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Second Additional Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention

Table of contents

Article

I. (Article 4 amended) Freedom of transit

II. (Article 6 amended) Postage stamps

III. (Article 9 amended) Violations

IV. (Article 12 amended) Posting abroad of letter-post items

V. (Article 14 amended) Quality of service

VI. (Article 16 amended) Exemption from postal charges

VII. (Article 17 amended) Basic services

VIII. (Article 18 amended) Supplementary services

IX. (Article 19 amended) Items not admitted. Prohibitions

X. (Article 22 amended) Liability of designated operators. Indemnities

XI. (Article 23 amended) Non-liability of member countries and designated operators

XII. (Subtitle A of Section A. General provisions on remuneration and transit charges

VII and Article 27 amended

(Article 27 amended) Transit charges

XIII. (Article 27bis added) Remuneration. General provisions

XIV. (Article 28 amended) Terminal dues. General provisions

XV. (Article 29 amended) Terminal dues. Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items

XVI. (Article 30 amended) Terminal dues. Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of document (P and G format) letter-post items

XVII. (Article 31 deleted) Terminal dues. Provisions applicable to mail flows to, from and between designated operators of countries in the transitional system

XVIII. (Article 32 amended) Quality of Service Fund

XIX. (Article 33 amended) Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of parcels

XX. (Article 35 amended) Provisions specific to the settlement of accounts and payments for international postal exchanges

XXI. (Article 36 amended) Authority of the Postal Operations Council to fix charges and rates

XXII. Entry into force and duration of the Additional Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention

Second Additional Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention

The plenipotentiaries of the governments of the member countries of the Universal Postal Union, met in Congress at Dubai, having regard to article 29.2 of the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union concluded at Vienna on 10 ‎July 1964, have by common consent and subject to article 24.3 and 5 of the Constitution adopted the following amendments to the Universal Postal Convention.

Article I
(Article 4 amended)
Freedom of transit

1 The principle of the freedom of transit is set forth in article 1 of the Constitution. It shall carry with it the obligation for each member country to ensure that its designated operators forward, always by the quickest routes and the most secure means which they use for their own items, closed mails and � d�couvert letter-post items which are passed to them by another designated operator. This principle shall also apply to missent items and misrouted mails.

2 Member countries which do not participate in the exchange of postal items containing infectious substances or radioactive substances shall have the option of not admitting these items in transit through their territory. With respect to transit � d�couvert, the same shall also apply to printed papers, periodicals, magazines and small packets the content of which does not satisfy the legal requirements governing the conditions of their publication or circulation in the country crossed. Moreover, M bags shall not be admitted in transit � d�couvert.

3 Freedom of transit for parcels shall be guaranteed throughout the territory of the Union.

4 If a member country fails to observe the provisions regarding freedom of transit, other member countries may discontinue their provision of postal services with that member country.

Article II
(Article 6 amended)
Postage stamps

1 The term "postage stamp" shall be protected under the present Convention and shall be reserved exclusively for stamps which comply with the conditions of this article and of the Regulations.

2 Postage stamps:

2.1 shall be issued and put into circulation solely under the authority of the member country or territory, in conformity with the Acts of the Union;

2.2 are a manifestation of sovereignty and constitute proof of prepayment of the postage corresponding to their intrinsic value when affixed to postal items, in conformity with the Acts of the Union;

2.3 must be in circulation, for postal prepayment or for philatelic purposes, in the member country or territory of issue, according to its national legislation;

2.4 must be accessible to all customers within the member country or territory of issue.

3 Postage stamps comprise:

3.1 the name of the member country or territory of issue, in roman letters, or, if the International Bureau of the Union is so requested by the member country or territory of issue, the abbreviation or initials officially representing the member country or territory of issue, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Regulations;¹

3.2 the face value, expressed:

3.2.1 in principle, in the official currency of the country or territory of issue, or as a letter or symbol;

3.2.2 through other identifying characteristics.

4 Emblems of state, official control marks and logos of intergovernmental organizations featuring on postage stamps shall be protected within the meaning of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

5 The subjects and designs of postage stamps shall:

5.1 be in keeping with the spirit of the Preamble to the Constitution and with decisions taken by the Union�s bodies;

5.2 be closely linked to the cultural identity of the member country or territory, or contribute to the dissemination of culture or to maintaining peace;

5.3 have, when commemorating leading figures or events not native to the member country or territory, a close bearing on the country or territory in question;

5.4 be devoid of political character or of any topic of an offensive nature in respect of a person or a country;

5.5 be of major significance to the member country or territory.

6 Postal prepayment impressions, franking machine impressions and impressions made by a printing press or another printing or stamping process in accordance with the Acts of the Union may be used only with the authorization of the member country or territory.

7 Prior to issuing postage stamps using new materials or technologies, member countries shall provide the International Bureau with the necessary information concerning their compatibility with mail processing machines. The International Bureau shall inform the other member countries and their designated operators accordingly.

Article III
(Article 9 amended)
Violations

1 Postal items

1.1 Member countries shall undertake to adopt the necessary measures to prevent, prosecute and punish any person found guilty of the following:

1.1.1 the insertion in postal items of narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as dangerous goods, where their insertion has not been expressly authorized by the Convention and Regulations;

1.1.2 the insertion in postal items of objects of a paedophilic nature or of a pornographic nature using children.

2 Means of postal prepayment and postal payment itself

2.1 Member countries shall undertake to adopt the necessary measures to prevent, prosecute and punish any violations concerning the means of postal prepayment set out in this Convention, such as:

2.1.1 postage stamps, in circulation or withdrawn from circulation;

2.1.2 prepayment impressions;

2.1.3 impressions of franking machines or printing presses;.

2.1.4 (deleted)

2.2 In this Convention, violations concerning means of postal prepayment refer to any of the acts outlined below committed by any persons with the intention of obtaining illegitimate gain for oneself or for a third party. The following acts shall be punished:

2.2.1 any act of falsifying, imitating or counterfeiting any means of postal prepayment, or any illegal or unlawful act linked to the unauthorized manufacturing of such items;

2.2.2 manufacture, use, release for circulation, commercialization, distribution, dissemination, transportation, exhibition or display (also in the form of catalogues and for advertising purposes) of any means of postal prepayment which has been falsified, imitated or counterfeited;

2.2.3 any act of using or circulating, for postal purposes, any means of postal prepayment which has already been used;

2.2.4 any attempt to commit any of these violations.

3 Reciprocity

3.1 As regards sanctions, no distinction shall be made between the acts outlined in 2, irrespective of whether national or foreign means of postal prepayment are involved; this provision shall not be subject to any legal or conventional condition of reciprocity.

Article IV
(Article 12 amended)
Posting abroad of letter-post items

1 A designated operator shall not be bound to forward or deliver to the addressee letter-post items which senders residing in the territory of its member country post or cause to be posted in a foreign country with the object of profiting by the more favourable rate conditions there.

2 The provisions set out under 1 shall be applied without distinction both to letter-post items made up in the sender�s country of residence and then carried across the frontier and to letter-post items made up in a foreign country.

3 The designated operator of destination may claim from the designated operator of posting, payment of the internal rates. If the designated operator of posting does not agree to pay these rates within a time limit set by the designated operator of destination, the latter may either return the items to the designated operator of posting and shall be entitled to claim reimbursement of the redirection costs, or handle them in accordance with its national legislation.

4 A designated operator shall not be bound to forward or deliver to the addressees letter-post items which senders post or cause to be posted in large quantities in a country other than the country where they reside if the amount of terminal dues to be received is lower than the sum that would have been received if the mail had been posted in the country where the senders reside. The designated operator of destination may claim from the designated operator of posting payment commensurate with the costs incurred and which may not exceed the higher of the following two amounts: either 80% of the domestic tariff for equivalent items, or the rates applicable pursuant to article 28.15. If the designated operator of posting does not agree to pay the amount claimed within a time limit set by the designated operator of destination, the designated operator of destination may either return the items to the designated operator of posting and shall be entitled to claim reimbursement of the redirection costs, or handle them in accordance with its national legislation.

Article V
(Article 14 amended)
Quality of service

0bis Quality of service

0bis.1 Quality of service shall include activities that are focused on all dimensions of service delivery, for efficient and accessible universal postal services of quality.

0bis.2 Quality of service activities shall include, without limitation, measurement, quality improvement, certification and compliance actions, driven by e-commerce and a robust and reliable network focusing on demand, and supply chain management.

