This month, the United States Postal Service (USPS) filed proposed price changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) that will take effect on January 27, 2019 if approved. On average, most classes of commercial mail are proposed to increase 2.5%.
The proposed price changes will include a five-cent increase in the price of a First Class Mail stamp, from 50 cents to 55. Postcard stamps will remain the same at 35 cents while metered single-piece letters will increase by three cents (or 6.4%) if the proposed price changes are approved.
First Class Mail automated commercial letter rates will go up roughly 1.0% depending on the presort level. Marketing Mail automated letter rates are proposed to increase roughly 2.0%, also depending on the presort level.
Proposed Key First Class Mail Single Piece Prices:
Product | Current Price | New Price | Percent Changed |
Stamp Price 1 0z. | 0.50 | 0.55 | 10.0% |
Single Piece Additional Ounce | 0.21 | 0.15 | -28.6% |
Meter Price 1 Oz. | 0.47 | 0.50 | 6.4% |
Single-Piece Flats 1 Oz. | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.0% |
Single-Piece Cards | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.0% |
Proposed Key First-Class Mail Bulk Prices:
Product | Current Price | New Price | Percent Changed |
Mixed AADC Automation Letters | 0.424 | 0.428 | 0.9% |
AADC Automation Letters | 0.408 | 0.412 | 1.0% |
5-Digit Automation Letters | 0.378 | 0.383 | 1.3% |
Mixed ADC Automation Flats | 0.705 | .727 | 3.12% |
3-Digit Automation Flats | 0.593 | 0.605 | 2.02% |
5-Digit Automation Flats | 0.474 | 0.486 | 2.53% |
Proposed USPS Marketing Mail
Product | Percent Change |
Letters | 2.4% |
Flats | 2.6% |
The PRC will review these proposed postal rate increases for 2019 and is expected to reach their decision in the next few weeks.
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