As you may know, postal rates are changing on January 22, 2017. For commercial mailers, some rates go up, some remain the same, and some actually decrease. When looking at all the changes, prices increase by about 1%.

Here is a summary of the postage changes:

• Retail First-Class stamps are going from 47 to 49 cents
• Retail Postcards remain the same at 34 cents
• Standard Class presort mail rates have an overall increase of 0.90%
• First-Class presort rates have an overall 0.78% increase

Many of our clients use Standard Mail which is being rebranded as USPS Marketing Mail to better align the product name with customers’ use of this mail. Direct mailers will be interested in this note published by the Postal Service on December 21, 2016 regarding the Standard Class name change:

“In response to feedback from the mailing community, the new indicia or postage markings should not be used for letter or flat mail until January 2018 at the earliest. Tray label and pallet markings will be deferred until mid-2017 at the earliest. Other types of changes, such as changes to postage statements and forms, can move forward with the January 2017 price change.”

For a handy chart with the new rates, download J&Q’s Direct Mailer’s Deskside Companion. It provides First-Class and Standard presort rates, as well as other mailing reference information.

If you have questions or need more information on how the rates may affect your direct mail programs, contact us at 847.588.4800 or jqinfo@j-quin.com.