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The cost of sending mail to the US is to set to rise dramatically from July 1, as the combination of COVID-19 international flight restrictions and changes in US policies on postal rates for incoming mail combine to create a worrying precedent for international mail.
Royal Mail in the UK is one of a number of international mail providers affected by the circumstances, with the price of sending International standard parcels to the US increasing by 49% on average, and the price of International signed and tracked parcels sent to the US increasing by an average of 38%.
A more notable trend in international mail, though, comes from a change in US policy towards incoming mail from outside of the USA, which will contribute a long term cost increase in sending mail to America. Royal Mail explain that "The increase in the rates we pay for last mile delivery in the US are a result of decisions taken at the UN's Universal Postal Union (UPU). This met the US administration's stated objective – to increase how much they charge other countries for delivery. We expect other countries to follow suit. We are likely to see price increases to elsewhere in the world in due course."
The complex relationship between the US and the UPU was first raised in 2018, when the Trump Administration announced plans to withdraw from the Universal Postal Union, citing unfair trading conditions which they alleged favored China. The US opted against withdrawl from the UPU when a deal was struck to allow the US Postal Service to set its own postal rates, which, according to Royal Mail, will see "A significant increase of more than 100% in the rates we pay for last mile delivery in the US from 1st July".
Yeah know what you mean. USA people Are still buying stuff despite the huge postage increase, but I guess things like my power supplies which are heavy may start to taper off for USA orders over time. I wish the UK would get some sort of trade agreement with USA.. I'm literally spending thousands on import tax from USA (and China in fact) every year :(cmorley wrote: 21 Aug 2020 15:49 I send most stuff large letter and that is going up too - some big increases on the 250g and 500g bands. What with PayPal keeping all fees on refunds, CN22s for the EU (massive increase in postal admin) and soon to be VAT/duty payable for all my EU buyers I am tempted to give up.
Sorry for the off-topic question, but how fast is mail from the UK to the US, right now? German post has stopped accepting small parcels and the like to the US altogether - citing limited transport capacities and massive delays during import to and distribution within the US. This forces us to ship to our US customers via UPS. Upside: They get their orders within two - three days. Downside: Big postage increase.exxos wrote: 21 Aug 2020 15:54 Yeah know what you mean. USA people Are still buying stuff despite the huge postage increase
4th AUG to 13thczietz wrote: 21 Aug 2020 16:51 Sorry for the off-topic question, but how fast is mail from the UK to the US, right now? German post has stopped accepting small parcels and the like to the US altogether - citing limited transport capacities and massive delays during import to and distribution within the US. This forces us to ship to our US customers via UPS. Upside: They get their orders within two - three days. Downside: Big postage increase.