US Postal Rates Climb for Media Mail and Priority Mail

While most domestic US Postal Service rates went up on January 8, what concerns online stores the most is probably Media Mail and Priority Mail.

Media Mail, a low cost, ground transport method for mailing books, reports, CDs, and DVDs, went up 12% from $1.42 to $1.59 for the first pound. Most of those who purchase my printed books select Media Mail for its low price, but a few complained (especially during December) about slower-than-expected delivery times. Current Media Mail rates: up to 1 pound, $1.59, up to 2 pounds $2.07, up to 3 pounds $2.55, up to 4 pounds $3.03.

Priority Mail's flat rate envelope climbed 5.2% from $3.85 to $4.05. I very seldom have complaints about delivery time of books shipped Priority Mail.

If you use the US Postal Service to deliver goods and don't have an automatic connection to real-time USPS rate calculation, make sure that you update the shipping-by-weight tables in your online store to reflect the new prices. Full pricing information online at the USPS site. www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm