The prices of Posti’s Letter Services paid in cash will increase on April 25, 2024. Letter Services paid in cash include domestic and international letters paid by stamps.
“A genuine letter and card are still highly meaningful as a way to remember those closest to you, so there will be a demand for them for a long time to come. However, people are sending fewer and fewer letters, cards and Christmas cards. The costs are rising, which, together with the declining volumes, has caused a notable increase in unit costs,” says Sami Määttä, who is in charge of the consumer letter business at Posti.
Posti’s operations are funded by service charges paid by customers, and the company does not receive any financial support for its operations from the state. These increases will ensure mail delivery as a universal service, i.e. Letter Services paid in cash, throughout the country.
In the 2000s, the number of letters has decreased by roughly 70% due to digital communications. Last year, the number of letters sent by consumers decreased 15%. The downward trend of printed mail will continue as the volumes of printed mail decrease with the progress of digitalization.
Domestic letters are divided into four weight classes, according to the weight in grams. As of April 25, the price of a domestic card or letter weighing no more than 50 g will be EUR 2.50 (EUR +0.20).
The price of an international postcard or letter weighing no more than 20 g will be EUR 2.75 in Priority class (EUR +0.25) and EUR 2.50 in Economy class (EUR + 0.20).
Going forward, the price of a Christmas stamp will be EUR 1.60 (EUR +0.10).
An average increase of two euros per year for consumers
Finnish consumers spend, on average, less than EUR 20 per year on sending letters. For one person, the price adjustments will mean an average increase of two euros per year. On average, stamped mail is delivered to households once a month.
In the lightest class (1–50 g), the postage of a letter or postcard equals one no-value indicator stamp; in the next weight class (51–250 g), the postage equals two no-value indicator stamps; and in the third weight class (251–1,000 g), the postage equals four no-value indicator stamps. In the heaviest weight class (up to 2 kg), the postage of letters equals six no-value indicator stamps.
All domestic and international no-value indicator stamps bought before the price increase will be accepted without additional stamps also after the price increase. Old 1st and 2nd class no-value indicator stamps can still be used for sending mail. Their value equals the domestic no-value indicator stamp, which will be EUR 2.50 as of April 25, 2024.
As of April 25, 2024, previously purchased no-value indicator stamps for Christmas greetings will also have a value of EUR 1.60.
The new prices for all Letter Services can be viewed in the price list on Posti’s website at www.posti.fi/prices.
Stamps can be bought at about 3,000 sales points or via Posti’s online shop at www.posti.fi/shop.