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Valsts prezidents E. Rinkēvičs

Rīgā 2026. gada 19. jūnijā

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

à découvert 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 à découvert, 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 à découvert.

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 à découvert 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 destination, 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 à découvert 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 à

découvert, 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 remuneration 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 Thepayment 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 Mayof the year preceding the year in

which the rates take effect, the priority

single-piece tariffsused 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 paragraph 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, exclusive 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 revenue 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 provisions 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.

1 An exception shall be granted to the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the country

which invented the postage stamp.

Pasaules Pasta konvencijas Otrais

papildprotokols

Satura rādītājs

Pants

I

(4. pants, grozīts)

Tranzīta pārvadājumu brīvība

II

(6. pants, grozīts)

Pastmarkas

III

(9. pants, grozīts)

Pārkāpumi

IV

(12. pants, grozīts)

Vēstuļu korespondences iesniegšana nosūtīšanai no

ārvalstīm

V

(14. pants, grozīts)

Pakalpojumu kvalitāte

VI

(16. pants, grozīts)

Atbrīvojums no maksas par pasta pakalpojumiem

VII

(17. pants, grozīts)

Pamatpakalpojumi

VIII

(18. pants, grozīts)

Papildpakalpojumi

IX

(19. pants, grozīts)

Sūtījumi, kurus nav atļauts pieņemt. Aizliegumi

X

(22. pants, grozīts)

Izraudzīto operatoru atbildība. Atlīdzības

XI

(23. pants, grozīts)

(VII iedaļas A apakšsadaļa un 27. pants, grozīti)

XII

(VII iedaļas A apakšsadaļa un 27. pants, grozīti)

A. Vispārīgi noteikumi par atlīdzību un

tranzītmaksu