postal regulation

The postal sector is changing fast. As the traditional market enters a steep decline, e-commerce is driving rapid and unprecedented growth in parcel delivery - all of which has an impact on the way the sector is regulated.

At Cullen International, we provide independent and expert insight into the past, present and future of EU postal regulation. Subscribe to our intelligence services, and we’ll help you to stay informed as the sector evolves and to understand how that evolution affects you.

general topics covered

Universal service obligations

Use our Postal service to stay informed on the steps taken by regulators to maintain the sustainability of the universal service despite the decline in traditional postal volumes. Track and compare different national regimes, and anticipate new rules and reforms taking place at the EU level. Topics covered include :

  • Postal Services Directive
  • Universal service scope and changes
  • Price caps
  • Funding
E-commerce

E-commerce has led to rapid growth in the parcel sector, driving providers to innovate and diversify to rise to new challenges and meet changing consumer expectations. As national and EU level regulation is now increasingly focusing on this area, our intelligence services provide an essential independent resource on this transformative trend. Topics covered include:

  • Horizontal consumer protection rules
  • Postal sector rules on parcel delivery
  • Alternative means of delivery
  • VAT and customs

latest intelligence

EU customs authorities struggle to handle e-commerce parcel volumes
25 September 25 Celine Senay

According to a new EU Commission report, European customs authorities are increasingly struggling to carry out controls on products entering the EU from third countries because of growing inbound parcel volumes. In 2024, customs authorities were able to check the compliance of only 82 out of every million products imported into the EU. The Commission argued that these findings underlined the need to adopt the proposed reform of the customs union.

Report: European courier, express and parcel sector faces a range of labour-related issues
23 September 25 Armen Ghalumyan

Among others, complex subcontracting structures, unprotected workers’ rights, undeclared or underdeclared work, and compliance and enforcement difficulties are common in the sector. A recent report by the European Labour Authority evaluated best practices in several EU member states and provided recommendations to address the identified issues.

Most postal consumers in Poland are unaware of the term “universal postal service”, a survey finds
22 September 25 Monika Kačeriaková

This was among the findings of a 2024 study on the postal service needs of individuals and organisations, published by the Polish postal regulator UKE. Compared to the previous study of 2020, the role of traditional post offices and postmen decreased, while the use of parcel lockers and e-delivery services increased.

EU Timeline
15 September 25 Marianna Mattera

This edition of Cullen International’s EU Timeline highlights key policy and regulatory developments foreseen at EU level until the end of 2025.

Correos to offer new services as part of its public service mission
19 August 25 Carmen Mateas

An amendment of the postal law extended the designation of Correos as the universal postal service provider by another five years, entrusted Correos with the provision of new services of general economic interest and modified the basis for calculating the net cost of the postal universal service. These changes implement the strategic framework for Correos, which was approved in 2024 and which sought to guarantee the universal service provider´s financial stability.

ARCEP approves La Poste’s increases in universal service tariffs for 2026
14 August 25 Celine Senay

La Poste proposed an average price increase of 7.4% for its universal postal services in 2026. ARCEP published its opinion finding that the USP’s new tariffs were compliant with the price cap on 29 July 2025.

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