Deutsche Post submits new postal rates for approval
Deutsche Post has submitted its request to Germany’s Federal Network Agency for approval of new postal rates that are scheduled to take effect on 1 January. The price request is based on the price-cap mechanism which was recently revised by the agency.
As Post&Parcel reported on 21 October, Deutsche Post is proposing to raise the price for a standard letter weighing up to 20 grams to 70 euro cents – and then leave it unchanged for three years starting in 2016, like all other letter mail products.
In its new statement issued today (26 November), Deutsche Post said that the Federal Network Agency agency is likely to reach a decision about the application by mid-December.
In addition to the price adjustment to 70 euro cents for standard letters within Germany, the price for Maxibrief national items up to 1000 grams will also go up, from €2.40 to €2.60.
International standard letters and postcards will cost 90 euro cents starting in 2016, up from 80 euro cents.
The price for large international letters (Grossbrief) up to 500 grams will be increased from €3.45 to €3.70. Prices for other individual letter mail formats, whether national or international, will remain unchanged. The new price for transporting standard letters within Germany must also be paid by business customers, but here the company has plans to increase the discount for downstream access for standard letters by 5 percentage points.
Deutsche Post has also requested approval to raise the rates for some special services. In the future, items such as domestic or international registered mail (Einschreiben) will cost €2.50. Some special services – registered mail to addressee’s mailbox (Einschreiben Einwurf), delivery to addressee only (Eigenhändig) and/or with advice on delivery (Rückschein) – will each cost €2.15.
Commenting on the proposals, Deutsche Post said: “Even after the envisaged adjustment to 70 euro cents, the price for standard letters in Germany will still be in the mid-range compared with letter rates in other European countries. This position will continue to improve thanks to the price stability foreseen for the next three years and the price hikes that continue to be expected for other countries in the following years.”
Deutsche Post added that, for the benefit of customers who still have unused stamp stocks at the end of the year, it will begin selling 8-cent supplemental stamps at its retail outlets and online at www.efiliale.de from 3 December. Stamps with the new postage rates will also be available starting on that date.
Business customers can also go to www.postofficeshop.de to purchase the higher-value stamps and any needed supplemental stamps beginning early next month and benefit from our online offers for business customers.
Current stamps or supplemental stamps from previous years may also be used to frank Deutsche Post items.
