May 2009 USPS Rate Change

Postal Service to Change Mailing Services Prices
USPS Announcement

The United States Postal Service® has announced that prices for mailing services will change effective Monday, May 11. The price of metering a 1-ounce First-Class Mail envelope at retail counter rates will rise by 2¢ to 44¢.

Price adjustments are also set for Postcards and letters sent by First-Class Mail® and First-Class Mail International™, Standard Mail™, Periodicals, Package Services (including Parcel Post®) and Extra Services. Extra Services includes Certified Mail™, Return Receipt, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™ and Insurance.

Did you know that the Postal Service now adjusts prices for mailing services each May and shipping services each January?

The Postal Service has already adopted this new calendar schedule for price adjustments. The May 11, 2009 increase in mailing rates and fees is in addition to the Priority Mail® and Express Mail® shipping rate changes that went into effect on January 18, 2009.

Neopost recommends that mailers and shippers keep current with both updates.

The May mailing services update is essential for equipment that rates letters, flats and parcels. It is also essential for mailers and parcel shippers who rely on USPS Confirmation Services to track delivery of important letters and packages; Certified Mail and Return Receipt to prove mailing and acceptance upon delivery; or Insurance to indemnify against loss or breakage.

The January shipping services updates are important even if you do not typically send packages or Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes and boxes. Mailers risk applying incorrect postage, returned mail and arrival with “Postage Due” because USPS shaped based pricing rules require flats and letters that exceed at least one of the size dimensions or weigh more than 13 ounces to post at Priority Mail rates.

Your Neopost mailing equipment works best when rate tables are up-to-date.

Whether you use our standalone desktop meters, shipping scales, or workhorse commercial mailroom systems and sophisticated shape-detecting dynamic scales to process large volumes on a tight production schedule, you can rely on Neopost mailing equipment to accurately rate your mail when rates are kept up-to-date.

Accurate rating prevents the needless overpayment of postage. It also eliminates returns for insufficient postage and delivery delays or refusal related to carrier collection of “Postage Due” for short-paid mail or packages.

Always stay current with Neopost Rate Change Protection.

A subscription to a rate change protection contract is the easiest and most economical way for your mailroom to stay on top of adjustments to Postal Service rates. With rate change protection, you are guaranteed automatic, on-time delivery of the latest updates. One flat annual fee caps your cost and keeps you current for a full year. Check back soon to learn more about signing up for this option.

Updates:

Please visit the USPS at http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm for a complete listing of new prices, links to downloadable pricing files, and additional information.

Neopost wants to thank you for your support during this rate change. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-934-2257 or RateChange@Neopost.com.

This website will be updated as more information becomes available including ordering information, pricing, etc. so please check back.