SOVIET POSTAL INTELLIGENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 64
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 28, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 1, 1962
• Content Type: STUDY

Approved For-Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-
.
SOVIET
POSTAL
INTELLIGENCE
MAY 1962
Copy N? 96
25X1 C1 Ob
ilia,401Z)
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-REIF -2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
I. INTRODUCTION
L)1.11...?14.1-11.L / L WA,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
II, SOVIET POSTAL SERVICES 3
A. Internal 4
B. International Mail 11
C. Additional Mail Services 13
D. Time En Route for Soviet Mail 14
E. Postal Rates 17
III. SOVIET POSTAL REGULATIONS AND USAGE 21
A. Procedures for Mailing and Receiving Letters 21
B. Procedures for Mailing and Receiving Banderol' Mail . 31
C. Procedures for Mailing and Receiving Packages 33
D. Postal Handling of Internal Periodical Publications 41
E. Soviet Stationery 42
F. Soviet Postage Stamps and Stamp Collectors 45
IV. SOVIET MAIL CENSORSHIP 47
A. Organization 47
B. Censorship of Internal Mail 48
C. Censorship of International Mail 50
D. Censorship of Printed Matter 55
APPENDIX A ? Articles Prohibited and Conditionally Accepted for
Internal Mails 57
APPENDIX B ? Articles Prohibited and Conditionally Accepted for
Mailing as International Postal Matter 59
APPENDIX C ? List of Articles Allowed To Enter Without a Permit
When Intended for Personal Use 61
GLOSSARY OF SOVIET POSTAL TERMS AND CATEGORIES. . . 63
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
25X1 C1 Ob
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
II. SOVIET POSTAL SERVICES
The public and government mails of the USSR are operated and main-
tained, in conjunction with the telephone and telegraph services, by
the Ministry of Communications with the Ministry placing emphasis on
the handling of government mail. The Ministry of Communications
does not provide all of the postal and telecommunication services.
Other ministries provide their own, alone or in collaboration with the
Ministry of Communications. Of these other ministries, the Ministry
of Defense conducts the greatest amount for itself. Furthermore, the
Ministry of Defense exerts direct influence on the Ministry of Communi-
cations under normal conditions and may have full control under emer-
gency or war conditions.
The basic production units of the Soviet postal system are the main
post offices, post offices, communications offices, and substations. A
production unit of the postal system is an enterprise having, aside from
its production functions, administrative autonomy. Any of these en-
terprises may be a consolidated or specialized enterprise, depending
on the services assigned to them. In addition, postal services are pro-
vided by substations and postal agencies which are not autonomous en-
terprises, but which are a part of the production network of main post
offices and are under their administrative control although physically
situated apart from them. In practice, therefore, substations and postal
agencies are also referred to as enterprises.
The network of substations and postal agencies is broken down ac-
cording to the conditions under which the service is performed:
Enterprises which accommodate all those requiring postal services
for general purposes?the general public, State, Party, managerial
and social organizations, etc.
"Closed" enterprises for the accommodation of a limited group of
clients?factories, plants, educational institutions, etc.
Seasonal enterprises opened on a temporary basis to accommodate
seasonal activities?timber-cutting, log-floating, etc., as well as
health resorts, army camps, etc.
Main post offices, post offices and communications offices with sub-
ordinate networks of substations and agencies, are found in oblast,
kray, and republic centers, and in individual cities under the jurisdic-
tion of an oblast or a republic. Okrug and rayon communications
offices are located in okrug and rayon centers, with a network of sub-
ordinate substations and agencies. As a rule, populated places below
the rayon level are served only by substations or postal agencies. There
are postal enterprises known as substations for mail transport, which
serve postal communications lines?rail, water, and air. They are lo-
cated at railway junctions, at the starting and terminal points of large
railroad lines, and at the junctions of rail, water, and air communica-
tions routes.
3
Approved For Release 1999/08/4: eir="77-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
The postal service has been improved in the last few years by a certain
amount of mechanization, but the machines which are in use usually
are semiautomatic and are located only in the larger cities, frequently
on an experimental basis. Although the growth of the postal services
in the USSR under the Soviet regime is impressive, the improvement
in services has lagged considerably behind the need. Each year the
amount of mail increases. Since 1950, the growth in total volume of
mail has averaged about one billion pieces per year. This increase is
in all types of mail, but the greatest increase and largest volume is in
newspapers and periodicals which comprise over 70 percent of the mail.
(In the USSR the bulk of the newspapers and journals are disseminated
locally through the mails and delivered to the subscriber by the post-
man.) Soviet planning has recognized the insufficient progress which
has been made in overcoming this lag, and it is believed that the capacity
for handling the mail will increase through expansion of the number of
post offices and the use of mobile post offices as well as the gradual
increase of mechanization in large postal centers and in the handling
of the mail on postal routes.
A. INTERNAL
I. Post Offices
Postal enterprises vary in size and services from the large main post
offices operating with substations to the recently popular mobile offices.
Post office hours customarily are from 0800 or 0900 hours to 1800 or
2200 hours. The larger post offices in cities, however, are open later
for partial services. For example, at the K-9 Post Office on Gorkiy
Street (ulitsa Gor'kogo, 7) in Moscow, the general delivery window is
open until 2300 hours, and service for mailing registered and insured
letters is maintained 24 hours a day. At the Main Post Office (ulitsa
Kirova, 26?a) service for mailing money orders and receiving general
delivery letters is maintained around the clock. City post offices have
an influx of patrons in the morning immediately after opening, around
noon, and at 1730 hours. Travelers have reported the K-9 Post Office
in Moscow to be busiest around 1000 hours.
Directly inside the entrance of post offices are usually placed large,
wooden, squarish boxes for the deposit of mail. One of these will be
labeled for international mail, but in general Soviets ignore this distinc-
tion and drop their mail indiscriminately into the box which is most
convenient. Along the walls are located the service windows, labeled as
to the type of services performed. These windows are not arranged
with a well distributed workload, i.e., one window may perform a minor
function, whereas another window will service several major functions.
In small post offices there will be a service window for packages; in
large post offices packages are received and mailed from a separate
room. Post offices are furnished with writing tables for the use of
patrons. These tables are equipped with old fashioned pen staffs and
nibs, purple or blue ink, and pots of glue. To the rear of the lobby
4
Approved For Release 19WliteeliMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
will be found the post office boxes which may be rented by individ-
uals or organizations for the receipt of mail. They have opaque fronts,
are numbered, and are secured by lock and key.
FIGURE 2. Moscow Post Office (Gor'kogo ul.) , main floor. Note tiers of post office
boxes in rear center.
Branch post offices are situated in positions to serve special groups,
such as university students or hotel guests, as well as at points to serve
the general public. Some information on hotel post offices may be ap-
propriate for the travelers' personal use. These post offices are open
from 0900 hours to 2000 hours, Monday through Friday, and 0900 hours
to 1700 hours, Saturday and Sunday. Letters and packages of books
may be mailed; stamps, writing paper, post cards, etc., may be pur-
chased. Incoming mail is delivered to each floor supervisor's desk and
the guests pick up their mail at this desk. If the traveler receives a
package, a notice is sent to him at the hotel and he calls personally at
the main post office for the package.
Intourist notified travel agencies in September 1961 that a new post
office has been opened in Moscow to provide postal services exclusively
for tourists arriving in Moscow. They request that general delivery
correspondence (and telegrams) to Moscow tourists be addressed,
Moscow, K-600
Poste Restante
Mr. (name)
5
Approved For Release 1999/01120MIA=Rfrr8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
OBISMINIMICOMPIN
This post office is located at 1 Gorkiy Street (Hotel National, entrance
from Gorkiy Street) and is open daily from 0800 hours to 2200 hours.
According to Intourist, the post office will handle cables, mail, sell
coupons for long distance telephone calls, stamps, envelopes, etc.
It remains to be seen how effective this new post office will be in im-
proving services for the tourist in Moscow, or how it will work for the
tourists who are staying at other hotels.
2. Services Available in Post Offices
General Delivery (do vostrebovaniya)
Letters registered and insured
Packages mailed
Stamps, stamped envelopes, post cards sold
Money orders sold
Addresses obtained by mailing address card (directory service)
Boxes for mailing packages sold
Packages wrapped (for a fee)
Letters addressed or written (for a fee)
Telegrams received (also sent from select post offices)
Philatelic sales
Savings deposits
Utility bills paid
Tax payments for radio receivers accepted
Magazine and newspaper subscriptions accepted
Certain telephone service in selected post offices
3. Street Mail Boxes
Street mail boxes are found near the entrances of buildings fre-
quented by the public: post offices, hotels, railway stations, and at
sidings, piers, airports, and in city areas near street intersections. They
are attached to larger structures as buildings and fences, and rest about
three feet above ground level. The ordinary Soviet street mail box is
blue; however, in the provinces all types of old boxes of various colors
are still in use, and sometimes the boxes are mounted on poles.
The slot may be on the top or front of the mail box. Reports differ
on the width of the slots?some give the width as % of an inch and
others, as 1.5 inches. The blue boxes carry the shield of the USSR on
the front with the Russian word (POChT A) written horizontally
below the shield in large white letters. Near the bottom of the box is
the number (box numbers do not run consecutively) and a notice per-
taining to mail collections. The notice may consist of a schedule of
collection times, or more often, of the number of collections per day
and the hours between which collections occur. Generally in cities
there are five or six collections, from 0700 or 0800 hours to 1930 or 2000
hours. In Moscow the mail is collected seven times per day on week
days.
Approved For Release 19 - P78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
FIGURE 3. Street mail box attached to a building on Yaroslavskoye shosse, Moscow.
FIGURE 4. Street mail box attached to a fence in Moscow.
Mail is collected from street mail boxes by means of a canvas bag about
40 inches deep with a circumference to match the dimensions of the
box. The mouth of the bag is formed by a steel frame. The collector
places the frame under the bottom of the mail box, and the box is auto-
7
Approved For Release 1999/01WFMffM/b-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
matically opened allowing the letters to fall into the bag. Removal of
the steel frame automatically locks the box.
4. Mail Deliveries
Mail deliveries are made between 0600 and 1900 hours, and the num-
ber of deliveries varies widely in different size towns and rural locations.
The majority of cities have at least two deliveries each weekday and
one on Sunday. In Moscow there are two deliveries per day in the
residential areas, whereas the business districts may have as many as
four or five deliveries per day. Soviet postal officials have stated that
in Moscow any letter postmarked before noon will be delivered in the
afternoon, and letters postmarked in the afternoon will be delivered
the next morning.
In rural districts mail is delivered less frequently. Some points in
the far north do not receive any mail during the winter freeze.
a. Multidwelling Mail Delivery
Until recently all mail deliveries in multidwelling buildings had been
made to the door of the apartment. Currently the Ministry of Com-
munications is urging the installation of individual mail boxes in all
multidwelling buildings, one for each family, grouped together on the
first floor. Such mail boxes facilitate the work of the postman and
thereby speed the delivery of the mail. This new method of receiving
mail is considered novel by the Soviets, who report it in their letters to
the West as quite an innovation.
FIGURE 5. FIGURE 6.
Apartment house mail boxes. The boxes shown in Figure 6 are homemade.
b. Delivery in Post Office Boxes
Institutions, enterprises, organizations, and individuals may have
their mail delivered to post office boxes located in the post office. A
time schedule for placing postal matter in the boxes is posted.
8
Approved For Release 19?gteilltwerr. -IMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/01/(2rt:rTiCII&M78-02646R000600090001-2
At the time of renting a post office box, the applicant gives his home
address and shows his pas port (internal passport). According to Soviet
postal regulations, after a subscriber relinquishes his box, the same box
number may not be used for another subscriber for a period of three
months.
5. Types of Internal Mail
The following types of postal matter have been established by the
Ministry of Communications for mailing "written messages, documents,
printed matter, goods, and various articles within the boundaries of
the USSR":
a. Letters
b. Postcards
c. Bander?li*
d. Insured letters
e. Money orders
f. Periodical publications (newspapers, magazines, brochures and
printed lectures)**
g. Packages
Insofar as these types of mail are accepted, handled, and delivered
they are further broken down in the following categories: letters and
post cards are divided into regular and registered; banderol' mail into
regular, registered, and insured; insured letters into opened and sealed;
money orders into postal and telegraph;, packages into insured and
uninsured.
Postal matter from and to institutions, enterprises, and organizations
is accepted, handled, and delivered according to different procedures
for the following categories:
a. Government postal matter.
b. Registered letters of the Ministry of Finance, USSR.
c. Registered letters of Gosbank (State Bank) and Prombank (In-
dustrial Bank).
d. Registered letters of Zagotzerno (All-Union Bureau for Procure-
ment and Storage of Grain).
e. Military postal matter.
6. Internal Transmittal Categories and Cachets
All internal Soviet mail is stamped with postal cachets printed in the
Russian language. The practice in non-Russian speaking areas of using
two languages, Russian and the local language, on the time stamp has
been discontinued in some areas, e.g. the Baltic countries, but has been
revived in other areas. The time stamp, a round cachet giving the place
and time of cancellation, is the one cachet which appears on all mail.
The place of canceling is printed around the inside edge of the stamp.
This may be a city, town, oblast, or rayon, depending on the commu-
nications enterprise which services that particular locale. The date of
* For description of banderol', see Section III, B.
*" This service exists for internal mail only.
9
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 19 /08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
canceling appears across the middle of the circle in the following se-
quence?day, month, and year. In the event there are two additional
digits, the last two represent the hour.
a. Regular Mail
Ordinary internal surface mail carries only one cachet, the time
stamp.
b. Airmail
Internal airmail differs from internal surface mail only in the amount
of postage required and is stamped ABHAII0qTA (AVIAPOChTA) or
ABM (AVIA). All postal matter, excepting money orders, may be sent
by airmail.
c. Registered Mail
Internal registered mail carries a cachet with a large Cyrillic letter,
"3" (Z), followed by a space in which the registry number is entered by
hand. A registered internal postal item usually will also be stamped
3AKA3HOE (ZAKAZNOYE).
d. Insured Mail
The contents of letters, banderoli, and packages, may be insured.
