APT 2.0 Update: Department of Posts Introduces New Foreign Bag Types
India Post Releases SOP for New Foreign Bag Types and Bag Close Process in APT 2.0
The Department of Posts has released a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under APT 2.0 for DML maintenance of new bag types related to foreign articles and the updated foreign bag closing process. The SOP, updated on 24 April 2026, introduces important operational changes for handling international mail articles across Post Offices, DNKs, Processing Hubs, and Foreign Post Offices (FPOs).
The new system has been introduced following instructions from the IRGB Division, Directorate, to streamline the segregation, bagging, and dispatch of international mail articles.
New International Bag Types Introduced
Under the revised SOP, APT 2.0 has introduced four new bag categories for foreign articles:
- International Parcel (IP)
- International EMS (IE)
- Inter-Reg Small Packet (IR)
- International Tracked Packet (IT)
These categories are designed to improve operational efficiency and ensure proper segregation of international mail based on article type.
Important Instructions on Foreign Bag Closing
The SOP provides detailed operational guidelines regarding the closing pattern of foreign bags.
According to the instructions:
- Post Offices and DNKs may close direct category-wise bags to mapped FPOs when there are more than 15 articles or total weight exceeds 10 kg for a specific product category.
- If the minimum quantity or weight is not available, bags should be closed to mapped Processing Hubs without category-wise segregation.
- Processing Hubs must always close separate category-wise bags to their mapped Foreign Post Offices.
The Department has strictly instructed that domestic articles must never be mixed with bags meant for Foreign Post Offices under any circumstances.
DML Maintenance Process Explained
The SOP explains the Due Mail List (DML) maintenance process within the Sorting Module.
Supervisors are required to:
- Login using Supervisor credentials
- Navigate to Sorting Management Menu
- Select Due Mail List (DML)
- Fetch office details using Office ID, PIN Code, or Office Name
- Maintain DML using the “Maintain DML” option
The document also includes screenshots and illustrated navigation steps for easier implementation at field level.
Steps for Adding New Bag Types
The SOP provides a detailed procedure for adding new international bag types.
Users must:
- Select Stop Office
- Choose appropriate bag type (IP/IE/IR/IT)
- Select “Is Air” option where applicable
- Enter Closed To Office ID
- Click Add and Save
The screenshots provided in the SOP clearly demonstrate how these entries will appear in the system after successful addition.
New “Bag Close Foreign” Option Introduced
One of the major updates in APT 2.0 is the introduction of a new feature called “Bag Close Foreign” under Bag Operations in the Bagging Module.
This option enables:
- Mail Offices to close foreign articles separately based on article category
- Post Offices to directly close foreign bags to FPOs or Offices of Exchange when sufficient article count or weight is available
Users can select the Foreign Post Office from the dropdown menu, choose the required bag type, fetch the details, and proceed with bag closing similar to the standard bag close process.
Focus on Accuracy and Compliance
The Department has emphasized strict compliance with IRGB guidelines during bag closure operations. The SOP instructs all operational staff to:
- Ensure correct bag type selection
- Avoid mixing domestic and international articles
- Verify all entries carefully before saving
Significant Operational Upgrade in APT 2.0
The revised SOP marks an important operational enhancement under APT 2.0 aimed at improving handling efficiency for international mail traffic. By introducing category-wise segregation, enhanced DML maintenance, and dedicated foreign bag closing options, India Post is moving toward a more streamlined and technology-driven international mail processing system.
The changes are expected to improve accuracy, reduce operational errors, and strengthen compliance with international mail handling standards across the postal network.