Some postage rates to rise from 1 July 2012

Some postage rates to rise from 1 July 2012

29 March 2012

The standard letter rate - the required postage for sending a standard size letter within New Zealand - will rise from 60c to 70c, as of 1 July 2012.

It’s the first increase in the ‘standard letter rate’ since October 2010, when it increased alongside a nationwide rise in GST. New Zealand Post does not anticipate any further price adjustments to the standard letter rate for at least two years.

Postage rates for international courier services, and for some international business letter services, will also increase – by between 2.5% and 5% - from 1 July.

These changes will not increase the cost of sending standard ‘International Air’ letters overseas – the service used by the general public. There will also be no increase in the cost of sending parcels overseas by International Air or International Economy (ie: by non-courier services). Domestic parcel rates are also not affected, as these were adjusted earlier this year.

The increases announced today reflect the changing postal environment locally and internationally. Letter volumes continue to decline due to increased uptake of electronic communication, while simultaneously the cost of transporting, processing and delivering letters steadily increases.

Letters – within New Zealand:

The new ‘standard letter rate’ will affect the price of other domestic letter services.

KiwiStamp non-denominated postage stamps – which are currently available at a recommended retail price of 60c - will remain valid postage to send a standard letter after 1 July, however from that date the recommended retail price for a KiwiStamp will rise to 70c.

The pricing of New Zealand Post’s bulk mail services for business will also be adjusted from 1 July. Business customers who are likely to be affected by these changes are being notified, via New Zealand Post’s website and notices to customers.

International services:

From 1 July the required postage for some international services will increase by between 2.5% and 5% depending on the service. Specifically:

• International Express Courier Service rates will rise by 2.5%
• International Economy Courier Service rates will rise by 2.5%
• International Bulk Mail rates will rise by 5%
• International Air Satchel Letter Medium Rates will rise by 5c an item to align with International Air Letter rates

NOTE – these adjustments to international rates do not apply to parcels sent on the Kapiti Coast, where a different approach to sending is currently being trialled. International mail rates for parcels in that location will remain unchanged.

PO Box annual rentals:

The fee for the annual rental of PO Boxes is also set to rise from 1 July 2012.

This change will not affect PO Box holders until it is time to renew their annual rental agreements – which in many cases will not be until 2013.

Private Bag rentals will not change.

The new PO Box rental fees reflect more realistically the costs of supplying, servicing and maintaining these secure and convenient services.

ENDS

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