding the minimum tariff limit set out in section 3, postal administrations have the right to provide reduced tariffs based on their domestic legislation for shipments of written correspondence and postal parcels submitted in their country. In particular, they have the right to provide preferential tariffs to their clients who have a large postal exchange.       6. It is prohibited to charge customers all kinds of postal rates, except those provided for in the Acts.       7. With the exception of the cases provided for in the Acts, each postal administration reserves the tariffs collected by it in its favor.

     Article 7       Exemption from payment of postal tariffs

     1. Principle 1.1 Specific cases of free shipping, such as exemption from postage, are provided for by the Convention. Nevertheless, Regulations may define provisions providing for both exemption from postage and exemption from payment of transit expenses, terminal expenses and incoming tariff shares for shipments of written correspondence and postal parcels related to the postal service sent by postal administrations and regional unions. In addition, shipments of written correspondence and postal parcels exchanged between the International Bureau of the UPU, regional unions and postal administrations are considered poisoning related to the postal service and are exempt from paying all postage. However, the filing administration has the right to charge additional fees for these shipments.       2. 2.1 Prisoners of war and civilian internees are exempt from all postal tariffs, with the exception of additional air fares, written correspondence, postal parcels and postal financial service items addressed to prisoners of war or sent by them directly or through the agencies provided for in the Regulations of the Convention and the Agreement on Postal Payment Services. Persons belonging to a belligerent party who are accepted and interned in a neutral country are treated as prisoners of war in the truest sense of the word with respect to the application of the preceding provisions.       2.2 The provisions provided for in section 2.1 also apply to written correspondence, postal parcels and postal financial service items sent from other countries, addressed to civilian internees provided for in the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, or sent by them either directly or through institutions provided for in the Geneva Convention. in the Regulations of the Convention and the Agreement on Postal Payment Services.       2.3 The institutions specified in the Regulations of the Convention and the Agreement on Postal Payment Services also enjoy the right to send free of charge items of written correspondence, postal parcels and postal financial services items related to the persons specified in sections 2.1 and 2.2, which they send or receive directly or as intermediaries.       2.4 Parcels weighing up to 5 kg are allowed for free mailing. The maximum weight is increased to 10 kg for shipments whose attachment is indivisible, and for those addressed to one camp or its proxies for distribution among prisoners.       2.5 In settlements between postal administrations, no tariff shares are charged for official parcels and parcels of prisoners of war and civilian internees, with the exception of the cost of air transportation of air parcels.       3. Shipments for the blind (secograms)       3.1 Shipments for the blind are exempt from all postage charges, with the exception of additional air fares.

     Article 8       Postage stamps

     1. The term "postage stamp" is protected by the current Convention and should be used exclusively in relation to stamps that comply with the terms of this article and the Regulations.       2. Postage stamps: 2.1 are issued only by the body authorized to issue them in accordance with the UPU Acts; the issue of stamps also includes their release into circulation.       2.2 are a manifestation of sovereignty and represent:       2.2.1 proof of prepayment of the postal fee in the amount corresponding to their actual value when they are pasted on postal items in accordance with the Acts of the Union; 2.2.2 a source of additional income for postal administrations as objects of philately; 2.3 must be in circulation on the territory of the issuing administration for prepayment of postal fees and philately.       3. As an attribute of sovereignty, postage stamps must contain: 3.1 the name of the State or territory in Latin letters, the subject of which is the issuing postal administration; 3.1.1 optionally, the official emblem of the State, the subject of which is the issuing postal administration; 3.1.2 in principle, their nominal value, indicated in Latin letters or Arabic numerals; 3.1.3 optionally, the word "Postes" ("Mail") in Latin or other letters.       4. The emblems of the State, official official inscriptions and logos of government organizations reproduced on postage stamps are protected under the provisions of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property.       5. The themes and subjects of the postage stamps: 5.1 should correspond to the spirit of the Preamble to the UPU Charter and the decisions taken by the Union's bodies; 5.2 should be closely related to the cultural identity of the country or territory of which the issuing postal administration is a subject, or contribute to the dissemination of culture or the maintenance of peace.;       5.3 if commemorative stamps are issued in honor of prominent personalities or any events that do not relate to the history of the country or territory of which the issuing postal administration is a subject, they must be closely related to that country or territory; 5.4 they must not be political in nature or offensive to any individuals or countries. 5.5 should be important for the country or territory of which the issuing postal administration is a subject.       6. As the subject of intellectual property rights, postage stamps may contain: 6.1 an indication of the right of the issuing postal administration to use the relevant intellectual property rights, namely: 6.1.1 copyright, with the © mark indicating copyright and indicating the year of issue; 6.1.2 a mark registered in the territory of the member country of which the issuing company is the subject. the postal administration, with the affixing of the registered trademark symbol after this mark; 6.2 the artist's last name;       6.3 the name of the printing house.       7. Postage stamps, franking machine prints, and prints obtained by other printing or stamping methods that comply with UPU Regulations may be affixed only with the permission of the postal administration.

     Article 9       Postal security

     1. Member States shall adopt and implement a security strategy at all levels of postal operations in order to maintain and enhance public confidence in the postal services for the benefit of all employees involved. Such a strategy should include the exchange of information related to maintaining the reliability and safety of the transportation and transit of dispatches between member countries.

     Article 10       Environment

     1. Member States should develop and implement an active environmental protection strategy at all levels of mail operation and promote awareness of environmental issues within postal services.

     Article 11       Offences

1. Postal items 1.1 Member countries undertake to take all necessary measures to prevent the following actions, as well as to prosecute and punish those responsible: 1.1.1 the inclusion of drugs, psychotropic or explosive, combustible or other dangerous substances in postal items that are not explicitly permitted by the Convention; 1.1.2 the inclusion of items related to pedophilia in postal items or child pornography.       2. Postage in general and means of postal payment, in particular 2.1 Member States undertake to take all necessary measures to prevent, suppress and punish offences in the field of postal payment, which are provided for in this Convention, namely: 2.1.1 postage stamps in circulation or withdrawn from circulation; 2.1.2 postage stamps; 2.1.3 prints of franking machines or printing presses; 2.1.4 international return coupons.       2.2 In this Convention, an offence in the field of payment methods means one of the following acts committed with the intention of illegally enriching the contractor or a third party. They must be punished:       2.2.1 falsification, imitation or forgery of postal payment means or any other illegal or criminal acts related to their unauthorized manufacture;       2.2.2 the use, release into circulation, commercialization, delivery, distribution, transportation, import, export, presentation or display (also for advertising purposes) of falsified, imitated or counterfeit means of postal payment; 2.2.3 the use or release into circulation for mail of already used means of payment; 2.2.4 attempts to commit one of the above-mentioned offenses.       3. Principle of reciprocity 3.1 With regard to sanctions, no distinction should be made between the actions provided for in paragraph 2, regardless of whether it is a national or foreign means of payment; this provision should not be subject to any conditions of reciprocity on a legal basis or on a contractual basis.

