Postal Rate News for 2008

Consistent with the new law (the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act), prices for mailing services will be adjusted annually each May. The price for a one-ounce First-Class stamp increased from .41 to .42 cents on May 12, 2008. Prices for other mailing services will also be affected (see chart below). The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Express Mail
Express Mail will now be priced based on weight and zone. Additional savings will be available for those who qualify for Corporate Accounts or volume incentives. For a 0.5lb Post Office to Addressee shipment, prices range from $12.60 (Zone 1) to $19.50 (Zone 8).

Standard Mail
Discounts for BMC and SCF Destination Entry remain the same, but the USPS has lowered the pound price for saturation and high-density flats.

Shape-based Pricing
New from last year, shape-based pricing is still in effect. These postal rates reflect differences in the costs of handling letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages.

Some of the benefits you’ll receive working with Redi-Mail

• Provides state-of-the-art mail processing and automation to save money and adhere to new postal rate requirements.
• Recommend cost effective alternatives in new shaped-based pricing
• Utilization of intelligent mail barcodes and new barcode options
• Knowledgeable in new mail preparation guidelines
• Utilization of a wide-range of USPS software enabling full advantage of all USPS automation and postal discounts
• New sorting options reduce the number of trays in the mailing of large quantities, subsequently reducing labor, sorting and processing

EXAMPLES OF MAY 2008 POSTAGE CHANGES
Effective May 12, 2008

First-Class Mail	Previous	New
First-Class Mail Letter (1 oz.)	$ 0.41	$ 0.42
First-Class Mail Letter (2 oz.)	$ 0.58	$ 0.59
Postcard	$ 0.26	$ 0.27
Large Envelope (2 oz.)	$ 0.97	$ 1.00
Priority Mail
Flat-Rate Envelope	$ 4.60	$ 4.80
Flat-Rate Box	$ 8.95	$ 9.80
Express Mail
New Pricing Based on Weight & Zone	$ 16.25	$ 12.60-$ 19.50
Parcel Post
1-pound package	$ 3.42	$ 3.67