What are the new prices of sending letters and parcels in Switzerland?
Along with higher health insurance premiums, electricity rates, rents, public transport costs, and other increases, sending out letters and parcels in (and from) Switzerland is now more expensive as well.
From January 1st, the cost of sending 'A' and 'B' Mail letters has each become 10 cents more expensive , costing 1.20 francs and one franc respectively.
In Switzerland, 'A Mail' ensures next day delivery, and 'B Mail' means delivery will take place within a maximum of three working days.
The price of priority and economy parcels will rise by 1.50 francs, while further changes apply or international shipping of packages.
"The price rises are necessary firstly due to the continuing decline in letter volumes and over-the-counter transactions," a statement from the Post Office said.
"And, secondly, because current inflation is causing Swiss Post to incur considerable additional costs for energy, transport, materials and salaries. However, Swiss Post is only passing on some of these additional costs to its customers."
Roberto Cirillo, CEO of Swiss Post, said: “We can no longer afford all of these (costs) on our own. This is why these price increases are urgently needed.”
Here are some of the price changes:
A and B post
The standard A Mail letter now costs 1.20 francs (up from 1.10 francs) and the B Mail letter costs 1 franc (previously 90 cents). The prices for A and B Mail letters (up to B5 format) and A and B Mail large letters are also rising.
Letters weighing between 101 and 500 grams (previously 250 grams) will be considered 'midi letters', which means B5 letters over 250 grams will become cheaper. The weight categories for large letters (up to B4 format) will be merged. There will be one price category for a large letter weighing 1-1000 grams. Large letters over 500 grams will become cheaper — for instance, A Mail now costs 2.50 francs instead of the previous 4.10 francs.
Domestic economy and priority parcels
Economy parcels weighing up to 2 kg will cost 8.50 francs (previously 7 francs) and priority parcels weighing up to 2 kilograms will cost 10.50 francs — up from 9 francs.
Swiss Post is also adjusting the weight categories for parcels from business customers to those of private customers. There will only be three weight categories: up to 2 kg, up to 10 kg and up to 30 kg.
Price drop for parcels stamped online
Swiss Post says that customers who record the shipping of their parcels online will in future benefit from an online discount of 1.50 francs per parcel. This applies to private and business customers for priority and economy items.
A Mail Plus
An A Mail Plus letter up to B5 will cost 2.90 francs (previously 2.40), and an A Mail Plus letter up to B4 format will be 4.70 francs (previously 4.20).
PostPac International
There are a few changes in this category that are particularly useful for Swiss residents mailing packages abroad by Swiss Posts's PostPac International:there will be only one delivery speed because the 'economy' product, which offered a reduced rate, is being discontinued.
A new price will apply to the remaining 'priority' service. As an example, A PostPac International consignment up to 2 kg for Zone 1 (for instance, Germany) will now cost 36 francs. The previous price for a priority parcel up to 2 kg for Zone 1 was 38 francs, and the price for an economy parcel up to 2 kg for this zone was 34 francs.
A full summary of the changes can be found on the SwissPost website.
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From January 1st, the cost of sending 'A' and 'B' Mail letters has each become 10 cents more expensive , costing 1.20 francs and one franc respectively.
In Switzerland, 'A Mail' ensures next day delivery, and 'B Mail' means delivery will take place within a maximum of three working days.
The price of priority and economy parcels will rise by 1.50 francs, while further changes apply or international shipping of packages.
"The price rises are necessary firstly due to the continuing decline in letter volumes and over-the-counter transactions," a statement from the Post Office said.
"And, secondly, because current inflation is causing Swiss Post to incur considerable additional costs for energy, transport, materials and salaries. However, Swiss Post is only passing on some of these additional costs to its customers."
Roberto Cirillo, CEO of Swiss Post, said: “We can no longer afford all of these (costs) on our own. This is why these price increases are urgently needed.”
Here are some of the price changes:
A and B post
The standard A Mail letter now costs 1.20 francs (up from 1.10 francs) and the B Mail letter costs 1 franc (previously 90 cents). The prices for A and B Mail letters (up to B5 format) and A and B Mail large letters are also rising.
Letters weighing between 101 and 500 grams (previously 250 grams) will be considered 'midi letters', which means B5 letters over 250 grams will become cheaper. The weight categories for large letters (up to B4 format) will be merged. There will be one price category for a large letter weighing 1-1000 grams. Large letters over 500 grams will become cheaper — for instance, A Mail now costs 2.50 francs instead of the previous 4.10 francs.
Domestic economy and priority parcels
Economy parcels weighing up to 2 kg will cost 8.50 francs (previously 7 francs) and priority parcels weighing up to 2 kilograms will cost 10.50 francs — up from 9 francs.
Swiss Post is also adjusting the weight categories for parcels from business customers to those of private customers. There will only be three weight categories: up to 2 kg, up to 10 kg and up to 30 kg.
Price drop for parcels stamped online
Swiss Post says that customers who record the shipping of their parcels online will in future benefit from an online discount of 1.50 francs per parcel. This applies to private and business customers for priority and economy items.
A Mail Plus
An A Mail Plus letter up to B5 will cost 2.90 francs (previously 2.40), and an A Mail Plus letter up to B4 format will be 4.70 francs (previously 4.20).
PostPac International
There are a few changes in this category that are particularly useful for Swiss residents mailing packages abroad by Swiss Posts's PostPac International:there will be only one delivery speed because the 'economy' product, which offered a reduced rate, is being discontinued.
A new price will apply to the remaining 'priority' service. As an example, A PostPac International consignment up to 2 kg for Zone 1 (for instance, Germany) will now cost 36 francs. The previous price for a priority parcel up to 2 kg for Zone 1 was 38 francs, and the price for an economy parcel up to 2 kg for this zone was 34 francs.
A full summary of the changes can be found on the SwissPost website.
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