     The second part       Rules applicable to written correspondence and postal parcels

     Chapter 1       Provision of services

     Article 12       Basic services

     1. The Member States shall ensure the reception, processing, transportation and delivery of written correspondence.       2. The items of written correspondence are:       2.1 priority and non-priority shipments weighing up to 2 kg; 2.2 letters, postcards, printed publications and small packages weighing up to 2 kg; 2.3 kilograms weighing up to 7 kg; 2.4 special bags containing newspapers, periodicals, books and similar printed products to the same recipient at the same address, called "M bags", weighing up to 30 kg. 3. Shipments of written correspondence are classified based on the speed of their processing or on the basis of their attachments in accordance with the Rules of Written Correspondence.       4. Weight limits exceeding the limits specified in section 2 are applied optionally for certain categories of items of written correspondence in accordance with the conditions provided for in the Rules of Written Correspondence.       5. Member countries also ensure the reception, processing, transportation and delivery of postal parcels weighing up to 20 kg, either on the basis of the provisions of the Convention, or in the case of outgoing parcels and by bilateral agreement, using any other means more beneficial to their customers.       6. Weight limits exceeding 20 kg are applied optionally for certain categories of postal parcels in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the Postal Parcel Regulations.       7. Any country whose postal administration does not undertake the transportation of parcels may entrust the implementation of the provisions of the Convention to transport companies. At the same time, it may limit this service to parcels originating or destined to those localities served by these enterprises.       8. By way of derogation from the provisions provided for in section 5, countries that have not signed a Postal Parcel Agreement before January 1, 2001 are not required to provide a postal parcel service.

     Article 13       Additional services

     1. Member countries provide the following additional mandatory services:       1.1 Registered mail service for outgoing priority and air shipments of written correspondence; 1.2 registered mail service for outgoing non-priority and land shipments of written correspondence sent to destinations where there are no priority or air services; 1.3 registered mail service for all incoming shipments of written correspondence.       2. The provision of a registered mail service for outgoing non-priority and ground shipments of written correspondence sent to destinations with priority or air services should not be mandatory.       3. Member countries may provide the following additional optional services between those administrations that have decided to provide these services:       3.1 the service of shipments with declared value for shipments of written correspondence and parcels;       3.2 controlled delivery service for shipments of written correspondence; 3.3 cash on delivery service for shipments of written correspondence and parcels; 3.4 express delivery service for shipments of written correspondence and parcels; 3.5 service for delivering personally to the addressee registered shipments of written correspondence, shipments with controlled delivery or shipments with declared value; 3.6 service for shipments without charge tariffs and fees for shipments of written correspondence and parcels;       3.7 the fragile and bulky parcels service; 3.8 the "Consignment" grouped shipments service for shipments grouped by one sender, destined abroad.       4. The following three additional services have both mandatory and optional parts:       4.1 The International Commercial Reply Service (ICCO), which is mostly optional; however, all administrations are required to provide an ICCO return service; 4.2 the International Reply Coupon Service; these coupons can be exchanged in any member country, but their sale is optional; 4.3 notification of receipt for registered shipments of written correspondence or shipments with controlled delivery, parcels and shipments with declared value; all postal administrations accept notification of receipt for incoming shipments; however, the provision of notification of receipt for outgoing shipments is optional.       5. The description of these services and the tariffs charged for them are given in the Regulations.       6. In cases where special tariffs are required for the following domestic services, postal administrations have the right to charge the same tariffs for international shipments in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations: 6.1 delivery of small packages weighing over 500 g; 6.2 shipments of written correspondence submitted after the deadline; 6.3 shipments, submitted after the end of the operation of the operating windows; 6.4 acceptance of shipments at the sender's place of residence;       6.5 withdrawal of written correspondence after the end of the operating windows; 6.6 demand shipments; 6.7 storage of written correspondence weighing over 500 g and postal parcels; 6.8 delivery of parcels in response to notification of arrival; 6.9 coverage of risks associated with force majeure.

     Article 14       Email, EMS, integrated logistics and new services

     1. Postal administrations may agree among themselves to participate in the following services, which are described in the Regulations: 1.1 e-mail, which is a postal service that uses electronic transmission of messages; 1.2 EMS, which is an urgent postal service for sending documents and goods and which is, as far as possible, using physical means, the fastest of the postal services; postal administrations have the right to provide this service on the basis of a multilateral EMS model agreement or bilateral agreements;       1.3 an integrated logistics service that fully meets the needs of the clientele in the field of logistics and includes the stages that precede and follow the physical transportation of goods and documents; 1.4 an electronic postmark, which is a convincing confirmation of the transfer of documents in electronic form and the corresponding form of authenticity of the operation carried out at a certain time by one or more participants.       2. By common consent, postal administrations may organize a new service that was not specifically provided for by Acts of the Union. The tariffs related to the new service are set by each administration concerned, taking into account the operating costs of the service.

     Article 15       Non-permitted shipments. Prohibitions

1. General provisions 1.1 Shipments that do not meet the conditions required by the Convention and the Regulations are not allowed. Shipments sent to facilitate an act of fraud or sent with the intention of avoiding full payment of the amounts due are not allowed.       1.2 The exceptions to the prohibitions specified in this article are given in the Regulations.       1.3 All postal administrations should be able to supplement the list of prohibitions mentioned in this article, which can be applied immediately after their inclusion in the relevant directory.       2. Prohibitions for all categories of shipments 2.1 The inclusion of the following items is prohibited in all categories of shipments: 2.1.1 drugs and psychotropic substances; 2.1.2 items of an obscene or immoral nature; 2.1.3 items the import or handling of which is prohibited in the country of destination; 2.1.4 items that, by their nature or packaging, may pose a danger to postal workers or the general public, or damage other shipments, postal equipment, or third-party property;       2.1.5 documents having the nature of current and personal correspondence, as well as any kind of correspondence exchanged by persons who are not the sender and recipient, or persons living with them.       3. Explosive, flammable or radioactive, as well as other dangerous substances 3.1 The insertion of explosive, flammable or other dangerous substances, as well as radioactive substances, is prohibited in all categories of shipments.       3.2 The following substances and materials are exceptionally allowed for shipment:       3.2.1 radioactive substances sent in written correspondence and postal parcels referred to in Article 16.1; 3.2.2 biological substances sent in written correspondence referred to in Article 16.2. 4. Live animals 4.1 Live animals may not be sent in all categories of shipments.       4.2 Written correspondence is exceptionally allowed to be sent in shipments, with the exception of shipments with declared value.:       4.2.1 bees, leeches and silkworms; 4.2.2 parasites and exterminators of harmful insects intended for the study of these insects and exchanged between officially recognized institutions; 4.2.3 flies of the Drosophila family (Drosophilidae) for biomedical research for officially recognized institutions.       4.3 Exceptionally, the following are allowed to be shipped in parcels: 4.3.1 live animals, the shipment of which by mail is permitted by the postal regulations of the countries concerned.       5. Putting correspondence in parcels 5.1 It is prohibited to put the following items in postal parcels:       5.1.1 documents having the nature of current and personal correspondence; 5.1.2 correspondence of any kind exchanged between persons other than the sender and recipient, or persons living with them.       6. Coins, bank notes and other precious items 6.1 It is prohibited to deposit coins, bank notes, credit cards or any bearer valuables, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver in articles or in rough form, precious stones, jewelry and other precious items:       6.1.1 for shipments of written correspondence without declared value; 6.1.1.1 however, if the domestic legislation of the country of origin and destination allows it, these items may be sent in a closed envelope as registered items.;       6.1.2 in parcels without declared value, except in cases where, in accordance with the domestic legislation of the countries of origin and destination, this is permitted; 6.1.3 in parcels without declared value exchanged between two countries that allow the declaration of value; 6.1.3.1 moreover, each administration has the right to prohibit the investment of gold bullion in shipments with declared value or without declared value, originating or going to its territory or being sent in transit through its territory; it may limit the actual cost of these shipments.       7. Printed publications and shipments for the blind (secograms).       7.1 Printed publications and shipments for the blind: 7.1.1 may not have any annotations, contain any documents of the nature of current and personal correspondence;       7.1.2 they may not contain any stamps, payment forms, stamped or not, or any documents of monetary value, except in cases where the shipment contains as an attachment a card, envelope or parcel with the printed address of the sender of the dispatch or his agent in the country of origin or destination of the original shipment, the return of which is pre-paid.       8. Processing of mistakenly accepted shipments 8.1 The processing of mistakenly accepted shipments is defined in the Regulations. At the same time, shipments containing the items listed in sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 3.1 are in no case subject to delivery to their destination, nor to delivery to the addressees, nor to return to the place of pick-up. In case of detection during transit of the items specified in sections 2.1.1 and 3.1, they should be handled in accordance with the domestic legislation of the transit country.

