April 17 Price Changes for the U.S. Postal Service: 1 oz 1st Class letter not affected

From the folks at Endicia, a reminder re: the upcoming mailing / shipping USPS price changes (note the price of a 1 oz. first class letter, one of the most common types of mail will NOT change:

April Price Change On April 17th 2011, the U.S. Postal Service will be changing prices for non-expedited mailing and package services as well as extra services. Here is an overview of what will be affected by this price change: First-Class Mail letters greater than 1 oz. The price of a 1oz. First-Class Mail letter will remain unchanged at 44 cents First-Class Mail postcards First-Class Mail Large Envelopes/Flats First-Class Mail Parcels First-Class Mail International Standard Mail Library Mail Media Mail Package Services Extra Services Below is the change for First Class and Parcel Post: First-Class Mail Pricing back to top Postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats) and small packages can be sent using First-Class Mail®. This service is ideal for sending personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, and bills or statements of account. It may also be used for advertisements and lightweight merchandise. First-Class Mail prices are based on both the shape and weight of the item being mailed. For items weighing more than 13 ounces, use Priority Mail. First-Class Mail Pricing - Letters & Postcards Weight Not Over (ounces) Letters & Cards (2010 price) Letters & Cards (2011 price) Change % Change 1 $0.44 $0.44 $ - 0% 2 $0.61 $0.64 $0.03 4.92% 3 $0.78 $0.84 $0.06 7.69% 3.5 $0.95 $1.04 $0.09 9.47% Postcard $0.28 $0.29 $0.01 3.57% First-Class Mail Pricing - Large Envelopes Weight Not Over (ounces) Large Envelopes (2010 price) Large Envelopes (2011 price) Change % Change 1 $0.88 $0.88 $ - 0% 2 $1.05 $1.08 $0.03 2.78% 3 $1.22 $1.28 $0.06 4.69% 5 $1.56 $1.68 $0.12 7.14% 10 $2.41 $2.68 $0.27 10.07% First-Class Mail Pricing - Parcels Weight Not Over (ounces) Parcels (2010 price) Parcels (2011 price) Parcels (2011 Commercial Base price) Savings Over Retail 1 $1.22 $1.71 $1.56 $0.15 2 $1.39 $1.71 $1.56 $0.15 3 $1.56 $1.71 $1.56 $0.15 5 $1.90 $2.05 $1.90 $0.15 10 $2.75 $2.90 $2.75 $0.15 The following are descriptions for each classification of First-Class Mail: First-Class Mail Cards – rectangular cardstock mailpiece not contained in an envelope. First-Class Mail Letters – small rectangular mailpiece no thicker than 1/4 inch weighing 3.5 ounces or less. First-Class Mail Large Envelopes – flat rectangular mailpiece no thicker than 3/4 inch. First-Class Mail Packages – a box, thick envelope, or tube weighing up to 13 ounces. Media Mail Pricing back to top Mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs and no more than 108 inches in combined length and girth. Media Mail Pricing Weight Not Over (pounds) Large Envelopes & Parcels(2010 price) Large Envelopes & Parcels(2011 price) Change % Change 1 $2.38 $2.41 $0.03 1.24% 2 $2.77 $2.82 $0.05 1.77% 3 $3.16 $3.23 $0.07 2.17% 5 $3.94 $4.05 $0.11 2.72% 10 $5.89 $6.04 $0.15 2.48% Parcel Post Pricing back to top Parcel Post pricing has been greatly simplified. Most of the price cells will not increase on April 17th, and some cells will actually decrease. Use Parcel Post when sending small and large packages, thick envelopes and tubes containing gifts and merchandise, delivery to all US addresses-including PO Boxes and military addresses, Saturday and residential deliveries at no extra cost. Package can weigh up to 70 pounds and measure up to 130 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part. Parcel Post Pricing Weight Not Over (pounds) Zone Average 2010 Zone Average 2011 Change % Change 1 $4.90 $5.25 $0.35 6.67% 2 $6.34 $6.65 $0.31 4.66% 3 $7.55 $7.78 $0.23 2.96% 5 $9.41 $9.55 $0.14 1.47% 10 $12.51 $12.50 $(0.01) -0.08% For more, go to the Endicia page at http://www.endicia.com/pricechange/.