Letter Rates 1975-2012

Introduction

Empire rates were abolished as from 17th March 1975, and so the rates in the period since then are just simple lists that applied worldwide.

The structure of few but wide weight bands eventually gave way to a structure with prices per 50g/100g up to the weight limit of 2kg. Generally the rates were set so that the steps were consistent after a certain point around 500g, although some more recent sets of tariffs have had non-constant steps throughout! These sets are listed in full; for others, the rates up to 1kg are given explicitly for ease of lookup.

For letters to Europe until 1991 these rates applied as an "all-up" rate (i.e. letters were sent by air whenever this resulted in faster service). From 7th January 1991 there were separate airmail rates to Europe. However, between 1986 and 1998 there was also a concessionary reduced minimum rate for EEC destinations, equal to the basic first class inland letter rate. It applied to all-up mail to 1991 and airmail thereafter.

From 1981 there were no separate surface/all-up postcard rates, so cards were sent at the letter rate. From 2012 the rates for printed papers and small packets above 100g up to the maximum weight (5kg for printed papers, 2kg for other items) were identical to the corresponding letter rates.

Rates