Postal Rates to Go Up in January
Postal Rates are on the rise in 2010, according to the USPS in a press release today. The January 4 increase appears to be about half that of the other branded carriers, who also tack on fuel and delivery surcharges and other fees the USPS does not. The venerable standard First Class postage stamp, now at 44 cents, will remain unchanged.
The US Postal Service is “reinforcing the value of Priority Mail as the right product at the right time,” according to Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services. “We have put together a range of creative and innovative products and services for our customers.”
Among those creative innovations are a stable price on the postage for small Flat Rate (FR) Priority parcels, one of the best values available in shipping today. In fact, the FR envelope will see a tiny decrease.
The domestic Priority FR Envelope will decrease from $4.95 to $4.90. The small FR Box will remain $4.95. A new FR 9.5 x 12.5″ padded envelope will be available to “Commercial Plus” shippers (these are high-volume commercial mailers).
Overall, there will be a 3.3% price increase on Priority Mail. New prices will also bring an increase to Express, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail Internatoinal, Priority Mail International, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service. All pricing will change Jan. 4, 2010.
Other services like First Class, Parcel Post and service products will remain unchanged in 2010, according to the USPS. This includes a regular First Class stamp, remaining 44 cents for 2010.
Online shipping customers will continue to see discounts over these retail rates. For example, Priority Mail will have a 5.7% savings; Express Mail, 5%; International Priority, 5%; International Express, 8%; and Global Express Guaranteed, 10%.
A complete rundown of 2010 pricing can be found on this (PDF) document.
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