ACM approves rates for basic set of postal services

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has approved Dutch postal operator PostNL's proposal for the rates of the basic set of postal services. PostNL will increase stamp prices from EUR 0.83 to 0.87.

The lowest rate for metered mail will increase from EUR 0.77 to 0.81. The rate for a certified letter will increase to EUR 8.45. PostNL has not changed the rate for domestic parcels, which remains at EUR 6.95.

In July 2018, ACM determined the headroom PostNL would be granted for increasing rates in 2019. With these rate increases, PostNL will not take full advantage of the headroom that it has been offered. If it had done so, PostNL would have been able to increase rates further by an average of 6 percent on top of the new rates.

Statutory rules determine headroom for postal rates

The Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has determined the rules for adjusting the rates for the basic set of postal services. On the basis of these rules, ACM first calculates the headroom for rate increases. ACM then checks whether the new rates that PostNL wants to use fall within this headroom. The rules aim to ensure that the basic set of services remains affordable for consumers and businesses.

PostNL has sole responsibility for the basic set of postal services

The law imposes rules on PostNL because it is the only postal operator in the Netherlands that is responsible for the basic set of postal services (the universal service obligation). These services include the delivery of individual letters and parcels. The tariffs for individual letters and parcels are regulated. PostNL must also maintain a network of mail collection boxes, and deliver at least 95% of all its mail by the next delivery day. PostNL operates the basic set at a profit. In 2017, PostNL achieved a return of 6.49 percent on the turnover from the basic set.