HONOLULU (USPS) — New postage rates go into effect on Monday, May 14, including a two-cent increase in the price of a first-class mail stamp, a simplification of international mailing options, and a new approach to pricing that will reshape the future of mail.
While the most visible rate change on May 14 will be the increase of first-class mail stamps to 41 cents, the new “shape-based” pricing system will have a larger overall impact, especially for business mailers and consumers who mail packages.
The new pricing system takes into consideration the shape and size of mail, not just the weight, reflecting the fact that the costs for processing and transporting letters, large envelopes and packages differs.
“The objective of ‘shape-based’ pricing is to ensure that the prices of our products and services cover the costs that we incur to provide them,” said Postal Service spokesperson Duke Gonzales. “This may be the most radical change to our rate structure that we’ve ever undertaken.”
Shaped-based pricing creates a more flexible rate system by giving mailers the opportunity to obtain lower rates by configuring their mail into shapes that reduce processing costs for the Postal Service and that helps to keep rates affordable for everyone.
In addition to the new domestic rates, changes will take effect May 14 for customers sending international mail.
USPS has simplified its eight main international products into four: Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, First-Class Mail International and Global Express Guaranteed (not available from Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Rota or American Samoa).
New packaging will allow mailers to use the same Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging for shipping both within the United States and to other countries.
For details of the International Mail changes, go to: http://www.usps.com/prices/prices_int.htm
More information about the new rates can be found at www.usps.com/prices.
Also on May 14 the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp goes on sale at the new 55-cent price. Since 1998, the Postal Service has raised more than $53 million for breast cancer research through the sale of this semipostal stamp.