Artikel 29

1. General provisions
1.1 The provisions in this article shall apply equally to the remuneration of bulky (E) letter-post items in 2026.
1.2 In 2026, the rates of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items shall be calculated from the P/G format line at 0.273 kilogrammes, exclusive of VAT or other taxes, as set out in article 30.1. 1.2.1 The rates in 2026 shall not lead to an increase of more than 13% in revenue for a bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, compared to 2025.
1.2.2 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be higher than 1.265 SDR per item and 2.844 SDR per kilogramme.
1.2.3 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be lower than 0.819 SDR per item and 1.842 SDR per kilogramme.
1.2.4 Further conditions regarding the calculation of these rates are specified in the Regulations
1.2.1 The rates in 2026 shall not lead to an increase of more than 13% in revenue for a bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, compared to 2025.
1.2.2 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be higher than 1.265 SDR per item and 2.844 SDR per kilogramme.
1.2.3 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be lower than 0.819 SDR per item and 1.842 SDR per kilogramme.
1.2.4 Further conditions regarding the calculation of these rates are specified in the Regulations
1.3 Beginning with rates in effect for the year 2027 onwards, each designated operator shall provide the International Bureau with its domestic rates for equivalent services in order to determine the remuneration rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in accordance with this article.
1.4 Additionally, designated operators may notify the International Bureau by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the remuneration rates would apply of a self-declared rate per item and a self-declared rate per kilogramme, expressed in local currency or SDR, that shall apply in the following calendar year for bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items in 2026 and for small packet (E) letter-post items only from 2027. The International Bureau shall annually convert the self-declared rates provided in local currency into values expressed in SDR. To calculate the rates in SDR, the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the five-month period ending on the last day of the month of February of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable. The resultant rates shall be notified by means of an International Bureau circular no later than 1 July of the year preceding the year in which the self-declared rates would apply. 1.4.1 The rates applicable to bulky (E) and/or small packet (E) letter-post items that have been self-declared pursuant to this article shall substitute the rates determined in accordance with 1.2.
1.4.1 The rates applicable to bulky (E) and/or small packet (E) letter-post items that have been self-declared pursuant to this article shall substitute the rates determined in accordance with 1.2.
1.5 Subject to 1.6, the self-declared rates shall: 1.5.1 at the average weight of a small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, not be higher than the country-specific ceiling rates calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.6;
1.5.2 not exceed 70%, or the applicable percentage in paragraph 8, of the domestic single-piece charge for items equivalent to small packet (E) letter-post items offered by the designated operator in its domestic service and in effect on 1 May of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable;
1.5.3 be based on the domestic single-piece charge in force for items within the designated operator’s domestic service having the specified maximum size and shape dimensions of small packet (E) letter-post items;
1.5.4 be made available to all designated operators;
1.5.5 be applied only to small packet (E) letter-post items;
1.5.6 be applied to small packet (E) letter-post flows from countries in group C, if the total mail flow is more than 75 tonnes per year; 1.5.6.1 where the total mail flow is less than 75 tonnes, but higher than the volume thresholds in article 28.6, the following rates shall apply to small packet (E) letter-post flows from group C: 1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1 where the total mail flow is less than 75 tonnes, but higher than the volume thresholds in article 28.6, the following rates shall apply to small packet (E) letter-post flows from group C: 1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.1 at the average weight of a small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, not be higher than the country-specific ceiling rates calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.6;
1.5.2 not exceed 70%, or the applicable percentage in paragraph 8, of the domestic single-piece charge for items equivalent to small packet (E) letter-post items offered by the designated operator in its domestic service and in effect on 1 May of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable;
1.5.3 be based on the domestic single-piece charge in force for items within the designated operator’s domestic service having the specified maximum size and shape dimensions of small packet (E) letter-post items;
1.5.4 be made available to all designated operators;
1.5.5 be applied only to small packet (E) letter-post items;
1.5.6 be applied to small packet (E) letter-post flows from countries in group C, if the total mail flow is more than 75 tonnes per year; 1.5.6.1 where the total mail flow is less than 75 tonnes, but higher than the volume thresholds in article 28.6, the following rates shall apply to small packet (E) letter-post flows from group C: 1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1 where the total mail flow is less than 75 tonnes, but higher than the volume thresholds in article 28.6, the following rates shall apply to small packet (E) letter-post flows from group C: 1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.
1.6 The self-declared rates per item and per kilogramme for small packet (E) letter-post items shall not be higher than the country-specific ceiling rates determined by a linear regression of 11 points corresponding to 70%, or the applicable percentage in paragraph 8, of the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services for 20-gramme, 35-gramme, 75-gramme, 175-gramme, 250-gramme, 375-gramme, 500-gramme, 750-gramme, 1,000-gramme, 1,500-gramme and 2,000-gramme small packet (E) letter-post items, exclusive of any taxes. 1.6.1 The determination of whether the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates shall be tested at the average revenue using the most current worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in which an E format item weighs 0.273 kilogrammes. In instances in which the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates at the average E format weight of 0.273 kilogrammes, the ceiling per-item and per-kilogramme rates shall apply; alternatively, the designated operator in question may choose to reduce its self-declared rates to a level that conforms with paragraphs 1.6 and 3, as applicable.
