Postal services

ICASA is responsible, through the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and the Postal Services Act, for licensing and regulating the Postal Services sector. The Authority monitors and enforces compliance in the industry through implemented regulations.

The Postal Services Act, No. 124 of 1998 defines two categories of Postal services in South Africa: reserved postal service or an unreserved postal service. 

Reserved Postal Services

The South African Post Office is the only entity that has been licenced to provide Reserved Postal Services. No person may operate a reserved postal service unless they have a licence to do so.

Only the South African Post Office (SAPO) may provide the following services:

·        delivering addressed letters

·        delivering items weighing one kilogramme or less

·        delivering cylinders of 458 mm or less, 100 mm thickness and a mass of up to one kilogramme

·        issuing of postage stamps

·        providing roadside collection and address, boxes

In terms of the Postal Services Act, No. 124 of 1998, ICASA has to licence and monitor the South African Post Office (SAPO) in relation to customer-care standards and universal service obligations. This includes the roll-out of street addresses and the provision of retail postal services in under-serviced areas.

Unreserved Postal Services

Unreserved postal services relate to services that have not been reserved for the South African Post Office (SAPO), and comprise of all letters, postcards, printed material, small parcels and other postal articles larger than and/or heavier than the reserved dimensions up to and including 30 kilograms.

Private individuals or businesses may apply for a licence to operate an unreserved postal service.

Unreserved postal services include –

• all letters, postcards, printed matter, small parcels and other postal articles that fall outside the ambit of the reserved services set out in Schedule 1 up to and including thirty kilograms;
• courier services in respect of items mentioned in paragraph (a); and
• any other postal service that falls outside the ambit of the reserved services (South African Post Office)

Applying for an Unreserved Postal Services licence

Currently, SAPO is the only reserved postal service licensee. For an unreserved postal service certificate, an application can be lodged with ICASA at any time by completing this form (also available as form A in the Unreserved Postal Services Regulations published on 08 January 2010 in Government Gazette No. 32859).

A copy of your business plan, founding documents, proof of entity’s registration, and proof of payment of a non-refundable application fee of R1000.00 – which must be paid into ICASA’s bank account – must be included in the application. A registration certificate is valid for a period of three years from the date of issue. In addition of to an application fee of R1000.00 an annual amount of R5000.00 for registration is payable by all operators.

 

Who can apply

Private individuals or businesses may apply for a licence to operate an unreserved postal or courier service.

When to apply

Applications must be submitted to the Authority before 16HOO during working days.

Application process

Applications for registration to the Authority must be in writing and completed in accordance with FORM A in the Unreserved-Postal-Services-Regulations

A once-off application for registration must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of R1000.00.

The application fee must be paid by way of an electronic transfer or via a direct deposit into the following Authority's bank account:

• Account name: Independent Communications Authority of SA
• Bank Name: Nedbank
• Account number: 1454090456
• Branch name: Corporate client services JHB
• Branch Code: 145405

Include the following with the application:

• registration certificate of business
• certified copies of all relevant founding documents
• details of shareholders and the percentage shareholding of each
• particulars of controlling entity
• detailed business plan.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements may lead to disqualification of the application.

How long it takes

The process may take up to 30 and is dependent on the submission of all the required documents or information.

Costs

A Registration certificate is valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of issue.

Forms to complete

Applicants must complete FORM A in the Unreserved-Postal-Services-Regulations

 

List of Unreserved Postal Services Licencees

 

Postal Sector Regulations