2018 USPS Postage Rates
On January 21, 2018, the postal rate increases take effect. Download our Postage Rate Chart to plan and prepare your postal budget.
New Rules for USPS Rate Increases Means Bad News for Direct Marketers
The Postal Regulatory Commission has announced that the USPS’s current pricing system is not adequate to meet the goals of the 2006 postal law. This is bad news for direct marketers because it means postage rates will likely increase by more than the rate of inflation over the next five years.
While the PRC has proposed keeping the CPI cap in the USPS pricing system, it has also added a number of adjustments to the rules for regulating rates. These include:
Allowing the USPS to increase rates as much as two percentage points above the CPI for all mail for 5 years.- Allowing an additional one percentage point more if USPS achieves performance goals (.75 based on operational efficiency and .25 based on service).
- For products not fully covering their attributable costs – the most prominent of which are Periodicals and Marketing Mail Flats – an additional two percentage points will be allowed.
- A requirement that products with workshare discount pass-throughs significantly different than 100% must get into prescribed bands within 3 years: 75%-125% for Periodicals and 85%-115% for every other product.
There is a 90-day comment period on these proposed changes followed by 30 days for replying to any comments. The PRC Chairman, Robert Taub, has emphasized that none of the elements of the proposed pricing changes will go into effect until the process is fully complete. This likely means the changes would not take effect until late 2018 or 2019.
We’ll continue to monitor the issue and keep you informed.
News about Informed Visibility, the New Mail Tracking and Reporting System at the USPS
The Postal Service is currently launching a new mail tracking and reporting system called Informed Visibility. Here’s what you should know:
- The new platform consolidates the IMb Tracing, PostalOne! and MID tracking services into one single system. It also supports secure data transfer methods.
- MailSmart Logistics’ postal experts are working closely with the USPS to manage the behind-the-scenes transition to Informed Visibility which will provide real-time, enhanced visibility of mailpieces, including both letters and flats. “IV” will also track bundles and handling units (trays, tubs and sacks), and containers.
- The migration to Informed Visibility is happening now, and on November 30th the Postal Service officially switches over from the IMb Tracing system to the new platform.
- This change should be completely transparent to MailSmart Logistics clients and will not impact how they use our free MailTracker tool.
We’ll keep you updated on the process and any new enhancements to the service that may be of interest to you.
If you have any questions about Informed Visibility, the MailSmart Logistics MailTracker tool or how postal logistics can save you money, contact us at any time!
Holidays can alter pick-up and drop dates for your commingled mail. To ensure your campaigns arrive in a timely manner, please keep in mind the following dates for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
As always, we’ll help you plan appropriately to meet your deadlines. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your MailSmart Logistics representative with any questions or concerns.
Levittown, PA | Duncan, SC | Milwaukee, WICommingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| November | ||
| Friday, November 17, 2017 | Tuesday, November 21, 2017 | |
| Monday, November 20, 2017 | Saturday, November 25, 2017 | |
| Wednesday, November 22, 2017 – Must be ready 10am | Tuesday, November 28, 2017 | |
| Closed Thursday, November 23, 2017 & Friday, November 24, 2017 | ||
| Monday, November 27, 2017 | Thursday, November 30, 2017 | |
| December | ||
| Friday, December 22, 2017 | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | |
| Closed Monday, December 25, 2017 | ||
| Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | |
| Friday, December 29, 2017 | Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | |
| Closed Monday, January 1, 2018 | ||
| Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | |
Arlington, TexasCommingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| November 2017 | ||
| Wednesday, November 22, 2017 | Monday, November 27, 2017 | |
| Closed Thursday, November 23, 2017 | ||
| Friday, November 24, 2017 | Monday, November 27, 2017 | |
| December 2017 | ||
| Friday, December 22, 2017 | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | |
| Closed Monday, December 2, 2017 | ||
| Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | Friday, December 29, 2017 | |
