HONOLULU — The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is changing its prices for shipping services—but not for its First-Class stamps—on Sunday, Jan. 18. Among the services whose prices will change are Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent.

This is the first time the Postal Service is adjusting prices for its shipping services on a different schedule from its mailing service price adjustments. Price changes for mailing services, including new stamp prices, will be announced in February and will be effective in May 2009.

Representatives from the USPS Business Development Team (BDT) are available to answer customer questions about the Jan. 18 shipping services changes and to meet with business customers to show them how to manage their mailing operations in order to take advantage of new discounts and mitigate the impact of price increases. “We know that many businesses out there are under pressure to stretch every dollar they have,” Gary Gardetto, USPS Customer Relations Manager. “Although our base shipping prices will increase, many customers are unaware of the many ways they can reduce their shipping costs. We can show them how.” Contact BDT representatives at 423-3761 or by email at HonoluluDLBusinessDevelopmentTeam@usps.gov for assistance.

“The move to annual January price changes for shipping services products is consistent with industry-wide practice and provides a clear picture of the competitive, affordable prices the Postal Service offers,” said Gardetto. “The new prices are very competitive within the shipping industry and reinforce the value we offer our customers. As always, the Postal Service does not impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges or surcharges for residential delivery or Saturday delivery.”

Customers and businesses looking for added convenience and savings can use the Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship online shipping solution at usps.com to print and pay for shipping labels at a discount compared to retail pricing for Express Mail, Priority Mail and International services. They can also schedule to have their packages picked up at no charge by their mail carrier during regular mail delivery.

Among the postal shipping products whose prices will be increasing on Jan. 18 are the very popular Flat Rate Boxes. At the same time, a new Small Flat Rate Box—about the size of three DVD cases—will debut. The new box, priced at $4.95 (the same price as the Flat Rate Envelope), is sized just right to fit and ship CDs and DVDs, electronics, jewelry, tickets, eBay merchandise, and other small valuables. 

Also new for 2009 is Commercial Plus pricing, an extraordinary value for high-volume Express Mail and Priority Mail users. New Commercial Plus prices for Express Mail are 14.5 percent less than retail on average and, for Priority Mail, 7 percent less than retail on average.

The Postal Service remains the best shipping value, especially for Express Mail and Priority Mail packages weighing less than 5 pounds. Parcel Select, a “last mile” ground product that provides delivery for other parcel shippers and parcel consolidators, continues to be an excellent solution for high-volume shippers. For international mailers, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are the best values. New shipping services pricing information is listed below.

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Please Note: For more details on the new pricing, go to www.usps.com/prices. For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.