     Article 16       Permissible radioactive and biological substances

     1. Radioactive substances are allowed to be sent in written correspondence and parcels between postal administrations that have declared their consent to allow these shipments either in their mutual connections or in one direction in accordance with the conditions specified below: 1.1 radioactive substances are sealed and packaged in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations; 1.2 when radioactive substances are sent In the case of written correspondence, they are charged a priority rate or a rate for letters and orders.;       1.3 Radioactive substances contained in written correspondence or postal parcels should be sent by the fastest route, usually by air, subject to payment of appropriate additional air fares; 1.4 Radioactive substances can only be sent by senders who have the appropriate authorization.       2. Biological substances are allowed in written correspondence items in accordance with the conditions specified below: 2.1 Perishable biological substances, infectious substances and solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), if used to cool infectious substances, may be sent by mail only as part of an exchange between officially recognized competent laboratories. These dangerous goods may be allowed in the mail to be shipped by air, provided that national legislation, the applicable technical regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the IATA regulations on dangerous goods allow this.       2.2 for perishable biological substances and infectious substances sealed and packaged in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations, a tariff for priority shipments or a tariff for registered letters is charged. It is allowed to carry out postal processing of these items when charging an additional tariff.       2.3 The admission of perishable biological substances and infectious substances is limited to Member countries whose postal administrations have agreed to accept these shipments either in mutual relations or in one direction.       2.4 These substances are shipped by the fastest route, usually by air, subject to the payment of the appropriate additional air fares and with the provision of priority upon delivery.

     Article 17 Complaints

     1. Each postal administration is obliged to accept complaints about any item submitted in its own service or in the service of another postal administration, provided that they are submitted within six months from the day following the day of submission of the item. The six-month period concerns the relationship between the parties making the claim and the postal administrations, and does not include the time limit for forwarding complaints between postal administrations.       1.1 However, receiving complaints regarding non-receipt of simple written correspondence is not mandatory. Thus, postal administrations that receive complaints regarding the non-receipt of simple items of written correspondence have the opportunity to limit their investigations to searching the service for items that cannot be delivered. 2. Complaints are accepted in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the Regulations.       3. Complaints are processed free of charge. Nevertheless, additional services related to the request for an EMS response are, in principle, paid for at the expense of the complainer.

     Article 18 Customs control. Customs duties and other charges

     1. The postal administration of the country of origin and the postal administration of the country of destination, in accordance with the laws of these countries, have the right to submit shipments for customs inspection. 2. For shipments subject to customs control, a tariff for presentation to customs may be levied in favor of the post office, the approximate amount of which is established in the Regulations. This tariff is charged only for the presentation to Customs and for customs inspection of items that are subject to customs duties or any other similar fee.       3. Postal administrations that have received permission to conduct customs inspections on behalf of customers may charge customers a tariff based on actual costs.       4. Postal administrations are allowed to charge senders or recipients of items, depending on the case, customs duties and all other possible charges.

     Article 19       Exchange of closed dispatches with military units

1. The exchange of closed dispatches with written correspondence may be carried out through land, sea or air services of other countries.:       1.1 between the postal establishments of one of the member countries and the commanders of military units at the disposal of the United Nations; 1.2 between the commanders of these military units; 1.3 between the postal establishments of one of the member countries and the commanders of naval, air or military units, warships or aircraft of the same country located abroad;       1.4 between the commanders of naval, air or military units, warships or aircraft of the same country.       2. Items of written correspondence embedded in the dispatches referred to in section 1 must be sent or originate only from members of military units or headquarters and crews of ships or aircraft receiving or sending dispatches. The tariffs and conditions of dispatch applied to them are determined according to the rules of the postal administration of the country that has provided a military unit or which owns ships or aircraft.       3. In the absence of a special agreement, the postal administration of the country that has provided a military unit or which owns military vessels or aircraft is obliged to pay the relevant administrations for the transit of dispatches, terminal costs and air transportation costs.

     Article 20       Standards and benchmarks in the field of service quality

     1. Administrations should establish and publish their standards and control figures in the field of delivery of incoming shipments of written correspondence and parcels.       2. These standards and control figures, increased by the time normally required for customs control, should not be less favorable than those applied to similar items of their internal service.       3. Submission administrations should also establish and publish end-to-end forwarding standards for priority shipments and air shipments of written correspondence, as well as for postal and economy class/land parcels.       4. Postal administrations evaluate the application of standards in the field of service quality.

     Chapter 2       Responsibility

     Article 21       Responsibility of postal administrations. Refunds

     1. General provisions 1.1 With the exception of the cases provided for in Article 22, postal administrations are responsible for: 1.1.1 loss, theft or damage of registered items, simple parcels and items with declared value; 1.1.2 loss of items with controlled delivery; 1.1.3 return of a parcel, the reason for non-delivery of which has not been disclosed.       1.2 Postal administrations are not responsible for shipments, with the exception of those mentioned in sections 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.       1.3 In all other cases not provided for by this Convention, postal administrations are not responsible.       1.4 If the loss or complete damage of a registered parcel, a simple parcel or a shipment with declared value is the result of force majeure circumstances that do not give rise to compensation, the sender is entitled to a refund of the paid tariffs, except for the insurance fee.       1.5 The amounts of compensation to be paid must not exceed the amounts specified in the Regulations for Written Correspondence and Postal Parcels.       1.6 Indirect losses or unrealized gains are not taken into account when paying the compensation amount.       1.7 All provisions concerning the responsibility of postal administrations are strict, binding and exhaustive. Postal administrations are never liable, even in the event of a serious error (significant omission) beyond the limits set out in the Convention and Regulations.       2. Registered shipments 2.1 In case of loss, complete theft or complete damage of a registered shipment, the sender has the right to compensation established in the Rules of Written Correspondence. If the sender requires an amount less than that specified in the Rules of Written Correspondence, the administration has the right to pay this lower amount and, on this basis, receive refunds from other administrations that may be affected.       2.2 In case of partial theft or partial damage of a registered shipment, the sender is entitled to compensation corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the damage or damage caused.       3. Shipments with controlled delivery 3.1 In case of loss, complete theft or complete damage of a shipment with controlled delivery, the sender has the right only to refund the paid tariffs.       4. Simple parcels 4.1 In case of loss, complete theft or complete damage of a simple parcel, the sender has the right to compensation established by the Regulations of Postal Parcels. If the sender requires an amount less than that specified in the Regulations for Postal Parcels, the postal administrations have the right to pay this lower amount and, on this basis, receive a refund from other administrations that may be affected.       4.2 In case of partial theft or partial damage of a simple parcel, the sender is entitled to compensation corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the damage or damage caused.       4.3 Postal administrations may agree among themselves on the application in bilateral relations of the amount per parcel set out in the Regulations for Postal Parcels, regardless of its weight.       5. 5.1 In case of loss, total theft or total damage of a shipment with declared value, the sender is entitled to compensation, which corresponds, in principle, to the amount of the declared value in SDR.       5.2 In case of partial theft or partial damage of a shipment with declared value, the sender is entitled to compensation, which corresponds, in principle, to the actual value of the damage caused. However, this refund may in no case exceed the amount of the declared value expressed in SDR.       6. In the cases discussed in sections 4 and 5, the refund amount is calculated based on the price list of items or goods of the same kind translated into the SDR at the place and at the time of receipt of shipments for shipment. In the absence of list prices, the refund is calculated according to the usual price of the items or goods calculated on the same basis.       7. If compensation is due for the loss, total theft or total damage of a registered item, a simple parcel or a shipment with declared value, the sender or, as the case may be, the addressee is also entitled to reimbursement of the tariffs and fees paid by him, with the exception of the registered or insurance fee. The same applies to registered items, simple parcels, or items with declared value that were rejected by the recipients due to their poor condition, if this damage occurred in the postal service and falls within its responsibility.       8. By way of derogation from the provisions of sections 2, 4 and 5, the addressee is entitled to compensation after receiving a stolen or damaged registered parcel, a simple parcel or a shipment with declared value.       9. The postal administration of origin has the right in its country to pay senders for registered items and parcels with declared value the refunds provided for by its domestic legislation, unless they are less than those specified in sections 2.1 and 4.1. The same applies to the postal administration of destination when the refund is paid to the addressee. The amounts specified in section 2.1 and 4.1, however, apply: 9.1 in the case of a claim brought against the responsible administration; 9.2 if the sender waives his rights in favor of the addressee or vice versa.       10. No reservations regarding the payment of refunds to postal administrations, except in cases of bilateral agreement, apply to this article.

