Published on: 08 August 2026 | Category: India Post Latest News, India Post Circulars, India Post Current Affairs
Quick Summary (Read This First)
The Department of Posts (IR&GB Division) has issued an Office Memorandum directing all Circles and Offices of Exchange to handle and dispatch Rakhi mail to foreign countries on priority.
Basic details of the order:
- Order No.: CF-71/52/2022-CF-DOP
- Issued by: IR&GB Division, Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications
- Office Address: Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001
- Date: 31 July 2026
- Signed by: Ankush Bhagat, Assistant Director General (IM)
- Addressed to: All Heads of Postal Circles, All Offices of Exchange
- Occasion: Raksha Bandhan on 28 August 2026
- Daily reporting starts from: 01 August 2026
In one line: India Post wants Rakhi parcels — both going abroad and coming from abroad — booked, cleared and delivered fast, and it has given Circles a clear action list to make that happen.
Why This Order Was Issued
The reasoning given in the memorandum is straightforward:
- Raksha Bandhan falls on 28 August 2026
- Timely booking, handling and dispatch of Rakhi mail must be ensured on priority for both domestic and foreign destinations
- There is a huge Indian diaspora abroad
- The Rakhi festival is therefore a significant opportunity to generate revenue as well as to connect people
So this is not just an operational instruction — it is also a business and public-service push.
Action Points for Circles and Post Offices
Here is what the memorandum directs, point by point.
1. Special Packaging Envelopes and Packs
- Circles may make arrangements for the design and availability of appropriate special packaging envelopes / packs in Post Offices, as has been done over the years.
2. Staff Deployment and Customs Coordination
- Appropriate deployment of staff at Post Offices, FPOs and APSOs to ensure there is no transfer of mail.
- The concerned Postmasters General should get in touch with the respective Customs authorities to instruct customs officials at the FPO for speedy clearance of Rakhi items.
3. Daily Report to ADG (IM)
- Each FPO / APSO must send a daily report of mail disposal to the office of ADG (IM).
- The report must show the number of articles received and dispatched.
- Reporting is with effect from 01 August 2026.
- It must cover both inbound and outbound mail.
4. Guiding Customers at the Booking Counter
Booking staff must be sensitised to guide customers on the information and documentation required while booking a shipment:
- Writing and capturing the complete address including ZIP / Post code
- Complete customs declaration with description and number of contents
- Mentioning the applicable HS code and US HTSUS code for Rakhi-related items
Important clarification: Mentioning the HS / HTSUS code helps faster customs clearance and delivery, but it is not mandatory for non-commercial items.
5. Inbound Rakhi Items and E-commerce Packets
- A significant number of gift items, particularly e-commerce packets, are booked on the occasion of Rakhi and are also received in Post Offices from abroad for delivery.
- Circles should take pro-active measures for timely processing, secured transmission and prompt delivery of these articles as well, including for inbound Rakhi items.
6. Publicity
- All Circles and Offices of Exchange are requested to take necessary action.
- Circles may use banners, posters, standees, local TV channels, radio jingles and similar means for wide publicity of the service.
HS Code and US HTSUS Code List for Rakhi Items
This is the most practically useful part of the memorandum, both for counter staff and for customers sending Rakhi abroad.
| Name of Item | HS Code | US HTSUS |
|---|---|---|
| Rakhi / Raksha Sutra | 63079090 | 5204200000 |
| Imitation Jewelry | 71179090 | 7018102000 |
| Greeting Card | 49090000 | 4909002000 |
| Printed Gift Card | 4911 99 90 | 4911911000 |
| Kumkum / Roli | 32041199 | 3204113500 |
| Sweets (Mithai) | Usually Chapter 17 or 19 / 18020000 | 1802000000 |
| Chocolate | 1806 / 18063100 | 1806310041 |
| Dry Fruits | Chapter 08 / 71179010 | 7117901000 |
| Soan Papdi | 19059090 | 1802000000 |
| Kaju Katli | 17049090 | 1905400000 |
Please note: These codes are reproduced exactly as printed in the memorandum. A few entries in the sweets and dry fruits rows look unusual when read against the standard HS chapter structure. Counter staff and customers should confirm the applicable code from the official PDF or from the destination country’s customs tariff before declaring, especially for commercial shipments.
What is HS Code and US HTSUS?
Simple explanation for staff and customers.
- HS Code (Harmonised System Code) — an internationally standardised numbering system used to classify traded products. Customs authorities worldwide use it to identify what is inside a parcel.
- US HTSUS (Harmonised Tariff Schedule of the United States) — the United States’ own extended version of the HS Code, used specifically for goods entering the USA.
- Why it matters: A correctly declared code means customs can identify the contents quickly, which means faster clearance and faster delivery. A vague or missing declaration is one of the biggest reasons foreign parcels get held up.
Tips for Customers Sending Rakhi Abroad
If you are sending a Rakhi to a brother or sister overseas, keep these in mind.
- Book early. Raksha Bandhan is on 28 August 2026. International mail needs transit and customs time, so do not wait until the last week.
- Write the full address with ZIP / Post code. A missing post code is a very common cause of delay or return.
- Fill the customs declaration properly. Write a clear description and the number of contents — for example, “1 Rakhi thread, 1 greeting card, 200 g sweets”.
- Mention the HS code where you can. It is not compulsory for personal gifts, but it speeds things up.
