USPS® Shipping and Mailing Price Changes

The USPS has proposed a new 2024 price increase for mailing services that, if approved by the PRC, will go into effect
January 21, 2024. Rates as of the July 9, 2023 change will be in effect until that time.

Mailing Services (Market Dominant)

USPS proposes new 2024 price increase for mailing services.

Starting January 21, 2024, mailers will see another price increase to USPS mailing products such as First-Class Mail, Certified Mail, and Marketing Mail. These rates have not been approved yet by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), but mailers should start planning now. We expect that price changes for USPS shipping services will be announced later in Q4.

Even though most mailing rates are increasing across the board, the First-Class Letter savings by using a Pitney Bowes meter or PitneyShip online postage increases from 3¢ to 4¢. The additional ounce rate for First-Class Mail will remain $0.24. The USPS says this latest increase is being driven primarily by an increase in operating expenses from inflation. There are some additional structural changes being proposed for Certificate of Mailing that will also affect mailers using special services like Certified Mail.

What can you expect heading into the new year? As always, Pitney Bowes remains committed to providing the best possible rates offered by the USPS. As the holidays draw near, it's the perfect time to cut your shipping and mailing costs. We are here to help you find ways to reduce the complexity and impact of rate changes for shipping and mailing. Below are some of the highlights of popular mailing services being affected.

Learn more about the changes during our upcoming webinar. Register here. 

First-Class Mail

Savings for Metered letters increases to 4¢ per letter. Savings for Certified Mail with electronic return receipt changes to $1.33 with no volume requirements.

  • 1-ounce Letters increase to $0.68
  • 1-ounce Metered Letters increase to $0.64
  • Additional ounce rate for Letters and Flats remains $0.24
  • Certified Mail fee increases to $4.40
    • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost increases to $8.69 for Retail Return Receipt (Green Card) (metered)
    • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost will be $7.36 for electronic Return Receipt (Savings of $1.33 vs. Green Card)

Other Services

  • Single Piece Library Mail increases to $3.92 up to 1lb
  • Single Piece Media Mail increases to $4.13 up to 1lb

First-Class Mail
Product
 Current Price
 Jan 2024 Change
1oz. Letter $0.66 $0.68 +$0.02
1 oz. Letter (metered) $0.63 $0.64 +$0.01
Postcards $0.51 $0.53 +$0.02
1 oz. Flats $1.35 $1.39 +$0.04
Additional Ounce $0.24 $0.24 --

 

Certified Mail
Extra Services Current Price Jan 2024 Change
Certified Mail $4.35 $4.40 +$0.05
Return. Receipt Retail $3.55 $3.65 +$0.10
Return. Receipt Electronic $2.20 $2.32 +$0.12

Our PitneyShip software delivers a better way to send, track, and manage your Certified Mail, while saving you $1.33 on every piece – with no volume requirements. Learn more here.

Structure Changes

  • Certificate of Mail Forms – A new Automated Option for processing forms 3606-D Certificate of Bulk Mailing, 3665 Certificate of Mailing, and 3877 Firm Mailing Book for Accountable Mail at the BMEU when the forms are electronically uploaded to PostalOne! and payment is made using as EPS (Enterprise Payment System) account. Section 503.5 of the Domestic Mail Manual.
  • Visibility to Promotion Discounts – Participants will be able to see the discounts received at the product level for each promotion.
  • Changes to the Periodicals portions of the Domestic Mail Manual to reflect changes that took place in July 2023.

The USPS is implementing new mailing regulations in 2024.

As of December 2024, IMI will replace the outdated IBI (Information Based Indicia) performance standard with newer, more sophisticated technology providing the Postal Service with more detailed real-time transaction data. Learn more here.