     Article 22       Exemption of postal administrations from liability

1. Postal administrations shall cease to be responsible for registered shipments, shipments with controlled delivery, parcels and shipments with declared value, which they have delivered under the conditions established by their internal rules for shipments of this category. Responsibility, however, remains:       1.1 if theft or damage is detected either before delivery or during delivery of the shipment;       1.2 if domestic law allows it, the addressee or, where appropriate, the sender, upon returning the item to the pick-up point, makes reservations by accepting the stolen or damaged item; 1.3 if domestic law allows it and the registered item has been delivered to the letter box, but the recipient declares that the item has not been received.;       1.4 if the recipient or, in the case of return to the place of origin, the sender of the parcel or shipment with the declared value, despite a properly issued receipt, immediately informs the administration that issued the shipment of the discovery of damage; he must provide proof that the theft or damage did not occur after delivery; the term "immediately" must be interpreted in accordance with domestic law.       2. Postal administrations are not responsible:       2.1 in case of force majeure, subject to Article 13.6.9.;       2.2 in the event that they are unable to determine the fate of the shipment due to the destruction of official documents as a result of force majeure, unless their liability is otherwise proven; 2.3 if the damage was caused by the fault or negligence of the sender or caused by the properties of the attachment; 2.4 in the case of shipments that fall under the prohibitions specified in Article 15 2.5 in case of confiscation by virtue of the legislation of the destination country according to the notification of the administration of that country;       2.6 if it is a question of shipments with declared value, in respect of which a malicious declaration of value exceeding the actual value of the attachment was made; 2.7 if the sender has not filed any complaint within six months from the day following the day of submission of the shipment; 2.8 if it is a question of parcels of prisoners of war and interned civilians; 2.9 if The sender's actions may contain elements of fraud in order to obtain compensation.       3. Postal administrations do not bear any responsibility for customs declarations, in whatever form they are drawn up, and for decisions taken by customs services when checking items subject to customs control.

     Article 23       Sender's responsibility

     1. The sender of the shipment is responsible for personal injuries caused to the postal employee, and for all damages caused to other mail items, as well as postal equipment that occurred in connection with the shipment of items that are not allowed for shipment or do not meet the conditions of admission.       2. In case of damage to other mail items, the sender is responsible for each damaged item within the same limits as the postal administration.       3. The responsibility of the sender is not removed, even if the filing institution has accepted such a shipment.       4. On the contrary, if the sender complied with the conditions of admission, he is not responsible if there were errors or negligence on the part of the postal administrations or carriers during the processing of the shipment after receiving them.

     Article 24       Payment of compensation

     1. Subject to the observance of the right of action by the administration responsible, the obligation to pay compensation and refund tariffs and fees is assigned, depending on the case, to the administration of filing or the administration of destination.       2. The sender has the right to waive his rights in favor of the addressee. Conversely, the addressee has the right to waive his rights in favor of the sender. The sender or addressee may allow a third party to receive a refund if domestic law allows it.

     Article 25       Possible recovery of compensation from the sender or addressee

     1. If, after payment of the refund, a registered item, parcel, or shipment with a declared value, or part of an attachment previously considered lost, is found, the sender or addressee is notified that the shipment can be transferred to him within three months upon collection of the amount of the refund. At the same time, he is asked to whom the shipment should be delivered. In case of refusal or absence of a response within the prescribed period, the same procedure applies to the addressee or, depending on the circumstances, to the sender, with the right to give this person a response within the same period of time.       2. If the sender and the addressee refuse to receive the item or do not respond within the time period provided for in section 1, it becomes the property of the administration or, where appropriate, the administrations that have suffered losses. 3. In case of subsequent discovery of a shipment with a declared value, the value of which is recognized as lower than the amount of the refund paid, the sender or recipient, as appropriate, must refund the amount of compensation for the delivery of the shipment, regardless of the consequences resulting from the malicious declaration of value.

     Article 26       The principle of reciprocity applied to reservations concerning       responsibilities

     1. By way of derogation from the provisions provided for in articles 22-25, any Member country that reserves the right not to pay compensation under the principle of liability is not entitled to receive compensation from other Member countries assuming responsibility in accordance with these articles.

     Chapter 3       Special provisions related to written correspondence

     Article 27       Submission of written correspondence abroad

     1. No Member State is obliged to forward or deliver to the addressees of written correspondence, the senders of which, residing in its territory, deliver or entrust delivery of items in another country in order to take advantage of more favorable tariff conditions applied in it.       2. The provisions of section 1 shall apply without distinction either to items of written correspondence deposited in the sender's country of residence and then transported across the border, or to items of written correspondence deposited in another country.       3. The administration of the destination has the right to demand payment of internal tariffs from the sender, and in case of his absence from the administration of the submission. If neither the sender nor the filing administration agrees to pay these tariffs within the time limit set by the destination administration, that administration may either return these shipments to the filing administration, entitled to reimbursement for the return, or process them in accordance with its domestic legislation.       4. No Member country is obliged to send or deliver to recipients written correspondence items that the senders have submitted themselves or through someone else in large numbers in a country other than their country of residence, if the amount of final expenses to be charged is not as high as the amount that would be charged if The shipments were submitted in the senders' country of residence. Destination administrations have the right to demand reimbursement of the costs incurred by the delivery administration, which cannot exceed the largest sum of the following two formulas: either 80% of the domestic tariff applied to equivalent shipments, or 0.14 SDR per shipment plus 1 SDR per kg. If the filing administration refuses to pay the required amount within the time limit set by the destination administration, the latter may either return the shipments to the filing administration, entitled to reimbursement for the return, or process them in accordance with its domestic legislation.

