The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), the governing body that approves U.S. Postal Service rate increases, has approved a special “exigent” rate increase for USPS market dominant products. Market dominant products include First Class Mail letters, First Class Mail flats/large envelopes, postcards, Standard Mail (bulk mail), periodicals, Media Mail and Library Mail. The new rates will go into effect on Sunday, January 26, 2014.
Important! The “exigent” rate increase DOES NOT impact Competitive shipping products such as First Class Package Service, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select. Get more info on the 2014 USPS Postage Rate Increase for shipping services.
By statute, the USPS can only raise mailing prices in accordance with the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – currently 1.7%. This “exigent” increase approved by the PRC allows the USPS to raise the rates on market dominant products over the 1.7% CPI. The price of a First Class Mail 1 oz. letter will increase by 3 cents (6.0%) – to $0.49 from $0.46.
New for 2014! One Cent Discount for Metered Mail!
USPS has approved a one cent discount for First Class Mail 1 oz. letters if the postage was printed using metered mail (Stamps.com online postage or postage meters). The price of a First Class Mail 1 oz. letter will be $0.48 – one cent lower than the $0.49 rate if purchasing postage at the Post Office or other retail outlets.
New 2014 USPS Rates to be Automatically Updated in Stamps.com on January 26, 2014
Stamps.com will automatically apply these new rates starting on Sunday, January 26, 2014. If you are a Stamps.com customer, you will not need to take any action – the program (software or web version) will automatically be updated with the new USPS rates.
