USPS Postage Rate Increases Begin January 27, 2019

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS), will implement new postage rates for most mailing and shipping products beginning on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

The proposed prices will raise mailing services product prices by approximately 2.5 percent. Shipping Services price increases will vary by product. For example, Priority Mail Express will increase 3.9 percent and Priority Mail will increase 5.9 percent. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions.

The new prices will include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 50 cents to 55 cents. The single-piece additional ounce price will be reduced to 15 cents, so a 2-ounce stamped letter, such as a typical wedding invitation, will cost less to mail, decreasing from 71 cents to 70 cents.

The Mailing Services price changes include:

Product
Letters 1 oz.                     55¢
Letters additional oz.     15¢
Letters metered 1 oz.     50¢
OB Int. Letters 1 oz.     $1.15
Domestic Postcards       35¢

The domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate price changes are:

Product
Small Flat Rate Box                      $7.90
Medium Flat Rate Box                $14.35
Large Flat Rate Box                     $19.95
APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box   $18.45
Regular Flat Rate Envelope          $7.35
Legal Flat Rate Envelope               $7.65
Padded Flat Rate Envelope           $8.00

First-Class Package Service, a lightweight expedited offering used primarily by businesses for fulfillment purposes, will move to zone-based pricing to better align with the cost of service and improve value based on distance.

The Postal Service has some of the lowest letter mail postage rates in the industrialized world and also continues to offer great value in shipping. Unlike some other shippers, the Postal Service does not add surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or regular Saturday or holiday season delivery. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

When you’re ready to talk about a direct mail campaign for your business or organization, give us a call. We’ll be happy to discuss your marketing goals and offer solutions to get the accomplished. Kessler Creative 888-416-4098.