Windhoek — THE costs of posting letters and renting post boxes are to go up in Namibia from October 1.

On average, prices will rise by 10 per cent, NamPost said in a press release yesterday.

"Namibians still enjoy postal, banking and courier services which are notably cheaper than their counterparts in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region, including those of South Africa," NamPost said.

The differentiation between business and private mail tariffs has been abolished, following complaints from the business sector, which contributes about 80 per cent of NamPost revenue.

From October 1, there will be only one standard mail tariff - N$1,60, up from the old rates of N$1,45 for business mail and N$1,10 for private mail.

The non-standard mail tariff will increase from N$4 to N$4,40.

According to NamPost, equivalent rates in South Africa are R1,65 and R4,25 respectively.

NamPost also announced a new priority, or fast mail service, will be introduced.

The service offers one-day delivery between all major towns and cities in Namibia.

Standard mail currently offers a three-day delivery standard.

Fast mail tariffs will be N$2,75 for standard-size mail, the same rate as in South Africa, the release said.

Rent for a small post box will go up from N$115 to N$126,50.

Courier tariffs have been changed, to reflect five delivery distance "zones" instead of two.

For a parcel of less than 10 kg, for example, it will cost N$33 per kilogramme to transport it between 101 and 200 kilometres.