     The third part       Payment

     Chapter I       Special provisions related to written correspondence

     Article 28       Terminal expenses. General provisions

1. With the exception of cases of exemption from payment provided for in the Regulations, each administration receiving written correspondence from another administration has the right to recover from the sending administration the costs incurred in connection with the received international mail.       2. In order to apply the provisions on the payment of terminal expenses, postal administrations are allocated to the countries and territories of the terminal system or the countries and territories eligible to participate in the transitional system, in accordance with the list compiled for this purpose by Congress in its resolution C 12/2004. In the provisions on terminal expenses, countries and territories are referred to as "countries".       3. The provisions of this Convention on the payment of terminal expenses are transitional measures leading to the adoption of a payment system taking into account country-specific elements.       4. Access to the internal service 4.1 Each Administration applies to other administrations all tariffs, terms and conditions offered in its internal regime on terms similar to those provided for its national clients.       4.2 In such circumstances, the sending administration may require the destination administration to provide it with the same conditions in the final system that the latter provides to its national customers in the case of equivalent shipments.       4.3 Transitional system administrations should indicate whether they allow access under the conditions referred to in paragraph 4.1.       4.3.1 If any administration that has joined the transitional system declares that it allows access on the terms offered in its internal regime, this permission is applied to all administrations of the Union without discrimination.       4.4 The Administration of destination should determine whether the conditions of access to its internal regime are fulfilled by the administration of submission. 5. Terminal cost tariffs for large quantities of mail should not exceed the most favorable tariffs applied by the destination administration in accordance with bilateral or multilateral agreements on terminal costs. The administration of destination should determine whether the conditions of access to its internal regime are met by the administration of origin. 6. Payment of terminal expenses will be carried out depending on the quality of service in the country of destination. As a result, the Postal Operations Council will be authorized to authorize the payment of remuneration for the payment specified in articles 29 and 30 in order to encourage participation in the control system and encourage administrations that comply with their quality benchmarks. In case of insufficient quality, the Postal Operations Council may also impose fines, but the payment may not be lower than the minimum payment specified in articles 29 and 30.7. Any administration may waive all or part of the payment provided for in Section 1.8. On the basis of a bilateral or multilateral agreement, interested administrations may use other payment systems for terminal expenses.

     Article 29       Terminal expenses. Provisions applicable to the exchange between the countries of the final system

     1. Payment for shipments of written correspondence, including mail in large quantities, but excluding bags of M, is established based on the application of tariffs per shipment and per kilogram, reflecting the costs of processing in the destination country; these costs must be related to domestic tariffs. The calculation of tariffs is carried out on the terms specified in the Rules of Written Correspondence.       2. The rates per shipment and per kilogram are calculated based on the percentage of the tariff amount for a 20 g domestic priority letter, which is: 2.1 as of 2006: 62 %;       2.2 for 2007: 64%; 2.3 for 2008: 66%; 2.4 for 2009: 68%. 3. Tariffs may not exceed:       3.1 for 2006: 0.226 SDRs per shipment and 1.768 SDRs per kilogram; 3.2 for 2007: 0.231 SDRs per shipment and 1,812 SDRs per kilogram; 3.3 for 2008: 0.237 SDRs per shipment and 1,858 SDRs per kilogram; 3.4 for 2009: 0.243 SDRs per shipment and 1,904 SDRS per kilogram.       4. For the period 2006-2009, the applicable tariffs may not be lower than 0.147 SDR per shipment and 1.491 SDR per kilogram. If the tariff increase does not exceed 100% of the tariff of the relevant country for a 20 g priority letter from the internal service, the minimum tariffs will be equal to:       4.1 for 2006: 0.151 SDRs per shipment and 1.536 SDRs per kg; 4.2 for 2007: 0.154 SDRs per shipment and 1.566 SDRs per kg; 4.3 for 2008: 0.158 SDRs per shipment and 1.598 SDRs per kg; 4.4 for 2009: 0.161 SDRs per shipment and 1.630 SDRS per kg. 5. For M bags, a tariff of 0.793 SDR per kg should be applied.       5.1 In order to pay for terminal expenses, M bags weighing less than 5 kg are equivalent to bags weighing 5 kg. 6. For registered shipments, an additional fee of 0.5 SDR per shipment will be charged, and for shipments with a declared value, an additional fee of 1 SDR per shipment will be charged.       7. The provisions provided for the exchange between countries belonging to the final system apply to any country in the transition system that declares its intention to join the final system. The Postal Operations Council may determine transitional measures in the Rules of Written Correspondence.       8. No reservations, except in cases of bilateral agreement, shall apply to this article.

     Article 30       Terminal expenses. Provisions applicable to destination mail flows to, from, and between countries participating in the transition system

     1. Payment 1.1 The fee for shipments of written correspondence, excluding bags of M, is 0.147 SDRs per shipment and 1.491 SDRs per kg. 1.1.1 For shipments of less than 100 tons per year, both elements are converted into a total tariff of 3.727 SDRs per kg based on the global average number of shipments per kg of 15.21. 1.1.2 For shipments of less than 100 tons per year, both elements are converted into a total tariff of 3.727 SDRs per kg based on the global average number of shipments per kg of 15.21. For more than 100 tons per year, a total tariff of 3.727 SDR per kg is applied, unless either the destination administration or the delivery administration require a tariff revision based on the actual number of shipments per kg of this flow. In addition, it will be applied if the actual number of shipments per kg is from 13 to 17. 1.1.3 If one of the administrations requires the application of the actual number of shipments per kg, the calculation of compensation for this flow is carried out using the review mechanism provided for in the Rules of Written Correspondence.       1.1.4 The reduction of the general tariff specified in 1.1.2 may not be carried out by the country of the final system in relation to the country belonging to the transition system, unless the latter requires revision in the opposite direction.       1.2 For M bags, a tariff of 0.793 SDR per kg should be applied. 1.2.1 In order to pay for terminal expenses, M bags weighing less than 5 kg are equivalent to bags weighing 5 kg.       1.3 For registered shipments, an additional fee of 0.5 SDR per shipment will be charged, and for shipments with declared value, an additional fee of 1 SDR per shipment will be charged.       2. 2.1 If any administration of the terminal system receiving a mail stream weighing more than 50 tons per year notes that the annual weight of this stream exceeds the limit calculated in accordance with the conditions specified in the Rules of Written Correspondence, it may apply to mail exceeding this limit the payment system provided for in article 29, provided that it has not applied the review mechanism.       2.2 If any administration of the transitional system receiving from another country of the transitional system a mail flow weighing more than 50 tons per year determines that the annual volume of this flow exceeds the threshold calculated according to the conditions specified in the Rules of Written Correspondence, it may apply to mail exceeding this limit the additional payment provided for in article 31, provided that it has not applied the review mechanism.       3. Large quantities of mail 3.1 Reimbursement for large quantities of mail for the countries of the final system is established in accordance with the application of the tariffs per shipment and per kilogram provided for in Article 29. 3.2 Administrations of the transitional system may require payment of 0.147 SDR per shipment and 1.491 SDR per kg for large quantities of mail received. 4. No reservations, except in cases of bilateral agreement, do not apply to this article.

