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USPS Proposes Postage Rate Increases for 2016

 

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
Weight Zone 1 & 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9
Box A $0.69 $0.71 $0.76 $0.60 $0.66 $0.72 $0.80 $2.99
Box B $0.55 $0.65 $0.65 No Change No Change $0.72 $0.81 $4.88

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. 

 

2016 USPS Postal

 

 
 
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