As of July 9, 2023

The USPS stamp price increase went into effect on July 9, 2023. The new rates include a 3-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63¢ to 66¢. These increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4% to offset the rise in inflation.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63¢, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51¢. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24¢. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

Pitney Bowes clients will continue to receive a 3-cent savings on metered mail. In addition, clients who use PitneyShip Pro will receive a discount of $1.35 on every piece of Certified Mail they send with Electronic Return Receipt. Please note, with First Class packages becoming Ground Advantage, Certified Mail is no longer an option as an extra service for these items. If you require a signature, Ground Advantage with Signature Confirmation is the recommended alternative. If your package requires Certified Mail, then you must use Priority Mail.

First-Class Mail

Savings for Metered letters remain at 3¢ per letter. Also, savings for Certified Mail with electronic return receipt increases to $1.35 with no volume requirements.

  • 1-ounce Letters increase to $0.66
  • 1-ounce Metered Letters increase to $0.63
  • 1-ounce Flats increase to $1.35
  • Postcards increase to $0.51
  • Additional ounce rate for Letters and Flats remains $0.24
  • Certified Mail fee increases to $4.35
    • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost increases to $8.53 for Retail Return Receipt (Green Card) (metered)
    • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost will be $7.18 for electronic Return Receipt(metered)

Other Services

  • Single Piece Library Mail increases to $3.72 up to 1lb
  • Single Piece Media Mail increases to $3.92

First-Class Mail
Product
 Current Price
 Jul 2023
1oz. Letter $0.63 $0.66
1 oz. Letter (metered) $0.60 $0.63
Postcards $0.48 $0.51
1 oz. Flats $1.26 $1.35
Additional Ounce $0.24 $0.24

 

Certified Mail
Extra Services Current Price Jul 2023
Certified Mail $4.15 $4.35
Return. Receipt Retail $3.35 $3.55
Return. Receipt Electronic $2.10 $2.20

Shipping Services (USPS Competitive Products)

Changes to USPS® CeC Discounted Shipping Rates starting November 2023

While the Postal Service did not add holiday surcharges this year, they are making changes to the Connect eCommerce (CeC) special discounted prices for Priority Mail® and Ground Advantage™. The CeC rates are special discounted USPS rates that you automatically get in your PitneyShip software for certain zones and weights for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage. These rates are available through a partnership between Pitney Bowes and the USPS, so we can offer you the best USPS shipping rates available.

Overall, the discounts on Priority Mail are being reduced and the discounts on Ground Advantage are being increased. Even though the discount is changing, the new rates will be the same or less than the published Commercial pricing discounts. Because the rates are lower than Commercial pricing, we can’t publish actual rates, however you can use the charts below for guidance. Here’s a summary of what is changing:

Priority Mail:

  • Priority Mail Flat Rate prices are being removed from the Connect eCommerce program that provided extra discounts. The rates are returning to the Commercial Pricing discounts, so you still save up to $2.90 by printing a shipping label with PitneyShip.
  • Weight-Based Priority Mail CeC discounts are changing by up to 10% in zones 1-4 for packages weighing 4-20lbs, but the prices are still up to 31% cheaper than published Commercial Pricing discounts.
  • Dimension-Based Priority Mail Cubic CeC discounts are changing up to 2-23% in zones 1-4 for tiers 0.40 and 0.50—so the largest package sizes for this service will cost more with the new rates, but the price remains up to 30% cheaper than published Commercial Pricing discounts.

Ground advantage:

  • Ground Advantage weight-based and Cubic rates are decreasing up to 16% in zones 1-5, depending on the size and weight of your package. This means you’ll save even more (up to 23% off published Commercial discounts) when you ship USPS Ground Advantage this holiday season.

Here’s the good news. You will continue getting the best USPS shipping rates available by printing shipping labels with your PitneyShip® software.

Need your packages to arrive before December 25? View the shipping deadlines for all carriers here.

