Royal Mail decides size does matter

Royal Mail today announced plans to price items by size rather than weight alone for the first time since stamps were introduced in 1840.

The cost of sending a bulky parcel would increase under the new system, although the price of posting a standard size letter would remain the same or even fall, the company said.

Increased automation in the postal service means larger items often having to be dealt with by hand at extra cost.

With increased competition, Royal Mail says the proposals also bring it into line with potential rivals.

Despite the changes, the first since the penny post was introduced, Royal Mail point out most of the post _ 70% _ will be unaffected.

Gillian Wilmot, Royal Mail managing director of mail markets, said: “This change would make it simpler for our customers to use the post.

“Under these proposals there would be, for example, just five prices for first class mail instead of the current 16. People would be able to price at a glance instead of using weighing scales.”

Under the new system a standard letter is classed as slightly bigger than A5 and includes postcards, bills, correspondence and most birthday cards.

The price of postage will stay at 27p for first class and 19p for second as long as it falls under the 100g limit.

Under the current system a standard letter can cost between 27p and 41p for first class depending on weight, and 19p to 33p for second class.

Large letters under the proposals are defined as slightly bigger than A4, and include most brochures and catalogues.

Those weighing up to 250g would cost between 34p and 38p to send first class, and 60p to 70p for items weighing 251g to 500g.

The price now ranges from 27p to 158p for first class and 19p to 130p for second.

The last category, “packets”, is defined as longer than 353mm, wider than 250mm, and thicker than 10mm.

Up to 250g will cost between 70p and 80p for first class under the new scheme, and 60p to 70p for second.

Between 251g and 1,000g the price will be 135p to 155p for first class and 110p to 130p for second.

Under the current system it costs between 27p and 332p for first and 19p to 185p for second class.

There will now be three months of consultations before Royal Mail submits its final proposals to the industry regulator Postcomm and consumer watchdog Postwatch in the summer.

If given the go-ahead the changes are expected to come into force towards the end of 2003.

PA News