0ter Quality of service standards and targets

0ter.1 Member countries or their designated operators shall establish, publish and update delivery standards and targets for their inward letter-post items containing documents with and without mandatory tracking, as specified in the Regulations.

0ter.2 Member countries or their designated operators shall establish, publish and update delivery standards and targets for inward tracked postal items containing goods, as further specified in the relevant compendia.

0ter.3 Member countries or their designated operators shall also establish and publish their export standards and targets concerning their most important destinations for postal items containing goods, as further specified in the relevant compendia.

0ter.4 The standards and targets, increased by the time normally required for customs clearance, shall be no less favourable than those applied to comparable items in their domestic service.

0ter.5 Member countries or their designated operators shall measure the application of quality of service standards.

Article VI
(Article 16 amended)
Exemption from postal charges

1 Principle

1.1 Cases of exemption from postal charges, as meaning exemption from postal prepayment, shall be expressly laid down by the Convention. Nonetheless, the Regulations may provide for exemption from postal prepayment, transit charges, terminal dues and inward rates for letter-post items and postal parcels sent by member countries, designated operators and Regional Unions and relating to the postal services. Furthermore, letter-post items and postal parcels sent by the International Bureau of the Union to Regional Unions, member countries and designated operators shall be exempted from all postal charges. However, the member country of origin or its designated operator shall have the option of collecting air surcharges on the latter items.

2 Prisoners of war and civilian internees

2.1 Letter-post items, postal parcels and postal payment services items addressed to or sent by prisoners of war, either direct or through the offices mentioned in the Regulations of the Convention and of the Postal Payment Services Agreement, shall be exempt from all postal charges, with the exception of air surcharges. Belligerents apprehended and interned in a neutral country shall be classed with prisoners of war proper so far as the application of the foregoing provisions is concerned.

2.2 The provisions set out under 2.1 shall also apply to letter-post items, postal parcels and postal payment services items originating in other countries and addressed to or sent by civilian internees as defined by the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war, either direct or through the offices mentioned in the Regulations of the Convention and of the Postal Payment Services Agreement.

2.3 The offices mentioned in the Regulations of the Convention and of the Postal Payment Services Agreement shall also enjoy exemption from postal charges in respect of letter-post items, postal parcels and postal payment services items which concern the persons referred to under 2.1 and 2.2, which they send or receive, either direct or as intermediaries.

2.4 Parcels shall be admitted free of postage up to a weight of 5 kilogrammes. The weight limit shall be increased to 10 kilogrammes in the case of parcels the contents of which cannot be split up and of parcels addressed to a camp or the prisoners� representatives there ("hommes de confiance") for distribution to the prisoners.

2.5 In the accounting between designated operators, rates shall not be allocated for service parcels and for prisoner-of-war and civilian internee parcels, apart from the air conveyance dues applicable to air parcels.

3 Items for the blind

3.1 Any item for the blind sent to or by an organization for the blind or sent to or by a blind person shall be exempt from all postal charges, with the exception of air surcharges, to the extent that these items are admissible as such in the internal service of the sending designated operator.

3.2 In this article:

3.2.1 a blind person means a person who is registered as blind or partially sighted in his or her country or who meets the World Health Organization�s definition of a blind person or a person with low vision;

3.2.2 an organization for the blind means an institution or association serving or officially representing blind persons;

3.2.3 items for the blind shall include correspondence, literature in whatever format including sound recordings, and equipment or materials of any kind made or adapted to assist blind persons in overcoming the problems of blindness, as specified in the Regulations.

Article VII
(Article 17 amended)
Basic services

1 Member countries shall ensure that their designated operators accept, handle, convey and deliver letter-post items.

2 Letter-post items containing only documents are:

2.1 priority items and non-priority items, up to 1 kilogrammes;

2.2 letters, postcards and printed papers, up to 1 kilogrammes;

2.3 items for the blind, up to 7 kilogrammes.

3 Letter-post items containing goods are:

3.1 priority and non-priority small packets, up to 2 kilogrammes;

3.2 items for the blind, up to 7 kilogrammes, as specified in the Regulations.

4 Letter-post items shall be classified on the basis of both the speed of treatment of the items and the contents of the items in accordance with the Regulations.

5 Within the classification systems referred to in 4, letter-post items may also be classified on the basis of their format as small letters (P), large letters (G) or small packets (E). The size and weight limits are specified in the Regulations.

6 Higher weight limits than those indicated in paragraphs 2 and 3 apply optionally for certain letter-post item categories under the conditions specified in the Regulations.

7 Member countries shall also ensure that their designated operators accept, handle, convey and deliver parcel-post items up to 20 kilogrammes.

8 Weight limits higher than 20 kilogrammes apply optionally for certain parcel-post items under the conditions specified in the Regulations.

Article VIII
(Article 18 amended)
Supplementary services

1 Member countries shall ensure the provision of the following mandatory supplementary services:

1.1 registration service for outbound and inbound airmail and priority letter-post items containing documents only.

1.2 tracked delivery service for inbound airmail and priority letter-post items containing goods.

2 Member countries may ensure the provision of the following optional supplementary services in relations between those designated operators which agreed to provide the service:

2.1 insurance for parcels and priority letter-post items containing documents only;

2.2 cash-on-delivery service for letter-post items and parcels;

2.3 tracked delivery service for inbound airmail and priority letter-post items containing documents and for outbound airmail and priority letter-post items containing documents or goods;

2.4 delivery to the addressee in person of registered or insured letter-post items containing documents only;

2.5 delivered duty paid service for items containing goods;

2.6 cumbersome parcels services;

2.7 consignment service for collective items from one consignor sent abroad;

2.8 merchandise return service, which involves the return of merchandise by the addressee to the original seller, with the latter�s authorization;

2.9 special bags containing newspapers, periodicals, books and similar printed documentation for the same addressee at the same address called "M bags", up to 30 kilogrammes.

3 The following supplementary services have both mandatory and optional parts:

3.1 international business reply service (IBRS), which is basically optional. All member countries or their designated operators shall, however, be obliged to operate the IBRS "return" service;

3.2. (deleted)

3.3 advice of delivery for registered and insured letter-post items containing documents only. All member countries or their designated operators shall admit incoming advices of delivery. The provision of an outward advice of delivery service is, however, optional;

3.4 proof of delivery service for parcel-post items. All member countries or their designated operators shall admit incoming parcel-post items with a proof of delivery service. The provision of an outward proof of delivery service for parcel-post items is, however, optional.

4 The description of these services and their charges are set out in the Regulations.

5 Where the service features below are subject to special charges in the domestic service, designated operators shall be authorized to collect the same charges for international items, under the conditions described in the Regulations:

5.1 delivery for small packets weighing over 500 grammes;

5.2 letter-post items posted after the latest time of posting;

5.3 items posted outside normal counter opening hours;

5.4 collection at sender�s address;

5.5 withdrawal of a letter-post item outside normal counter opening hours;

5.6 poste restante;

5.7 storage for letter-post items weighing over 500 grammes (with the exception of items for the blind), and for parcels;

5.8 delivery of parcels, in response to the advice of arrival;

5.9 cover against risks of force majeure;

5.10 delivery of letter-post items outside normal counter opening hours.

Article IX
(Article 19 amended)
Items not admitted. Prohibitions

1 General

1.1 Items not fulfilling the conditions laid down in the Convention and the Regulations shall not be admitted. Items sent in furtherance of a fraudulent act or with the intention of avoiding full payment of the appropriate charges shall not be admitted.

1.2 Exceptions to the prohibitions contained in this article are set out in the Regulations.

1.3 All member countries or their designated operators shall have the option of extending the prohibitions contained in this article, which may be applied immediately upon their inclusion in the relevant compendium. Any member country or its designated operator wishing to extend or amend the list of articles that it prohibits, or admits conditionally, as imports (or in transit) shall inform the International Bureau, which shall then update the relevant compendium accordingly.

2 Prohibitions in all categories of items

2.1 The insertion of the articles referred to below shall be prohibited in all categories of items:

2.1.1 narcotics and psychotropic substances, as defined by the International Narcotics Control Board, or other illicit drugs which are prohibited in the country of destination;

2.1.2 obscene or immoral articles;

2.1.3 counterfeit and pirated articles;

2.1.4 other articles the importation or circulation of which is prohibited in the country of destination;

2.1.5 articles which, by their nature or their packing, may expose officials or the general public to danger, or soil or damage other items, postal equipment or third-party property;

2.1.6 documents having the character of current and personal correspondence exchanged between persons other than the sender and the addressee or persons living with them;

3 Dangerous goods

3.1 The insertion of dangerous goods as described in the Convention and Regulations shall be prohibited in all categories of items.

