The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has expressed regret over a Post Office flyer encouraging residents to mail home items purchased overseas.The flyers, mailed to homes across the Island, explains how mailing goods bought abroad to the Island can be much cheaper than travelling home with them.Airport customs duty is expected to rise from 25 percent to 35 percent after legislation was tabled on November 4.That increase was intended to help support local retailers by encouraging residents to shop on the Island rather than overseas.However the flyer advertised that duty rates for goods imported through the post office and shipping companies are lower than the current duty for goods brought through the airport, ranging from 6.5 percent for clothing, handbags and jewellery, to 22.25 percent for computers, MP3 players and toys.In a statement released on Sunday, a Ministry spokeswoman said: “We regret that promotional material released by the Post Office promoting its parcel post service appears to conflict with efforts to support local retailers as well as efforts to encourage the community to shop at home.“It is vitally important that all residents support the local economy.“However, in the event that residents find the need to shop overseas, the parcel post service is an affordable shipping alternative.“The Ministry apologises for the conflicting information and reminds all residents that every dollar spent on-Island helps to maintain jobs as well as contributes to the health of the Bermuda economy.”Last month, the Progressive Labour Party criticised OBA candidate and Post Office IT manager Anthony Francis for making statements similar to that contained in the flyer.An October 1 entry in the party’s blog said: “Bermuda’s retailers are hurting and 4,000 retail jobs hang in the balance. Instead of positively encouraging Bermudians to Buy Bermuda, the OBA is encouraging Bermudians to buy American and skirt customs duties.”