USPS Announces Price Increase for 2021
First Class Retail
The post office has spared the retail price of the one ounce letter (forever stamp mail) by penalizing heavier weighted letters. 2 ounce, 3 ounce and 3.5 ounce rates increased 7%, 11.7% and 15% respectively by upping the additional ounce rate to $0.20 from $0.15. Metered first class letter rates will see increases from 2% to 17% based on weight. First class retail postcards will see a 2.9% increase in 2021. Retail first class flats pricing remains untouched. EDDM Retail pricing increased by a tenth of a cent each.
First Class Automated
Automated first class letters increased on average 2.3% while presorted machinable letters stayed even. Automated and presorted postcard rates increased on average 3.2%.
Automated first class flats increased on average 3.7% at the 4 ounce mark. This increase tiers upwards for the lighter weight flats starting in at an average increase of 7.4% for the 1 ounce flats. Flats above four ounces should expect a more reasonable increase in the range of 3.2% – 1.5%.
Marketing Mail Letters
Non-profit marketing mail letters mailed to carrier routes with saturation and high density thresholds won’t see any increase in 2021. Automated non-profit letters should plan for a 1.8% – 3% increase.
For-profit marketing mail letters will similarly not have to worry about increases for saturation and high density carrier route thresholds. Automated for-profit letters should plan on 0.9% – 1.8% increases.
Marketing Mail Flats
Commercial marketing mail flats will not have increases for those customers using saturation, EDDM or high density plus carrier route mailings. Non-profit marketing mail flats using Saturation, EDDM and High Density Plus carrier route mailings will see a maximum increase of .5% on pieces over 4 ounces.
Marketing mail flats mailing at automation rates less than four ounces entering at origin will see an average of 8.5% increase. Similar mailings participating in drop shipping would see decrease of 4.7%.
Non-profit marketing mail flats mailing at automation rates less than four ounces entering at origin will see an average of 8.2% increase. That same mail being drop shipped would see only a 6.5% increase.
Commercial marketing mail flats mailing at automation rates above four ounces will see per piece increases of $0.015 to $0.04 and per pound increases of $0.07 per pound on origin mail. Drop shipped mail will see the same per piece increases but a $0.03 to $0.04 reduction in per pound rates.
Non-profit marketing mail flats mailing at automation rates above four ounces will see per piece increases of $0.01 to $0.02 and per pound increases of $0.073 per pound on origin mail. Drop shipped mail will see the same per piece increases but a $0.025 to $0.03 reduction in per pound rates.
Periodicals
Periodical rates per pound of editorial versus advertising content remain the same in 2021. Per piece rates, bundle rates and container rates are all on the rise though. Typical flat piece rates are set to increase an average of 2%. Bundle rates are increasing 3% on average. Container rates are increases by 8.5% on average and pallet rates are increase 4.6% on average. I would budget an overall increase for periodicals of around 4%.
Bound Printed Matter Flats
Bound printed matter rates are staying even for 2021.
