Swiss Post has announced plans to increase prices for international items while adjusting domesticrates to cope with higher costs.
For the first time in more than six years, Swiss Post intends to adjust its prices forshipping domestic parcels. From 1 April 2009, the price for sending parcels weighing between 5 and30 kg will probably be reduced by one Swiss franc, while the cost of parcels weighing up to 5 kgwill be increased by one Swiss franc. Moreover, Swiss Post will apply a one franc discount tocustomers who frank their parcels using WebStamp.
The planned price adjustments are necessary as the cost of mailing items over the counter haslong since outstripped actual revenue, the postal operator said. Cost factors include inflationsince the last price changes in 2003, two price increases in heavy goods vehicles tax, higher wagesand higher diesel prices.
A price increase of around 7% is planned for mailing letters, parcels and courier itemsabroad and would take effect on 1 April 2009. In the case of international shipments, most productsare also failing to cover their costs, Swiss Post pointed out.
Moreover, Swiss Post said it has not yet decided how it will implement the reduction in themonopoly limit for letters from 100g to 50g on 1 July 2009. It is looking into the option of notpassing on most of the VAT costs to consumers.
The price watchdog’s opinion on the planned price changes is still outstanding. In addition,the consent of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK)and the Federal Department of Finance are required for the steps relating to lowering the monopolylimit on 1 July.