| January 2017 | ||
| Friday, December 29, 2017 | Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | |
| Closed Monday, January 1, 2018 | ||
| Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | Friday, January 5, 2018 | |
Corona, CaliforniaCommingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| November | ||
| Thursday, November 16, 2017 | Tuesday, November 21, 2017 | |
| Friday, November 17, 2017 | Tuesday, November 21, 2017 | |
| Monday, November 20, 2017 | Saturday, November 25, 2017 | |
| Tuesday, November 21, 2017 | Saturday, November 25, 2017 |
| Wednesday, November 22, 2017 | Tuesday, November 28, 2017 |
| Closed Thursday, November 23, 2017 |
| Friday, November 24, 2017 | Tuesday, November 28, 2017 |
| December |
| Thursday, December 21, 2017 | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | |
| Friday, December 22, 2017 | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | |
| Closed Monday, December 25, 2017 | ||
| Tuesday, December 26, 2017 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | |
| Wednesday, December 27, 2017 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | |
| January | ||
| Friday, December 28, 2018 | Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | |
| Saturday, December 29, 2018 | Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | |
| Closed Monday, January 1, 2018 | ||
| Tuesday, January 2, 2018 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | |
| Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | |
1st Class / All Locations – Days Closed |
| Thursday, November 23, 2017 | ||
| Monday, December 25, 2017 |
Planning for 2018 USPS Postage Rates
The USPS is likely to announce its 2018 rate increase proposal before Friday, October 13th, according to the Alliance for Nonprofit Mailers.
The projected average two percent increases will impact each class of mail (First Class, Marketing, Periodicals, Special Services) and hundreds of individual rates.
The expected start date of the USPS postage increases will be January 21, 2018.
Your letter writing campaign worked! The proposed 2018 increases will not include the USPS’s recent attempt to further raise Nonprofit Marketing Mail prices on top of the planned 2% Consumer Price Index increase. The Postal Regulatory Commission received 85 thoughtful letters from nonprofits and partner groups opposing the proposal and they clearly made a deep impression. Thank you to everyone who participated in this critical effort on behalf of our nonprofit community.
MailSmart Logistics will continue to keep you apprised of any new developments related to next year’s postage rate increases. Please contact us if you have any questions as you prepare your mailing budgets for next year. We’re here to help!
MailSmart Logistics will monitor and keep you abreast of the impacts of Hurricane Irma to mail operations.
Below is the official update from the USPS. Please be advised that freight carriers may also decide to delay delivery of mail to affected regions.
Sept. 26, 2017, Noon ET
Tropical Storm Irma
South Florida
Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Florida Keys areas
The Postal Service is continuing the suspension of Priority Mail Express service and shipments of live animals in the following ZIP Codes until further notice: 33043, 33051, 33037, 33040, 33001 and 33042.
All offices in South Florida have resumed normal operations with the exception of the offices listed below.
The following office is offering limited delivery and retail services. Drop shipments can be accepted but require vehicles equipped with a lift gate:
- North Miami Beach, 16400 W. Dixie Highway, 33160-9998.
The following offices will be providing retail services at a mobile retail unit staged on site at the facility and PO Box customers can pick up mail. There are no delivery services. Drop shipments cannot be accepted at this time:
- Coral Springs, Coral Reef, 6295 W. Sample Rd., 33067-9998.
- Key Colony Beach, 600 W. Ocean Dr., 33051-9800.
The following offices will be providing retail services at a mobile retail unit staged on site at the facility. Delivery is being attempted where safe to do so. Drop shipments can be accepted at this time but require vehicles equipped with a lift gate:
- Big Pine Key, 29959 Overseas Hwy., 33043-9998.
- Marathon, 5171 Overseas Hwy., 33050-9998.
- Long Key, 68340 Overseas Hwy., 33001-9998.
- Summerland Key, 24700 Overseas Hwy., 33042-9998 — Drop shipments for this office should be dropped at Big Pine Key located at 29959 Overseas Hwy., 33043-9998.
Suncoast
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Melbourne and Space Coast areas
The following offices have resumed normal operations as of Sept. 25:
- Alva, 17301 Broadway St., 33920-9998.
