Last updated September 10, 2024
At least once a year – and sometimes multiple times a year – the United States Postal Service (USPS®) changes postage rates. At Stamps.com, we value transparency and strive to keep you updated on rate changes that can have an impact on your mailing and shipping expenses.
This blog will help you understand these adjustments and ensure you’re always up-to-date with the latest USPS rate changes.
The good news, no matter what, Stamps.com will strive to get you best-in-class discounted rates for every mail class and shipping service available through USPS – and of course, more of your favorite carriers.
What is a rate change?
In case you didn’t know, USPS periodically adjusts its shipping and mailing rates. These changes can affect the cost of sending packages and letters depending on the service you choose, weight, destination, and other factors. We often refer to these adjustments as rate changes or rate adjustments.
October 2024 rate change
USPS is temporarily raising rates for select package services from October 6th to January 19th. This is a common practice among major carriers like FedEx and UPS during the holiday season to accommodate the surge in shipping volume and maintain service quality.
For more information on impacted service check out our 2024 Holiday Surcharges blog.
For more information on the USPS rate changes, please visit our help center article.
September 2024 rate change
On September 16, 2024, the USPS adjusted rates for Priority Mail® and Ground Advantage™ packages shipped to certain ZIP Codes. This meant the cost to ship these packages might have increased slightly depending on the destination.
Despite these USPS changes, your rates will continue to be better than what you would pay at the Post Office. Impacted ZIP Codes will enjoy up to 41.66% off USPS Priority Mail® and 48.92% off USPS Ground Advantage™ when you ship through Stamps.com. Additionally, you’ll continue enjoying best-in-class discounts on USPS rates whenever you print stamps or shipping labels with Stamps.com. See the table below.
Want to know the impacted ZIP Codes?
Our customer success team is happy to help! If you’d like to see if a specific ZIP Code is affected by this change, feel free to reach out to them for assistance at [email protected].
While some rates might increase for specific destinations, we remain committed to providing you with deeply discounted shipping rates. Our sales and support teams are always available to answer any questions you may have about these changes.
We’ll continue to share details and updates as they become available, so be sure to bookmark this blog for the latest information.
July 2024 rate change
In July 2024, USPS implemented adjustments to shipping rates. Here’s a summary of the key changes that took effect:
July 1st:
- Ground Advantage: Prices for packages under and over 1 pound increased, with some adjustments reaching up to $2.11. Cubic pricing for this service also saw an increase.
- Priority Mail: Rates went up by an average of 5%, with some increases up to $3.10.
- Priority Mail Flats: Prices rose by an average of 4%, with individual rates potentially increasing up to $1.18.
- Priority Mail Cubic: This service experienced the largest increase, with an average rise of 10% and some rates going up by as much as $2.97.
July 14th:
- First-Class Mail Stamps: The price increased by 5 cents, from 68 cents to 73 cents. However, using Stamps.com, you can still get a discounted rate of 69 cents.
- Overall Mailing Services: Mailing service prices increased by an average of 7.8%.
New mailing technology requirements from USPS
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is implementing a new technology standard called Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) to modernize its mailing system.
What is IMI and why is it required?
IMI replaces the older technology and provides the USPS with more detailed and real-time data on your mailings. This translates to a smoother and more efficient mailing experience for everyone. Upgrading offers several benefits:
- Reduced costs: Eliminates the need to guesstimate postage, preventing overspending and returns.
- Improved cash flow: Detailed transaction data makes it easier to track refunds and reimbursements.
- Always up-to-date: Your system automatically receives the latest postage rates and service information.
- Enhanced security: Robust security features protect your data.
- Increased efficiency: IMI streamlines mail processing for the USPS, potentially leading to faster deliveries.
What does this mean for you?
The good news is, you don’t need to take any action. Stamps is already working diligently behind the scenes to ensure our technology is fully compliant with IMI by December 2024. As an approved USPS partner, we’ll make sure your mailing operation continues to run smoothly without interruption.
Don’t worry about IMI compliance with Stamps.com. Learn more
