Posstelsel

Die posstelsel is ontwikkel vir die fisiese vervoer van poskaarte, briewe en pakkies.^[1] 'n Posdiens kan privaat of openbaar wees, hoewel baie regerings beperkings op private stelsels plaas. Sedert die middel van die 19de eeu is nasionale posstelsels meestal as 'n monopolie van die regering gevestig, met 'n vooruitbetaalde fooi vir elke artikel. Bewys van betaling is gewoonlik in die vorm van 'n geplakte posseël.

Posowerhede vervul dikwels ook ander funksies, buiten die vervoer van briewe. In sommige lande hou 'n pos-, telegraaf- en telefoondiens toesig oor die posstelsel. Sekere lande se posstelsels maak voorsiening vir spaarrekeninge en hanteer aansoeke vir paspoorte .

Die Wêreldposunie (UPU), wat in 1874 gestig is, sluit 192 lidlande in en stel die reëls vir internasionale posuitruilings vas.

↑ (en) In Australia, Canada, and the U.S., the term "mail" is commonly used for the postal system and for the letters, postcards, and parcels it carries; in New Zealand, "post" is more common for the postal system and "mail" for the material delivered; in the UK, "post" prevails in both senses. However, the British, American, Australian, and Canadian national postal services are called, respectively, the "Royal Mail", the "United States Postal Service", "Australia Post", and "Canada Post".

[1] (en) In Australia, Canada, and the U.S., the term "mail" is commonly used for the postal system and for the letters, postcards, and parcels it carries; in New Zealand, "post" is more common for the postal system and "mail" for the material delivered; in the UK, "post" prevails in both senses. However, the British, American, Australian, and Canadian national postal services are called, respectively, the "Royal Mail", the "United States Postal Service", "Australia Post", and "Canada Post".

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