U.S. Postal Service Raising Prices in 2019

| October 11, 2018

 USPS truck

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC)  of price changes to take effect Jan. 27, 2019.

The proposed prices, approved by the Governors of the Postal Service, would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 2.5 percent. Shipping Services price increases 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 Governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.

If favorably reviewed by the PRC, 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 proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

Product                               

Current

Proposed

Letters (1 oz.)                              

50 cents   

55 cents

Letters additional ounces                  

21 cents 

15 cents

Letters (metered 1 oz.)              

47 cents

50 cents

Outbound International Letters (1 oz.)   

$1.15

$1.15

Domestic Postcards                     

35 cents       

35 cents

The proposed domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate price changes are:

Product

Current       

Proposed

Small Flat Rate Box                          

$7.20

$7.90

Medium Flat Rate Box                       

$13.65

$14.35

Large Flat Rate Box                       

$18.90

$19.95

APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box                   

$17.40

$18.45

Regular Flat Rate Envelope           

$6.70

$7.35

Legal Flat Rate Envelope                  

$7.00

$7.65

Padded Flat Rate Envelope         

$7.25

$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 a 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 PRC will review the prices before they are scheduled to take effect Jan. 27, 2019.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

 

Category: General Update, News

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