USPS Pricing Updates and Improvements

USPS Ground Advantage Reduces Prices, Simplifies Shipping Solutions and Improves Service Reliability

The United States Postal Service has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission, (PRC) to adjust prices for some shipping services and enhancing ground shipping solutions.

The U.S. Postal Service today established proposed published pricing for its new product offering, “USPS Ground Advantage.”  Pending favorable review and comments from the Postal Regulatory Commission, USPS Ground Advantage would launch on July 9.  At launch, USPS Ground Advantage would provide a simple, reliable and more affordable way to ship packages up to 70 lbs. in two-to five business days.

USPS Ground Advantage Will Feature

• $100 insurance included for both retail and commercial customers, USPS Ground Advantage outbound and return parcels.
• Package forwarding and return to sender endorsements will be included for the USPS Ground Advantage product offering.
• Free package pickup on the carrier’s route.

Published prices for USPS Ground Advantage will decrease 1.4 percent relative to current Parcel Select Ground and First-Class Package Service pricing. USPS Ground Advantage Retail prices will decrease 3.2 percent and USPS Ground Advantage Commercial published prices will decrease 0.7 percent.

Over the past year the Postal Service has focused on strengthening its shipping solutions as part of its 10-year strategic plan for service excellence, on-time delivery, and revenue generation from enhanced package delivery services. With more than 31,000 Post Offices, various pickup options, including free package pickup, and no surcharges for fuel or residential delivery, the Postal Service provides exceptional value and convenience to customers.

Shipping Service prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The Postal Service governors evaluate shipping rates and fees and adjust them when needed as part of the Postal Service’s 10-year ‘Delivering For America” plan to return the organization to financial sustainability and achieve service excellence while maintaining universal six-day mail delivery and expanding seven-day package delivery.

The complete Postal Service price filings with prices for all products can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Postal Service provides additional resources to assist customers regarding price changes. These tools include price lists, downloadable price files and Federal Register Notices. This information will be available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

Could this new USPS service and price reduction be viewed as an option for parcel shippers just in case the Teamsters decide to stage a work stoppage at UPS?  We’ll just have to wait and see.  Reach out to us if you have questions about how this new pricing and improved service offerings will affect your operations.