UK Royal Mail plans `fairer and simpler’ parcel pricing

Books would cost less to post but bulky items such as posters would be more expensive under plans put forward today by the Royal Mail.

The organisation said it wanted to introduce a “fairer and simpler” pricing system based on size instead of weight.

The proposals would spark the biggest change in postal pricing since the Penny Black and could be “disastrous” in industries such as film processing, warned the postal watchdog.

But the Royal Mail said the price for sending three quarters of mail would not change.

Large lightweight and bulky items would cost more to send, but heavier, compact goods would be cheaper to post.

Under the plans there would be five stamp prices for first and second class mail instead of the current 29.

David Dale of the Royal Mail said: “The current pricing structure has been in place for decades and is inherited from a time when all mail was hand-sorted, and so is increasingly out of date.

“Most other postal administrations already use size in pricing mail, because this is the key cost factor in the modern postal industry.

“These changes would not increase the nation’s total post bill. While most customers wouldn’t see any changes, some would have price cuts and others rises.”

Industry regulator Postcomm said the proposals would involve major change, although would not produce extra revenue for the Royal Mail.

Chairman Nigel Stapleton said: “They mean that light but large mail such as very large greetings cards, CDs, rolls of photographic film, audio cassettes and video tapes, would cost more to post, but that some heavier items – books for example – would cost less.

Consumer watchdog Postwatch said the changes could make it cheaper to send brochures and company reports, but warned it could be “disastrous” for receiving photographs after they have been processed.

Responses to the plans have to be made by the end of July.

Relevant Directory Listings

Listing image

ZEBRA

Zebra Technologies is an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge. Zebra’s products, software, services, analytics and solutions are used to intelligently connect people, assets and data to help our customers in a […]

Find out more

Other Directory Listings

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



MER Magazine


The Mail & Express Review (MER) Magazine is our quarterly print publication. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, MER is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

 

News Archive

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This