1874 Constitution of the Universal Postal Union as amended in 1964, 1969, 1974, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2018 and 2021

Treaty of Berne / Treaty of Bern, UPU Constitution

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Universal Postal Union

Chapter IV – Settlement of Disputes

“Article 32 Arbitration (Gen Regs 132)

In the event of a dispute between two or more postal administrations of member countries concerning the interpretation of the Acts of the Union or the responsibility imposed on a member country by the application of those Acts, the question at issue shall be settled by arbitration.”

Government of Switzerland

Final Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

01/07/1875

From 1874 Text:

“Article 19

The present treaty shall come into force on the 1st of July, 1875.

It is concluded for three years from the date. When that term shall have passed, it shall be considered as indefinitely prolonged, but each contracting party shall have the right to withdraw from the Union on giving notice one year in advance.”

From 1964 Text:

“Article 33: Coming into operation and duration of the Constitution

This Constitution shall come into operation on 1 January 1966 and shall remain in force for an indefinite period.”

1878 Convention on the Universal Postal Union (Amendments at the 1947, 1952, 1957 Congresses of the Universal Postal Union)

1964 Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1969 Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1974 2nd Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1984 3rd Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1989 4th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1994 5th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1999 6th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

2004 7th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

2008 8th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

2016 9th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

2018 10th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

2021 11th Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

1999 Universal Postal Convention

Universal Postal Union accessed on 27/04/2026

The downloadable texts in this entry incorporate amendments to the UPU constitution up till the 2021 11th Additional Protocol.

The original title of the 1874 instrument was the “Treaty concerning the formation of a General Postal Union”. The name of the organisation was amended to the “Universal Postal Union” in 1878, and “Constitution of the Universal Postal Union” in 1964.

As of 1964 the Congress of the Universal Postal Union separated the Union’s Acts into four sections:

1. Constitution of the Universal Postal Union
2. General Regulations of the Universal Postal Union
3. Universal Postal Convention
4. Regulations

Article 10 of this instrument allows the Union to collaborate with international organizations having related interests and activities to secure close cooperation in the international postal sphere. Such organizations include the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to the UPU International Bureau commentary on the Constitution.