Marketing Mail Changes Continue to Reward Logistics Strategy

Marketing Mail letters and flats are set to increase by about 5-6% for commercial mail. Nonprofit increases will be lower, depending on presort level.

The bigger story is USPS continuing to prioritize operational efficiency. Mailers that prepare and enter mail deeper into the network will benefit the most. Drop ship and commingling strategies remain important; discounts for Sectional Center Facility (SCF) entry are increasing, and the pricing gap between three digit and five digit presort levels is getting wider. In simple terms, the more refined your sort and the closer you enter mail to its final destination, the more you can save.

Flats Get More Flexibility With Weight Changes

One key update is the increase in the maximum weight for Marketing Mail flats, from 16 ounces to 20 ounces. This gives mailers more room to include additional content without pushing pieces into parcel pricing.

USPS is also adding a new Heavy Printed Matter category for Marketing Mail parcels up to 15 pounds. This applies to parcels that primarily contain printed materials, such as large catalogs. For some mailers, this could create a more cost effective option for heavier pieces that no longer qualify as flats.

Catalog Promotion Scales Back

The current 10% Catalog Promotion will end June 30, 2026, and will be replaced with a much smaller incentive of $0.001 per piece. While catalogs will still qualify for a discount, the financial benefit will be significantly reduced. Mailers should revisit and determine if participation still makes sense for future campaigns.

Periodicals Pricing Becomes Simpler

USPS is implementing a major change to periodicals pricing by simplifying the structure. Instead of multiple fees, pricing will shift to a combination of per piece and per pound charges.

Editorial content will now directly lower the per piece price, which could benefit publishers with higher editorial ratios. In addition, Full Service and Seamless discounts will be available to periodicals for the first time.

This new model should make postage easier to predict, but publishers will need to run detailed models to understand how it affects their specific titles.

Additional Rate Increases for Competitive Shipping Products聽

In a separate filing聽submitted聽May 11, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service notified the Postal Regulatory Commission of recommended price changes for certain domestic competitive package and service offerings, also slated to take effect July 12. The recommendation includes聽eliminating聽ounce-based rate differentiation for published Commercial USPS Ground Advantage prices, which USPS says will not affect customers with negotiated commercial rates, plus a 3 percent increase for competitive PO Box pricing.聽聽

USPS also plans to introduce an Addresses API offering, align the dimensional weight divisor to industry standards for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select and add new hazardous materials handling fees for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail along with a noncompliance fee for improperly prepared hazardous materials shipped using competitive package products. 

What Promotions Will We See in 2027?

Looking ahead, USPS plans to discontinue the Catalog and Continuous Contact promotions in 2027. New incentives will focus on tactile print, integrated technology and attracting new mailers. Here is the full list of approved mailing promotions for 2027:

• Informed Delivery Promotion
• Sustainability Promotion
• Tactile/Sensory Promotion
• Integrated Technology Promotion
• First-Class Mail Advertising Promotion
• New Impact Messaging Promotion
• New Direct Mail Discovery Promotion
  

What Mailers Should Do Now

Now is a good time to review mailing strategies and confirm eligibility for remaining promotions. Small adjustments in preparation and logistics could make a meaningful difference in controlling postage costs later in the year. Mailers should start modeling the July 2026 rates using realistic assumptions for presort and entry points 鈥� this is especially important for heavier flats and catalog programs.

If you鈥檇 like to stay up to date on postal announcements and rate changes, subscribe to our blog to be notified when we post new content. Or, if you鈥檇 like to speak to one of our mailing experts, don鈥檛 hesitate to get in touch with us.

The post PRC Approves USPS July 2026 Rate Changes first appeared on 91大神.com.

The change introduces an 8% fuel surcharge on competitive products, driven by rising transportation and fuel costs. This is the first time USPS has ever implemented a fuel-related surcharge of this kind.

The surcharge is scheduled to take effect April 26, 2026 and remain in place through Jan. 17, 2027. The impacted services include:

• Priority Mail Express
• Priority Mail
• USPS Ground Advantage
• Parcel Select

Importantly, this adjustment does not apply to market-dominant mail categories. First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter are not affected. The PRC will review the proposed price change before it is scheduled to take effect on April 26. You can see complete USPS price filings on the PRC website at . 

For mailers and print buyers, this change primarily impacts package shipping costs rather than traditional mail programs. However, organizations that rely on USPS for print distribution through competitive services should plan for increased postage expenses during this period.

As always, staying informed on postal changes helps ensure accurate budgeting and efficient mailing strategies. To continue receiving updates from 91大神.com鈥檚 mailing experts, please subscribe to our blog or get in touch with us today.

