The Ready to Market Interoperability Group (RMIG) is the UPU's new programme designed to enhance cooperation between designated operators (DOs) and wider postal sector players (WPSPs), fostering stronger partnerships and driving innovation across the postal ecosystem.
By bridging these key stakeholders, the goal is to streamline operations, boost interoperability and unlock new opportunities for growth, ensuring that both DOs and WPSPs can better serve the evolving needs of the global market. This collaborative effort will empower the entire sector to adapt to emerging challenges and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.
The RMIG reached a key milestone on 19 March 2025 by hosting its first full Steering Committee meeting. Members elected Ship2MyID as Chair and MyDutyCollect as Vice-Chair, and endorsed an ambitious programme of work to guide the RMIG’s future direction.
Representing Ship2MyID, Mr Santosh Gopal, Founder and CEO, brings over 20 years of experience in addressing, direct marketing and digital transformation. He has a strong track record of developing innovative direct-to-customer commerce solutions and also serves as Vice-Chair of the UPU’s Consultative Committee, where he champions revenue-generating opportunities for members and postal operators. As RMIG Chair, Mr Gopal emphasizes the group’s potential to deliver dynamic solutions, strengthen interoperability through robust standards and frameworks, enhance industry collaboration, and create new revenue streams across the sector.
Representing MyDutyCollect, Mr Niall O’Neill, CEO, is a prominent figure in the logistics and postal community. An active member of the Consultative Committee, he has played a key role in driving customs solutions reform, advocating for the adoption of customer-focused approaches. As RMIG Vice-Chair, Mr O'Neill highlights the need for agility and speed, recognizing the RMIG’s capacity to accelerate commercial benefits for its members and support local economies.
Messages from Chair and Vice-Chair
Ship2MyID, Mr Santosh Gopal, Chair
“The RMIG initiative is the vehicle to 'Reclaim. Transform. Lead.' It empowers postal operators to drive digital commerce, own e-commerce transactions, create larger and newer revenue streams, and shape the future of global trade. Under the RMIG, our goal is to provide seamless collaboration and be an engine for growth for postal operators and wider sector players. As Chair, I welcome the continued support of members and look forward to a future of greater interconnection between all stakeholders.”
MyDutyCollect, Mr Niall O’Neill, Vice-Chair
“We must remember that the key stakeholder here is the customer, whether they are the recipient or the purchaser of an e-commerce good. They expect service excellence, convenience and support throughout the postal journey. Equally, shippers and platforms demand transparency and efficiency. At the centre of the RMIG is the belief that we must move quickly and provide them with solutions. The RMIG initiative will enable choice through better interoperability.”
Membership offers a unique opportunity for DOs and WPSPs to be at the forefront of industry transformation and make a lasting impact. An invitation letter and a brochure explaining the application process can be found below.
On 8 October 2024, the RMIG held its highly anticipated webinar, with over 140 attendees bringing together designated operators, members of the Consultative Committee, and sector players from across the e-commerce, supply chain and logistics sectors. The webinar highlighted the numerous benefits for both DOs and WPSPs in collaborating within the multilateral framework provided by the RMIG initiative.
The webinar served as a platform for three designated operators who have joined the RMIG to share their insights into the value of RMIG membership and their vision for the future of the group. Additionally, BoxC, an active player in the postal sector, contributed by sharing its motivations for joining RMIG, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the value of an interoperable model for the sector.
A central theme of the webinar was the urgent need to address the sector’s challenges and the desire to grow volumes. Members saw the opportunity to generate business solutions through enhanced interoperability, leveraging the strength of multilateral agreements while addressing the increasing need for interoperability across various actors in the e-commerce and logistics sectors through this agile initiative.
The UPU Postal Technology Center (UPU PTC) provided technical models, presenting three DO-to-WPSP interoperability models approved by the extraordinary Riyadh Congress, and explained how established UPU technologies (i.e., Post*NET, International Postal System (IPS), Customs Declaration System (CDS), etc.) will be extended and enhanced to support these models. Additionally, the PTC introduced two further models that could be supported by enhanced UPU technologies.
The RMIG initiative offers members value at a business level while also facilitating the development of data-driven solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the sector and its customers.
The webinar emphasized the fast pace of change and highlighted the opportunity for attendees to take a leading role, as RMIG members, in shaping the future of the UPU’s interoperability model. It also served as a catalyst, with a number of members confirming their full participation as RMIG members.
A recording of the webinar and the presentations can be found below.
