Due to new transport security administration (TSA) regulations restricting the carriage of mail transiting through US airspace individual mail items are currently restricted to a maximum of 16oz/450g in weight.

UPDATE 18 Jan 2011:

Following recent adjustments to the US air transit security restrictions BFPO can confirm that a normal level of service (albeit subject to security constraints) in support of BFPO 12 has been resumed. 

The service will now revert to a 5 day a week service for personal mails up to 500g and commercial mail exceeding 500g.

Personal mail items exceeding 500g will be accepted for despatch and following additional security controls, which will result in a minor delay, will move as part of the 5 day a week service.

BFPO are fully aware of recent irregularities affecting the level of service to British Forces Cyprus, potentially from December 2010 to early February 2011 and the possibility that mail has gone missing.  In order to resolve this BFPO has initiated a formal investigation into this irregularity.

BFPO Mail between UK / Cyprus is moved by commercial contract with an appointed airline. Initial enquiries show all currently missing mail was delivered to London Heathrow and signed for by the airline’s ground handling agents. Under current contractual obligations the airline is working with BFPO to assist in tracing the movement of the missing despatches.  BFPO customers who believe that they may have missing mail should first liaise with their local FPO staff and where advised to, consider requesting appropriate compensation.  Compensation procedures are explained within the “Send a letter/packet” and “Send a parcel” tabs within this website.  Further advice can be obtained from BFPO Enquiries.

Cyprus Media Reports

With relation to reports in the Cypriot Press dated 7 Feb 2011, that a 28 year old man from Nicosia is reported as having been remanded in custody by the Cyprus Police on suspicion of stealing mail sacks from Larnaca Airport .  Clearly we have no evidence of theft at this stage, nor anything that links our missing mail bags/despatches to this man/incident.  However, BFPO is working closely with the British Forces Cyprus administration to inform the Cyprus Police and Larnaca Airport Authorities that BFC/BFPO are currently investigating missing mail bags/despatches.  This clearly does not amount to an allegation of theft, nor an assertion that BFPO losses are linked to the arrest of this man – merely that the Cypriot Authorities may wish to be aware of our (coincidental) losses and that it is currently being investigated.