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13 KiB
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157 lines
13 KiB
Markdown
---
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author: Crabmeat
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date: 2025-06-09
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gitea_url: "http://git.nowherejezfoltodf4jiyl6r56jnzintap5vyjlia7fkirfsnfizflqd.onion/nihilist/blog-contributions/issues/351"
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xmr: 89aWkJ8yabjWTDYcHYhS3ZCrNZiwurptzRZsEpuBLFpJgUfAK2aj74CPDSNZDRnRqeKNGTgrsi9LwGJiaQBQP4Yg5YtJw2U
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---
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# **The postal system explained**
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## **What is a postal system?**
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Before delving into the topic, let's first define the key components of postal systems and the different types that exist.
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The main elements of a postal system are as follows:
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- *Mail Collection*:
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This refers to the process of gathering mail from various sources, such as post offices, mailboxes, businesses, or individuals. It is the initial step, typically occurring once the mail is deposited in a mailbox.
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- *Sorting*:
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After the mail is collected, it is sorted based on factors like destination, size, and priority. Modern postal systems often employ automated machines for sorting, though manual sorting may still be used for certain items. This is the point where the first potential issues may arise.
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- *Transportation*:
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Once sorted, the mail is transported to its next destination, whether locally, nationally, or internationally. This process may involve various modes of transport, such as trucks, airplanes, ships, or even bicycles in remote areas. Transportation is another stage where problems can emerge.
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- *Delivery*:
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Finally, the mail reaches its destination, where postal workers deliver it to the recipient's address. This may be done through home delivery, post offices, or collection points. This is the last stage where complications could potentially occur.
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There are two types of postal systems:
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- *National Postal Systems*:
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Each country operates its own national postal system. Examples include the USPS in the United States, Royal Mail in the United Kingdom, and La Poste in France.
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- *International Postal Systems*:
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International cooperation between different national postal systems facilitates the exchange of mail across borders. For instance, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) plays a key role in coordinating global postal standards, ensuring seamless mail flow between countries.
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If you want to learn more about postal system history, you could be interresed in reading the following [article](https://www.britannica.com/topic/postal-system/History).
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## **Why is it used for?**
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The postal system serves a wide range of purposes. With the rise of email, most people no longer rely on the postal system for sending letters. However, it is still widely used by organizations around the world. Governments, for example, often use postal mail to send tax notifications, legal notices, or other important documents to the public.
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The growth of online shopping has led to a significant increase in the volume of packages sent via the postal system. This includes both purchases and returns. Some individuals also use the postal service to sell goods outside of traditional economic systems or to ship personal items, like furniture, to recipients who are far away.
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One thing that’s become less common is sending postcards, as the internet now allows people to share photos and messages instantly and for free.
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Despite the digital age, most legal and official documents are still sent via the postal system, as these often require signatures, and electronic signatures are not yet widely trusted by many organizations.
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Magazines, newspapers, catalogs, and advertising materials are still primarily sent through the postal service. Many people still prefer reading these physical items rather than online versions.
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Certain types of payments, such as checks, continue to be sent through the postal system, though cash is generally not used due to government control issues. This is one of the reasons cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR) are gaining popularity for private, "under-the-radar" transactions.
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In some countries, prescription medications and medical supplies can be sent through the postal system, although this is not universally available.
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For urgent deliveries, services like next-day or same-day delivery are often used to send important documents or goods quickly.
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Postal systems are also essential for sending biological samples, research materials, or test kits to laboratories for analysis or clinical trials.
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As you can see, the postal system is still a major part of people's lives. This is precisely why governments make every effort to maintain control over it. By doing so, they are able to regulate what, when, and where you receive mail.
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## Postal system steps
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The objective here is to understand the exact steps involved in sending and receiving mail, and to identify where issues might arise in the process.
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The first step is preparing the mail. This is the sender's responsibility and occurs at their location. The sender prepares the item by writing the address, affixing the appropriate postage, and sealing the item if necessary. (Sealing the item is important, as it allows the sender to know if the item has been tampered with before reaching the recipient.)
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The second step is mail collection. The location for this depends on the sender’s choice, but it is typically done at a local mailbox, post office, or collection point. The sender then drops the item at the selected location and lets the postal system handle it from there. This is where the sender loses control of the mail. Once the item is in the postal system, the sender no longer has oversight over what happens to it. At this stage, the mail is vulnerable to being delayed, intercepted, stolen, or even monitored by authorities.
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The third step is sorting at the local post office or regional sorting facility. Most postal services use automated sorting systems that scan the postal code or barcode on the item to identify its destination. The system can also measure the weight of the item and provide information about its contents. For oversized items or those requiring special handling, human workers are involved in the sorting process. At this stage, the government may initiate a control to determine the contents of the mail.
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The next step is transportation. The goal here is to move the mail to the appropriate locations, such as central hubs, airports, regional distribution centers, or international transfer points. For local mail, it may be transferred to another local facility or directly to delivery workers. At this point, the government may also order checks, similar to those conducted at airports, or transportation vehicles could be intercepted, leading to the potential theft of mail. For international mail, customs inspections are typically conducted to ensure compliance with legal and security regulations set by governments. This can involve scanning for prohibited items, verifying taxes or duties, and checking the contents of packages.
