Changes to our International Inbound letter rates and services from 1 July 2022 - Questions and answers

The following Standard Mail product will have a price increase that will apply from 1 July 2022. Prices shown are in NZD and exclude GST.

International Bulk Mail is a category of mass mailing that meets specific criteria, including a minimum item lodgement which enables efficient processing, and as a result, attracts reduced pricing. Bulk Mail includes the following products: AdCard, FlexiMail, Publication Mail and VolumeMail. It is usually (but not always) produced on behalf of an organisation by a specialist mailhouse that deals with large or complex mailings.

Zonal Pricing is our pricing structure that applies to all Bulk Mail products and charges different prices for mail delivered to different areas. Four pricing zones (A-D) are defined by postcodes and each zone has a different delivery price. Zonal Pricing applies to AdCard, FlexiMail VolumeMail, and Publication Mail products. A fifth tier (IPC) applies to items sent with an invalid postcode.

You may download the NZ Post Bulk Mail Zones (XLS - 76KB). The NZ Post Bulk Mail Zones list provides details of the postcode zone and delivery type for all valid postcodes in NZ.

Note: There are 3 listed postcodes that have no zonal mapping as they have no physical mail delivery points, i.e., all mail sent to those postcodes should be addressed to the PO Box Lobby within the postcode. These are highlighted in yellow in the PDF. If you wish to obtain a csv version of the Bulk Mail Zones list you may convert the spreadsheet provided above, or please contact [email protected].

You are required to submit a Lodgement Data File with each physical VolumeMail, AdCard, FlexiMail and Publication Mail lodgement via the online ‘Lodgement Manager’ system.

The key points to note are as follows: 

• Zonal Pricing covers all Bulk Mail products: AdCard, FlexiMail, VolumeMail and Publication Mail. Each zone has a different price. 
• A feature of Lodgement Manager enables you to upload the Lodgement Data File automatically through an API process.

The Lodgement Data File contains addressing information of each mail item in an AdCard, VolumeMail, FlexiMail or Publication Mail product postal lodgement. This file is integrated at lodgement time by NZ Post.

The postcode for each mail item (based on the addressing information supplied in the Lodgement Data File) is assessed to determine which zone applies to that mail item and the total cost of postage is then calculated on that basis. Note that mail items that do not have a postcode, or that have an incorrect postcode, will be considered invalid postcode (IPC) items and will be charged the highest price point.

A Lodgement Data File (LDF) is required to be submitted for all Bulk Mail services to ensure the Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) process functions properly.

Having a high Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) and ensuring all addresses have a correct postcode included is the best way to ensure your lodgement is charged at the lowest price. The destination of the mail items will determine the final price.

Being able to supply the Lodgement Data File (LDF) will give you access to the most competitive mail rates. In most cases, this should be a simple task to complete. However, you require access to Lodgement Manager to lodge Bulk Mail. Please contact [email protected] for access and support.

Each Bulk Mail lodgement is assessed using the Postal Address File standards and valid postcodes. An AAP is calculated to determine the Bulk Mail pricing tier to be applied. Items with invalid postcodes (IPC) will be excluded from the AAP assessment to avoid a double pricing penalty.

AdCard lodgements must have an AAP rating of >80% to qualify for Bulk Mail pricing.

IPC is an abbreviation for invalid postcode and is a separate pricing tier for all Bulk Mail rate cards. When lodging AdCard, FlexiMail, VolumeMail and Publication Mail lodgements, all mail items with missing or invalid postcodes will be charged at the IPC price.

Mail items that do not include postcodes will, by default, be charged the highest cost delivery tier (IPC). Having a high Address Accuracy Percentage (AAP) and ensuring all addresses have a correct postcode included is the best way to ensure your lodgement is charged at the lowest feasible price applicable to your mail item. The destination of the mail items will determine the final price.

Once you have uploaded the Lodgement Data File (LDF) into Lodgement Manager, along with the normal lodgement information (e.g. product and volume), the system will calculate the volume for each zone and assign the correct pricing for the lodgement. It’s important to note that, as there will be no identifiable customer data being shared with us, there are no privacy or security concerns for your customers.

You can use the International Bulk Mail rate card and Zonal Pricing information to estimate the cost of postage for a lodgement. We have developed a system for files to be submitted electronically by saving but not submitting the file, allowing you to determine postage costs under the Zonal Pricing structure. Once you have submitted your lodgement, the saved file can be deleted.

No, Zonal Pricing charges will be determined by the zone that the Bulk Mail items are being sent to (the destination). Zonal Pricing charges are not based on the origin of the item.

AAP will be a price differentiator on the International Bulk Mail Rate Card (PDF - 113KB). All Zonal (A, B, C & D) pricing is differentiated by AAP tiers. However, all mail items with missing or invalid post codes will be charged at the same IPC price relative to the product and size rather than the AAP tier.

Yes, the ability to upload files in Lodgement Manager is available for you to test your files.

Publication Mail lodgements that include a sample, in accordance with the Publication Mail product specifications, will be charged a flat rate sample fee of $0.40 (excl GST) per item in addition to the normal card rate fee applicable to the lodgement. The Publication Mail Sample fee applies if a sample is included with a publication and this takes the combined thickness into the 20mm–32mm range. Further details for the Publication Mail Sample product can be found in the International Commercial Postal Users’ Guide.

Please contact your Business Manager or our [email protected] for assistance.