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Prio-Brief to be Discontinued by Deutsche Post
Deutsche Post to discontinue its faster mail option, Prio-Brief, at the end of 2024, replacing it with the more expensive registered mail (Einschreiben).
German
Germany
Germany Government RegulationPrice IncreasePostal ServiceMail DeliveryService Discontinuation
Deutsche PostDpa-Infocom
- What was the benefit of using the Prio-Brief service?
- The Prio-Brief offered next-day delivery with a higher probability than standard mail for a small surcharge. However, its use was limited due to the already fast delivery times of standard mail and the rise of electronic communication.
- Why is Deutsche Post discontinuing its Prio-Brief service?
- The German postal service, Deutsche Post, is discontinuing its Prio-Brief service at the end of 2024. This faster mail option will be replaced by registered mail (Einschreiben), which will be more expensive.
- What role does the upcoming postal law reform play in the decision?
- The discontinuation is partly due to an upcoming postal law reform in early 2025 which would impose value-added tax on Prio-Briefs but not on registered mail. This, along with the reduced need for faster mail, led to the decision.
- How will the postal law reform affect standard and faster mail delivery?
- The reform of the postal law will slow down standard mail delivery to three days, making the faster delivery of registered mail more attractive and valuable to customers, even if it will be more expensive.
- What alternative does Deutsche Post offer for customers needing faster mail delivery, and what is the cost?
- Customers needing faster delivery will have to use registered mail (Einschreiben), which currently costs 3.20 euros for a standard letter, significantly more than the Prio-Brief's 1.95 euros. The price is expected to increase further in 2025.