The Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) Rules, 2025
This section is an interpretation heading for Part II on handling undeliverable postal articles.
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- The Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) Rules, 2025
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About this statute
This section is an interpretation heading for Part II on handling undeliverable postal articles. This section is about when a postal article cannot be delivered. This section concerns opening and examining something to identify the sender. Section 6 concerns the period for holding an undeliverable postal article. This provision is about destroying or abandoning a postal article.
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Provisions of The Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) Rules, 2025
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- 3 Verify source ↗
Interpretation
AI-assisted research summary: This section is an interpretation heading for Part II on handling undeliverable postal articles.
3. Interpretation. PART II HANDLING OF UNDELIVERABLE POSTAL ARTICLES
Part
PART II
- 4 Verify source ↗
Circumstances for undeliverable postal article
AI-assisted research summary: This section is about when a postal article cannot be delivered.
4. Circumstances for undeliverable postal article. - 5 Verify source ↗
Opening and examining for sender identification
AI-assisted research summary: This section concerns opening and examining something to identify the sender.
5. Opening and examining for sender identification. - 6 Verify source ↗
Period for holding undeliverable postal article
AI-assisted research summary: Section 6 concerns the period for holding an undeliverable postal article.
6. Period for holding undeliverable postal article. - 7 Verify source ↗
Destroying or abandoning postal article
AI-assisted research summary: This provision is about destroying or abandoning a postal article.
7. Destroying or abandoning postal article. - 10 Verify source ↗
Article found loose in mail
AI-assisted research summary: This section is titled “Article found loose in mail” and refers to the disposition of undeliverable postal articles.
10. Article found loose in mail. PART III DISPOSITION OF UNDELIVERABLE POSTAL ARTICLES - 4 Verify source ↗
A postal article
AI-assisted research summary: A postal article is treated as undeliverable if it has no postage, an incomplete or incorrect address, an unknown sender or addressee, is unclaimed, is refused by the addressee, lacks mailability criteria, or is not entitled to be returned.
4. A postal article shall be considered undeliverable where there is: (a) no postage; (b) incomplete, illegible or incorrect address; (c) unknown adressee; (d) unclaimed mail; 4 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) Opening and examining for sender identification Period for holding undeliverable postal article (e) refuses to accept mail by the addressee; (f) lack of mailability criteria; (g) an unknown sender; or (h) mail not entitled to be returned. - 5 Verify source ↗
(1) Except for unendorsed ordinary mail, all
AI-assisted research summary: Most undeliverable mail with bad or missing return addresses must be opened and examined to identify the sender or addressee, except unendorsed ordinary mail.
5.-(1) Except for unendorsed ordinary mail, all undeliverable priority mail, ordinary mail and package service mail that cannot be returned because of an incorrect, incomplete, illegible, or missing return address shall be opened and examined to identify the sender or addressee. (2) The insured or priority packets, parcels containing ordinary mail or package service enclosures, shall be handled in the manner prescribed under subrule (1). - 6 Verify source ↗
(1) The postal licensee shall be allowed to hold
AI-assisted research summary: The postal licensee may keep undeliverable postal articles for limited periods and must send undelivered mail and items to the Return Office every month.
6.-(1) The postal licensee shall be allowed to hold an undeliverable postal article for- (a) a domestic postal article and registered item for not more than one month; (b) an international postal article for not more than two months; and (c) EMS for not more than fifteen days but not less than one week. (2) The postal licensee shall, on a monthly basis, send an undelivered mail and item to the Return Office. Destroying or abandoning postal article - 7 Verify source ↗
Where an insured registered item endorsed
AI-assisted research summary: If an insured registered item is endorsed “Destroy” or “Abandon” by the sender and is not collected, it becomes undeliverable and is forwarded to the Return Office to be destroyed.
