This weekend the USPS will be exercising their ability to increase their postage rates in line with the CPI Index. The increases will go in effect Sunday, January 26, 2020. Spreading the CPI across the various mail classes, service offerings, rate categories and discount structures is a daunting task and understanding them is even more of a challenge. I have summarized the changes below for your review. Please be on the lookout for your TC Delivers USPS Rate Posters from our Drivers!
Domestic Mailing:
First Class Mail Letters (1 oz.) rates will remain at $0.55 when purchased at the Post Office. Each additional ounce will cost $0.15.
The Metered Single Piece category for First Class Mail Letters (1 oz.), which includes postage meters, will remain at $0.50. Each additional ounce will cost $0.15.
First Class Mail Flats (1 oz.) will remain at $1.00. The cost of each additional ounce will increase from $0.15 to $0.20.
Postcard rates will remain at $0.35.
Domestic Shipping:
Priority Mail Express will see an overall rate increase of 2.2%.
Priority Mail will see an average rate increase of 2.8%.
First Class Package Service will see an average rate increase of 2.2%.
Parcel Select Ground will see an average rate increase of -2.5%.
Media Mail will see an average rate increase of 1.9%.
International Shipping:
Priority Mail Express International will see an average rate increase of 2.0%.
Priority Mail International will see an average rate increase of 6.0%.
First Class Package International Service will see an average rate increase of 9.9%.
As a matter of due diligence we recommend you consider the following:
Confirm you have the new rates with your meter manufacturer/shipping partner – Typically these are automatically downloaded but in some cases you will need to do an import.
On January 27, 2020 run a test piece of mail to ensure the new rates are active.
The rate categories did not change, only the postage amounts within the categories increased – continue posting at the correct rate category.
Make certain you have the decimal setting correctly – (3 decimal places).
If you are adding endorsements, please ensure they are printing properly.
Remember, if the mail is greater than a ¼ inch in thickness it has to be metered at the prevailing Flat mailing rate.
Thoroughly complete the TC Delivers pick up ticket.
Call or email me with any questions or considerations.