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AAfter that, the mail goes through another sorting process at a regional or central facility. It is sorted once again based on its final destination. For international mail, this may involve transferring the items from the central processing center to regional delivery hubs. Both automated and manual sorting systems are used during this step. Similar to the first sorting, your mail can be subject to further checks or inspections by authorities.
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Once sorted, postal workers pick up the items and take them to the local post office or distribution facility near the recipient. Depending on the area, postal carriers may travel on foot, by bike, motorbike, or in delivery vans. In remote areas, more unconventional methods, such as boats, motorcycles, or bicycles, might be used. At this stage, a government official might replace the postal worker to monitor the recipient or to take action if any illegal items are suspected in the delivery.
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Finally, the recipient receives the mail at the designated delivery location. This marks the end of the process, unless the destination location does not exist or the recipient refuses the mail. In such cases, the item is sent back to the sender, following all the same steps outlined above.
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Here is an [article](https://www.mailpro.org/post/how-does-mail-processing-work) describing this process.
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## **Differences between postal systems**
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I’d like to compare the postal systems of the USA and Europe to highlight the key differences between the two.
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First of all, most European countries have national postal services that operate independently, but they adhere to European Union regulations for cross-border mail. In contrast, the United States has the United States Postal Service (USPS), which is an independent government agency that covers the entire country.
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In Europe, each country sets its own postage prices, while in the United States, the price is the same across all states. The European Union only regulates the prices for cross-border mail.
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When it comes to delivery methods, they are fairly similar in both Europe and the USA. In both regions, the government controls the postal system and holds significant authority over it.
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While these systems share many similarities, there is one postal system that is considered the strictest. Let me introduce the Australian postal system!
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Australia Post has very strict rules regarding what can and cannot be sent through the mail. Many items are either prohibited (completely banned) or restricted (sent only under specific conditions). When sending items internationally, Australia Post follows stringent customs and border control regulations. All international parcels are subject to checks by Australian Customs and Border Protection.
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Security checks are a major part of the system’s strictness. Certain types of mail, especially those coming from or going to high-risk countries, undergo additional screening. The Australian postal system is highly regulated when it comes to illegal content. Sending material considered illegal, such as hate speech, child exploitation material, or terrorist propaganda, is strictly prohibited. Authorities actively monitor for such materials.
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Mail interception can occur if authorities suspect illegal activity. Australia Post works closely with law enforcement agencies, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), to investigate and prevent crimes such as mail fraud, smuggling, or terrorism.
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By law, Australia Post must cooperate with law enforcement to detect and intercept illegal content. This means mail suspected of containing prohibited material can be flagged and investigated. Additionally, censorship laws apply to printed materials, especially when dealing with politically sensitive or controversial content.
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Another strict area of Australia Post's operations is delivery confirmation. The service employs a range of methods to ensure that mail and parcels are securely delivered to the intended recipient.
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Australia Post also takes a strict approach to preventing postal fraud and misuse. This includes the use of postal services for illegal activities, such as fraudulent transactions or identity theft. Misusing the postal system can result in legal actions, including fines and criminal charges. For example, sending false identification or using stolen credit cards to pay for postage could lead to investigations by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
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The Australian postal system is considered strict because of its rigorous enforcement of legal regulations, safety protocols, and government controls over what can be mailed and how. Whether dealing with international shipping, security checks, or compliance with Australian laws, the system is designed to prevent misuse and ensure the safety and security of all users. This makes it one of the most tightly regulated postal systems in the world.
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*Drugs and Narcotics*:
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Over recent years, Australian authorities have consistently intercepted significant amounts of drugs being trafficked through the mail system. For example, in the 2019-2020 period, Australian Border Force (ABF) reported seizing 2.4 tonnes of illicit drugs across various entry points, a significant portion of which involved mail and parcel intercepts.
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*Prohibited Items*:
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The ABF's annual statistics often show tens of thousands of items intercepted for various reasons, such as prohibited weapons, counterfeit goods, controlled substances, and materials that violate Australia's Customs and Border Protection laws. In one instance, more than 20,000 parcels were inspected at Australian airports in just a single year.
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If you want to ckeck additional data about this subject, here are a few links that could help (Warning, this is Australian government official data):
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Australian Border Force (ABF) Annual Reports [here](https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/publications/annual-reports).
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Australia Post Annual Reports [here](https://www.auspost.com.au/about-us/corporate-responsibility/annual-reports).
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Australian Federal Police (AFP) Annual Reports [here](https://www.afp.gov.au/about-us/publications).
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Australian Customs and Border Protection [here](https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-pubs).
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## **Shipping controlled substances through the postal system**
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> We do not, and will never, recommand the shipment of controlled substances through the postal system. It is not worth it. The information provided here is purely for informational purposes and is intended solely to offer a complete understanding of the postal system.
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