Now that we have turned the page from 2016, it’s time to see what’s in store for us from the United States Postal Service for 2017. With the new year comes postage rate adjustments and the end of Presort Standard Mail.

On January 22^nd, the USPS will be adjusting postage rates for both Market Dominated and Competitive Products. Market dominated products are First Class, Periodical, and Marketing Mail, as the USPS does not have any competition from outside companies. Competitive Products include Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Services, and International Mail. The USPS is in direct competition from a number of package delivery and international mail companies who also provide the same services.

One big change is the cost of a First Class Forever stamp will increase from 47 cents each to 49 cents. While some Marketing Mail rates have increased, other rates have decreased. Follow the link to view the 2017 Postage Rate card for First Class and Marketing Mail. 

The USPS also announced that it is renaming Standard Mail to Marketing Mail to better communicate how this class of mail can be used. In 1996 the USPS changed the names of classes of mail from 2^nd Class Mail to Periodicals, 3^rd Class (Bulk) Mail to Standard Mail, and 4^th Class Mail to Bound Printed Matter. Bound Printed Matter has since gone through an additional name change and is now referred to as Package Services. First Class Mail has kept the same name.

The USPS will phase in the changes over a transition period that will allow hardware and software changes to be implemented successfully. New indicia and postage markings for letter and flat mail will not go into effect until January 2018 at the earliest. Tray labels and pallet placard changes will be deferred until at least mid-2017. Changes to postage statements and forms can be made with the January 2017 price change on the 22^nd. The USPS will publish a schedule in early 2017 to assist mailers with the implementation.

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