Changes in Postal Services
Deutsche Post has announced that it will discontinue its priority letter service, effective January 1, 2025. This decision was shared in November, and it will also impact other services such as “registered mail” and “cash on delivery.”
What was the Priority Letter Service?
The priority letter service was an additional feature that cost 1.10 euros on top of the standard letter postage. It promised faster delivery and included shipment tracking. Deutsche Post described this service as a way to send letters quickly with a higher probability of reaching the recipient the next day.
Limitations of the Priority Letter Service
Although the priority letter service offered shipment tracking, it did not provide confirmation of receipt. The letter was delivered to the recipient’s mailbox like a standard letter, without obtaining a signature from the recipient or acknowledging delivery with a signature. Consumer advocates criticized this service for not guaranteeing delivery on the next working day and not providing legally verifiable delivery in the event of a dispute.
Criticisms and Controversies
The priority letter service was criticized for its limitations and lack of guarantees. Some letters did not meet the promised delivery time of one day, and the “delivered” message was automatically entered into the system at 6 p.m. on the planned delivery day, without first checking whether the letter was even delivered.
What’s Next?
Deutsche Post has announced that it will extend the average delivery time of letters to three to four days from 2025. If customers want faster delivery, they will have to pay an extra charge. This new service is seen as the successor to the priority letter service.