New Postal Charges Apply from August 30

21 August 2003

The increase is the first of significance since 1991 yet the Irish postal tariff, at 48c for a letter weighing up to 100g, remains one of the lowest in Europe. The charge in Belgium is 98c, 60.4c in the UK, 144c in Germany and 89c in Luxembourg.

In approving the new rates, ComReg accepted a revised schedule of discounts which, will be available to customers posting at least 2000 items per posting and meeting one or more of the following criteria –

o Present mail to An Post at a time that facilitates off-peak processing. Different levels of discount will be available for mail presented before noon, 3p.m and 5.30 p.m.

o Present mail which can be machine processed, thereby avoiding manual sortation. Different levels of discount will be available based on the percentage of mail which can be sorted automatically’

o Accept deferred delivery of mail, i.e. mail which does not require next day delivery (minimum volume 500 items per posting)

Under the new discounts regime, businesses and individuals may present mail at any of 24 acceptance offices nationwide. Discounts for very large postings will in some cases be double the current rate.

Full details of the discount schedule will be posted on the An Post website www.letterpost.ie and will also be available from An Post Customer Services on telephone 1850 57 58 59.

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