The US Postal Service filed notice with the PRC last Friday to increase postage rates effective January 24, 2021.
Although the overall proposed postage rate increase for Marketing Mail is 1.51%, the increase varies by classification, with Parcels taking the biggest hit:
| Product | % Change |
| Letters | 0.771% |
| Flats | 3.553% |
| Parcels | 16.791% |
| High density / saturation letters | 2.373% |
| High density / saturation flats and parcels | 0.989% |
| Carrier route | 3.529% |
| Every Door Direct Mail | 0.524% |
| Overall increase | 1.509% |
Postage for the Letters classification will increase by just 0.771%. The reason for the below-average rate increase is because it followed a rate cycle where the Letters product received an above-average rate increase.
Nonautomation, nonmachinable letters will move from the Letters product to the Flats product and will no longer be eligible for the letter rate.
Flats will increase by 3.553%.
Marketing Mail promotions are expected to continue in 2021. The Mobile Shopping 2% postage discount will run between 8/1/21 and 12/31/21.
The Informed Delivery 2% postage discount will run between 9/1/21 and 11/31/21.
For more details, visit the prc.gov site and search for docket R2021-1.