Do you remember the time when sending a letter cost barely the price of a coffee? With the new rate changes announced by La Poste for 2026, the reality of postal shipments in France takes on a whole new turn. What changes are to be expected and how will this impact your daily shipments? Discover the details in this article.
The 3 key points not to miss
- The green stamp crosses the threshold of 1.52 euros, marking a notable increase of 7.4% on average for postal rates.
- International and secure shipments also undergo significant increases, with revised rates for registered letters and the e-red letter.
- Colissimo parcel rates show a more moderate increase of 3.4%, reflecting a notable difference with traditional mail.
Evolution of postal rates
Starting January 1, 2026, La Poste is implementing a general increase in its postal rates, with an average of 7.4%. The green stamp, well known to users, thus goes from 1.39 to 1.52 euros. This increase represents a new symbolic threshold for basic postage, but it doesn’t stop there.
Other postal services, such as the tracked Green Letter, also see their prices rise. Offering delivery confirmation, this option goes from 1.89 to 2.02 euros. Similarly, the Plus Services Letter, including SMS notifications, now reaches 3.47 euros.
Impact on secure and international shipments
Secure shipments are not left out. The R1 registered letter of twenty grams will see an increase in its rate, going from 5.74 to 6.11 euros. As for the e-red letter, an online express delivery solution, its cost now rises to 1.60 euros.
For international shipments, the cost of a twenty-gram letter abroad will be 2.25 euros in 2026. This fifteen-cent increase reflects the general trend of rising postal rates, although the tracking sticker remains unchanged at 0.50 euros.
Colissimo: a more moderate increase
Unlike mail, Colissimo parcel rates only experience an increase of 3.4%. This divergence illustrates the distinct economic realities between mail, whose volume is decreasing, and parcels, which are constantly increasing, notably with the development of e-commerce.
Consequences for individuals and professionals
For individuals who regularly send mail, this increase could represent a significant annual additional cost. For example, a daily green letter shipment will result in an additional expense of 47 euros per year.
Professionals, administrations, and associations will need to adjust their budgets to incorporate these new rates. The trend of decreasing paper mail volumes, due to increasing digitalization, pushes La Poste to adjust its prices to compensate for this decline.
Historical context of La Poste
La Poste, a French company founded in 1576, has evolved over the centuries, transitioning from a mail distribution service to a key player in postal and logistics services. Faced with increasing digitalization and decreasing volumes of traditional mail, the company has had to adapt by diversifying its offerings, notably with parcel and express delivery services. The recent rate adjustments reflect these evolutions and the challenges posed by a changing market.