Mandatory program update for January postal changes

By Brad Hill

Interlink publishes a new version of Circulation every month, but the January 2017 release is particularly important and should be installed immediately when prompted. In addition to the regular updates to mail routing, upcoming version 2.4.20 also includes support for the new postage rates that go into effect this month. Updating will ensure new rates and new postage statements are available for both Periodical and Standard Mail, which are required for use with all mailings dated on or after January 22.

Version 2.4.20 must be installed prior to running ‘Close Issue’ to create labels and other mailing reports for issues mailed under the new rates and forms.

Interlink Circulation uses the date of your mailing to determine whether to use the old postage statements or new ones. Changes to the electronic equivalent (eDoc) of postage statements are also included in the same update.

For most newspapers, the impact of January’s postage rate increase will be minimal, with Periodical Mail costs increasing less than one percent overall. Outside-county sacks and trays carry the bulk of the increase.

Standard Mail is being renamed USPS Marketing Mail, and will see rates increase between two and three percent for flats overall, but closer to one percent for most shoppers. See Max Heath’s article in the January edition of Publishers’ Auxiliary for a chart with and detailed explanation of Marketing Mail rate changes.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions about the upcoming release of Interlink Circulation, or changes to postage rates.