There are two types of insured letters?sealed and unsealed. Sealed
insured letters may be sent only by institutions, enterprises and organ-
izations. The insured cachet is similar in format to the registered
cachet. To the left is the Cyrillic letter, "LI," (Ts), followed by the in-
sured number and the designation of the postal enterprise.
When letters containing valuable papers and documents are insured,
the enclosures are recorded by the postal clerk. In the event the letter
or enclosures are lost, the post office issues a certification on which the
sender collects the insurance. The amount paid is based on the cost
of obtaining new documents.
e. Special Delivery Mail
Letters may be sent special delivery from city to city but not intra-
city. They are sorted before regular mail and given preferential treat-
ment in handling. An exemplar of the special delivery cachet is not
available.
f C.O.D. Mail
Insured parcels, insured letters, and insured banderoli can be sent
c.o.d. The amount to be collected on delivery is at the discretion of the
sender, but may not be greater than the declared value of the item
being mailed. In addition, an ordinary letter may be sent without post-
age and the postage will be collected from the recipient.
g. Notice of Delivery
The sender of registered and insured letters, money orders, banderoli,
and packages may request that notification of date of delivery be re-
turned to him.
10
Approved For Release 1911ItiettbP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
B. INTERNATIONAL MAIL
International mail is postal matter sent from the USSR abroad or re-
ceived from abroad, and also postal matter sent from one foreign coun-
try to another through the Soviet Union.
Originally international postal exchanges were governed by bilateral
agreements between the countries involved. The different weights and
currencies used under this system created too many complications as
the volume of international mail expanded. In 1868, an official of the
Postal Administration of the North German Confederation drew up a
plan for a postal union between all nations. Delegates from 22 coun-
tries, including Russia, met in Berne, Switzerland? in 1874 to consider for-
mation of such a union. The results of the convention were the "Treaty
of Berne" and the founding of the "General Postal Union." Other
countries joined with rapidity and in three years the name was changed
to the Universal Postal Union. Currently there are approximately a
hundred member-countries.
These member countries have letter traffic with each other. Thus
as a member-country, the Soviet Union has international letter traffic
with member-countries, but all other postal services are by agreement
with individual countries.
1. Postal Agreements
The USSR negotiates postal agreements with other member-countries
to provide international parcel post services as Postal Union rules are
binding only for letters. With countries which are not members of the
Postal Union, the USSR has no exchange of mail of any category unless
a postal agreement has been signed. In these instances, as there are
no previous areas of agreement, the regulations and rates covering all
types of mail must be negotiated. The regulations must conform to
the USSR regulations for mail entering the country, therefore, the
deviations in different agreements are relatively minor.
2. Types of International Mail
The following types of postal matter are accepted for sending out
of the USSR abroad, or from abroad to the USS:R:
a. Letters
b. Post cards
c. Banderoli*
with business papers
with printed publications
with publications in Braille
with sample goods
d. Insured letters
e. Insured packages
f. Packages (without a declared value)
* For description of banderolis , see Section III, B.
11
Approved For Release 1999/087i4.1.eiALiir6178-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
simmimilevemie
The following are unauthorized for mailing to and from the USSR:
a. Money orders
b. C.O.D. postal matter
3. Transmittal Categories of International Mail and International
Cachets
All Soviet international mail carries the MMK,LiYHAP0211-10E
(MEZHDUNARODNOYE) cachet printed in Russian.
The time stamp on international mail leaving the Soviet Union is
sometimes the same as on internal mail, that is, printed in Russian, but
at other times follows international usage and is printed in French.
Otherwise, the international postal cachets are different from the in-
ternal cachets for corresponding classes of mail. In accordance with
international postal usage, the international cachets customarily have
been printed in French, but during 1960 and 1961, additional cachets
have appeared with the inscription both in Russian and French.
a. Regular Mail
International mail which is to travel by surface carries only the
MEZHDUNARODNOYE cachet and the time stamp.
b. Airmail
International airmail has, in addition to the MEZHDUNARODNOYE
cachet and the time stamp, a blue sticker affixed to the face of the
envelope with AVIA and PAR AVION printed in white letters. As indi-
cated above, formerly only French was used on these cachets, and some
of the old airmail stickers are still in use. The airmail indicator may
be a cachet instead of a sticker.
c. Registered Mail
In addition to the time stamp and the MEZHDUNARODNOYE cachet,
international registered mail is stamped RECOMMANDE and bears
another registered cachet consisting of a large "R", a blank space in
which the registered number is entered by hand, and the postal desig-
nation. If this last cachet is a sticker, the postal designation will be
omitted. In the event an international registered letter is lost, the
responsible country is penalized 25 gold francs (Swiss).
d. Insured Mail
The international insured cachet, which appears on insured letters
and packages going abroad, is always stamped on the postal matter.
It contains the Latin letter "V", for valeur, the insured number and the
postal designation. In addition, an insured international letter is af-
fixed with another sticker marked value declared in both French and
Russian.
e. Special Delivery
All types of international postal matter can be accepted for special
delivery to foreign countries with which agreements have been reached
establishing this service. Special delivery between the USSR and the
12
Approved For Release 19ffietteleMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
U.S.A. became available during the summer of 1959. The special delivery
cachet is a red sticker marked EXPRES.
f. Notice of Delivery
Any registered or insured international mail may be sent or received
from abroad with a request for notification of delivery.
C. ADDITIONAL MAIL SERVICES
Other than the mail services conducted by the Ministry of Communica-
tions for the public, there are additional mail services available to
special groups. Some of these are conducted by the Ministry of Com-
munications, others by other ministries, alone or in collaboration with
the Ministry of Communications. This study will not deal with these
mail services, but will indicate only the general nature of military,
government, and diplomatic mail.
1. Military Mail
Military mail is conducted under the direction of the Ministry of
Defense in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications.
Regular letters and post cards to and from the members of the armed
forces are mailed free. Letters or postcards to a serviceman, which
are to be carried free of postage, must contain in the address the field
post office (military unit) number or the name of a military institution.
Mail from a serviceman is stamped with a military franking cachet in
lieu of postage. This cachet is a triangle centered by a five point star.
Written inside the triangle's borders, one word on each side, is soldier,
letter, and free (soldatskoye, pis'mo and besplatno) for army?sailor
(matrosskoye), etc., for navy. No exemplars are available for air force
personnel.
Officers must pay postage on packages, whereas enlisted men have
limited privileges in postage free packages. Packages addressed to mili-
tary personnel will not be accepted if simply addressed to the field
post office number or military institute, as will letters, but must carry
a complete address indicating a place of location.
Postal matter addressed to field post office numbers and military
units with no indication of their location, are forwarded to military
postal sorting points. All types of postal matter addressed to the mili-
tary is handled by the communications enterprises on a restricted basis,
i.e., only employees who must process it have access to military mail.
At the delivery point, military mail is turned over to a military postman
by arrangement between the chief of the communications enterprise and
the military unit command.
Official censorship of military mail ceased during 1954; currently no
military mail is overtly censored. Only the mail of military personnel
stationed abroad was overtly censored from the end of the war until the
time official censorship was discontinued. During the war all military
mail, to and from military units stationed both within and without the
USSR, was openly censored and stamped as examined by the Military
13
Approved For Release 1999/MMTAM-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Censor. Each Soviet army had a Military Censorship Subsection (Voyen-
naya Tsenzura or VTs) which operated as a service of the Ministry of
State Security under one of its directorates in Moscow.
2. Government Mail
a. Regular, Registered, and Insured Mail
Regular and registered government mail is handled by the Commu-
nications Ministry in accordance with the regulations established for
the appropriate type of postal matter. In large enterprises, government
mail is processed separately and forwarded in the fastest possible man-
ner. At all enterprises, regular and registered government letters,
banderoli, and packages are forwarded separately from other mail of
the same category, even if there is only one item. Insured government
letters are handled and forwarded individually.
Government postal matter is delivered in the fastest possible manner.
Qualified postal employees and telegram deliverers may be used in ad-
dition to the regular postman in order to implement fast delivery.
b. Classified Official Mail
Sensitive government documents are transported by a courier system
conducted under the direction of the KGB. This service is called
Ferdyegerskaya Svyaz' or Fel'dsvyaz'. As the majority of government,
mail is classified, one source estimates that approximately 90% of all
government mail is transported by the Ferdsvyaz'. This classified
mail is divided into categories of varying sensitivity with special require-
ments for enclosing and sealing the different categories. All classified
mail is transported by special courier and is delivered only to authorized
personnel.
3. Diplomatic Mail
The diplomatic pouch is used to transmit the personal mail of Soviet
officials stationed in USSR embassies abroad.
Personal mail from the USSR to an official station abroad is not gen-
erally addressed directly to the foreign embassy but to an address in
Moscow. One source has reported this address to be a post office num-
ber; another, as in care of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is prob-
able that different types of addresses are issued for mailing to different
personnel. In the event a correspondent within the USSR does use the
foreign embassy address, the mail is diverted to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and forwarded by diplomatic pouch.
D. TIME EN ROUTE FOR SOVIET MAIL
The time required for mail to reach its destination may vary widely.
Any unusual delay in the delivery of mail obviously permits the op-
14
25X1X6
25X1X6
g
Approved For Release 19ilYZI4 T'.TCTRI_PbP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
wileenerigitSIMM
portunity for censorship. However, mail is often delayed by inefficient
postal processing and for other extraneous reasons. International mail
is especially vulnerable to delays caused by weather conditions, rerout-
ing in the event of shipping strikes, etc., and other seemingly unrelated
events. Therefore, although a delay in time en route may indicate
censorship, other factors which may cause delay in the transmittal of
the mail must be taken into account.
The majority of the mail both entering and exiting the Soviet Union
definitely consumes a longer time than can be accounted for by trans-
portation and postal processing. Mail customarily takes longer enter-
ing than exiting the USSR. This would appear to indicate that mail
entering the Soviet Union may be more thoroughly screened than mail
leaving the Soviet Union. However, in some cases the situation is re-
versed, thereby disproving any established pattern. When new inter-
national correspondences are first initiated, the times en route, both
entering and exiting the Soviet Union, are always longer. This tends
to confirm reports that new correspondences are more closely scrutinized
by the censor (see chapter IV, Soviet Mail Censorship).
Other factors inherent in the letter itself which influence the time en
route are (1) the types of individuals corresponding, i.e., the mail of
certain suspect categories of individuals takes longer for delivery, (2)
the manner of addressing the mail, and (3) the language used in the
address. Letters addressed in the Russian language are processed faster
and have a shorter time en route than those addressed in other lan-
guages. This applies to local languages as well as foreign. Foreigners
living in Soviet hotels suffer inordinate delays in the receipt of their
mail due, at least in part, to the ineptitude of the hotel postal clerks in
reading addresses written in foreign languages. Examinations of the
time stamps on such mail have revealed time lags between arrival of
the letter in the Soviet city and actual delivery at the hotel to be as
long as seven days. There is also a difference in the time required to
process letters addressed in various foreign languages. Those addressed,
for example, in Farsi are usually two days longer in transit than letters
addressed in English.
On the other hand, similar delays are observed in the postal handling
of Soviet letters in the United States. Letters from the Soviet Union
to the United States have been noted which were backstamped in the
United States city upon receipt and upon delivery, and the difference
in the dates indicated the U.S. Post Office was 12 days processing the
letters.
Traditionally the internal mail service in the Soviet Union has always
been slow, especially, in the provinces. Emphasis has been placed on
faster service by the Ministry of Communications, and in recent years
marked improvement has been shown. Surface mail is sometimes
carried by air on long routes in order to facilitate better service. Specific
times en route on internal mail are not readily available, therefore, less
is known concerning time en route for internal letters than for inter-
national letters.
15
Approved For Release 199r1OrraL-1119/8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
iiiru?r
The following is a tabulated list of pertinent data regarding time en
route as shown by specific instances.
COMMUNICATION
a. Internal
Surface letter
CC
U 44
Surface post card
Registered letter
Money order
Airmail letter
Cl CI
IC IC
b. International
Surface letter
IC
IC CS
CC
Surface registered letter
Surface post card
Airmail post card
Airmail letter
CC it
Ci CC
CC
CC CC
CI
iC
Cf ti
CC it
CC CC
CC C4
CC CC
if
CC 44
CC CC
14 CC
IC Cd
CC 41
Li 14
Airmail registered letter
CC CC
CC IC CC
1i
Si CC
I{C C' It
IC 41
FROM
Parnu
Kiyev
Sevastopol'
Leningrad
Kuybyshev
Si
Kiyev
Leningrad
Tbilisi
Moscow
Japan
West Berlin
Moscow
Odessa
Leningrad
Rovno Obi.
Leningrad
Moscow
Kiyev
Moscow
New York, U.S.
Moscow
Mich. U.S.
CC CC
Florence
Yerevan
CC
Leningrad
Latvia
Japan
Yalta
Sweden
Moscow
Leningrad
Moscow
Tashkent
Moscow
Finland
Moscow
CC
Khmel. Obi.
Alma Ata
Poltava Obi.
Leningrad
Yerevan
Leningrad
To
Moscow
Cif
CC
CC
CC
4C
CC
CI
Netherlands
Sakhalin
Tomsk
Greece
West Germany
Florida
Washington, D.C.
