Portokosten

Portokosten, commonly translated as postage costs, are the charges imposed by a postal operator for the preparation, transport, and delivery of mail and parcels. They fund the services required to move mail from sender to recipient, including sorting, carriage, and final delivery.

Pricing is typically determined by several factors: the weight and size of the item, the destination (domestic or international), the chosen service level (standard, expedited, or express), and any additional services such as tracking, registered mail, insurance, or special handling. Tariff structures may be organized in weight bands and destination zones, with separate rates for letters, large letters, and parcels.

Payment methods vary by system. A sender may affix stamps or use a franking system to prepay portokosten, or purchase online postage labels. In some cases, postage due or cash-on-delivery charges apply, making the recipient responsible for part of the cost.

International shipments often involve different tariffs and bilateral agreements, leading to higher or different rates than domestic mail. Many postal operators publish online calculators or tariff tables to estimate portokosten prior to mailing.

Historical context: Postage fees arose to fund public postal services and to compensate carriers for the cost of transporting mail. While terminology and methods have evolved with digital and private courier services, the basic concept of portokosten as the price of mailing remains central to postal systems worldwide.