A significant increase in the price of registered mail is in the pipeline as the Malta Communications Authority favourably considers a request by Maltapost.

Though no decision has been taken yet, the matter has been referred for public consultation.

Maltapost is proposing a sharp increase in rates over a three-year period for both domestic and international registered mail.

This service offers customers the possibility to track and trace items sent by mail. There is also the option to receive a notification when the package is received by the recipient.

In the case of domestic mail, the present 90c fee would increase to €2 this year, €2.50 in 2019 and €3 in 2022. As for the advice-of-delivery fee, Maltapost is proposing to raise it from €1.20 to €2 this year, €2.50 in 2019 and €3 in 2022.

Moreover, rather than make two attempts to deliver registered mail, the operator wants to make one attempt only. It also wants to give customers the option to pick up the package themselves, free of charge, from a locker accessible on a 24-hour basis.

In the case of international registered mail, Maltapost is proposing that the fee would go up from €3 to €5 this year, €5.50 in 2019 and €6 in 2021. Similarly, the advice-of-delivery fee would rise from €2 to €2.60 this year, €3.25 in 2019 and €4 in 2021.

In this respect, the MCA is floating three possibilities: keeping the fees at the present rates, a partial approval of the request or agreeing to all of Maltapost’s demands.

However, the regulator points out that keeping fees at the present level would impinge on the provider’s performance and the provision of the universal postal service in Malta.

Accepting only part of the proposed revision, such as for 2018 only, would be the most favourable option, it added. It noted that the first change, which would come into force this year, would have the highest financial impact.

In the consultation document, the regulator says that such a model would allow the provider to maintain its profitability, support the provision of a good quality universal service but leave leeway to keep monitoring the situation in the coming years.

The public consultation closes at noon on November 15. Submissions can be sent to the MCA directly or by e-mail on coo.mca@mca.org.mt.

Proposed Maltapost fees for registered mail

Domestic mail Current price Yr 1 (2018) Yr 2 (2019) Yr 3 (2022)
Registration fee €0.90 €2.00 €2.50 €3.00
Advice of delivery €1.20 €2.00 €2.50 €3.00
         
International mail Current price Yr 1 (2018) Yr 2 (2019) Yr 3 (2021)
Registration fee €3.00 €5.00 €5.50 €6.00
Advice of delivery €2.00 €2.60 €3.25 €4.00

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