SingPost revises services, to end doorstep delivery of small packages
SINGAPORE — SingPost announced on Wednesday (30 October) a revision of its existing products and services, which will see it ending doorstep delivery of small packages under 2 kilograms from 2 December.
Currently, such packages – which make use of the ordinary mail delivery system – are delivered to customers’ letterboxes. If the package cannot fit into the letterbox, either because it is too large or the letterbox is too cluttered, the postman will have to make a doorstep delivery.
Under the revised delivery service, any package that cannot fit into the letterbox must be collected from the post office.
“Customers do not need to stay at home to receive their packages and will therefore reduce missed deliveries. This will also make the work of the postman more efficient, leading to improved service standards,” SingPost said in a media statement on Wednesday (30 October).
Two new categories for packages
To meet the increasing demands for mailing packages, SingPost has set up two new categories for package deliveries from 2 December for packages weighing up to 2kg:
Basic Package: this delivery service costs between 90 cents and $3.50. It does not offer customers any form of tracking or notification for their deliveries.
Tracked Package: this service is priced between $3.20 and $4.80, and offers delivery progress tracking as well as notifications for the recipient. Customers will be kept updated on their package deliveries, which will be delivered directly to their letterboxes.
With the two new package categories, ordinary mail – letters and printed papers weighing up to 500 grams – will fall under the Basic Mail category. Postage rates for this category will range between 30 cents and $1.70, depending on weight and size.
For all other items, including merchandise and items weighing between 501g and 2kg, they will fall under the new Basic Package category, which has a higher postage rate.
“Among the numerous feedback received, tracking and letterbox deliveries were preferred by customers as compared to waiting at home for doorstep deliveries,” said Vincent Phang, SingPost’s Singapore head and chief executive officer of postal services.
“As such, the new Tracked Package service, and the other new services introduced, are the natural next steps in the transformation of Singapore’s postal services.”
Registered service to accept only letters and printed papers up to 500g
The domestic registered article service – where customers can provide security to their mail by requiring the recipients’ signatures – is renamed Registered Service (Singapore), and will only accept letters and printed papers weighing up to 500g from 2 December.
Customers sending heavier items will have to use the new Tracked Package for deliveries to the letterbox, or Speedpost courier services for doorstep deliveries.
“This is to realign the intent of the service,” SingPost said in its media statement. “Due to its sign-for service, customers have been using the Registered Service (Singapore) to send packages, which has put a strain on SingPost’s Registered Service.”
International mail rates to go up
International mail rates will be raised from 2 December, due to rising rates charged by foreign postal operators to SingPost, which has been absorbing yearly increases since 2014.
Airmail rates for letters, printed papers and postcards will increase by 20 cents for Zone One (Malaysia and Brunei) and 10 cents for Zones Two and Three (all other countries). Aerogramme rates will also increase by 10 cents per piece.
The Registered Service (International) fee will also be revised from $2.50 to $3.60, in addition to the postage fees.
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