Lower postage rate for French cultural items ends in July

The livres et brochures scheme that offers discounted rates for non-commercial texts written in French is ending on July 1, La Poste has confirmed.

The scheme, launched in 2002 with the goal of spreading French culture abroad, offers a preferential rate for ‘cultural texts’ such as books, brochures, compilations, dissertations, newsletters, sheet music, maps and manuscripts.

To be eligible, the text must be written exclusively in French or French regional languages.

Under the livres et brochures rate, a one kilo delivery to the UK costs only €3.23, as opposed to €18.45 with a standard Colissimo service.

Read more: Letters: Delivery fees make it uneconomical to receive packages in France

'Catastrophic news'

The announcement of the end of the advantageous rate for books and brochures on July 1 has been met with dismay from smaller publishing companies in particular.

“At a time when we are already ruining ourselves with postage costs that are draining our cash flow even further, this is catastrophic news”, said micro-publishing association Flatland on Facebook.

“If La Poste does not back down, survival will become even more difficult for the hundreds of micro and small publishers who make up the richness and diversity of French publishing.”

Read more: Does La Poste charge more for posting non-French books abroad?

The issue also reached the French parliament on December 17.

“This is a radical decision that has taken the book industry by surprise, as it had been calling for the reduced rate to be extended in order to promote the distribution of French books,” said MP Hendrik Davi, (Bouches-du-Rhône – 5e circonscription).

“This decision is all the more incomprehensible when you consider that online platforms such as Amazon circumvent compulsory delivery charges via relay points and offer prices that are difficult to match.”

Despite the discontent, La Poste has not altered its plans nor proposed a replacement for the scheme.