USPS Announces New Price Hikes Starting In January

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in October for price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2018.

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in October of price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2018.

The new prices, if approved, include a one cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents.

Postcard stamps and metered letters would also have a one cent increase. Today’s filing does not include any price change for single-piece letters being mailed to international destinations or for additional ounces for letters.

The proposed prices would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.9 percent, and most Shipping Services products will average a 3.9 percent price increase.

While Mailing Services price increases are limited based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are adjusted strategically, according to market conditions and the need to maintain affordable services for customers.

The proposed prices would raise USPS mailing services product prices approximately 1.9 percent, and most Shipping Services products will average a 3.9 percent price increase.

According to USPS, “While Mailing Services price increases are limited based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are adjusted strategically, according to market conditions and the need to maintain affordable services for customers.”

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The new Shipping Services product prices would increase Priority Mail 3.9 percent and Priority Mail Retail an average of 0.8 percent. As in the past, the Postal Service will not include any surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or regular Saturday delivery.

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The PRC will review the prices before they are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 21, 2018.

The complete Postal Service price filings with the new prices for all products can be found on the PRC site under the Daily Listings section at https://www.prc.gov/docs/102/102544 /Notice.PM%20Contract%20344%20Ammt.pdf.

Additionally the USPS stated, “The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.”