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

An Post failed to meet its quality of service targets in 2024 and 2025
02 September 26 Armen Ghalumyan

ComReg, the Irish postal regulator, published monitoring reports which revealed that the universal service provider missed its regulatory targets for single piece priority mail delivery in the preceding two years.

BIPT study recommends considering the removal of priority mail from the Belgian universal service
26 August 26 Virginie Alloo

The Belgian government should consider removing priority mail from the universal service, according to an Ipsos study published by the postal regulator BIPT on 14 August 2026. Based on the needs and preferences of individual and professional users, the study also recommended maintaining home delivery of letters, prioritising reliable D+3 delivery over speed, and retaining a core network of post offices.

French parliamentarians call for a new postal law to adapt to changing user needs
11 August 26 Virginie Alloo

The information report by the National Assembly’s finance committee has made a range of non-binding recommendations focusing on La Poste’s four public service missions, including the universal service. Among other aspects, the report recommended setting D+4 as a quality of service standard for the economy class letter delivery from 2028, instead of the current D+3.

Estonia’s new postal law removes domestic parcels from the scope of the universal service and introduces cost-oriented retail pricing
06 August 26 Merilin Kasesalu

Estonia’s postal reform modernised the universal service framework, simplified market–entry requirements and updated service delivery rules. The affordability-based pricing principle will be replaced by cost-oriented pricing. Domestic parcel delivery will be removed and delivery of periodicals will be added to the universal service’s scope.

Belgian regulator sees benefits in a guaranteed postal service but calls for clearer requirements
28 July 26 Virginie Alloo

The legislative proposal under consideration would require Bpost, the universal service provider, to ensure the provision of a postal service guaranteed even at times of major disruptions but under conditions different from those currently applicable to the universal service.

EU Advocate General finds that Amazon Italia provides postal services
21 July 26 Peter Dunn

The Advocate General (AG) of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) gave his opinion that certain activities, carried out by Amazon in Italy, amounted to “postal services” within the meaning of the Postal Services Directive (PSD). The AG therefore advised that the CJEU should interpret the PSD as allowing member states to require organisations providing such activities to be subject to authorisation as a postal service provider.

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