The U.S. Postal Service will raise many, but not all, of its rates on January 27, 2019. The Postal Regulatory Commission, an independent agency with oversight, approved the entire USPS proposal on November 13, 2018.
The price for mailing a letter will rise by 5 cents, to 55 cents for the first ounce. However, the price for additional ounces will go down, from 21 cents to 15, “so a 2-ounce stamped letter, such as a typical wedding invitation, will cost less to mail, decreasing from 71 cents to 70 cents,” the USPS said in its October 10th press release announcing its request.
There are two types of mail handled by the USPS: Market Dominant and Competitive. “Market Dominant” are services where the agency has a near-monopoly, such as delivering letters and advertising flyers. “Competitive” are services where the USPS is not the only supplier. Its competition includes companies like United Parcel Service, DHL and Federal Express.
Market Dominant increases, by law, must be no greater than the rate of inflation, which in the past 12 months was 2.5%. However, individual rates can rise more than that, so long as the average is at or below the Consumer Price Index.
The prices for Competitive products, on the other hand, must not be subsidized by the revenue from Market Dominant products; that is, as a group, Competitive products must pay their own way.
“The Commission found that the rates for both classes of mail meet all statutory requirements and may take effect, January 27, 2019, as planned,” said the PRC.
New Priority Mail and Express Mail stamps, as well as some definitives, will be issued, likely on the date the new rates go into effect, January 27, 2019. See our preview of the U.S. 2019 stamp program.
One major change, however, is in “First-Class Package Service—Retail,” which the USPS calls “a lightweight expedited offering used primarily by businesses for fulfillment purposes.” It includes tracking, at about half the cost of Priority Mail.
Right now, these packages are a flat rate of $3.50 for up to four ounces. After late January, the rate would range from $3.66 to $4.06 for up to four ounces, depending on distance. The service includes tracking.
To determine a domestic zone, use this tool on the USPS website. Choose the second tab, “Get Zone for ZIP Code Pair.”
Here are the basic Mailing Services or Market Dominant prices changes:
| Product Letters (1 oz.) Letters additional ounces Letters (metered 1 oz.) International Letters (1 oz.) Domestic Postcards |
Current 50¢ 21¢ 47¢ $1.15 35¢ |
Proposed 55¢ 15¢ 50¢ $1.15 35¢ |
The domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate price changes are:
| Product Small Flat Rate Box Small Flat Rate Box Large Flat Rate Box APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box Regular Flat Rate Envelope Legal Flat Rate Envelope Padded Flat Rate Envelope |
Current $7.20 $13.65 $18.90 $17.40 $6.70 $7.00 $7.25 |
Proposed $7.90 $14.35 $19.95 $18.45 $7.35 $7.65 $8.00 |
In the last table: Domestic Priority Mail
Product
Small $7.90
Small ( MEDIUM ) $14.35
Large $19.95
The Postal Regulatory Commission basically just rubber stamps everything the U.S. Postal Service wants. “2 dollars to mail a letter? You bet!” “80 cents to mail a postcard to Alaska from Florida but 35 cents in state? Sure thing!” Expect another increase in 2020. Where are these monies going? Ask the GOP congress.
No news on 2019 stamps? Are they planning a Canada Post? Recall all Forevers/Permanents and issue face value until another rate increase? Because 5 and 10 cent increases will be noticed.
The PRC has in the past made small changes to the proposals, but not this time. It does kind of make you wonder whether the PRC is really needed. What does it really do the rest of the time between rate changes?
I was told we would have a preview of the 2019 U.S. stammp program before Thanksgiving.
If they are planning to release the stamp designs the night before Thanksgiving they aren’t thinking straight. I think they should have released the designs early November, so it doesn’t get overlooked among the holiday hustle and bustle.
Two days before Thanksgiving! The story and illustrations (so far) are here.
I tried looking online and couldn’t find this little bit of information: does anyone know what the price for the non-machinable surcharge will be? For the longest time, it’s been the same as the additional-ounce rate, but I wouldn’t want to make that assumption this time. I could see them keeping it the same or even increasing it.
Thanks in advance for anyone’s help!
Yes, it will be 15 cents, the same as the extra-ounce charge. It’s footnote 1 on page 6 of this document.
That’s excellent, Lloyd! Thanks very much for tracking that down.
(And, boy, talk about your fine print …)
One item that Did Not change, the EXCLUSION of International First Class Large Envelope ( flats ) rates. You still have to pay either the Letter or Parcel rates.
If you want to send a pane of stamps, that is bigger than 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 inches,
then you have to either FOLD it down to size, or PAY the parcel rate for that
weight. This includes any protective packaging. So Much for competitive prices
on shipping overseas.
I paid $.21 for a second ounce stamp. Now it is only $.15 for second ounce. I am trying to use up some old stamps from way back and am using the numerical amount on the stamps. since I paid $.21 for the second ounce stamp and it only says additional ounce on the stamp, can I still use it as $.21?
No. The USPS will see it as a 15¢ stamp.
I can’t seem to put my finger on why, but this troubles me. Is there a possible precedent here that the USPS might use “devaluation” of stamps previously purchased or am I just paranoid?