Postal
Regulation of Authorised Providers
All postal service providers other than An Post with an annual turnover of more than €500,000, excluding VAT, must obtain a postal service authorisation from ComReg. These postal service providers must also:
- Draw up a code of practice covering customer complaints and redress;
- Make sure that they meet essential requirements in relation to the postal services they provide, for example, security of mail, Protection from loss or damage and so on;
- Respect the area reserved to An Post.
Many other postal service providers operate in Ireland, but they are not obliged to provide specific services.
Anyone can set up a postal business to handle any form of mail as long as they do not infringe on the areas reserved to An Post. However, if their annual turnover is greater than €500,000, they will need a postal service authorisation from ComReg.
Authorised Operator Listing
A full listing of the postal operators currently authorised by ComReg is available to view and search (Authorised Operators Postal Register).
The search facility allows you to:
- Search by operator with the results listing the services on offer by that operator;
- Search by service offered with the results listing the operators that meet your search criteria
How to Apply for an Authorisation
In order to be authorised to provide trans-border and/or domestic postal service(s) you must submit an authorisation application form, signed checklist and signed declaration.
The application can be made on-line or it can be submitted in hardcopy by post or fax.
Complete the application on-line or download and print application form 03/139ar.
There are guidance notes on the completion of this form available should you require.
You also need to ensure that the checklist (03/139b) and the Declaration (03/139c) are submitted in hardcopy as well
Exemption from Authorisation
If you do not provide a postal service or your turnover is under the €500,000 (exclusive of VAT) limit, complete and return the ‘Form to be completed if business is not subject to authorisation.
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