3.2 The insertion of replica and inert explosive devices and military ordnance, including replica and inert grenades, inert shells and the like, shall be prohibited in all categories of items.

3.3 Exceptionally, dangerous goods may be admitted in relations between member countries that have declared their willingness to admit them either reciprocally or in one direction, provided that they are in compliance with national and international transport rules and regulations.

4 Live animals

4.1 Live animals shall be prohibited in all categories of items.

4.2 Exceptionally, the following shall be admitted in letter-post items other than registered and insured items:

4.2.1 bees, leeches and silk-worms;

4.2.2 parasites and destroyers of noxious insects intended for the control of those insects and exchanged between officially recognized institutions;

4.2.3 flies of the family Drosophilidae for biomedical research exchanged between officially recognized institutions.

4.3 Exceptionally, the following shall be admitted in parcels:

4.3.1 live animals whose conveyance by post is authorized by the national legislation of the countries concerned.

5 Insertion of correspondence in parcels

5.1 The insertion of the articles mentioned below shall be prohibited in postal parcels:

5.1.1 correspondence, with the exception of archived materials, exchanged between persons other than the sender and the addressee or persons living with them.

6 Coins, bank notes and other valuable articles

6.1 It shall be prohibited to insert coins, bank notes, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to bearer, travellers� cheques, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles:

6.1.1 in uninsured letter-post items;

6.1.1.1 however, if the national legislation of the countries of origin and destination permits this, any of the valuable articles mentioned in 6.1 and corresponding to documents only may be sent in a closed envelope as registered items;

6.1.1bis in insured letter-post items, except for any of the valuable articles mentioned in 6.1 and corresponding to documents only, which may be sent in a closed envelope as insured items if the national legislation of the countries of origin and destination permits this;

6.1.2 in uninsured parcels; except where permitted by the national legislation of the countries of origin and destination;

6.1.3 in uninsured parcels exchanged between two countries which admit insured parcels;

6.1.3.1 in addition, any member country or designated operator may prohibit the enclosure of gold bullion in insured or uninsured parcels originating from or addressed to its territory or sent in transit � d�couvert across its territory; it may limit the actual value of these items.

7 Printed papers and items for the blind:

7.1 shall not bear any inscription or contain any item of correspondence;

7.2 shall not contain any postage stamp or form of prepayment, whether cancelled or not, or any paper representing a monetary value, except in cases where the item contains as an enclosure a card, envelope or wrapper bearing the printed address of the sender of the item or his agent in the country of posting or destination of the original item, which is prepaid for return.

8 Treatment of items wrongly admitted

8.1 The treatment of items wrongly admitted is set out in the Regulations. However, items containing articles mentioned in 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 3.1 and 3.2 shall in no circumstances be forwarded to their desti�nation, delivered to the addressees or returned to origin. In the case of articles mentioned in 2.1.1 discovered while in transit, such items shall be handled in accordance with the national legislation of the country of transit. In the case of articles mentioned in 3.1 and 3.2 discovered during transport, the relevant designated operator shall be entitled to remove the article from the item and dispose of it. The designated operator may then forward the remainder of the item to its destination, together with information about the disposal of the inadmissible article.

Article X
(Article 22 amended)
Liability of designated operators. Indemnities

1 General

1.1 Except for the cases provided for in article 23, designated operators shall be liable for:

1.1.1 the loss of, theft from or damage to registered items, ordinary parcels and insured items;

1.1.2 the return of registered items, insured items and ordinary parcels on which the reason for non-delivery is not given.

1.2 Designated operators shall not be liable for items other than those mentioned in 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.

1.3 In any other case not provided for in this Convention, designated operators shall not be liable.

1.4 When the loss of or total damage to registered items, ordinary parcels and insured items is due to a case of force majeure for which indemnity is not payable, the sender shall be entitled to repayment of the charges paid for posting the item, with the exception of the insurance charge.

1.5 The amounts of indemnity to be paid shall not exceed the amounts mentioned in the Regulations.

1.6 In cases of liability, consequential losses, loss of profits or moral damage shall not be taken into account in the indemnity to be paid.

1.7 All provisions regarding liability of designated operators shall be strict, binding and complete. Designated operators shall in no case, even in case of severe fault, be liable above the limits provided for in the Convention and the Regulations.

2 Registered items

2.1 If a registered item is lost, totally rifled or totally damaged, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity set in the Regulations. If the sender has claimed an amount less than the amount set in the Regulations, designated operators may pay that lower amount and shall receive reimbursement on this basis from any other designated operators involved.

2.2 If a registered item is partially rifled or partially damaged, the sender is entitled to an indemnity corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the theft or damage.

3 Ordinary parcels

3.1 If a parcel is lost, totally rifled or totally damaged, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity of an amount set in the Regulations. If the sender has claimed an amount less than the amount set in the Regulations, designated operators may pay that lower amount and shall receive reimbursement on this basis from any other designated operators involved.

3.2 If a parcel is partially rifled or partially damaged, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the theft or damage.

3.3 Designated operators may agree to apply, in their reciprocal relations, the amount per parcel set in the Regulations, regardless of the weight.

4 Insured items

4.1 If an insured item is lost, totally rifled or totally damaged, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity corresponding, in principle, to the insured value in SDRs.

4.2 If an insured item is partially rifled or partially damaged, the sender shall be entitled to an indemnity corresponding, in principle, to the actual value of the theft or damage. It may, however, in no case exceed the amount of the insured value in SDRs.

5 If a registered or insured letter-post item is returned and the reason for non-delivery is not given, the sender shall be entitled to a refund of the charges paid for posting the item only.

6 If a parcel is returned and the reason for non-delivery is not given, the sender shall be entitled to a refund of the charges paid by the sender for posting the parcel in the country of origin and the expenses occasioned by the return of the parcel from the country of destination.

7 In the cases mentioned in 2, 3 and 4, the indemnity shall be calculated according to the current price, converted into SDRs, of articles or goods of the same kind at the place and time at which the item was accepted for conveyance. Failing a current price, the indemnity shall be calculated according to the ordinary value of articles or goods whose value is assessed on the same basis.

8 When an indemnity is due for the loss of, total theft from or total damage to a registered item, ordinary parcel or insured item, the sender, or the addressee, as the case may be, shall also be entitled to repayment of the charges and fees paid for posting the item with the exception of the registration or insurance charge. The same shall apply to registered items, ordinary parcels or insured items refused by the addressee because of their bad condition if that is attributable to the designated operator and involves its liability.

9 Notwithstanding the provisions set out under 2, 3 and 4, the addressee shall be entitled to the indemnity for a rifled, damaged or lost registered item, ordinary parcel or insured item if the sender waives his rights in writing in favour of the addressee. This waiver shall not be necessary in cases where the sender and the addressee are the same.

10 The designated operator of origin shall have the option of paying senders in its country the indemnities prescribed by its national legislation for registered items and uninsured parcels, provided that they are not lower than those laid down in 2.1 and 3.1. The same shall apply to the designated operator of destination when the indemnity is paid to the addressee. However, the amounts laid down in 2.1 and 3.1 shall remain applicable:

10.1 in the event of recourse against the designated operator liable; or

10.2 if the sender waives his rights in favour of the addressee.

11 Reservations concerning the exceeding of deadlines for inquiries and payment of indemnity to designated operators, including the periods and conditions fixed in the Regulations, shall not be made, except in the event of bilateral agreement.

Article XI
(Article 23 amended)
Non-liability of member countries and designated operators

1 Designated operators shall cease to be liable for registered items, parcels and insured items which they have delivered according to the conditions laid down in their national legislation for items of the same kind. Liability shall, however, be maintained:

1.1 when theft or damage is discovered either prior to or at the time of delivery of the item;

1.2 when, national regulations permitting, the addressee, or the sender if it is returned to origin, makes reservations on taking delivery of a rifled or damaged item;

1.3 when, national regulations permitting, the registered item was delivered to a private mail-box and the addressee declares that he did not receive the item;

1.4 when the addressee or, in the case of return to origin, the sender of a parcel or of an insured item, although having given a proper discharge, notifies the designated operator that delivered the item without delay that he has found theft or damage. He shall furnish proof that such theft or damage did not occur after delivery. The term "without delay" shall be interpreted according to national law.

