Delivery of periodicals at favourable rates

Attractive rate for periodicals
There is a special low rate for the delivery of periodicals. Your magazine or newspaper is eligible for the favourable periodical rate if it concerns a printed publication by the independent press. In general, that applies to public magazines, news weeklies or dailies, professional journals on request (by subscription) or club magazines of non-commercial clubs.

Reliable delivery
PostNL gives you the certainty that your publication will arrive on the right day at the right address. PostNL is the only postal company in the Netherlands to deliver your periodicals to all households and businesses throughout the Netherlands, five days a week. Your publication will be delivered all year round to the correct address, with 99.8% reliability.

Extensive service
Moreover, you profit from PostNL's extensive service, including:

• Choice of 24-hour or 48-hour service 
• Choice of sorted or unsorted tendering 
• Forwarding if the recipient moves house 
• Undeliverable items returned free of charge

Periodicals, how does it work?

The rate for periodicals
The rate for periodicals is lower than that for sponsored magazines or bulk direct mail. This is due to a legal ruling from 1815 for the promotion of multiformity of the press and for facilitating a maximum supply of information to everybody. A periodical must meet a number of specific criteria, including the following: 

• It is published in printed form 
• It has an independent editing team 
• It contains a maximum of 80% advertisements, advertorials or other information that stimulates the sale of products 
• It is delivered at least once a quarter by PostNL 

Check whether your publication is a periodical
You can check for yourself whether or not your publication is a periodical. In the brochure Periodieken Algemene Regeling (Periodicals - General Terms), you will find the conditions and criteria, how to apply, rates and payment, how to tender, and additional options. In order to send your publication for the rate for periodicals, it is necessary to conclude a written agreement with PostNL.

Sizes 

• Minimum size: 14 x 9 cm 
• Maximum size: 38 x 26.5 x 3.2 cm (letterbox size)   

Franking and tendering
Periodicals should be franked with the PostNL Port Betaald postage paid impression. You can tender your periodicals to a PostNL business counter. You are requested to hand over an extra, unaddressed sample of each consignment for assessment purposes.

Packaging
Periodicals should be packaged. There are various possibilities for this, such as bands, polywrap, shrink wrap, a wrapper with adhesive strip, an open envelope or a resealable wrapper. Under certain conditions, it is possible to tender a consignment of 200,000 items or more without wrappers.

Specials
It is also possible to send specials. Specials are special editions from your own publisher that are sent to the existing subscription holders of a publication, and which meet the main criteria of a periodical. You should apply for sending a consignment of specials at least two weeks in advance to your account manager or to PostNL Business Service on +31 (0)76 527 2727.

Inserts
It is possible to add direct mail, specials, letters, goods, samples and gadgets as inserts to a periodical. When sending inserts at the rate for periodicals, it is important that the periodical remains the chief component of the consignment. Inserts, either individually or jointly, may therefore not exceed the relevant periodical in size, thickness or weight, with the exception of specials sent as inserts. For more information about inserts, please see the brochure Periodieken Algemene Regeling (Periodicals - General Terms), and the Menukaart Periodieken (Periodicals Menu).

What are the rates for periodicals?

Rates
You can find the rates for periodicals in the Tarievenwijzer (electronic postal rate wizard).

Further information
For further information about the attractive rates for periodicals, please contact your account manager or phone PostNL Business Service on +31 (0)76 527 2727.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between periodicals and sponsored magazines?
The main difference between a periodical and a sponsored magazine is that a periodical provides regular information of a newsworthy and social nature by an independent team of editors, whereas a sponsored magazine is usually intended as an instrument for account management. You can find all the main criteria and conditions in the brochure Periodieken Algemene Regeling (Periodicals - General Terms).

When can I tender a periodical without a wrapper?
Periodicals without a wrapper can be tendered from 200,000 items, under certain conditions. See the brochure Periodieken Algemene Regeling (Periodicals - General Terms). For further information, you can contact the Operations department of Strategic Accounts, on +31 (0)70 334 4188.