7. Where an insured registered item endorsed “Destroy” or “Abandon” by the sender, such item becomes undeliverable at the last office of address if not collected, it shall be forwarded to the Return Office to be destroyed. Refusal of postal article by sender - 8 Verify source ↗
(1) Where the sender of an undeliverable insured
AI-assisted research summary: If a sender refuses an undeliverable insured registered postal article, the postal licensee must send it to the Return Office on the next monthly dispatch.
8.-(1) Where the sender of an undeliverable insured registered postal article refuses to accept on its return, the postal licensee shall send such postal article to the Return Office on the next monthly dispatch. (2) The electronic record management officer at the Return Office shall enter the returned article in the appropriate register under subrule (1). 5 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) (3) Notwithstanding subrule (2) where the sender of an undeliverable insured registered postal article refuses to accept on its return, the postal licensee shall endorse or record relevant form to show the sender’s refusal. Return of postal article - 9 Verify source ↗
A postal article of importance found in points
AI-assisted research summary: Postal licensees must return an important postal article found loose in mail to the owner, charging the ordinary rate.
9. A postal article of importance found in points within a postal licensees’ jurisdiction shall be returned to the owner at the ordinary rate for the articles. Article found loose in mail - 10 Verify source ↗
The postal licensee shall match a postal article
AI-assisted research summary: The postal licensee must match a loose postal article with its envelope or wrapper.
10. The postal licensee shall match a postal article found loose in the mail with its envelope or wrapper. PART III DISPOSITION OF UNDELIVERABLE POSTAL ARTICLES Marking reasons for non-delivery
Part
PART III
- 12 Verify source ↗
Undeliverable merchandise to manufacturer or distributor
AI-assisted research summary: Section 12 is titled “Undeliverable merchandise to manufacturer or distributor.”
12. Undeliverable merchandise to manufacturer or distributor. - 13 Verify source ↗
Destroy, recycle or shred postal articles
AI-assisted research summary: Postal articles may be destroyed, recycled, or shredded.
13. Destroy, recycle or shred postal articles. - 14 Verify source ↗
Disposition of perishable articles, drugs and cosmetics
AI-assisted research summary: This section is titled “Disposition of perishable articles, drugs and cosmetics,” but the provided text does not state a rule.
14. Disposition of perishable articles, drugs and cosmetics. 1 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) PART IV RETURN OFFICE PROCEDURE - 11 Verify source ↗
(1) The postal licensee shall ensure that reasons
AI-assisted research summary: The postal licensee must mark reasons for non-delivery on undeliverable postal articles and then handle undelivered items by recycling, donating, or stripping coins where cost effective.
11.-(1) The postal licensee shall ensure that reasons for non-delivery are endorsed on an undeliverable postal article when preparing it for final disposition. (2) In the disposition of an undelivered article referred to under subrule (1), the postal licensee shall- (a) recycle an unendorsed article if cost effective; (b) donate or recycle periodicals including printed matter, newspapers, magazines and other publications; and (c) if cost effective, strip coins from an undeliverable article and account for their values. Undeliverable merchandise to manufacturer or distributor - 12 Verify source ↗
Return merchandise charging postage for
AI-assisted research summary: The text says merchandise may be returned for domestic-rate postage to certain nearby postal or retail locations if ownership evidence exists and the postal article appears new.
12. Return merchandise charging postage for domestic rate to the nearest postal and courier service office, retail store, mail order store or distribution centre where- (a) the following evidence of ownership exists: (i) (ii) name of the firm that made or distributed the articles; and order of invoice number or other evidence that the article was mailed by the firm because of a customer’s order; and (b) a postal article must appear new. 6 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) Destroying, recycling or shredding mail Disposition of Perishable articles, Drugs, and Cosmetics - 13 Verify source ↗
A postal article which cannot be forwarded or
AI-assisted research summary: If a postal article cannot be forwarded or returned to the Return Office for disposition, the postal licensee must destroy, recycle, or shred it after the holding period under rule 6 ends.
