Press releases

Swiss Post introduces free-of-charge single authorization

Swiss Post is adapting its services relating to powers of attorney: It is introducing the free-of-charge single authorization on 16 September 2013. Customers can thereby have individual consignments collected by third parties at the post office counter. For a permanent authorization, customers now only have to pay once on subscription.

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From 16 September 2013, Swiss Post will be offering the new free-of-charge single authorization. A third party can thereby be authorized to collect a single, precisely specified consignment at the post-office counter. As a single authorization is required for each consignment, it is primarily aimed at customers who only occasionally intend to authorize a third party. The single authorization can be sourced from the "Login Swiss Post" online service. The requirement for this is a personal user account that can be opened free of charge at  www.swisspost.ch/loginpost. Customers without Internet access can order the single authorization by telephone at +41 (0) 848 888 888. The authorization will be sent to the customer’s address by letter post. The customer can then forward the authorization to the authorised third party.

One-off costs for a permanent authorization

With permanent authorizations, Swiss Post waives the annually recurring fee of CHF 24 per year. A permanent authorization therefore costs CHF 24 when opened via the Internet or CHF 36 at the counter. It has the advantage that a new authorization does not need to be issued each time a consignment is collected. Therefore, it is particularly recommended for companies and private individuals who regularly have scheduled consignments collected by third parties. A permanent authorization is electronically recorded in the Swiss Post system and can be independently administered by the respective customer free of charge via the Internet. For example, the customer can add new authorized agents or delete existing authorized agents.

Additional options

A postal authorization is not always required. People with the same family name do not need to authorize one another. Similarly, with the collection of unregistered parcels, it is sufficient to show the collection notification. Furthermore, Swiss Post accepts notarized authorizations if they include the reception of mail. In addition to this, Swiss Post offers other options for receiving scheduled consignments: Extension of the collection period, second delivery or forwarding to another address, post office or PickPost point. These services will shortly also be available to order online.

Further information:  www.swisspost.ch/authorization and  www.swisspost.ch/receiving

Authorizations: Overview 2013

Single authorization (as of 16 September 2013) : free of charge

With a single authorization, a third party can be authorized to collect a precisely specified consignment. The single authorization can be ordered on the Internet ("Login Swiss Post") or by telephone (+41 (0) 848 888 888).

Permanent authorization: one-off costs when issued

With a permanent authorization, one or several people can be authorized. The permanent authorization has unlimited validity and can be sourced at the post-office counter or on the Internet (private customers via "Login Swiss Post"; business customers via "My Swiss Post Business"). It is possible to add or delete authorized persons at any time.

  Internet   Counter
Opening  CHF 24 CHF 36
Add a person free of charge CHF 12
Delete a person free of charge free of charge 

Notarized authorization: One-off costs, charged by the notary

(not a Swiss Post service)

For a limited or unlimited period of time, one or several third parties can be authorized to collect mail consignments at the post-office counter. This authorization is issued by a notary.

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