USPS approved by PRC to implement new pricing effective May 31

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The US Postal Service has been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission to implement new pricing that will go into effect May 31, 2015. The new prices will apply to all publications mailed at Periodical and Standard Mail rates.

An automatic update for Interlink Circulation containing new postage statements that reflect updated pricing will be released later this week. Once installed, no further action is required as Circulation knows which rates to apply based on the mailing date of each closed issue.

The overall average 2.0% price increase for Periodical Mail breaks down differently based on how the mail is assembled and presented. A typical 1/4 lb. newspaper entered in an in-county post office will see an approximate 1.8% increase on carrier-route pieces delivered locally. The piece rate on mail headed outside the county increases as much as 10%, but is offset somewhat by a 14-25% decrease in outside-county pound rates. While sack and tray fees remain unchanged, outside-county bundle costs increase by a noticeable 24% – 140%, making it more important than ever to create full 20 pound bundles (40lb. if entered at the DDU) wherever possible.

Standard Mail prices for shoppers and free newspapers sent to all addresses on a route (full saturation) will increase between 1%, for 16 oz. pieces, and nearly 2% for pieces weighing 3 ounces or less. Non-saturated rates that are most common when mailing a shopper to all non-subscribers of an associated newspaper, will increase by approximately 1% for high density pieces, and between 1% and 3% for carrier-route basic pieces.

For detailed tables showing complete rate changes at various piece weights, see Max Heath’s article on pages 17 and 18 in the May issue of Publishers’ Auxiliary.

Please contact our client solutions team with any questions about the update to Interlink Circulation or the new rates.