13. A postal article which cannot be forwarded or returned to the Return Office for disposition, shall be destroyed, recycled or shredded by the postal licensee after the expiration of the holding period specified under rule 6. - 14 Verify source ↗
(1) Disposition of perishable articles, drugs and
AI-assisted research summary: Postal licensees must destroy injurious packages and quickly sell certain perishable articles; the sale proceeds go to the authority after selling costs, and addressees and postal licensee employees may not buy the articles.
14.-(1) Disposition of perishable articles, drugs and cosmetics shall be conducted in the following manner: (a) in case of an injurious article, the postal licensee shall destroy packages containing a perishable article, liquid and any other article likely to injure employees, damage equipment or other postal articles; (b) in case of a non-injurious perishable article, the Postal licensee shall- (i) immediately sell all sellable perishable articles that cannot be forwarded to the Return Office or before perishing; (ii) send the proceeds of sale to the after relevant deduction of selling costs. authority (2) Notwithstanding rule (1)(b), the addressee and postal licensee employees shall not purchase any such article from the postal licensee. PART IV RETURN OFFICE PROCEDURE Opening letters
Part
PART IV
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Disposal of books and electronic record device
AI-assisted research summary: This section is about the disposal of books and an electronic record device.
17. Disposal of books and electronic record device. - 18 Verify source ↗
Disposal of drugs, cosmetics and food
AI-assisted research summary: Section 18 is titled “Disposal of drugs, cosmetics and food.”
18. Disposal of drugs, cosmetics and food. - 19 Verify source ↗
Disposal of periodicals and publications
AI-assisted research summary: Section 19 is titled “Disposal of periodicals and publications.”
19. Disposal of periodicals and publications. - 20 Verify source ↗
Disposal merchandise and product samples
AI-assisted research summary: Section 20 concerns disposal of merchandise and product samples.
20. Disposal merchandise and product samples. - 24 Verify source ↗
Disposal of postal articles mailed in violation of law
AI-assisted research summary: This section concerns the disposal of postal articles mailed in violation of law.
24. Disposal of postal articles mailed in violation of law. PART V GENERAL PROVISIONS - 15 Verify source ↗
(1) A postal licensee, through the Return
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee may open an undeliverable letter through the Return Office to identify the addressee or sender, and must keep it for three months if no one can be identified.
15.-(1) A postal licensee, through the Return Office, may open an undeliverable letter to identify the name and address of the addressee or sender for the purpose of delivering or returning the postal article. (2) Where the sender or addressee cannot be identified, the postal licensee shall retain the letter for a holding period of three months. Opening and disposal of parcels - 16 Verify source ↗
(1) A postal licensee, through Return Office,
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee may open an undeliverable parcel to find the sender, and must follow the listed steps for returning, holding, or disposing of unclaimed parcels.
16.-(1) A postal licensee, through Return Office, may open an undeliverable parcel to identify the name and 7 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) address of the sender for the purpose of delivering or returning the parcel. (2) The disposal of a parcel may be carried out through any of the following means: (a) return the unclaimed parcel to the sender or if only the addressee’s name and address are found, deliver it to the addressee and charge the applicable postage fees. (b) where neither the sender nor the addressee can be identified, the postal licensee shall hold the parcel for a period of thirty days in the following cases: (i) priority mail; (ii) package services mail containing valuables; and (iii) priority mail not in the form of a letter. (c) where neither the sender nor the addressee can be identified, the postal licensee shall prepare for disposal of all unclaimed postal articles without value, except books and electronic devices. - 17 Verify source ↗
(1) A postal licensee shall dispose of books and
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee must dispose of books and electronic record devices, but may withhold some for release to a publisher or distributor. Release requests must be in writing, sent to the postal licensee, and include a statement identifying the requester as the publisher or distributor.
