The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday it will leave 2023 shipping rates unchanged for two of its products but raise rates significantly on one product where it effectively has no competition.
Under the proposal, which would take effect Jan. 22 pending approval by postal regulators, the Postal Service will not raise rates on its Parcel Select Ground service, where it delivers shipments weighing up to 70 pounds within two to five days. It will also keep rates unchanged on its Connect Local service, where it provides same-day or next-day deliveries depending on the distance.
Under Connect Local, users are required to drop off parcels at shipping docks or designated locations. In return, they have access to rates generally available only to high-volume shippers.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Postal Service proposed a 7.8% increase on its First Class Package Service (FCPS), which applies to parcels weighing less than 1 pound. Prices on Priority Mail, a two- to three-day delivery service, will rise by 5.5%. Rates on the agency’s Priority Express Mail next-day delivery service will increase by 6.6%.