The U.S. Postal Service®  has requested permission to implement “exigent” postage rate increases in January 2012 averaging more than 4% on most classes of mail.

In a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) last week, the USPS asked for the ability to implement the special rate increase. By statute, the USPS can only raise mailing prices in accordance with the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Any so-called “exigent” rate increase above that level requires the approval of the PRC.

The USPS made a similar “exigent” request in 2010 to increase rates an average of 5.6%, but the PRC rejected that request since the 5.6% proposed increase exceeded the rate of inflation. However, the PRC is reconsidering that ruling at the direction of a federal court.