Heads Up! Postage rates are going up!
You can find details below or at this link – http://about.usps.com/mailpro/2012/dec/page3.htm
2013 Price Change Highlights
Domestic and International Mailing Services
The following Mailing Services prices and mailing standards will change for 2013, with prices to take effect Jan. 27:
- First-Class Mail
- First-Class Mail International
- Standard Mail
- Periodicals
- Package Services:Extra Services and Fees.
- Bound Printed Matter
- Media Mail/Library Mail
- Alaska Bypass service (formerly part of Parcel Post)
Under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, on average, Mailing Services prices can increase no more than the rate of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Mailing Services prices will increase by an average of 2.57 percent across each class of mail.
Individual prices within a mail class may have an increase that is higher or lower than 2.57 percent. When the prices for certain products are raised by less than the full CPI amount, the remainder can be used in future years. This year the Postal Service is using some of this remainder to adjust Extra Services prices.
Highlights of Changes
Single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class Mail letters will increase 1 cent to 46 cents (additional ounces remain at 20 cents). The price for mailing a First-Class Mail postcard will increase by 1 cent to 33 cents and the cost of a stamped postcard will increase by 2 cents to 37 cents.
New mailing standards consisting of classification changes to support the price adjustments will be implemented. Prices for other Mailing Services also will change, with price increases in the following categories.
Percentage Changes by Product Category
| Product | Percent Change |
|---|---|
| First-Class Mail — overall | 2.568 |
| Single-piece letters and cards | 2.283 |
| Flats | 2.674 |
| Parcels | 4.971 |
| Presort letters and cards | 2.467 |
| First-Class Mail International | 7.627 |
| Standard Mail — overall | 2.569 |
| Letters | 2.610 |
| Flats1 |
— |
| Parcels | 3.081 |
| Carrier route letters, flats, and parcels | 2.907 |
| High density/saturation letters | 2.059 |
| High density/saturation flats and parcels | 2.092 |
| Periodicals — overall | 2.560 |
| Outside county | 2.546 |
| In-County | 2.911 |
| Package Services — overall | 2.567 |
| Bound Printed Matter (BPM) flats | 0.002 |
| BPM parcels | 3.424 |
| Media Mail/Library Mail | 3.469 |
| Extra Services — overall | 2.850 |
| Certified Mail | 5.085 |
| Registered Mail | 3.064 |
| Insurance | 4.925 |
| Return Receipt | 7.523 |
| Collect on Delivery (COD) | 9.203 |
| PO Box | 6.002 |
| All other | -3.058 |
1The Postal Service has modified its proposed Standard Mail Flats prices for 2013 in response to a Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) order. The revised prices are being reviewed by the PRC and a decision is expected in December. Details of the revisions can be found in Attachment A, pages 10-11, of the USPS response to the PRC order, on the PRC website: prc.gov/Docs/85/85720/Response%20to%20Order%201541.pdf.
Domestic and International Shipping Services
- The following domestic and international Shipping Services prices will change for 2013:
- Express Mail
- Priority Mail
- Parcel Select
- Parcel Return Service
- First-Class Package Service
- Standard Post
- Extra Services
- Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)
- Express Mail International (EMI)
- Priority Mail International (PMI)
- First-Class Package International Service
- Airmail M-Bags
- International Priority Airmail (IPA)
- International Surface Air Lift (ISAL).
Express Mail
On average, Express Mail prices increase by 5.8 percent. Express Mail Flat Rate pricing is one flat rate regardless of the actual weight (up to 70 pounds) for domestic destinations. The Sunday/holiday premium remains at $12.50 for the fourth year in a row. The price of Express Mail Flat Rate Boxes, introduced last year, remains unchanged for January 2013 at $39.95 for all customers.
Express Mail Retail Prices
Retail prices increase on average 6.5 percent. Express Mail retail prices begin at $14.10. The new Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope retail prices are all $19.95.