- Check destination country rules on food items. Many countries restrict or prohibit the import of sweets, dry fruits and other food products. Sweets are often the item that gets a parcel held or destroyed at customs.
- Use the special Rakhi envelopes available at post offices where provided.
- Keep your booking receipt and tracking number safe.
Key Terms Explained
Useful for both counter staff and departmental exam aspirants.
- IR&GB Division — International Relations & Global Business Division of the Department of Posts
- ADG (IM) — Assistant Director General (International Mail)
- FPO — Foreign Post Office, where international mail is processed and customs-cleared
- APSO — Air Parcel Sorting Office
- Office of Exchange — a designated office that exchanges international mail with foreign postal administrations
- Inbound mail — mail coming into India from abroad
- Outbound mail — mail going out of India to foreign destinations
- PMG — Postmaster General, head of a postal region
- Raksha Sutra — the sacred thread tied on Raksha Bandhan
- Transfer of mail — mail being passed on or held up instead of being processed at the office where it arrives
Why This Order Matters for Departmental Exam Aspirants
Festival-season operational circulars are a favourite source for general awareness questions.
Exams where this can be asked:
- GDS to MTS Departmental Exam
- GDS to Postman / Mail Guard Exam
- MTS to PA / SA Departmental Exam
- Postman to PA / SA Departmental Exam
- Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant Promotion Exams
Key points to remember:
- Order No. → CF-71/52/2022-CF-DOP
- Order date → 31.07.2026
- Raksha Bandhan 2026 date → 28 August 2026
- Issuing division → IR&GB Division
- Signing authority → Assistant Director General (IM)
- Daily report to be sent to → office of ADG (IM)
- Daily reporting effective from → 01.08.2026
- Reporting units → FPO / APSO
- Report must cover → both inbound and outbound articles
- HS Code for Rakhi / Raksha Sutra → 63079090
- HS Code for Greeting Card → 49090000
- HS Code for Imitation Jewelry → 71179090
- HS / HTSUS code is → not mandatory for non-commercial items
- Publicity modes suggested → banners, posters, standees, local TV channels, radio jingles
- Addressed to → All Heads of Postal Circles and All Offices of Exchange
Circle-Wise Relevance
This is a Directorate-level order addressed to all Heads of Postal Circles, so every circle must act on it — Delhi Circle, Punjab Circle, Haryana Circle, Rajasthan Circle, Uttar Pradesh Circle, Bihar Circle, Madhya Pradesh Circle, Maharashtra Circle, Gujarat Circle, Tamil Nadu Circle, Karnataka Circle, Kerala Circle, Odisha Circle, Assam Circle, West Bengal Circle and J&K Circle.
Circles with large numbers of families having relatives abroad will see the heaviest Rakhi mail volumes, so counter staff there should be briefed first.
How to Prepare for India Post Departmental Exams in 2026
Whether you are targeting GDS to MTS, GDS to Postman, MTS to PA or Postman to PA, follow a simple routine.
- Read the syllabus first. Download the GDS to MTS Syllabus PDF or the relevant MTS to PA syllabus and understand the exam pattern.
- Check eligibility. Study the GDS to MTS eligibility criteria and the selection process before applying.
- Solve previous year papers. GDS to MTS previous year question papers, Postman to PA previous year question papers and MTS to PA question papers show the real difficulty level.
- Build a question bank. Keep a GDS to MTS question bank and a daily practice set.
- Attempt mock tests. Regular GDS to MTS mock tests and India Post mock tests improve speed and accuracy.
- Follow circulars daily. India Post circulars, India Post notifications and India Post latest news carry good weight in general awareness.
- Join structured classes. GDS to MTS online classes, live classes and recorded classes help when balancing duty and study.
Keep ready: GDS to MTS study material, Postal Manual Volumes, departmental rules, India Post GK, India Post current affairs, and Postal Assistant study material.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026? As per the memorandum, Raksha Bandhan falls on 28 August 2026.
Q2. Is it compulsory to write the HS code while sending a Rakhi abroad? No. The memorandum states it is not mandatory for non-commercial items, but mentioning it helps faster customs clearance and delivery.
Q3. What is the HS code for a Rakhi? As per the memorandum, the HS code for Rakhi / Raksha Sutra is 63079090, and the US HTSUS code is 5204200000.
Q4. From when do FPOs and APSOs have to send daily reports? From 01 August 2026, showing the number of articles received and dispatched, both inbound and outbound.
Q5. Does this order cover parcels coming from abroad too? Yes. Circles have been told to take pro-active measures for timely processing, secured transmission and prompt delivery of inbound Rakhi items as well.
Q6. Can I send sweets in a Rakhi parcel abroad? The memorandum lists HS codes for sweets, chocolate, dry fruits, soan papdi and kaju katli — but many destination countries restrict food imports. Always check the destination country’s rules before booking.
Q7. Where can I get the special Rakhi envelopes? Circles have been asked to arrange the design and availability of special packaging envelopes and packs in Post Offices. Ask at your nearest post office.
Final Word
Rakhi is one of the busiest seasons of the year for international mail at India Post, and this memorandum is the Department getting ahead of it — extra staff at FPOs, direct coordination with Customs, daily monitoring from 1 August, and clear code guidance at the booking counter.
If you are sending a Rakhi abroad this year, the single best thing you can do is book early and fill the customs declaration properly. Most delays are caused at the declaration stage, not in transit.