It’s that time of the year again!  The U.S. Postal Service has proposed new shipping rates for select mail classes to be implemented on Sunday, January 22, 2017, if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Here are some highlights of the 2017 postage rate increase for Commercial Base pricing (online postage rates):

DOMESTIC SHIPPING

Priority Mail Express
Overall, prices for Priority Mail Express will increase by 3.4%.  A 0.5 lb package going to Zone 1 with Priority Mail Express will cost $21.18 in 2017 compared to $20.66 currently.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
All Priority Mail Express Flat Rate products will also see an increase in pricing next year.  The increases vary depending on the type of product.

Priority Mail
Priority Mail will see an average increase of 3.9%.  A 1 lb package going to Zone 1 with Priority Mail will cost $5.95 in 2017 compared to $5.75 currently.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes
Postage rates for Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes as well as Envelopes will increase across the board in 2016.

Priority Mail Regional Rate
Postage will increase for most Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes in 2017.  There is no change in postage for a Regional Rate Box A going to Zone 5 and the postage price is actually going down by $0.49 for a Regional Rate Box A being shipped to Zone 8.

First Class Package Service
Overall prices for First Class Package Service rates will increase by 4.1%.  A 1 oz. package being shipped with First Class Package Service will cost $2.61 in 2017 compared to $2.60 currently.

Parcel Select Ground
Parcel Select Ground will increase by 2.7%, but rates for some weight and zone groupings are actually going down.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Global Express Guaranteed
Global Express Guaranteed postage prices will increases across all weights and zones.

Priority Mail Express International
There are NO proposed changes to postage prices for Priority Mail Express International in 2017.

Priority Mail International
There are NO proposed changes to postage prices for Priority Mail International in 2017.

First Class Package International Service
There are NO proposed changes to postage prices for First Class Package International Service in 2017.

USPS Mailing Updates
The USPS has also proposed new pricing for its Mailing Services to the PRC.  If approved by the PRC, these price updates will also go into effect at the same time as the shipping updates, on January 22, 2017.

Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on January 22, 2017
Once the rates are approved by the PRC, Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, January 22, 2017.  If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will see the new USPS rates automatically.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed new pricing for its Mailing Services to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).  If approved by the PRC, these price updates will go into effect in January 2017.

Note:  This proposal DOES NOT include Shipping Services (First Class Package Service, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express).  2017 rates for USPS Shipping Services should be announced soon.

If these rates are approved by the PRC, the new prices will take effect on Sunday, January 22, 2017.

Below is a brief explanation of the proposed changes:

Letters and Postcards

– The rate for First-Class Mail Letters (1 oz.) is increasing from $0.47 to $0.49.
– If using Metered Mail, the rate is decreasing from $0.465 to $0.46, making the Commercial Base (online postage) discount $0.03.
– The rate for First-Class Mail Flats is increasing from $0.94 to $0.98.

First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail)

Important:  Retail prices are offered by the Post Office only.  Stamps.com customers will receive Commercial Base (Online Postage) prices.

– First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail) will see an overall price increase of 0.624% and the rate for parcels weighing between 0-4 ounces will be the same at $2.67.
– Also, there will be a 1 cent decrease in the additional ounce price for First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail) from $0.19 to $0.18.
– Adult Signature Service will become available for purchase with First-Class Mail Parcels (Retail).  Post Office prices will start at $2.67 for a 1 ounce parcel.

Note:  There are no proposed rate changes for First-Class Mail International.

Media Mail

– Media Mail will see an overall price increase of 1.135%.

Other Changes

– Standard Mail (commonly referred to as “junk mail”) will be rebranded as USPS Marketing Mail so as to better align the product name with business owners’ use of the mail class.
– Library Mail will see an overall price increase of 1.135%.
– Special services like Certificate of Mailing, Collect on Delivery, Return Receipt, Registered Mail and Signature Confirmation will also see an increase in 2017.

No Action Needed For Stamps.com Customers

Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online).  If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will see the new reduced USPS rates automatically in January 2017.