I woke up this morning (15 May 2013) to find out that the international postage rate has been revised (through Pos Malaysia website on checking postage rate). Honestly, I was totally taken aback by this event as there was no announcement from any authorities to inform us that the postage would be revised – not a single piece of information. Even one to visit Pos Malaysia homepage on 15 May 2013, there is still no mention (announcement) of postage hike at all on its main homepage. The postage revision is an important matter because it affects public, and that I fail to comprehend why Pos Malaysia did not want to make a proper announcement. However, if one to check the postage rate for international mail at Pos Malaysia website, one would be shocked to notice the hike.
Well, I have no problem on the postage rate revision. Many postal authorities worldwide do it on regular basis. However, I think it is the responsibility of Pos Malaysia to inform public in advance on any postage rate revision so that business orientated customers (those many eBay sellers, traders etc.) can have enough time to make necessary adjustment.
According to Pos Malaysia website, one interesting part of the revision is that the international delivery zones have been reduced from five to three – ASEAN countries, Asia Pacific countries, and other countries. So, the Europe, Africa, America and Arab countries are lumped together into other countries zone. Previously, Europe and Arab (excluding African Arab) countries are on one zone separated from America and Africa countries. On the same token, developed an developing Asia Pacific countries are clustered together now into a single zone (different zones in previous clustering).
The revised rate for ASEAN countries is RM1.20 (for the first 20 gm) with 40s for each additional 10 gm; the revised rate for Asia Pacific countries is RM1.40 (for the first 20 gm) with 60s for each additional 10 gm; and the revised rate for other countries is RM2 (for the first 20 gm) with 80s for each additional 10 gm. Apart from that the rate for parcel has also been revised. The most interesting part is the introduction of small packet category. I do not know what is the exact meaning of small packet by Pos Malaysia’s definition. I think this category (small packet) is the most controversial one.... Besides these, the registration fee for international mail has also been increased from RM4.10 to RM4.60.
You may check up the details of the revised international postage rates at Pos Malaysia website here.
I am not sure if the above mentioned postage changes in Pos Malaysia web site are fully implemented in post offices nationwide today as some post offices are still using old rates for airmail and parcel, but implementing the revised rates for registered mail and small packet (new category).
