On Friday, October 16th, the United States Postal Service (USPS) filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for a proposed rate increase. The PRC has since approved the request and the postage rate changes will go into effect on January 17, 2016.

A few things to note:

• The changes are primarily for Priority Mail and Parcel Services.
• There are no changes for First-Class Mail or Standard Mail rates of letter or flat sized pieces.

Rate Change Highlights:

Priority Mail

• Service rates will see an average increase of 9.4%.

Priority Mail Express

• Service rates will see an average increase of 15.6%.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes

• An increase of $2.55 per package. Flat Rate Boxes will be discontinued.

Priority Mail Flat Boxes & Envelopes

• Rates for flat boxes and envelopes are increasing across the board - on average $0.50 per box/envelope.

Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes

• Rate Box C will be discontinued in 2016.
• Increase Per Package in 2015

First Class Package Service

• An average increase of 12.8% in 2016.

Parcel Select Ground

• An average increase of 1.9% in 2016.

The Postal Regulatory Commisions (PRC) also approved the USPS's 2016 proposed postal promotions encouraging businesses and organizations to create direct mail campaigns that use advanced print techniques, A/B testing and mobile technologies to increase engagement and response. 

The approved promotions offer a 2% upfront discount on qualifying mailpieces, with the exception of the Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion, which offers mailers a rebate credit on qualifying reply mailpieces.