postal regulation

The postal sector is changing fast. As the traditional market enters a steep decline, e-commerce is driving rapid and unprecedented growth in parcel delivery - all of which has an impact on the way the sector is regulated.

At Cullen International, we provide independent and expert insight into the past, present and future of EU postal regulation. Subscribe to our intelligence services, and we’ll help you to stay informed as the sector evolves and to understand how that evolution affects you.

general topics covered

Universal service obligations

Use our Postal service to stay informed on the steps taken by regulators to maintain the sustainability of the universal service despite the decline in traditional postal volumes. Track and compare different national regimes, and anticipate new rules and reforms taking place at the EU level. Topics covered include :

  • Postal Services Directive
  • Universal service scope and changes
  • Price caps
  • Funding
E-commerce

E-commerce has led to rapid growth in the parcel sector, driving providers to innovate and diversify to rise to new challenges and meet changing consumer expectations. As national and EU level regulation is now increasingly focusing on this area, our intelligence services provide an essential independent resource on this transformative trend. Topics covered include:

  • Horizontal consumer protection rules
  • Postal sector rules on parcel delivery
  • Alternative means of delivery
  • VAT and customs

latest intelligence

Irish parcel market revenues decreased slightly in 2023
06 November 24 Armen Ghalumyan

While the Irish parcel market recorded a 1% increase in total volumes in 2023, total parcel revenues dropped by 1% compared with 2022. Domestic parcels accounted for the biggest share of the market in 2023, with 63% of total volumes. On the other hand, total cross-border parcels made up 37% of parcel volumes and generated 56.9% of parcel revenues.

Lithuania expects to adopt a new postal law by the end of 2024
31 October 24 Armen Ghalumyan

The new draft postal law in Lithuania, expected to be adopted by the end of 2024, would revise the universal service price regulation, allow for easier amendment of the universal service delivery frequency and introduce new postal delivery rules.

Omniva to remain the universal postal service provider in Estonia until 2029
18 October 24 Merilin Kasesalu

Omniva, the Estonian incumbent postal operator, will continue to provide a universal postal service until 2029. The scope of the universal service was not changed under the new universal service licence.

Portugal lightens quality targets for the postal universal service
11 October 24 Pedro Miranda

The Portuguese ministry of infrastructure lightened the quality of service targets that will apply from 1 January 2025 to Correios de Portugal (CTT), the postal universal service provider. The government’s new decision cuts down the number of current quality of service indicators from 24 to only seven.

German regulator consults on first price cap decision under the new Postal Act
11 October 24 Dieter Kronegger

The decision would allow Deutsche Post to increase its letter prices by about 10% and the prices for consumer parcels by about 7%. It will be the first decision to include business letter and consumer parcel prices. The new price caps would apply from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026.

Digital communications and changing user needs will continue to drive modernisation of the postal universal service
07 October 24 Armen Ghalumyan

The shift to digital communications and other changes in user needs will continue to be the main drivers for modernisation of the postal universal service. The changing postal market in Denmark led to the abolition of the universal service obligation since 1 January 2024. Participants in Cullen International’s postal briefing on 25 September 2024 discussed and exchanged views on whether the Danish example could be a precedent or an outlier for other European countries.

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