PostNL delays three-day post delivery until 2028 at earliest

PostNL now expects it will not be able to move to three-day delivery of standard post until January 2028 at the earliest, pushing back a change that had been due to start next summer. Chief executive Pim Berendsen says the measure still needs to be approved by the Dutch parliament, after which the company will need time to prepare.

The government had previously indicated that PostNL could take up to 72 hours to deliver letters and cards from July 2027. But the change must first be written into law, and Berendsen does not expect that to happen soon.

PostNL has been allowed two working days to deliver standard post since July. The company says falling mail volumes have made its postal service loss-making and argues that a longer delivery window is needed. It is also seeking government compensation.

The company has said it cannot begin redesigning its logistics system for three-day delivery until politicians clarify the rules. It is also seeking €80 million in government support for postal-service costs.