2 Member countries and designated operators shall not be liable:

2.1 in cases of force majeure, subject to article 18.5.9;

2.2 when they cannot account for items owing to the destruction of official records by force majeure, provided that proof of their liability has not been otherwise produced;

2.3 when such loss or damage has been caused by the fault or negligence of the sender or arises from the nature of the contents;

2.4 in the case of items that fall within the prohibitions specified in article 19;

2.5 when the items have been seized under the national legislation of the country of destination, as notified by the member country or designated operator of that country;

2.6 in the case of insured items which have been fraudulently insured for a sum greater than the actual value of the contents;

2.7 when the sender has made no inquiry within six months from the day after that on which the item was posted;

2.8 in the case of prisoner-of-war or civilian internee parcels;

2.9 when the sender�s actions may be suspected of fraudulent intent, aimed at receiving compensation.

3 Member countries and designated operators shall accept no liability for customs declarations in whatever form these are made or for decisions taken by the Customs on examination of items submitted to customs control.

Article XII
(Subtitle A of Section VII and Article 27 amended)

Section VII
Remuneration

A. General provisions on remuneration and transit charges

Article 27
Transit charges

1 Closed mails and � d�couvert transit items exchanged between two designated operators or between two offices of the same member country by means of the services of one or more other designated operators (third party services) shall be subject to the payment of transit charges. The latter shall constitute remuneration for the services rendered in respect of land transit, sea transit and air transit. This principle shall also apply to missent items and misrouted mails.

2 Parcels exchanged between two designated operators or between two offices of the same country by means of the land services of one or more other designated operators shall be subject to the transit land rates, payable to the designated operators which take part in the routeing on land, laid down in the Regulations, according to the distance step applicable.

2.1 For parcels in transit � d�couvert, intermediate designated operators shall be authorized to claim the single rate per item laid down in the Regulations.

2.2 Transit land rates shall be payable by the designated operator of the country of origin unless the Regulations provide for exceptions to this principle.

Article XIII
(Article 27bis added)

Article 27bis
Remuneration. General provisions

1 Subject to exemptions provided for in the Regulations, each designated operator that receives postal items from another designated operator shall have the right to collect from the dispatching designated operator a payment for the costs incurred for postal items received.

2 For the application of the provisions concerning the payment of remuneration by their designated operators, countries and territories shall be classified in accordance with the lists drawn up for this purpose by Congress in its resolution C 4/2025, as follows:

2.1 countries and territories in the target system prior to 2010 (group A);

2.2 countries and territories in the target system as of 2010, 2012 and 2016 (group B);

2.3 countries and territories in the target system as from 2027 (group C).

3 Remuneration shall be based on quality of service performance in the country of destination. The Postal Operations Council shall therefore be authorized to supplement the remuneration in articles 28, 29, 30 and 33 to encourage participation in monitoring systems and to reward designated operators for reaching their quality targets. The Postal Operations Council may also fix penalties in case of insufficient quality, but the remunera�tion shall not be less than the minimum remuneration according to articles 28, 29, 30 and 33.

4 Any receiving designated operator may waive, wholly or in part, the payment provided for under 1.

5 The Postal Operations Council shall be authorized to supplement remuneration and/or fix penalties in relation to designated operators� compliance with the requirements for providing electronic advance data on small packet (E) letter-post items and parcels.

6 Any designated operator may, by bilateral or multilateral agreement, apply other payment systems for the settlement of remuneration accounts.

7 Designated operators may apply an optional 10% discount to the priority terminal dues rate for the exchange of non-priority mail.

8 Access to domestic services. Direct access

8.1 In principle, each designated operator of a country in group A shall make available to the other designated operators the rates, terms and conditions offered in its domestic service on conditions identical to those proposed to its domestic customers. It shall be up to the designated operator of destination to decide whether the terms and conditions of direct access have been met by the designated operator of origin.

8.2 Designated operators of countries in groups B and C may opt to make available to a limited number of designated operators the application of domestic conditions for a trial period of two years. After that period, they must choose either to cease making available the application of domestic conditions or to continue to make their own domestic conditions available to all designated operators.

8.3 If designated operators of countries in groups B and C ask designated operators of countries in group A for the application of domestic conditions, they must make available to all designated operators the rates, terms and conditions offered in their domestic service on conditions identical to those proposed to their domestic customers.

9 Beginning with rates in effect from 2027, for insured parcels, there shall be an additional payment of 1.500 SDR per item in accordance with provisions laid down in the Regulations. The additional payment shall be reduced to 0.300 SDR per item where the tariffs notified under article 33.1.2 are inclusive of proof of delivery. Designated operators that apply the charge on the basis of the provisions in article 33.8.1 shall receive the amount in accordance with that article, increased by 0.300 SDR.

Article XIV
(Article 28 amended)
Terminal dues. General provisions

1 Payment for letter-post items, including bulk mail but excluding M bags and IBRS items, shall be established on the basis of the application of the rates per item and per kilogramme reflecting the handling costs in the country of destination. Charges corresponding to priority items in the domestic service which are part of the universal service provision will be used as a basis for the calculation of terminal dues rates.

2 The terminal dues rates shall be calculated taking into account, where applicable in the domestic service, the classification of items based on their format, as provided for in article 17.5.

2.1 The rates per item and per kilogramme are separated for small (P) and large (G) letter-post items and bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items.

3 Designated operators shall exchange mails separated on the basis of their format and or content in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.

4 Payment for IBRS items shall be as described in the Regulations.

5 In 2026, the per-kilogramme and per-item components shall be converted into a total rate per kilogramme on the basis of a worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in which letter-post items containing documents (P and G format) account for 6.36 items weighing 0.265 kilogrammes and bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items account for 2.70 items weighing 0.735 kilogrammes, except for flows for which the composition of one kilogramme of mail shall be based on sampling in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations, as follows:

5.1 all flows between countries in group A;

5.2 flows between countries in group B and between those countries and countries in group A above 50 tonnes;

5.3 flows between countries in group C and between those countries and countries in groups A and B above 75 tonnes.

6 From 2027, for flows above 15 tonnes, letter-post items shall be separated on the basis of their content by creating dispatches for items containing documents (P and G format) and small packet (E) letter-post items.

6.1 The Postal Operations Council shall define the further operational, statistical and accounting procedures for the exchange of mails separated on the basis of their format and or content.

6.1.1 For flows below 15 tonnes, and for flows above 15 tonnes where the tonnage of documents is below 25 tonnes, between countries in Group A, format and content separation with a statistical count to ascertain the number of items based on sampling shall still be carried out should the receiving designated operator so notify the other party by 30 September of the preceding year, for application from 1 January of the following year.

6.2 Where letter-post items are separated between items containing documents (P and G format) and small packets (E), the per-item and per-kg components shall be converted into a total rate per kilogramme determined on the basis of the worldwide average number of items for documents and small packet (E) letter-post items, respectively, as follows:

6.2.1 For dispatches containing documents (P and G format): 24.06 items weighing 1 kilogramme;

6.2.2 For dispatches containing small packet (E) letter-post items: 3.66 items weighing 1 kilogramme;

6.3 For flows where the volume of documents exceeds 25 tonnes, the number of items in 6.2.1 shall be substituted by the number of items determined on the basis of sampling in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.

6.3.1 Flows sent by countries in group C that are between 15 and 75 tonnes shall apply a total rate per kilogramme for documents (P and G format) determined on the basis of the number of items described in paragraph 6.2.1 and the minimum rates in article 30.5, as follows:

6.3.1.1 for the year 2027: 11.497 SDR per kilogramme;

6.3.1.2 for the year 2028: 12.008 SDR per kilogramme;

6.3.1.3 for the year 2029: 12.549 SDR per kilogramme;

6.3.1.4 for the year 2030: 13.120 SDR per kilogramme.

6.4 Where letter-post items are separated between items containing documents (P and G format) and small packets (E), the number of items of small packet (E) letter-post items in 6.2.2 shall be substituted by the number of items determined on the basis of census data or sampling in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations, with the exception of flows sent by countries in group C that are between 15 and 75 tonnes in 2027, for which the rate of 5.058 SDR per kilogramme for small packet (E) letter-post items shall apply.

