The 2019 USPS(R) rate and service updates are scheduled for January 27, 2019, and June 23, 2019. Highlights of the key changes for both dates are listed below.
Both primary competitors of the USPS, UPS and FedEx will also increase their rates on December 26, 2018, and January 7, 2019, respectively.
Endicia will update all service offerings with the new pricing and applicable regulations to ensure our customers are compliant and print postage correctly. We are committed to providing our customers with all USPS options as soon as they are available.
Key Highlights or Changes
Starting Sunday, January 27, 2019; 12:10 a.m
- USPS shipping services:
- First-Class Package Service (FCPS) pricing will be based on weight AND zone.
- Balloon pricing will be eliminated for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select.
- Shipping rate increases (domestic):
- Priority Mail rates will start at $6.95 for online postage customers, with an average increase of 5.9%
- Priority Mail Express rates will start at $22.68, with an average increase of 3.9%
- First-Class Package Service rates will start at $2.66 (no change from 2018), with an average increase of 11.9% (FCPS will also adopt zone-based pricing in 2019. Rates will be based on weight and the shipping zone that the package is traveling to).
- Parcel Select Ground rates will start at $6.85 for online postage customers, with an average increase of 1.3%
- Shipping rate increases (international):
- Priority Mail International rates will start at $32.59 for online postage customers, with an average increase of 6.2%.
- Priority Express International rates will start at $42.00 for online postage customers, with an average increase of 3.9%.
- First-Class Package International Service rates will start at $16.39 for online postage customers, with an average increase of 3.9%.
Starting June 23, 2019:
- Dimensional (DIM) weight will apply to Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express packages over 1 cubic foot, for all zones. Currently, DIM weight only applies to packages over 1 cubic foot going to zones 5-9.
- DIM weight divisor will change from 194 to 166.
Carrier comparisons and USPS savings
For packages going to a residence, USPS is still the lowest priced option (vs FedEx Home Delivery and UPS Ground) for lighter-weight packages (1-3 lbs.) across all zones.
More details regarding USPS changes:
First-Class Package Service (FCPS)
As of January 27, 2019, First-Class Package Service rates will be based on weight and zone travelled. The eight limit for FCPS remains at 15.999 ounces.
Dimensional (DIM) weight:
On January 27, 2019, Balloon pricing will be eliminated for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select. Until June 23, 2019, packages that qualified for balloon pricing will be rated as single piece. After June, 23, 2019, DIM pricing will apply to all packages over 1 cubic foot (1,728 inches) to all zones.
Also on June 23, 2019, the USPS DIM divisor will change from 194 to 166.
The divisor used to determine the dimensional weight of a parcel larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728" LxHxW), will change from 194 to 166 for packages larger than 1 cubic foot.
In addition to the USPS rate change, Endicia is also changing rates for First-Class International Flat Merchandise option on 1/27/2019. As a reminder, you can always review rates for these services in our software before you print a label.
