Package opened before sending at post office

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I would like to ask this: Did you know that, as a pre-requisite for mailing a package, the postal clerk is required to see the item before it is accepted for mailing?

With no prior knowledge of this requirement, I walked into the Meadowbridge Post Office, Kingston 19, with a package destined for the Eastern Caribbean. I had spent the better part of an hour on the previous night packaging the item in a carton box, covered by brown wrapping paper.

Imagine my horror when the clerk advised that, before the package could be accepted, she had to inspect the contents. Otherwise, she would be held responsible if contraband were found in the package. So, I opened the box as requested, in the process destroyed the wrapping paper. After the contents were viewed and cleared for mailing, I was forced to go to the pharmacy to purchase wrapping paper and Cello-tape to repackage the item. As no counters/tables are provided, I had to sit on the chair, in the middle of the service hall, and became the recipient of stares, pity, and compliments as I struggled to re-wrap the box, using the floor as a table, not to mention the fact that I was made to feel like I had done something illegal, while attempting to conduct legitimate business!

So, my questions to Jamaica Post are these:

1. When was this new rule made?

2. How was this information disseminated to the public?

3. Why were no notices advising the public of this requirement posted in the post office?

4. Since I was required to produce a valid driver licence as identification, and my address and telephone number were recorded, how could the clerk be held responsible/blamed for accepting the package when I was clearly identified and the police could easily find me?

It just does not add up. It seems like another way of trying to harass law-abiding citizens.

CT