HAKOM warns users: International small parcel delivery is not free and users must be prepared for additional charges

ZAGREB, 6 May 2016 – Due to frequent questions by users of postal services concerning the handling of postal items in the category of 'small parcels' in international traffic and additional charges for their delivery, the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) would like to take this opportunity to inform all interested parties and contribute to better understanding of the above-mentioned issues. The provision of postal services is regulated by the Postal Services Act, the Ordinance on the provision of universal service, general terms and conditions of postal service providers and by various acts of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for international postal services.
 

The list of all authorised postal service providers in the Republic of Croatia pursuant to the PSA is published on HAKOM's website (link: https://www.hakom.hr/default.aspx?id=2637).

Pursuant to the provisions of the PSA, the universal service provider in the Republic of Croatia is HP–Hrvatska pošta d.d. (HP). The terms and conditions for the provision of the universal service available at HP's website (link: http://www.posta.hr/pomo-i-informacije/pravilnici-i-cjenici) lay down the manner and conditions for the provision of universal service in domestic and international traffic.

A small parcel is an international incoming postal service requested by the sender and which is labelled by the recipient post office as Petit paquet“ or „Small Packet“, as a rule in the upper left corner on the addressing side of the parcel and in that case the recipient is charged for the delivery of small parcels at his home address and in a post office. 

Therefore, HP-Hrvatska pošta d.d. cannot arbitrarily decide whether or not it will charge the above-mentioned amount, but it its charges for the delivery of small parcels are provided for and laid down in the price list for international postal services. 
 
HAKOM is warning users of postal services that they must be prepared for additional charges related to international delivery of postal items, in particular for small parcels in e-commerce, even though the websites where the order is placed advertise free delivery.

HAKOM's official website has been updated with useful advice for users of postal services in the country and abroad and with all the applicable regulations regulating the Croatian and the international postal system (link:https://www.hakom.hr/default.aspx?id=7650).

ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary competencies in market regulation.