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Denmark Ends State Letter Delivery as Dao Takes Over From Jan. 1

Private courier Dao now handles domestic plus inbound letters following the state operator’s shift to parcels.

Overview

  • Postnord made its final public letter deliveries on December 30, removed the iconic red street mailboxes, and halted stamp sales earlier in December.
  • The Danish government has assigned Dao to run remaining letter services, including distributing inbound international mail within Denmark starting January 1, 2026.
  • Dao operates through roughly 1,500 shops and indoor red drop boxes, offering a network that replaces roadside mailboxes with collection points.
  • A traffic‑authority study found Dao more punctual than Postnord, and standard domestic postage is reported at about €3.10 with Dao versus roughly €3.90 previously.
  • Postnord is cutting about 1,500 jobs as it pivots to parcel logistics, while senior and rural groups warn that around 300,000 citizens exempt from Digital Post could face access hurdles.