Turkey
California
Siam
Leningrad
Michigan
Moscow
IC
Ci
California
West Germany
Canada
Sakhalin
Germany
Moscow
Tokyo
Frankfurt
Missouri
Moscow
Mexico City
IC CC
Florida
California
Newark, New Jersey
Illinois
California
CC
Illinois
TIME
(postmark
to delivery)
9 days
3 44
11 "
4 "
4 "
CC
6
C'
3
CL
2
C,
2
6
15
23
12
13
5
12
32
3
8
6
8
9
14
7
5
12
7
5
11
10
14
6
10
6
6
5
9
6
7
4
8
10
8
5
16
9
5
16
Approved For Release 199VAMMITAMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
TIME
COMMUNICATION
FROM
To
(postmark
to delivery)
Surface newspaper
Germany
Moscow
5
" magazine
Lith. SSR
Illinois
16
"
Airmail newspaper
Paris
Moscow
10
"
i 4 44
Amsterdam
44
10
"
E. POSTAL RATES
In the Soviet Union it is permissible to mail any postal item, including
an ordinary letter, c.o.d. (nalozhennym platezhom). The recipient pays
the postage plus an additional charge. Many Soviets believe that a
letter sent without postage is dispatched faster in order that the fee
may be collected without delay.
1. Soviet Postal Rates
On 1 January 1961, concurrent with the re-evaluation of the currency
in the USSR, the Ministry of Communications issued new postal rates
and new denominations of stamps.
The past four years have seen many changes in postal rates, especially
in those of internal airmail. However, none of these changes, with
the possible exception of the revision of rates in September 1957, have
been as all inclusive as the change made to conform with the new cur-
rency. And no previous changes have necessitated complete new issues
of stamps.
Prior to the revision of rates in September 1957, postal rates were
prominently displayed in post offices on blue and silver posters. After
this revision the posters disappeared and published lists of rates have
been difficult to obtain since that time. This and subsequent changes
were announced in the press with instructions to inquire at the post
office for the new rates.
It is understandable, then, that a change on the scale of the most
recent one has been confusing and chaotic to the public. Travelers in
the Soviet Union in the summer of 1961 found it difficult to obtain the
appropriate postal rates for their personal use.
The current known Soviet postal rates are as follows:
a. Internal
POST CARDS
Surface
3 kopek
Airmail
4 id
Registered Surface
10
id
Registered Airmail
10
Ca
LETTERS
ADDITIONAL 20 GRAMS OR FRACTION
Surface
4
IL
2 kopek
Airmail
6
CC
3 4i
Registered Surface
10
Registered Airmail
12
17
Approved For Release 1999/0ffiffitir-Mr02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
b. International
POST CARDS
Surface 4
Airmail 14 Ci
LETTERS ADDITIONAL 20 GRAMS OR FRACTION
Surface
Airmail
Registered Surface
Registered Airmail
Special Delivery
6
16
18
it
id
18 "
2. Postal Rates to the Soviet Union
a.
4 kopek
5
Letters
Germany, East (DDR)
Surface Rate: 25 Pfennig for first 20 grams and 15 Pfennig each addi-
tional grain.
Surcharge (added to surface) 5 Pfennig for each 20 grams.
Air
Germany, West
Surface Rate:
Air
Aerogram :
England
Surface :
Air
Aerogram :
Norway
Surface
Air
Sweden
Surface
Air
U.S.
Surface
Air
Postcard
Aerogram
Canada
Surface
Air
Postcard
Aerogram
(Federal)
40 Pfennig for first 20 grams and 20 Pfennig for each
additional 20 grams.
Surcharge-15 Pfennig each 20 grams.
Combined rate (total) 60 Pfennig.
6 Pence for first oz. and 4 Pence for each additional oz.
or fraction thereof.
No additional charge?All-up service applies.
Combined rate 6d.
90 Ore for first 20 grams and 55 Ore for each additional
20 grams or fraction thereof.
No surcharge for air?All-up when available.
40 Ore for first 20 grams and 25 Ore for each additional
20 grams.
No surcharge for air?All-up when available.
$.11 for first oz. and $.07 each additional oz.
$.25 for each 1/2 oz.
$.11 each ?combined rate
$.11 each
: $.06 for first oz. and $.04 each additional oz.
: Combined rate?$.15 each 1/2 oz.
: $.15 each.
: $.10 each.
Brazil
Surface Rate:
Air
16 Cruzerros for first 20 grams and 9 Cruzerros for each
additional 20 grams or fraction thereof.
Combined airmail rate of 27 Cruzerros for first 5 grams.
21 Cruzerros for each additional 5 grams.
18
Approved For Release 19gra4arMAS178-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
a. Letters (Continued)
India
Surface : 30 nP. for first oz. and 20 nP. for each additional oz.
Air : Surcharge?USSR in Asia 30 nP. per 10 grams
USSR in Europe 60 nP.
Nigeria
Surface : 6 d for first oz. and 11/2 d for each additional oz.
Air : Surcharge?is 3 d for each 1/2 oz.
b. Printed Matter
Germany, East (DDR)
Surface Rate: 10 Pfennig for first 50 grams and 5 Pfennig for each ad-
ditional 50 grams.
Air : Surcharge 5 Pfennig each 50 grams.
Germany, West (Federal)
Surface : 10 Pfennig for first 50 grams and 10 Pfennig for each ad-
ditional 50 grams.
Air : Surcharge-15 Pfennig per 50 gram.
England
Surface : 2 Pence for first 50 grams and 1 Pence for each additional
50 grams.
Air : None.
Norway
Surface Rate: 35 ore for first 50 grams and 20 ore for each additional
50 grams.
Air : Surcharge-20 ore for 20 grams.
Aerogram : Combined rate-90 ore.
Sweden
Surface : 15 ore for first 50 grams and 5 ore for each additional
50 grams.
Air : Surcharge-15 ore for 50 grams.
Aerogram : Combined into 40 ore.
U.S.
Surface : $.90 per 1st 2 lb. and $.35 for each additional lb. or frac-
tion thereof.
Air : $.50 per 1st 2 oz. and $.30 for each additional 2 oz. (com-
bined rate).
Canada
Surface : $.02 for first oz. and $.01 for each additional oz.
Air : Combined airmail rate $.15 for each 1/2 oz.
Brazil
Surface : 6 Cruzerros for first 50 grams and 3 Cruzerros for each
additional 50 grams.
Air : Combined-18 Cruzerros for first 25 grams plus 15 Cruzer-
ros for each additional 25 grams.
India
Surface : 12 nP. for 1st 2 oz. and 6 nP. for each additional 2 oz.
Air : Surcharge?USSR in Asia-10 nP. for 10 grams.
USSR in Europe-15 nP. for 10 grams.
Nigeria
Surface : 21/2 d for first 2 oz. and 1/2 d for each additional 2 oz.
Air : No available rates.
19
Approved For Release 1999/1310/MI-M8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
EIMPAPPINNIftlieitN
III. SOVIET POSTAL REGULATIONS AND USAGE
A. PROCEDURES FOR MAILING AND RECEIVING LETTERS
I. Addressing Procedures
Although the modes of writing Soviet addresses reflect as many varia-
tions in individual taste as those in any other country, the components
of a Soviet address always occur in the following order:
a. The name of the city or town, indicating the oblast (kray, republic),
rayon, and village soviet where necessary. The name of the republic,
oblast, or kray may be omitted to cities which are republic or oblast
(kray) centers.
Many Soviet cities are divided into postal zones, or regions, and when
applicable, the postal zone number follows the city.
NOTE: In the case of Moscow and Leningrad the zone designation in-
cludes a letter as well as a number.
b. Street, house number, and apartment number.
c. Last, first, and patronymic names of the addressee (in the dative
case) or the full name of the institution, organization or enterprise. In-
clusion of the patronymic is necessary excepting in areas in which this
requirement has been nullified by union republic law.
If addressed to general delivery or to a post office box in a city with
more than one post office, the post office number must be included in
the address. It is compulsory to complete the first name and the pat-
ronymic (except where not required by union republic law) on all postal
matter addressed to general delivery. The name of the addressee may
be omitted when addressing to a post office box.
With the exception of addresses to general delivery, postal matter may
be addressed to two individuals and in such cases is delivered to either
addressee. In addition, the sender may address to one individual for
forwarding to another individual. In this case delivery is made only to
the first addressee.
The address on postal matter mailed within the border of a republic
or autonomous oblast may be written in the local national language.
The address on postal matter mailed beyond the borders of a republic or
autonomous oblast is written in Russian or in both Russian and the local
national language. International mail must be addressed either in the
language of the country of destination or in French. The names of the
country of destination, city, and street address are required to be written
in Russian also. However, failure to add these parts of the address in
Russian will not cause refusal to transmit the letter.
The Soviet postal authorities can be very exacting in regard to the
addressing and general appearance of a letter going abroad. They will
21
/ "-rem
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
miiiWINEO.NNOEIOND
refuse to transmit an international letter on such minor counts as a
soiled envelope or the address and return address being written in dif-
ferent colors of ink.
FIGURE 7. Sample address for postal matter sent to republic, oblast (kray) centers
and large cities.
FIGURE 8. Sample address for postal matter sent to cities which are not republic
or oblast (kray) centers.
22
Approved For Release 19WHilINMiNtiliNIT9P78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
smatiormererm
..... ... .... ....... . ....
pec ornnpaaztnu .sr
e,...
iiiIiiiUIlIIIllIIHhIIIIHhlIIIIIIllIIIIIHIIlIII
eAcoll ogA. ,Iroupegow p-i-ta o1i4A,
6 G la-
FIGURE 9. Sample address for postal matter sent to a rural area.
FIGURE 10. Sample address for postal matter sent to railway stations and sidings.
23
Approved For Release 1999/03-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
aliiiiiiitioner RIM
2. Return Addressing Procedures
The return address is written on the front of the envelope, at the
bottom, in the same order as the address. It is not usually indented
but written continuously as space permits. The name may be in either
the nominative or dative case. The return address on international mail
must be written in either Russian or French. The following types of
letters are required to have a return address:
a. Internal registered letters
b. Internal insured letters
c. Letters addressed abroad
In regard to the last category, a few international letters, presumably
mailed in street boxes, are transmitted without a return address in spite
of the fact that post offices will not accept international postal matter
without a return address.
Ordinary surface internal letters are not required to have a return
address and frequently do not. When using a printed envelope with
indicated space for a return address, a blank in this space will obviously
be conspicuous. Internal Soviet letters have been observed which have
used an incomplete address in this space, as for example, only the city,
or the city and the last name.
3. Enclosures
a. Internal
Items prohibited and items conditionally accepted in the internal mails
are listed in appendix A. A Soviet post office will accept and deliver in-
ternal regular and registered letters containing enclosures consisting of:
written messages drafts
instructions schematism
documents talking letters (sound recordings)
circulars court documents
photographs manuscripts
artistic post cards printed matter
Insured internal letters may have as enclosures all kinds of valuable
papers and documents as:
diplomas photographs
pas ports printed matter
official documents birth and marriage certificates
state bonds collections of postage stamps
manuscripts
b. International
Appendix B consists of a list of the articles prohibited and condi-
tionally acceptable for mailing as international postal matter. In addi-
tion, all dutiable articles (for duty-free articles see Book Dispatch 2774)
24
Approved For Release 19ginartg .iufivr-tDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/0s8/24 :ICM.1:08-02646R000600090001-2
are prohibited as enclosures in letters excepting duty-prepaid medicine
mailed into the Soviet Union as letter packages (air or surface). Spe-
cifically prohibited as enclosures for international letters are:
Documents, printed items, prints, photographs, manuscripts, graphs,
drawings, negatives, films, etc.; which can cause political or eco-
nomic damage to the USSR.
Paper money of the USSR.
Checks, drafts, foreign obligations, stocks and coupons, except in
accordance with the regulations of the State Bank of the USSR.
Postage stamps, canceled or not, philatelic collections, obsolete bonds
or bills of exchange addressed to private individuals.
Match-box labels for collectors, if more than one of a kind is sent,
without a permit from the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
Playing cards.
Articles prohibited or restricted as parcel post are prohibited or
restricted in the postal union mail.
Insured international letters may contain documents and objects of
value excluding written messages and items forbidden to be mailed.
Attempts to circumvent the above prohibitions in the international
mails have met with varied success during different periods. For ex-
ample, there was a common belief among Soviets that stamps could be
safely enclosed in an international letter providing the letter was reg-
istered. International registered letters frequently contained stamps
prior to 1956 at which time this practice began to diminish gradually.
By 1957 it had ceased altogether. Instead, if an individual desired to
send stamps abroad, they were affixed to the outside of the envelope.
Again gradually the practice was beginning to recur until the appearance
of the new stamps on 1 January 1961, which collectors have found al-
most impossible to mail in letters, registered or otherwise. Likewise,
in the past, handkerchiefs and scarves were consistently removed from
letters to the Soviet Union (fabrics are highly suspect of SW) ; but, in
1960, some enclosures of this nature were reaching their destination,
while others were removed. As identical enclosures sent from the same
country to the same locale in the USSR, in some instances, do go through
and in others do not, and moreover, as the removal of enclosures, or the
return of letters with enclosures, follows no discernible pattern, the
foregoing appears to indicate an unevenness in the performance of So-
viet censorship.
A Soviet youth related the following concerning a correspondence he
carried on for a few months with a girl from West Germany. They
had made a prior agreement that in each letter the girl would enclose
a stick of chewing gum, which is forbidden to import. Should the
chewing gum be missing when the Soviet received the letter, he would
know that the letter had been opened and the gum confiscated. The
gum was missing from all except three of twelve letters.
25
tustini
Approved For Release 1999/0g ? uP78-T02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
J. /
4. Size, Weight, and Wrappings of Letters
Envelopes for internal letters may vary in size from 70 x 100 milli-
meters to 222 x 312 millimeters. An international letter may not exceed
90 centimeters in all dimensions and the largest measurement may not
exceed 60 centimeters.
