The Postal Regulatory Commission has approved a request by the U.S. Postal Service for an exigent rate increase to offset losses suffered as a result of the Great Recession of 2008 - 2009. The Commission found that the Postal Service experienced financial harm due to recent economic conditions, and is now legally entitled to implement price increases for a maximum of two years.
Here's what the New Year has in store for us.
The 4.3 percent exigent rate increases are scheduled to be implemented in conjunction with the inflation-based rate adjustment of 1.7 percent (one cent for ordinary mailers), approved earlier by the Commission. The overall adjustment is 6.0 percent (a total of three cents from 2013 rates or 49 cents).
On January 26, 2014, the USPS will implement the new postage rates for several mail classes including First Class Package Service, Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® along with many special services. For reference, the USPS has released complete rate tables through Postal Explorer, which are also available to you here in PDF format. The approved mail rates are illustrated in the following charts:
Rest assured, we are in the process of incorporating these rate changes, in addition to postage statement changes. We will also be monitoring for any additional information from the USPS, and will keep you informed of those changes as we move forward into the New Year.
Remember, that we're always here to help. For up-to-date information about rate increases, regulatory changes, and other USPS news, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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