     Article 31 Service Quality Improvement Fund

1. With the exception of bags of M and large quantities of shipments, terminal expenses paid by all countries and territories to countries included in the least developed country category by the Economic and Social Council are subject to an increase of 16.5% of the SDR 3,727 tariff per kilogram specified in Article 30 to replenish the Service Quality Improvement Fund in order to improve the quality of services in the least developed countries. No such payments are made between least developed countries.       2. UPU member countries and territories within the Union will be able to apply to the Governing Body with well-founded requests to consider that their country or territory needs additional resources. Countries that have been assigned PROF. 1 (former PC) may apply to the Governing Body for allocation of funds from the FUCS under the same conditions as least developed countries. Moreover, countries classified by the UNDP as net donors can apply to the AU for allocation of funds from the FUCS on the same terms as the PROF. 1 countries. The decision to allocate funds in accordance with this article shall enter into force on the first day of the calendar year following the date on which the AU makes such a decision. The Governing Body reviews the application and, based on strict criteria, decides whether a country can be considered least developed or a PROF 1 country, depending on the case, to allocate funds from the Federal Budget. The Administrative Council annually reviews and updates the list of UPU member countries and territories of the Union.       3. With the exception of M bags and shipments in large quantities, terminal expenses paid by countries and territories classified by Congress as industrialized countries to pay terminal expenses to countries and territories included by UNDP in the category of countries eligible to receive funds under TRAC 1 (target indicator for the allocation of resources from fixed assets), except for the least developed countries are subject to an increase of 8% from the tariff of 3,727 SDR per kilogram specified in Article 30 to replenish this Fund in order to improve the quality of service in the countries of this latter category.       4. With the exception of M bags and large quantities of shipments, terminal expenses paid by countries and territories classified by Congress as industrialized countries in order to reimburse terminal expenses to countries and territories classified by the same Congress as developing countries, other than those specified in sections 1 and 3, are subject to an increase of 1% from the tariff of 3,727 SDR per kilogram, specified in Article 30, to replenish this Fund in order to improve the quality of service.       5. Countries and territories eligible to receive funds under TRAC 1 (the target for allocating resources from fixed assets) have the opportunity to improve the quality of their services through regional or multinational projects for least developed countries or low-income countries. These projects will be of direct benefit to all parties that would facilitate their financing through the Service Quality Improvement Fund.       6. Regional projects should, in particular, contribute to the implementation of UPU programmes to improve the quality of service and introduce analytical accounting systems in developing countries. No later than 2006, the Postal Operations Council will approve the appropriate procedures for financing these projects.

     Article 32       Transit expenses

     1. Transit expenses must be paid for the forwarding of closed dispatches and items sent in open transit exchanged between two administrations or two institutions of the same country through the services of one or more administrations (intermediary services). They represent remuneration for land, sea and air transit services.

     Chapter 2       Other provisions

     Article 33       Basic tariffs and regulations related to air transportation costs

     1. The basic tariff to be applied in settlements between administrations for air transportation is approved by the Postal Operations Council. It is calculated by the International Bureau according to the formula given in the Rules of Written Correspondence.       2. The calculation of the costs of air transportation of closed dispatches, priority shipments, air shipments and air parcels sent in open transit, as well as the corresponding accounting methods, are described in the Regulations for Written Correspondence and Postal Parcels.       3. Transportation costs for the entire length of the air route are covered:       3.1 at the expense of the administration of the country of origin, if it is a question of closed dispatches, including if these dispatches are in transit through one or more intermediate administrations; 3.2 at the expense of the administration that transfers these shipments to another administration, if it is a question of priority and air shipments sent in open transit, including mailed correspondence.       4. The same rules apply to shipments exempt from land and sea transit fees if they are sent by air.       5. Each destination administration providing air transportation of international mail within its country is entitled to reimbursement of additional costs associated with this transportation, if only the weighted average distance traveled exceeds 300 km. The Postal Operations Council may replace the weighted average distance with another acceptable criterion. If there is no agreement providing for free transportation, the costs should be the same for all priority and air shipments coming from abroad, regardless of whether this mail is sent by air or not.       6. However, if the reimbursement for terminal expenses charged by the destination administration is based specifically on operating costs or domestic tariffs, no additional reimbursement will be made for domestic air transportation.       7. When calculating the weighted average distance, the destination Administration excludes the weight of all dispatches for which the calculation of terminal cost recovery is specifically based on operating costs or internal tariffs of the destination administration.

     Article 34 Land and sea shares of the tariff for postal parcels

     1. For parcels exchanged between two postal administrations, incoming land shares of the tariff are charged, calculated by combining the basic tariff per parcel and the basic tariff per kilogram, which are established in the Regulations.       1.1 Taking into account the above basic tariffs, postal administrations may also be entitled to request additional tariffs per parcel and per kilogram in accordance with the provisions set out in the Regulations.       1.2. The shares of the tariff specified in sections 1 and 1.1 are paid by the administration of the country of origin, unless the Regulations for Postal Parcels provide for exceptions to this principle. 1.3. The land shares of the tariff for incoming exchange should be uniform for the entire territory of each country.       2. For parcels exchanged between two administrations or two institutions of the same country through the land services of one or more other administrations, the land shares of the transit tariff established in the Regulations in accordance with the distance level are due in favor of the countries whose services participate in land transportation.       2.1. With regard to parcels sent in open transit, intermediate administrations are allowed to charge a fixed share of the shipping tariff set out in the Regulations.       2.2. The overland shares of the transit tariff are paid by the administration of the country of origin, unless the Postal Parcel Regulations provide for deviations from this principle. 3. Each of the countries whose services participate in the maritime transportation of parcels is allowed to collect the maritime shares of the tariff. These shares are paid by the administration of the country of origin, unless the Regulations for Postal Parcels provide for deviations from this principle. 3.1. For each maritime transportation used, the maritime share of the tariff is set in the Regulations for Postal Parcels in accordance with the applicable distance step.       3.2 Postal administrations have the right to increase, by a maximum of 50%, the maritime share of the tariff calculated in accordance with paragraph 3.1. On the contrary, they may lower it at their discretion.

     Article 35       The right of the SPE to set the amount of expenses and the share of the tariff

     1. The Postal Operations Council is authorized to set the following costs and tariff shares to be paid by postal administrations in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations: 1.1 transit costs for processing and transporting dispatches with written correspondence from at least one intermediate country; 1.2 basic tariff and air transportation costs applicable to airmail; 1.3 incoming land tariff shares for the processing of incoming parcels; 1.4 transit land shares of the tariff for the processing and transportation of parcels by an intermediate country;       1.5 sea shares of the tariff for the sea transportation of parcels.       2. In case of possible revision using a methodology that guarantees the payment of fair remuneration to administrations providing services, reliable and indicative financial and economic data should be used. Decisions on possible changes will take effect from the date set by the Postal Operations Council.

     The fourth part is the final provisions

     Article 36       Conditions for the approval of proposals for the Convention and Regulations

1. In order to enter into force, proposals submitted to the Congress relating to this Convention must be approved by a majority of the Member countries present and voting. At least half of the member countries represented at the Congress and eligible to vote must be present at the voting.       2. To enter into force, proposals related to the Rules of Written Correspondence and the Rules of Postal Parcels must be approved by a majority of the members of the Postal Operations Council who have the right to vote.       3. Proposals submitted between the two Congresses relating to this Convention and its Final Protocol shall enter into force if they are adopted: 3.1 by two thirds of the votes cast, and if at least half of the member States of the Union entitled to vote participated in the voting, if it is a question of amendments; 3.2 by a majority vote, if It is about the interpretation of the provisions.       4. Notwithstanding the provisions provided for in Section 3.1, any Member country whose national legislation is not yet compatible with the proposed amendment has the right to submit to the Director General of the International Bureau a written statement stating that it cannot accept the amendment and which must be submitted within ninety days of notification of the amendment.