The weight of any letter, internal or international, may not be more
than 2 kilograms.
Insured letters may be mailed in envelopes, or in wrappers of heavy
paper, fabric, or oilcloth. Size and weight limits are the same as for
regular letters.
5. Mailing Procedures
Both internal and foreign surface and airmail letters may be mailed
in street mail boxes or in post offices, including branch offices at hotels,
universities, etc., as well as city branch offices. Street boxes located
near places frequented by foreigners are likely to be under surveillance,
and the mail in these boxes investigated. This includes boxes near hotels,
Intourist facilities, railway stations, airports, embassies, etc. Generally,
Soviets prefer to mail at a post office not for security reasons but because
the mail is processed faster.
The procedures for mailing letters are much less complicated than
those for receiving. No documents are required to be shown to mail any
type of letter. Letters, except when insured, are no longer required to
be presented open at the post office; therefore, it is necessary to go to
the post office to mail a letter only if the letter requires a transaction
with the post office, as is the case when mailing a money order, a reg-
istered letter or an insured letter. Technically, i.e., according to Soviet
postal regulations, a registered letter, if properly marked as registered
and stamped with sufficient postage, may be dropped into a mailbox.
Naturally, the sender foregoes a receipt. It is not believed that Soviets
take advantage of this technicality by mailing registered letters in this
manner.
When mailing a letter of either of the above mentioned categories at
the post office a receipt is given to the sender. The procedure is as fol-
lows: the sender fills out a three section form with sender and receiver's
name and address and the information appropriate to the type of letter.
The sender then detaches one section which constitutes his receipt. In
villages and rural areas which have no post office, letters requiring a
transaction with the post office may be given to the mailman, who will
mail the letter at the post office and bring back a receipt on his next trip.
Insured letters are presented at the post office open and accompanied
by a list of contents. The contents may not be insured beyond their
value. Documents are insured for the cost of obtaining new ones. USSR
bank notes are insured for their face value, and foreign currency in ac-
cordance with the official rate of exchange.
26
Approved For Release 1gmermgrailDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Money orders may be sent by mail or telegraph, but only within the
borders of the USSR. Only cash in USSR currency is acceptable in pay-
ment of money orders.
6. Receiving Procedures
Control of letters is maintained at the receiving end to a greater extent
than at the mailing. This control is accomplished in part by require-
ments to call at the post office for certain types of letters and, to a greater
extent, by the requirement to show identification documents before re-
ceiving certain types of letters. Receiving procedures are the same for
internal and international letters of the same type, excepting for in-
sured letters.
In January 1958, a change in postal regulations went into effect which
purported to ease identification and simplify mailing and receiving pro-
cedures. Although these changes are noted below, in actual fact they
have little significance, with the possible exception of the changes re-
garding documentation and mailing and receiving registered letters.
a. Documentation
Documents which may be used for identification to receive letters (ap-
plicable to all other postal matter) are as follows:
(1) The internal pasport.
(2) The certificate issued in place of a pus port at the addressee's
place of work. The certificate must have a photograph of the
holder, his signature, and indicate that it has been issued in
place of a pus port.
In addition, issuance of all types of postal matter is made on the basis
of the following documents:
(1) To deputies of the Supreme Soviet, USSR, and supreme soviets
of union and autonomous republics?by presentation of their
deputy certificates.
(2) To students in schools and teachers--by single identification
cards on which the school verifies the person and signature of
the student.
(3) To minor students of tekhnikums?by presentation of a student
card containing the photograph and personal signature of the
holder of the card.
In rural areas where the pus port is not used, substitute documents
may be:
(1) Identification card issued by a village soviet or workers' deputy.
(2) Identification card issued to a worker by the enterprise or in-
stitution where he works.
(3) A certificate for one time use only for receiving mail issued by
the place of work, village soviet, workers' deputy or kolkhoz
administration.
27
Approved For Release 1999/0einx`:.rti'AiNb
-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
4161.11- 1.1?11
There also is a method whereby mail may be received by proxy. An
individual may authorize another to receive his mail by giving a power
of attorney, either for a single instance or for a fixed period (not to
exceed three years). The person holding the power of attorney is re-
quired to show his paspart when receiving the mail.
b. Letters Delivered to Addressee's Home
Ordinary surface and airmail letters (and post cards) are delivered to
the addressee's home address and are received without showing docu-
ments. In multidwelling buildings, as apartment houses, delivery is
made to mail boxes on the first floor or to each apartment. If delivered
to the apartment, the letters are placed in a box or slot on/in the door.
If no box or slot is provided, and if no one is at home to receive the mail,
the letter is not left, but instead a notice to call at the post office for
the letter.
Delivered personally to the recipient at his address and requiring a
signature, are special delivery letters, registered letters, money orders,
internal insured letters up to 200 rubles value in cities and 100 rubles in
rural areas. Documents are shown to receive registered letters when
the postman finds it necessary to verify the address. Money orders will
be delivered without a document check if the addressee is personally
known to the mailman. It is customary to tip the postman when re-
ceiving a money order.
c. Letters Not Delivered to Addressee's Home
Letters addressed to general delivery or a post office box, insured letters
and money orders excluded above, international insured letters, and any
type of letters wherein attempted delivery has failed, must be picked up
at the post office. Before the new postal regulations were in effect, it
was required that the recipient show his pas port for identification before
picking up mail at the post office. This has been liberalized in two
respects, (1) if the recipient is known to the postal clerk, no identifica-
tion is necessary, (2) to receive registered letters and money orders up
to 10 rubles, substitute documents (see a above) may be shown.
d. General Delivery
General delivery (do vostrebovaniya) is widely used in the Soviet
Union. For a general delivery address all that is necessary in addition
to the name, city, and the general delivery indication, is the number of
the post office in cities large enough to have more than one. An indi-
vidual must call at the post office to determine if he has received any
mail at general delivery; if he is known to the postal worker the letter
is handed over without showing identification. Otherwise, the pas port
is shown to establish his identity.
The propensity of Soviets to use a general delivery address has fre-
quently been questioned. Obviously there could be a variety of personal
reasons. For example, a general delivery address shields the corre-
28
Approved For Release 1909,8141441,MWDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
GessfesTwerefftN
FIGURE 11. Mail box on an apartment door.
29
Approved For Release 1999ttlei!tilittifil*78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
SAIMM191111110Miiiiii.?
spondent's home address. This could be desirable for simple as well as
nefarious reasons. Some of the reasons Soviets have given for their own
use of general delivery are:
(1) Speed and convenience. If one calls at the post office daily, per-
haps from a nearby office, letters are received a day earlier than
when delivered to the home.
(2) Privacy from family, neighbors, etc., afforded by general de-
livery.
(3) Convenience while traveling, or other uncertain conditions
wherein the future specific address is not known.
FIGURE 12. Mail sorting room in the K-9 Post Office in Moscow.
e. Letter Delivery to Hotels
Letters addressed to guests registered at hotels are delivered to the
hotels several times per day. There they are sorted by the hotel post
office and delivered to each floor supervisor's desk. Occasionally the
mail clerk delivers letters directly to the room, but this is not required
and is done strictly as a favor. Only registered letters require a signa-
ture upon delivery, and either the recipient or the floor supervisor may
sign. Letters addressed to hotels are often delivered to the wrong
individual due to the difficulty encountered by hotel personnel in read-
ing names and addresses written in other than the Russian language.
30
Approved For Release 1990tglMrMIIMF378-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
mitiorrimmoremr
Improvement in service from this point of view may be expected in Mos-
cow with the establishment of the new post office for the use of tourists.
Otherwise, it is not known how the new post office will affect mail pro-
cedures for the tourist in Moscow.
7. Forwarding and Returning Procedures for Letters
In order to have mail forwarded to a new address, a postal form, pro-
vided for this purpose, is filled out and left with the post office. When
mail is being forwarded, the Cyrillic, (D), underlined, and the new
address are placed on the front of the envelope. In the event an indi-
vidual will be away from home for a short time, it is possible to have the
mail held at the post office for a period of 11/2 months. All that is re-
quired for this service is the individual's signature and the expected
date of return.
If mail delivery is not made because the addressee (1) refuses the
letter, (2) has moved, leaving no new address, (3) is deceased, or (4)
is not known at the address, the letter is returned to the sender without
a waiting period. An internal letter with no return address is forwarded
to the dead letter office where it is held for one month and then is
destroyed. Any undelivered international letter, regardless of whether
there is a return address or not, is returned to the international postal
exchange area from which it was received.
Letters returned to the sender are marked with the Cyrillic letter, "B"
(V), underlined, and the place to which the letter is being returned.
B. PROCEDURES FOR MAILING AND RECEIVING BANDEROL' MAIL
The Russian word for banderol' is generally translated "third class."
As this class of mail actually differs from third class mail and has no
exact counterpart in American mail, the term banderol' is retained for
purposes of this study.
Banderol' is a classification of mail characterized by restricted con-
tents, size, weight and, in some instances, the manner of wrapping.
Listed below are the specifications postal matter must meet to classify
as banderol'.
1. Contents
a. Internal
(1) Printed publications including books, brochures, magazines,
newspapers, photographs, albums, Braille texts, maps, calen-
dars, catalogues, printer's proofs, sheet music, note books, and
paper, etc.
(2) Business papers including statements, powers of attorney, wills,
accounts, drafts, diagrams, legal papers, etc.
(3) Seeds for planting.
(4) All other articles of cultural and everyday use excluding food
products and articles prohibited from the mails.
31
Approved For Release 1999/085V aerr-M-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
b. International
(1) Printed matter containing periodicals, books, brochures, music,
visiting cards, gravures, photographs, pictures, drawings, geo-
graphic maps, patterns, catalogues, all kinds of reprints and
reproductions made by mechanical printing (except decals,
stamps or typewriting).
(2) Business papers.
(3) Sample goods.
(4) Braille texts.
2. Size and Weight
a. Internal
The largest dimensions for an internal banderol' is 45 centimeters in
each direction and for circular tubes, 70 centimeters in length and 15
centimeters in diameter. If the enclosure cannot be folded, the length
may be up to 1.5 meters and the enclosure must be wrapped around a
stick. The smallest dimensions for an internal banderol' is 10 x 5 centi-
meters with appropriate thickness.
Weight Limit
Printed publications and business papers 2 kilograms
If only one book 3 fg
Braille texts 5
Seeds and objects of cultural and every- 1
day use
b. International
The dimensions for a banderol' addressed abroad must not exceed
those set for international letters. The total length, width, and thick-
ness must not exceed 90 centimeters and the largest of these measure-
ments must not exceed 60 centimeters. A rolled international banderol'
must not exceed 100 centimeters in total measurements, with the length
not longer than 80 centimeters. Minimum size for an international
banderol' is the same as for an international letter-10 x 7 centimeters.
Weight Limit
Business papers 2 kilograms
Printed matter 3
If only one book 5
Braille texts 7
Sample goods 500 g
3. Wrappings
A banderol' may be rolled into a tube and wrapped with a paperband
unless it (1) contains books, (2) contains several articles, (3) weighs
more than 500 grams, or (4) is to be insured. Any of these conditions
requires wrappings which seal the contents on all four sides.
The first three categories listed under internal contents above may
be sent as regular, registered, or insured banderol'; but articles falling in
32
Approved For Release 1 9161091NMIMPRPDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
the fourth category can be mailed only as insured. Banderol' may be
sent airmail, and internal insured banderol' may be sent c.o.d. The
value of any banderol' is limited to 20 rubles.
4. Mailing Procedures for Banderol'
Documents are not shown to mail a banderol'. Insured and regis-
tered banderol' mail must be presented at the post office unsealed for
inspection of contents. The sender of an insured banderol' fills out
a form listing the contents and their value. After checking the con-
tents, the postal worker certifies the inventory and packs it in the
banderol'. When accepting for mailing a registered banderol', the postal
worker checks the condition of the wrappings, correctness of the ad-
ress and payment, and inspects the banderol' for illicit enclosures, then
seals the banderol'. When a banderol' is packed in factory wrappings
no inspection is made of the contents.
Regular banderol' must be wrapped in such a manner that it may be
opened to inspect the contents without damaging the wrappings, and
may be mailed at the post office or in a street mail box, if size permits.
For a banderol' going abroad the sender must mark on the wrappings
the type of contents in French. For example, printed matter must
be marked IMPRIMES.
5. Receiving Procedures for Banderol'
Regular banderol' is delivered to the addressee's home and received
without showing documents. A registered or insured banderol' is also
delivered to the home but is signed for and the internal pas port (or sub-
stitute documents; see Receiving Procedures for Letters) is shown in
order to establish the identity of the addressee. If the addressee is not
at home for two attempted deliveries, a notice is left for him to call
at the post office for the banderol'. If an insured banderol' is damaged
or short in weight, it is opened and checked against the list of enclosures
in the presence of the addressee.
C. PROCEDURES FOR MAILING AND RECEIVING PACKAGES
I. Internal
a. Contents
It is permissible to mail "various kinds of items of cultural-everyday
use and productive purpose, food products, semi-finished goods, medical
preparations, printed matter, live plants, live bees, day-old chicks, etc.,
in packages" in the internal mail. For a list of articles prohibited from
the internal mail, see appendix A. In addition, there are local restric-
tions on shipments of vegetables and fruits from certain cities. The
local restrictions are posted on the walls of the post offices concerned.
However, for articles which may be mailed in packages there are
specific requirements for packing certain items. Moreover, packages
containing vegetables and fruits can not be sent to a general delivery
address. Even with this restriction, Soviet post offices are often per-
33
Approved For Release 1999/015871 Itieltreff8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
CLI
meated with the smell of rotten fruit in the summer time. Packages
from quarantined areas are accepted only if presented with a quarantine
certificate.
