Consumers will pay slightly higher prices for some USPS shipping services, including Priority Mail, beginning just after New Year's, the Postal Service has announced.
On average, prices will increase about 3.3 percent for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International, the Postal Service notes. The new prices go into effect Jan. 4. The prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail and Parcel Services will remain the same, as will the cost of stamps.
"The costs of doing business—for things like transportation, utilities and health care benefits—have continued to increase," USPS reports, regarding the price increase. "Many people do not realize that postal operations are not subsidized by tax dollars. We rely on the sale of postal products and services to cover our operations."
Other shipping services will increase their rates by nearly 6 percent and they usually add additional fees to customers' shipping charges for fuel and rural delivery, says Robert Bernstock, president of Mailing and Shipping Services. The Postal Service does not add these fees, he notes.
"The Postal Service is the best buy in the market, whether you're watching your budget or gearing up as the economy starts to rebound," Bernstock says.
USPS will drop its price for domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes from $4.95 to $4.90.
For complete details about USPS' new fees, please click here to open the PDF file.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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