The postal industry has changed significantly over the past decade. As the use of electronic communication increases each year, the number of letters sent continues to decline. This has had a significant and ongoing impact on our business and COVID-19 has only heightened this.
Below are some FAQs to help navigate through the changes that apply from 1 July 2021.
International Standard Mail
The postal industry has changed significantly over the past decade. As the use of electronic communication increases each year, the number of letters sent continues to decline. This has had a significant and ongoing impact on our business and COVID-19 has only heightened this. Whilst we focus on keeping costs to a minimum and are always looking for innovative ways to provide our mail service more efficiently, we have a responsibility to deliver a sustainable mail service for New Zealand and do need to review prices annually.
The following International Standard Mail product will have a price increase that will apply from 1 July 2021. Prices shown are in NZD and exclude GST.
- Standard Post
- FreePost
| Size | Priority Business Mail | Current Standard Post pricing | Standard Post pricing from 1 July 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | $2.80 | $1.40 | $1.50 |
| Large | $3.70 | $2.70 | $2.80 |
| Oversize | $5.10 | $4.00 | $4.10 |
International Bulk Mail
International Bulk Mail is a category of international mass mailing that meets specific criteria, including a minimum item lodgement which enables efficient processing, and as a result, attracts reduced pricing. Bulk Mail includes the following products: International AdCard, International FlexiMail, International Publication Mail and International VolumeMail. It is usually (but not always) produced on behalf of an organisation by a specialist mailhouse that deals with large or complex mailings.
Zonal Pricing is our pricing structure that applies to certain Bulk Mail products and charges different prices for mail delivered to different areas. Four pricing zones will be introduced, defined by postcodes, and each zone will have a different delivery price. Zonal Pricing applies to International AdCard, International VolumeMail, International FlexiMail and International Publication Mail products.
The NZ Post Bulk Mail Zones list (below) provides details of the postcode zone and delivery type for all valid postcodes in NZ.
NZ Post Bulk Mail Zones (XLS - 76KB)
Note: There are 3 listed postcodes that have no zonal mapping as they have no physical mail delivery points, i.e. all mail sent to those postcodes should be addressed to the PO Box Lobby within the postcode. These are highlighted in yellow in the PDF.
If you wish to obtain a csv version of the Zonal Postcode list, please contact [email protected]
From 1 July 2020, you were required to submit a Lodgement Data File with each physical International VolumeMail, International AdCard, International FlexiMail and International Publication Mail lodgement via the online ‘Lodgement Manager’ system. From 1 July 2021, we are extending Zonal Pricing to Publication Mail. This is to help with consistency across Bulk Mail services and enable us to continue to align prices with the delivery cost.
The key points to note are as follows:
- Zonal Pricing will be introduced to International Publication Mail and will continue for International FlexiMail, International AdCard and International VolumeMail. Each zone will have a different price.
- A feature of Lodgement Manager enables you to upload the Lodgement Data File automatically through an API process.
From 1 July 2021, Zonal Pricing will replace the volume tiers on International Publication Mail. Further information about the Publication Mail product can be found in the Publication Mail Product Specifications.
The Lodgement Data File contains addressing information of each mail item in an International AdCard, International VolumeMail, International FlexiMail or International Publication Mail product postal lodgement. This file is integrated at lodgement time by NZ Post. The postcode for each mail item (based on the addressing information supplied in the Lodgement Data File) is assessed to determine which zone applies to that mail item and the total cost of postage is then calculated on that basis. Note that mail items that do not have a postcode, or that have an incorrect postcode, will be considered invalid postcode (IPC) items and will be charged the highest price point.
From 1 July 2020, you will be required to submit a Lodgement Data File (LDF) for all Bulk Mail services to support the changeover to the new Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) process.
Having a high Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) and ensuring all addresses have a correct postcode included is the best way to ensure your lodgement is charged at the lowest price. The destination of the mail items will determine the final price.
Being able to supply the Lodgement Data File (LDF) will give you access to the most competitive mail rates. In most cases, this should be a simple task to complete. However, if you do need assistance, please contact your Business Manager.
From 1 February 2021, the address quality of Bulk Mail was introduced to assess each lodgement, replacing the SOA process. Each Bulk Mail lodgement is assessed using the Postal Address File standards and valid postcodes. An AAP is calculated to determine the Bulk Mail pricing tier to be applied. Items with invalid postcodes (IPC) will be excluded from the AAP assessment to avoid a double pricing penalty.
Adcard lodgements must have an AAP rating of >80% to qualify for Bulk Mail pricing.
The AAP process replaced the SOA process on 1 February 2021.
'AAP' appeared alongside 'SOA' in the rate cards from 1 July 2020, but SOA still applied until 31 January 2021. ‘SOA’ will no longer appear in the rate cards from 1 July 2021.
IPC is an abbreviation for Invalid Post Code and will be new a new pricing tier for all Bulk Mail rate cards from 1 July 2021. Prior to 1 July 2021, when lodging VolumePost, AdCard and GoFlexible lodgements, mail items with missing or invalid post codes were charged at Zone D prices. From 1 July 2021, all mail items with missing or invalid post codes will be charged at the IPC price.
Mail items that do not include postcodes will, by default, be charged the highest cost delivery tier (invalid post code). Having a high Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) and ensuring all addresses have a correct postcode included is the best way to ensure your lodgement is charged at the lowest feasible price applicable to your mail item. The destination of the mail items will determine the final price.
Once you have uploaded the Lodgement Data File (LDF) into Lodgement Manager, along with the normal lodgement information (e.g. product and volume), the system will calculate the volume for each zone and assign the correct pricing for the lodgement. It’s important to note that as there will be no identifiable customer data being shared with us, there are no privacy or security concerns for your customers.
You can use the Bulk Mail rate card and Zonal Pricing information to estimate the cost of postage for a lodgement. We have developed a system for files to be submitted electronically, allowing you to determine postage costs under the Zonal Pricing structure.
No, Zonal Pricing charges will be determined by the zone that the Bulk Mail items are being sent to (the destination). Zonal Pricing charges are not based on the origin of the item.
AAP will be price differentiator on the International Bulk Mail Rate Card (PDF - 60KB). Zone D pricing will be differentiated by AAP tiers from 1 July 2020. Prior to 1 July 2020 a flat rate applied to Zone D items. From 1 July 2020, AAP4 has had a separate price point for each zone. Prior to 1 July 2020, a flat rate applied across all zones. Further from 1 July 2021, all mail items with missing or invalid post codes will be charged at the IPC price rather than Zone D.
Yes, the ability to upload files in Lodgement Manager is available for you to test your files.
Zonal Pricing will apply to the International Publication Mail Bulk Mail product from 1 July 2021.
Please contact your Business Manager for assistance.
From 1 July 2021 the lodgement volume tiers for International Publication Mail were removed and the minimum threshold requirement was reduced to 300.
Publication Mail lodgements that include a sample, in accordance with the International Publication Mail product specifications, will be charged a flat rate sample fee of $0.40 (excl GST) per item in addition to the normal card rate fee applicable to the lodgement. The Publication Mail Sample fee applies if a sample is included with a publication and this takes the combined thickness into the 20mm–32mm range.
Please contact your Business Manager for assistance.