Hongkong Post Raises Postage Rates From April 13
Hongkong Post will increase its principal postage rates starting April 13, the department announced on March 23. The adjustment is the first since September 2022 and reflects cumulative inflation over the past three and a half years, with rising conveyance costs and terminal dues payments cited as the primary drivers.
How Much Rates Are Going Up
Hongkong Post describes the increases as mild. More than 90% of local and surface mail rates will rise by no more than HK$0.2, while 90% of airmail rates will increase by no more than HK$0.5. The adjustments apply to the basic tiers for letter postage across local, airmail, and surface mail categories.
Here is a full breakdown of the changes taking effect April 13:
| Mail Type | Weight | Current Rate | New Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local letters | 30g or less | HK$2.2 | HK$2.4 | +HK$0.2 |
| Airmail to Mainland China and Taiwan | 20g or less | HK$3.7 | HK$3.9 | +HK$0.2 |
| Airmail to other destinations | 20g or less | HK$4.0–5.5 | HK$4.2–5.8 | +HK$0.2–0.3 |
| Surface mail to Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan | 20g or less | HK$2.8 | HK$3.0 | +HK$0.2 |
| Surface mail to other destinations | 20g or less | HK$3.5–5.3 | HK$3.7–5.6 | +HK$0.2–0.3 |
Why Rates Are Going Up
Hongkong Post pointed to two cost pressures driving the adjustment: conveyance costs and terminal dues payments, both of which have risen since the last rate review in 2022. The increases track cumulative inflation through January 2026.
The department also acknowledged the structural challenges facing its traditional business. Declining letter volumes, driven by the shift to electronic communication, and intensifying competition from commercial courier services have put sustained pressure on its operations. Hongkong Post framed the rate adjustment as part of a broader effort to maintain affordable universal postal services while managing costs more tightly.
Where Hongkong Post Is Heading
Rather than relying on letter mail to sustain its business, Hongkong Post is pivoting toward e-commerce logistics as its primary growth area. The department said it will continue developing its e-commerce business to generate revenue while pursuing cost efficiency across operations.
The move mirrors what postal services in other markets have done as letter volumes shrink globally. Parcel and e-commerce logistics now account for a growing share of revenue at postal operators worldwide, and Hongkong Post is positioning itself to compete in that space rather than defend a declining core.
What This Means for Cross-Border Sellers
This rate increase comes in the context of a broader disruption to Hongkong Post's international services. The department previously suspended acceptance of parcels containing goods destined for the United States in response to U.S. tariff actions, making the U.S. route unavailable through Hongkong Post regardless of these rate changes.
For sellers using Hongkong Post for shipments to other international destinations, the April 13 rate changes are modest. Airmail to destinations outside Mainland China and Taiwan will see the largest per-item increase, with rates moving up by HK$0.2 to HK$0.3 depending on destination. For high-volume shippers, the cumulative impact is worth factoring into shipping cost calculations before the new rates take effect. The full updated rate schedule is available on the Hongkong Post website.
