Mail Inspection Policy
Reviewed: 20th June 2025
At UK Postbox, we take the security, legality, and integrity of our services seriously. This Mail Inspection Policy explains when and why mail items may be opened or inspected, and the steps we take to ensure full legal and regulatory compliance.
1. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
We may inspect mail in accordance with the following obligations:
- The Money Laundering Regulations 2017, as supervised by HMRC
- UK customs and criminal laws
- Conditions set by postal and courier carriers (e.g. Royal Mail, DHL, etc.)
2. Reasons for Mail Inspection
Mail will only be opened where there are reasonable grounds to suspect one or more of the following:
- Criminal or customs offences
- Breach of UK Postbox Terms and Conditions
- Carriage of prohibited or restricted items under carrier rules
- False, misleading, or undeclared contents
- Insufficient recipient details (e.g. missing name, initials only, or vague addressee such as “No Name”), where contents may help identify the intended recipient
3. Examples of Mail That May Be Inspected
Inspections may occur if an item is suspected to contain:
- Prohibited or restricted goods (e.g. weapons, counterfeit items)
- Dangerous substances (e.g. drugs, hazardous chemicals)
- Items associated with criminal activity (e.g. fraud, terrorism)
- Forged, fraudulent, or tampered documents
- Items breaching postal or courier terms of carriage
- Letters or parcels with unclear recipient details (e.g. “A Smith” or no name) where internal documents might help verify the recipient
4. How Inspections Are Carried Out
- All inspections are conducted discreetly and only by authorised UK Postbox personnel
- We act proportionately, respecting privacy wherever possible
- Inspections are not carried out routinely, and only take place when there is a specific risk
5. Transparency and Client Notification
- We do not assume wrongdoing
- All inspections are handled with fairness and care
- Where legally allowed, we will notify the account holder if an inspection has taken place and explain why
6. Contact & Support
For questions or further information about restricted items, please contact our support team at: www.ukpostbox.com/contact.
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