International Airmail Postal Rates

Postal Rates : 15th August 1947 - 1st April 1957

The knowledge of Postal Rates of various Postal Services is essential component for the study of Postal History. It is the Postal rates, which can tell us, how a mail has travlled to its destination. Therefore, an effort has been made to compile a list of the Postal rates of different Postal Services of India Post from 15th August 1947 to 1st April 1957. This period is also known as Classic Period of Modern Postal History of India.

The following are the Postal Rates of the different Postal Services for the mentioned era :

International Airmail Postage Rates:

Before dealing with Foreign Air Mail rates, the development of Air Letters, which came to be known as Aerogrmmes, at a later period, should be studied. The introduction of 2nd class air mail and its development should also be studied. The History of Air Letters and 2nd class Air Mail is as follows:

Air Letters - A new light weight ‘Air Letter Service’, for the use of general public was introduced on 1st December 1944, vide DGPO Circular No. 50 dated 22nd November 1944, from India to UK and other Empire countries served by the Empire air service at a uniform postage rate of 6 Annas per letter sheet. This Air Letter were not permitted to be registered, insured or sent by Express Delivery.

This Air Letter Service was introduced to USA from 1st March 1947, vide DGPO Circular No. 78 dated 10th March 1947, at 8 Annas per air letter. From 1st September 1950, this Air Letter Sheet Service was extended to all countries where air mail facility was available at that time; vide Postal Notice No. 26 dated 24th July 1950. All Such countries were divided into 4 categories for Air Letter Sheets, which were priced at 6 Annas, 8 Annas 10 Annas and 12 Annas. Whole of Europe and Asia except a few countries were in 6 Annas category. Whole of Africa, Oceania and Guam, Japan, Palestine, Israel, Philippines & Soloman Islands (British) were in 8 Annas category. China, Korea (North & South) and North America comprised of 10 Annas category. South America was in 12 Annas category. Air Letter Sheets Service to Ceylon and Pakistan were introduced from 1st July 1951, vide Postal Notice No. 11 dated 24th may 1951 at a flat rate of 3 Annas per Air Letter Sheet.

In May 1952, the XIIth Congress of the Universal Postal Union held in Brussels, decided and resolved that ‘the Air Letter Sheet should be termed as Aerogramme’.

Registration facility was granted from 1st January 1953 for Ceylon, on payment of the usual registration fee, vide Postal Notice No. 29 dated 2nd December 1952. Registration facility on payment of usual registration fee was granted to all foreign countries where air mail service was available, from 1st March 1954. Air Letter Sheets would be termed as ‘Aerogramme’ in India, vide DGPO Circular No. 53 dated 13th February 1954.

2nd Class Air Mail - A special Air Mail Service for 2nd Class Mail i.e., ‘Printed Papers’ including News papers, Business Papers, Sample packets, Mixed Packets and Literature for the Blind people was introduced on 23rd April 1950 from India, for the first time, to the following countries :

UK, Iraq, Switzerland, Malaya, Indonesia and Australia, vide DGPO Circular No. 7 and Postal Notice No. 6 both dated 18th April 1950.

Before this, special air mail service, the printed paper and packets were sent by air mail, at Letter Mail rates. The Air Mail rate for Letter Mail (1st class Mail) was 12 Annas per ½ ounce, for UK in 1950. The rate of postage cum air fee on such 2nd class mail (News Paper & Packets etc.) was 4 Annas per ½ ounce or part thereof.

Egypt was added on 4th December 1950, vide postal Notice No. 46 dated 4th December 1950, to the list of the countries to which special air mail was introduced. With effect from 1st December 1951, the above referred air mail service for 2nd class mail was extended to all foreign countries served by air mail, with the exception of Ceylon and Pakistan, vide Postal Notice No. 49 23rd November 1951.

Foreign Airmail Postage rates as on 15th August 1947, which were introduced on 01.06.1947.

