Domestic letter prices to remain stable until the end of 2007

Prices for the most important domestic mail products from Deutsche Post will remain stable in 2007. The pricing system will be further simplified for international letters, and prices for basic international letter and postcard products will also remain the same. There will be a slight increase in price only for Maxibrief items and letters at kilo rates, which are used primarily by business customers. A corresponding proposal from Deutsche Post has now been approved by the German Federal Network Agency, which is responsible for such issues.

By retaining the prices for its domestic basic products, Deutsche Post is setting a clear signal for price stability since statutory guidelines relating to the price-cap procedure would have permitted total price increases of some EUR 30 million. Only minimal use is being made of this opportunity, however. Following a reduction in 2003, the prices for standard letters and postcards will thus remain stable for the fourth year in a row with the same consistently excellent transit times.

Certified quality measurements have shown that of 100 items posted within Germany before the final emptying of the respective mailbox, 95 reach their recipients on the next working day. That figure based on certified quality measurements makes Deutsche Post one of the leaders in international comparison while the company remains in a mid-field position regarding the price level across Europe.

Beyond statutory price regulation, VAT-related price changes will be necessary for services subject to value-added tax such as the redirection and storage service.

Updated price information will be made available to customers at Deutsche Post retail outlets well before the new prices go into effect.