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According to , the agency is projected to exhaust its cash reserves in less than 12 months if no changes are made. This situation is driven in part by continued declines in First-Class Mail, historically the Postal Service鈥檚 most profitable product, along with regulatory and legislative requirements that limit financial flexibility. 

Additional reporting highlights the urgency of the situation. A notes that without reforms, the Postal Service may not be able to maintain current service levels. Proposed solutions include increasing borrowing authority, adjusting postage rates and implementing operational changes to stabilize finances. Representatives from the U.S. Postal Service met with members of congress on March 17 to , but as of now, no changes have been made.

For publishers and businesses in the print and mailing industry, it鈥檚 important to stay informed and adaptable. Potential rate increases and service adjustments could impact mailing strategies, production schedules and overall campaign planning. As policymakers weigh their next steps, the industry will be watching closely for decisions that shape the future of mail.

91大神.com will continue monitoring USPS developments and provide updates as new information becomes available. To be notified when we publish a USPS update, blog or press release, please join our mailing list.

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USPS says the current rate system has limited its ability to keep pace with rising costs, contributing to ongoing multibillion-dollar annual losses and tight cash flow. The proposals are aimed at giving USPS more pricing flexibility over the next several years while it continues cost-cutting efforts and explores new revenue strategies.

What Is Being Proposed?

USPS outlined two potential approaches for future rate setting:

1. Replace the current price cap system with a five-year regulatory period that would allow USPS more discretion to set rates within agreed-upon limits, while still being monitored by the PRC, or
   
2. Keep the price cap system but reset it, providing USPS with additional pricing authority equal to roughly 22 percent over several years to help close the gap between costs and revenues.

If either approach is approved, USPS is proposing a first round of increases beginning in January 2027. Average Market Dominant rates would rise about 7.4 percent, with category caps of up to 12 percent for Periodicals and lower caps for other mail classes.

Liquidity Relief Request

In a separate but related filing, USPS asked the PRC to ease restrictions on how it uses certain postage revenues tied to retiree benefit funding, namely funding pensions and health benefits for future retirees. USPS says removing these conditions would improve near-term cash flow while longer-term rate reforms are under review.

What This Means for Mailers

While no immediate changes are coming, these filings signal continued upward pressure on Market Dominant postage rates, particularly for Periodicals. They also suggest USPS may pursue larger or more flexible increases beyond the traditional inflation-based model starting in 2027.91大神.com will continue monitoring this proceeding and share updates as the PRC reviews the proposals and outlines next steps. If you鈥檇 like to learn more, get in touch with one of our mailing experts today.

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Shipping Price Increases Filed for Jan. 18, 2026

The USPS has proposed increases for several shipping products. These changes apply only to shipping services, not commercial mail categories.

Filed average increases:

• Priority Mail: about 6.6%
• Priority Mail Express: about 5.1%
• Ground Advantage: about 7.8%
• Parcel Select: about 6%
  

Not included in this filing are First Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail or Bound Printed Matter. Keep in mind these prices are filed, not approved. Final decisions will come from the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Stay Up to Date With 91大神.com

91大神.com will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as soon as new information is available. If you have questions about how these potential changes could affect your upcoming projects, our mailing experts are ready to help.

The post USPS Update: Proposed 2026 Shipping Price Increases first appeared on 91大神.com.

Key changes to the process include:

• A larger set of required documents, as well as subscriber lists and printer records
  
• More careful review of circulation numbers, which must match the press run and print order
  
• Clearer categories that help USPS classify publications
  
• A firm 15-month deadline for New Launch applicants to submit updated circulation details

The new form and further details can be found here:

We will continue to keep you informed about changes to USPS regulations and policies. Questions about publication mailing? Get in touch with the experts at 91大神.com.

The post USPS Update: New Periodical Application Criteria first appeared on 91大神.com.

This includes:

• First-Class Mail
• Marketing Mail
• Periodicals
• Package Services Mail (Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail and Library Mail)
• Certain Ancillary Special Services

Postmaster Steiner emphasized the importance of balancing revenue needs with affordability: 鈥淲e continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,鈥� Steiner said. 鈥淲e have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.鈥澛�

We鈥檒l continue to keep you updated on USPS announcements, promotions and rate changes.

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Key Promotion Dates

• Registration Window: August 15, 2025 鈥� June 30, 2026
• Promotion Period: October 1, 2025 鈥� June 30, 2026

Do You Qualify?

