The Postal Service has announced Shipping Services prices for next year.
If reviewed favorably by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), the changes will take effect Jan. 22.
Here’s a list of current and planned retail prices:
• Priority Mail small flat-rate box: $10.40 (current), $10.20 (planned)
• Priority Mail medium flat-rate box: $17.05 (current), $17.10 (planned)
• Priority Mail large flat-rate box: $22.45 (current), $22.80 (planned)
• Army/Air Post Office and Fleet Post Office large flat-rate box: $20.95 (current), $21.20 (planned)
• Priority Mail regular flat-rate envelope: $9.90 (current), $9.65 (planned)
• Priority Mail legal flat-rate envelope: $10.20 (current), $9.95 (planned)
• Priority Mail padded flat-rate envelope: $10.60 (current), $10.40 (planned)
Some Priority Mail flat-rate retail product prices will be reduced compared with the temporary rate adjustment currently in place, and Priority Mail commercial rates will increase by 3.6 percent, below the rate of inflation.
Priority Mail Express service prices would increase by 6.6 percent, and First-Class Package Service prices would increase by 7.8 percent.
Overall, Priority Mail service prices would increase approximately 5.5 percent.
There is no price increase for Parcel Select Ground, and pricing for USPS Connect Local remains unchanged.
The proposed prices were approved by the Postal Service governors.
Shipping Services price adjustments vary by product. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions.
The Postal Service governors evaluate shipping rates and fees and adjust them when needed to keep investing in the Postal Service’s Delivering for America plan, which is designed to reverse a projected $160 billion in operating losses during the next 10 years.
USPS filed the proposals Nov. 10 with the PRC, which will review and approve the prices before they take effect.
The Nov. 10 news release has more information.
