New Postal Requirements
Use the links at left to download the forms you need. If your list already meets the Move Update standard, use the Move Update Compliance Form. The NCOA-FSP Form needs to be filled out annually in order for us to process your file through the NCOA database and update the file.
Postal Service™ Mailing Services Prices to Change on May 11
The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service® have approved new prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail® stamp to 44 cents. As you know, prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May, and this year’s pricing goes into effect Monday, May 11. Prices for other mailing services — Standard Mail®, Periodicals, Package Services (including Parcel Post®), and Extra Services — will also change. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index – Urban, and the December 2008 index number which determines the cap was 3.8%.
Customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing the Forever Stamp™ before May 11. Forever Stamps™ were developed to help consumers ease the transition during price changes. Forever Stamps™ do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter mailing. On May 11 the price of the Forever Stamp™ will be 44 cents.
For the average household, the First-Class Mail stamp price change will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year. When compared to annual increases in other household expenses, such as groceries, healthcare and utilities, the Postal Service™ continues to be an economical choice for shipping and mailing during tough economic times. For First-Class Mail, there will be no change in the current additional ounce price, which remains at 17 cents. Prices for mailing services will continue to adjust each May. Prices for most shipping services, including Express Mail® and Priority Mail®, were adjusted in January and will not change in May.
The new prices are available at usps.com/prices , and here are some sample prices:
First-Class Mail®
First-Class Mail Price
Letters – first ounce $0.44
Large envelopes – first ounce $0.88
Parcels – first ounce $1.22
Additional ounces $0.17
Postcard $0.28
Stamped Card $0.31
Stamped Envelope $0.54
First-Class Mail International™
First-Class Mail International™ Price
Postcards and Letters – first ounce
Canada $0.75
Mexico $0.79
All other countries $0.98
Extra Services
Extra Services Price
Certified Mail™ $2.80
Return Receipt
Printed copy $2.30
Electronic copy $1.10
Money Orders
Up to $500 $1.10
$500.01 to $1,000 $1.50
Delivery Confirmation™ (Retail)
Priority Mail $0.70
First-Class Mail (parcels only) $0.80
Package Services (parcels only) $0.80
Signature Confirmation™ (Retail) $2.35
Insurance
Up to $50 $1.75
$50.01 to $100 $2.25
$100.01 to $200 $2.75
$200.01 to $300 $4.70
$300.01 to $5,000 $4.70 plus $1 for each $100
Effective Nov. 23, 2008 the Postal Service is increasing its effort to improve the percentage of deliverable mail by revising the Move Update standards. The final rule published Sept. 28, 2007, included the following changes related to Move Update processing:
- Increase the minimum frequency of Move Update processing from 185 calendar days to 95 days prior to the date of mailing.
- Extend the revised Move Update standards to include all Standard Mail (letters, flats, parcels and Not Flat-Machinables), as well as automation-rate and presort-rate First-Class Mail.
The Postal Service offers Mailers four approved Move Update methods for First-Class Mail and all Standard Mail.
- OneCode ACS™ (Address Change Service) in conjunction with an Intelligent Mail barcode and a mailer ID or Address Change Service used with an ACS participant code and an appropriate on-piece ancillary service endorsement.
- NCOALink™ processing.
- FASTforward® MLOCR processing (letter mail only).
- Ancillary Service Endorsement.
In an effort to assist our customers with meeting the regulation changes, The Offset House has contracted directly with our software vendor to provide NCOALink™ processing for our customers for a nominal fee.
Reminder — New Address Standards for Commercial Flat-Size Mail
New address standards for commercial flat-size mail are effective on March 29, 2009, and require mailers to place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services flats mailed at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. Additional standards relate to address characteristics and apply to all commercial flat-size pieces, including First-Class Mail.
We encourage mailers to review the latest standards <http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2009/pb22252/html/updt_002.html> in the February 12 Postal Bulletin and use the tools <http://ribbs.usps.gov/flat/documents/Flats_Addressing_Requirements/flat_addressing_req.htm> on RIBBS to ensure you are ready for the change. We posted fact sheets summarizing the requirements for each class of mail, a new poster, and a scripted presentation that walks you through the changes and provides examples of addresses that do and do not meet the new standards. All of these materials are illustrated with realistic magazines, catalogs, and business envelopes.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2009/pb22252/html/updt_002.html
http://ribbs.usps.gov/flat/documents/Flats_Addressing_Requirements/flat_addressing_req.htm
