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Postage rates, fees and charges to rise in June
The Postmaster General, Mr Mike Pagliari, announced today (Tuesday) that principal postage rates and miscellaneous postal fees and charges would be increased from June 1 this year.
These rates and charges were last revised on November 1, 1993.
Commenting on the revised rates at a press conference, Mr Pagliari said: "As a result of the increase in operating costs over the past one-and-a-half years due to inflation, increased staff costs and higher payment to overseas postal administrations, it is necessary to revise postage rates and charges in order to restore their real value.
"The overall weighted average increase for postage rates will be 14.7 per cent, which is in line with inflation of about 14 per cent for the period from the last increase in November 1993 to June 1995," he said.
The marginal difference is due to rounding off of certain postage rates to fit the coinage.
The basic rates for local letters and printed papers will be increased by 20 cents, from $1 to $1.20 for letters, and from 90 cents to $1.10 for printed papers.
For surface letters and printed papers to China, Macau and Taiwan, the basic rates will be increased from $1.20 to $1.50 and from $1 to $1.30 respectively.
For surface mail to other countries, the basic rates will be increased from $2 to $2.30 for letters and from $1.80 to $2.10 for printed papers.
The basic rates for air mail letters will be increased by 20 cents and for printed papers by 30 cents.
For Zone 1 (mainly Asian countries), basic rates at the first weight step will be increased from $1.90 to $2.10 for letters and from $1.30 to $1.60 for printed papers.
For Zone 2 (rest of the world), basic rates will be increased from $2.40 to $2.60 for letters and from $1.80 to $2.10 for printed papers.
Elaborating on the postage rate increases, Mr Pagliari said: "Local and surface These services are mail services have traditionally been operating at a deficit. currently being cross-subsidised by other services.
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