Account customers (OBA users) are seeing approx 10% rise on small packets, now RM 24/48 service.
Actually, I've just sat down and done a comparison on the contract rate information and I'll be honest I've been back and forth through it about 3 times now because I'm not sure I believe it.
Let me summarise for you though and bear in mind this is ONLY for contract customers who use PacketPost, Tracked and
(regarding the International packet rates) contract Airmail, Airsure and International Signed For
(Zone sort EU/ROW)
1. Special Delivery 9am / 1pm have
not changed at all... Both rates are identical to last year
2. First Class (VAT excluded) has lost the 750g band and now minimums at 1kg and as we know the bands are then 2kg, 5kg, 10kg
750g band see a change of:
+£0.34
1kg band sees a change of: -£0.59
The real losers are those selling items just over 1kg with the 1.25kg old band now seeing an increase of
+£1.33
1.5kg =
+£0.42
1.75kg = -£0.99
2kg = -£3.10 (yes really!)
3. Packet Post 1st class changes to RM 24:
750g goes with 1kg minimum.
<750g changes by
+£0.19
1kg changes by -£0.19
... from that point on the rates are <b>identical</b> to the original 1st class PacketPost rates (at least as far as 2kg where the data is not available on the released PDFs).
4. International Contract rate changes:
Per weight for ROW remains £6.65 (no change)
Per weight for EU increases by
+£0.13
Airsure and International Signed for per item charges all increase by
+£0.15 for ROW and EU items.
Standard Airmail per item changes
- ROW increases
+£0.09
- EU increases
+£0.04
5. The thing to note however is that things like Tracked, RM24/48 standard, and Special Delivery 9am/1pm will all now attract the fuel surcharge (30 days notice of any changes) so there is a 2.5% increase that isn't factored in with the figures above.
All in all, I'm still pretty stunned... but I'm also wary... The changes to PO counter parcels (replacing not just Standard Parcels but
also the Small Packets -
which RM has continuously tried to skip over hoping nobody will notice) will be an absolute hammer blow to small scale packet senders...
The logistics of applying similar dimensional banding to something like PacketPost (RM24/48) would appear to outweigh the benefits but RM may well use the difference between PO prices and contract as a way of increasing prices later on.
As noted earlier it's likely they'll rate contract customers higher if their weights/volumes are costly so effectively volumetric weights are looking likely (perhaps per sack charges?)...
Going back to non-contract packet/parcel changes...
There was one ray of slight sunshine in the dimensional restrictions for small parcels...
If you have a cube package of dimensions 16cm x 16cm x 16cm or smaller you still qualify for small packet rate. You can bet Post Offices will not be clear on this so be prepared with references if this is going to affect you.
Exceptions apply. The following items are also priced as Small Parcels. Parcels that measure up to: Length: 16cm, Width: 16cm, Depth: 16cm.
Also roll or cylinder shaped parcels that measure up to Length: 45cm, Diameter: 8cm. For more information about how to present your mail please visit
www.royalmail.com/size or ask at the counter
Ref:
http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013.pdf
(Page 2 - See "UK size and weight guide" small print at bottom)
So, bottom line... If you are reliant on small packets services such that couriers are not viable, it'd be wise to ramp up your sales as much as possible to get into the 1,000 unit annual shipping range and get onto contract RM 24/48.
Hope the above is useful for contract customers...
Oh and one other word of warning re: Collections.. In the International contract PDF there are a slew of effectively penalty charges on the subject of collections. Things like missing off labels, putting mail in the wrong sacks (eg: ROW mail in EU sack) with £25 baseline penalty for most infractions...
I
strongly recommend you check out what other penalties are being introduced for things you perhaps take for granted.
For collections I suspect things will be somewhat hazy especially as instructions for specific depots seem to differ from the established norms. I personally will be getting instructions on established procedure from my depot in writing to ensure I'm covered if/when someone starts playing referee and charging me or following the instructions I've received.
