GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
SUPREME COMMANDER FOR THE ALLIED POWERS

APO 500
28 May 1948

AG 311.1 (28 May 48) CCS
(SCAPIN-1900)

MEMORANDUM FOR	JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
SUBJECT	International Postal Service.

1. Rescissions. The following memoranda for the Japanese Government are rescinded effective upon receipt of this memorandum:
a. SCAPIN 1768, file AG 311.1 (26 Aug 47) CCS, dated 26 August 1947, subject: International Mail Service.
b. SCAPIN 1769, file AG 012.4 (30 Aug 47) CCS, dated 30 August 1947, subject: Resumption of Customs Clearance Charge.
c. SCAPIN 1792, file AG 311.1 (6 Oct 47) CCS, dated 6 October 1947, subject: International Mail Service.
d. SCAPIN 1814, file AG 311.1 (7 Nov 47) CCS, dated 7 November 1947, subject: International Mail Service.
e. SCAPIN 1862, file AG 311.1 (20 Feb 48) CCS, dated 20 February 1948, subject: International Mail Service.
f. SCAPIN 1884, file AG 311.1 (25 Apr 48) CCS, dated 25 April 1948, subject: International Mail Service.
2. International postal service between Japan and all other countries will operate in accordance with the instructions embodied herein. This memorandum neither adds to nor abrogates any of the International postal services which have been authorized to date.
3. Letters and Post Cards. Letters and post cards containing personal and family messages; and business, financial, commercial and transactional correspondence are mailable to and from Japan, subject to the following prohibitions:
a. Messages which transfer currency, checks, drafts, payment orders, or other credit or financial instruments.
b. Messages which relate to the conversion, transfer, or disguiding of any Japanese external assets by powers of attorney, proxies, instructions, or other means intended to defeat SCAP regulations regarding foreign exchange or the conversion of external assets.
c. Messages which grant or transfer translation, reproduction, performance or other rights concerning books, articles, plays, music, motion pictures, or other media of information and expression, and messages relating in any way to patents or copyrights except for description and explanation of the authorized channels and procedures for handling such matters and except for acknowledgment of rights arranged through the authorized channels.
4. Commercial Papers. Commercial papers as defined by the Universal Postal Union standards and limitations are mailable to and from Japan, with the following exceptions:
a. Scores or sheets of music in manuscript.
b. Manuscripts of works or newspapers sent separately.
c. All papers of legal procedure.
d. Documents of all kinds drawn up by Ministerial officers.
5. Prints. The mailing to and from Japan of books, magazines and all other printed matter under the classification of “Prints” is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of the Universal Postal Union Convention.
6. Samples and Small Packets. These classifications of mail matter, as defined by the Universal Postal Union Convention, are mailable to and from Japan.
7. Parcel Post. a. Mailing is permitted by parcel post of trade samples weighing more than eighteen (18) ounces, and ordinary commercial items of merchandise, to and from Japan, subject to the following regulatory provisions:
(1) Weight limit will be in accordance with limitations provided by the Universal Postal Union Parcel Post Agreement and/or applicable bilateral agreements, but not exceeding twenty-two (22) pounds per parcel.
(2) Parcels originating in Japan containing trade samples will require licenses approved by Boeki Cho, and must have Customs Declaration tags attached indorsed “Trade Samples Only”. Parcels containing trade samples originating elsewhere and destined for Japan will have attached thereto Customs Declaration showing character of articles and that they are trade samples.
(3) Parcels containing ordinary items of merchandise in commercial quantities, to and from Japan, must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of a license validated by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers permitting such importation or exportation. The words “Import License Inclosed” or “Export License Inclosed”, whichever is applicable, must be indorsed on the wrapper as well as the words, “This Package may be Opened for Customs Inspection.”
b. Mailing of “Relief” parcels, to Japan only, is permitted, subject to a weight limit of twenty-two (22) pounds, The contents of parcels are restricted to relief items such as non-perishable foods, mailable medicines in non-commercial quantities, soap, clothing and other relief items, in quantities which reasonably can be used by the addressee and/or his immediate family. The following specific limitation apply to each parcel:
(1) Only one of the following tobacco items can be included in a single parcel:
Cigarettes - not more than two handred (200) pieces.
Cigars - not more than fifty (50) pieces.
Pipe tobacco - not more than one-half (1/2) pound.
(2) Not more than one thousand (1,000) saccharine tablets in a single parcel.
c. Gift articles, as distinguished from relief items, such as watches, fountain pens, etc.. will not be permitted entry.
d. Only one relief parcel per week may be mailed by or on behalf of the same sender to or for the same addressee.
e. Undeliverable relief parcels will not be returned to senders, but turned over to designated relief agencies for disposition.
f. Excessive quantities of permitted items; that is, quantities in excess of the reasonable needs of the addressee and/or his immediate family, will be extracted by the Japanese Customs Service and delivered to the appropriate agency of the Eighth Army for distribution to recognized relief agencies.
