Swiss Post boasts the second-lowest prices for parcel post in Europe, according to the results of astudy.
The new Parcel Post Index, devised by Professor Hans Wolfgang Brachinger from the Universityof Fribourg, Switzerland, has accorded Swiss Post with good marks. In Europe, only Portugal shipsparcels at an even lower price level. In Austria, Germany and Belgium, services are provided athigher rates. However, these are still within range of Swiss prices.
Swiss Post’s parcel rates have remained stable in recent years. Prices for shipping parcelshave not been increased since 2003, despite costs having risen significantly in the meantime.Relatively speaking, shipping parcels has become slightly less expensive.
The Index compares the frequency with which “PostPac Priority” and “PostPac Economy” parcels(weighing between 1-20 kg) are shipped. The Parcel Post Index is based on a basket of parcelconsignments which is weighted according to frequency.
The methodology behind the parcel price index allows for a direct comparison between thevarious countries. It is based on the Laspeyres index concept which has been used throughout theworld for years. One down side to the methodology is the fact that the results depend on theexchange rates applied and these can often be extremely volatile. Furthermore, the postal servicesin question are not necessarily provided to the same quality standard across the board. If factorssuch as quality, salary level and purchasing power were taken into consideration, Swiss Post wouldfare even better in international comparison.
The Parcel Post Index and the former Letter Post Index show that Swiss Post’s prices arewithin the least expensive third of postal enterprises in Europe.
Swiss Post ranks fifth among the fifteen most important European countries of comparison inthe Letter Post Index. In Germany and France, for example, comparable letter post costs 15-25%more, in Sweden and Italy even 40-65% more. Since it was first introduced in 2006, the Letter PostIndex has been used by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport and Energy (UVEK) formeasuring target attainment and is published in the postal regulatory authority’s annual report.
