New Delhi: For the first time, the Department of Posts (India Post) has given an official definition of the term document, stating that letters, printed matter and complimentary items without resale value will be considered as documents. These will be charged at a lower rate, while all other items will be transported in the Parcel category. In addition, new rates for 24 Speed Post and 48 Speed Post services have been announced for retail and wholesale customers.
Items falling under the document category
As per the new notification, welcome kits, letters, passbooks, chequebooks, bank details documents, plastic cards, debit and credit cards, PAN card, Aadhar card, voter ID card, passport, driving license related to the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector will be considered as documents. Non-commercial rakhi covers, packets and greeting cards weighing up to 500 grams will also be transported in the document category. All other items other than these will fall under the parcel category.
How much will be charged for retail customers?
There has been no change in the existing rates for retail customers. However, new rates have been notified for bulk bookings in the document category. Under the 24 Speed Post service from August 1, retail customers will have to pay a fee ranging from Rs.38 to Rs.186 per packet, depending on weight and distance.
Local postage charges are Rs.38 for packets weighing less than 50 grams, Rs.94 (GST extra) for sending to any part of the country
Rs.118 to Rs.154 for packets weighing 51 to 250 grams
Rs.140 to Rs.186 per packet for packets weighing 251 to 500 grams
New charges for wholesale customers
The charges for 24-hour speed post service for wholesale customers are Rs.38 to Rs.100 and Rs.48 to Rs.72 for 48-hour speed post service.
As per the Department of Posts, under the 48-hour speed post service, retail customers will have to pay a charge of Rs. 61 to Rs. 121 per packet, depending on weight and distance. Currently, 24-hour Speed Post and 48-hour Speed Post services are available only in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad in the country.