Domestic Mail

Pricing Change Implementation Update

On May 2, the Board of Governors of the Postal Service™ announced it accepted the decision of the Postal Regu­latory Commission (PRC) to modify two of its earlier rate case recommendations: lowering the price of the Priority Mail® Flat-Rate Box to $8.95 and extending the nonmachinable surcharge to all single-piece and presorted First-Class Mail® letters, regardless of weight. The Board set May 14 as the implementation date for the two items.

What changed as a result of the reconsideration?

The Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box price will be $8.95 instead of the price originally recommended by the Commission—$9.15.

The 17-cent First-Class Mail nonmachinable surcharge now applies to all First-Class Mail nonmachinable letters—not just to those that weigh 1 ounce or less.

All previously published hard-copy materials containing references to the Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box price and the First-Class Mail letter nonmachinable surcharge will not be reprinted. However, we have updated online references as appropriate. The list below provides some of these important items and their status.

 

Item

Status

Usps.com/ratecase (external Web page)

updated

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (online)

updated

Rates and Fees Reference (online)

updated

Notice 123, Ratefold (online)

updated

Quick Service Guides (online)

updated

PS Form 3600, Postage Statement (online)

updated

Retail Operations

Retail Training Facilitator and Participant Guide (online)

Updated and posted at: http://blue.usps.gov/delret/L4RetOper_Price_Change_Resources_2007.htm

Quick Reference Guide

Updated and posted at: http://blue.usps.gov/delret/L4RetOper_Price_Change_Resources_2007.htm

Business Mail Acceptance

Business Mail Entry Training

Updated and posted at:

http://blueshare.usps.gov/sites/postalone/BMA/default.aspx

Retail Operations POS ONE and IRT Instructions

 

Change

System

Plan to Update

Special Instructions

Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box price will be $8.95

POS ONE

Change will be effective at all sites on May 14

None

APC

Change will be effective at all sites on May 14

None

IRT

Change will be included in an update disk, version 68, which will be shipped on May 11. Effective implementation date is dependent on IRT coordinators receiving and distributing the disks to all sites and the users applying diskettes at all sites.

When using the IRT Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box (PRIOR INT’L F R BOX) key, you must error correct $0.20 by selecting the miscellaneous postage (MISC POSTAGE) key. The IRT will display $9.15. Here are the steps to reduce the PVI amount to $8.95:

These processes will only be necessary until IRT is updated to v68.

Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box price will be $8.95 (continued)

CPUs

RAMM 60 sites will receive an additional rate update chip at a future date. In the meantime, RAMM 60 CPU suppliers must use the workaround to ensure the proper fees are collected. IRT sites will receive an update diskette, version 68, which will be shipped to the IRT coordinators on May 11. District coordinators should distribute the update diskettes as soon as possible and ensure installation is complete for the rate case implementation date. Those sites with electronic scales must contact their vendor for update information.

Workaround:

1. Place the item on the scale.

2. Enter the destination ZIP Code, and then press the 'Enter' key.

3. Select 'More Rates' by pressing the right arrow key (-->).

4. Highlight 'Pri Flt Box'.

5. Press the 'PO Meter Correct' key.

6. Input 20 (twenty cents) and then press the 'Enter' key.

7. Postage label prints.

8. Remove the item from the scale.

9. Press the 'Total' key.

10. Enter the 'Amt Recvd' and then press the 'Enter' key.

11. The receipt prints.

12. Give the receipt to the customer.

13. Put the postage label on the item.

Nonmachinable Surcharge for First-Class Mail Single Piece Letters- All First-Class letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics in DMM 101.1.2 are to be charged the $0.17 nonmachinable
surcharge.

POS ONE

This surcharge change is effective at all sites on May 14. However, until the POS ONE system update is completed on May 16, please follow the special instructions provided here.

Affix postage stamps to the mailpiece to charge the appropriate fee for the nonmachinable surcharge.

APC

None. No impact.

None

IRT

Change will be included in an update disk, version 68, which will be shipped on May 11. Effective implementation date is dependent on IRT coordinators receiving and distributing the disks to all sites and the users applying diskettes at all sites.

The surcharge (OVERSIZE SURCHARGE) key cannot be used to apply nonmachinable surcharges to letters above 1 ounce. To apply the $0.17 nonmachinable surcharge to letters up to 3.5 ounces:

Select <Misc. Postage>

Enter 0.17

Press <Enter>

These processes will only be necessary until IRT is updated to v68.

Nonmachinable Surcharge for First-Class Mail Single Piece Letters- All First-Class letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics in DMM 101.1.2 are to be charged the $0.17 nonmachinable
surcharge.

CPUs

RAMM 60 sites will receive an additional rate update chip at a future date. In the meantime, RAMM 60 CPU suppliers must use the workaround to ensure the proper fees are collected. IRT sites will receive an update diskette, version 68, which will be shipped to the IRT coordinators on May 11. District coordinators should distribute the update diskettes as soon as possible and ensure installation is complete for the rate case implementation date. Those sites with electronic scales must contact their vendor for update information.

A. For instructions to process the First-Class Letter nonmachinable ($0.17) surcharge on a nonmachinable First-Class letter that weighs up to one (1) ounce, see Workaround A.

B. For instructions to process the First-Class Letter nonmachinable ($0.17) surcharge on a nonmachinable First-Class letter that weighs more than one (1) ounce, but less than or equal to two (2) ounces, see Workaround B.

C. For instructions to process a nonmachinable First-Class Letter that weighs more than two (2) ounces, but less than or equal to three (3) ounces, see Workaround B.

D. For instructions to process a nonmachinable First-Class Letter that weighs more than three (3) ounces, but less than or equal to three and a half (3.5) ounces, see Workaround B.

Workaround A:

1. Place item on the scale.

2. If item weighs less than or equal to one (1) ounce, then no workaround is required.

3. Use Normal Procedures.

Workaround B:

1. Place the item on the scale.

2. Highlight '1st Flt'.

3. Press the 'PO Meter Correct' key.

4. Input 22 (twenty two cents) and then press the 'Enter' key.

5. Postage label prints.

6. Remove the item from the scale.

7. Press the 'Total' key.

8. Enter the 'Amt Recvd' and then press the 'Enter' key.

9. The receipt prints.

10. Give the receipt to the customer.

11. Put the postage label on the item.

In-store Retail Rate Change Brochure

Please be aware that the Rate Change Brochure designed to be placed in the lobby for customers features a price of $9.15 for the Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box. On May 2, the Board of Governors accepted the decision of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to modify its earlier rate case recommendations—lowering the price of the Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box to $8.95.

Due to the large number of brochures printed, we will not destroy and re-print the brochures. Offices are asked to make customers aware of the correct $8.95 price.