Additional price and classification changes — as well as a Priority Mail enhancement and a new method of determining zone assignments — are slated to take effect July 10.
Here’s an overview:
• Price changes: As the Postal Service has previously announced, the price of a Forever stamp will increase from 58 cents to 60 cents on July 10, as will 1-ounce letters.
Metered 1-ounce letters will increase from 53 cents to 57 cents; additional ounces will increase from 20 cents to 24 cents; domestic postcards will increase from 40 cents to 44 cents; and 1-ounce outbound international letters will increase from $1.30 to $1.40.
In addition, prices for some International Special Services will increase, including insurance fees for Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International Merchandise and Global Express Guaranteed. International Money Transfer Service fees will also increase.
• Classification changes: On July 10, cubic pricing will be available for Parcel Select customers at 10 tiers, up to 1 cubic foot. Commercial Base customers will now have the option of Priority Mail cubic pricing; previously, only Commercial Plus customers had this pricing option.
• Priority Mail enhancement: The amount of insurance included with all domestic Priority Mail Outbound shipments will increase from $50 to $100. Priority Mail returns will also include $100 insurance. This change does not apply to international mail.
• Zone chart change: USPS will alter zoning charts to reflect a change in the calculation of zone assignments.
The three-digit ZIP Codes between the origin and destination will be used to determine the zone, rather than the distance between the origin and destination plant.
The Postal Explorer website has more information about these changes.