- Bushnell, 800 Main St., 33513-9997.
- Center Hill, 89 E. Kings Hwy., 33514-9997.
- Daytona, Holly Hill, 231 7th St., 32125-9998.
- Melbourne Indialantic, 200 Palm Ave., 32903-9998.
- Nobleton, 29095 Forbes St., 34661-9801.
- Nocatee, 2509 SW County Road 760, 34268-9998.
- Ochopee, 38000 Tamiami Trl. E., 34141-2003.
- Ocklawaha, 13470 E. Highway 25, 32183-9998.
- Ona, 5155 State Rd. 64 W., 33890-4762.
- Orlando, Azalea Park, 501 N. Semoran Blvd., 32807-9998.
- Seville, 120 County Road 305, 32190-9998.
All Post Offices, stations and branches have resumed normal operations with the exception of those listed below.
The following office is offering retail services. Drop shipments are being accepted. Delivery is being attempted where safe to do so:
- Bonita Springs, 26150 Old 41 Rd., 34135-6632.
The following office is providing full delivery and limited retail services. Drop shipments are being accepted:
- Orlando, Pine Hills, 811 Deauville Dr., 32808-9998 — PO Box mail can be picked up at the Orlando Hiawassee Branch at 3200 N. Hiawassee Rd., 32818-9998.
The following offices have limited retail services. Customers can pick up PO Box mail at a mobile retail unit. Drop shipments will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Chokoloskee, 195 Smallwood Dr., 34138-9800.
- Everglades City, 601 Collier Ave., 34139-9800.
- Mobile unit located at 102 Copeland Ave. N., 34139.
- Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The following office is offering limited retail services at a mobile retail unit located on site. PO Box mail can be picked up at this location. Drop shipments will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Goodland, 427 Papaya St., 34140-9800.
- Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Source: USPS
The most recent notices regarding Tropical Storm/Hurricane Harvey from the USPS:
Sept. 25, 2017, 6 p.m. ET
Texas
Rio Grande
San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Harlingen areas
The following office has resumed normal operations:
- Skidmore, 122 E. Patricio St., 78389-9998.
Retail and delivery operations, as well as drop shipments, have been suspended at the following offices, with services being offered by an alternate location:
- Aransas Pass, 634 S. Commercial St., 78336-9998 — Retail and PO Box operations have moved to Ingleside, 2230 State Highway 361, 78362-4139.
- Austwell, 611 Vandenberge St., 77950-9800 — Retail and PO Box operations have moved to Tivoli, 211 W. Scott St., 77990-9998.
- Bayside, 715 Third St., 78340-3019 — Alternate location for mail pickup is Gregory, 102 W. Fourth, 78359.
- Fulton, 301 Cactus St., 78358-9800 — Alternate location for mail pickup is Ingleside, 2230 State Highway 361, 78362-4139.
- Rockport, 1550 FM 2165, 78382-9998 — Alternate location for mail pickup is Ingleside, 2230 State Highway 361, 78362-4139.
- Telferner, 319 FM 1686, 77988-9800 — Alternate location for mail pickup is Edna, 603 Rose, 77957.
- Woodsboro, 501 First St., 78393-9998 — Alternate location for mail pickup is Refugio, 507 Osage, 78377.
Business mail entry operations are as follows:
- 779 affected areas: BMEU services to Victoria Main Office, 312 S. Main St., 77901.
- 783 affected areas: BMEU services to Corpus Christi Main Office, 809 Nueches Bay Blvd., 78469.
Sept. 25, 2017, 11 a.m. ET
Houston
All offices have resumed normal operations with the exception of offices listed below.
- Bear Creek, 16015 Cairnway Dr., 77084-9998.
- Bear Creek has relocated from Fleetwood.
- Carriers have moved to a new location — 10795 Hammerly Blvd., Ste. 350, 77043-2309.
- PO Box and retail operations have moved back to Bear Creek location, working from a mobile trailer.
