The United States Postal Service filed notice today with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season. This temporary rate adjustment is similar to ones in past years that help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.
The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 9, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), First-Class Package Service (FCPS), Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground. International products would be unaffected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on Oct. 2, and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central Jan. 22, 2023.
This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices. No structural changes are planned as part of this limited pricing initiative.
The planned price changes include:
Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express:
- Commercial:
- $0.75 increase for Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
- $0.25 increase for 0-10 lbs.
- $0.80 increase for 0-10 lbs.
- $0.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $2.80 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $3.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
- $6.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.
“Temporary”.
All that needs that needs to be said about this.
Just like “two weeks to flatten the curve…”
Reminds one of a transit system raising prices,
then being mystified when ridership decreases.
It used to be the carriers announced their rate changes in late summer or fall and they took effect in January of the following year. That gave companies three months to make adjustments to their order entry and accounting systems.
Since 2020, USPS has had an additional “temporary” rate increase in the summer on top of their normal January rate increase. Two rate increases per year is unprecedented.
I don’t know if this is for COVID or because of inflation, but it sure isn’t normal.
Yeah, right ……temporary.