As you many now know the postal rates are going up in a couple weeks. This will affect First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package and Extra Services.
On average the increase varies based on the class and presort level, but the by law, it is capped at 2.1%, the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
While most of the increase is around 1 cent for first class and standard mail, the Postcard rate is jumping 3 cents. That’s quite a hit considering the state of the economy, but the USPS is struggling with cost over runs and pension issues. They must have felt the old PC rate was too low based on how they have to process it and 1 cent would cover the increase. Ouch…!
Some Highlights from the USPS:
For First Class
- Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 45 cents. This is the first increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp since May 2009.
- Single-piece letters additional ounce rate – unchanged at 20 cents.
- Postcards – 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) – 5-cent increase to 85 cents
- Letters to other international destinations – 7-cent increase to $1.05
- The second ounce will be free for First-Class Mail Presort pieces weighing between one and two ounces.
For Other Services
- The price increase for Standard Mail Letters is slightly below the overall average at less than 1.9 percent
- A new 3-month pricing option will be available to rent PO Boxes for people on the move and others that need a PO Box for a shorter time period.
- Delivery Confirmation will be free for several parcel products as the Postal Service continues to make tracking an integral component of parcels mailed at commercial rates.
Additional Details can be found at the USPS.com web site.
For your convenience, you can download a detailed DataMart Direct Postal Rate Chart. Click here for Postal Rates
Posted by Scott Bussert 