Nov 2023 Priority Mail Commercial

Weight Not Over (ounces)

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

1

<$7.64

<$7.78

<$8.01

<$8.24

<$8.47

<$8.96

$9.43

$10.07

$18.03

2

<$8.23

<$8.31

<$8.45

<$8.74

<$9.39

<$11.29

$11.97

$13.17

$27.59

3

<$8.42

<$8.58

<$8.86

<$9.25

<$10.23

$13.74

$15.48

$18.45

$37.43

4

<$8.55

<$8.76

<$9.16

<$9.83

$12.01

$16.01

$18.57

$21.60

$45.07

5

<$8.74

<$8.95

<$9.30

<$10.27

$13.42

$17.54

$21.43

$24.97

$52.45

6

<$8.91

<$9.13

<$9.73

<$10.78

$14.35

$19.09

$24.49

$28.53

$60.10

7

<$9.16

<$9.39

<$10.36

<$11.41

$15.34

$20.62

$26.57

$31.01

$67.49

8

<$9.68

<$9.92

<$10.97

<$12.11

$16.39

$22.18

$28.64

$33.50

$75.76

9

<$10.26

<$10.51

<$11.64

<$12.89

$17.49

$23.72

$30.72

$35.97

$84.25

10

<$10.82

<$11.09

<$12.31

<$13.65

$18.57

$25.26

$32.80

$38.24

$91.62
Priority Mail Commercial Cubic Rates

Cubic Ft. Range Up To:

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

0.10

<$7.79

<$7.91

<$8.12

<$8.37

<$8.70

<$9.54

$10.07

$10.85

$20.42

0.20

<$8.23

<$8.31

<$8.45

<$8.74

<$9.39

<$11.29

$11.97

$13.17

$27.59

0.30

<$8.42

<$8.58

<$8.86

<$9.25

<$10.23

$13.74

$15.48

$18.45

$37.43

0.40

<$8.55

<$8.76

<$9.16

<$9.83

$12.38

$16.41

$19.31

$22.48

$46.99

0.50

<$8.74

<$8.95

<$9.30

<$10.27

$13.89

$18.32

$22.97

$26.76

$56.29
Nov 2023 Ground Advantage Commercial

Weight Not Over (ounces)

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

1-4

$3.59

$3.64

$3.66

$3.75

$3.81

$3.90

$3.97

$4.13

5-8

$3.99

$4.06

$4.09

$4.15

$4.20

$4.24

$4.31

$4.44

9-12

$4.62

$4.69

$4.74

$4.81

$4.88

$5.04

$5.17

$5.33

13-15.999

<$5.85

<$5.93

<$6.00

<$6.07

<$6.22

$6.44

$6.60

$6.78

Weight Not Over (pounds)

                

1

<$6.47

<$6.55

<$6.63

<$6.76

<$7.10

$7.98

$8.18

$8.45

2

<$6.83

<$6.94

<$7.15

<$7.35

<$7.85

$9.17

$9.47

$9.88

3

<$7.17

<$7.26

<$7.73

<$8.07

<$8.75

$10.03

$10.68

$11.43

4

<$7.40

<$7.48

<$8.11

<$8.56

<$9.35

$10.61

$11.49

$12.47

5

<$7.57

<$7.64

<$8.40

<$8.92

<$9.90

$11.16

$12.22

$13.42

6

<$7.74

$7.80

<$8.69

<$9.28

<$10.45

$11.72

$12.96

$14.37

7

<$7.99

<$8.06

<$9.09

<$9.78

<$11.06

$12.39

$13.82

$15.45

8

<$8.33

<$8.38

<$9.53

<$10.30

<$11.67

$13.06

$14.68

$16.53

9

<$8.80

<$8.86

<$10.01

<$10.86

<$12.27

$13.74

$15.53

$17.63

10

<$9.38

<$9.44

<$10.51

<$11.43

<$12.87

$14.43

$16.38

$18.73
Ground Advantage Cubic Rates

Cubic Ft. Range Up To:

