Price of stamps to increase from next month
An Post will increase the price of basic national and international stamp next month.
The standard national letter stamp will increase to €1.25 (currently €1.10) while the standard international stamp will be €2.20 (currently €2.00). An Post say these levels are well below the current average European tariffs for high quality, letter delivery services.
In a statement, An Post said that its service is consistently rated amongst the best in Europe, delivering top quality of service nationally and internationally compared to European carriers. "Unlike many postal companies who suspended services during the pandemic, An Post maintained services throughout, supporting both personal and business customers."
Conscious of the impact on personal customers and SMEs who are regular mailers, there will be no increase in the price of ten-stamp booklets priced €11.00 (a 15c discount per stamp).
SMEs can also avail of the €1.10 stamp price through the An Post Advantage Card with increased discount of 12% on larger stamp packs and 34% discount on parcel postage will be available to all SMEs to year-end.
The new stamp prices reflect sharp transport, fuel and energy cost inflation and the true cost of maintaining a nationwide postal service with steadily falling traditional letter volumes. International air freight prices have increased by up to 360% in the Pandemic; transport cost inflation is running at 18% and electricity, gas and fuel costs are up 27% year on year (CSO-Dec 2021).
The new postal tariffs will help ensure the continuity of next-day national letter services based on customers paying the same price for delivery of letters nationwide regardless of distance, as well as ongoing investment in letter services, staff and infrastructure.
David McRedmond, CEO of An Post said: “While these increases are essential to cover rising costs, and ensure service continuity on a par with the very best in Europe, we will mitigate the impact on SMEsby increasing discounts available to them, while freezing the price of ten-stamp booklet for consumers and offering regular price promotions.
"An Post is rebuilding the postal infrastructure for the future by developing new service and product choices to suit how we live now and how we will choose to live, work, communicate and connect in the future. Through innovation and building physical and digital infrastructure, we will protect our customers and support Irish firms who are doing business at home and expanding across the globe, while ensuring safe, decent work for our staff.
“We’re helping to shape a more sustainable future. New services, delivery depots and equipment will come on stream this year and we’ll expand our e-Vehicle fleet for fast, sustainable, zero-emission delivery”, he added.