| As a reminder, new postal service prices will take effect on January 22, 2012, based upon an announcement made by the postal service on October 18, 2011. For business mailers who are first-class mail presort mailers, the mailing services announcement offered good news. When the new prices go into effect, presorted and automation letters weighing up to 2 ounces will be charged the same price. [Perhaps, the post office is making something on recycling all the unwanted business mail that gets deposited in the trash cans near the postal boxes.]
“This gives companies expanded opportunities to advertise new services and products to their customers as part of bill and statement mailings,” said Paul Vogel, USPS president and chief marketing/sales officer.
Non pre-sorted mail will not be so privileged. The percentage increase for first class mail overall will be 2.1; media mail, 2.6 and parcel post, 2.5. Also affected are certified mail (3.5%), registered mail (1.4%), insurance (2.6%), return receipt (1.8%) and post office box rent (2.4%). Mailing Services prices can, on average, increase no more than the rate of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Highlights of changes are:
- Single-piece, 1-ounce first-class mail letters will increase 1 cent, to 45 cents (additional ounces remain at 20 cents). The price for mailing a first-class mail postcard will increase 3 cents to 32 cents and the cost of stamped postcards will increase 3 cents to 35 cents.
- Letters to Canada or Mexico will increase 5 cents to 85 cents and letters to other international destinations will increase 7 cents to $1.05.
- New for all customers is a payment option that allows customers to obtain P.O. Boxes online or at retail for a 3-month period with auto-renewal through a credit card — perfect for people on the move and others who need a P.O. Box for a short time period.
For more postal information go here.
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