g. All parcels entering Japan wil be subject to examination by Japanese Customs Service. All parcel post packages (including “relief” parcels), samples and small packets and other articles entering Japan through International mail channels and submitted to Customs examination are subject to a customs clearance fee to be collected from the addressee upon delivery. Fee to be collected will not exceed the amonts specified by the Universal Postal Union Convention or applicable bilateral parcel post agreements. Importation of dutiable articles will be subject to prevailing laws and regulations governing examination, appraisal and assessment of duty (items in authorized quantities in “relief” parcels will continue to be duty-free).
h. Each parcel post package must have securely attached thereto a “Customs Declaration” on which must be shown full and precise details.
i. Neither insurance, registry nor C.O.D. service is included.
j. Undeliverable parcels (except “relief” parcels) will be treated in accordance with the provisions of the Universal Postal Union Parcel Post Agreement, or applicable bilateral agreements.
k. Prohibited articles:
(1) Items included under Article 16, Universal Postal Union Parcel Post Agreement.
(2) Articles prohibited in Japan’s International regularmails.
(3) Any book, pamphlet, paper, writing, advertisement, circular, printing or drawing containing any matter advocating or urging treason or insurrection against any government.
(4) Articles prohibited under terms of bilateral parcel post agreements between Japan and other countries.
8. International Air Mail Service, a. Japan’s authorized International air mail service will embrace all mailable matter authorized now or later in the International regular-mail service to and from Japan.
b, Transportation of International air mail both to and from Japan will be by Commercial carriers only. Air mail destined for Japan will be dispatched in pouches labeled to Tokyo only.
9. Registry Service. Registration is permitted of all mailable matter authorized in the International regular-mail service, inclucing air mail, to and from Japan, in accordance with the following.
a. Charges:
(1) Registration fee of seven (7) yen per article, except that a domestic registration fee of five (5) yen will apply to each registered article destined for Korea.
(2) A fee of five (5) yen for a return receipt requested at time of mailing of an article and seven (7) yen when request is made after the mailing of the article.
b. Extent of responsibility:
(1) Provision for the payment of indemnity is not included and cannot be considered until an International exchange rate for Japanese yen is established.
(2) Japanese Postal Service will exercise all reasonable measures to safeguard and properly dispose of registered articles.
10. Censorship and/or Customs Examination. Incoming and outgoing International mails will be made available for censorship and/or customs examination in accordance with instructions issued by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
11. Governing Regulations. a. International regular-mail service, embracing letters, post cards, commercial papers, prints, samples and small packets, as authorized, will be governed by the provisions of the Universal Postal Union Convention.
b. Parcel post service, as authorized, will be operated by the Japanese Government under the terms of the Universal Postal Union Parcel Post Agreement, or bilateral or other agreements in effect between Japan and the respective countries at the time service was suspended.
c. The maintenance of records under the conditions of the Universal Postal Union Convention and the terms of the various bilateral parcel post agreements, and the preparation of the necessary accounts for settlement, will be the responsibility of the Japanese Government.
d. Amounts due Japan from other countries in the operation of the International postal service will be deposited in the United States Treasury Trust Fund Account, “Deposits, Proceeds of Remittances to and Exports from Occupied Areas, “Symbol 218905.1 Japan. Payments due from Japan on International postal service operation will be made from that trust fund account upon recommendation of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
e. Statements of accounts showing amounts due Japan will be prepared under the direction of the Ministry of Communications and certified to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
f. International surface mail will be dispatched from Japan on vessels of Japanese or any other registration except German.
g. Articles of International mail addressed in Japanese, Korean, or Chinese characters must have an interlined address written in Roman characters if such articles are addressed for delivery in countries other than Korea, China and the Ryukyu Islands.
12. Operational Correspondence, a. Form notices, bulletins of verification, inquires, quarterly statements of terminal credits, and all other correspondence necessary in operation of the International postal service as required by the Universal Postal Union Convention and bilateral parcel post ageements will be prepared by the Japanese Ministry of Communications and delivered unsealed to the Civil Communications Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, for examination, proper indorsement, and transmission. Indorsements on such communications will read “Authorized by SCAP for transmission through International mail channels”.
b. Direct communication between the Civil Communications Section and other staff sections of Genral Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and the Ministry of Communications is authorized concerning all matters within the scope of this memorandum.

FOR THE SUPREME COMMANDER:

GEORGE R. CONNOR,
Colonel, A.G.D.,
Asst Adjutant General.