Enclosure of written material in a package is technically illegal; but
this regulation is not enforced, and enclosing written messages in in-
ternal packages is common practice.
b. Weight and Size Requirements
The maximum weight of an internal package is 10 kilograms. The
maximum dimensions are limited to 70 centimeters in each dimension,
and the minimum dimensions permitted are 10 centimeters in one di-
mension and not less than five in each of the other two. Large items
which can not be separated to conform to these requirements may be
mailed in packages two meters long providing all other dimensions do
not exceed three meters and the weight limit is 20 kilograms.
c. Wrapping, Packing, Addressing, and Evaluating Requirements
One piece, unbreakable, non-bulky articles, e.g., a child's tricycle,
may be mailed unwrapped. Packages valued up to 100 rubles may be
wrapped in paper; packages evaluated higher must be packed in wooden
or metal boxes and covered with sewn materials unless the articles are
still packed in the original factory wrappings. Any package which is
not wooden or covered with cloth must be tied with cord. Sealing
tape is not permitted. The Union Republic Ministers of Communica-
tions and Chiefs of Oblast, Kray and Republic Communications Admin-
istrations have the right to establish simpler regulations concerning
wrapping of packages which are sent within their own boundaries.
Certain items must be packed and wrapped by the post office, namely,
glass parts, radio tubes, movie film, seeds and grains, fluids, fresh vege-
tables, bees, poultry, fragile and breakable objects. Otherwise, senders
may pack their own packages providing they conform to regulations
applying to the different types of contents and wrap the packages in
such a manner that the contents may be inspected. Boxes and packing
materials are usually purchased at the post office. Whether or not in-
ternal packages which are wrapped by the sender are inspected at the
mailing point appears to vary in different locales. The postal clerk may
inspect the packages, but the majority will accept a properly wrapped
and addressed internal package without inspecting the contents.
If the package is packed and wrapped by a postal employee, it will be
handed back to the sender for addressing. The address and the return
address, which is required on all internal packages, are written in the
same manner as on a letter.
A package may be mailed without declaring the value of the contents
or may be given any value by the sender, providing it does not exceed
the actual cost. However, a package wrapped in paper may not be
valued above 30 rubles. Packages with a declared value may be mailed
c.o.d.
34
Approved For Release 19griPretrittP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
MIMMINIIIPROMMPN
FIGURE 13. Package sorting machine in operation.
d. Mailing Procedures
Documents are not shown to mail packages. The sender fills out
an address blank which is attached to the package. This address blank
notes (1) the name and address of sender and receiver (this does not
replace the required addressing on the package itself), (2) the value
and weight of the package, (3) a statement, if applicable, that the
package is fragile or contains a veterinarian or quarantine certificate,
and (4) if the package contains vegetables or fruits. The postal worker
checks the wrappings, addressing, the address blank, and determines
if the package is not prohibited at the address indicated, seals the
package with wax seals and sends the package on its way.
e. Receiving Procedures
There is a package delivery service available in only a few cities and
rayons, wherein a package may be delivered to the recipient's home, and
a fee is charged for this service. However, in the main, packages are
called for at the post office. The address blank has a detachable portion
which is removed at the receiving post office and mailed to the addressee
to notify him he has a package. The addressee then calls for the pack-
age, signs the notice (in case of home delivery the notice may be signed
by any adult member of his family) , fills out the reverse side of the
address blank and shows his pasport or substitute documents. The
35
Approved For Release 1999/8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
satiaseumermet
signatures are compared, the validity of his documents checked, and
the package weighed in his presence. If the weight differs from that
shown on the package, the contents may be checked in the presence
of the addressee. Otherwise the package is not opened upon delivery.
The address blank and the signed notice are retained by the post office
as receipts. In the case of returned or forwarded packages, the re-
cipient pays the additional postage.
2. International Packages
Packages destined to go abroad can be accepted only to those countries
with which the USSR has postal relations and has signed a postal agree-
ment covering packages. The packages must conform with the regula-
tions for packages entering the country in question as well as with the
regulations of the USSR. International packages are not accepted by
all communications enterprises but only by main post offices and com-
munications offices. There is one exception to this otherwise rigid
rule?packages containing books may be mailed from any post office.
International packages must be addressed in the language of the
country of destination or in French. In addition, the name of the
country of destination, city, and street address should be written in
Russian. However, failure to do this will not cause the package to be
refused. A return address is mandatory and must be written in ink
or indelible pencil in either Russian or French.
Soviet newspapers and magazines cannot be enclosed in packages
containing other commodities, and are not allowed to be used as pack-
ing material in international packages.
The official postal regulations of the USSR make a distinction con-
cerning international postal packages between a box (yashchik) with
declared value, i.e., insured, and a parcel (posylka). Their respective
requirements are as follows:
a. Insured Boxes
(1) Contents
Contents may be articles of jewelry, insured items, and narcotics for
medical or scientific purposes to countries permitting shipment under
these conditions. Documents in the nature of personal correspondence,
bank notes, currency, or any kind of paper having value to the bearer
are prohibited. A list of contents and a copy of the sender and re-
ceiver's name and address may be included.
(2) Wrappings
Insured boxes must be constructed of wood (at least 8 millimeters
thick) or metal. Both the top and bottom of the box must be com-
pletely covered with white paper in order to provide space for the ad-
dressing, stamps, etc. The box must be tied with heavy twine and the
ends of the twine sealed to the wrappings of the box.
36
Approved For Release 19941611Y/tMgerrEP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
AeilTril.romiaa
(3) Weight and Size
The weight may not exceed one kilogram. The dimensions must be
within 30 centimeters in length, 20 centimeters in width and 10 centi-
meters in height.
(4) Mailing Procedures
No documents are shown to mail an insured box. The box is always
presented open at the post office, where the contents are examined and
packed by the postal clerk, who also checks the addressing, the inven-
tory, and its acceptability at the country of destination.
(5) Receiving Procedures
Insured boxes are never delivered to the addressee's home; they are
opened and inspected, after identification of the addressee by his pas-
port, in his presence at the communications enterprise. If the box con-
tains items prohibited from the USSR the package is not delivered
and the entire package is returned to the sender. The enclosure of a
letter of a personal nature is not sufficient grounds for returning the
box, but the addressee must pay twice the usual rate for the letter.
b. Parcels
(1) Contents
Parcels sent abroad may contain all types of objects and food products,
excluding those prohibited or limited from the international mails (see
appendix B). Parcels have been refused on the grounds that the goods
were shoddy and therefore constituted a reflection on the USSR.
(2) Wrappings
The parcel wrappings must be suitable for the contents, length of
route, and condition of shipment. In addition, the wrappings must be
such as to allow inspection of contents without damage to the wrappings.
(3) Size and Weight
No single item in a parcel should be longer than 1.5 meters. The
length and the other greatest circumference may not exceed three
meters. The weight limit for packages to each country is established
in the bilateral postal agreement concerning packages. The weight
limit for packages to and from the United States and the Soviet Union
is 44 pounds.
(4) Mailing Procedures
International parcels are submitted unsealed for verification of con-
tents. The sender fills out an accompanying address blank, customs
declaration, and inventory of contents if required by the country of des-
tination. The sender states on the back of the address blank the dis-
position to be made of the parcel in the event it can not be delivered.
In the customs declaration the sender lists all objects enclosed in the
parcel with the quantity, weight, and value of each.
In accepting an international parcel the communications employee,
in addition to the inspection performed for an internal package, deter-
37
Approved For Release 1999/018-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
.JX kJ Kt
FIGURE 14. Books wrapped for shipment abroad.
38
Approved For Release 199061601.11101141016P78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
mines (1) that the country of destination accepts packages from the
USSR and that attached declarations are in accordance with that coun-
try's requirements, and (2) that no items in the parcel are prohibited
from leaving the USSR. After converting values in accordance with
the rate of exchange, he then repacks, seals and weighs the parcel, and
writes the exact weight on the wrappings, the address blank, and the
customs declaration. In addition to the mailing rate, there is a charge
for repacking the parcel after the customs inspection which is made at
the international exchange point.
(5) Receiving Procedures
International parcels are not opened upon delivery unless damaged.
They are weighed; and if the weight is less than that indicated on the
package, the postal clerk will offer to inspect the package in the presence
of the recipient. This offer is usually refused for fear some irregularity
will be found and the package returned to the sender. Receiving pro-
cedures are the same as those for receiving internal parcels. Reports
have indicated, however, that upon receipt of a package from abroad,
postal workers may query the addressee as to what country the package
may be from. There have been cases wherein the addressee named the
wrong country and the package was withheld.
c. Small Packets
The exchange of small packets was introduced on 1 October 1959.
This service allows small articles?whether dutiable or not?to be trans-
mitted faster than regular packages. The packet must weigh less than
five kilograms. A return address is mandatory, as is a list of contents.
Prohibited as enclosures are coins, money, postage stamps, valuables
payable to the bearer, platinum, gold, silver, or precious stones. Small
packets must be marked on the front petit paquet and must bear the
green customs label.
3. Package Mailing to the USSR
Packages are received in the USSR from many parts of the world, par-
ticularly by those with friends and relatives abroad. Persons in the
Soviet Union solicit packages through their international correspond-
ence, while the Soviet Government facilitates receipt of same by enabling
the sender to remit the customs duty in advance.
The number of packages entering the Soviet Union from abroad is
not known, but over $100,000,000 revenue is collected annually by the
USSR on duty-prepaid packages alone. Another indication of the size
of the duty-prepaid package traffic is the initial advance deposit of
$50,000 which Intourist required of one United States duty-prepaid
package mailing firm to insure collection of duty.
The contents of packages mailed into the USSR are used principally
by the recipient to relieve personal consumer shortages or as a source
of additional income. Formerly many persons were able to support
themselves on the sale of contents of packages from the West by virtue
of the high prices these goods brought on the black market. In 1959,
39
Approved For Release 1999/0/k2r C1AIM8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
"ffelrETTINisestmi
the controls on black marketing became more effective through the
operation of a central outlet where individuals brought these goods for
public sale and the authorities received a commission on all sales. De-
spite the heavy fines for those caught dealing in the black market and a
1960 propaganda campaign versus the need for Western goods, requests
for packages from the West have continued. Some of the most com-
mon requests include: clothing, dress and coat fabrics, fashion designs,
shoes, leather, needles, table cloths, ladies' gloves and stockings, ball-
point pens, medicines, etc.
a. Mailing Requirements and Procedures
A package can be mailed to the Soviet Union from any country which
has postal relations with the Soviet Union and has signed a postal agree-
ment concerning packages, provided the package and its contents meet
the postal regulations of the two countries. Appendix C contains a list
of articles which may be mailed to individuals in the USSR. Articles in
excess of the quantities specified on this list will be delivered only if
recipient pays five times the usual customs duty. Used clothing and
used shoes must be accompanied by a dated certificate attesting that
the articles have been disinfected.
Persons living in countries having no postal relations and package
agreement with the Soviet Union either mail packages through persons
living in countries which do, or send packages in by travelers. When
a package is mailed directly by the sender, the customs duty is collected
from the recipient of the package in the Soviet Union. In many cases
the packages are refused and returned to the sender because the duty
is too high for the recipient to pay.
b. Duty-Prepaid Package Mailing Firms
If the sender knows that the addressee in the Soviet Union will find
it difficult to pay the customs duties on a package sent through his post
office, there is available an alternate method for shipping on a duty-
prepaid basis. Various firms, scattered throughout the Western world,
are licensed by Intourist to collect the duty on packages from the sender.
Packages mailed through these firms must comply with the same regu-
lations as packages mailed directly at the post office with the exception
of the customs payment provision and one restriction?no used clothes
are permitted to be mailed through these firms. Usually the package
mailing firms offer a selection of three types of packages, (1) a package
prepared by the firm, (2) a package with items selected by the sender
from the firms' stock of goods, or (3) the customer's own package. Duty
is also high when prepaid. For example, duty on new clothing is 100
percent, shoes-75 percent, woolen yards goods-50 percent, etc.
These firms make much of the fact that the sender can be certain
the package is received in the Soviet Union. This is accomplished by
means of a detachable receipt card attached to the package which is
signed by the recipient of the package in the Soviet Union and mailed
back to the sender. This is a regular postal service covered by a fee
and may also be secured when mailing directly at the post office.
40
Approved For Release 1914WletirikbP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
c. Mailing Procedures for Medicines
All packages mailed into the USSR which contain medicine (letter
packages included) must have enclosed in the package a prescription
covering the medicine. The prescription must have been issued by a
physician in a Soviet health establishment and bear the stamp and
seal of the health establishment. Medicines are subject to import
duties and, as any other article, may be mailed via the parcel post
service or through a duty-prepaid package firm. If duty is not prepaid,
the recipient in the Soviet Union pays a 25 percent duty. However, the
customs duty on a letter package which contains medicine must be
prepaid through a package firm even though it is to be mailed at the
post office. For such a letter package the firm will furnish a tag which
indicates the duty has been paid.
D. POSTAL HANDLING OF INTERNAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS
In the division of postal matter, as handled in the Soviet Union, this
classification of mail exists only for internal mail. It includes news-
papers, magazines, brochures, and printed lectures, etc. Similar inter-
national postal material enters and exits the USSR as banderol' or as
a package.
This class of postal matter is reported to comprise 90 percent by
weight and 75 percent by volume of all the Soviet mail and receives
preferential treatment both in handling and delivery.
In the USSR the newspapers are delivered in the first mail delivery
of the day. They may have originated in the same city, or may have
been printed locally from matrix shell mats sent by air from the city
of publication, or may have been printed elsewhere and mailed to the
city of delivery. In any event, the post offices and the communications
offices distribute the publications of the republic, oblast (kray), and
rayon by agreement with the publishing houses. These agreements are
made yearly on the basis of a standard agreement established by the
Ministry of Communications.
