Welcome to the U.S. Postal Service Latest Information Blog, a compass for understanding the dynamic postal situation. Here we announce the latest news and rate adjustments from the USPS. Let’s dig deep together as we unravel the intricacies of the 2023 update.
table of contents
- USPS Ground Advantage™
- USPS Dangerous Goods Mat Changes
- Key points about USPS July changes
- USPS Rate Changes for January 2023
- USPS 2023 Shipping Rate Change Highlights
- Priority Mail Local Zone
- Regional fee shipping will be abolished
- Canadian price group collapse
USPS Rate Changes for November 2023
On November 18th, USPS will begin implementing new rate adjustments that may impact your packages. Here’s a snapshot of the major changes:
- Priority Mail® rates will increase by an average of 1.5%, particularly affecting Zones 1-2.
- Ground Advantage™ costs are reduced by approximately 5%, with more significant reductions in Zones 1-5.
Where are these changes most visible? In cargo transported over short distances. Specifically, Ground Advantage™ packages weighing 1 to 2 pounds and destined for Zones 1 to 5 can reduce prices in the 10 to 18 percent range.
Additionally, those with Priority Mail Flat Rate® boxes should be prepared for a price increase of approximately 5%.
Please note that the exact price depends on the package details and distance traveled. As a standard practice, we recommend carefully comparing rates and services to identify the best solution for your business.
USPS Ground Advantage™
Starting July 9, 2023, USPS will implement service changes. USPS Ground Advantage™. These changes may be coming soon, but we’ve compiled everything you need to know to prepare for July 9th. USPS is consolidating Domestic First Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and Retail Ground Service into one service called USPS Ground. advantage. Features of this new service include:
- Maximum weight 70 lbs*
- All shipments are insured for $100 at no additional charge
- Nationwide service standard is 2-5 days for all shipments
- Maximum length and girth dimensions up to 130 inches
*dimensions weight All shipments will still be considered.
USPS Ground Advantage will be available to all shippers starting July 9, 2023.
If you have shipping or return labels connected to services that are no longer available, USPS will continue to accept and process those labels until September 30, 2023.
USPS Dangerous Goods Mat Changes
For STC and banner changes, see Spring USPS HazMat Update It was originally scheduled to roll out on April 30, 2023. However, these changes were incorporated into his July 9 changes. In case you need a quick refresher on dangerous goods categories, the USPS classifies as dangerous “any substance that has a demonstrable potential to cause harm to mail, persons, or property involved in the movement of mail.” I am considering it. For a complete list, dangerous goodsvisit the USPS website.
Dangerous goods label updates
There are two changes to USPS hazardous materials labels for July. First, the updated Hazardous Materials STC is added to the Hazardous Materials label. Similar to the HS code, the Hazardous Materials STC is a number that identifies the content and classification of the package and helps the shipment pass safely and efficiently through the USPS. The barcode banner text will then indicate that the package contains hazardous materials. All HazMat shipments will require the same documentation as before.
Key points about USPS July changes
- Updated hazardous materials STCs and new barcode banner text are now included in HazMat shipments.
- Domestic First Class Package Services, Parcel Select Ground and Retail Ground have been combined to form Ground Advantage.
Did you miss the price and service changes for January 2023? You can find them below.
USPS Rate Changes for January 2023
USPS 2023 shipping rate changes approved and effective January 22, 2023, replacing peak season rates announced in October 2022. Here’s what you need to know. Overall, rates have increased from last year across services and zones, but many are still down from October’s increases. USPS is also introducing some changes that sellers should be aware of, especially when shipping to nearby locations.
Highlights of USPS 2023 shipping rate changes:
- Priority Mail commercial rates will rise 3.6 percent, below the rate of inflation.
- Priority Mail Express service price increases by 6.6%
- First class package service prices will increase by 7.8 percent
- Overall, prices for Priority Mail services will increase by approximately 5.5%.
- There will be no price increase for Parcel Select Ground.
- Regional rate boxes A and B will no longer be supported (if you still have the boxes, they will be available at regular priority postage while supplies last)
- Local, Zone 1, and Zone 2, which previously had the same rate, will now only have separate shipping rates for Zone 1 and Zone 2.
- Canadian zones are aggregated into a single Priority Mail International price zone.
Let’s take a closer look at these changes.
2023 Rate Changes for USPS Flat Rates
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box Envelopes are a popular shipping service for many online sellers thanks to their simplicity, free packaging, and competitive rates, regardless of package weight or destination. This year, it looks like each option will see an overall increase, primarily around 3.6%, as mentioned earlier for Priority Mail in general.
Priority Mail Local Zone
Priority Mail shipping charges are based on weight and distance. That distance corresponds to a zone. Previously, all local and zone 1 and 2 shipping charges were the same. In 2023, USPS will eliminate local terminology and separate Zones 1 and 2 into separate price tiers. This often affects sellers who have customers who live in nearby areas or within the same state.
Regional fee shipping will be abolished
Local rate services allow you to ship using pre-configured boxes that can be ordered online, with lower rates for short distances. USPS will discontinue this service due to shipping rate changes in 2023. The removal of this service and the changes to Priority Mail Local and Zones 1 and 2 mean that merchants with business in many regions will have the most impact on shipping. USPS recommends using Priority Mail Cubic instead of Regional Rate.this Explained in knowledge base article Learn when and how to use ShippingEasy’s cube rate to save over standard Priority Mail shipping.
Canadian price group collapse
Previously, Priority Mail International shipping rates to Canada were categorized into eight different price groups. USPS has decided to simplify Canadian shipping to a single price group for all locations. According to the USPS 2023 Shipping Rate Changes FAQ, all packages shipped to Canada fall under International Shipping Pricing Group 1.
In other international shipping news, USPS is updating “Turkey” to “Turkiye”, the official abbreviation for the Republic of Turkiye. So if you see this on your customs form, it’s not a typo.
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