Belgium’s bpost to increase postage prices next year as mail volumes fall

Belgian postal operator bpost is to increase its postage prices from 1 January 2012, due to therising cost of living and significant investments the company has made to modernise its mail

It said the price increase was also in response to rapidly falling mail volumes, amounting to a3% decrease in the first half of 2011, compared to a 1% drop during previous years, combined withslightly increased costs this year. The rate increase remains within the limits stipulated by thecompany’s management contract.

With the beginning of next year, the stamp price will increase from the previous €0.61 to €0.65for purchases of 10 stamps or more. For a single stamp, customers will pay €0.75 instead of thecurrent €0.71.

For international standardised shipments, the stamp price will rise from €0.93 to €0.99 withinEurope and from €1.10 to €1.19 for the rest of the world when buying at least five stamps eachtime. A single stamp for European letters will cost €1.09 instead of the previous €1.03 and €1.29for the rest of the world instead of €1.20.

Over 90% of the stamps in Belgium are sold in multiple copies with 5, 10 or more stamps, and notas a single stamp. Postage stamps are thus purchased at the lowest price, in most cases.