USPS Price Increase, July, 2022: Here is What You Need to Know
The USPS proposed a price rate increase for 2022 on April 6th. This rate hike took effect on July 10. 2022. According to the USPS these price adjustments will assist with the implementation of their ‘Delivering for America’ plan even as inflation and operating expenses continue to rise. This will also allow for an investment of $40 billion over the next ten years in critical Postal Service infrastructure. USPS also states that despite these new price increases the Postal Service will continue to provide exceptional value in shipping with the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world.
Let’s go over these increases and what you need to know.
Mailing Letters, Postcards and Flats/Large Envelopes
➡️ The First-Class Mail (1 oz.) letter rate for postage purchased at the Post Office will increase two cents to $0.60 from $0.58.
➡️ The “Metered Mail” rate for First Class Mail (1 oz.) letters, which includes online postage and postage meters, will increase $0.04 cents to $0.57 from $0.53. “Metered Mail” for a First-Class Mail (1 oz.) letter will be three cents cheaper than the Post Office rate, a savings of 5%.
➡️ Additional ounces (Post Office and Metered Mail) for First-Class Mail letters are increasing by $0.04 to $0.24 from $0.20.
➡️ First Class Mail Flats/Large Envelopes (1 oz.) rates will increase $0.04 to $1.20 from $1.16. Each additional ounce will cost $0.24.
➡️ First Class Mail International (1 oz.) letter rates for postage purchased at the Post Office or online will increase $0.10 to $1.40 from $1.30.
➡️ Postcards will increase by $0.04 to $0.44 from $0.40.
➡️ Certified Mail will increase by $0.25 to $4.00 from $3.75.
➡️ Special services such as Registered Mail, Signature Confirmation and Return Receipt will also increase in July 2022.
Domestic Shipping
➡️ Media Mail rates will increase by 9%. Rates will start at $3.49 (previously $3.19).
➡️ NEW: Priority Mail will now include $100 of insurance for free (previously $50 of insurance was provided for free).
➡️ NEW: Cubic pricing is being introduced for Parcel Select Ground.
Summary of the 2022 Postage Rate Increase (implemented January 9, 2022)
With all of these price changes taking affect this month, make sure you review this complete summary so you don’t get hit with unexpected costs.
Domestic Shipping
➡️ Priority Mail Express will see a rate increase of 4.3% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $23.50 (previously $22.75).
➡️ Priority Mail will see a rate increase of 2.7% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $7.37 (previously $7.16).
➡️ First Class Package Service will see a rate increase of 7.4% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $3.37 (previously at $3.01).
➡️ Parcel Select Ground will see a rate decrease of 12.1% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $7.22 (previously $7.01).
➡️ Starting in April 2022, a $1.50 fee was introduced for packages that are greater than one cubic foot or have a box length greater than 22 inches if the customer did not provide dimensions or provided inaccurate dimensions inside an online postage provider (e.g., Stamps.com). This applies to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and Parcel Select Ground.
➡️ Starting in April 2022, a new “nonstandard fee” was introduced for packages that must be sorted manually by the USPS when the dimensions of the package exceed sorting requirements. Rates will be adjusted based on box dimensions. Packages with length over 22 inches will have a $4.00 surcharge, packages with length over 30 inches will have a $15.00 surcharge and packages over 2 cubic feet will have a $15.00 surcharge. This applies to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and Parcel Select Ground.
International Shipping
➡️ Priority Mail Express International will see an average rate increase of 3.2% in 2022. Commercial Base (online postage) rates will start at $44.95 (previously 42.85).
➡️ Priority Mail International will see an average rate increase of 3.7% in 2022. Commercial Base (online postage) rates will start at $46.36 (previously $44.60).
➡️ First Class Package International Service will see an average rate increase of 4.2% in 2022. Commercial Base (online postage) rates will start at $14.11 (previously $13.54).
ReadyCloud Ecommerce Shipping Software
Even with these price hikes an ecommerce shipping software solution such as ReadyCloud CRM can help your business save by enabling you to skip the trip to the post office by printing your own shipping labels. ReadyCloud is packed with loads of other features to help your company thrive, including the best USPS rates you’ll find anywhere, with the savings baked right into ReadyShipper Shipping Software.