17.-(1) A postal licensee shall dispose of books and electronic record devices, except for those that may be withheld from sale for release to a publisher or distributor. (2) Where a publisher or distributor requests the release of books or electronic record devices bearing a specific trade name or other organizational identification, the request shall comply with the following conditions: (a) be in writing and sent to the postal licensee; and (b) include a statement confirming the requesting person or representative is the publisher or distributor of the book or electronic record device bearing the specified trade name or organizational identification. that - 18 Verify source ↗
The disposal of drugs, cosmetics and food shall
AI-assisted research summary: Drugs, cosmetics, and food must be handled in specific ways: consult the relevant authority, destroy some items, donate certain items that are suitable, and keep food release records for two years.
18. The disposal of drugs, cosmetics and food shall be as follows: (a) in case of drugs- 8 Disposal of Books and electronic record device Disposal of Drugs, Cosmetics and food Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) (i) consult the relevant authority; (ii) destroy that packages contain prescription drugs undeliverable to either the addressee or sender as per directive; hospital (iii) donate drugs that are sealed in their original packaging or container to charitable public organizations, or other nonprofit organizations that will accept them after verification of its genuinely from relevant authority or destroy them if cannot be donated; and (iv) submit such drugs to the relevant authorities. (b) in case of cosmetics- (i) consult the relevant authority; and (ii) destroy undeliverable cosmetics that might jeopardize health; (c) in case of food, donate usable food items treated as undelivered articles impartially and equitably to public or charitable organizations, or other nonprofit organizations, use the following procedure- (i) do not donate homemade items such as mango pickle, jams and the like instead dispose them off as waste; if unsure whether an item is homemade or useable, destroy it; (ii) make the that sure receiving organization sign a release, and state that it takes full responsibility of the handling and use of the food items provided that, keep releases on file for two years; (iii) the receiving organization shall accept the food items available and pick them up in a timely manner; and (iv) destroy food items that cannot be donated by disposing them as waste. 9 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) Disposal of Periodicals and publications - 19 Verify source ↗
A postal licensee shall adhere to the following
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee must follow listed procedures for disposing of periodicals and publications.
19. A postal licensee shall adhere to the following procedures for disposal of periodicals and publications: (a) verify contents through consultation with the relevant authority ; (b) keep proper records in case a request is needed to furnish copies of undeliverable publications; (c) donate copies of undeliverable magazines and other periodicals to public institutions and charitable organizations; and (d) in case an article cannot be donated or recycled, dispose of them as waste in accordance with the environmental waste management guidelines. Disposal merchandise and product samples - 20 Verify source ↗
The procedure for disposal of an undeliverable
AI-assisted research summary: Undeliverable merchandise and product samples must be handled by verifying with the relevant authority, then donating them if possible, auctioning them, or disposing of waste samples.
20. The procedure for disposal of an undeliverable merchandise and product sample such as toiletries, toothpaste, diapers and detergents shall be as follows: (a) verify through consultation with the relevant authority; (b) donate undeliverable merchandise and product samples in partially and equitably to public and charitable organizations, shelters or other nonprofit organizations that agree to distribute them for free; (c) auction merchandise and product samples; and (d) dispose of waste samples not able to be donated. Disposal of Government articles - 21 Verify source ↗
The Return Office shall be required to send an
AI-assisted research summary: The Return Office must send an unclaimed Government article to the related Government department, with the article's record kept electronically or manually.
21. The Return Office shall be required to send an unclaimed Government article with its record kept electronically or manually and return the article to the related Government department. International postal articles - 22 Verify source ↗
A postal licensee shall return an undeliverable
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee must return undeliverable registered postal articles from abroad to the office of origin under these Rules.
22. A postal licensee shall return an undeliverable registered postal article originating from abroad to offices of origin in accordance to these Rules. Disposal Committee - 23 Verify source ↗
(1) A postal licensee shall form a Disposal
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee must form a Disposal Committee for undeliverable postal articles.
