The Deutsche Post reports an increase in the use of mobile postage, while traditional letter volumes continue to fall. This shift reflects changing communication habits in the digital age, though physical mail remains relevant.
In the 75 years since the first postage stamps of the Federal Republic of Germany were issued, a new form of postage is gaining significance. The “Mobile Stamp” was sold 13.8 million times last year, an increase of 0.3 million from 2022, according to Deutsche Post. This alternative to conventional stamps, launched in late 2020, saw a significant jump from 9 million sales in 2021.
How mobile postage works
The “Post & DHL” app allows users to purchase postage without visiting a post office or stamp machine. Users receive a code of numbers and letters, which they write on the envelope. The postal service recognizes this code as valid postage during processing. There’s no surcharge – users pay only the standard postage rate, such as 85 cents for a standard letter. This service is currently available only for domestic mail.
While mobile stamp usage is increasing, it remains a niche market, accounting for about 1% of stamped letters. This percentage is even lower when including bulk mail and business correspondence franked by machines.
Declining demand for traditional stamps
The first West German stamps were issued on September 7, 1949, featuring construction workers at a topping-out ceremony. For decades, stamp demand remained high as letters were a crucial form of communication. However, the internet era has seen a steady decline in letter volumes.
In 2001, Deutsche Post delivered 22.7 billion letter items. By 2023, this number had fallen to 12.5 billion, a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. Despite this trend, Deutsche Post DHL Group still considers its letter business significant for the future.
Benjamin Rasch, Marketing Director of Post & Parcel Germany, states, “The classic stamp will continue to play an important role in our society, both as postage for valuable, individual, and appealing written communication, and as an object for collectors and ultimately as a cultural asset of Germany.”
