Articles for the Blind is a free service for sending items designed for blind people overseas. We can even arrange to pick up your post if you're visually impaired and find it difficult to get to a postbox or Post Office™; just give us a call on 08457 740 740.

• Books, papers and letters prepared for use by the blind, or to be sent to or from a blind person
• Relief maps
• Devices used to produce tactile information

And if you agree it with us first, you can also send the following:

• 'Talking' books and newspapers
• Games (including card games)
• Mathematical devices
• Watches, clocks, timers, tools, aids and measuring equipment designed for blind people
• Stationery supplies designed for sending things to blind people
• Collapsible walking sticks
• Guide dog harnesses
• Metal plates for producing materials for blind people or plates that have already been impressed for blind people
• Computer disks and CDs specially prepared for blind people

Unfortunately there are some things we can't send:

• Any written or printed mail, for example large print communications, unless they specifically relate to the contents of your package
• Music or entertainment, unless it's produced specifically for blind people. We can allow interludes, introductory and closing jingles of up to two bars as well as recordings with musical or entertainment features (such as a local orchestra) of no more than 10% of the total recording time
• Personal communications except for letters impressed or prepared for use by blind people. Letters are not private because mail is opened for inspection

All you have to do is write 'ARTICLES FOR THE BLIND-CECOGRAMMES' and include your name and address clearly on the outside of the envelope or package, as well as the person you're sending it to. Please attach a Customs declaration label onto the outside of the item (label P4558) - you can get these from your local Post Office™. You'll need to leave your mail open for inspection, or at least make sure it's easy to open. If whatever you're sending is fragile, you can get permission from us to seal your package.

If it's rectangular, the combined length, depth and width can be up to 900mm, and each single dimension can be up to 600mm. The dimension of each surface needs to be at least 90mm by 140mm. If it's cylindrical, its length needs to be between 100mm and 900mm, and its length plus twice the diameter needs to be between 170mm and 1.04m. As for weight, packages can weigh up to 7kg. 

We do our best to make sure nothing ever gets lost, but in the unlikely event that it does, you can claim if you've sent your mail by Airsure® or International Signed For®. Compensation is at the basic level of £36, as the £250/£500 level doesn't apply when you use it with the reduced rate Articles for the Blind service.

Anyone who is registered as blind or visually impaired, and has a close-up vision with spectacles of N12 or less, confirmed by an ophthalmologist, doctor or ophthalmic optician.

Some countries only allow Articles for the Blind to be sent from or addressed to officially recognised institutions for the blind, so anything addressed to an individual may not be delivered or may be surcharged.

This service is also available within the UK

Check out Airmail, Airsure, Surface mail and International Signed For