Unlike the rates for mail where it has no competition (first-, second-, and third- or bulk rates), the USPS does not need permission to raise prices for shipping services, where it competes with other carriers such as UPS and FedEx. It plans to increase the latter in late January:
[USPS press release]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Shipping Prices for 2014
Overall Price Increase Less Than 3 Percent
WASHINGTON — When new Postal Service Shipping Services prices take effect in 
January, customers will see an overall price increase of 2.4 percent.
In addition, Postal Service customers will have a new delivery choice for domestic Priority Mail Express in 2014. The new delivery service option will allow customers to send domestic Priority Mail Express packages to most locations in the U.S. by 10:30 a.m. for an extra $5.00 fee. Domestic Priority Mail Express is a fast, reliable service which offers day-specific delivery information, up to $100 free insurance and free package tracking.
Highlights of the new retail pricing for domestic Priority Mail Express products include:
- Retail Flat Rate, Padded Flat Rate and Legal Flat Rate envelopes — $19.99
- Flat Rate Boxes — $44.95
Domestic pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products will remain affordable in 2014, with retail prices starting as low as $5.60.
Most domestic Priority Mail products qualify for free insurance up to $50 or $100, and one, two or three date-specific delivery is based on destination ZIP Code. Improved USPS Tracking makes it easier to see packages at pick up, confirmed final delivery and many points in between.
“The Postal Service remains the best in value in the shipping business,” said Nagisa Manabe, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. “We continue to offer excellent domestic Flat Rate shipping with a price that doesn’t vary by destination.”
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) will review the prices before they become effective on Jan. 26, 2014. Today’s Shipping Services price filing will be available on the PRC website at www.prc.gov.”