POSTAGE RATE INCLUSIVE OF AIRMAIL FEES FOR ½ OZ. OR FRACTION THEREOF

Name of the Country   Letter & Packet   Post Cards   Air Letter (Aerogramme) Australia   12 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas Other Countries in OCEANA   14 Annas   5 Annas   6 Annas Asia   10 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas for Aden, Hongkong, Malaya, North Borneo, Palestine, Sarawak, Soloman Island & Trans-Jordan China   1 Re 2 Annas   8 Annas   No Service Ceylon   2½ Annas   1½ Annas   No Service Burma   4 Annas   2½ Annas   No Service AFRICA       a) Libya   10 Annas   4 Annas   No Service b) Sudan, Egypt & Eritrea   10 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas c) Br. Somalil and, Kenya, Uganda , Tanganyika, Seychelles, Somalia and Zanzibar   12 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas d) Belgain Congo, Cameroons, Ethopia & French Somaliland   12 Annas   4 Annas   No Service e) Gold Coast, Nigeria, Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Sierra Leone, Union of South Africa   14 Annas   5 Annas   6 Annas f) Algeria, Bechuanaland, Daahomey, French Equator, French Guinea, Ivory Coast, Morcocco, Portuguese, East & West Africa, South & West Africa and Tunis   14 Annas   5 Annas   No Service g) Madagascar, Re'union   Re 1.6 Annas   9 Annas   No Service h) Mauritius   Re 1.6 Annas   9 Annas   6 Annas EUROPE       a) Cyprus   10 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas b) Eire, G. B; Malta   12 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas c) Albania, Bulgeria, Greece and Yugoslavia   10 Annas   4 Annas   No Service d) France Corsica   12 Annas   4 Annas   No Service e) Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Gibralter, Germany, Holand, Hungary, Norway, Luxemborg, Poland, Portgual, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and USSR   14 Annas   5 Annas   No Service AMERICA a) Canada, New Foundland & USA Rs. 1 & 2 Annas 8 Annas 8 Annas b)Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Falkand Island, Paraguay and Uruguay Rs. 1 & 2 Annas 8 Annas No Service c) Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Costarica, Cuba, Dominica, Dutch West Indies, El Salvador, French West Indies, Grenada, Guatemala, Hayti, Jamaica, Honduras,Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Porto Rico, St. Lucia, St.Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago Rs. 1 & 6 Annas 9 Annas No Service d) Rest of America Rs. 1 & 10 Annas 9 Annas No Service

Air Mail Fees for foreign was again changed from 1st December 1951, vide Postal Notice No. 49 dated 23rd November 1951, when air mail service was opened for 2nd class mail to all foreign countries served by air mail except Ceylon & Pakistan. All Foreign countries except Ceylon, Portuguese India and Pakistan were divided in to Zones.

POSTAGE RATE INCLUSIVE OF AIRMAIL FEES FOR ½ OZ. OR FRACTION THEREOF

Zone   Letter   Printed Papers   Post Cards   Air Letter / Aerogramme Zone-I Burma   6 Annas   (Minimum Charges 4 As) 2 Annas 6 Pies   4 Annas   5 Annas Zone-II All other countries of Asia   10 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas   6 Annas Zone-III Europe   12 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas   6 Annas Zone-IV Oceana & Africa   14 Annas   6 Annas   6 Annas   8 Annas Zone-V America   1 Re 8 Annas   8 Annas   10 Annas   10 Annas

Note: Here above ‘Printed Papers’ include News Papers, Business Papers, Sample Packets, Mixed Packets and Blind Literature Packets.