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

0.10

<$6.32

<$6.40

<$6.47

<$6.59

<$6.88

$7.59

$7.78

$8.03

$8.03

0.20

<$6.68

<$6.78

<$6.93

<$7.11

<$7.54

$8.67

$8.93

$9.29

$9.29

0.30

<$7.07

<$7.16

<$7.55

<$7.86

<$8.48

$9.77

$10.32

$10.97

$10.97

0.40

<$7.32

<$7.40

<$7.98

<$8.40

<$9.15

$10.42

$11.22

$12.13

$12.13

0.50

<$7.52

<$7.59

<$8.31

<$8.81

<$9.74

$11.00

$12.01

$13.15

$13.15

0.60

<$7.70

<$7.76

<$8.62

<$9.19

<$10.32

$11.59

$12.78

$14.14

$14.14

0.70

<$7.98

<$8.04

<$9.06

<$9.75

<$11.02

$12.35

$13.76

$15.38

$15.38

0.80

<$8.26

<$8.32

<$9.45

<$10.21

<$11.55

$12.93

$14.52

$16.33

$16.33

0.90

<$8.70

<$8.76

<$9.91

<$10.75

<$12.15

$13.61

$15.36

$17.41

$17.41

1.00

<$9.45

<$9.51

$10.55

<$11.48

<$12.92

$14.49

$16.45

$18.82

$18.82

Save up to 89% when you print a USPS shipping label

Offset rate increases and access the best rates on the market when you print a USPS shipping label, rather than using stamps or a meter tape for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.

Learn more about Pitney Bowes shipping solutions.

Log in to your Pitney Bowes shipping solution and save

Rate Change

Priority Mail

Priority Mail Product 2022 Retail Price 2022 Commercial Price 2023 Retail Price 2023 Commercial Price Savings with Pitney Bowes
Flat Rate Envelope $9.90 $8.50 $9.65 $8.05 $1.60
Small Flat Rate Box $10.40 $9.00 $10.20 $8.55 $1.65
Medium Flat Rate Box $17.05 $15.00 $17.10 $14.75 $2.35
Large Flat Rate Box $22.45 $19.95 $22.80 $19.90 $2.90
APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Box $20.95 $18.45 $21.20 $18.35 $2.85
1lb Package to Zone 1 $9.00 $7.62 $9.35 $7.64 $1.71
2lb Package to Zone 1 $9.55 $8.27 $9.80 $8.23 $1.57

Priority Mail Cubic Pricing

Pricing is based on the dimensions of your packages, rather than the weight. It’s a service not available at the Post Office, and offers shippers an inexpensive, fast way to ship their small packages. You can expect a 1-3 business day deliver, like all Priority Mail services. The service also includes $100 of insurance at no extra cost.

2023 Priority Mail Commercial Cubic Rates (as of January 22, 2023)

Cubic Ft. Range Up To: Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9
0.10 $7.79 $7.91 $8.12 $8.37 $8.70 $9.54 $10.07 $10.85 $20.42
0.20 $8.23 $8.31 $8.45 $8.74 $9.39 $11.29 $11.97 $13.17 $27.59
0.30 $8.42 $8.58 $8.86 $9.25 $10.23 $13.74 $15.48 $18.45 $37.43
0.40 $8.55 $8.76 $9.16 $9.83 $12.38 $16.41 $19.31 $22.48 $46.99
0.50 $8.74
 $8.95 $9.30 $10.27 $13.89 $18.32 $22.97 $26.76 $56.29

 

Priority Mail Express

If speed is what you need, then Priority Mail Express could be the right choice. It’s an overnight delivery even on Saturdays.

Priority Mail Express Product 2022 Retail Price 2022 Commerical Price 2023 Retail Price 2023 Commercial Price Savings with Pitney Bowes
Flat Rate Envelope $27.90 $24.25 $28.75 $24.90 $3.65
Legal Flat Rate Envelope $28.05 $24.50 $28.95 $23.75 $3.55
Padded Flat Rate Envelope $28.45 $24.70 $29.45 $25.35 $3.75
1lb Package to Zone 1 $27.70 $24.00 $29.20 $25.25 $3.95

USPS Shipping price changes as part of the July 9 announcement.

