USPS New Prices and Services for 2013

On October 11, 2012 the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®) announced new prices and services for 2013. These changes will take effect on January 27, 2013 for both Competitive and Market Dominant mail classes. Endicia has created these pages as a resource to help explain the details of these changes and what they mean for your business.

Key highlights of the 2013 USPS price and services announcement:

  • Parcel Post has been renamed to Standard Post and will ONLY be available at retail locations
  • Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelope weight limit has been reduced from 20 lbs to 4 lbs
  • First-Class Mail International Parcel has been renamed First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) and joins the Competitive mail class group
  • Free Electronic Delivery Confirmation will be available for select packages and mail classes to select international locations
  • Express Mail International now includes the first $200 of USPS insurance
  • Priority Mail International shipments to Mexico join the “All other countries” pricing group
  • Optional expedited delivery of USPS packaging is available for $2.50
  • First-Class Mail one ounce stamp prices are increasing by one cent to $0.46

Click on the Mail Classes or services below for more information on relevant changes for 2013. The information provided only includes changes to 2013 pricing and services. For more information on the specific mail classes, download the pdf document.

Market Dominant Mail Classes Competitive Mail Classes
First-Class Mail® First-Class Package Service (FCPS)
Standard Mail® Standard Post
(formerly Parcel Post)
Media Mail® Parcel Select®
Library Mail® Priority Mail®
Bound Printed Matter Express Mail®
First-Class Mail International
(letters and flats)		 First-Class International Package Service (FCIPS)
(formerly First-Class International Parcel (FCIP)
Priority Mail International
Express Mail International
Global Express Guaranteed

Definitions: Market Dominant vs Domestic Mail Classes

Market Dominant mail classes are USPS® services that do not have similar or equivalent services offered by private carriers. Price increases for these mail classes cannot rise more than the current Consumer Price Index.

Competitive mail classes are USPS® services that are similar to services offered by private carriers. Prices increases for these mail classes are not restricted by the Consumer Price Index, but are still subject to regulatory approval.

Additional USPS services updates:

Endicia Changes for 2013

USPS Published Pricing Tiers:

Retail Price: the standard counter price for postage at the Post Office™ or other physical retail locations

Commercial Base Price (CBP): the discounted postage price for certain mail classes available to electronic postage users

Commercial Plus Price (CPP): deeply discounted postage prices for certain mail classes available to qualified high-volume shippers

Qualification thresholds for Commercial Plus pricing are NOT changing in 2013.

Mail Class Type of Packages Included Qualification Threshold
Express Mail All domestic Express Mail shipments 5,000 pieces
Priority Mail Letters, Flats and Critical Mail 5,000 pieces
Priority Mail Letters, Flats, Packages (including
Flat Rate), Critical Mail, and Padded Flat Rate Envelope		 75,000 pieces
Priority Mail Cubic 150,000 pieces
International All First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International, Express Mail International, and Global Express Guaranteed packages/shipments $100,000 in postage value

For more detailed pricing information visit pe.usps.gov

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