PRC approves proposed USPS rate changes

GaryPageau ,

WASHINGTON – November 15, 2018 – The Postal Regulatory Commission issued Orders 4875 and 4876 approving the Postal Service’s planned rate adjustments for both Market Dominant products and Competitive products respectively. Rate increases for Market Dominant products must meet certain statutory and regulatory requirements, the most prominent of which is that such increases be no greater than the rate of inflation, as determined by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Conversely, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act requires, among other things, that rates for Competitive products must produce sufficient revenues to ensure they are not subsidized by Market Dominant products. The Commission found that the rates for both classes of mail meet all statutory requirements and may take effect, Jan. 27, 2019, as planned. The Commission also found that the planned classification changes, with the revisions set forth in Orders 4875 and 4876, are consistent with applicable law.

Select Market Dominant First-Class Mail rates will change as follows:

 

Product

Old Rate

New Rate
Forever Stamp

50 cents

55 cents
Metered Letter

47 cents

50 cents
Additional Ounce

21 cents

15 cents

Select Competitive Product rates affected by the rate adjustment include:

 

Product: Priority Mail

Old Rate

New Rate
Retail Small Flat Rate Box

$7.20

$7.90
Retail Medium Retail Flat Rate Box

$13.65

$14.35
Retail Large Flat Rate Box

$18.90

$19.95
Retail Large Flat Rate Box APO/FPO/DPO

$17.40

$18.45
Retail Regular Flat Rate Envelope

$6.70

$7.35
Retail Legal Size Flat Rate Envelopes

$7.00

$7.65
Retail Padded Flat Rate Envelopes

$7.25

$8.00

The Commission’s complete analyses of the Postal Service’s Market Dominant and Competitive rate adjustments for the calendar year 2019 are located at www.prc.gov in Docket Nos. R2019-1 and CP2019-3, respectively.

The Postal Regulatory Commission is an independent federal agency that provides regulatory oversight over the U.S. Postal Service to ensure the transparency and accountability of the Postal Service and foster a vital and efficient universal mail system. The Commission is comprised of five Presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed Commissioners, each serving terms of six years.  The Chairman is designated by the President. In addition to Chairman Robert G. Taub, the other commissioners are Vice Chairman Tony Hammond and Commissioners Mark Acton and Nanci Langley. Follow the PRC on Twitter: @PostalRegulator