Delivery times

The UNEX study, set up by the IPC (International Post Corporation), constantly assesses delivery times for international Priority mail.
Each year, one million sample letters of various formats and types are analysed throughout Europe and North America, in both urban and rural areas.

1969 marked the beginning of terminal dues, the amount paid by the outgoing postal administration to the recipient postal administration to cover the delivery costs of international mail. This principal was adapted in 1987 to accommodate real costs incurred by the destination country.

In 1999, the REIMS agreements were signed by 16 postal operators, including France's, to perfect Europe's mail system. These agreements are in line with three principles set out in a 1997 European directive:

• covering of costs ;
• encouragement of quality service ;
• freedom, equality, and loyalty: every country, including those that have not signed, benefits.

Since May 1, 2005, five countries have joined this commitment through an agreement called REIMS East: Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. This transitional agreement will phase these postal operators into the REIMS system as early as 2007.
UNEX verifies and monitors the quality of service for mail exchanged between IPC members. Beginning in 2005, IBM Consulting has been conducting a study using one million test letters; delivery times are published twice yearly.