As part of the latest proposal, no price changes are being made for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, or the majority of International Products.

New USPS Ground Advantage™ Service

As part of the July 9 changes, the USPS is replacing the existing First-Class Package Service category with USPS Ground Advantage. This service will also incorporate USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Select® Ground. USPS Ground Advantage will feature two-to-five day service standards for packages up to 70 pounds. The new product will also maintain ounce-based pricing up to 15.999oz. The Commercial ounce-based prices align with the current First-Class Commercial Package prices. The USPS will continue to offer Parcel Select Destination Entry and Lightweight. In addition, with First Class packages becoming Ground Advantage, Certified Mail is no longer an option as an extra service for these items. If you require a signature, Ground Advantage with Signature Confirmation is the recommended alternative. If your package requires Certified Mail, then you must use Priority Mail.

The USPS has announced a transition period from July 9 – September 30, 2023 where they will process/deliver legacy products that are merging into Ground Advantage. Shippers will have this grace period to migrate how they label and manifest their packages to comply with the new requirements.

USPS Ground Advantage will feature

  • 3 main Price Levels: Retail, Commercial, Cubic prices (Limited Overland Routes (LOR) pricing is also available for eligible intra-Alaska Zip Codes).
  • Ounce-based pricing up to 15.999 oz and then price by pound up to 70lbs.
  • $100 insurance included for both retail and commercial customers, USPS Ground Advantage outbound and return parcels.
  • Package forwarding and return to sender endorsements will be included for the USPS Ground Advantage product offering.
  • Free package pickup on the carrier’s route.

To determine if what you’re sending qualifies for a USPS shipping label, click here. When you print a shipping label, Commercial Discounts and Cubic Pricing are available via approved shipping software like PitneyShip Pro.USPS Ground Advantage Commercial Rates

USPS Ground Advantage Commercial Rates

Weight Up to, Not Over Zone 1: 50 miles
 Zone 2: 51-150 miles Zone 3: 150-300 miles
 Zone 4: 301-600 miles
 Zone 5: 601-1000 miles
 Zone 6: 1001-1400 miles
 Zone 7: 1401-1800 miles 
 Zone 8: 1801+ miles
 Zone 9: Territories 
4 oz
 $3.59
 $3.64
 $3.66
 $3.75
 $3.81
 $3.90
 $3.97
 $4.13
 $4.13
8 oz
 $3.99
 $4.06
 $4.09
 $4.15
 $4.20
 $4.24
 $4.31
 $4.44
 $4.44
12 oz
 $4.62
 $4.69
 $4.74
 $4.81
 $4.88
 $5.04
 $5.17
 $5.33
 $5.33
15.999 oz
 $5.85
 $5.93
 $6.00
 $6.07
 $6.22
 $6.44
 $6.60
 $6.78
 $6.78
1 lb $6.47
 $6.55
 $6.63
 $6.76
 $7.10
 $7.98
 $8.18
 $8.45
 $8.45
2 lb $6.83
 $6.94
 $7.15
 $7.35
 $7.85
 $9.17
 $9.47
 $9.88
 $9.88
3 lb $7.17
 $7.26
 $7.73
 $8.07
 $8.75
 $10.03
 $10.68
 $11.43
 $11.43
4 lb $7.40
 $7.48
 $8.11
 $8.56
 $9.35
 $10.61
 $11.49
 $12.47
 $12.47
5 lb $7.57
 $7.64
 $8.40
 $8.92
 $9.90
 $11.16
 $12.22
 $13.42
 $13.42
6 lb $7.74
 $7.80
 $8.69
 $9.28
 $10.45
 $11.72
 $12.96
 $14.37
 $14.37
7 lb $7.99
 $8.06
 $9.09
 $9.78
 $11.06
 $12.39
 $13.82
 $15.45
 $15.45
8 lb $8.33
 $8.38
 $9.53
 $10.30
 $11.67
 $13.06
 $14.68
 $16.53
 $16.53
9 lb $8.80
 $8.86
 $10.01
 $10.86
 $12.27
 $13.74
 $15.53
 $17.63
 $17.63
10 lb $9.38
 $9.44
 $10.51
 $11.43
 $12.87
 $14.43
 $16.38
 $18.73
 $18.73
11 - 70 lbs Click here to view all USPS Ground Advantage rates

