The mail industry is always changing, and whether you are a direct marketer, retailer or non-profit, planning for those changes is critical to your business success. The U.S. Postal Service has decreased postage rates this Spring for all classes of mail.
These new rates will take effect on April 11, 2016. Let's take a look at what's changing:
Download our complete Postal Rates Sheet for 2016 »
At a glance:
| Mail Class | Before April 11 |
After April 11 |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Stamped Letter (1 oz) |
$0.49 | $0.47 |
| First-Class Metered Mail Letter (1 oz) | $0.485 | $0.465 |
| First-Class Flat | $0.98 |
$0.94 |
| Postcard | $0.35 | $0.34 |
| Additional Ounce Rate | $0.22 | $0.21 |
Summary:
First-Class stamped letters are now $0.47. Keep in mind, all 1 oz letter rate Forever Stamps are considered valid on letter-sized pieces weighing 1 oz or less, no matter if the USPS increases its rates. Once you have purchased them, they are valid forever.
The postcard rate will decrease from $0.35 to $0.34. Here’s a quick note on postcards: You may think that your mail piece is a "postcard" because it is a single sheet of paper, but to qualify for mailing at the First-Class Mail postcard rate it must be rectangular (at least 3-1/2" high x 5" long x 0.007" thick and no more than 4-1/4" high x 6" long x 0.016" thick).
The rate for additional ounces has decreased this year to $0.21 per additional ounce. For example, if you have a letter-sized piece that weighs 3 oz, simply take the 1 oz rate of $0.47 and add $0.21 for every additional ounce. Your 3 oz letter-sized piece would now cost ($0.47 + $0.21 + $0.21) $0.89.
For those that use our presort mail services, please note that all of the USPS presort rates have also decreased. To see a quick overview of the new USPS rates for presorted mail, please reference our 2016 Postal Rate Sheet.