China has decided to raise the prices for mail and postcard delivery services, starting from Wednesday, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Post Bureau said.

The price for postcard delivery is raised from 0.6 yuan (0.08 U.S. dollars) to 0.8 yuan per piece.

The price for local letters is raised from 0.6 yuan to 0.8 yuan per 20 grams for the first 100 grams and 1.2 yuan for each additional 100 grams.

For ordinary domestic letters, the price is raised from 0.8 yuan to 1.2 yuan per 20 grams for the first 100 grams. Charges for each additional 100 grams remain 2.0 yuan.

The price hike is aimed at alleviating the difficulties facing the post service sector and paving the way for the reform of the industry, a NDRC spokesperson said.

China last time raised the price of mail services in 1998.

Editor: Yan