Posted on 09/28/2019 9:21:02 AM PDT by Stalwart
The Universal Postal Union’s member nations agreed Sept. 25 to improve its payment system for the international exchange of Letter Post Packets.
The international organization, also known as the UPU, has established a system that determines the amount a country will be paid for delivering international Letter Post products that originate in another country. This system is known as “terminal dues.”
This week in Geneva, UPU members held a special meeting — known as an Extraordinary Congress — to discuss the current terminal dues system as it applies to Letter Post small packets that contain goods.
The meeting provided an opportunity for UPU members to collaborate and develop solutions to move away from terminal dues for small packets and to end the distortionary effects associated with excessively low rates established under the terminal dues system, as compared to domestic postage rates.
The Postal Service has been working with the Trump administration, the U.S. State Department, the Postal Regulatory Commission and others to instead allow countries to declare their own rates for delivering international small packets, in order to provide a more balanced and fair remuneration system for small packets containing goods.
A compromise agreement was reached at the Extraordinary Congress that will essentially eliminate the economic distortions that result from the current payment system for the international exchange of small packets.
The agreement will also enable the United States to remain in the UPU, with the Postal Service as its designated operator.
(Excerpt) Read more at link.usps.com ...
I think it is ridiculous that I have to spend as much money to send a letter to my wife’s family in Canada as to someone in Somalia.
“...The United States and other countries’ concerns have been addressed by allowing the Postal Service to self-declare its rates beginning in July 2020, while operators from other countries will transition to self-declared rates at phased levels over the next six years. ...”
**********************************************************
The unjustified American subsidized mail delivery of Chinese packages can now be STOPPED COMPLETELY in July 2020. It appears that this compromise (between “immediately” and “never”) was the best we could get.
This is yet another accomplishment that Trump has accomplished with ZERO help from Congress. MAGA
If a commercial item is mailed out the country, a Chinese shipper pays NO POSTAGE!
It’s so crazy that shippers from India and Vietnam are transshipping through China to take advantage of free postage.
That how you see items sold on ebay for 99 cents and free shipping.
I recently sent a small package to Italy via USPS, it cost me $240.00 to mail it. No more.
It’s a sweetheart deal. I could never figure out how I could buy some gee-gaw from that auction site shipped all the way from China for $2.37. The same item might cost $10 or $20 if purchased here, because they have no sales tax, EPA regulations, Workers Comp, child labor laws, social security or FICA, minimum wage requirements, etc etc etc.
Then they ship the item to the nearest port, Long Beach or wherever, and USPS handles it from there at a loss. I can’t even mail an empty box across town for that kind of money, much less across the world.
I used to be concerned that the postal service was going broke. Now my only concern is the government will not allow it to go broke.
I used to be concerned that the postal service was going broke. Now my only concern is the government will not allow it to go broke.
*****************************************
I’m fairly certain that this was something foisted upon the Postal Service by our wonderful politicians and other Deep Staters.
I recently mailed a small light package to my Granddaughter. It was just under $10.00. How in the world can Amazon sell me items which are under $10.00 with free next day or second day shipping?
How big was your “small package” and what did it weigh? What service did you use?
Countless small US entrepreneurs benefit from that, and stopping it will have unintended consequences. It’s not like they are bypassing a US-based supplier because in most cases there are none. What will happen is Chinese companies will bulk-ship to US partners who will add cost and time but no value.
This is excellent news!!! Best President ever!
bmp
“I recently sent a small package to Italy via USPS, it cost me $240.00 to mail it. No more”
You are a brave man/women. The Italian postal system is the career of choice for Italy’s worst kleptomaniacs,
I mailed a Nikon camera to a guy in Rome several years ago. It was well under $20. After I mailed it, I noticed several sellers on ebay would not ship to Italy.
My package was delivered with no problem.
I know! The package arrived in Rome and then the delays started. First they said the address did not exist, unable to deliver,etc.,it took several calls and then miracle they found the address. USPS did everything OK until Rome.
Medium size box, don’t remember the weight. My son took care of mailing it. Same USPS they use in their business. It was nice to watch the progress of the delivery, went through customs in Venice and then to Rome where it was stuck for 10 days. I don’t fault USPS, it was the office in Rome, crooks.
You appeared to take issue with the $240.00 shipping cost. For that kind of money, either it wasn’t a small package, it was valuable, or it was heavy. A truly small package to Italy might only cost $24 to ship 1st class (1 pound). Your package must have gone via Express mail, which is pricy. But compare the USPS rates with UPS or any other carrier, and you will see it is the cheapest way to ship internationally. But yes, one the package leaves the US, anything can happen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.