Publications are subscribed through the post offices and communica-
tions offices. A traveler was in the Leningrad Post Office on the last
day that subscriptions were being accepted to the Leningrad evening
paper?unaware of the significance of the day?and he was appalled at
the crowd, actually a mob, trying to get their subscriptions in before
the deadline.
It is the responsibility of the post offices and communications enter-
prises to record subscriptions to newspapers and magazines on cards,
maintain these cards filed by publications, and upon receipt of the news-
papers and magazines sort them in accordance with the subscriptions
on the cards. The postman is furnished with a list of subscribers?thus
the names and addresses are not recorded on the items delivered.
Although the distribution of newspapers and magazines is an im-
pressive task?Soviet postal officials have indicated it is their most
"annoying" one?it is alleviated somewhat by the comparative light
41
Approved For Release 1999/0fflrertM-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
FIGURE 15. Newspapers are delivered in the first morning mail.
weight of Soviet newspapers and the local printing of many papers
which eliminates the intercity transportation of the newspapers.
E. SOVIET STATIONERY
The common denominator of stationery supplies in the USSR is poor
quality. Reports have indicated that from time to time paper and en-
velopes are not available for purchase even in fairly large cities. Any
good paper which may be seen is certain to have been purchased in a
large city.
Color terminology is difficult in describing the colors of Soviet paper
and envelopes because the dyes used in the paper are unstable. A new
package of "blue" envelopes will have various shades from blue to blue-
green, and white paper is never a pure white but shades off to cream
and buff. After exposure to light both the white and blue shades be-
come even more diversified. For purposes of this study, blue will be
used for all shades of blue and blue-green, and white for all shades of
off-white, cream, and buff.
42
Approved For Release 19115WWitil'011*DP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
smoosimiiierMN
FIGURE 16. A post office room which handles publications.
1. Envelopes
There are several types of envelopes which are in general use in the
Soviet Union: First, a plain envelope which may be lined, unlined,
or have printed simulated lining; second, a prestamped envelope; third,
a printed envelope with spaces indicated for addressing (this type may
also be purchased prestamped) ; fourth, a prestamped red or red and
blue bordered envelope for airmail. The Soviets first issued a color
bordered envelope for airmail in the summer of 1959. This was a blue
envelope bordered in red, with spaces for addressing and bore the offi-
cial Soviet insignia of hammer and sickle inside a garland. The new
prestamped airmail envelopes, issued at the time of the change of
stamps, are similar and there is also a new white pictorial one, bordered
in blue and red, but minus the insignia.
Both white and blue envelopes are widely used in the Soviet Union
for all types of envelopes. Plain pink envelopes are used only in out-
lying cities and rural areas. Plain grey envelopes are used, but to a
much less extent than plain white or blue ones.
The new issue of stamps on 1 January 1961, obviously, necessitated
new prestamped envelopes. They come both in white and blue. Some
of these prestamped envelopes have a pictorial design on the left front
of the envelope. Blue ones have been observed with no printed lines
for addressing.
43
Approved For Release 1999/08-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Envelopes with a pictorial design on the front carry a date on the
back flap. It is not believed that they lose their validity in any given
length of time.
The plain Soviet envelopes with printed linings often have the man-
ufacturer's imprint on the inside of the flap. Paper manufactured in
Riga will have this imprint in Latin letters. This paper is sold in Euro-
pean Russia.
Soviet postal regulations permit the use of envelopes with transparent
windows but not those with open windows.
Soviet envelopes used for personal letters are all very nearly the
same size, approximately 6 x 41/2 inches. In official or business mail
larger envelopes are sometimes used, but these are never as long as a
sheet of typing paper is wide. Printed material may be mailed in very
large envelopes as banderol' mail.
2. Writing Paper
The most outstanding characteristic of the writing paper used by the
majority of Soviets is the poor quality of the paper. Envelopes and
paper seldom match. Boxed matching paper and envelopes, even
though the quality is poor, are used only by high level individuals. The
most commonly used paper is that with printed lines. This comes in
a single long sheet or in a shorter sheet folded to form four pages.
Graph paper is also widely used for letter writing. Both the lined and
the graph paper frequently are sheets which have, in fact, been torn
from school note books.
3. Writing Implements
Typewriters are not often used for other than business or official
letters as they are seldom available for private use. Pencils are not
acceptable for letter writing in the usual social sense, nor will the post
office accept a letter addressed in pencil unless an indelible pencil is
used. Fountain pens are common. Ball-point pens have been in gen-
eral use in the USSR, especially by students, but due to their poor quality
they are not as popular as previously. The old fashioned pen staff
fitted with a pen point is still in common use. American made ball-
point pens are considered highly desirable to own.
4. Inks
Different types of ink are used for different purposes in the Soviet
Union. For letter writing either a liquid ink is used or the ink is pre-
pared by mixing water with powdered ink. It is also common practice
to make ink by mixing the pulverized lead from one indelible pencil
with 250 grams of water. This is considered a very high grade of ink
and will last a student about a year. Only the ink purchased in the
liquid form can be used for fountain pens.
The most prevalent colors of ink used for letter writing are blue and
purple, with green placing third.
44
IREMEPPIVP.MONN
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
.1. Via
F. SOVIET POSTAGE STAMPS AND STAMP COLLECTORS
I. Postage Stamps
Stamps may be purchased at post offices, newsstands, state and co-
operative trade organizations, schools, village reading rooms, and from
the postman encountered on his delivery rounds. Until 1961, stamps
were sold at premium prices at newsstands, schools, etc. This is no
longer done and now stamps are sold everywhere at the same price.
The installation of stamp vending machines is being encouraged by
the Ministry of Communications, however, they have not been easily
located by travelers, who usually report that those they find are out of
order. Those observed have been in subway stations, communications
enterprises, stores, parks and other places of mass public attendance.
Although Soviet stamps are not always engraved, they are quite
beautiful. They frequently are produced by multicolor printing, and
their beauty is derived from the excellence of color and design.
The Ministry of Communications issues over a hundred new com-
memorative stamps each year. Travelers have reported that at the
hotel post offices the clerks stick as many of these stamps as possible on
international letters. However, some commemorative stamps are sold
only to stamp collectors and are not used on the mail.
The commemoratives are printed to celebrate every conceivable So-
viet achievement and to honor Soviet heroes, writers, etc., as well as
foreigners. Americans, as Longfellow and Benjamin Franklin, have
been so honored, and several issues have commemorated the Scottish
poet, Robert Burns. All Soviet space travel is immediately commemo-
rated; the Titov space flight has been honored by two stamps. Other
typical subjects which stimulate new stamp issues are: international
sports competitions, exhibits and forums, capitols of the Soviet Repub-
lics, Soviet wild life and flowers, ad infinitum.
Whenever new postage rates are established, new stamps are not
necessarily issued to correspond with the new rates as might be expected
in a country which is so prolific in stamp issues. Instead, the new rates
are made up of combinations of old stamps, and eventually stamps of
the proper denominations are issued. When the postage rates were
changed on 1 January 1961, to conform with the new currency, obvi-
ously, entirely new stamps were necessary. These were issued in de-
nominations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 and 16 kopek stamps. Otherwise, there
has been no appreciable change in the stamps; and the number of com-
memoratives issued since the first of the year continues to reflect the
use of stamps for propaganda purposes.
2. Stamp Collectors
The collection of foreign stamps by Soviet collectors has recently been
curtailed by the rigid enforcement of the prohibition against enclosing
stamps in international mail, however, extra stamps may be used on
45
Approved For Release 1999/0802646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
letters, and stamps are transmitted abroad to collectors by this method.
For previous attitudes and actual usage on enclosing stamps in inter-
national letters see paragraph b of A-3, above.
The Soviet press has reported that persons accused of "speculating"
in postage stamps have been given prison sentences. These individuals
were accused of buying and selling stamps for profit and "of taking
advantage of the secrecy of the Soviet postal system."
Letters containing orders or requests for stamps by catalogue num-
ber may lend themselves to clandestine transmittal of coded information.
It should be noted that these letters are not in violation of Saviet
postal regulations. The RIS has used international stamp collectors'
letters for agent communication outside the USSR to the USSR.
Cover* exchanges to and from the Soviet Union are not as prevalent as
in other countries but there have been exchanges with the Western
world. Probably the most widely circulated cover club in the USSR
is the Cover Collectors Circuit Club with headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa.
Stamp collectors in the Soviet Union fall into two categories: the
serious collectors with large, valuable collections and the amateur col-
lectors. The first category is limited to a small group. There are per-
haps five collections in Leningrad, and as many in Moscow, which can
be rated as large by western standards. One of the largest is in the
Central Museum of Communications in Leningrad which also contains
a display of Russian and Soviet postal history. The gaps which exist
in this stamp and cover collection are probably due to the combination
of destruction and loss during the Revolution and the lack of public
interest in philatelic history for many years after the Soviets came to
power.
The second category, the amateur collectors, is very large. The at-
titude of the Soviet Government towards stamp collecting is definitely
favorable. Stamps are exchanged through stamp clubs, may be pur-
chased in stamp shops (many book stores have stamp rooms), and col-
lectors will solicit foreign stamps from foreigners on the streets. In
addition, the larger post offices have philatelic windows and well known
philatelists often work with young pioneer groups.
The majority of amateur collectors rely on Soviet and Satellite stamps
as they are the most accessible. Aside from these issues, the most
popular lines appear to be German, Italian and Austrian. Tsarist Rus-
sian stamps are rare. American stamps of recent vintage have been
observed in Soviet collections.
* Collectors use the term cover to indicate a stamped envelope.
46
Approved For Release 1??4161000114461WRDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
SaaikiAligawasis
IV. SOVIET MAIL CENSORSHIP
The organization and operation of the Soviet mail censorship system
is not completely known to us. Various sources have contributed in-
formation on the subject, but there are still areas of ignorance with
respect to certain fundamental aspects of the censorship system.
A. ORGANIZATION
Soviet mail censorship is a state security function and operates under
the KGB, administered from the All-Union Headquarters. The last
known component of state security engaged in censorship was the Sixth
Special Department (Spetsotdel) of the MVD of 1953-1954. The present
designation has not been determined. There will be subordinate offices
located at the republic, kray, and oblast levels.
The section of the KGB which is charged with the censorship function
handles the intercepted postal items in accordance with the instructions
received from the requesting directorate or office. Thus, for instance,
they may furnish to the requesting office a mail item, an extract, or the
item itself. In general the requesting office is responsible for translat-
ing the mail if such is required.
Below the organizational level mentioned above, the organization of
censorship is not known. Specifically, the points wherein the inter-
ception and examination of mail takes place have not been firmly es-
tablished. As will be shown below, the routing of international mail
indicates the possibility that censorship either is performed at the oblast
level, or that at this point a selection is made of items to be forwarded
to a censorship unit elsewhere.
The information on routing establishes that all international mail
enters and exits the Soviet Union via international postal exchange
areas which are generally, but with some exceptions, located near the
borders of the USSR and service the mail to and from the countries
contiguous to their locations. For example, Baku is an international
postal exchange area and the Soviet mail to and from Iran is routed
through Baku.
At these areas, packages are turned over to the local customs where
they are opened, inspected, and customs duties are determined. Pack-
ages entering and exiting the Soviet Union are routed directly from
the international postal exchange areas to their destination, or vice
versa, as the case may be. On the other hand, all written correspond-
ence and banderol' are routed to and from the international postal
exchange area through the communications enterprise located in the
oblast (republic, kray) center of the location of the addressee or ad-
dressor. This routing through the main post office at the oblast center
is also applicable to locations within the same oblast as the international
47
Approved For Release 1999/081r IMMAT.-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
postal exchange area. In addition, all letters mailed in the USSR
addressed to foreign embassies in the USSR, although they carry local
postage, are routed with the international mail.
Thus it is established that all packages are examined at customs lo-
cated at the international postal exchange areas, and that all written
correspondence is routed through the main post office at the oblast
center of the Soviet addressee or addressor. Moreover, all main post
offices at oblast centers have employees whose function is the inspection
of the mail. Ostensibly this examination is to inspect the postage,
wrapping, address, etc., but it may be that a watch list and certain
criteria of suspicion are also checked at this point, and mail thus
spotted is diverted to censorship. Several sources who have worked in
post offices at the rayon level and below have had no knowledge of any
censorship functions being performed in these offices.
B. CENSORSHIP OF INTERNAL MAIL
In general the internal mail of one Soviet to another Soviet is not
subject to censorship. Nevertheless, there is no question but that in-
ternal mail is effectively censored on the basis of a watch list system,
augmented by the censorship of mail from select areas and groups,
and by the censorship of individual letters which for one reason or
another attract the attention of the censor.
When a person becomes the subject of active investigation by the
local security and militia elements, his mail becomes subject to censor-
ship. The resulting watch list is maintained continuously. According
to one Satellite source who is knowledgeable on Soviet censorship meth-
ods, however, the watch list is reviewed quarterly and names may be
added or deleted. This source reports that, in order to prevent censor-
ship from becoming overburdened, names will be removed from the
watch list if the investigative interest no longer requires postal censor-
ship.
An individual's internal mail may be censored because he falls into
a category of people whose mail is being censored. Such categories
may be composed of persons living in a sensitive or suspect area, or
may be categories of certain types of persons. In regard to the first
category, it should be pointed out that when the mail of a specific area
is being watched, the censorship is conducted differently and is less
dangerous to the individual. In censoring the mail of a given area,
usually large quantities of letters are opened and scanned in order to
determine the nature of the contents of the letters, and less attention
is paid to the names of the individuals writing. Actually, censorship
of this nature is for the purpose of collecting public opinion on various
subjects. The information thus collected is used as the basis of reports
submitted to different organs in the government for their information.
