Postal Act

PUBLISHING DETAILS Law 25 of 1977 consolidated with Laws 17 of 1983, 17 of 1990 (part) and as amended by the Civil Partnership Law, 2020 [Law 35 of 2020], the Citation of Acts of Parliament Act, 2020 [Act 56 of 2020], the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 (UKSI 2009 No. 1379) and the Cayman Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 2020 (UKSI 2020 No. 1283). Originally Enacted — Law 25 of 1977-5th December, 1977 Law 17 of 1983-21st June, 1983 Law 17 of 1990-4th September, 1990 (part) Law 35 of 2020-4th September, 2020 Act 56 of 2020-7th December, 2020. Originally Made — Order 1982-8th December, 1982 U.K. Order 2009-10th June, 2009 U.K. Order 2020-11th November, 2020. Consolidated and revised this 31st day of December, 2024. Note (not forming part of this Act): This revision replaces the 1997 Revision which should now be discarded. Short title This Act may be cited as the Postal Act (2025 Revision). Definitions and interpretation (1) In this Act — “addressee” means the person to whom any postal package is addressed; “Convention’’ means the Convention and detailed Regulations and Parcel Post Agreement made by the Congress of the Universal Postal Union at Lausanne in 1974, as amended; “Customs” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Customs and Border Control Act (2024 Revision); “fictitious postage stamp” means any facsimile, imitation or representation of any postage stamp issued without the authority of a postal administration; “inland post” has reference to postal packages posted within the Islands for delivery within the Islands: “mail” includes every form of conveyance in which postal packages are carried as well as any person carrying such packages; “mail bag” includes every form of container in which postal packages are carried in the course of transmission by the Post Office whether or not it contains such packages; “master” in relation to a vessel, means the person having or taking command or charge of such vessel; “money order” includes a postal order; “officer” means a person appointed under section 6 to be an officer of the Post Office; “parcel” means any package being conveyed or intended to be conveyed by prescribed parcel post; “Post Office” means the department of the Government established under section 3 and includes any building, room or place where the business of the Post Office is conducted; “postage” means the duty chargeable for the transmission of postal packages; “postal administration” includes the Post Office and any other establishment performing equivalent or similar services outside the Islands; “post office franking machine” means a mechanical device, approved by the Postmaster General, whereby advance payments of post office revenue may be recorded and thereafter be recoverable piecemeal by the franking for postage purposes of packages or documents at the convenience of the person having custody of it; “postal package” includes every kind of article being or intended to be lawfully transmitted by mail through the Post Office; “post-box” includes every receptacle provided by or under the authority of the Postmaster General for receiving postal packages for transmission by the Post office; “Postmaster General” means the officer appointed by the Cabinet under section 4 to have charge of the Post Office, and includes any officer acting under that Postmaster General’s authority; “private bag” and “private box” mean a receptacle provided exclusively for the reception or delivery of postal packages on behalf of the renter of such bag or box; “vessel” means any thing or device capable of being used for conveyance of postal packages from one place to another; and “voyage” includes flight and journey. (2) A postal package is deemed to be in the course of transmission by post from the time of its being delivered to any postal administration or to any officer receiving it in the course of that officer’s duty under this Act; and the delivery of a postal package at the premises to which it is addressed or readdressed, or to the addressee’s servant or agent or to some other person reasonably believed by the person making delivery to be authorised to receive it, or into a private bag or box to which it is addressed, is deemed to be delivery to the addressee. Establishment of the Post Office There is established a department of Government called the Post Office which shall be maintained by such moneys as may, from time to time, be voted by the Cayman Islands Parliament. Appointment of Postmaster General The Cabinet shall appoint a suitable person to be the officer in control of the Post Office who shall be called the Postmaster General. Duties of Postmaster General The Postmaster General is responsible for — (a) the management, supervision and control of the Post Office; (b) the administration and implementation of this Act; the collection of Post Office revenue and accounting for the same; and (d) the care of public and other property under Post Office control, but without having to account for the loss thereof, unless loss is due to that Postmaster General’s own personal default. Officers The Cabinet shall appoint such persons on a temporary or permanent basis to be officers of the Post Office upon special contractual terms or such general terms as the Cabinet may, by regulation, determine. Duties of officers Officers shall carry out and conform to the lawful commands of the Postmaster General, perform the sundry duties prescribed and do such other things as may be necessary for the carrying out and enforcement of this Act. The business of the Post Office The business of the Post Office is — (a) the reception, transmission and delivery of postal packages; (b) the issue and encashment of money orders; all things incidental and desirable to the performance of (a) and (b); and (d) the performance of such other duties as may be prescribed. Exclusive privilege of the Post Office No person may carry on or attempt to carry on any business of a like or similar nature to that of the Post Office unless specifically authorised in that behalf by any law; but nothing in this section prohibits a common carrier from carrying on that carrier’s ordinary business of the conveyance of goods and merchandise. Power of Cabinet to enter into agreements

