In 1827 the size of the sheet which was the basis of the charge was fixed at 25 square decimetres. The system of charge by weight was applied to printed matter in 1856, with the following rates:—
- 1 centime for each 5 grammes up to 50 grammes
- 10 centimes from 50 to 100 grammes
- 1 centime for each 10 grammes beyond 100 grammes.
These rates were increased by some 50 per cent. in 1871. After the establishment of the Universal Postal Union the rates in the internal service were in some cases higher than those in the international service, and it became advantageous to commercial men to post their packets abroad. The French administration were then required under the international convention to distribute them in France without receiving any postage.[473] This anomalous situation was put an end to in 1878, when the following rates were established:—
When sent under band—
- 1 centime for each 5 grammes up to 20 grammes
- 5 centimes from 20 grammes to 50 grammes;
- 5 " for each 50 grammes or fraction of 50 grammes thereafter.
When sent in open envelopes—
5 centimes for each 50 grammes or fraction of 50 grammes.
The rates have since been reduced, and are now as follow:—
- 2 centimes for packets not exceeding 15 grammes in weight
- 3 " between 15 grammes and 50 grammes
- 5 "" 50 grammes and 100 grammes
- 5 " for each 100 grammes or fraction of 100 grammes thereafter.
The number of packets of printed matter has increased rapidly, as the subjoined table shows:—