Air Mail rates for Ceylon and Pakistan was as follows, vide postal Notice No. 49 dated 23.11.1951

Zone   Letter   Printed Papers   Post Cards   Air Letter / Aerogramme Ceylon & Pakistan (Airmail fee exclusive of Inland Postage) (Inclusive of all Charges) 1 Anna 6 Pies 1 Anna & 6 Pies 1 A & 6 Pies 3 Annas

The Department of Post noticed that the foreign air mail were being sent with insufficient Postage Stamps. Therefore the Postal Department again informed the public about the Postal rates, vide Postal Notice No. 62. dated 11-02-1952, Air mail rates remained same, but Afghanistan was added to Zone-I,

The Air Mail rates for foreign countries were revised, vide Air Mail Postal Notice No. 39 dated 24.03.1953, which were as follows:

Zone   Letter   Printed Papers   Post Cards   Air Letter / Aerogramme Zone-I Afghanistan & Burma   6 Annas   (Minimum Charges 4 As) 2 Annas 6 Pies   4 Annas   5 Annas Zone-II Rest of Asia & Egypt   10 Annas   4 Annas   6 Annas   8 Annas Zone-III Europe   14 Annas   5 Annas   8 Annas   10 Annas Zone-IV Oceana & Africa   1 Re 2 Annas   6 Annas   8 Annas   10 Annas Zone-V America   1 Re 8 Annas   8 Annas   10 Annas   12 Annas

Note: Herein above ‘Printed Papers’ includes News Papers, Business Papers, Sample Packets, Mixed Packets and Blind Literature Packets.

When decimalization took place on 1st April 1957, the Air Mail were revised as follows :

Zone Letter Printed Papers Post Cards Air Letter Zone-I Afganistan & Burma 35 NP (Minimum of 25 NP) 15 NP 25 NP 30 NP Zone-II Rest of Aisa & Egypt 60 NP 25 NP 35 NP 50 NP Zone-III Europe & East Africa 90 NP 35 NP 40 NP 50 NP Zone-IV Other countries of Africa and Oceania Rs. 1 & 10 NP 35 NP 50 NP 60 NP Zone-V America Rs. 1 & 50 NP 50 NP 65 NP 75 NP

The List of Countries in different Zones is as follow:

Zone - I :  Afghanistan & Burma.

Zone - II: Aden, Sr. Post Office in Persian Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat), Brunei, China, Egypt, Guam, Hong Kong, Indo China, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Macao (Portuguese), Malaya, New Guinea, (Mandated Territory), North Bomeo (British), Palestine, Papua, Philippines, Sarawak, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Island, Syria, Thailand (Siam), Timor (Dutch & Portuguese).

Zone - III: In Europe (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria), Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, (Ireland, Finland, France including Corsica), Gibraltar, Germany, Great Britain and Northem Ireland, Greece (Holland, Hungary), Ice land, Italy (including Sicily & Sardinia), Luxemborg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USSR (Russia), Yugoslavia, In Africa-British Somaliland, Belgian Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika, Territory (Libya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Zanzibar)

Zone-IV: In Oceania - Australia, Fiji Islands, Friendly or Tonga Islands, Gilbert & Ellice Islands, New Hebrides, New Zealand. In Africa-Algeria, Bechuanaland Protectorate, Cameroons, Dahomey, French Equatorial Africa, French Guinea, Gold Coast, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Nyasaland, Portuguese East and West Africa, Reunion Rhodesia (Northern & Southern), Sierra Leone, South West Africa, Tunis, Union of South Africa (including Basutoland & Swaziland)

Zone-V : In America - North & Central America, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada (Including New Foundland), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica Republic, Dutch West Indies, El Salvador, French West Indies, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras (British), Honduras (Republic), Jamaica, Leeward Island, (Antigua Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama (Canal Zone & Republic), Porto Rico, Lt. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, Virgin Islands of USA, USA (including Hawaii Islands), South America, Argentina Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, British Guiana, Chile, Colombia, Dutch Guiana, Ecuador, Falkland Island, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

The revision of Postal rates accordingly to the class of Postal article, weight and destination is a continued process. Hence, the story continues.

Information on Postal Rates from 15th August 1947 to 1st April 1957 has been provided on this website based on the article 'POSTAL RATES OF INDIA (1947-1957)', by Shri Ashok Kumar Bayanwala of Ahmedabad.