– The Maiden of Finland describes the payment indication of the new no-value indicator stamp
Posti will simplify the sending of letters by combining 1st and 2nd letter classes next year. Most of the letters will still reach their destination on the first weekday from the mailing. The no-value indicator stamp to be introduced at the beginning of 2017 will take the letter to the destination in Finland in 1-2 days from the mailing.
Next year, it will also be possible to send domestic letters using the old 1st or 2nd class no-value indicator stamp, as they will always be accepted. New no-value indicator stamps for letters will be published next November. The new payment indication was designed by graphic designer Klaus Welp.
Communications has largely become electronic and maintaining different letter classes for consumer letters is no longer profitable, because letter volumes are decreasing. The less mail there is to deliver, the larger the handling expenses of an individual item will be.
- We will streamline the letter process in order to keep prices moderate. We want to offer reliable service in a cost-effective manner. Even in the new model, items will be delivered to the destination in 1-2 days, and most of them on the following day. We believe that combining the letter classes will make the sending of letters even simpler and easier to the consumer, says Ulla Seppälä from Posti, who is responsible for consumer letter services.
Even after the change, letters will be delivered quicker than what is required by the Postal Act
Combining the letter classes will fulfill the requirements of the Postal Act for delivery time. According to the Postal Act, letters must be delivered so that at least 95% of the items are delivered by the second weekday following the item's delivery to Posti and at least 98 percent by the third weekday.
- The 2nd class has not established itself in general use, despite its 10 cent lower price. After the reform, there will be one stamp class on sale whose delivery time will mainly be implemented as a quicker service than what is required in the Postal Act, Seppälä says.
The Priority and Economy classes will still remain in use for companies. In addition, Priority and Economy letters with two delivery speeds can still be sent abroad in accordance with international postal agreements.
Postal operators in other Nordic countries, too, will reform their letter classes so that Norway, for instance, will move over to one letter class. In Finland, the number of letters with stamps is 5% of all items.