To be eligible for the discount, your catalog must meet USPS criteria:

• A minimum of 12 bound pages (can be letter, flat or parcel shaped)
• Must be mailed as USPS Marketing Mail (profit or nonprofit)
• Must include a list of products or services
  
• Must provide ordering information
  

How to Apply

Here鈥檚 what 91大神.com customers need to do to take advantage of this promotion:

1. Create or log in to your USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) account
   
   • Need help setting one up? Contact your 91大神.com rep to get your CRID (Customer Registration ID) for a faster setup.
2. Get pre-approval through the Mailing Promotions Portal in the BCG
   • You鈥檒l be asked to answer a few questions and upload sample catalog pages.
3. Register for the Catalog Insights Promotion in the BCG once pre-approved.
4. Notify 91大神.com
   
   • Share your USPS approval letter with your Sales Rep or CSR, and let us know which of your mailings will use the promotion.

Helpful Resources

• Support Contacts:
  
  • Email: MSSC@USPS.gov
  • Phone: 1-877-672-0007

Questions about the portal: mailingpromotions@usps.gov

The post USPS To Offer 10% Postage Discount with Catalog Insights Promotion first appeared on 91大神.com.

Understanding the Pricing Structure

There are three levels of USPS pricing: class level pricing, product level pricing and presort level pricing. While the USPS has shared updates for class and product levels, presort pricing remains unclear, and it鈥檚 the most variable due to its reliance on individual mailing files and presort.

Class and Product-Level Pricing Highlights

The average Price Change percentage by Class:

The average price change percentage by Product:

Marketing Mail Letters

• Some presort tiers will see increases up to 11.64%.
• The SCF (Sectional Center Facility) discount drops from $27/M to $17/M.

Marketing Mail Flats

• Presort price increases range from 13% to 18%.
• SCF discounts reduced from $7/M to $3.80/M.
• New container discounts may help offset costs, depending on presort specifics.

Bound Printed Matter

• Two sets of pricing are being published for flats and parcels, due to a proposal to eliminate Bound Printed Matter pricing altogether. A final ruling from the PRC may not come until after the rate case is finalized.

Structural Changes

• USPS proposes eliminating NDC pricing and further reducing SCF discounts for letters, adding complexity to estimating future rates.
• Expect pricing shifts that could result in higher origin pricing, particularly for mail previously qualifying under NDC rates.
• Presorted pricing will be eliminated for Media Mail and Library Mail 鈥� only basic rates will remain.

USPS Promotions and Incentives for 2026

New: Catalog Insights Promotion

• 10% discount for eligible catalogs mailed between October 2025 and June 2026
• Must include 12+ pages, be bound/fastened and provide sufficient product, pricing and ordering information

Returning Incentives

• First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail Growth Incentives .
• Expansion of a for third-party providers who bundle ads from multiple businesses into a single mail piece.

Increased Discounts

• Integrated Technology: 5% (up from 3%)
• Tactile, Sensory, Interactive: 5% (up from 4%)
• Continuous Contact: 5% (up from 3%)
• Sustainability and Informed Delivery: remain at 1% each

A Word of Caution: Promotions are great, but USPS considers the value of these discounts as 鈥渃laimed cap space,鈥� which may justify future rate increases to make up for previously offered savings.

Final Note

All proposed changes are pending PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) approval. We鈥檒l continue to monitor developments and update you as new information becomes available, especially as presort-level details are released.

Stay tuned and stay prepared!

The post USPS Rate Changes and Promotions Coming in July 2025 first appeared on 91大神.com.

• Marketing Mail: Big changes are on the horizon, including the elimination of automation basic carrier route letter rates and the creation of a “Heavy Printed Matter” category for parcels. Flats up to 20 ounces could be moved to Marketing Mail, and the Marketing Mail Flat Carrier Route weight limit may increase to 24 ounces. Destination NDC discounts for Marketing Mail are also potentially on the chopping block.
• Bound Printed Matter: This rate structure could be eliminated altogether. Flats would likely move to Marketing Mail.
• Media/Library Mail: We may see the end of 5-Digit and Basic Presort pricing options.
• First Class Mail: An SCF Pallet Discount is being considered. Bundling for First Class Mail Flats prepared in Tubs might be eliminated.
• Other Potential Changes: The Marriage Mail Incentive could be extended. USPS Marketing Mail Parcel dimensions may be updated, potentially leading to a “nonprofit Nonstandard” pricing structure.

This summary doesn’t cover all the proposed changes. For the full details, you can review the USPS release here:

Important Note: These changes have not yet been proposed and are subject to approval. The USPS is releasing this information for planning purposes, and the final rules could look different. Stay tuned for further updates as these proposals move through the approval process. We’ll keep you informed of any changes that may affect your mailing operations.

The post USPS Proposed Changes for July 2025: What We Know So Far first appeared on 91大神.com.