Priority Mail
Is there a new price for the Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes?
Yes. The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes are proposed to be a permanent feature of our product line. The proposed price is $8.80, regardless of weight, contents, or distance traveled.
What would be the new price for the Priority Mail Flat-Rate envelope?
The price for our Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope would continue to be the same as the 1-pound rate, $4.65.
Why is dimensional weight — or "dim weighting" important in pricing Priority Mail?
Dim weighting is an important component of our proposed Priority Mail prices because it allows our prices to better reflect transportation costs. For example, air transportation costs are based on the cubic size of the parcel — not its weight — while our current prices are weight-based. Dim-weighting would only apply to Priority Mail parcels larger than 1 cubic foot for Zones 5-8 (zones which use air transportation).
If "dim-weighting" for Priority Mail parcels is implemented, will there still be a (minimum) balloon rate?
Yes; and the minimum balloon rate would be 20 pounds instead of 15 pounds, However, it would only apply to parcels destinating to zones 1-4. Dim-weight pricing would apply to parcels destinating to zones 5-8.
Would anything mailed in a Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box ever be subject to dim-weight pricing or the balloon rate?
No.
Express Mail
What is the most significant change for Express Mail?
The most significant change to Express Mail is the addition of a new 1-pound rate. Pieces weighing more than 1/2 pound but less than 1 pound would have their own rate. Currently, those pieces pay the 2-pound rate.
What will be the price for the Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope?
The price for the Express Mail Flat-Rate Envelope would continue to be the same as the 1/2 pound rate, which is proposed to increase to $16.25.
Periodicals
Why are the proposed price increases larger for Periodicals Mail?
The proposed price increases for Periodicals reflects the increased costs of handling this mail. Our proposed pricing for Periodicals mail is intended to encourage efficient mailing behavior such as preparing mail in containers that are easy to process (pallets) and drop shipment closer to destination. Mail that is prepared in sacks and/or is not entered deep into the system incurs additional processing costs, which result in higher prices. The proposed prices continue to encourage copalletization, though with reduced complexity than the current copalletization experiments.
I see there is a "container charge" for Outside-County Periodicals, but not for other classes of mail. Why?
One of our major initiatives is to encourage more efficient mail preparation. One element of our proposal is a container charge of 85 cents for each container used in the preparation of the mail. The proposal is limited to Outside-County Periodicals since this grouping has the most to gain from more efficient preparation.
How much mail is needed to prepare a pallet?
The standard minimum weight for flats and irregular parcels prepared in presort destination bundles and placed on a pallet is 250 pounds. However, there is no minimum weight for pallets entered at a destination delivery unit (DDU). Also, 5-digit, SCF, and ADC pallets entered at an individual destination SCF or destination ADC may contain a minimum of 100 pounds.
Are the rates for Periodicals nonprofit mail changing as well?
Yes. Nonprofit as well as Classroom publications price structures would continue to mirror Outside-County rates and receive a 5 percent discount, except for advertising pounds.
Standard Mail
What are the major proposals for Standard Mail?
Separate price structures for machinable and nonmachinable letters; four separate presort tiers for flats; a separate price structure for parcels that includes a new DDU-entry price; and the creation of a new category called "Not Flats-machinable" that includes flats that are too rigid for mechanized handling.
Will there be a higher nonmachinable surcharge for Standard Mail letters?
The "nonmachinable surcharge" is proposed to be replaced with a separate price structure for letters that do not meet the aspect ratio or that have any nonmachinable characteristics.
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With separate rates proposed for parcels and Not Flat-machinable pieces, will there be a residual shape surcharge (RSS)?
No.
Has the weight limit for Standard Mail automation letters increased?
No. The maximum weight for automation-rate letters remains 3.5 ounces.
Will the rate structure and related mail preparation standards for automation letters change?
We are not proposing any changes to the automation letters rate structure or the existing "piece-minimums" associated with the 5-digit, 3-digit, AADC, and mixed AADC rates.
Are any Enhanced Carrier Route (ECR) categories being eliminated?
The automation basic rate for letters is proposed to be eliminated, as is the DDU-entry rate for all ECR letters. Due to changes in our automated processing, this presorting and entry of the mail is no longer advantageous.
What about changes for Standard Mail Nonprofit mailings?
Nonprofit prices and incentives would continue to mirror that of commercial Standard Mail.
Package Services
Is there a separate barcode discount for Parcel Select parcels?
No. The proposed prices reflect the savings since barcodes will be required on Parcel Select-DBMC parcels. Barcodes facilitate efficient verification and processing and are necessary for no-fee electronic Delivery Confirmation service. The majority of Parcel Select parcels are currently barcoded by mailers and consolidators.
What are the changes to Parcel Post?
The only significant proposed changes to Parcel Post and Parcel Select is the revision of the minimum balloon rate from 15 pounds to 20 pounds.
Are there any significant changes to Bound Printed Matter?
To simplify retail transactions, Bound Printed Matter would no longer be available at retail.
Special Services and Other Fees
Will no fee electronic Delivery Confirmation service still be available?
Yes. It would still be available with Priority Mail (including Click-N-Ship) and Parcel Select parcels.
Are there any changes to address correction-related fees, including the Standard Mail weighted fee, for returns?
Significant changes around Address Change Service (ACS) and the new OneCode barcode are proposed, as well as options for mailers requiring forwarding service for their Standard Mail items. Low-cost OneCode ACS fees would be available for First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letters.
Are there major changes proposed for Business Reply Mail?
No, although the introduction of shape-based prices in First-Class Mail will also affect pieces using Business Reply Mail.
Will the fees for Premium Forwarding Service (PFS) change?
The enrollment (application) fee would remain $10, but the weekly shipment fee would increase from $10.40 to $11.65 per week.
Aside from general price increases, will Post Office Box fees be changing?
Yes. Due to our continuing efforts to realign Post Office Box prices with our costs, the fee groups for some offices will change, which could result in larger increases or decreases for some box holders.
Aside from general price increases, will Caller Service fees be changing?
We are realigning Caller Service fees in the same manner as Post Office Box fees, and depending on location, mailers may see either increases or decreases. Currently, Caller Service fees are the same at all locations.
Will any special services be available for use with the new Standard Mail parcel rates?
Yes. Electronic option Delivery Confirmation, bulk insurance, and return receipt for merchandise, will be available with the new machinable and nonmachinable parcel categories. These services would not be available with Not Flat-machinable items.
I see pickup on demand service increases from $13.25 to $14.25. What about carrier pickup?
Carrier pickup remains available at no charge.
Would permit fees increase?
Yes. All annual mailing fees would go from $160 to $175 and all annual accounting fees (account maintenance fees) would go up from $500 to $550. |