1.6.2 When multiple packet rates are available based on thickness, the lesser domestic tariff shall be used for items up to 250 grammes, and the higher domestic tariff shall be used for items above 250 grammes.
1.6.3 Where zonal rates apply in the equivalent domestic service, the mid-point rate as specified in the Regulations shall be used, and domestic tariffs for non-contiguous zones shall be excluded for determination of the mid-point rate. Alternatively, the determination of the zonal tariff to be used may be based on the actual weighted average distance of inbound small packet (E) letter-post items (for the most recent calendar year).
1.6.4 Where the equivalent domestic service and tariff include additional features that are not part of the basic service, i.e. tracking, signature and insurance services, and such features are extended across all the weight increments listed in paragraph 1.6, the lesser of the corresponding domestic supplemental rate, the supplemental rate, or the suggested guideline charge in the Acts of the Union shall be deducted from the domestic tariff. The total deduction for all additional features may not exceed 25% of the domestic tariff.
1.6.1 The determination of whether the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates shall be tested at the average revenue using the most current worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in which an E format item weighs 0.273 kilogrammes. In instances in which the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates at the average E format weight of 0.273 kilogrammes, the ceiling per-item and per-kilogramme rates shall apply; alternatively, the designated operator in question may choose to reduce its self-declared rates to a level that conforms with paragraphs 1.6 and 3, as applicable.
1.6.2 When multiple packet rates are available based on thickness, the lesser domestic tariff shall be used for items up to 250 grammes, and the higher domestic tariff shall be used for items above 250 grammes.
1.6.3 Where zonal rates apply in the equivalent domestic service, the mid-point rate as specified in the Regulations shall be used, and domestic tariffs for non-contiguous zones shall be excluded for determination of the mid-point rate. Alternatively, the determination of the zonal tariff to be used may be based on the actual weighted average distance of inbound small packet (E) letter-post items (for the most recent calendar year).
1.6.4 Where the equivalent domestic service and tariff include additional features that are not part of the basic service, i.e. tracking, signature and insurance services, and such features are extended across all the weight increments listed in paragraph 1.6, the lesser of the corresponding domestic supplemental rate, the supplemental rate, or the suggested guideline charge in the Acts of the Union shall be deducted from the domestic tariff. The total deduction for all additional features may not exceed 25% of the domestic tariff.
2. Where the country-specific ceiling rates calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.6 result in a revenue calculated for small packet (E) item at 0.273 kilogrammes that is lower than the revenue calculated for the same item at the same weight on the basis of the rates specified below, the self-declared rates shall not be higher than the following rates:
2.1 for the year 2026, 0.819 SDR per item and 1.842 SDR per kilogramme;
2.2 for the year 2027, 0.856 SDR per item and 1.925 SDR per kilogramme;
2.3 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;
2.4 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;
2.5 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme;
3. In addition to the ceiling rates provided for in 1.6, the rates in a given year shall not lead to an increase of more than 10% in the revenue for a small packet (E) letter-post item weighing 0.273 kilogrammes, compared to the previous year.
3.1 Beginning with rates in effect from 2027, any unused increases may be carried over from previous years and be applied in addition to the increases in paragraph 3. No more than 10 percentage points of unused increases may be carried over from one year to the next.
4. Where the total letter-post flows between countries in group B, and from those countries to countries in group A, are less than 25 tonnes per year in 2026 and 15 tonnes per year from 2027, the rates for small packet (E) letter-post items shall be determined as follows:
4.1 In 2026, in accordance with paragraph 1.2.
4.2 From 2027, the self-declared rates in 1.4 shall apply unless the revenue of the self-declared rates at 0.273 kilogrammes is higher than the revenue calculated for the same item at the same weight on the basis of the rates specified below, in which case the following rates shall apply: 4.2.1 for the year 2027, 1.322 SDR per item and 2.972 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.2 for the year 2028, 1.381 SDR per item and 3.106 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.3 for the year 2029, 1.443 SDR per item and 3.246 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.4 for the year 2030, 1.508 SDR per item and 3.392 SDR per kilogramme.
4.2.1 for the year 2027, 1.322 SDR per item and 2.972 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.2 for the year 2028, 1.381 SDR per item and 3.106 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.3 for the year 2029, 1.443 SDR per item and 3.246 SDR per kilogramme;
4.2.4 for the year 2030, 1.508 SDR per item and 3.392 SDR per kilogramme.
5. For rates in effect in 2026, the ratio between the self-declared item rate and kilogramme rate shall not change by more than five percentage points upwards or downwards compared with the ratio of the previous year. For rates in effect in 2027, there are no constraints in terms of the aforementioned ratio. For rates in effect in 2028 and subsequent years, the ratio between the self-declared item rate and kilogramme rate shall not change by more than 20 percentage points upwards or downwards compared with the ratio of the previous year.
