Recent discussions about the difficulty of receiving regular mail on St Helena within a reasonable time frame have left many recipients disappointed. Air freight customers have also reported long delays, even when using dedicated freight forwarding services to St Helena that attract premium rates yet still do not offer complete satisfaction.
An investigation carried out by St Helena Online into the process of trying to get regular mail and goods couriered quickly to the island revealed the following: We all know that logistically, St Helena is a difficult place to deliver anything to whether it’s a simple letter, a much-needed appliance spare part, or a replacement car component.
Royal Mail to St Helena
A question was raised with Royal Mail in the UK regarding postal connectivity to St Helena. Royal Mail advised that items sent from the UK to St Helena are aimed to be delivered within five to seven working days after posting.
When asked what happens if mail or parcels go missing, Royal Mail stated that an item is only considered lost if it is not delivered within 20 working days from its expected delivery date. For mail to the rest of the world, this timeframe extends to 25 working days. If items are not delivered within these periods, Royal Mail advises that the sender in the UK should complete a claim form for the loss.
Freight Forwarding Agents’ Perspective
Direct conversations with some of the main air freight forwarding agents for St Helena, based in the UK, revealed mixed experiences regarding the air freight service that routes through Johannesburg. While some reported occasional delays, others described frequent and extended disruptions.
In most cases, St Helena’s air freight services rely on third-party logistics providers to move cargo to Johannesburg, commonly using DHL services. From there, goods connect with Airlink’s cargo service for final delivery to St Helena. It was also noted that the most reliable service experienced to date came via the direct Titan charter flights organized by the St Helena Government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airlink’s Response to Cargo Delays
When approached directly, Airlink South Africa the current service provider for both passenger and cargo flights to the island explained that due to limited flights, restricted cargo capacity, and the high volume of passengers and baggage, it is unfortunately not possible to carry out substantial cargo uplifts from Johannesburg.
To manage this, Airlink coordinates with its on-island agent, Solomons, to prioritize cargo shipments. Solomons works in consultation with the St Helena Government to produce a priority list. Currently, the priority cargo items are: pharmaceuticals, medications, diplomatic mail, DHL goods, and perishables.
It is hoped that the introduction of weekly flights from 8th October will help minimize ongoing offloads and reduce the stress these delays place on residents.
Jamestown Post Office Operations
On St Helena, the Jamestown Post Office continues to operate as normal, with mail regularly dispatched to global destinations including the United Kingdom, European countries (such as Italy, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Ukraine), Australia, Seychelles, the USA, Japan, and across Asia.
The Post Office is also responsible for fulfilling stamp and currency orders for collectors—a service that remains active and successful.
Outgoing mail from St Helena is typically sent via Cape Town on each call of the vessel contracted for Sea Freight service. Some letters and documents are also flown via Johannesburg, and if space permits, letters and small packages can be sent on Airlink flights via Ascension Island.
However, mail sent via Ascension Island is subject to RAF flight availability. Small parcels and letters are also shipped during the MV Helena’s quarterly visits to Ascension.
Incoming mail to St Helena is received either via Cape Town on the MV Helena or via flights and sea freight from Ascension Island. Senders should be aware that parcels over 2kg usually take longer to arrive, as they are sent through freight shipments often first routed through South Africa before arriving on the island.
Recommendations for Sending Mail
It is highly recommended that mail and parcels be dispatched via Ascension Island, as this has proven to be the most reliable and fastest route. To increase reliability:
- Keep parcel weights just under 2kg when possible.
- Ensure all items are addressed using the correct postcode:Â STHL 1ZZ.
This ensures that Royal Mail systems correctly route mail to St Helena in the South Atlantic.