7 Beginning with rates in effect for the year 2027 onwards, for flows where items are not separated on the basis of their content, the per-kilogramme and per-item components shall be converted into a total rate per kilogramme on the basis of a worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in which documents (P and G format) account for 6.36 items weighing 0.265 kilogrammes and small packet (E) letter-post items account for 2.70 items weighing 0.735 kilogrammes.

7.1 If the flow exceeds 15 tonnes and the letter-post items are not separated on the basis of their content, the designated operator of destination may determine the composition of the mail flow on the basis of sampling in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.

7.2 If the flow sent by a country in group C exceeds 15 tonnes and the letter-post items are not separated on the basis of their content, the provisions in paragraph 6.3.1 and article 29.1.5.6.1 shall not apply.

8 For mail flows sent by countries in Group C, the total rate per kilogramme shall apply as follows:

8.1 for the year 2026, below 75 tonnes: 6.472 SDR per kilogramme;

8.2 for the year 2027, below 15 tonnes: 6.767 SDR per kilogramme;

8.3 for the year 2028, below 15 tonnes: 7.071 SDR per kilogramme;

8.4 for the year 2029, below 15 tonnes: 7.389 SDR per kilogramme;

8.5 for the year 2030, below 15 tonnes: 7.724 SDR per kilogramme.

9 M bags weighing less than 5 kilogrammes shall be considered as weighing 5 kilogrammes for terminal dues payment purposes. The terminal dues rates to be applied for M bags shall be:

9.1 for the year 2026, 1.153 SDR per kilogramme;

9.2 for the year 2027, 1.205 SDR per kilogramme;

9.3 for the year 2028, 1.259 SDR per kilogramme;

9.4 for the year 2029, 1.316 SDR per kilogramme;

9.5 for the year 2030, 1.375 SDR per kilogramme.

10 For registered items there shall be an additional payment of 1.745 SDR per item for 2026, 2.500 SDR per item for 2027, 2.613 SDR per item for 2028, 2.731 SDR per item for 2029 and 2.854 SDR for 2030. The Postal Operations Council shall be authorized to supplement remuneration for these and other supplementary services where the services provided contain additional features to be specified in the Regulations.

11 For insured items containing documents (P and G format), there shall be an additional payment of 2.045 SDR for 2026, 2.800 SDR for 2027, 2.913 SDR per item for 2028, 3.031 SDR per item for 2029 and 3.154 SDR per item for 2030. The Postal Operations Council shall be authorized to supplement remuneration for these and other supplementary services where the services provided contain additional features to be specified in the Regulations.

12 For tracked delivery service items there shall be a supplementary payment per item for the service feature, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations. The Postal Operations Council shall be authorized to supplement remuneration for tracked delivery service items on the basis of performance in the electronic transmission of information, as specified in the Regulations.

13 For small packets (E) letter-post items, registered and insured and tracked delivery service items not carrying a barcoded identifier or carrying a barcoded identifier that is not compliant with the UPU�s Technical Standard S10, there shall be a further additional payment of 0.5 SDR per item unless otherwise bilaterally agreed.

14 The remuneration for returned undeliverable letter-post items shall be specified in the Regulations.

15 For terminal dues payment purposes, letter-post items posted in bulk in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations shall be referred to as "bulk mail".

15.1 The payment for bulk mail containing goods shall be established as provided for in article 29.1.4 or 29.1.2, as appropriate. The conditions in paragraphs 6.4 and 8 and articles 29.1.5.6.1 and 29.4 shall not apply.

15.2 The payment for bulk mail containing documents (P and G format) shall be established as provided for in article 30. The conditions in paragraphs 6.3.1 and 8 shall not apply.

15.3 The designated operator of destination may request the payment by applying the rates per item and per kilogramme. Alternatively, the payment shall be established by applying the total rate per kilogramme on the basis of a worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in paragraphs 5 and 7 based on the per-item and per-kilogramme rates in articles 29 and 30. The conditions in paragraph 8 and articles 29.1.5.6 and 29.4 shall not apply in the calculation of the total rate per kilogramme.

16 No reservations may be made to this article.

Article XV
(Article 29 amended)
Terminal dues. Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items

1 General provisions

1.1 The provisions in this article shall apply equally to the remuneration of bulky (E) letter-post items in 2026.

1.2 In 2026, the rates of bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items shall be calculated from the P/G format line at 0.273 kilogrammes, exclusive of VAT or other taxes, as set out in article 30.1.

1.2.1 The rates in 2026 shall not lead to an increase of more than 13% in revenue for a bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, compared to 2025.

1.2.2 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be higher than 1.265 SDR per item and 2.844 SDR per kilogramme.

1.2.3 In 2026, the rates in 1.2 may not be lower than 0.819 SDR per item and 1.842 SDR per kilogramme.

1.2.4 Further conditions regarding the calculation of these rates are specified in the Regulations

1.3 Beginning with rates in effect for the year 2027 onwards, each designated operator shall provide the International Bureau with its domestic rates for equivalent services in order to determine the remuneration rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in accordance with this article.

1.4 Additionally, designated operators may notify the International Bureau by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the remuneration rates would apply of a self-declared rate per item and a self-declared rate per kilogramme, expressed in local currency or SDR, that shall apply in the following calendar year for bulky (E) and small packet (E) letter-post items in 2026 and for small packet (E) letter-post items only from 2027. The International Bureau shall annually convert the self-declared rates provided in local currency into values expressed in SDR. To calculate the rates in SDR, the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the five-month period ending on the last day of the month of February of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable. The resultant rates shall be notified by means of an International Bureau circular no later than 1 July of the year preceding the year in which the self-declared rates would apply.

1.4.1 The rates applicable to bulky (E) and/or small packet (E) letter-post items that have been self-declared pursuant to this article shall substitute the rates determined in accordance with 1.2.

1.5 Subject to 1.6, the self-declared rates shall:

1.5.1 at the average weight of a small packet (E) letter-post item of 0.273 kilogrammes, not be higher than the country-specific ceiling rates calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.6;

1.5.2 not exceed 70%, or the applicable percentage in paragraph 8, of the domestic single-piece charge for items equivalent to small packet (E) letter-post items offered by the designated operator in its domestic service and in effect on 1 May of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable;

1.5.3 be based on the domestic single-piece charge in force for items within the designated operator�s domestic service having the specified maximum size and shape dimensions of small packet (E) letter-post items;

1.5.4 be made available to all designated operators;

1.5.5 be applied only to small packet (E) letter-post items;

1.5.6 be applied to small packet (E) letter-post flows from countries in group C, if the total mail flow is more than 75 tonnes per year;

1.5.6.1 where the total mail flow is less than 75 tonnes, but higher than the volume thresholds in article 28.6, the following rates shall apply to small packet (E) letter-post flows from group C:

1.5.6.1.1 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;

1.5.6.1.2 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;

1.5.6.1.3 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.

1.6 The self-declared rates per item and per kilogramme for small packet (E) letter-post items shall not be higher than the country-specific ceiling rates determined by a linear regression of 11 points corresponding to 70%, or the applicable percentage in paragraph 8, of the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services for 20-gramme, 35-gramme, 75-gramme, 175-gramme, 250-gramme, 375-gramme, 500-gramme, 750-gramme, 1,000-gramme, 1,500-gramme and 2,000-gramme small packet (E) letter-post items, exclusive of any taxes.

1.6.1 The determination of whether the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates shall be tested at the average revenue using the most current worldwide average composition of one kilogramme of mail in which an E format item weighs 0.273 kilogrammes. In instances in which the self-declared rates exceed the ceiling rates at the average E format weight of 0.273 kilogrammes, the ceiling per-item and per-kilogramme rates shall apply; alternatively, the designated operator in question may choose to reduce its self-declared rates to a level that conforms with paragraphs 1.6 and 3, as applicable.

1.6.2 When multiple packet rates are available based on thickness, the lesser domestic tariff shall be used for items up to 250 grammes, and the higher domestic tariff shall be used for items above 250 grammes.

1.6.3 Where zonal rates apply in the equivalent domestic service, the mid-point rate as specified in the Regulations shall be used, and domestic tariffs for non-contiguous zones shall be excluded for determination of the mid-point rate. Alternatively, the determination of the zonal tariff to be used may be based on the actual weighted average distance of inbound small packet (E) letter-post items (for the most recent calendar year).

