Everything you need to know about sending mail in or from Singapore

No, this is not about mail of the electronic sort.

And yes, you do still need to physically mail items to friends and family within as well as outside of Singapore. Here are the answers to all your queries about where to get your postage stamps, how to use a First Local stamp, and more.

1. Where can I buy stamps in Singapore?

You can order stamps at Singapore’s designated Public Postal licensee Singapore Post’s (SingPost) online store, that sells limited-edition stamps, first day covers and other postal-related premiums. But if you need them stat, you can head down to SingPost’s post offices, or the authorised postal agencies listed here.

Digitally printed stamps can also be bought at any one of the close to 290 self-service automated machines (SAM) kiosks found at shopping malls, MRT stations and other convenient locations throughout Singapore, and at any time of the day.

For a range of foreign stamps, commemorative editions and other special stamp sets, pop over to SingPost’s first Philatelic Store at the General Post Office (GPO), its one-stop shop for all philatelic products produced by the company that opened in October 2017.

You can also obtain stamps at any of over 300 licensed vendors covering the island, although you might have to try your luck asking around in the nabe (try the mini-marts) as SingPost does not have an extensive list of these vendors.

2. How do I locate a post office, postal agent or SAM kiosk?

Visit this SingPost page to use its search function to show you one closest to you. Or, you can try its online/live chat service if you need more help.

And if you wish to find out where these post offices and postal agencies are while you are out and about, you can access their locations on the SingPost app, available on the App Store and Google Play store.

3. Are post offices in Singapore open on Sundays & public holidays?

Unfortunately, only these locations are open: Jurong Point, Orchard and the General Post Office (GPO) in Paya Lebar. The Clementi Central branch is open on Sundays but not on Public Holidays. Check out this list for operating hours of all the post offices in Singapore.

4. What are First Local and Second Local stamps?

First Local stamps are used to post mail items of up to 20g within Singapore, while Second Local stamps are used to post mail items of up to 40g within Singapore.

The stamps are used for items packaged in the standard regular envelope sizes of C5, C6 and DL, and for postcards that fall under the standard mail condition that they are in card form or that do not exceed 240 millimetre (mm) x 162 millimetre (mm) with a paper quality of at least 230 gsm or grams per square metre.

Since First Local, Second Local stamps only cost $0.30 each and $0.37 each respectively, you cannot use them on their own to mail letters overseas (the lowest airmail rate stands at $0.70 for Zone 1 countries Malaysia and Brunei).

However, they can be used to top up postage for letters meant for overseas delivery. The stamps take on the prevailing rates.

5. How much does it cost to send something overseas by mail?

Check out the full list of overseas postage rates for letters, printed papers, postcards and smalls packets here, or try figuring out the rates using the handy online calculator here. And check out our tips on how to prepare packages for overseas shipping here!

6. Is it true I can collect my Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) at the post offices here?

Yes, Long Term Pass Services (LTP) are available at 26 selected post offices listed here after necessary arrangements have been made - note that there is a $6 service fee payable to SingPost for each LTP collection.

Or, if you need to submit any applications for passes to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), you can also do so for the following passes at any of the post offices islandwide.

ALSO READ: New SingPost postage rates Singapore 2019 - how much does mail cost now?

7. Are packing materials available in post offices here?

Affirmative. You can buy boxes, padded envelopes, mailing tubes, bubble wrap and other packing materials at all post offices. Or, you can get them at this SingPost site for special online and bulk order prices!

8. My overseas mail was sent out some time back but it has not reached its destination. What is causing the delay?

Sometimes, barring gremlins and lazy elves, global events may affect the delivery of your mail and parcels from Singapore. Luckily, SingPost provides up-to-date service announcement updates here.

9. Any tips and handy hints for posting items in Singapore?

Here are some simple dos and don’ts for posting items in Singapore.

Do:

• Put letter, printed paper or paper-based items in a rectangle paper-based envelope.
• Write addresses clearly, correctly and completely.
• Use the correct postage fee to avoid delays.
• If sending mail within Singapore, use the correct six-digit postal code. Not sure? Get the correct code here.
• Affix stamps on the top right-hand corner of envelope. Otherwise, SingPost might not consider them as legitimate mail.
• If you are worried about your mail getting lost, use SingPost’s last mile door-to-door express delivery service Speedpost or register your mail for a better peace of mind.

Don’t:

• Try not to make it too hard for postal workers who handle your mail and choose white, cream, pastel or light colours instead of coloured envelopes.
• Avoid stapling your envelopes as staples can damage other items or other envelopes can get lodged in the staples. Seal them instead.
• Do not overstuff your packages or letters. Your receiver might have to pay for the extra cost.

This article was first published in The Finder.