Letters

Pass the parcel

Returned to sender

Mon Oct 09 2023 - 00:03

Sir, – My small parcel of children’s clothes sent to my brother in Ennis – for his two new grandchildren – never arrived. The value was £40 and the clothes were five items – all young children’s clothes. I had diligently (or so I thought) filled in a customs declaration form, the weight, the value, a gift, the amount of children’s clothes, etc. My parcel has now been returned. Yes, after 12 weeks languishing somewhere in the belly of An Post I now have it. There are two more labels on the front. One tells me that it has been “rejected” by An Post as it had “failed clearance” and the other noted that I wasn’t expansive enough in my description of the contents. The space for the description of the parcel’s contents measures 2cm x 4cm, little more than the size of a postage stamp. Did An Post want a literary run down of each item, eg “Hey Duggee” leggings – one grey pair, one red pair; one baby dress – with hairband – striped, seersucker, etc; one flowery T-shirt for toddler.

I realise the literary genius of the Irish nation is never far away, and as an Irish person, I am delighted with this, but could anyone tell me how the hell I can send anything to Ireland in future without falling foul of An Post? Perhaps Oscar Wilde had it right when he said “I have nothing to declare except my genius” as he entered New York customs in 1882.

Would that do? – Yours, etc,

MARIAN KELLEHER,

READ MORE

Aylesbury,

Buckinghamshire, UK.