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PDF documents from the US Postal Service listing the 2007 price rates are available for viewing or download.
A simple brief summary shows the most common retail prices, while a more detailed listing addresses many price changes for all aspects of commercial and business mailing.

Starting Monday, July 30, customers can use one of several convenient online postage applications — available 24/7 — or an Automated Postal Center, if they wish to mail items that weigh more than 13 ounces in Postal Service collection boxes or Post Office lobby mail slots; or if they wish to leave the items for pickup by their letter carriers. Online postage applications include the Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship service on usps.com and PC Postage from an authorized USPS vendor.

If a customer is unable to use one of the above methods to prepare and affix postage, items weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented for mailing to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter. Business customers who use postage meters may continue to use meter postage for packages of any weight and mailing method.

More information about this change can be found on-line at USPS.com.

UAMS News Items
• U.S. Postal Service Jan Rate Change (May 2007)

The US postal service last implemented a rate increase on the third week of May, 2007.
Unlike previous changes the current change not only affects the rate, but adds two new categories of mail pieces under the new shape-based pricing.

Questions about the Rate Increase
• Why did the rates increase?
• What is Shape-Based pricing?
• What is the increase for first-class mail?
• What is the increase for priority mail?
• What is the increase for certified and other accountable mail?
• What is the increase for overnight express mail?

Postal costs go up like those of any other business or household. In fact increasing costs for fuel and health benefits greatly affect the Postal Service. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operations and relies solely on the sale of its products and services to cover its operating costs. Many costs are associated with the fact that different shapes and sizes of the mail require different handling procedures.

On February 26, 2007, the Postal Regulatory Commission issued its recommendation on rates which recognize the impact on cost of different shapes of mail and which attempt to maximize economic efficiency within the mailing industry. In some cases, however, the recommended rates may cause some confusion. The Governors of the United States Postal commission are mindful that any business must consider the impact on its customers due to the timing and magnitude of any price increase.

Letter-sized mail
• These are typical mail pieces
• They must have an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of between 1.3 to 2.5.
• Must be one quarter of an inch thick or less.
• Must be no more than 3.5 ounces in weight.
• A mail piece that does not meet this criteria is not considered a letter, and instead may be considered a flat-sized mail piece.

Flat-sized mail
• This is a new category of mail
• Flat-sized mail pieces cost $0.39 more than the same weight letter sized mail pieces.
• A flat is designated as being any mail piece that is between 11 1/2 inches to 15 inches long, 6 1/8 to 12 inches high, and 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch thick.
• A mail piece that does not meet this criteria is not considered a flat-sized mail piece and instead may be considered a first-class parcel.

First-Class Parcel
• This is a new category of mail
• First-Class Parcel mail pieces cost $0.33 more than the same weight flat-sized mail piece.
• An item that is more than 15 inches long or more than 12 inches high or more than three quarters of an inch thick is considered a parcel.

Standard Postcards increase from $0.24 to $0.26 each.

Rates for priority mail pieces have increased from roughly twelve to twenty percent, depending on the distance the package is being shipped.

The one-pound rate is charged for matter sent in a Priority Mail flat-rate envelope provided by the USPS, regardless of the actual weight of the piece. This will change to $4.60, an increase from the previous $4.05

The cost to send other weight or classes of priority packages is dependant on the package's destination. The zoned rates will result in varying changes depending upon the destination and distance.

The cost for certified mail will increase to $2.65, an increase of $0.15
The cost for a return receipt will be increased to $2.15, an increase of $0.30

The proposed rate change includes an average overall increase for Express Mail services. The rate for the first half pound (8 0z.) will increase to $16.25

A complete listing of all prices is available for viewing or download in PDF format.

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