The USPS is ringing in the New Year with a postage rate increase. However, even though postage rates technically go up on January 19th it might feel a bit more like a price drop. Since October the USPS has been charging you an increased rate for the peak holiday season of up to $3 per package. That surcharge ends on January 18th, which is just in time for the new rate increase.
Having said that, we know that postage is one of eCommerce businesses' largest costs so we have you covered with tips on how to save on postage on our Facebook and Instagram pages for the rest of the month.
Perhaps one bright spot this year is that there will not be an increase in the cost of stamps. They will remain at $0.73. Here is what is going up:
Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail rates are going up 3.2%. This increase will also apply to flat-rate packages.
Ground Advantage rates are also on the rise. Commercial rates will also increase by 3.2% and retail rates will increase by 4.9%. If you like to buy postage directly from the Post Office Click-N-Ship option, be sure you are using their enhanced option for the Commercial Rates.
Parcel Select rates are going up a whopping 9.2% overall. You may never have heard of Parcel Select. It is a class of mail used by large mailers and is often used as a bulk mailing option where packages are sorted by zip code.
Letter and large letter rates are not increasing. This includes rates for presorted letters and large letters.
All in all, this postage rate increase is certainly not as big as it could have been but we know that every penny counts for small eCommerce businesses so we are here to help. Our blog and social media is filled with tips for saving on postage. You can check Our 10 Favorite Ways to Save on eCommerce Fulfillment Postage and get 5 Tips to Save Postage with Your Packaging for eCommerce Shipping.
We’d be happy to help you find the most economical quality option for shipping. Give us a call or send us an email at info@KeyFulfillmentSolutions.com.
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