1.6.4 Where the equivalent domestic service and tariff include additional features that are not part of the basic service, i.e. tracking, signature and insurance services, and such features are extended across all the weight increments listed in paragraph 1.6, the lesser of the corresponding domestic supplemental rate, the supplemental rate, or the suggested guideline charge in the Acts of the Union shall be deducted from the domestic tariff. The total deduction for all additional features may not exceed 25% of the domestic tariff.

2 Where the country-specific ceiling rates calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.6 result in a revenue calculated for small packet (E) item at 0.273 kilogrammes that is lower than the revenue calculated for the same item at the same weight on the basis of the rates specified below, the self-declared rates shall not be higher than the following rates:

2.1 for the year 2026, 0.819 SDR per item and 1.842 SDR per kilogramme;

2.2 for the year 2027, 0.856 SDR per item and 1.925 SDR per kilogramme;

2.3 for the year 2028, 0.895 SDR per item and 2.012 SDR per kilogramme;

2.4 for the year 2029, 0.935 SDR per item and 2.103 SDR per kilogramme;

2.5 for the year 2030, 0.977 SDR per item and 2.198 SDR per kilogramme.

3 In addition to the ceiling rates provided for in 1.6, the rates in a given year shall not lead to an increase of more than 10% in the revenue for a small packet (E) letter-post item weighing 0.273 kilogrammes, compared to the previous year.

3.1 Beginning with rates in effect from 2027, any unused increases may be carried over from previous years and be applied in addition to the increases in paragraph 3. No more than 10 percentage points of unused increases may be carried over from one year to the next.

4 Where the total letter-post flows between countries in group B, and from those countries to countries in group A, are less than 25 tonnes per year in 2026 and 15 tonnes per year from 2027, the rates for small packet (E) letter-post items shall be determined as follows:

4.1 In 2026, in accordance with paragraph 1.2.

4.2 From 2027, the self-declared rates in 1.4 shall apply unless the revenue of the self-declared rates at 0.273 kilogrammes is higher than the revenue calculated at the same weight on the basis of the rates specified below, in which case the following rates shall apply:

4.2.1 for the year 2027, 1.322 SDR per item and 2.972 SDR per kilogramme;

4.2.2 for the year 2028, 1.381 SDR per item and 3.106 SDR per kilogramme;

4.2.3 for the year 2029, 1.443 SDR per item and 3.246 SDR per kilogramme;

4.2.4 for the year 2030, 1.508 SDR per item and 3.392 SDR per kilogramme.

5 For rates in effect in 2026, the ratio between the self-declared item rate and kilogramme rate shall not change by more than five percentage points upwards or downwards compared with the ratio of the previous year. For rates in effect in 2027, there are no constraints in terms of the aforementioned ratio. For rates in effect in 2028 and subsequent years, the ratio between the self-declared item rate and kilogramme rate shall not change by more than 20 percentage points upwards or downwards compared with the ratio of the previous year.

5.1 The application of paragraph 5 shall not result in a negative ratio between the item rate and kilogramme rate.

5.2 Further specifications shall be provided in the Regulations.

6 For designated operators that have elected to self-declare their rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate different self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the existing self-declared rates shall continue to apply unless they do not satisfy the conditions laid out in this article. The designated operator may collect the minimum rates provided in paragraph 2.

6.1 For designated operators that have elected not to self-declare their rates for small packet (E) letter-post items in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the remuneration rates for small packet (E) letter-post items shall be based on the lesser of the revenues at 0.273 kilogrammes between the ceiling rates in 1.6 and the maximum increase in 3 by applying the same ratio between the item rate and kilogramme rate of the previous year.

6.2 For designated operators that do not provide the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services in paragraph 1.6 by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs used for the calculation for the previous year for the designated operator concerned shall apply. If the designated operator concerned has not notified the International Bureau of the relevant priority single-piece tariffs in any prior year, the minimum rates provided in 2 shall apply.

6.2.1 If, by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs have been reduced compared to the notification of these tariffs of a prior year, then the International Bureau shall be informed by the designated operator concerned of any reduction in the domestic charge referred to in this article.

7‎ A designated operator of a ‎member country that received total annual inbound letter-post volumes in 2018 in excess of 75,000 tonnes ‎‎(as per the relevant official information provided to the International Bureau or any other officially available ‎information assessed by the International Bureau) may self-declare rates for small packet (E) ‎letter-post items, other than for the letter-post flows from countries in group B that do not exceed 25 tonnes per year in 2026 and 15 tonnes from 2027, or from countries in group C that do not exceed 75 tonnes, for the calendar year in which the rates apply. The said ‎designated operator shall also have the right not to apply the revenue increase limits set out in ‎paragraph 2 3 for mail flows to, from and between its country and any other country.

7.1 Where a designated operator of a member country invokes paragraph 7, all other corresponding designated operators (including those from groups B and C whose outbound flows are referred to in para�graph 7) may do likewise and self-declare rates for small packet (E) letter-post items with respect to the aforementioned designated operator without being subject to the maximum revenue increase limits set out in paragraph 3.

7.2 With respect to any such corresponding designated operators that elect to apply self-declared rates under paragraph 7.1 (including those from groups B and C whose outbound flows are referred to in paragraph 7), the same conditions for the self-declaration of rates of the designated operator that invoked paragraph 7 shall reciprocally apply. Paragraphs 8.1 and 8.2 of this article shall also apply to all such corresponding designated operators.

7.3 From 2027, where a designated operator applies self-declared rates in line with paragraphs 7.1 and 1.4, the ratio between the rates per item and per kilogramme shall be the same, with a possible deviation of 0.1 percentage points.

8 Revision of cost-to-tariff ratio

8.1 If a competent authority with oversight for the designated operator which exercises the aforementioned option in paragraph 7 determines that, in order to cover all costs for handling and delivery of small packet (E) letter-post items, the designated operator�s self-declared rate must be based on a cost-to-tariff ratio that exceeds 70% of the domestic single-piece charge, then the cost-to-tariff ratio for that designated operator may exceed 70%, subject to a limitation that the cost-to-tariff ratio to be used shall not exceed one percentage point above the higher of 70% or the cost-to-tariff ratio used in the calculation of the self-declared rates currently in effect, not to exceed 80%, and provided that the designated operator in question furnishes all such supporting information with its notification to the International Bureau under paragraph 1.4, including the validation, in writing, of this information by the aforementioned authority. If any such designated operator increases its cost-to-tariff ratio based on such a determination of a competent authority, then it shall notify the International Bureau of that ratio by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the ratio shall apply. Further specifications related to the costs and revenues to be used for the calculation of the specific cost-to-tariff ratio shall be provided in the Regulations.

8.2 If a competent authority with oversight for a designated operator classified in group C determines that, in order to cover all costs for handling and delivery of small packet (E) letter-post items, the designated operator�s ceiling rates must be based on a cost-to-tariff ratio that exceeds 70% of the domestic single-piece charge, then the cost-to-tariff ratio for that designated operator may exceed 70% provided that the designated operator in question furnishes all such supporting information with its notification to the International Bureau under paragraph 1, including the validation, in writing, of this information by the aforementioned authority. If any such designated operator increases its cost-to-tariff ratio based on such a determination of a competent authority, then it shall notify the International Bureau of that ratio by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the ratio shall apply. Further specifications related to the costs and revenues to be used for the calculation of the specific cost-to-tariff ratio shall be provided in the Regulations.

‎‎‎9 If a designated operator exercises the option to self-declare rates in accordance with ‎paragraph 7, the said designated operator ‎should consider making available to sending designated operators of Union member countries, on a non-‎discriminatory basis, proportionately adjusted charges for volume and distance, to the extent practicable ‎and available in the receiving designated operator�s published domestic service for similar services under a bilateral agreement, within the framework of the rules of the national regulatory ‎authority.‎

10 Any additional conditions and procedures for the self-declaration of rates applicable to small packet (E) letter-post items shall be laid down in the Regulations.

11 No reservations may be made to this article.

Article XVI
(Article 30 amended)
Terminal dues. Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of document (P and G format) letter-post items

1 The per-item and per-kilogramme remuneration rates for small (P) and large (G) letter-post items containing documents shall be calculated on the basis of 70% of the charges for a 20-gramme small (P) letter-post item and for a 175-gramme large (G) letter-post item, exclu�sive of VAT or other taxes.

