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USPS releases final address standards for commercial flat-sized mail

Ellen Keohane May 09, 2008

The USPS has published its final rule for new address standards for commercial flat-sized mail in the Federal Register.

USPS sees mail volume decrease in Q2

Citing a volatile economy, the US Postal Service reported a net loss of $707 million for its second quarter, which ended on March 31. The loss resulted from a "continued decline in mail volume resulting from the current national economic climate," according to the USPS.

Mailers lax on IMB compliance

Ellen Keohane May 02, 2008

Despite efforts by the US Postal Service as well as some direct mail service companies such as Pitney Bowes, news about the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) may not be reaching the majority of mailers. The IMB, developed by the USPS to encode routing and tracking information on mail, will eventually replace Postnet barcodes, which only contain the routing code.

USPS seeks comment on proposed rules for Intelligent Mail barcode

Ellen Keohane April 30, 2008

The US Postal Service is seeking public comment on proposed rules related to the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on automation mailings of letters and flats. These rules are scheduled to go into effect by May 2009.

PRC seeks comment for postal monopoly survey

Ellen Keohane April 21, 2008

The Postal Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment for its study on universal postal service and postal monopoly in the United States. In compliance with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, the commission must complete a report on "universal postal service and the postal monopoly in the US, including the monopoly on the delivery of mail and on access to mailboxes."

Shipshape rates

April 21, 2008

The US Postal Service has published its changes to Shipping Service standards in the Federal Register. They will take effect May 12. Express Mail prices will be zone-based prices, taking into account weight and distance. Priority Mail retail prices are increasing by 6%, while Parcel Select prices are increasing by 5.7% on average.

USPS launches "green" Web site

Ellen Keohane April 17, 2008

The US Postal Service has launched a new Web site promoting the agency's eco-friendly products and services, as well as recommended "green" practices for mailers. The new Web site can be accessed at www.usps.com/green.

PRC okays USPS' competitive products price increase

Ellen Keohane April 11, 2008

The Postal Regulatory Commission authorized the US Postal Service's planned price increases for its competitive products yesterday. "Based on the notice and supporting material... the commission finds no reason to conclude that the planned price adjustments for competitive products are not in compliance with applicable statuary provisions," wrote Steven W. Williams, the PRC's secretary, in the order.

USPS releases new address standards for flat-sized mail

Ellen Keohane April 09, 2008

The US Postal Service has released new address standards for flat-sized mail. These new standards are set to go into effect as of March 29, 2009. The new address standards will assist the USPS in its implementation of its new Flats Sequencing System (FSS), which will sort flat-sized mail into delivery sequence, thereby reducing carriers' time spent manually sorting mail.

USPS reducing Standard Mail barcode discount

Ellen Keohane March 27, 2008

In response to the Postal Regulatory Commission's review of the US Postal Service's proposed rate change for market-dominant products, the USPS said it will reduce the 1.4-cent discount for using a barcode on mixed automation area distribution center Standard Mail letters by 1.1 cents.

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