- Effective Sept. 27, carrier left notice packages and mail unable to be delivered to a residence because of inaccessibility will be available for pickup at the mobile trailer.
Retail and delivery operations as well as drop shipments are suspended at these offices with services being offered at an alternate location:
- Deweyville, 680 Texas State Highway 272, 77614-0001 — All operations moved to Bridge City, 900 Texas Ave., 77611.
- Glen Flora, 126 Bridge St., 77443-0177 — All operations moved to Wharton, 141 E. Milam St., 77488-9998.
- Katy, Katy Finance, 5701 4th St., 77493-9998 — All operations moved to Katy, 20180 Park Row Dr., 77449-9998.
- Mauriceville, 11424 Highway 12, 77626-0016 — All operations moved to Bridge City, 900 Texas Ave., 77611.
- Nome, 2285 Highway 90, 77629-0010 — All operations moved to China, 305 N. Broadway St., 77613-0016.
- Stowell, 3608 State Highway 124, 77661-0045 — All operations moved to Winnie, 324 Highway 124, 77665-0190.
Sept. 11, 2017, 3 p.m. ET
Dallas
All Priority Mail Express service for 3-digit ZIP Code 759 is suspended until Wednesday, Sept. 6.
The shipment of live animals destined for 3-digit ZIP Code 759 is suspended until further notice.
Source: USPS Service Disruption
As Hurricane Harvey sets its course on the Texas coast, both Texas and Louisiana are expected to suffer from extreme rainfall accumulations, storm surge and strong winds. Power outages, road closures and business closings are anticipated. All of which will impact the ability for postal offices to both open and deliver mail.
We will continually monitor Hurricane Harvey’s impact to mail operations and will update you accordingly.
If you have any questions on how to handle upcoming mailings or those that may already be in the mailstream, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call us at 443-539-2640.
The Labor Day holiday will alter pick-up and drop dates for your commingled mail. To ensure your campaigns arrive in a timely manner, please keep in mind the following dates for the upcoming three-day weekend.
As always, we’ll help you plan appropriately to meet your deadlines. Please don’t hesitate to reach out your MailSmart Logistics representative with any questions or concerns.
Levittown, PA | Duncan, SC | and Milwaukee, WI Commingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| September | ||
| Friday, September 1, 2017 | Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | |
| No Pickup – Closed Monday, September 4th | ||
| Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | Saturday, September 9, 2017 | |
Arlington, Texas Commingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| September | ||
| Friday, September 1, 2017 | Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | |
| No Pickup – Closed Monday, September 4th | ||
| Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | Friday, September 8, 2017 | |
Corona, California Commingle Schedule |
||
| Pickup | Drop Date | |
| September 2017 | ||
| Thursday, August 31, 2017 | Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | |
| Friday, September 1, 2017 | Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | |
| No Pickup – Closed Monday, September 4th | ||
| Tuesday, September 5, 2017 | Saturday, September 9, 2017 | |
| Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | Saturday, September 9, 2017 | |
1st Class / All Locations – Days Closed |
| Monday, September 4, 2017 |
We’re counting down the days until this year’s National Postal Forum taking place at the Convention Center in downtown Baltimore from May 21st – 24th!
This year, MailSmart Logistics is exhibiting! It will be great to see all the mailers, lettershops, nonprofits and mailing industry pros at the Forum.
The three-day event features over 130 workshops, including:
Targeted Budget-Friendly Marketing- Where Does Direct Mail Fit Into Those Increasingly Digital Tactics?
- Leveraging Shipping Data Across All Your E‐Commerce Operations
- 10 Hot New Logistics Trends that will Keep Customers Coming Back for More
- What’s Mail Got to do With it?
There will also be USPS official certification courses available for Certified Direct Mail Professional, Executive Mail Center Manager, and Mailpiece Design Professional.
We look forward to seeing you there. Let your nose lead you straight to Booth #825 – we’ll be serving up popcorn. Stop by and grab a bag to nibble on while you explore the exhibit hall.
