It’s January, and you know what that means — new USPS rates go into effect soon. We have updated our US Postal Rate Chart (pdf) with the new rates. The latest rate increases start on January 22, including increases for First Class Mail.

USPS points out that the increase of the 1 oz letter rate (up 1 cent to 45 cents) is the first since May 2009, that the additional ounce rate for letters is unchanged at 20 cents, and that “the overall average price increase across all mailing services is capped at 2.1 percent.” The biggest increases, which aren’t highlighted in the USPS pr on the topic, are to package rates, both within the US and internationally, with the highest increases applied to the lowest weights.

The 1 oz package rate for all countries is increasing 74 percent, from $1.72 to $3.00. The 2 oz rate increases vary from 46 to 59 percent. Since shape-based rates took effect (in May 2007 for US, and May 2008 for other countries), package rates have seen enormous increases. The 1 oz rate within the US has gone up by 73 percent since then; other weights have seen increases ranging from 15 to 50 percent. The increases for packages going outside the US has been even more dramatic: the cost for 1 oz packages has gone up by 154 percent to Canada and Mexico, 114 percent to other countries. Other weights have seen increases ranging from 21 percent to 42 percent at the highest weights, and 72 percent to 122 percent at lower weights.

Here’s a rundown of the changes:

• Within the US, postcards are going up 3 cents to 32 cents. Large envelope (aka flats) rates are increasing by 2 cents at all weights (90 cents for the first ounce, and 20 cents for each additional ounce). Packages will cost $1.95 for the first 3 ounces, then 17 cents for each additional ounce.
• Letters (1 oz) and postcards to Canada and Mexico are increasing by 5 cents to 85 cents. Additional ounces cost 32 cents per ounce to Canada and 59 cents to Mexico. Large envelopes will start at $1.50 for both Canada and Mexico, and packages will start at $3.00. Additional ounces (for either type) cost 15 cents per ounce to Canada and 53 cents to Mexico.
• Letters (1 oz) and postcards to other countries are going up 7 cents to $1.05. Additional ounces cost 87 cents for Groups 3-5 (incl. Europe, Australia, Japan, Russia, China) and 80 cents for Groups 6-9 (Central & South America, New Zealand, Africa). Large envelopes start at $1.75 and packages start at $3.00, with additional ounces costing 78 cents for Groups 3-5 or 74 cents for Groups 6-9. (Oddly enough, the rate changes mean that large envelopes 6 ounces or above will actually be at cheaper-than-current rates for all countries except Mexico.)
• Media mail is going up to $2.47 for 1 lb, plus 42 cents for each additional pound (up to 7 lbs).
• PO box rental costs are also going up, but USPS is now adding a 3 month rental option.

At the end of 2011, USPS announced it might close more than half of its mail processing facilities and more than 3,000 post offices. These closes would likely slow the delivery of first class mail. The USPS is also still considering plans to scale back to a five-day delivery schedule (dropping Saturday delivery). Implementation of either change will likely depend on Congressional action this spring. If Saturday delivery to street addresses is discontinued, delivery to PO boxes would continue on Saturdays, and post offices would still be open, but there would be no scheduled collection of mail from blue collection boxes or retail offices. Express Mail will continue delivery seven days a week, but Priority Mail would only be Monday through Friday.

In other news, we’ve updated the Upcoming Events page! If you know of a zine festival or other event that we don’t have on our list, please drop us a line!

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