The Cabinet may enter into contracts with foreign governments or postal administrations within the ambit of the Convention for the collection, conveyance and delivery of postal packages in any part of the world and for the exchange of money orders. Charges by the Post Office

The Post Office shall make charges for its services at such rates and in such manner as may be prescribed. Provision, custody and issue of postage and revenue stamps

The Cabinet shall, from time to time, cause to be provided adhesive and other postage and revenue stamps expressing and denoting the various rates of postage and duty and such stamps shall, subject to section 14, be kept in the custody of and issued to the public by the Post Office. Post Office franking machines and other impressions

The Postmaster General may, subject to such conditions as the Postmaster General may impose, authorise prepayment of — (a) postage by means of Post Office franking machines, or by impressions made by printing press or other printing or stamping process; and (b) revenue charges by means of Post Office franking machines. Stamp vendors

The Postmaster General may authorise the issue of stamps to the public through the medium of stamp vendors upon such conditions as the Postmaster General may impose and may issue stamps to such stamp vendors in undivided sheets to a value of not less than one hundred dollars per issue at a discount not exceeding five per cent: Provided that stamp vendors shall — (a) be holders of a retailer’s licence under the Trade and Business Licensing Act (2021 Revision); (b) not themselves sell stamps at a discount; provide a reasonable service to the public; (d) pay in cash for all stamps purchased by them from the Post Office; and (e) be officers for the purpose only of issuing stamps to the public. Exemption of Government from certain postal charges

Postal packages transmitted by the Cabinet or by any department of the Government by inland post are exempt from postage charges if marked with the words “On His Majesty’s Service” and initialled for identification by the officer of the Government transmitting the same. Payment for packages delivered for transmission

Postal packages delivered to the Post Office for transmission shall, unless they are exempt from postage charge under section 15 or bear evidence of the correct postage charge having been prepaid through a post office franking machine, be stamped by the sender with stamps to the value of the prescribed postage charge for such transmission. Customs inspection

Postal packages received by the Post Office from outside the Islands shall be made available for inspection by Customs. Officers may open certain foreign packages

Officers shall, if so requested by Customs, open and reseal, in the presence of Customs, postal packages subject to Customs inspection. Rates of charges

Rates of charges for postal services are those in force under regulations. Reception of postal packages by masters of vessels for delivery at destination

Masters of vessels leaving any of the Islands for a destination outside such Island must receive on board every mail bag tendered to them by an officer for conveyance to such destination and, having received the same, deliver it without delay to the addressee at such destination. Delivery of postal packages by masters

Masters of vessels arriving at one of the Islands from a destination outside such Island shall, without delay and before breaking bulk for any other purpose, deliver to the Postmaster General all postal packages on board addressed to the Post Office and, for the purpose of this section, every postal package addressed to any person in the Islands is deemed to be addressed to the Post Office. Procedure in the event of quarantine