2 The Postal Operations Council shall define the conditions for the calculation of the rates as well as the necessary operational, statistical and accounting procedures for the exchange of format-separated mails.

3 The rates in a given year shall not lead to an increase of more than 13% in the terminal dues revenue for a letter-post item in the P/G format of 42.3 grammes.

4 The rates applied for small (P) and for large (G) letter-post items may not be higher than:

4.1 for the year 2026, 0.473 SDR per item and 3.692 SDR per kilogramme;

4.2 for the year 2027, 0.508 SDR per item and 3.969 SDR per kilogramme;

4.3 for the year 2028, 0.546 SDR per item and 4.267 SDR per kilogramme;

4.4 for the year 2029, 0.587 SDR per item and 4.587 SDR per kilogramme;

4.5 for the year 2030, 0.631 SDR per item and 4.931 SDR per kilogramme.

5 The rates applied for small (P) and for large (G) letter-post items may not be lower than:

5.1 for the year 2026, 0.345 SDR per item and 2.690 SDR per kilogramme;

5.2 for the year 2027, 0.361 SDR per item and 2.811 SDR per kilogramme;

5.3 for the year 2028, 0.377 SDR per item and 2.937 SDR per kilogramme;

5.4 for the year 2029, 0.394 SDR per item and 3.069 SDR per kilogramme.;

5.5 for the year 2030, 0.412 SDR per item and 3.207 SDR per kilogramme.

6 No reservations may be made to this article.

Article XVII
(Article 31 deleted)
Terminal dues. Provisions applicable to mail flows to, from and between designated operators of countries in the transitional system

(Deleted.)

Article XVIII
(Article 32 amended)
Quality of Service Fund

1 Terminal dues payable by all countries and territories to the countries classified as least developed countries in group C for terminal dues and Quality of Service Fund (QSF) purposes, except for M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, shall be increased by 20% of the rates provided for in article 28, 29 or 30 for payment into the QSF for improving the quality of service in those countries. There shall be no such payment from one group C country to another group C country.

2 Terminal dues, except for M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, payable by countries classified as group A countries to the countries classified as group C countries, other than the least developed countries referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, shall be increased by 10% of the rates countries.

3 Terminal dues, except for M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, payable by countries classified as group B countries (excluding those which joined the target system as from 2016) to the countries classified as group C countries, other than the least developed countries referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, shall be increased by 10% of the rates provided for in article 28, 29 or 30, for payment into the QSF for improving the quality of service in those countries.

4 Terminal dues, except in respect of M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, payable by countries classified as group B countries which joined the target system as from 2016 to the countries classified as group C countries, other than the least developed countries referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, shall be increased by 5% of the rates provided for in article 28, 29 or 30, for payment into the QSF for improving the quality of service in those countries.

5 An increase of 1%, calculated on the basis of terminal dues payable by countries classified as group A and B countries to the countries classified as group B countries which joined the target system as from 2016, except in respect of M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, shall be paid into a common fund to be established for improving the quality of service in countries classified in groups B and C and managed in accordance with the relevant procedures set by the Postal Operations Council.

6 An increase of 0.5%, calculated on the basis of terminal dues payable by countries classified as group A and B countries to the countries classified as group B countries which joined the target system as from 2016, except in respect of M bags, IBRS items and bulk mail items, shall be paid into a special account to be established as part of the common fund referred to in paragraph 5, specifically for improving the quality of service in group C countries classified by the United Nations as least developed countries and managed in accordance with the relevant procedures set by the Postal Operations Council.

7 Subject to the relevant procedures set by the Postal Operations Council, any unused amounts contributed under paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this article and accumulated over the four preceding QSF reference years (with 2018 as the earliest reference year) shall also be transferred to the common fund referred to in paragraph 5 of this article. For the purposes of this paragraph, only funds that have not been used in QSF-approved quality of service projects within two years following receipt of the last payment of contributed amounts for any given four-year period as defined above shall be transferred to the aforementioned common fund.

8 The combined terminal dues payable into the QSF for improving the quality of service of countries in group C shall be subject to a minimum of 20,000 SDR per annum for each beneficiary country. The additional funds needed for reaching this minimum amount shall be invoiced, in proportion to the volumes exchanged, to the countries in groups A and B.

9 The Postal Operations Council shall adopt or update procedures for financing QSF projects.

Article XIX
(Article 33 amended)
Provisions to determine the remuneration rates of parcels

1 General provisions

1.1 In 2026, parcels exchanged between two designated operators shall be subject to inward land rates calculated by combining the base rate per parcel and base rate per kilogramme laid down in the Regulations.

1.1.1 In 2026, the global minimum base rate shall correspond to 4.25 SDR for a parcel of 5 kilogrammes. The global minimum base rate results from the application of the following formula: 2.85 SDR per parcel plus 0.28 SDR per kilogramme. Each designated operator shall collect at least this global minimum base rate.

1.1.2 Designated operators may increase their per-parcel and per-kilogramme base rates by up to 40%, on the basis of the service features provided, in accordance with provisions laid down in the Regulations.

1.1.3 The rates mentioned in 1.1, 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 shall be payable by the designated operator of the country of origin, unless the Regulations provide for exceptions to this principle.

1.1.4 The inward land rates shall be uniform for the whole of the territory of each country.

1.2 Beginning with rates in effect for the year 2027 onwards, each designated operator shall provide the International Bureau with its domestic rates for equivalent services in order to determine the ceiling rates for parcels.

1.2.1 The country-specific ceiling rates shall be determined by a linear regression of 7 points corresponding to 100% of the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services for 250-gramme, 500-gramme, 1-kilogramme, 2-kilogramme, 5-kilogramme, 10-kilogramme and 20 kilogramme parcel-post items with tracking, exclusive of any taxes.

1.2.2 The domestic single-piece charge for items equivalent to parcels offered by the designated operator in its domestic service shall be those in effect on 1 May of the year preceding the year for which the parcel remuneration rates would be applicable and shall correspond to the specified maximum size and shape dimensions of parcel-post items.

1.2.3 Where zonal rates apply in the equivalent domestic service, the mid-point rate as specified in the Regulations shall be used, and domestic tariffs for non-contiguous zones shall be excluded for determination of the mid-point rate. Alternatively, the determination of the zonal tariff to be used may be based on the actual weighted average distance of inbound parcels (for the most recent calendar year).

1.2.4 Where priority single-piece tariffs in the domestic service are exclusively determined on the basis of their size or dimensions and not their weight, those tariffs shall be used to determine the values in 1.2.1 in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.

1.2.5 A designated operator from group C may elect not to provide its domestic rates in accordance with the provisions applicable in paragraph 4.

1.2.6 For designated operators that do not provide the priority single-piece tariffs of equivalent domestic services in paragraph 1.2 by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs used for the previous year for the designated operator concerned shall apply. If the designated operator concerned has not notified the International Bureau of the relevant priority single-piece tariffs in any prior year, then the minimum rates provided in paragraph 5 shall apply.

1.2.6.1 If, by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect, the priority single-piece tariffs have been reduced compared to the notification of these tariffs of a prior year, the International Bureau shall be informed by the designated operator concerned of any reduction in the domestic charge referred to in this article.

1.3 Additionally, designated operators may notify the International Bureau by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the remuneration rates would apply of a self-declared rate per item and a self-declared rate per kilogramme, expressed in local currency or SDR, that shall apply to parcels in the following calendar year. The International Bureau shall annually convert the self-declared rates provided in local currency into values expressed in SDR. To calculate the rates in SDR, the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the five-month period ending on the last day of the month of February of the year preceding the year for which the self-declared rates would be applicable. The resultant rates shall be notified by means of an International Bureau circular no later than 1 July of the year preceding the year in which the self-declared rates would apply.

2 At the average parcel weight of 4.652 kilogrammes, the self-declared rates shall not be higher than the annual maximum revenue determined as follows:

2.1 2027: 25% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the ceiling rates in 1.2 and 75% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the inward land rates in effect in 2026;

2.2 2028: 50% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the ceiling rates in 1.2 and 50% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the inward land rates in effect in 2026;

2.3 2029: 75% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the ceiling rates in 1.2 and 25% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the inward land rates in effect in 2026;

2.4 2030: 100% of the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the ceiling rates in 1.2;

2.5 In 2.1 to 2.4 above, the inward land rates are the per-parcel and per-kilogramme base rates in 1.1 of the year 2026 further increased by 40% and reduced by 1.200 SDR per parcel. The deduction of 1.200 SDR shall not be made for those designated operators whose domestic service tariffs notified under 1.2.1 are inclusive of proof of delivery.

