USPS: Postcard rate now includes larger size

September 7, 2021 Mailers spoke, USPS listened. On July 28, the Postal Regulatory Commission approved an increase in the maximum size limit for postcards that fall under the Commercial Presorted or Automation First-Class Mail postage rate. The new limit took effect Aug. 29. The move is a response to business mailers who sought more room…

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USPS OIG Report: Marketing Mail Letters Workshare Discounts

Objective The U.S. Postal Service offers a postage rate discount to mailers for presorting, pre-barcoding, handling, or transporting of mail. These workshare discounts incentivize mailers to perform specific activities that the Postal Service would otherwise have to perform. They allow the Postal Service to increase operational efficiencies, avoid some mailing costs, stimulate mail volume growth,…

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Are Workshare Discounts Beneficial to the Postal Service?

Project Title: Marketing Mail Workshare Discounts Cost Model Start Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Estimated Report Release Date: July 2018 The Postal Service offers a postage rate discount to mailers for presorting, pre-barcoding, handling, and transporting mail. These workshare discounts incentivize mailers to perform specific activities prior to dropping mail at postal facilities. These discounts…

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USPS effectively subsidizes Amazon, undercharging them $1.46 a package on postage

A new report explains how the U.S. Postal Service has been practically subsidizing postage for large retailers like Amazon The Postal Service is barred by law from charging less than it costs to deliver a package But the report finds that they may be miscalculating the package side of their business  In April, a Citigroup analysis…

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Latest edition of Postal Bulletin highlights new discounts available to businesses

The Postal Bulletin’s latest issue highlights new discounts available to businesses that incorporate color, new printing techniques and mobile technologies into their direct mailings. The issue also previews upcoming stamps, including Lili’uokalani Gardens, Gateway Arch, Patriotic Nonprofit, Oscar de la Renta, Uncle Sam’s Hat and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Source: USPS News Link    

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USPS seeks rate increase for January 2017

By Bill McAllister, Washington Correspondent Here’s an important stamp date: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. That’s when the United States Postal Service has told mailers it wants to implement its next rate change. But it’s unknown if the Postal Service will use its annual rate change to seek an end to the 47¢ first-class stamp. By…

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Rep rips ‘junk’ but postal union defends circulars

By Andy Metzger/State House News Service January 20, 2016 BOSTON – A legislative bid to make purveyors of circulars more accountable butted up Tuesday against the interests of postal workers who rely on the business of direct-mail advertising. Rep. Denise Provost, a Somerville Democrat, unloaded a heap of Globe Direct mailers before the Committee on…

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Mail Flats: Ending the Controversy Without Fixing the Problem

Monday, August 31, 2015 “Mail destinating in FSS zones . . . that had previously qualified for Standard Mail Carrier Route rates migrated to FSS rates in the Standard Mail Flats product,” the USPS explained. Translation: What had been called Standard Flats hasn’t become more efficient; it’s just that the definition of Standard Flats has…

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