[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Announces New Director of Stamp Services

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service announced today that Lisa Bobb-Semple has been appointed to the role of director of Stamp Services, reporting to Sheila Holman, vice president, marketing.

Bobb-Semple is a 19-year veteran of the Postal Service and the appointment is effective immediately. She is shown on the left speaking at an American First Day Cover Society seminar at Great American Stamp Show 2023 in August.

As acting director since June 2023, Bobb-Semple has been responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Stamp Services at USPS headquarters, Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City, MO, and the Stamp Distribution Center in Dulles, VA. She has successfully set direction and provided oversight for all aspects of the Postal Service’s stamp program.

“During her acting role, Lisa has successfully set the direction for and provided oversight for all aspects of the Postal Service’s stamp program, which celebrates the people, events and cultural milestones that are unique to the history of our great nation,” said Steven Monteith, chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president.

Bobb-Semple joined the Postal Service in 2004 as an advertising specialist. She is an experienced marketing, sales and strategic planning leader, driving marketing strategies, advertising execution and lead generation programs. She has led high-profile marketing programs throughout her career, including product sampling initiatives, executing social selling programs and implementing the first sales enablement platform for USPS sales. She has held positions in Sales Strategy and Communications, Sales Outreach, Brand Marketing, Product Management, Product Innovation and Government Relations.

Bobb-Semple received a bachelor’s degree in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, and her master’s Degree from the University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business. She is also a graduate of the USPS Advanced Leadership Program.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Proposes New Prices for 2024

• New prices scheduled to take effect Jan. 21, 2024
• Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world
• First-Class Forever stamp will be 68 cents

[VSC note: This is almost word-for-word the press release for the previous rate increase request six months ago, which the Postal Regulatory Commission granted without change.]

WASHINGTON, DC — Today [October 6, 2023], the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2024. The new rates include a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 66 cents to 68 cents.

The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 2 percent. If favorably reviewed by the commission, the price changes would include:

There will be no change to the additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously

defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The mailing services filing is Docket No. R2024-1. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

At a seminar sponsored by the American First Day Cover Society at Great American Stamp Show 2023 in Cleveland, officials of U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services department revealed they have embarked on an effort to familiarize postal workers with the stamps it issues. “The USPS wants to increase awareness” about new stamps, acting manager Lisa Bobb-Semple (left) said. That includes direct-mail to some employees describing and depicting the new issues.

Too often, postal clerks say they had not heard about an issue that has been released, or expressed amazement at the new designs. A few even have refused to honor new issues they don’t recognize.

Many, if not all, post offices do receive posters and counter-mats showing new issues. The new issues are also shown and described, in detail, in the biweekly Postal Bulletin, which all supervisory personnel are supposed to read.

Unfortunately for Stamp Services, the actual retail operations of the USPS fall under another department.

The Postal Regulatory Commission approved these changes on May 31, 2023.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Files Notice with PRC for New Mailing Services Pricing

• Actions taken to address continued elevated inflation and prior years defective pricing model
• New prices scheduled to take effect July 9, 2023
• Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world

[VSC note: This is almost word-for-word the press release for the previous rate increase request six months ago, which the Postal Regulatory Commission granted without change.]

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 9, 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents.

If favorably reviewed by the Commission, the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63 cents, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51 cents. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

As operating expenses fueled by inflation continue to rise and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenueto achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

I was surprised at the flimsy packaging on a recent stamp order from Stamp Fulfillment Services. There was no cardboard in the plastic envelope (shown here), which could have been especially important since the order included both flat panes and a three-dimensional coil. If something heavy had been placed on top of this package, the coil would have left an imprint on the panes. Luckily, there were only a few minor marks.

These changes were approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission on November 25, 2022, in Order No. 6341. — VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces New Prices for 2023
Forever Stamp to Rise Three Cents

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes to take effect Jan. 22, 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 60 cents to 63 cents.

If favorably reviewed by the Commission, the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 4.2 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 60 cents, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 48 cents. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.45. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

As operating expenses continue to rise, these price adjustments provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-1. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

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

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the 2022 Virtual Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual national wildlife art competition – the 2022 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest – will be broadcast live on September 23 and 24.

The media and public are invited to view the contest via live webcast as five judges review 187 contest entries [which you can see here] and select the winning artwork. Judging for the duck stamp begins at 10:00 a.m. EST, Friday and 10:00 a.m. EST, Saturday, with the final selection announced around noon. This event is not open to the public this year. Tune in for video cameos from Service Director, Martha Williams, artists and other members of the conservation community.

The winning art selected will appear on the 2023-2024 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp”. The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales from the iconic stamp have raised more than $1.1 billion to protect over 6 million acres of wetlands habitat.

More information is available at here.

What: Selection of the 2022 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest Winner

When: September 23 and 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. EST (judging begins at 10:00 a.m., daily; winning artwork expected to be announced on Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and noon)

Where: Virtual Webcast

Who: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Blaming inflation, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said another postal rate increase is likely in January.

“Inflation has hit the nation hard, and the Postal Service has not avoided its impact,” DeJoy told the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, according to a transcript provided by the agency. “We expect inflation to exceed our expectations by well over a billion dollars against our planned 2022 budget.

“Because of this, my recommendation to the governors will be to remain on course to raise prices again in January.”

The PMG also said the USPS is ready for the November elections and transporting ballots.

“Americans should be confident that the United States Postal Service is well prepared and will provide extraordinary services in these coming November elections,” DeJoy said.

[edited press release: only retail price changes are included here]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Proposed Temporary Rate Adjustments for 2022 Peak Holiday Season

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season. This temporary rate adjustment is similar to ones in past years that help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.

The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 9, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), First-Class Package Service (FCPS), Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground. International products would be unaffected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on Oct. 2, and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central Jan. 22, 2023.

This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices. No structural changes are planned as part of this limited pricing initiative.

Delivering for America, the Postal Service’s 10-year plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence, calls for appropriate pricing initiatives. The Postal Service has some of the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great values in shipping. These temporary rates will keep USPS competitive while providing the agency with the revenue to cover extra costs in anticipation of peak-season volume.

The planned [retail] price changes include:

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express:

• $0.95 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
• $0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
• $1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
• $0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $6.45 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and USPS Retail Ground:

• $0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
• $0.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
• $0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $2.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

A full list of commercial and retail pricing can be found on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm

The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect Oct. 2. Complete USPS price filings, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website’s Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. Price change tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

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

This is a follow-up to the VSC article with the press release from when the U.S. Postal Service filed for the increase in April 2022. The new rates went into effect on Sunday, July 10^th.

The Mailing Services price changes include:

There were also changes to the fees for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, Money Order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

You can find a complete listing of all the current rates here in a .pdf on the USPS.com website. Also see “Basic Pricing for First-Class Mail® & First-Class® Package Service” about midway down on this page. It may be easier to read than this screen shot of that page (although if you click on this picture, you’ll see a larger version). According to the USPS, the changes “raised First-Class Mail prices approximately 6.5 percent which is lower than the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual inflation rate of 7.9 percent as of the end of February.”

“With the new prices, the Postal Service will continue to provide the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world and offer a great value in shipping,” the USPS said in April.

As it does in many press releases, the USPS ended with “The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.” For many years, the agency did not include the word “generally.” However, it does receive tax dollars for the free-frank (no charge) mailing services it provides to Members of Congress and active-duty military.