Cabinet extends PostNL discount to help regional postal companies adjust to new law

The Dutch government will allow regional postal companies more time to adjust to a new postal law, extending a PostNL discount for five years, Caretaker Minister Vincent Karremans of Economic Affairs (VVD) said Friday after a cabinet meeting. The move comes after regional companies warned that the law could threaten thousands of jobs.

Jan-Willem te Gussinklo, spokesperson for Business Post, a coalition of 43 regional postal firms, told BNR that the law would otherwise force them to lose the ability to have undelivered mail processed by PostNL at a reduced rate.

“The discounts will be codified in the law, giving companies more time,” Karremans said. “They must adapt to the market, because ultimately fewer letters and cards will be sent.” The discount will gradually be reduced over the five-year period, and regional companies are expected to find new ways to generate revenue.

According to NOS, the regional postal network employs roughly 4,500 workers who deliver over 100 million letters annually, including municipal and hospital mail.

Regional firms reportedly currently pay a fixed, low price for PostNL to process mail outside their area—about 0.50 euro cents per letter—well below the current stamp price of 1.31 euros. Business Post warns that future market rates could exceed the cost of a stamp, making it difficult to pass costs on to customers.

PostNL halted parcel deliveries to the United States on Saturday, August 23, following new U.S. regulations ending the duty-free exemption for packages valued up to 800 U.S. dollars (683 euros) on Friday, August 29.

The suspension affects both private and commercial shipments, while letters and documents continue to be accepted. “The situation remains unchanged,” a PostNL spokesperson said, confirming that parcels cannot be shipped until U.S. Customs provides guidance.

U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro said ending the exemption for parcels valued up to 800 U.S. dollars (683 euros) saves “thousands of American lives” by reducing imports of drugs and other prohibited goods and generates an estimated 10 billion U.S. dollars in additional tariff revenue annually. A U.S. official reportedly confirmed the change is permanent.