First Class Package Service: Summary of 2016 USPS Rate Increase

January 22nd, 2016 Comments off

First Class Package Service is a fast, affordable delivery service for packages weighing up to 15.99 ounces. This mail class offers 1 to 3 day delivery within the U.S. and includes free USPS Tracking.

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Stamps.com is printing the cheaper Post Office rate of $2.54 instead of the $2.60 Commercial Base rate for First Class Parcels weighing 1 to 3 ounces. To get the cheaper rate, you must download Version 13.3 at www.stamps.com/download/


Changes to First Class Package Service in 2016

Maximum Package Weight Increased to 15.99 Ounces
USPS has introduced a new maximum weight limit for First Class Package Service. You can now print up to 15.99 ounces when printing First Class Package Service using Stamps.com. Previously, the maximum weight limit was 13 ounces.

Online Discounts
When you purchase First Class Package Service postage online, the maximum discount off Post Office rates will increase to 26% (previously 25%)

7.6% Average Rate Increase for Online Rates (Commercial Base Pricing)
First Class Package Service rates will start at $2.54 (previously at $2.04) for Stamps.com customers. Rates are increasing by an average of 7.6% for Commercial Base Pricing.

Stamps.com Exclusive: Save $0.06 per package!

If you print First Class Package Service for packages weighing between 1 and 3 ounces, you can save $0.06 for each package. While online rates are typically  cheaper than the Post Office rates, prices at the Post Office were not increased during the January 2016 postage rate increase.

This created a unique situation where the Post Office rate for First Class Package Service packages weighing between 1 and 3 ounces are cheaper than online rates (Commercial Base pricing). Stamps.com has incorporated this cheaper 2016 Post Office rate into our program!  To get this discount, you MUST download Stamps.com Version 13.3

Stamps.com Automatically Updated with 2016 USPS Rates

January 16th, 2016 Comments off

blog_USPS-Rate-Increase-HeaderWith the 2016 USPS rate increase going into effect on Sunday, January 17, 2016, all postage printed via Stamps.com will now reflect the new 2016 USPS rates. No action is required of customers.

Stamps.com mailing and shipping solutions are designed to reflect real-time USPS pricing and will transition to the new rates in real time, enabling customers to print postage without any service disruptions.

Stamps.com Software Customers
Special Note: If you print First Class Package Service for packages weighing between 1 and 3 ounces, you will need to download the latest version of the software (Version 13.3). This will allow you to receive the $2.54 rate instead of the $2.60 rate for packages weighing 1 ounce, 2 ounces and 3 ounces.

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Get more info on the 2016 USPS postage rate increase.

 

USPS Announces Postage Rate Increase – Starts January 17, 2016

October 22nd, 2015 Comments off

Blog_Postage_Rates_2016The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a postage rate increase for select mail classes and services in 2016, pending approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).  If approved by the PRC, the new postage rates will start on Sunday, January 17, 2016.  Below are some highlights on the upcoming rate changes:

Priority Mail Express
The Priority Mail Express service will see an average increase of 15.6% in postage rates next year.  2016 Commercial Base rates for your Priority Mail Express packages will increase across the board, with the exception of packages weighing less than 0.5 lbs being shipped to Zones 5, 6 and 7.

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Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes & Envelopes
In 2016, Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes will see an increase of $2.55.  Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes will be discontinued next year.

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Priority Mail
Priority Mail rates will see an average increase of 9.4% in 2016.

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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.

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Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes
Postage for Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes A and B will be increasing for a large majority of the zones as shown below.  Priority Mail Regional Rate Box C will be discontinued in 2016.

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First Class Package Service
First Class Package Service rates will see an average increase of 12.8% in 2016.  The maximum weight for First Class Package Service Commercial Base pricing will be increased from up to 13 ounces to up to 16 ounces.  First Class Package Service Commercial Plus pricing will no longer exist in 2016.

FCPS

Parcel Select Ground
Currently known as Parcel Select Nonpresort, this ground service will undergo a name change in 2016 and will be referred to as Parcel Select Ground next year.  Parcel Select Ground rates will see an average increase of 1.9% in 2016.  Postage prices will actually go down for packages weighing between 3 – 10 lbs. and being shipped to Zones 1 – 5.

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International Shipping
International shippers will also see an increase in postage rates starting January 17, 2016.  Below are some highlights on the upcoming rate changes for international mail classes:

Global Express Guaranteed postage rates are expected to rise by an average of 7.1%.

Priority Mail Express International postage rates will increase by an average of 11.6% next year.  Flat Rate Boxes for this international service will be discontinued in 2016.  In addition, prices for Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes will be further separated into additional country groups.

Priority Mail International postage rates will see an overall increase of 10.2% in 2016.  Commercial Base and Commercial Plus pricing for this service will be the same next year.

First Class Package International Service postage rates will increase by an average of 21.6% in 2016, however Commercial Base and Plus prices will remain the same next year.  The average price increases by pound are:

– Up to 1 lb. – Average Increase of $5.17
– Up to 2 lbs. – Average Increase of ($1.77)
– Up to 3 lbs. – Average Increase of $1.63
– Up to 4 lbs. – Average Increase of $11.58

Additional Changes
Below are details on additional changes that will be implemented next year:

Critical Mail:  In order to further simplify its product offerings, the U.S. Postal Service will discontinue the Critical Mail service in 2016 once the new rates are implemented in January.

Click-N-Ship Features:  Available on USPS.com, these features will move to retail pricing once the new rates are implemented in January 2016.  Commercial Base pricing for these features will no longer be available.

Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on January 17, 2016
Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, January 17, 2016. If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will see the new USPS rates automatically.

Free Guide: Understanding the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase

May 27th, 2015 Comments off

The USPS is implementing the 2015 Postage Rate Increase on Sunday, May 31st.  Check out Stamps.com’s 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide to understand what the changes are and how your mailing and shipping processes may be impacted.

The FREE downloadable PDF Guide includes details on the USPS rate changes for each mail class – both domestic and international – and special USPS services.  Additionally, the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide provides tips and recommendations on when each mail class should be used along with a comprehensive Q&A to help with commonly asked questions around the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase.

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The guide is free and can be downloaded at: http://www.stamps.com/whitepapers/2015-usps-postage-rate-increase-guide.pdf.

New Postage Rates Start Sunday, May 31

May 15th, 2015 Comments off

blog_new-usps-rates_may31-2015After rejecting the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal to increase postage rates twice before, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved a rate increase for 2015. New postage rates will start on Sunday, May 31.

While rates are increasing in some mail classes, the U.S. Postal Service’s most popular products ARE NOT INCREASING. Rates for First Class Mail letters (one ounce), Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express will remain the same as in 2014.

Postage rates for “market domainant” classes were originally scheduled to go into effect on Sunday, April 26. But the USPS delayed the rate increase due to the PRC rejection of a rate proposal for two mail classes – Standard Mail and Periodicals. After the USPS made over 134 changes to the rate proposal for Standard Mail and Periodicals, the PRC approved the new rates on May 7.

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Other notable changes starting on May 31, 2015:

  • Priority Mail International will now include “zone pricing” for Canada, split up into 7 pricing zones.
  • Parcel Select prices are decreasing in Zones 1 to 4 for packages weighing between 5 lbs. to 24 lbs.  The rates for packages traveling to Zones 1 to 4, weighing between 25 lbs. to 70 lbs. are NOT INCREASING.
  • Media Mail will now include free package tracking

Get more info on the postage rate increase.

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