The 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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

As of May 31, 2015, USPS Tracking can now be added for FREE to Media Mail packages.  Prior to the 2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase, it would cost $1.05 to add USPS Tracking if purchased at the Post Office and $0.23 if purchased online with Stamps.com.

No Action Needed For Stamps.com Customers

Stamps.com customers do not need to make any changes to their shipping processes to access free USPS Tracking for their Media Mail packages.  Simply navigate to the “Packages” tab and select “Media Mail” in the drop-down menu for mail class.  You will notice Tracking is included for FREE.

Lowest Cost Option For Packages That Qualify

With USPS Tracking now included for free, USPS Media Mail still remains the lowest cost option for qualifying items like books, CDs, DVDs etc.  If your package qualifies, you can save big with Media Mail.

On Sunday, May 31 2015, the USPS introduced zone-based pricing for Priority Mail International packages being shipped to Canada.  Previously, shipping rates for each country were based on package weight alone.  However, with the new change, distance has also become a factor in determining the shipping rate for Priority Mail International packages being routed to Canada.

How does Priority Mail International for Canada Work?

Depending on the origin zip code of the package, your shipment is assigned one of 7 pricing zones, that are numbered between 1.1 and 1.8.  This pricing zone along with the weight of your package determines the shipping rate.

Prior to the 2015 USPS Rate Increase, the shipping rate only depended on the weight of your package.  As of May 31, 2015, the shipping zone is also considered in determining the shipping rate of your package.  The table below shows 2015 Commercial Base (Online Postage) rates for Priority Mail International packages weighing up to 5 lbs. that are being shipped to Canada.

With Priority Mail International, you can send shipments of up to 66lbs. to Canada.

Stamps.com Customers Must Upgrade to Version 13.0

In order to print online postage (Commercial Base rates) for Priority Mail International shipments to Canada, Stamps.com customers must upgrade to Version 13.0 or use Stamps.com Online.

Download Stamps.com Version 13.0 now.

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.

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

In January 2014, the USPS introduced a special Metered Mail category for First Class Mail letters with postage printed using Online Postage (such as Stamps.com) or a postage meter.  This category was introduced to encourage the use of Metered Mail by small businesses.  Metered Mail costs the USPS significantly less compared to letters with regular postage stamps.  Not only do these customers avoid going to the Post Office, but also these mail pieces are already bar coded and addresses pre-cleansed.

Changes to USPS Metered Mail Rate – Starts May 31, 2015

On May 31, 2015, the USPS will be increasing the Metered Mail rate by half a cent to $0.485 from $0.48.  The retail (or Post Office) rate will stay at $0.49, bringing the Metered Mail discount down from 2% in 2014 to 1% in 2015.  Additional ounces will now cost $0.22.

Click here to learn how your Metered Mail letters will be processed at the Post Office.

Use Stamps.com Version 13.0 for the New Metered Mail Rate

Make sure to download and use Stamps.com Version 13.0 for the new Metered Mail rate that will automatically be updated for you on Sunday, May 31, 2015.  When printing NetStamps, customers will have the option to automatically select the $0.485 Metered Mail rate or manually enter the stamp amount up to the third decimal place.

Three Digit Balances Will Now Appear in Stamps.com

Don’t worry if you start seeing a three digit postage balance or $0.485 printed on your envelope – This is to incorporate the new Metered Mail rate.  For a misprint refund, you will be refunded exactly what you printed, precisely up to the third decimal place.  However, if you decided to close your Stamps.com account and had a postage balance of $6.105 as an example, your balance would be rounded up to the nearest decimal and your refund would be $6.11.