Post Fiji Pte Limited has officially approached the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) with a request to either raise domestic postal tariffs or fully deregulate postal services. This appeal comes in response to a significant decline in mail volumes and rising operating costs that the company has been experiencing.
In a detailed submission dated November 14, 2025, Post Fiji’s Chief Executive Officer, Isaac Mow, explained that the effects of digital transformation have severely impacted the sustainability of traditional postal services. Mr. Mow highlighted the various commercial, economic, and industry factors that jeopardize the viability of the domestic postal sector.
The company pointed out that the volume of letter mail is continuously decreasing due to the rise of digital communication methods such as email, online billing, digital banking, and automated notifications. Post Fiji indicated that this trend is not only a local issue but aligns with global patterns affecting postal operators worldwide. Many countries, like Australia and New Zealand, have faced similar challenges and have responded by increasing tariffs, deregulating their postal markets, or implementing cost-recovery models to remain viable.
In its submission, Post Fiji underscored that operational costs in Fiji have surged significantly. This increase pertains to various areas including fuel, transportation, labor compliance, rentals, ICT systems, and security, with these pressures not being accounted for in the current regulated tariffs.
Operating 58 postal outlets across the nation, including in remote and maritime areas where delivery costs are inherently higher, Post Fiji noted that maintaining the Universal Service Obligation is becoming increasingly difficult under the existing fixed tariff structures amidst declining traditional mail volumes.
The company has proposed two potential regulatory options to the FCCC. One option is the deregulation of domestic postal tariffs, which would facilitate flexible pricing, innovation, and a swifter adaptation to market changes. The alternative is a reasonable adjustment to postal tariffs aimed at recovering costs, ensuring the continuity of universal service obligations, and upholding service standards.
Mr. Mow expressed that deregulation could align Fiji with international best practices, while a tariff adjustment would be essential for the financial sustainability of services without compromising essential offerings. The company has cautioned that without reform, sustaining current service levels will likely become increasingly unfeasible, which has raised concerns for the future of postal services in Fiji.
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