Tag: Swiss Post

A report commissioned by the Swiss communications ministry says a partial liberalisation of letter delivery services would not threaten the country’s mail service. If the government gives the go-ahead, Swiss Post could see its monopoly on letters limited to those weighing less than 100 grams – a move opposed by unions. The independent study, released on Thursday, comes ahead of a government debate on the issue next month. Swiss Post currently holds a monopoly on all letters delivered in Switzerland. Only letters headed abroad or for which the transport costs more than SFr5 (USD3.9) can be delivered by other companies. Under the report’s proposals, this monopoly would be curtailed to letters under 100 grams. The measures would apply to one in every ten letters, or 17 per cent of Swiss Post’s revenue from mail deliveries.

Swiss Post made a greater profit last year than its accounts show, according to a report by PostReg, the new postal-market regulatory authority. The report, published on Wednesday, found there had been serious breaches of the service’s legal regulations. Swiss Post has denied the accusations. In 2004 Swiss Post recorded a profit for its basic or universal service of SFr522 million (USD400 million), but PostReg said the figure should have been at least SFr776 million.
It accused Swiss Post of disregarding legal guidelines in its book-keeping methods.