Is there still a "heavy-piece" discount for automation- and presort-rate mail weighing more than 2 ounces?

No. Separate price schedules for letters and flats (such as large envelopes) make the heavy-piece discount unnecessary. With these separate schedules comes a lower additional ounce rate that decreases to 12.5 cents for automation letters and 17 cents for presorted letters and flats.

Does the rate structure and related mail preparation standards for automation letters change?

Aside from the elimination of automation carrier route rates, there are no changes to the automation letters rate structure or the existing 150-piece minimums associated with the optional 5-digit, 3-digit and AADC rates.

Why are there separate prices for presort-rate parcels?

Our costs for processing parcel-shaped pieces are significantly higher than processing letters and flats. The previous price structure did not recognize these differences or offer appropriate workshare prices. Creating separate prices for presort-rate parcels helps cover the costs of processing while allowing for more significant worksharing opportunities.

What barcode is required for the new parcel category?

On First-Class Mail parcels either a 5-digit UCC/EAN Code 128 or a POSTNET barcode is acceptable.

With the new OneCode Address Change Service (ACS) option, does the Move Update standard still apply to automation- and presort-
rate First-Class mailings?

Yes.

Priority Mail

Is there a new price for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes?

Yes. The Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are now a permanent feature of our product line, and the new price is $9.15, regardless of weight, contents or distance traveled. Keep in mind, the Governors have asked the PRC to reconsider its recommended rate, which is higher than proposed.

What is the new price for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope?

The price for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope continues to be the same as the 1-pound rate, $4.60.

Why is dimensional-weight pricing important
with Priority Mail?

Dimensional-weight pricing is an important component because it allows prices to better reflect our transportation costs. Air transportation costs are based on the cubic capacity (size) of the package while previous prices were all weight-based. Dimensional-weight pricing applies only to Priority Mail packages larger than 1 cubic foot capacity and traveling to destinations within Zones 5-8 (zones that use air transportation).

With the new dimensional-weight pricing for Priority Mail packages, is there still the balloon rate?

Yes, but only for packages measuring larger than 84 inches combined length and girth, traveling locally and to Zones 1-4 destinations, the minimum rate will be 20 pounds.

Are packages measured the same way for dimensional-weight pricing as with balloon-rate pricing?

No. Dimensional-weight is based on cubic inches by measuring in inches and multiplying the length by the width by the height. If the result is greater than 1,728, divide it by 194 (the "dim factor"). The result is the dimensional weight. Balloon-rate is determined by measuring the length and girth combined and if the result is greater than 84 inches, balloon-rate pricing may apply.

What if the resulting dimensional weight is more than 70 pounds?

The package would be charged the applicable 70-pound rate.

Would anything mailed in a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box be subject to dimensional-weight pricing or the balloon-rate?

No. None of our standard Priority Mail containers available online or at Post Offices would be subject to dimensional-weight or balloon-rate pricing.

Would mailings expedited using "Priority
Mail Open and Distribute" be subject to dimensional-weight pricing?

Mailings of other classes of mail enclosed in USPS-supplied containers for expedited service as Priority Mail Open and Distribute (formerly Priority Mail Drop Shipment) to destination postal facilities would not be subject to dimensional-weight pricing.

Express Mail

What is the most significant change for Express Mail?

The addition of 1-pound rates to fill the gap between the (minimum) 1/2-pound rate and 2-pound

MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

Insurance changes create savings.

Reduced fees for items valued between $50 and $200 .