USPS^® Shipping and Mailing Price Changes

New USPS® rates proposed for July 14, 2024

The USPS filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 14, 2024. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class ® Mail Forever stamp from 68¢ to 73¢. The proposed adjustments, once approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent. Price changes for USPS shipping services like Priority Mail ® and Ground Advantage™ have not yet been announced.

What’s changing in First-Class Mail?

Starting July 14, 2024, mailers will see price increase to USPS mailing products such as First-Class Mail and Certified Mail if approved by the PRC.

First-Class letters (retail stamps and metered) increase 5¢. The good news for online postage and meter users is that the savings for Metered letter rate remains at 4¢ per letter. The additional ounce rate is increasing from 24¢ to 28¢ for letters.

First-Class Flats (Large Envelopes) are increasing 11¢, and the additional ounce rate for Flats is increasing 27¢ to 30¢ depending on the weight of the envelope.

Certified Mail rate is increasing $0.45 and the manual Return Receipt (green card is also increasing $0.45). Switching to electronic Return Receipt, using PitneyShip software, can now save mailers $1.48 per piece.

• Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost increases to $9.64 for Retail Return Receipt (Green Card) (metered)
  
• Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost will be $8.16 for electronic Return Receipt (Savings of $1.48 vs. Green Card)
  

What’s changing in Marketing Mail?

Marketing Mail continues to be the cheapest way to send mass mail. Most Marketing Mail and Marketing Mail Nonprofit rates are rising, but the increase is much less than First-Class mail rates.

Other Services

• Single Piece Library Mail increases to $3.92 up to 1lb
• Single Piece Media Mail increases to $4.13 up to 1lb

As always, Pitney Bowes remains committed to providing the best possible rates offered by the USPS. Now is the perfect time to cut your shipping and mailing costs. We are here to help you find ways to reduce the complexity and impact of rate changes for shipping and mailing. Below are some of the highlights of popular mailing services being affected.

Our PitneyShip software delivers a better way to send, track, and manage your Certified Mail, while saving you $1.48 on every piece – with no volume requirements. Learn more here.

The Countdown is ON to the USPS 2024 mandate.

As of December 2024, IMI will replace the outdated IBI (Information Based Indicia) performance standard with newer, more sophisticated technology providing the Postal Service with more detailed real-time transaction data. Learn more here.

The USPS has not yet announced price changes for shipping services as part of the July 2024 announcement.

If you’re using services like Priority Mail, Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package and Parcel Select), and Priority Mail Express, you will generally see an increase in shipping costs with the January 21, 2024 price changes. We say “generally” because most prices are going up, but some are going down slightly, and some prices won’t be affected if you are printing a shipping label using PitneyShip software. That’s because if you print USPS shipping labels with PitneyShip, then you are getting special discounts on postage some rates and zones for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage. PitneyShip automatically gives you access to special discounts through the USPS Connect eEcommerce (CeC) program. If this sounds confusing, it’s because it is. The good news is that we have you covered. Our PitneyShip software takes the guess work out of rates and presents you with the best possible USPS rate for every package you send.

Save up to 89% when you print a USPS shipping label

Offset rate increases and access the best rates on the market when you print a USPS shipping label, rather than using stamps or a meter tape for Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.

Learn more about PitneyShip shipping software.

Log in to your PitneyShip account and save.

Changes to USPS Hazmat Compliance in effect July 9

Effective July 9, 2023, the USPS will require changes to Hazmat Compliance in accordance with USPS Publication 52. The changes to USPS Publication 52 that will go into effect are defined in a Final Rule published in the Federal Register.

What does this mean for my business?

Pitney Bowes shipping software solutions have automatically been updated to keep you in compliance*. You are able to identify a Hazardous Material shipment when you create a label. In doing so, the new Hazardous Material label will be printed. These new labels better identify Hazardous Material shipments with the “H” service indicator and “Hazmat” spelled out in multiple locations.

Hazmat shipment labels can be generated at no additional cost. Continue shipping your hazardous material shipments safely and in compliance with PitneyShip multicarrier software.

*SendSuite^® Express and SendSuite Live software solutions do not support compliance with these new regulations. Your company’s Hazmat Compliance Officer will be able to assist you in ensuring your business is in compliance with the new USPS Hazmat regulations and take the necessary steps to mitigate any risk.