I see there soon will be a 62-cent stamp. Is this a new price category?

No it is not a new price category. The 62-cent stamp offers the convenience of paying postage for 1-ounce nonmachinable letters with a single stamp. The stamp will be available May 19.

Why are prices going up again?

The costs of doing business — for things like fuel, transportation, utilities and health care benefits — have continued to increase. Without an increase to keep up with rising costs, we face significant losses. Many people do not know that postal operations are not subsidized by tax dollars. We rely on the sale of postal products and services to cover our operating costs.

USPS raised prices last May. Why another increase 12 months later?

The new postal law calls for predictable price changes and includes a mechanism for mailing services prices to increase at the rate of inflation each year as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Rather than larger increases every several years, the new process will provide smaller, more predictable price changes.

Will the fees for Repositionable Notes (RPNs) increase?

No. The fees remain:

• First-Class Mail – $0.005 each.

• Periodicals and Standard Mail – $0.015 each.

Will price increases for shipping services mail also be capped at 2.9 percent?

No, prices for shipping services products are not subject to a price cap. However, there is a price floor: each product must cover its costs, and in aggregate the shipping services products must generate sufficient net contribution to cover 5.5 percent of our overhead.

First-Class Mail

Will there be an increase to the price for additional ounces?

No, the price for additional ounces for retail (single-piece) First-Class Mail letters, large envelopes and packages remains 17 cents for each ounce.

Will the price for additional ounces for presorted First-Class Mail letters decrease?

Yes, the price decreases to 12.5 cents. The new price aligns the additional-ounce rate for automation and presorted letters.

Is the nonmachinable surcharge increasing?

Yes, the nonmachinable surcharge for First-Class Mail letters will increase to 20 cents. Keep in mind, the nonmachinable surcharge applies to letters only. It does not apply to large envelopes and packages.

Will the price for postcards increase?

Yes, the new price will be 27 cents for eligible postcards. Stamped cards will increase to 30 cents each.

Along with the price increase, will there be any changes to First-Class Mail classification?

Yes, we’re introducing shape-based pricing with separate prices for international letters, flats and packages. This includes a 3.5 ounce maximum weight for letters and other shape characteristics such as flexibility standards for flats. This change aligns First-Class Mail International with domestic First-Class Mail.

What type of barcode is required for the parcel rate?

On First-Class Mail parcels, mailers may use a 5-digit UCC/EAN Code 128 or a POSTNET barcode.

Will the Delivery Confirmation fee increase for First-Class Mail parcels?

No.

Will OneCode ACS service for First-Class Mail letters still be available at no charge?

Yes, for the first two notices. Additional notices are 6 cents each.

Is the Move Update standard changing for automation- and presort-rate First-Class Mail?

Yes. However, that change is separate from the pricing change, and takes effect Nov. 23. See the January/February MailPro at usps.com/mailpro for information.

First-Class Mail International

In addition to shape-based First-Class Mail International prices, are there any other changes?

Yes. The number of individual country price groups is expanded to nine – aligning the First-Class Mail International price groups with the price groups for Priority Mail International and Express Mail International.

With separate prices for First-Class Mail International packages, can these packages now be insured?

No. However, you can insure packages sent by Priority Mail International service (other than in the flat-rate envelope).

MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

Notice 123 “Ratefold,” is now the new “Pricelist,” with international as well as domestic pricing and fee information. Go to usps.com/prices.