Driven by the requirement for the free circulation of ideas and opinions, the mission of transporting and distributing the press aims to guarantee all citizens equal access to information while ‘promoting pluralism, particularly in political and general information’ (Articles L.4 and R.1-1-17 of the French Postal and Electronic Communications Code).
More than just the daily distribution of newspapers and magazines, this mission contributes to press freedom and guarantees the wider dissemination of information printed on paper.
Throughout France, six days a week, La Poste distributes nearly 5,000 publications at particularly affordable rates. This is an essential mission for democratic pluralism, guaranteeing all citizens equal access to information. Through this mission entrusted to La Poste, the State is responding to a need for information on a national scale. This is why La Poste is committed to delivering a wide variety of publications.
Bringing newspapers and ideas to French households
By facilitating the transport and distribution of print media through preferential postal rates granted to newspaper publishers, La Poste contributes to the free communication of ideas and opinions and the preservation of pluralism. La Poste carries out its mission throughout the year across the whole of France, particularly in rural and sparsely populated areas, under conditions that guarantee equal treatment for subscribers.
Reform of postal press transport
On 14 February 2022, the French government, La Poste and press publishers signed a memorandum of understanding governing the distribution of newspapers to subscribers. The objectives of this reform are, on the one hand, to offer press publishers greater freedom, quality and predictability in terms of distribution to subscribers, but also to guarantee a public press distribution service at a preferential rate throughout the country, while improving its economic balance.
Understanding the change in postal rates for press distribution on 1 January 2026
On 1 December 2025, La Poste informed its newspaper publisher customers of a 7% increase in rates applicable from 1 January 2026. This change was submitted more than three months ago for tariff approval as required by law and resulted in an opinion from the regulator ARCEP.
The agreement signed on 14 February 2022 included a review clause that was activated at the beginning of 2025 to address the sharp deterioration in the press distribution business. Two factors significantly altered the initial terms of the 14 February 2022 agreement: very high inflation in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and the failure to switch urgent press deliveries to portage as planned. However, the 7% increase is far from resolving the issue of the deficit of more than €500 million incurred by La Poste.