Postage rates to go up from April 13

Hongkong Post announced on Monday that principal postage rates will go up with effect from April 13 — the first increase in more than three years. It said the postage increases for over 90 percent of local mail and surface mail will be within HK$0.2, while those for 90 percent of airmail will be within HK$0.5. Standard local mail currently stands at HK$2.2. The expected impact on both the general public and the commercial sectors is considered to be very mild, it said. "The current postage adjustments are broadly in line with the cumulative inflation since the last adjustments in September 2022 up to January 2026," Hongkong Post said in a statement. "With the development of information technology, electronic communication is replacing traditional correspondence while market competition from commercial delivery services is severe. These pose great challenges to Hongkong Post's business." "Hongkong Post has been actively pursuing transformation and will continue its efforts to generate revenue through development in e-commerce business and manage its costs with a view to providing affordable and quality universal postal services," the spokesperson said. The public may refer to the Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hk) for details of the postage rate adjustments. Edited by Tony Sabine