newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In its 2010 financial results, the U.S. Postal Service reported a net loss of $8.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30.

This has not been new news for the USPS. In September, postal regulators denied requests by the U.S. Postal Service to raise postage rates in January beyond the rate of inflation, ruling that the mail agency's recent financial woes were caused by a flawed business model and not the recent recession.

The decision means a rise in stamp prices and other postage rates will not take effect in January as the Postal Service had hoped.

In July, the Washington Post reported it requested the right to raise postage rates on first-class mail, periodicals and other services beyond the rate of inflation. A 2006 law allows the service to file an exigent, or urgently necessary, case to raise prices that much if it can prove that "exceptional or extraordinary circumstances" warranted the increase.

The Postal Service's long-term structural problems have caused their recent budget shortfalls, the Postal Regulatory Commission said in its first ruling on an exigent case.

But according to the PRC, the Postal Service expects to implement price changes for all of the market-dominant classes in mid-May of each year. The Postal Service expects those price changes to equal, on average, the price cap limitation applicable in that year.

Postal Service price increases for market-dominant products are subject to a statutory, CPI-based price cap. The price cap for future increases will not be finalized until the Postal Service files a Notice of Rate Adjustment with the Commission.

Which probably means to figure on paying another two cents per stamp by May.

According to perfect postage, until the Post Office announces the new rates, the current 2011 postage rates are as shown below:

$0.28 postcards

$0.44 First-class, 1 oz

$0.64 1 oz mailings, unusual shapes, non machineable

$0.61 2 oz mailings

$0.78 3 oz mailings

$0.95 3.5 oz mailings

$1.39 4 oz mailings

$4.95 Priority Mail (up to 16 oz)

According to stamps.com, on Jan 2nd, 2011, the U.S. Postal Service® implemented a postage rate increase for some Priority Mail® and Express Mail® services, while leaving First-Class Mail® rates unchanged.

Priority Mail® retail rates have increased by an average of 3.9% (3.2% for Stamps.com/Commercial Base customers)

Express Mail retail rates have increased by an average of 5%

Express Mail Commercial Plus pricing has decreased by 5%

Priority Mail (1 lb.) $5.10 (and up) $4.90 (and up)

Express Mail (0.5 lb.) $13.25 (and up) $13.65 (and up)

In December, usps.com reported the. Postal Service unveiled the latest members of its commemorative stamp program. They included former President Ronald Reagan, legendary author Mark Twain, actor and actress Gregory Peck and Helen Hayes, and Latin music giants Selena, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.