     Article 37       Reservations presented during the Congress

     1. Any reservation incompatible with the purpose and purpose of the Union shall not be permitted.       2. As a rule, any Member country whose point of view is not shared by other Member countries should make every possible effort and join the majority opinion. Reservations should be made if absolutely necessary and with appropriate reasons provided.       3. Reservations to the articles of the Convention in force must be submitted to the Congress in the form of a written proposal in one of the working languages of the International Bureau and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Congresses.       4. In order to enter into force, a reservation submitted to Congress must be approved by a majority vote necessary to amend the article to which the reservation relates.       5. In principle, reservations are applied on a reciprocal basis between the reserving member country and other member countries.       6. Reservations to this Convention will be included in the Final Protocol of this Convention on the basis of proposals approved by Congress.

     Article 38       Entry into force and duration of the Convention

     1. This Convention shall enter into force on January 1, 2006 and shall remain in force until the Acts of the next Congress enter into force.       In witness whereof, the plenipotentiaries of the Governments of the member Countries have signed this Convention in a single copy, which shall be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy will be provided to each party by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

     Done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     Signatures: the same

Convention, Final Protocol

  Final Protocol of the Universal Postal Convention

     At the signing of the Universal Postal Convention concluded on this date, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries agreed as follows:

     Article I       The affiliation of mail items. Review of mail items. Changing or correcting the address

     1. The provisions of articles 5.1 and 2 do not apply to Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain (United Kingdom), Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Hong Kong (China), Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Overseas Territories Dependent on the United Kingdom, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Nauru, Nigeria, New Zealand, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Swaziland, Tanzania (UnitedRep.), Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Zambia.       2. The provisions of Articles 5.1 and 2 also do not apply to Austria, Denmark and Iran (Islamic Republic of).The legislation of which does not allow the return or change of the address of written correspondence at the request of the sender from the moment when the recipient was informed of the receipt of the shipment to his address. 3. Article 5.1 does not apply to Australia, Ghana and Zimbabwe.       4. Article 5.2 does not apply to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iraq, Myanmar and the Bahamas, whose legislation does not allow the withdrawal of mail items or the change of the address of written correspondence at the request of the sender.       5. Article 5.2 does not apply to the United States. 6. Article 5.2 applies to Australia if it does not contradict the domestic legislation of that country.       7. By way of derogation from Article 5.2, El Salvador, Panama (Rep.), the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Venezuela are allowed not to return parcels after the addressee has requested a customs inspection of these parcels, as their customs legislation does not allow this.

     Article II Tariffs

     1. By way of derogation from article 6, the postal administrations of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are allowed to charge postal tariffs that differ from those provided for in the Regulations, if these tariffs are permitted by the legislation of their countries.

     Article III       Exception to exemption from payment of postal tariffs for shipments for the blind (secograms)

     1. By way of derogation from article 7, the postal administrations of Indonesia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Turkey, which in their internal service do not provide free forwarding of items for the blind (secograms), have the right to charge fees and special tariffs, which, however, cannot be higher than the tariffs applied in their internal service.       2. By way of derogation from article 7, the postal administrations of Germany, the United States of America, Australia, Austria, Canada, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Japan and Switzerland have the right to charge special tariffs that apply to shipments for the blind (secograms) in their domestic service.

     Article IV       Basic services

     1. Despite the provisions of article 12, Australia does not approve the extension of basic services to postal parcels. 2. The provisions of Article 12.2.4 do not apply to the United Kingdom, whose national legislation prescribes the use of a lower weight limit. The UK health and Safety legislation provides for a 20 kilogram weight limit for mail bags.

     Article V Small packages

     1. By way of derogation from article 12 of the Convention, the Afghan Postal Administration is allowed to limit the maximum weight of outgoing and incoming small packages to 1 kg.

     Article VI       Notification of receipt

     1. The Canadian Postal Administration is permitted not to apply Article 13.1.1 to parcels, as it does not provide a parcel notification service in its internal regime.

     Article VII       International Commercial Correspondence Service with       response (MCCOY)

     1. By way of derogation from Article 13.4.1, the Postal Administration of Bulgaria (Rep.) will provide an International Commercial Reply Correspondence Service (ICCO) after negotiations with the interested postal administrations.

     Article VIII Prohibitions (written correspondence)

1. As an exception, the postal administrations of Lebanon and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea do not accept registered shipments containing coins or banknotes, or any bearer valuables, or traveler's checks, or platinum, gold, or processed or unprocessed silver, precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable items. They are not required to strictly comply with the provisions of the Rules of Written Correspondence regarding their liability in case of theft or damage of registered items, as well as regarding shipments containing glass or fragile items.       2. By way of exception, the postal administrations of Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, and the People's Republic of China, except for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, and Vietnam, do not allow registered shipments with coins, bank notes, credit cards, or any bearer valuables, traveler's checks, platinum, gold, or silver in items. or in raw form, precious stones, jewelry and other valuable items.       3. The Myanmar Postal Administration reserves the right not to accept shipments with declared value containing valuable items specified in article 15.5, as its domestic legislation does not allow such shipments.       4. The Postal Administration of Nepal does not accept registered or declared value items containing banknotes or coins, except for a special agreement on this matter.       5. The Postal Administration of Uzbekistan does not accept registered shipments or shipments with declared value containing coins, bank notes, checks, postage stamps or foreign currency, and disclaims any liability in case of loss or damage of such items.       6. The Postal Administration of Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) does not accept shipments containing items that contradict the principles of the Islamic religion.       7. The Postal Administration of the Philippines reserves the right not to accept written correspondence (plain, registered or with declared value) containing coins, banknotes or bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver, in finished or unprocessed form, precious stones and other valuable items.       8. The Australian Postal Administration does not accept any mail containing bullion or bank notes. In addition, it does not accept registered shipments destined for Australia, nor shipments sent in open transit that contain valuable items such as jewelry, precious metals, precious or semi-precious stones, securities, coins or other items that can be sold. She disclaims all responsibility in relation to items sent by mail in violation of this clause.       9. The Postal Administration of China (People's Republic of China), with the exception of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, does not accept shipments with declared value containing coins, banknotes, banknotes or any bearer securities, traveler's checks in accordance with its internal regulations.       10. The postal administrations of Latvia and Mongolia reserve the right, in accordance with their national legislation, not to accept simple, registered or declared-value shipments containing coins, banknotes, bearer securities and traveler's checks, as this is contrary to national legislation.       11. The Brazilian Postal Administration reserves the right not to accept plain, registered, or declared-value mail containing coins, bank notes in circulation, and any bearer valuables.       12. The Vietnam Postal Administration reserves the right not to accept letters containing items and goods.

