Poststukken

Poststukken is a Dutch term referring to any item that is sent through a postal system. In everyday use it covers letters, postcards, and parcels, as well as other mail-like items accepted for transport by a postal operator. The term is used in postal regulations, statistics, and philatelic contexts to denote items that enter the mail stream and are processed for delivery.

Types and formats

Poststukken are typically categorized by format, size, and weight, with common groups including letters (brieven), large letters, small packets, and parcels (pakketten). They can be sent domestically or internationally and may carry various service levels, such as standard delivery, registered mail, or track-and-trace options. The form of prepayment, such as stamps or printed labels, is part of the handling of poststukken, which are prepared with an address and appropriate postage.

Handling and processing

After acceptance, poststukken are canceled or stamped, sorted according to destination, and routed for transport. They may be processed manually or by automated systems, often receiving barcodes or other tracking data. Delivery is performed by a postal worker, and undeliverable items may be returned to the sender. Security, weight, and destination determine the applicable rates and service requirements.

Significance

In postal history and philately, poststukken serve as primary sources for studying postal routes, rate structures, censorship, and cancellations. Collectors value variations in postmarks, routes, and markings, while researchers use poststukken to understand communication networks, commerce, and everyday life in different periods.

Overall, poststukken encompass the broad range of mail items processed by postal services, reflecting the administrative, logistical, and historical aspects of mail delivery.