China's first-ever express mail service standard is expected to be unveiled soon in southern Guangdong province, reports the Information Times.

This is believed to be in response to a disorderly express mail services that have been resulting in frequent mail delays, item damages and losts around the country.

Reports say public opinions have been solicited in advance over a consultative draft of the mail service standard and the draft is being under expert's final examination.

According to the expected express mail service standard, if an express mail service for a domestic mail item exceeds its promised delivery time, yet within a complete delay limit of seven days (including weekend holidays), the item will be exempted from any service charges. Equally, if an express mail service for an international mail item is delayed, yet within a complete delay limit of ten days (including weekend holidays). it will also be freed of any service charges. But if an item gets damaged or lost, the item, if it is a letter, will get a double-service-fee amount compensation; and if it's a domestic parcel, it will get 20 to 100 yuan compensation for every kilogram.

Guangdong people are debating about the service charge clause, which suggest companies receive at least 8 yuan for express delivery in the same city and 12 yuan for those not in same cities. Because the fee in the consultative draft is higher than the present service charge in the province, local people worry about possible price hikes in delivery service.

Director of the administration of Guangdong Post, Luo Jianqing, has said that Guangdong has about 2800 express delivery companies after 20 years' development, and that customers' interests could not be secured due to the lack of standards. He hoped the new standard could regulate the industry in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)