Regulations governing the Lao Postal Service have been revised, with stricter controls now in place for the delivery of a variety of materials.
A new decision on postal service prohibitions was approved last month through a joint effort between the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and four other ministries, as well as the Bank of the Lao PDR.
The decision replaces the previous legislation issued June 10, 2009.
Under the new Lao Postal Service regulations, items prohibited for delivery by post include any items that are against Lao or international laws, and include chemicals, explosive materials, and weapons. The regulations also prohibit the postage of media that promotes anti-government activities or immoral activities, or beliefs that are not in accordance with Lao culture.
The decision also determines measures for prevention of delivery of illegal goods by mail.
Alongside the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the decision was drafted in a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
A further list of prohibited items includes certain medicines, antiques, ivory products, game meat, wild plants, and any equipment that can be used for the production of counterfeit currency.
The list also includes batteries, live animals, crops, sharp or dangerous implements, and valuable items including gems or precious metals.
