Local letters weighing less than 100 grams will cost 0.8 yuan (10 US cents) for every 20 grams, up from 0.6 yuan (8 cents), the bureau announced on its website.

Long distance letters less than 100 grams will cost 1.2 yuan (15 US cents) per 20 grams, up from 0.8 yuan (10 US cents).

Sending postcards will also now cost more, from 0.6 yuan (8 US cents) to 0.8 yuan (10 US cents) each.

The country raises postage as of November 15, 2006. Base prices of sending mails and postcards lower than 100 grams are adjusted to 0.8 yuan (10 US cents) for a local post and 1.2 yuan for inter-city service, compared with the former charges of 0.6 yuan and 0.8 yuan respectively. [Xinhua]

The bureau has not mentioned any change in the fee for international mail and other postal services like parcels and Express Mail Service (EMS).

The rise was expected to ease difficulties the postal service is facing and boost its business development, Xinhua News Agency quoted an official from the National Development and Reform Commission as saying.

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