You will undoubtedly be aware of the rising energy and fuel prices affecting us all. In June 2021, it cost an average of €1.77 to buy a litre of petrol. This year, what you pay for the same litre has increased by more than 25% to a staggering €2.36. This is proving quite a headache for carriers within the logistics sector in our country, where thousands of van journeys and flights are made to send and deliver post and parcels every day of the week. All these vehicles run on electricity or fuel and, with the rising prices, this is having a significant impact on costs. To offset these costs to a degree, many carriers are increasing their rates or have started applying a fuel surcharge.
In this blog, we detail the main rate changes from 1 September 2022, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
- Why will the rates be changing from 1 September 2022?
- Will the rate increase from 1 September 2022 apply to all MyParcel products?
- Why is the transport surcharge for World shipments increasing from 1 September 2022?
- How long will the transport surcharge for Instabox be applied for?
- Why is Instabox applying a fuel surcharge from 1 September 2022?
- Will the rates also be adjusted downwards when fuel prices go down?
- Does the rate change on 1 September 2022 mean there will be no rate increase at the end of the year?
Higher surcharge for World shipments.
Rising fuel prices have also made transporting items abroad more expensive. Partly to offset these costs, PostNL will be increasing the transport surcharge for World shipments from 1 September 2022. See below for the new rates.
| Country | Basic rate | Surcharge | Rate as of 1 September 2022 | ||
| Basic | Kg | Transport surcharge (per kg) | Basic | Prijs per kg (incl. toeslag) | |
| Groot-Brittannië | € 14,55 | € 0,95 | € 0,00 | € 14,55 | € 0,95 |
| Noorwegen | € 20,25 | € 1,75 | € 0,00 | € 20,25 | € 1,75 |
| Zwitserland | € 20,25 | € 1,75 | € 0,00 | € 20,25 | € 1,75 |
| Rest of Europe | € 20,25 | € 1,75 | € 0,00 | € 20,25 | € 1,75 |
| Verenigde Staten | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 2,40 | € 22,50 | € 6,65 |
| Australië | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 5,20 | € 22,50 | € 9,45 |
| Brazilië | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
| Canada | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
| China | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
| Hongkong | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
| Japan | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 4,30 | € 22,50 | € 8,55 |
| Nieuw Zeeland | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 5,20 | € 22,50 | € 9,45 |
| Zuid Afrika | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
| Rest of World | € 22,50 | € 4,25 | € 1,75 | € 22,50 | € 6,- |
Transport surcharge Instabox.
The majority of Instabox’s fleet runs on HVO-100 (hydrotreated vegetable oil). This is a biofuel that is made from different kinds of vegetable oils and plant residues. The rise in energy and fuel prices has had a knock-on effect causing increases in the price of HVO-100 fuel, and therefore the cost of transporting post and parcels. To be able to continue you to provide you with the best quality and service, Instabox has been forced to apply a fuel surcharge.
| Product | Tarief | Same Day Delivery | Brandstoftoeslag |
| Pakket NL | € 6,75 | + € 0,50 | + € 0,50 |
| Brievenbuspakje NL | € 5,75 | + € 0,50 | + € 0,50 |
Veelgestelde vragen.
Why will the rates be changing from 1 September 2022?
From 1 September 2022, PostNL will increase the transport surcharge for World shipments by € 0.45 to € 3.10 per kilo, depending on the destination. Instabox will apply a fuel surcharge of € 0.50 per shipment from the same date. These rates are being increased because rising energy and fuel prices are significantly impacting the logistics sector. The costs associated with delivering post and parcels have risen and carriers are seeking to offset some of these costs through this change in rates.
Will the rate increase from 1 September 2022 apply to all MyParcel products?
No, the rate increase only applies to World shipments with PostNL and Instabox shipments. For a complete overview of the rates, please check our handout.
Why is the transport surcharge for World shipments increasing from 1 September 2022?
Rising energy and fuel prices mean prices to transport post and parcels have increased. In order to continue to provide you with the same level of service you are accustomed to, PostNL has therefore been forced to increase the transport surcharge.
How long will the transport surcharge for Instabox be applied for?
Instabox will apply a fuel surcharge from 1 September 2022. How long it remains in effect will depend on how energy and fuel prices develop in the coming period. At present, we have no way of knowing how long the fuel surcharge will be in place.
Why is Instabox applying a fuel surcharge from 1 September 2022?
The majority of Instabox’s fleet runs on HVO-100 (hydrotreated vegetable oil). This is a biofuel that is made from different kinds of vegetable oils and plant residues. The rise in energy and fuel prices has had a knock-on effect causing increases in the price of HVO-100 fuel, and therefore the cost of transporting post and parcels. To be able to continue you to provide you with the best quality and service, Instabox has been forced to apply a fuel surcharge.
Will the rates also be adjusted downwards when fuel prices go down?
From 1 September 2022, PostNL will increase the transport surcharge for World shipments by € 0.45 to € 3.10 per kilo, depending on the destination. Instabox will apply a fuel surcharge of € 0.50 per shipment from the same date. Carriers are continually looking at the rates they apply and try to keep them as low as possible. It is difficult to know what we can expect in the coming months. We remain in close contact with the carriers and, should there be any significant changes, we will inform you well in advance.
Does the rate change on 1 September 2022 mean there will be no rate increase at the end of the year?
No, this change to rates is separate from the end-of-year rate increase. The current rate change has been necessitated by the rise in energy and fuel prices and has been set accordingly. However, the rates for the New Year are set in line with expected wage increases and investments. As an example, every year we invest in new sorting centres, retail outlets and staff increases.