There are so many things I could write about, but somehow they all get crowded out of my head by the sight of a keyboard. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had an interesting life, but I don’t, and all my days seem to be much the same.
If the town was on fire and I needed to bury my cheese, or if my tailor was making me several new suits I could, I suppose, have a diary as interesting as that of Samuel Pepys. If I had a bicycle or a road full of ponies, I could be as . . .
. . . well, you’ve all been round WP, you tell me.
Other people also write interesting blogs, so don’t feel left out, it’s just that I identify with some more than others.
Today I will just settle for telling you about posting prohibited items to China. I’m not sure of the exact range, but here are a few examples – both of prohibited goods and the irony of some of the listings.
There are a number of sensible prohibitions in place – you aren’t, as far as I know, allowed to send radio-active material through the post to any country. I also know that Bosnia Herzegovina specifically prohibits the sending of nuclear reactors through the post. I’d love to see the size of their envelopes.
Books . . .
For China, you cannot send “Articles infringing upon intellectual property rights; and counterfeit and shoddy products” which is ironic, considering the amount of copyright infringement, theft and counterfeit and shoddy goods which the Chinese are responsible for. Pot, kettle, black, as we say.
“Endangered wild animals as well as their products Such as ivory; tiger bone; rhinoceros horn and their products; etc” Enough said . . .
Then there are books. “Illegal publications; printed matters; audiovisual products and other propaganda materials Books; publications; pictures; photos; audiovisual products that contain reactionary contents; contents inciting nationality hatred; undermining state unity; destroying social stability and propagating evil cults and religious extremism; or obscene contents etc”.
This seems to include second hand reference books on coins. I know this because the courier we tried to employ to deliver two old coin books refuses to take any books at all to China. Fortunately, if you take out the reference to “coin books” and then write “coin catalogues” the automated booking form accepts it without a qualm.
I was enjoying the thought of being a dangerous reactionary intent on destroying state unity by sending two old coin books, but it seems I’m not that interesting. However, it does strike me (and I’m not advocating breaking any laws) that if you did want to send a nuclear reactor to Bosnia Herzegovina you could probably do so if you change the customs declaration to “car parts”.
Stack of books burning
Thanks for the tip on sending a nuclear reactor to Bosnia Herzegovina. I was trying to work out how to do it.
Always glad to be of service. Unfortunately, further checking reveals you cannot send panels, doors, bumpers and bonnets using Parcelforce Worldwide services. Other car parts are acceptable but be careful when filling in the customs form.
Your wide reading is well represented in this post, as so often. Sometimes I don’t find ponies interesting. Jackie then starts looking out for one on a monocycle.
Thank you Derrick, I was looking for inspiration and “Pony on a Monocycle” will do nicely. I’m sure Jackie, having to drive round all the livestock, finds them quite tedious at times.
And over here, the Postal system has other problems.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/us/supreme-court-religious-freedom-postal-worker.html
Sunday working has always been contentious – some people are religious, some just like their Sundays off. Not so much of an issue in UK where we aren’t very religious and don’t have postal deliveries on Sundays, but I’n sure it will come. Every other minority tail is trying to wag the dog . . .
All kinds of tidbits from around the world.
There is so much stuff out there, most of it useless. 🙂