     Article IX Prohibitions (postal parcels)

     1. The postal administrations of Canada, Myanmar and Zambia have the right to prevent parcels with declared value containing valuable items specified in Article 15.6.1.3.1, as this is contrary to its domestic legislation.       2. As an exception, the postal administrations of Lebanon and Sudan do not accept parcels containing coins, banknotes or any bearer valuables, traveler's checks, processed or unprocessed platinum, gold or silver, precious stones and other valuable objects or objects containing liquid substances and easily liquid elements or objects made of glass or equivalent to It contains objects, as well as fragile objects. They are not required to comply with the relevant provisions of the Postal Parcel Regulations.       3. The Brazilian Postal Administration has the right not to accept parcels with declared value containing coins and banknotes in circulation, as well as any bearer securities, given that its internal regulations prohibit this.       4. The Ghana Postal Administration has the right not to accept parcels with declared value containing coins and banknotes in circulation, given that its internal regulations prohibit this.       5. In addition to the items listed in article 15, the Saudi Arabian Postal Administration does not accept parcels containing coins, bank notes or any bearer valuables, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver in articles or in rough form, precious stones and other precious items. It also does not accept parcels containing any medicines, unless they contain a medical prescription issued by a competent official authority, products intended for extinguishing fires, chemical liquids or objects contrary to the principles of the Islamic religion.       6. Apart from the items listed in Article 15, the Oman Postal Administration does not accept parcels containing:       6.1 medicines of any kind, unless they are accompanied by a medical prescription issued by a competent official authority; 6.2 substances intended for extinguishing fires and chemical liquids; 6.3 items contrary to the principles of the Islamic religion.       7. In addition to the items listed in article 15, the Postal Administration of Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) has the right to prevent parcels containing items contrary to the principles of the Islamic religion.       8. The Postal Administration of the Philippines has the right not to allow parcels containing coins, banknotes or any bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver in articles or in rough form, precious stones or other valuable items, or items containing liquid substances and easily converted into liquid, or items from glasses, or objects equated to them, or fragile objects.       9. The Australian Postal Administration does not accept any mail containing bullion or bank notes.       10. The Postal Administration of China (Nar.Rep.) does not accept simple parcels containing coins, banknotes or any bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver in articles or in rough form, precious stones or other valuable items. In addition, with the exception of Hong Kong, a special administrative Region, parcels with declared value containing coins, banknotes or any bearer securities and traveler's checks are also not accepted. 11. The Postal Administration of Mongolia reserves the right not to accept parcels containing coins, bank notes, bearer securities and traveler's checks in accordance with its national legislation. 12. The Postal Administration of Latvia does not accept simple parcels and parcels with declared value containing coins, bank notes, bearer securities (checks) or foreign currency, and disclaims responsibility in case of loss or damage of such items.

     Article X       Items subject to customs duties

     1. With reference to article 15, the postal administrations of the following countries do not allow shipments with declared value to be shipped with items subject to customs duties: Bangladesh and El Salvador. 2. With reference to Article 12, the postal administrations of the following countries do not allow the sending of simple and registered letters with attachments of items subject to customs duties: Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Peru, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, San Marino, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Venezuela.       3. With reference to article 15, the postal administrations of the following countries do not allow the forwarding of simple letters with attachments of items subject to customs duties: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire (Rep.), Djibouti, Mali and Mauritania.       4. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-3, shipments containing serums, vaccines, as well as shipments containing urgently needed medicines in short supply are allowed to be shipped in all cases.

     Article XI of the Complaint

1. By way of derogation from Article 17.3, the postal Administrations of Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria (Rep.), Cape Verde, Egypt, Gabon, the Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom, Greece, Iran (Islamic Republic ofRepublic of Korea), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sudan, Syria (Arabic.Chad, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Zambia reserve the right to charge customers a tariff for complaints regarding written correspondence.       2. By way of derogation from article 17.3, the postal administrations of Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Slovakia and the Czech Republic reserve the right to charge a special tariff if, as a result of the measures taken regarding the complaint, it turns out that it was filed unjustifiably.       3. Postal Administrations of Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria (Rep.), Cape Verde, Congo (Rep.), Gabon, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of)Republic), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Suriname, Syria (Arabic. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Zambia reserve the right to charge their customers a claim rate for parcels. 4. By way of derogation from article 17.3, the postal administrations of the United States, Brazil, and Panama (Rep.) reserve the right to charge customers for complaints filed regarding written correspondence and parcels filed in countries that charge the same fee in accordance with paragraphs 1-3 of this article.

     Article XII Tariff for presentation to Customs

     1. The Gabonese Postal Administration reserves the right to charge its customers a customs fee.       2. The postal administrations of the Congo (Rep.) and Zambia reserve the right to charge their customers a fee for presenting parcels to customs.

     Article XIII       Submission of written correspondence abroad

     1. The postal administrations of the United States, Australia, Austria, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Greece and New Zealand reserve the right to charge, in accordance with the cost of the work, a tariff from any postal administration that returns items to it in accordance with Article 27.4 that were not sent by their services as mail items.       2. By way of derogation from article 27.4, the Canadian Postal Administration reserves the right to charge the filing administration a refund that allows it to minimally cover the costs associated with processing such items.       3. Article 27.4 authorizes the destination postal administration to require the submission administration to reimburse for the delivery of items of written correspondence submitted abroad in large quantities. Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reserve the right to limit the payment of this amount to the domestic tariff of the destination country applicable to such shipments.       4. Article 27.4 authorizes the destination postal administration to require the submission administration to reimburse for the delivery of items of written correspondence submitted abroad in large quantities. The following countries reserve the right to limit the payment of this amount to the limits permitted by the Regulations for large quantities of mail: USA, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei Darussalam, China (People's Republic of China), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Overseas Territories Dependent on the United Kingdom, Grenada, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand.       5. Notwithstanding the reservations mentioned in paragraph 4, the following countries reserve the right to apply fully the provisions of article 27 of the Convention to mail received from member States of the Union: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Austria, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cyprus, Côte d'Ivoire (Rep.), Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Guinea, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Syria (Arabic. Rep.), Togo.       6. With regard to the application of article 27.4, the German Postal Administration reserves the right to require the postal administration of the sending country to pay compensation in the amount that it would have received from the postal administration of the country in which the sender resides.       7. Despite the reservations made to article XIII, the People's Republic of China reserves the right to limit payments for the delivery of large quantities of written correspondence sent abroad to the limits permitted by the UPU Convention and the provisions of the Rules of Written Correspondence for Mail Sent in Large Quantities.

     Article XIV       Exclusive incoming overland tariff shares

     1. By way of derogation from article 34, the Postal Administration of Afghanistan reserves the right to charge an additional exclusive land share of the incoming exchange rate of 7.50 SDR per parcel.

     Article XV Special tariffs

     1. The postal administrations of the USA, Belgium and Norway have the right to charge higher land tariff shares for air parcels than for land parcels. 2. The Postal Administration of Lebanon is allowed to charge for parcels weighing up to 1 kg the tariff applied for parcels weighing over 1, but not more than 3 kg. 3. The Postal Administration of Panama (Rep.) it is allowed to charge 0.20 SDR per kilogram for transit ground parcels transported by air (S.A.L.)

     In witness whereof, the following plenipotentiaries have drawn up this protocol, which will have the same force and effect as if its provisions had been incorporated into the text of the Convention, and signed it in a single copy, which will be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy will be provided to each party by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

     Done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

     The signatures are the same

     I hereby certify that this text is a certified copy of the certified copy of the Seventh Additional Protocol to the UPU Charter, the UPU General Regulations, the Agreement on Postal Payment Services, the Universal Postal Convention, the Final Protocol of the Universal Postal Convention, done in Bucharest on October 5, 2004.

            Head of the Department       International Law Department          Ministry of Foreign Affairs            Of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Sakenov

President    

Republic of Kazakhstan     

© 2012. RSE na PHB "Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan" of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan  

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