Parcels from Asia fall almost 32% after EU import charge
PostNL delivered far fewer parcels from sellers such as Shein and Temu in the third quarter, and an extra €2 surcharge on purchases from outside the EU follows in November. It is asking the state for €80m to cover the cost of legally required postal delivery.
PostNL delivered almost 32% fewer parcels from mainly Asian webshops such as Shein and Temu in the third quarter, the company says. The drop follows a €3 charge on purchases from webshops outside the European Union, which has been in force since 1 July.
A spokesperson said the company was not surprised. Asian webshops had already adapted their logistics ahead of the measure, which cut the flow of parcels.
Group revenue edged up from €762m to €768m.
Spring, PostNL's subsidiary for international parcels, handled 43 million shipments in the quarter, against 50 million a year earlier.
Since mid-July PostNL has delivered ordinary mail within two working days by default, instead of one. The company says this is needed to keep costs in check as letter volumes decline: they were 3.6% lower than a year earlier. "Postal delivery costs us more than it earns," the spokesperson said. PostNL is asking the government for €80m to carry out the legally required delivery. For 2025 to 2027, the compensation it is requesting comes to €148m.
CEO Pim Berendsen repeated the company's aim of delivery within three working days. "Delivery within three working days and compensation for the costs in the transition years are necessary," he said. "It remains crucial that clear political decisions are taken to amend the Postwet (postal law)."
In November a further €2 will be added to the €3 charge on purchases from outside the EU.
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PostNL
PostNL is the main postal and parcel delivery company in the Netherlands. It collects and delivers letters and parcels across the country, including parcels ordered from online shops, and it is the provider that carries the universal postal service under Dutch law. Many Dutch households and webshops use it as their default way of receiving or sending post and packages.
Postwet
The Postwet is the Dutch law that sets the rules for postal services in the Netherlands. It defines the universal postal service, the basic level of mail and parcel delivery that the designated provider must offer to everyone, and it sets out the obligations and conditions that apply to that service. Changes to this law are a matter for the Dutch government and parliament.