In response to the escalation of international shipping rates and the increase of international mail delivery fee charged by the U.S. Postal Service, starting from 8th March 2021, Chunghwa Post is implementing Emergency Situation Surcharge (ESS) to international mail, which the applied rates will be announced on a monthly basis, and adjusting the postage rates for mail destined for the U.S., to reflect the operating costs of international mail to continue to provide quality services.

According to Chunghwa Post, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, international flights have been drastically reduced since 2020, and the peak air freight rates to major destinations abroad have increased by up to four times compared with those before the pandemic, resulting in a sharp increase in air freight costs for international mail. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service has also significantly raised its delivery fee for international small packet items since July 2020 and has been raising the delivery fee for parcels and express mail every year. Chunghwa Post has not adjusted its postage rates for international mail for many years, yet the external operating costs have increased sharply, causing a huge impact on its operation.

To improve the operation and quality of service, Chunghwa Post is introducing Emergency Situation Surcharge (ESS) with reference to the practice of private operators’ response to the pandemic. The countries of destination affected and the applied rates based on the increase and fluctuation of air freight rates will be announced on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, in line with the latest international mail delivery fee standard, the delivery fee charged by the U.S. Postal Service for mail destined for the U.S. are changed from "by total weight" to "by item and by weight." Except for Express Mail, the postage rates adjustment are based on the principle of "increase for lighter items and decrease for heavier items," resulting in the overall rates adjustment ranges from -36% to 145%. The newly revised international mail postage rates are available on the Chunghwa Post Website (http://www.post.gov.tw).

The adjustment of postage rates for mail destined for the U.S. and the introduction of ESS are made to cover the increase in air freight rates and mail delivery fee charged by foreign countries in order to continue to operate the international mail business and to protect the rights of the general public to access to postal services. After the adjustment, the international mail service will still be the cheapest option among all cross-border logistics solutions, and Chunghwa Post will continue to provide universal, fair and reasonable international postal services.