Further price reduction for German mail from January 1, 2006

· Standardbrief at 55 cents and postcards at 45 cents remain stable
· Prices for international letters raised

The prices proposed by Deutsche Post for letter mail items have been approved by the Federal Network Agency. The new and, for some mail products, reduced prices will go into effect on January 1, 2006. Including the new price plan for international letters, this yields savings for customers of around 30 million euros over the previous year. Prices for standard letters (Standardbrief) at 55 cents, and postcards at 45 cents remain the same.
The following changes, among others, have resulted: The price for compact letters (Kompaktbrief) within Germany will be reduced – as was already done last year – an additional 5 cents (minus 5.3 percent), from the current 95 cents to 90 cents. The minimal price increase for the oversize letter (Großbrief) within Germany by +0.7% to 1.45 euros (previously 1.44 euros) is consistent with price rounding to the usual 5-cent step for basic prices. This will facilitate the combining of postage stamps.
For Infobrief – 50 items and above with identical content sent domestically – the price for the standard format drops significantly by 12.5% to 0.35 euros (previously 0.40 euros) and for the compact format by 6.3% to 0.75 euros (previously 0.80 euros).
Because of increasing export costs, the standard national price will no longer be applied to items sent within Europe. Deutsche Post will be one of the last European postal enterprises to alter its prices in this instance. In the future, standard letters within Europe will cost 70 cents, compact letters 1 euro, and postcards 65 cents. In return, the prices of some heavier international items will be reduced.
The updated service information “Services and Prices” will be made available to customers at all retail outlets in time for the price conversion.