Amid declining mail volumes and a slow economy, the U.S. Postal Service is eliminating between 220 and 250 jobs at its headquarters.

In response to a drop in acquisition direct mail volume from financial services companies, direct mail production services provider IWCO Direct said it will immediately close its facility in Elm City, NC, which employs 380 people.

UPS said it earned $970 million during the third quarter 2008, a 9.9% decline from profit of $1.08 billion a year ago.

UPS' rates will rise an average of 5.9% for ground shipping and an average of 4.9% for air express and US origin international shipments in 2009, the company said. UPS Freight announced a general rate increase of 5.9% for 2009.

InfoPrint Solutions Company, a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, has launched a transpromo pilot for hotel chain Best Western International. The initiative will bring personalized and relevant promotional offers to Best Western Rewards members via their rewards statements.

Facing a $2 billion loss this year and an uncertain economy, the US Postal Service is forced to get creative in its efforts to balance its budget. For the first time, the postal ser­vice has offered voluntary early retirement.

FedEx Express announced this week the start of operations for FedEx Express Nacional, a domestic overnight service in Mexico. The service covers all 32 Mexican states with the support of two new centers of operation: one in Toluca, which is currently open; and another in San Luis Potosi, which will open in early 2009.

The US Postal Service has released a five-year plan that it says is focused on meeting customer needs. Vision 2013 balances near-term priorities with long-term needs to adapt to changing customer needs, the agency said.

In a recent letter to the Department of Justice, US Senators Herb Kohl, D-WI, and Sherrod Brown, D-OH, questioned a proposed transport agreement between UPS and DHL, saying the deal would violate antitrust laws.

New International shipping requirements for exporters became effective today, according to the US Postal Service. The US Census Bureau now requires filing of export information through its automated export system or its AESDirect system for all international shipments.