The second categories mentioned above may be composed of any
group whose mail is deemed worthy of scrutiny, as scientists, military
personnel, visiting foreigners and the like. All mail addressed to for-
48
Approved For Release 19VANIWA,kerribP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
SViciarilipidiere5RN
eign embassies, either by Soviets or other foreign embassies in the
USSR, is censored. There is evidence that all internal mail of visiting
foreigners is censored. A United States guide at the Moscow fair mailed,
at his hotel, a letter to a woman whom an emigre friend in the United
States had asked him to look up. After a month passed and no reply
came, he called on the woman. She had not received the letter, but
some men had called and told her she would be having a visitor. An-
other visiting American felt his letters were being opened. And in order
to test this, he mailed to himself several letters which he placed in the
envelopes in reverse. When they arrived, all the letters were inserted
in the envelopes in the proper manner.
Over and above the watch list and the different categories of persons
whose mail may be watched, several sources have indicated that a letter
may be censored because the letter itself creates suspicion. The criteria
of suspicion of letters is not completely known. Presumably any char-
acteristic of the letter which is not consistent with other Soviet letters
will lead to closer scrutiny. Thus, examination of a letter may be
caused by the use of any number of deviations, as for example, the
quality or type of envelope, the method of writing the address or the
return address, or even the use in the address of an abbreviation which
is not commonly used by the Soviets. Once the letter has attracted
attention to itself and is opened by the censor, awkward phraseology,
a nonsensical or incoherent text, or obvious blank spaces may cause
the letter to be examined for open code or SW. As high quality paper
is seldom available in the Soviet Union, the use of good paper in a cor-
respondence could lead to suspicion?in short? any marked departure
from general Soviet usage in letter writing may create suspicion and
cause a letter to be more closely examined than it would be otherwise.
It is not known if mail is watched by address as well as by name.
In their own instructions on preparation of operational letters the
Soviets take cognizance of the importance of using an address which
will bear inspection. In view of this awareness it may be assumed that
addresses receive some consideration by censorship although there is
no evidence to indicate that addresses are considered suspect in the
sense that an address itself would be placed on a watch list.
Soviet censorship collects handwriting samples for various purposes;
one reported use of these samples is the identification of anonymous
letter writers. It is not known precisely in what manner these samples
may be employed in the identification of watch list individuals. It has
been reported that in one Satellite country, which has received guidance
from the Soviets on censorship, enlarged samples of suspect handwriting
are posted on the walls of the censorship office for comparison purposes.
A perusal of the preceding chapters of this study will show how the
Soviets exercise control over the mails in the form of regulations gov-
erning the sending and receiving of all types of mail, items permitted
as enclosures in letters, and the contents of packages. The inhibiting
effect this established control of the mails has on the average Soviet
may be observed in his use of the mails, as well as in his observations
49
Approved For Release 1999/081Trirrrent-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
4J-1A. / Ji J,I %JINJA
and evaluations of the capability of censorship. Thus it can be seen
that the overt control exercised over the mails has a restraining influence
on the populace. In addition, the mechanism of controls permits cen-
sorship to exercise flexibility, i.e., a certain mobility is made possible for
the censorship effort by the fact that all mail items are controlled
at all times, and within this framework the censor may operate at
selected vulnerable points.
C. CENSORSHIP OF THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL
All mail entering and exiting the USSR, including the mail to and
from the Satellite countries, is monitored, but it is not believed that all
letters are opened. International packages are opened and examined
by customs, and printed matter is closely scrutinized and is allowed to
enter or is rejected on the evaluation of each publication.
It is not known what percentage of international letters are opened,
or what percentage of the letters which are opened are examined for
SW or code. Soviet defectors reporting on the censorship of interna-
tional mail have consistently described a monitoring system wherein
all of the names and addresses from letters are indexed but not all
letters are opened. The evidence indicates that this system is probably
still in effect. A recent Satellite source who had contact with Soviets
working in censorship has reported, however, that the Soviets are open-
ing all of the international mail by means of utrasonic waves; this de-
vice will be more fully discussed later.
Before exploring the details of these reports and the technical evalua-
tion of the ultrasonic device, it should be emphasized that the volume
of Soviet international mail has been steadily increasing since 1955, and
especially so since 1957, at which time articles appeared in the Soviet
press encouraging the populace to write to their friends and relatives
abroad. The Soviets do not report statistics on international mail vol-
ume to international postal organizations as do other countries. Never-
theless, it is well established that the volume of international mail has
expanded tremendously over the past few years. And for purposes of
considering censorship methods, evaluations must be made within this
framework of an expanding mail volume.
Various Soviet sources have contributed to the following as represent-
ing the methods employed in the USSR to censor the international mail.
Cards are maintained on all persons who write abroad as well as on all
persons abroad who write to the USSR Presumably cards Are also
maintained on persons exchanging printed matter and packages. Ac-
cording to one source the cards contain the following information:
1. Name
2. Date of birth
3. Place of birth
4. Address
50
Approved For Release illtRIIIIMMDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
5. Reference to location of subject's file. The case file, for example,
may be located in Arkhangel'sk because the subject may be of
direct interest to, or in the operational jurisdiction of, the
Arkhangel'sk office.
6. A statement as to the reason subject is registered in the card
index. If other entries are not complete, the card may not be
filed without this entry. In case of mail intercepts, this entry
will reflect that the individual was entered in the index because
of his correspondence, or mention of him in other correspond-
ence, and will give either the nature of the information or where
it may be located.
When complete information is pot obtainable from an intercepted
letter, such information as is available is entered on the 'card and addi-
tional information is added whenever collected from subsequent letters.
When copies or extracts are made from letters, they are forwarded to
the individual's file.
In one case, a Soviet citizen applying for a visa to visit the West ac-
cidentally saw his own dossier in the militia headquarters, and in the
dossier were actual copies of his correspondence with relatives abroad.
In another case, a letter from the militia in Chernigov, in answer to an
inquiry from the Berlin Repatriation Committee, stated that for their
additional information the subject of the inquiry was in correspondence
with his brother in Paris.
While letters are checked against the card index, no account is kept
of the number or frequency of letters. Letters of a new channel are
opened until such time as it may be established that the correspondence
is innocuous. After the letters of a new channel have been inspected
sufficiently to indicate that the correspondence is an innocent and legiti-
mate one, the letters are no longer opened but are checked to ascertain
if the names of the individuals are carded.
In addition to this general index of international corres ondence re- 25X1X6
sumably a watch list is maintained.
25X1X6
25X1X6
s was s a e iscussion o in ernal mail censor-
ship, the watch list is reported to be reviewed quarterly and at that time,
names may be added or deleted according to the investigative interest.
The following are categories of persons whose names will be on a watch
list through suspicion:
1. Persons on whom there is information obtained from security
service operations to the effect that the person represents a security
threat of some sort.
51
Approved For Release 1999/05INIMMIT8-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
2. Persons who are in potentially subversive or politically dangerous
categories, such as former prison camp inmates, persons with known
grievances against the regime, etc.
3. All Soviet officials who have served abroad, and thereby have had
the opportunity of coming under the influence or control of foreign gov-
ernments.
4. Persons who have been abroad in non-official capacities (tourists,
artists, military in Eastern Europe) who came to the attention of the
security service while abroad, for one reason or another. Examples
might be: a Soviet tourist reported by the KGB shepherd to have made
dubious contacts with foreigners; a Soviet soldier who had an affair with
a local girl while stationed in Hungary, and this fact having become
known to his unit in Hungary; the lady discus-thrower who lifted the
hats in London.
It has been reported that names on a watch list are forwarded to the
new location, in the event an individual on the watch list moves his place
of residence. Apparently if the individuals writing abroad are not on
the watch list, a certain mobility may be helpful in getting mail through.
An American citizen, since visiting his relatives in their native village
in the USSR, has not received any letters from his relatives living in the
village, but has received several letters from a cousin who left to attend
school in a different area.
In addition, there may be various categories of persons whose mail is
carefully scrutinized, not by a watch by name, but because their mail
falls into a suspicious category. An example, according to the Satellite
source mentioned above, will be stamp collectors. In this case, no doubt,
the suspicion is based on the KGB's own use of stamp collectors' letters
as cover letters for agent communications.
Thus the letters which will be opened by the censor may consists of
letters of new channels, suspect channels, suspect categories, or any
single letter which may arouse suspicion. An international letter may
be closely inspected because the letter itself creates suspicion. Interna-
tional letters originating in the Soviet Union will presumably be treated
as suspect if they have characteristics not indigenous to the location in
which they are mailed. In addition, the destination or origin of the
letter may have an effect on the extent of the scrutiny to which the
letter is subjected.
The technical evaluation of this report states that opening letters by
the use of ultrasonic waves is a probable achievement by the Soviets
52
25X1 X6
Approved For Release 199/7MireVIMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
and assuming such a device exists, it is likely that it is reserved for special
occasions or that it exists only in the prototype stage. The evaluation
further states, "Such a machine would increase the openings from a few
at a time to possibly a sack at a time then individual handling once again
takes over. Even if the sack were selective (watch listed) individual
handling would be required aforehand. An ultrasonic device certainly
wouldn't or couldn't reseal, so each letter then would have once again to
be individually processed. If there is such a device, it is likely not used
to a great extent when one visualizes the mess that would result from a
mass (sack full) of envelopes opened indiscriminately, in that the ma-
chine cannot be selective with respect to the flap or seal it weakens or
opens. All flaps then would weaken or open and if it were possible to
keep the contents identified with the envelope, any advantage gained
in quick opening would be lost in extra time and work lost in resealing."
It is especially pertinent that the use of ultrasonic waves to open or
loosen the flap of an envelope probably does not change the opening of
the mail from a hand process to a machine operation with the implied
gain in speed. If it is assumed that the Soviets have developed this
device, it does not automatically follow that by speeding one phase of
the censorship process the increase in volume of letters which can be
opened, censored, resealed, and returned to the flow of mail is great
enough to insure opening all of the mail. Any improvement in censor-
ship methods will, of course, increase the number of letters which it is
possible to open. Therefore, it should be assumed that the chances of
an individual letter being opened are increased.
This is not to say that the probable use of ultrasonic waves to open
letters, or any other advanced technical equipment for that matter, does
not represent a threat. Although the preponderance of other available
evidence indicates that international letters are not all opened, and that
the letters which are currently being opened are steamed, it cannot be
assumed that this is a permanent situation. Nor can it be claimed, at
this time, that actual mail experiences can always be fitted into a pattern
reflecting any one theoretical modus operandi for Soviet censorship.
Consider briefly the Soviet practice of resealing an envelope: beginning
about 1955, Soviet international letters which were opened by censor-
ship, both those entering and exiting, were all covertly opened, i.e.,
opened and resealed in a manner not detectable by observation. Letters
coming out of the USSR to the West have at all times been covertly
opened. But now, and approximately for the past three years, it is not
unusual for letters received in the Soviet Union, even by foreigners, to
show obvious opening. Sometimes, especially with letters to Americans,
the letters will be delivered with an excuse explaining the obvious open-
ing. In other cases, as for example, French, Belgian, and Japanese
visitors will receive letters wherein no attempts are made to disguise the
fact that their letters have been opened. This suggests an effort on the
part of censorship to cover the larger mail volume by eliminating a dif-
ficult process at a point which will do the least harm. On the other
hand, it could also suggest a possible tryout of the ultrasonic device on
53
Approved For Release 1999/0trirtillM-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
mail which is to be received in the Soviet Union. Neither explanaton,
however, appears to justify permitting foreigners in the Soviet Union to
receive letters which show obvious opening.
Several instances of returned mail received in the United States from
the USSR, although covertly opened, also could lend themselves to vari-
ous interpretations. In one instance, two letters which were written
to an American traveling in the Soviet Union, were returned undelivered.
Upon inspection it was found that the letters were in the wrong en-
velopes?the letter written first was in the envelope of the second letter
and vice versa. In another instance, an American's letter to a Soviet
was returned undelivered and, in the typed text, two corrections in ink
had been made of the writer's Russian.
There is no further information on the identification of letters by
handwriting than that given in the section on censorship of the internal
mail. Presumably samples will be collected and used for possible identi-
fication from known cover letters and from individuals believed to have
intelligence connections.
Additional indicators which reportedly will alert the censor are:
1. Type of paper. If the letters purports to be of Soviet origin,
possibly no one thing will alert the censor quicker than good
paper. Unlined paper is more suspect than lined.
2. Blank spaces and unusual margins. Blank spaces are ignored
only when the paper is of cheap quality.
3. Lined envelopes.
4. Misspelled names of people or places.
5. Incorrect abbreviations, especially in the addressing.
6. Incorrect form of address or title.
7. Unusual placement of stamps which may indicate code.
8. Letters with samples, as textiles, leather, etc.
9. Rambling text which gives the impression of attempting to fill
up space.
10. Text which may appear to be coded.
11. Post cards. The Soviets suspect messages which may be hidden
on the picture side.
As is the case with the internal mails, the rigid controls exercised by
the Soviet postal system on the mailing and receiving procedures, and
the articles which are permitted as enclosures, are of considerable aid
to the censorship effort. It is believed that there has been a partial
relaxation of certain related controls of the mails. Specifically, indi-
viduals are no longer required to fill out questionnaires concerning rela-
tives living abroad and state if they correspond with these relatives.
As it is known that interrogations continue in certain cases regarding
foreign correspondence, it is believed that the apparent relaxation of
these related controls are undertaken more in an effort to bring the overt
controls into a consistent picture rather than there being any genuine
relaxation. For example, a man in Lithuania wrote his uncle in the
54
Approved For Release 19g9MPIMMIMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
United States and discussed the rate of pay, working conditions, and eco-
nomic conditions prevailing on the kolkhoz where he lives. He was called
in by the authorities shortly afterwards, and threatened with serious
consequences if he ever wrote such information abroad again. A few
years before this man would have been reporting the correspondence via
the forms mentioned above, and also, a few years ago his reprimand
probably would have been a prison term. Nevertheless, the authorities
knew that he was writing abroad, and knew the contents of his letters.