Where the master of a vessel affected by section 21 is liable to the performance of quarantine that master shall, instead of delivering the postal packages to the Postmaster General, deliver the same to the quarantine officer on duty who shall, after any necessary precaution, deliver it to the Postmaster General. Payment to masters, etc., of vessels conveying postal packages

Subject to compliance with the rates prescribed by the Convention as agreed with the International Air Traffic Authority from time to time, the Cabinet may determine the amount to be paid to masters, owners or agents of vessels for the conveyance of postal packages and may withhold such payment until receipt by the Postmaster General of a certificate from the postal administration of destination that such packages have been duly received. Regulations

The Cabinet may make regulations prescribing — (a) locations and designations of postal and money order offices; (b) the internal management of the Post Office; opening hours of Post Offices; (d) times for the postage and collection of postal packages; (e) methods of posting and delivering postal packages; (f) parcel post regulations; (g) what may and may not be transmitted through the Post Office; (h) dimensions and classifications of postal packages; (i) conditions of registration and insurance of postal packages; (j) redirection of postal packages; (k) disposal of unclaimed postal packages; customs clearance of postal packages; (m) the acceptance of unaddressed mail; (n) the mode of sale of postage and revenue stamps; (o) the mode of issue and encashment of money orders; (p) compensation for loss of postal packages in course of post; (q) withdrawal of any issue of postage or revenue stamps; (r) for compliance with the Convention and other international agreements; (s) conditions of employment of officers; and (t) anything required or authorised to be prescribed by this Act. Offences

Whoever — (a) carries on any business contrary to section 9; (b) evades any Post Office charge; sells any postage stamp at a discount otherwise than by virtue of section 14; (d) evades any customs charge or process in respect of any postal package imported into or exported from the Islands; (e) steals any postal package; (f) wilfully obstructs or delays the business of the Post Office or any officer acting in the course of that officer’s duty under this Act; (g) sends through the post any explosive, dangerous, noxious, offensive, libellous or threatening matter; (h) forges any Post Office stamp, die or document or has in that person’s possession any fictitious stamp or anything prepared for the purpose of the production of any fictitious stamp; (i) places any explosive, dangerous, noxious or offensive substance in, against or adjacent to any property under Post Office control; (j) has upon any premises or thing under that person’s actual or constructive possession or control anything calculated falsely to represent that such premises or thing is under the control of or is authorised by the Post Office; (k) without Post Office authorisation, affixes any advertisement or other matter or thing to any premises or property under Post Office control or in Post Office possession; disfigures or obliterates any Post Office notice affixed for the information of the public; (m) fails to comply with any order or direction given by an officer acting in the course of that officer’s duty under this Act; (n) without lawful excuse, interferes with any postal package coming into that person’s hands prior to its receipt by the addressee; (o) being the master of a vessel — (i) refuses to receive on board any mail bag tendered to that master under section 20; (ii) fails to account for any mail bag entrusted to that master under section 20; (iii) breaks bulk contrary to section 21; (iv) fails to deliver any postal package contrary to section 21; (v) fails to comply with section 22; or (vi) unlawfully breaks the seal of or opens any postal package entrusted to that master’s care; (p) being an officer — (i) wrongfully retains, secretes or delays the delivery or normal processing of any postal package; (ii) unlawfully permits any unauthorised person to be present in or on any part of any premises, vessel or vehicle under the control of the Post Office for the purpose of dealing with or conveying postal packages; (iii) gives information with reference to any offence committed or appearing to have been committed contrary to this Act, in the truth of which that officer does not believe; or (iv) fails to comply with any lawful order or direction of the Postmaster General or any regulation, or attempts or does anything preparatory to, aids, abets or causes or suffers any person or persons to commit any of the above things is guilty of an offence, but nothing done by the master of a vessel bona fide for the safety of such vessel constitutes an offence. Penalties

