The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed new pricing for its Mailing Services to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). If approved by the PRC, these price updates will go into effect in January 2017.
Note: This proposal DOES NOT include Shipping Services (First Class Package Service, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express). 2017 rates for USPS Shipping Services should be announced soon.
If these rates are approved by the PRC, the new prices will take effect on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
Below is a brief explanation of the proposed changes:
Letters and Postcards
– The rate for First-Class Mail Letters (1 oz.) is increasing from $0.47 to $0.49.
– If using Metered Mail, the rate is decreasing from $0.465 to $0.46, making the Commercial Base (online postage) discount $0.03.
– The rate for First-Class Mail Flats is increasing from $0.94 to $0.98.
First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail)
Important: Retail prices are offered by the Post Office only. Stamps.com customers will receive Commercial Base (Online Postage) prices.
– First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail) will see an overall price increase of 0.624% and the rate for parcels weighing between 0-4 ounces will be the same at $2.67.
– Also, there will be a 1 cent decrease in the additional ounce price for First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail) from $0.19 to $0.18.
– Adult Signature Service will become available for purchase with First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail). Post Office prices will start at $2.67 for a 1 ounce parcel.
Note: There are no proposed rate changes for First-Class Mail International.
Media Mail
– Media Mail will see an overall price increase of 1.135%.
Other Changes
– Standard Mail (commonly referred to as “junk mail”) will be rebranded as USPS Marketing Mail so as to better align the product name with business owners’ use of the mail class.
– Library Mail will see an overall price increase of 1.135%.
– Special services like Certificate of Mailing, Collect on Delivery, Return Receipt, Registered Mail and Signature Confirmation will also see an increase in 2017.
No Action Needed For Stamps.com Customers
Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online). If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will see the new reduced USPS rates automatically in January 2017.
