Jamaica postal rates double

POSTAL RATES in Jamaica have recently been bumped upwards.

Since March 8, customers of Jamaica Post have been paying twice the amount it normally costs to send mail.

This has been the first increase since 2004.

The new rate to send a package inland for the first 230 grams is $60, up from $30; more than 230 to 450 grams cost $120, up from $60, and more than 450 grams to two kilograms is now $200, up from $100.

The registration fee for each item is now $120, up from $60.

The cost to send items weighing 15 grams or fractional thereof to The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Canada, the United States (US), Central and South America now stands at $120, up from $60. The cost to send the same weighted item to the United Kingdom and Europe except Cyprus is $140, up from $70.

It costs $180 up from $90 to send the same weighted item to the Far East, Australia, Africa, New Zealand, Asia and Cyprus is $180, up from $90.

The rates on private letter boxes, however, have not been changed and remain at $2,000 per annum, with a deposit of $1,000.

The cost of mailing in the US, Canada and in the United Kingdom seems more appealing.

To send a letter inland, the UK's postal service, The Royal Mail's, cheapest rate is 25 pence or $34.07. For international mail, the cheapest rate that sees mail being delivered in three to five working days is 56 pence or $76.31.

For parcels up to 30 grams, the Canada Post charges CDN$0.57 or J$50.25 for inland mail. To send international mail up to 30 grams, the Canada Post charges CDN$1.70 or J$149.87.

In the US, the lowest domestic rate to send letters costs US$0.44 or J$39.29. This service promises an average delivery time of one to three days. For international mail, the lowest cost is US$0.75 or J$66.97.