USPS Ground Advantage Cubic Rates

Cubic ft Up to, not over
 Zone 1: 50 miles  Zone 2: 51-150 miles  Zone 3: 150-300 miles  Zone 4: 301-600 miles  Zone 5: 601-1000 miles
 Zone 6: 1001-1400 miles
 Zone 7: 1401-1800 miles Zone 8: 1801+ miles Zone 9: Territories 
Cubic 0.1
 $6.32 $6.40 $6.47 $6.59 $6.88 $7.59 $7.78 $8.03 $8.03
Cubic 0.2
 $6.68 $6.78 $6.93 $7.11 $7.54
 $8.67
 $8.93
 $9.29
 $9.29
Cubic 0.3
 $7.07
 $7.16
 $7.55
 $7.86
 $8.48
 $9.77
 $10.32
 $10.97
 $10.97
Cubic 0.4
 $7.32
 $7.40
 $7.98
 $8.40
 $9.15
 $10.42
 $11.22
 $12.13
 $12.13
Cubic 0.5
 $7.52
 $7.59
 $8.31
 $8.81
 $9.74
 $11.00
 $12.01
 $13.15
 $13.15
Cubic 0.6
 $7.70
 $7.76
 $8.62
 $9.19
 $10.32
 $11.59
 $12.78
 $14.14
 $14.14
Cubic 0.7
 $7.98
 $8.04
 $9.06
 $9.75
 $11.02
 $12.35
 $13.76
 $15.38
 $15.38
Cubic 0.9
 $8.26
 $8.32
 $9.45
 $10.21
 $11.55
 $12.93
 $14.52
 $16.33
 $16.33
Cubic 1
 $8.70
 $8.76
 $9.91
 $10.75
 $12.15
 $13.61
 $15.36
 $17.41
 $17.41
Cubic 2
 $9.45
 $9.51
 $10.55
 $11.48
 $12.92
 $14.49
 $16.45
 $18.82
 $18.82

Changes to USPS Hazmat Compliance in effect July 9

Effective July 9, the USPS® will require changes to Hazmat Compliance in accordance with USPS Publication 52. The changes to USPS Publication 52 that will go into effect are defined in a Final Rule published in the Federal Register.

What does this mean for my business?

Pitney Bowes shipping software solutions have automatically been updated to keep you in compliance*. You are able to identify a Hazardous Material shipment when you create a label. In doing so, the new Hazardous Material label will be printed. These new labels better identify Hazardous Material shipments with the “H” service indicator and “Hazmat” spelled out in multiple locations.

Hazmat shipment labels can be generated at no additional cost. Continue shipping your hazardous material shipments safely and in compliance with Pitney Bowes shipping solutions.

USPS Rate Change

How can you prepare to save on shipping and mailing costs in 2023?

We are here to help. Shipping is only getting more complex. It’s a great time to take a second look at the annual price increases for the carriers you use. Our Shipping 360 tools like PitneyShip and PitneyAnalytics® solution can help you find the best carrier mix for your needs. We make it easy to include USPS pricing as part of your carrier mix and even offer special discounts below commercial pricing, as well as special discounts on packages you send with UPS. Let’s talk.
Learn more about our shipping solutions Log in to your Pitney Bowes shipping solution and save

Already a client?

These new rates will be available for download soon and should automatically update on July 9, 2023 (pending approval). If you have any questions, please click the link below.
Learn how to update your product

*SendSuite® Express and SendSuite Live software solutions do not support compliance with these new regulations. Your company’s Hazmat Compliance Officer will be able to assist you in ensuring your business is in compliance with the new USPS Hazmat regulations and take the necessary steps to mitigate any risk.