5.1 The application of paragraph 5 shall not result in a negative ratio between the item rate and kilogramme rate.
5.2 Further specifications shall be provided in the Regulations.
6. For designated operators that have elected to self-declare their rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate different self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the existing self-declared rates shall continue to apply unless they do not satisfy the conditions laid out in this article. The designated operator may collect the minimum rates provided in paragraph 2.
6.1 For designated operators that have elected not to self-declare their rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the remuneration rates for small packet (E) letter-post items shall be based on the lesser of the revenues at 0.273 kilogrammes between the ceiling rates in 1.6 and the maximum increase in 3 by applying the same ratio between the item rate and kilogramme rate of the previous year.
6.2 For designated operators that do not provide the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services in paragraph 1.6 by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs used for the calculation for the previous year for the designated operator concerned shall apply. If the designated operator concerned has not notified the International Bureau of the relevant priority single-piece tariffs in any prior year, the minimum rates provided in 2 shall apply. 6.2.1 If, by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs have been reduced compared to the notification of these tariffs of a prior year, then the International Bureau shall be informed by the designated operator concerned of any reduction in the domestic charge referred to in this article.
6.2.1 If, by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs have been reduced compared to the notification of these tariffs of a prior year, then the International Bureau shall be informed by the designated operator concerned of any reduction in the domestic charge referred to in this article.
7‎. A designated operator of a ‎member country that received total annual inbound letter-post volumes in 2018 in excess of 75,000 tonnes ‎‎(as per the relevant official information provided to the International Bureau or any other officially available ‎information assessed by the International Bureau) may self-declare rates for small packet (E) ‎letter-post items, other than for the letter-post flows from countries in group B that do not exceed 25 tonnes per year in 2026 and 15 tonnes from 2027, or from countries in group C that do not exceed 75 tonnes, for the calendar year in which the rates apply. The said ‎designated operator shall also have the right not to apply the revenue increase limits set out in ‎paragraph 3 for mail flows to, from and between its country and any other country.
7.1 Where a designated operator of a member country invokes paragraph 7, all other corresponding designated operators (including those from groups B and C whose outbound flows are referred to in paragraph 7) may do likewise and self-declare rates for small packet (E) letter-post items with respect to the aforementioned designated operator without being subject to the maximum revenue increase limits set out in paragraph 3.
7.2 With respect to any such corresponding designated operators that elect to apply self-declared rates under paragraph 7.1 (including those from groups B and C whose outbound flows are referred to in paragraph 7), the same conditions for the self-declaration of rates of the designated operator that invoked paragraph 7 shall reciprocally apply. Paragraphs 8.1 and 8.2 of this article shall also apply to all such corresponding designated operators.
7.3 From 2027, where a designated operator applies self-declared rates in line with paragraphs 7.1 and 1.4, the ratio between the rates per item and per kilogramme shall be the same, with a possible deviation of 0.1 percentage points.
8. Revision of cost-to-tariff ratio
8.1 If a competent authority with oversight for the designated operator which exercises the aforementioned option in paragraph 7 determines that, in order to cover all costs for handling and delivery of small packet (E) letter-post items, the designated operator’s self-declared rate must be based on a cost-to-tariff ratio that exceeds 70% of the domestic single-piece charge, then the cost-to-tariff ratio for that designated operator may exceed 70%, subject to a limitation that the cost-to-tariff ratio to be used shall not exceed one percentage point above the higher of 70% or the cost-to-tariff ratio used in the calculation of the self-declared rates currently in effect, not to exceed 80%, and provided that the designated operator in question furnishes all such supporting information with its notification to the International Bureau under paragraph 1.4, including the validation, in writing, of this information by the aforementioned authority. If any such designated operator increases its cost-to-tariff ratio based on such a determination of a competent authority, then it shall notify the International Bureau of that ratio by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the ratio shall apply. Further specifications related to the costs and revenues to be used for the calculation of the specific cost-to-tariff ratio shall be provided in the Regulations.
8.2 If a competent authority with oversight for a designated operator classified in group C determines that, in order to cover all costs for handling and delivery of small packet (E) letter-post items, the designated operator’s ceiling rates must be based on a cost-to-tariff ratio that exceeds 70% of the domestic single-piece charge, then the cost-to-tariff ratio for that designated operator may exceed 70% provided that the designated operator in question furnishes all such supporting information with its notification to the International Bureau under paragraph 1, including the validation, in writing, of this information by the aforementioned authority. If any such designated operator increases its cost-to-tariff ratio based on such a determination of a competent authority, then it shall notify the International Bureau of that ratio by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the ratio shall apply. Further specifications related to the costs and revenues to be used for the calculation of the specific cost-to-tariff ratio shall be provided in the Regulations.
‎9. If a designated operator exercises the option to self-declare rates in accordance with ‎paragraph 7, the said designated operator ‎should consider making available to sending designated operators of Union member countries, on a non-‎discriminatory basis, proportionately adjusted charges for volume and distance, to the extent practicable ‎and available in the receiving designated operator’s published domestic service for similar services under a bilateral agreement, within the framework of the rules of the national regulatory ‎authority.‎
10. Any additional conditions and procedures for the self-declaration of rates applicable to small packet (E) letter-post items shall be laid down in the Regulations.
11. No reservations may be made to this article.