Prices increase at USPS

 

You still have a couple of days to buy your stamps at the old price before the Jan. 26 implementation of new rate increases for several services including postage for letters.

Shelly with the Hartsville Post Office commented that Forever stamps were “moving pretty fast” as citizens as of last week were buying the stamps up in bulk.

First Class Letters of one ounce will be increasing from $.46 to $.49, and each each additional ounce will be an extra $.21. International postage will go from $1.10 to $1.15.

Other increases include:

• First Class Flats will become $.98 for the first ounce, and $.21 for each additional ounce.

• Postcard rates will go up a penny

• Priority Mail Express Commercial Base will see an increase of 3 percent, and will start at $16.95.

• First Class Package Service will see an average of 5 percent increase.

USPS will also be offering new services, including the following:

• The introduction of a First Class letter rate for “Metered Mail,” which includes online postage and postage meters will be $.48.

• Priority Mail International to Mexico will see a maximum weight increase from 44 pounds to 70 pounds.

• Customers will now be able to track their packages from Estonia, Finland, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Portugal and Singapore.

According to the USPS website, “Stamp prices have stayed consistent with the average annual rate of inflation of 4.2 percent since the Postal Service was formed in 1971.”

In a letter to customers on Sept. 25, 2013, Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett described the “precarious financial condition” of the Postal Service and the “uncertain path toward enactment of postal reform legislation” as primary reasons for seeking price changes above the CPI increase. He also indicated that the price adjustment above the CPI increase is necessary in order to ensure that the Postal Service will be able to maintain and continue the development of postal services of the type and quality which America needs.

The Postal Service recorded a $15.9 billion net loss 2012 and expects to record a loss of roughly $6 billion in 2013, and has an intolerably low level of available liquidity even after defaulting on its obligation to make prefunding payments for retiree health benefits.

Managing Editor Marie Corhern can be reached at 615-374-3556 or email mcorhern@hartsvillevidette.com.

Prices increase at USPS