D. MAIL CENSORSHIP OF PRINTED MATTER
The printed matter, including books, mailed into the USSR is ex-
amined and permitted to enter or disallowed in accordance with the
Soviet postal regulations which do not permit entry of printed matter
into the USSR if the text is (1) such as would bring the USSR into
political or economic danger, or (2) of an obscene or immoral nature. As
stated these conditions are broad indeed, and as interpreted by censor-
ship their application is deemed appropriate to any material which may
be considered undesirable.
The organization and locations of the censors who review the printed
matter which passes through the Soviet mails are not known. Two
sources, in reporting on this activity, have mentioned calling on the
censor in Moscow. Specifically, it is not known if mailed printed matter
is reviewed by customs at the international postal area, or by customs
located elsewhere, or by other official components, located at convenient
points and operating in conjunction with post offices.
In either event, the postal authorities freely admit that all printed
matter is screened. In one instance, a source and an official connected
with the post office engaged in a discussion of a comparison between
the Soviet system of screening printed material and the United States
policy at that time of forbidding the entry into the U.S. of printed matter
containing subversive propaganda. This former policy of the United
States has been denounced in various articles in the Soviet press. The
opinion of the postal official, and as expressed in the articles, was that
if such action can be taken against their publications, the USSR would
be remiss not to do likewise. It will be interesting to note any changes
which may be brought about in the Soviet practice as a result of the
change in the American policy.
All mail which is discernible as printed matter is reviewed on an indi-
vidual basis, and the censor decides if each piece will be (1) delivered to
the addressee, (2) placed in a library where its availability is restricted,
or (3) withheld. The censor may call in the addressee and ask him for
an explanation of why he should receive a certain piece of literature.
Although general lines of demarcation may be drawn in what will be
delivered and what will be withheld, the individual judgment exercised
on each piece of literature makes it impossible to foresee the exact fate
of any publication. Material which may be interpreted as politically
or economically undesirable includes such articles as Bibles and all reli-
55
l
Approved For Release 1999/08124:1999/08124:IlitirDir781702646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
SOL? ,
JJ VL4.1.
gious literature, all publications in Hebrew, material expressing any anti-
Soviet ideology, magazines which portray a high living standard abroad,
and books concerned with Western historical or philosophical discussions.
Despite the all-embracing characteristics of the above categories, in
the past few years there has been a great increase in the literature
which is being delivered to the addressee. Materials acknowledged as
received have included English dictionaries, a broad range of English
text novels, magazines concerned with sports, needlework and fashions.
Printed matter, providing it is innocuous, has a better chance of being
delivered to the addressee if there is an obvious connection between the
context of the publication and the recipient's profession or interests.
For example, a scientist will probably receive a publication devoted to
his field, or an actress a theatrical magazine.
:Delivery to the addressee is never a certain matter, however, as there
is no way to predict the individual censor's judgment. 25X1X6
Printed matter which is permitted to be mailed out of the Soviet Union
is also examined; certain materials containing information the Soviets
wish to restrict are withheld. One traveler secured a copy of the direc-
tory of the Academy of Sciences, USSR, which he mailed to himself at
his home address together with a small guide book of Moscow. When he
received the package, it contained only the guide book. Books published
prior to 1918 are not permitted to be mailed out of the USSR without
official permission to do so. The majority of travelers to the USSR do
mail books and other publications home with little, if any, difficulty and
Soviets mail certain books to friends in exchange for other literature.
25X1X6
56
Approved For Release 111646141~00DP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
mgmenri?rmertrAw
APPENDIX A
ARTICLES PROHIBITED AND CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED FOR
INTERNAL MAILS
1. It is forbidden to send explosive and highly inflammable articles
(gunpowder, cartridges, benzine, kerosene, alcohol, matches, etc.) , poi-
sons, pungent acids and other acrid substances in all postal matter. In
case of violation of this regulation the entire contents of such postal
matter are confiscated.
2. It is forbidden to send money in circulation in the USSR and also
foreign currency in letters, including insured letters, third class* matter,
and packages. The right to send paper money in circulation in the
USSR in insured letters is granted only to organs of the Ministry of
Finance, USSR, and the Ministry of Communications, USSR. The right
to send foreign currency in insured letters is granted only to organs of
the Ministry of Finance, USSR.
As an exception, it is permissible to send defective paper money in
insured letters addressed to Gosbank institutions and foreign currency
in insured letters addressed to organs of the Ministry of Finance, USSR.
If paper money is discovered in postal matter it will be delivered to
the recipient less a mailing charge at twice the postal money order rate.
3. It is forbidden to send written messages, except inventory lists of
enclosed articles, in third class matter, insured letters, and packages.
Applications can be put in insured letters with documents sent to educa-
tional institutions and other establishments.
4. It is forbidden to insert any kind of enclosure bound in sealed
wrapping into third class matter and open insured letters. Objects in
factory wrappings, which may be sent as insured third class matter
without difficulty, are excepted.
* The Russian word banderol' has been translated "third class."
57
Approved For Release 1999/01P2M.InMittt02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
13.1-01.-? J. /
APPENDIX B
ARTICLES PROHIBITED AND CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED FOR
MAILING AS INTERNATIONAL POSTAL MATTER
1. It is forbidden to send in the international mails:
a. Opium, hashish and pipes (or other instruments for smoking
them) and also morphine, cocaine and other narcotics (excluding
those sent with a medical or scientific purpose to countries permitting
their shipment under these conditions).
b. Explosives, inflammable or dangerous items, firearms, parts of
war equipment, and also all kinds of blank weapons.
c. Items which by their very nature of packaging might constitute
a danger to postal workers, or soil or spoil correspondence.
d. Documents, printed matter, stereotype blocks, snapshots, manu-
scripts, drafts, drawings, negatives, movie film and similar items, the
sending of which abroad or receipt from abroad might bring the USSR
into political or economic danger.
e. Blue vitriol.
f. Printed publications containing any marks as might constitute
a conventional language, and also printed publications whose text has
been changed after printing.
g. Items whose import or handling is forbidden in the country of
destination.
h. Objects of an obscene or immoral nature.
i. Live animals, excluding: bees, leeches, silkworms, parasites and
destroyers of dangerous insects which are acquired for research on
such insects and exchanged between officially recognized institutions.
j. Private persons are forbidden to send cancelled and uncancelled
postage stamps, philatelic collections, and paper money not in cir-
culation.
Items listed in paragraphs a, b, c, d, e and f are subject to confiscation
if mistakenly accepted for mailing.
Postal matter containing objects listed in paragraphs g and j are
subject to return to the sender.
Postal matter containing objects listed in paragraph h are subject
to destruction.
Postal articles received from abroad containing live animals forbidden
in the mails should be delivered to the addressee; however, a notice of
violation concerning this infringement is sent to the enterprise that
sent the items.
59
Approved For Release 1999/08tritnirM-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
Live animals mistakenly accepted in the mails for shipment abroad
are sent back to their place of origin for return to the sender.
2. It is forbidden to send abroad from the USSR, gold, platinum and
metals of the platinum group in unprocessed form (ore, slag and sedi-
ment).
3. It is forbidden to send the following postal matter abroad without
permission of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, USSR, or the Ministry of
Culture, USSR:
a. All kinds of furs and products from furs.
b. Caviar, soft and pressed (black).
c. Santonin and its derivatives.
d. Antiques and art objects, books and music published before 1918.
4. It is not permitted to enclose in letters or third class matter objects
subject to customs duties (excluding urgent medical necessities) , "talk-
ing letters," and also sample goods in large quantity, with the purpose
of avoiding customs duties.
5. It is forbidden to send written messages in third class matter, in-
sured letters, boxes with declared value, and parcels, except invoices and
inventories of contents.
6. By order of the Ministry of Finance, USSR, it is permitted to send
abroad gold, silver, platinum, and metals of the platinum group as ingots,
scrap, or manufactured items, and also precious stones, gems and articles
made from them, foreign currency (foreign banknotes, treasury notes
and coins) , promissory notes made out in foreign currency, foreign stocks
(shares, bonds with coupons and so forth) , cancelled bank notes of the
USSR, property documents and certificates concerning property distri-
bution.
7. It is permitted to send abroad checks payable to the person named
or order (but not those payable to bearer) checks on foreign currency,
issued by the State Bank, USSR, or by the Bank for Foreign Trade, USSR,
on its foreign correspondents, on condition of the absence of false -signa-
tures on these checks.
60
Approved For Release 1#,MeRiLIMMTIRMP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24 : CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
sigemirmerem
APPENDIX C
LIST OF ARTICLES ALLOWED TO ENTER WTHOUT A PERMIT
WHEN INTENDED FOR PERSONAL USE
ITEM NO.
NAME OF COMMODITY
MAXIMUM QUANTITY ADMITTED
1 Various spices 31/2 oz. of each kind.
2 Coffee, cacao, chicory 4 lbs. 6 oz. of each.
3 Tea 7 ounces.
4 Chopped tobacco, tobacco prod-
ucts
5 Plates and dishes
6 Medicaments, all kinds
7 Perfumes and cosmetics
8 Soap, all kinds
9 Articles of gold, silver or plati-
num
10 Hand tools
11 Household goods, including elec-
tric appliances
12 Sporting goods
13 Photographic equipment and
accessories
14 Optical instruments, prosthe-
ses, surgical corsets, hearing
aids, etc.
2 lbs. 3 oz.
11 pounds.
As prescribed by Soviet physi-
cians.
17 1/2 oz. or one set.
11 pounds.
44 pounds.
1 of each kind.
Do.
1 article or 1 set of each kind.
15 Clothing (coats, suits, shawls)
16 Body linen, bed linens and table
linen
17 Shirts and blouses
18 Curtains, blinds
19 Headwear, all kinds
20 Footwear, all kinds
21 Haberdashery:
(a) Socks, stockings
(b) Gloves
(c) Briefcases and hand-
bags
(d) All other articles of
haberdashery
22 Toys, games and Christimas
tree decorations
23 Office supplies
61
Do.
1 of each kind, as prescribed
by Soviet physicians or hos-
pitals.
3 of each kind.
6 sets of each kind.
3 of each kind.
5 sets of each kind.
4 articles.
4 pairs.
6 pairs.
3 pairs.
1 of each kind.
2 articles of 2 sets of each
kind.
Do.
1 article or 1 set of each kind.
Approved For Release 1999/OrirrintM-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
4.M11@fliPP
24 Phonograph records 12 of different titles.
25 Musical instruments (wind or
string) 1 article.
Foodstuffs are admitted in gift parcels without quantity limitation,
except perishable foods, foods and drinks in glass containers, and
hermetically sealed preserves, which are prohibited.
Small articles of slight value for personal use are admitted in gift
parcels, even if not shown on the list, except pieces of cloth, thread and
watches, which are prohibited.
62
Approved For Release 1M9ftilibMiNOM4VP78-02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
modionleimim
GLOSSARY OF SOVIET POSTAL TERMS AND CATEGORIES
Pages
AVIAPOChTA, AVIA "Airmail, Air." (mark appearing 10, 12
on airmail)
Banderol', Bancleroli : Similar to third class mail. 9, 10, 11, 14, 31,
32, 33, 41, 44, 47,
Besplatno : "Free of charge." (One of several 13
words including matrosskoye, pis-
mo, or soldatskoye which appears
on mail sent free by Soviet serv-
icemen.)
D (Cyrillic letter "A") : Forwarding indicated by the appear- 31
ance of this letter and the new ad-
dress stamped on front of envelope.
Do vostrebovaniye : "General delivery." 6, 28
EXPRES (Fr.) : Special delivery cachet attached as a 13
red sticker.
Ferdyegerskaya Svyaz' : Courier system for distribution of 14
(Fel'dsvyaz') classified government mail.
IMPRIMES (Fr.) : "Printed matter." (International 33
mail banderol' must indicate the
type of contents being mailed.)
Kolkhoz : Collective farm 27, 55
MEZHDUNARODNOYE : "International." (All Soviet interna- 12
tional mail carries this cachet.)
Nalozhennym platezhom : "c.o.d." 17
PAR AVION (Fr) : International airmail sticker 12
Pas port "Passport" for internal Soviet use. 9, 24, 27,
28, 35, 37
Petit paquet (Fr.) : Mark appearing on small packets 39
sent through regular international
mail channels
Pismo
POChTA
Posylka
"Letter." 13
? ? "Post," "Mail." (Soviet mailboxes 6
are marked this way)
? ^ "Parcel." 36
63
Approved For Release 1999/0M187-1M02646R000600090001-2
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
.1.1%.0.1. Vaud
GLOSSARY (Continued)
Pages
RECOMMANDE (Fr.) : Marking which appears on all inter- 12
national registered mail.
Spetsotdel "Special Department." (Specifically, 47
"Sixth Special Department, MVD,
last confirmed Soviet security com-
ponent engaged in censorship:
1953-1954.)
Tekhnikum : Technical school 27
Ts (Cyrillic letter "U") : Insured mail marked by the letter 10
"Ts" and the insurance number.
V (Cyrillic letter "B") : Mail returned to sender is marked 31
with the letter "V" and the return
address.
Vestnik Svyazi : Communication News. 2
Voyennaya Tsenzura : Military Censorship Subsection. 14
(VTs)
Yashchik : A box (postal package). 36
Z (Cyrillic letter "3") : Registration of internal mail is indi- 10
cated by the appearance of the let-
ter "Z" and the registration num-
ber. ZAKAZNOYE also usually ap-
pears on registered mail.
Zagotzerno : All-Union Bureau for Procurement 9
and Storage of Grain.
64
Approved For Release 19611ADP78-02646R000600090001-2
APRelease 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2
S '1M 1M MN
Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000600090001-2