New postage rates from March 1st

28 February 2007

The price of the basic stamp increases from 48c to 55c tomorrow (March 1st, 2007) This is the first price increase for this category of mail since August 2003.  

The new 55c rate covers postage on standard stamped mail up to 100g within the island of Ireland.  Currently, letters weighing 50g -100g cost 60c, so this represents a 5c saving for standard mail at this weight.

A 54c rate will apply to letters within Ireland prepaid by meter franking, Ceadunas licence or other business services.   The rate for all international (airmail) letters up to 100g increases from 75c to 78c. 

Despite the increase, An Post letter rates remain among the cheapest in Europe for standard (1st class) domestic services.   Most mail at the basic letter rate weighs less than 50g and in this category, An Post’s rates are the 4th lowest in the EU15.   In the 50g -100g category, An Post’s tariffs are the lowest in the same comparable group.

Quality of Service improvement remains a top priority for An Post and work continues apace on improving systems and ways of working to improve service and reliability.

The new 55c stamp features a purple Large-Flowered butterwort, an insectivorous Wild Flower, common in areas of boggy ground in the South-West of the country.  They depend for survival and growth on the nutrients extracted from the insects that become trapped on their sticky leaves.   The stamp illustration is by leading Irish botanical artist, Susan Sex.