New Prices to Take Effect January 27. Last month we noted that the confirmation of two members to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors would likely mean that the annual price increases for both Market Dominant and Competitive products would be announced but that it might be challenging for the USPS to announce them in October for January implementation as has been the practice in the past. Apparently, the Postal Service was able to overcome whatever challenges it faced because on October 20 it filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of proposed price changes to take effect on January 27, 2019. The proposed increases include:

In addition, the USPS will be reducing workshare discounts on drop-shipped Marketing Mail letters and making differential changes in flats versus letters. The new rates are posted at: https://pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index. 

The Postal Service reported the proposed prices would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 2.5%, and most of the price increases for Shipping Services products will vary by product, with Priority Mail increasing 5.9% and Priority Mail Express increasing 3.9%. While Mailing Services price increases are limited based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Shipping Services prices are adjusted strategically, according to market conditions and the need to maintain affordable services for customers.