Express Mail Commercial Base Prices
Commercial base prices will increase 2 percent on average. The Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope, Legal Flat Rate Envelope and Padded Flat Rate Envelope will be priced at $18.11.
Express Mail Commercial Plus Prices
Commercial Plus will increase 1 percent on average. The Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope, Legal Flat Rate Envelope and Padded Flat Rate Envelope will be priced at $12.85.
Priority Mail
On average, Priority Mail prices increase by 6.3 percent. At retail, all Flat Rate Envelopes measuring 12 ½ inches x 9 ½ inches or smaller, including the Priority Mail Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Envelope and Priority Mail Window Flat Rate Envelope will be priced at $5.60, while the Priority Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope will be priced at $5.75 and the Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope will be priced at $5.95.
Priority Mail Retail Prices
Retail prices will increase an average of 9 percent. Other than flat-rate priced items, Priority Mail retail prices, starting at $5.60, will continue to be priced based on distance (zone) and weight. USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation will be available at no extra charge. The Postal Service will continue to offer the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box to APO/FPO/DPO destination addresses at $2 less than the retail price.
Priority Mail Commercial Base Prices
Commercial base prices, on average, will be 11.3 percent lower than retail prices. All flat-rate envelopes measuring 12 ½ inches x 9 ½ inches or smaller, including the Priority Mail Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Envelope and Priority Mail Window Flat Rate Envelope, will be priced at $5.05, with the Priority Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope priced at $5.25 and the Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope at $5.70. Flat-rate box prices will start at $5.15.
| Retail | Commercial Base | Commercial Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Express Mail
|
|||
| Envelope |
$19.95
|
$18.11
|
$12.85
|
| Legal envelope |
$19.95
|
$18.11
|
$12.85
|
| Padded envelope |
$19.95
|
$18.11
|
$12.85
|
| Box |
$39.95
|
$39.95
|
$39.95
|
|
Priority Mail
|
|||
| Envelope1 |
$5.60
|
$5.05
|
$4.95
|
| Legal envelope2 |
$5.75
|
$5.25
|
$4.99
|
| Padded envelope2 |
$5.95
|
$5.70
|
$5.35
|
| Small box |
$5.80
|
$5.15
|
$5.10
|
| Medium box |
$12.35
|
$11.30
|
$10.65
|
| Large box |
$16.85
|
$15.30
|
$14.80
|
| Large box (APO/FPO/DPO) |
$14.85
|
$13.30
|
$12.80
|
1Includes all flat-rate envelopes 12 ½ inches x 9 ½ inches or smaller, including the Priority Mail Gift Card Flat Rate Envelope, Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Envelope and Priority Mail Window Flat Rate Envelope. 2Packaging for USPS-produced Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelopes and Legal Flat Rate Envelopes is not available at retail but may be ordered online at usps.com/shop.
Priority Mail Commercial Plus Prices
Commercial Plus prices on average will be16.2 percent lower than retail prices, starting at $4.58. New for January 2013, customers shipping Critical Mail letters and flats will have the option of receiving a signature upon delivery included in the price.
Priority Mail Commercial Plus Cubic Pricing
Priority Mail commercial plus cubic pricing starts at $4.58 and customers must use approved payment methods. Cubic mailers will continue to be able to use soft packaging as well as traditional boxes.
Priority Mail Regional Rate Box
Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes are available for Priority Mail commercial parcels and Merchandise Return Service (MRS) parcels returned at Priority Mail prices. Mailers must use USPS-produced Regional Rate Boxes to qualify for Regional Rate prices. There are three options: Box A has a 15-pound maximum weight limit and starts at $5.32, Box B has 20-pound maximum weight limit and starts at $6.16, and Box C has a 25-pound weight limit and starts at $15.11. If Regional Rate Boxes are deposited at retail Post Office locations, the price will be 75 cents higher than the commercial base price.
