I have just taken receipt of a US mail bag containing a box of stuff that was sent to me via sea mail. I am really surprised I was given the bag that has clearly been used many times (its odour suggests at least once to transport skunks). Is this an error or do they really just give away these things that likely would cost more than the postage on the box within it if I wanted to buy such a thing?
I do not want to be arrested for hauling my laundry around in it or staging a revival of Miracle on 34th Street. Is it mine or does it belong to someone else? I have heard tales of US postal workers, I do not want them hunting me down.
I think you’re supposed to give it back to the post office at some point.
Hand it in to an Australia Post outlet. They’ll send it back to the States with Aussie mail in it. It’s no real big deal. Those things go all over the world, and quite a few do get lost. If you’re worried though, hand it in. If it were an Australian mailbag, you’d be in trouble if you didn’t. With a US one, it’s up to Australia Post to figure if they could be arsed chasing you for it.
Thanks TLD, I was hoping for an insider’s answer. Unlike a milk crate there is nothing on it anywhere to suggest that it needs to be returned.
I shall examine my conscience (and see if hosing it out got rid of the smell ;)) and consider returning it.