23.-(1) A postal licensee shall form a Disposal Committee for undeliverable postal articles composed of 10 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) not more than ten members including relevant stakeholders and one member from the Authority. (2) The function of the Disposal Committee shall be to- (a) carry out inspection on undeliverable articles; (b) monitor compliance to these Rules; (c) receive and consider report from the postal licensee on undeliverable postal articles; (d) recommend action for improvement of processing the undeliverable postal articles; (e) conduct inspection to the Postal licensee’s premises quarterly; and (f) supervise the quarterly exercise of destroying undeliverable articles at the Return Office main center. Disposal of postal articles mailed in violation of law - 24 Verify source ↗
(1) A postal licensee shall keep a record and
AI-assisted research summary: A postal licensee must keep a record of and report postal articles mailed in contravention of the law to the relevant authority.
24.-(1) A postal licensee shall keep a record and report to the relevant authority of all postal articles mailed in contravention to the law. (2) A postal article mailed in contravention to the law shall be disposed of in accordance to the requirements of the respective legislation on disposition of such article. PART V GENERAL PROVISIONS Compliance and penalty
Part
PART V
- 25 Verify source ↗
Compliance and penalty
AI-assisted research summary: Section heading for compliance and penalty under the rules on disposal of undeliverable postal articles.
25. Compliance and penalty. 2 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) THE ELECTRONIC AND POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS ACT (CAP. 306) ___________ RULES ____________ (Made under section 57) THE ELECTRONIC AND POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS (DISPOSAL OF UNDELIVERABLE POSTAL ARTICLES) RULES, 2025 PART I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS Citation - 25 Verify source ↗
A person who contravenes any of these Rules
AI-assisted research summary: A person who breaks these Rules commits an offence and may be fined as provided under the Act.
25. A person who contravenes any of these Rules commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine as provided under the Act. Dar es Salaam, …………….........., 2025 JABIRI K. BAKARI, Director General 11
Part
PART I
- 1 Verify source ↗
These Rules may be cited as the Electronic and
AI-assisted research summary: These Rules may be cited by the stated name.
1. These Rules may be cited as the Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) Rules, 2025. Application - 2 Verify source ↗
These Rules shall apply to postal and courier
AI-assisted research summary: These Rules apply to postal and courier services.
2. These Rules shall apply to postal and courier services. Interpretation - 3 Verify source ↗
In these Rules, unless the context otherwise
AI-assisted research summary: This section defines key terms used in the Rules, including postal articles, postal services, the Authority, postal licensees, and undeliverable mail.
3. In these Rules, unless the context otherwise Cap 306 Cap 172 requires- “Act” means the Electronic and Postal Communications Act; “Authority” means the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority established under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act; “courier service” means specialized services for speed collection, conveyance and delivery of postal articles other than a letter; “Expedited Mails Service (EMS)” means a service of conveying and distributing postal articles quickly and safely inside and outside the country; “perishable postal article” means a postal article that contains items that are subject to deterioration, spoilage or decay over time or under certain environmental conditions; 3 Electronic and Postal Communications (Disposal of Undeliverable Postal Articles) GN. NO.145 (Contd.) “priority mail” means mail designated for expedited delivery and may include forwarding, return service or enhanced security measures.; “postal article” means a material good, with or without commercial value, that complies with the postal requirements established under the Act and its regulations, and is delivered through a physical network to a specified address or to a recipient at a specified address; “postal licensee” means any person licensed under the Act to provide postal services; “postal service” means conventional postal, hybrid postal and courier services; “relevant stakeholders” means licensees, consumers or industry groups interested in or affected by the disposal of undeliverable postal articles; “registered postal article” means a postal article that is recorded in the post office where it is mailed and then recorded again in each post office destination and treated with special care; “Return Office (RO)” means an office charged with attempting to effect delivery, returns to the sender or disposal of the undeliverable postal articles; “unclaimed article” or “mail” means article or mail that for some reason has not been claimed by the addressee and the postal licensee is unable to find an addressee; and “undeliverable postal article” means a postal item that, for some reason, has not been successfully delivered to the addressee. PART II HANDLING OF UNDELIVERABLE POSTAL ARTICLES Circumstances for undeliverable postal article
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