3 Maximum annual increases and decreases

3.1 Where the maximum annual revenue in 2 is higher than the revenue of the previous year increased by 20%, then the revenue of the previous year increased by 20% shall substitute the maximum rev�enue in 2.

3.2 Where the maximum annual revenue in 2 is less than the revenue of the previous year decreased by 10%, then the revenue of the previous year decreased by 10% shall substitute the maximum revenue in 2.

3.3 For the rates in effect in 2027, the revenue of the previous year shall be the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the per-parcel and per-kilogramme base rates in 1.1 of the year 2026 further increased by 40% and reduced by 1.200 SDR per parcel.

3.3.1 The deduction of 1.200 SDR in paragraph 3.3 shall not be made for those designated operators whose domestic service tariffs notified under 1.2.1 are inclusive of proof of delivery.

3.4 For the rates in effect from 2028, the revenue of the previous year shall be the revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of the self-declared per-item and per-kilogramme rates.

4 Beginning with rates in effect from 2027, if the competent authority with oversight for the designated operator classified in group C determines that domestic tariffs in 1.2.1 are not set in relation to costs, the designated operator may substitute the maximum revenue in 2 and 3 above with the per-parcel and per-kilogramme base rates in 1.1 of the year 2026, further increased by 40% and subsequently reduced by 1.200 SDR per parcel. Beginning with rates in effect from 2028, the designated operator invoking the provision in 4 may apply an annual increase of 4.5% to these rates.

4.1 The determination by the competent authority in 4 shall be submitted, in writing, to the International Bureau by 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect.

4.2 The designated operator invoking paragraph 4 shall self-declare a per-parcel and per-kilogramme rate in accordance with all other provisions in this article. The revenue calculated at the weight of 4.652 kilogrammes on the basis of these self-declared rates shall not exceed:

4.2.1 2027: 10.697 SDR;

4.2.2 2028: 11.177 SDR;

4.2.3 2029: 11.679 SDR;

4.2.4 2030: 12.204 SDR.

5 Where the maximum revenues calculated in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 result in a revenue calculated for a parcel item at 4.652 kilogrammes that is lower than the revenue calculated for the same item at the same weight on the basis of the minimum global rates specified below, the self-declared rates shall not be higher than the following rates:

5.1 for the year 2027, 4.560 SDR per item and 0.448 SDR per kilogramme;

5.2 for the year 2028, 4.765 SDR per item and 0.468 SDR per kilogramme;

5.3 for the year 2029, 4.979 SDR per item and 0.489 SDR per kilogramme;

5.4 for the year 2030, 5.203 SDR per item and 0.511 SDR per kilogramme.

6 The determination of whether the self-declared rates exceed the maximum revenues in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 shall be tested at the revenue using the average parcel weight of 4.652 kilogrammes. In instances where the notified self-declared rates exceed the maximum revenues in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 the provisions in paragraph 7.1 shall apply; alternatively, the designated operator in question may choose to reduce its self-declared rates to a level that complies with the provisions of this article.

6.1 The self-declared rate per parcel in paragraph 6 shall not be less than the maximum performance-related incentive specified in the Regulations. This amount shall be deducted from the self-declared per-parcel rate published by means of an International Bureau circular no later than 1 July of the year preceding the year in which the self-declared rates would apply.

6.2 The designated operator can recover the amount in 6.1, in full or in part, by providing service features, in accordance with provisions laid down in the Regulations.

7 For designated operators that have elected to self-declare their rates for parcels in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate different self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the existing self-declared rates shall continue to apply unless they do not satisfy the conditions laid out in this article. The designated operator may apply the minimum rates provided in paragraph 5.

7.1 For designated operators that have elected not to self-declare their rates for parcels in a prior calendar year and that do not communicate self-declared rates for the subsequent year, the remuneration rates shall be based on maximum revenues in paragraphs 2 and 3 and apply the same ratio between the item rate and kilogramme rate of the previous year or determined in accordance with the provi�sions in paragraph 4, as appropriate.

8 Beginning with rates in effect for the year 2027 onwards, for parcels with proof of delivery, there shall be an additional payment of 1.200 SDR per item or the charge applicable for proof of delivery in the domestic service. This remuneration shall not be paid to those designated operators whose domestic service tariffs notified under 1.2.1 are inclusive of proof of delivery.

8.1 Designated operators that apply the equivalent charge in the domestic service shall notify the International Bureau by no later than 1 May of the year preceding the year in which the rates take effect of that charge, exclusive of any taxes, in effect on that date. To calculate the rates in SDR, the International Bureau shall use the average monthly exchange rate of the five-month period ending on the last day of the month of February of the year preceding the year for which the payment would be applicable. The applicable amount shall be published, in SDR, in the same circular referred to in paragraph 1.3.

9 Where the domestic tariffs for a parcel weighing 4.652 kg with delivery to the non-contiguous zones were excluded from the calculation of the ceiling rates in 1.2, the destination designated operator may apply a supplementary rate to its self-declared rates for items delivered to these zones that shall correspond to or be lower than the difference between these values in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations.

10 Any designated operator which participates in the sea conveyance of parcels shall be authorized to claim sea rates. These rates shall be payable by the designated operator of the country of origin, unless the Regulations provide for exceptions to this principle.

10.1 For each sea conveyance used, the sea rate shall be laid down in the Regulations according to the distance step applicable.

10.2 Designated operators may increase by 50% at most the sea rate calculated in accordance with 10.1. On the other hand, they may reduce it as they wish.

Article XX
(Article 35 amended)
Provisions specific to the settlement of accounts and payments for international postal exchanges

1 Settlements and payments in respect of operations carried out in accordance with the present Convention (including settlements and payments for the transport (forwarding) of postal items, settlements and payments for the treatment of postal items in the country of destination or transit and settlements and payments in compensation for any loss, theft or damage relating to postal items) shall be based on and made in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and other Acts of the Union, and shall not require the preparation of any documents by a designated operator except in cases provided for in the Acts of the Union.

2 In order to ensure the provision of the universal postal service, as set forth in article 3, and the integrity of the international postal network, designated operators shall make payments for operations carried out in accordance with the Acts of the Union. Following settlement, if a designated operator fails to pay another designated operator in a timely manner for undisputed debts stemming from such operations, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Acts of the Union, the creditor designated operator may suspend the provision of postal services as per the relevant procedures set forth in the Regulations (without prejudice to Council of Administration guidance on matters of fundamental policy and principles).

Article XXI
(Article 36 amended)
Authority of the Postal Operations Council to fix charges and rates

1 The Postal Operations Council shall have the authority to fix the following rates, charges and other elements as outlined in paragraph 1.3, which are payable by designated operators in accordance with the conditions shown in the Regulations

1.1 transit charges for the handling and conveyance of letter mails through one or more intermediary countries;

1.2 basic rates and air conveyance dues for the carriage of mail by air;

1.3 performance-related incentive elements for parcels;

1.4 transit land rates for the handling and conveyance of parcels through an intermediary country;

1.5 sea rates for the conveyance of parcels by sea.

1.6 outward land rates for the provision of the merchandise return service for parcels.

2 Any revision made, in accordance with a methodology that ensures equitable remuneration for designated operators performing the services, must be based on reliable and representative economic and financial data. Any change decided upon shall enter into force at a date set by the Postal Operations Council.

Article XXII
Entry into force and duration of the Additional Protocol to the Universal Postal Convention

This Additional Protocol shall come into force on 1 January 2027 (with the exception of articles IV, V, XII to XIX and XXI, as well as the amendments made to paragraphs 2.1, 2.4 and 3.3. of article VIII and paragraphs 4.2, 6.1.1.1 and 6.1.1bis of article IX, which shall come into force on 1 January 2026), and shall remain in force for an indefinite period.

In witness whereof the plenipotentiaries of the governments of the member countries have drawn up this Additional Protocol, which shall have the same force and the same validity as if its provisions were inserted in the text of the Universal Postal Convention itself, and they have signed it in a single original which shall be deposited with the Director General of the International Bureau. A copy thereof shall be delivered to each member country by the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union.

Done at Dubai, 19 September 2025.

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