2018 USPS Shipping Rates Start Sunday, January 21
As you may already know, shipping carriers are changing their rates soon—UPS 2018 rates go into effect first, on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, and then FedEx 2018 rates start on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. The United States Postal Service has also announced its 2018 rate increases, which go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. Commercial Base Pricing changes include:
- Priority Mail rates will increase an average of 6.2 percent
- Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and envelopes will increase $0.45 to $0.60 per piece, depending on the packaging used
- First Class Package Service will increase an average of 3.9 percent
Let’s take a closer look at what USPS rates are changing and how this might impact your ecommerce business, as well as how you can save money when the new USPS rates go into effect.
Priority Mail
Priority Mail Commercial Base rates will increase by 6.2 percent on average. A 2 lb. package going to Zone 8 will cost $10.80 in 2018 versus $10.28 in 2017, an increase of $0.52. While pricing will increase for many weight/zone configurations, there are a few sweet spots worth pointing out:
- Rates are decreasing for Priority Mail 3-5 lb. packages going to Zone 5
- Rates are also dropping for Priority Mail 4 lb. packages going to Zone 4
- Priority Mail packages weighing 44-59 lbs. going to Zone 3 will cost less to ship
- The price will not change for 2 lb. packages going to Zone 5
It’s also worth noting that while Commercial Base Pricing for Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes will increase for most Zones, rates are dropping by $0.30 for Box B in Zone 5, and rates will remain the same for Box A in Zone 5.
Priority Mail Flat Rate
Rates are going up for all Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and envelopes are going up in 2018. We know lots of you use the Priority Mail Padded Flat Rate Envelope, which has been an inexpensive way to ship smaller items, with delivery in just 2-3 days across the country. The rate is going up $0.60, from $6.50 in 2017 to $7.10 in 2018, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. The only Priority Mail Flat Rate option not going up $0.60 in 2018 is the Medium Flat Rate Box, which will increase by $0.45, from $12.40 in 2017 to
$12.85 in 2018.
First Class Package Service
First Class Package Service rates will increase 3.9 percent, on average. You can expect the biggest increases with higher-ounce packages—a $0.22 increase for 13 ounces, and a $0.64 increase for 15.99 ounces. Even with increases for all ounces, First Class Package Service is still the best deal in town when shipping lightweight items.
First Class Package Service Shipping Rates
| Weight Not Over (Oz.) | 2017 | 2018 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.61 | $2.66 | $0.05 |
| 2 | $2.61 | $2.66 | $0.05 |
| 3 | $2.61 | $2.66 | $0.05 |
| 4 | $2.61 | $2.66 | $0.05 |
| 5 | $2.77 | $2.79 | $0.02 |
| 6 | $2.77 | $2.92 | $0.15 |
| 7 | $2.77 | $3.05 | $0.28 |
| 8 | $2.77 | $3.18 | $0.41 |
| 9 | $3.32 | $3.34 | $0.02 |
| 10 | $3.46 | $3.50 | $0.04 |
| 11 | $3.60 | $3.66 | $0.06 |
| 12 | $3.74 | $3.82 | $0.08 |
| 13 | $3.88 | $4.10 | $0.22 |
| 14 | $4.02 | $4.38 | $0.36 |
| 15 | $4.16 | $4.66 | $0.50 |
| 15.999 | $4.30 | $4.94 | $0.64 |
Here’s an overview of the Postal Service’s price increase by product or category:
| Shipping Service | 2017 Rate | 2018 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail Express | ||
| Retail | Starts at $23.75 | Starts at $24.70 |
| Commercial Base | Starts at $21.18 | Starts at $21.98 |
| Commercial Plus | Starts at $21.18 | Starts at $21.98 |
| Priority Mail | ||
| Retail | Starts at $6.65 | Starts at $6.70 |
| Commercial Base | Starts at $5.95 | Starts at $6.55 |
| Commercial Plus | Starts at $5.60 | Starts at $6.35 |
| Parcel Select Ground | ||
| Destination – Entered | Starts at $2.74 | Starts at $2.85 |
| Lightweight | Starts at $1.38 | Starts at $1.42 |
| Parcel Select Ground | Starts at $5.95 | Starts at $6.55 |
| Media Mail | Starts at $2.63 | Starts at $2.66 |
| First Class Package Service | Starts at $2.61 | Starts at $2.66 |