USPS Price Increase/Full Service IMB

[MailGuru]

Since many of you (US Domestic) print AND mail, we probably should have a separate category for all things postal. Since we don't at this time (although I'm recommending it), I'll use the "lounge" category to keep you abreast of what's going on.

There were two major events scheduled to occur on 1/26/2014: (1) The new USPS price increases - pretty heavy this year and (2) the requirement to switch to "Full Service" in order to receive the automation discount on your IMB barcoded mail.

Both events have been before the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) since October 2013.

The PRC's stance was that the US Postal Service can have their Postage Rate Increase above the normal Consumer Price Index Rate, OR, the requirement for all mailers to go to Full Service IMB, BUT NOT BOTH.

On December 27, 2013 the PRC rendered it's decision and it was subsequently posted in the Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 [Rules & Regulations] Page 78720 - 39 CFR Part III - (Doc # 2013-30705)

Titled: Deferral of Compliance Date: Full Service Intelligent Mail Barcode Requirement To Qualify For Automation Prices.

Basically, the PRC has approved the Postage Rate Increase, but, the requirement to go to Full Service has been post-poned indefinitely. So, those of us who were sweating the switch-over, and all the production work-flow changes that come along with it, have some more time to implement the Full Service strategy.

While the USPS sees this as a partial win/partial loss they "strongly suggest" that mailers continue the switch-over to Full Service as quickly as possible. However, at this time, mailers will continue to receive IMB automation discounts for Basic Service IMB's after the original 1/26/2014 deadline.

-Best

MailGuru

 

[danielvarnado]

Postal rate increase

Postal rate increase

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