"RE-PACKED MAIL ITEM" Bag of MPT

As a collector, I've always cherished the first day covers sent to me by my friends in Myanmar whenever there's a new stamp issue. Recently, I received one such cover in a plastic bag, which stimulated my interest. The bag was labeled "RE-PACKED MAIL ITEM" and came from Foreign Post, Myanma Post & Telecommunications (MPT). These bags have been in use since 2004.

It's fascinating to see that these same bags are still in use 20 years later, in 2024. Following a rebranding in 2015, Myanma Post & Telecommunications is now known as Myanmar Post. The bag measures 17.8 cm x 31 cm, and I learned that there is also a larger version of this bag available.  The text on the bag is printed in English. The cover inside was properly canceled and secured in the bag with staples. The printed text on the bag reads as follows:

RE-PACKED MAIL ITEM

We regret to inform you that the enclosed mail item received in damaged condition during transit before despatch to your office.

Myanmar Post has re-packed the said item in plastic wrapper and sent to you for further disposal.

Any inconvenience caused to you is much regretted.

There are two sizes of such bags recorded and larger one measures 30.48 cm x 50.8 cm.  My special thanks to U Khin Maung Yee for his help in finding the big bag.

Second Time Delivery service in 1990

Starting from 19 Feb 1990, Yangon GPO delivered mails two times.  The mails arriving for evening delivery were stuck with the “Second Time Delivery” hand-stamp before going out for delivery.  The hand-stamp was in use until May 1992.

The following cover was posted on 5 Mar 1992, at YANGON GPO addressed to KANDAWGALAY. Mail was delivered in the evening of 5 Mar 1992, same day as posted.  Hand-stamped “Second Time Delivery” in Burmese was applied at Yangon GPO.

Even though there is such hand-stamp for evening delivery, there was no “Morning Delivery” or “First Time Delivery” hand-stamp or postal marking.  The mails were processed as usual. The following example was sent on 28 Feb 1992, from BUTHIDAUNG to LATHA ~ YANGON and it was delivered on 4 Mar 1992, from YANGON GPO 2PM.  Only one day difference from the cover displayed above. It is delivered without any additional marking assuming that mail was in first delivery.

Reference: Khin Tun (Yangon), "Rangoon 'Second Time Delivery' handstamp", The Burma Peacock, Vol 11, No 1, Page 10-11, Spring 1990.