USPS Rate Changes for 2016
Effective January 17, 2016, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) implemented new postage rates for several mail classes and special services. Given that USPS hasn’t increased rates on Priority Mail since 2013, these changes have been expected for a while.
Download the 2016 Postal Rate GuideNeopost’s latest rate guide has been updated to reflect January 2016 postal rate changes.
Here are some of the bigger highlights to note:
- The price for postcards and letters did not change.
- The First-Class Package weight limit increased from 13 ounces to 15.999 ounces.
- The USPS has discontinued the following services:
- Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Boxes
- Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Boxes
- Priority Mail Regional Rate Box C
- Priority Mail International Regional Rate Box C
- Critical Mail
- All Priority Mail International shipments, except Small Flat Rate Boxes and Flat Rate Envelopes, will automatically receive USPS insurance at no additional charge. The insurance provided is based on the contents of the package, which is selected when completing the customs form.
- Documents will receive $100 of USPS insurance.
- Everything else will receive $200 of USPS insurance.
- Standard Post was renamed to Retail Ground
- Parcel Select was renamed to Parcel Select Ground.
What does this mean for ProShip customers?
At ProShip, we are committed to providing our customers with all USPS options and updates as soon as they are available. With the new 2016 rate changes, there is no impact to ProShip customers that use the ProShip Update Tool. The new USPS postage rates will already have been downloaded and updated on your system.
Maximize your savings!
- For packages under 5lbs, consider using USPS over other carriers
- Take advantage of flat rate envelopes and boxes
- Can be significantly cheaper than using your own packaging
- Use Commercial Base Pricing (CBP)
- Significant savings over Retail Rates
- USPS Shipping products and services remain competitively priced across the industry
- The Postal Service doesn’t add surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or Saturday delivery
No matter what carrier(s) you use, businesses need to investigate their shipping mix to determine if they’re making the right shipping decisions in 2016.
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