Whoever is guilty of an offence under — (a) sub-paragraph (iv) of paragraph (p) of section 25 is liable — (i) to a departmental fine of one hundred dollars; or (ii) subject to the confirmation of the Governor, to be dismissed from the service of the Post Office; (b) paragraphs (f), (g), (h) or (i) of section 25 is liable — (i) on conviction on indictment, to a fine and to imprisonment for ten years; or (ii) on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars and to imprisonment for two years; and any other provision of section 25 is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars and to imprisonment for two years. Special provisions as to evidence

For the purposes of section 25 — (a) every postal package and the contents of every postal package are deemed to be articles of value and to be the property of the Postmaster General; (b) a statement in any indictment or charge that an accused person was an officer at the time of the offence alleged is conclusive evidence that such person was an officer; and in any proceedings against a master of a vessel, the court has the same power to issue a commission or commissions for taking evidence outside the jurisdiction as it has in civil cases and on such commission being returned and read in evidence it is, subject to all just exceptions, allowable in evidence if, at the time it is so allowed, the relevant addressee or witness is dead or out of the jurisdiction of the court. Publication on notice board in Post Office to be notice to the public

The publication on a notice board open to inspection by the public in any Post Office of any regulation, rule, warrant or order made in pursuance of or under the authority of this Act is sufficient notice thereof to the public. Conditions of delivery of postal packages to the Post Office

Packages delivered to the Post Office are deemed to be so delivered under the following conditions — (a) that the registration or giving of a receipt therefor does not render the Post Office liable for the loss of such packages or of the contents thereof; (b) that if such packages are posted in contravention of this Act transmission thereof may be refused and such packages may be dealt with at the discretion of the Postmaster General; and the decision of the Postmaster General as to whether any such packages are postal packages is final and binding upon all persons making any civil claim thereto. Evidence as to indebtedness to the Post Office

Until the contrary is proved — (a) the official mark of any postal administration on any postal package is sufficient proof of the liability in respect of such package of the sum so marked; (b) in any proceedings for the recovery of any sum due to or from the Post Office the production of the relevant postal package or part thereof having any stamp or endorsement of a postal administration that such package has been refused, rejected or left unclaimed or has been unable to be delivered is sufficient proof of the fact so indicated; a certificate purporting to be signed by the Postmaster General that any mark, endorsement or stamp on any postal package is that of a postal administration is sufficient proof of the fact; and (d) a person from whom a postal package has been received is deemed to be the sender thereof. Act not to derogate from Customs and Border Control Act (2024 Revision)

Nothing in this Act derogates from any provision of the Customs and Border Control Act (2024 Revision) or from the authority of any officer of Customs under that Act. Accounting for Post Office funds

The Postmaster General shall account to the Treasury for all sums received by the Post Office. Publication in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Cabinet this 21st day of January, 2025. Kim Bullings Clerk of the Cabinet Table of Legislation history: SL # Act/Law # Legisltion Commencement Gazette Proc 5/2020 Proclamation 5 of 2020 - Proclaiming the commencement of Constitution (Amendment) Order UKSI 1283/2020 30-Nov-2020 GE97/2020/s3 UK 1283/2020 Cayman Islands Constitution (Amendment) Order 3-Dec-2020 GE99/2020/p1 56/2020 Citation of Acts of Parliament Act, 2020 3-Dec-2020 LG89/2020/s1 35/2020 Civil Partnership Law, 2020 4-Sep-2020 LG64/2020/s1 Proc 4/2009 Proclamation 4 of 2009 - Proclaiming the commencement of Constitution Order UKSI 1379/2009 23-Oct-2009 GE89/2009/p7 UK 1379/2009 Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 6-Nov-2009 G14/2009/s1 Postal Law (1997 Revision) 17-Feb-1997 G4/1997/s1 17/1990 Customs Law, 1990 (part) 22-Oct-1990 G22/1990/s4 17/1983 Postal (Amendment) Law, 1983 8-Aug-1983 G16/1983/s4 15/1982 (Postal) Interpretation (No.2) Order, 1982 27-Dec-1982 G26/1982/s1 25/1977 Postal Law, 1977 19-Dec-1977 G26/1977/s3 (Price: $3.20)