Understanding Postal: USPS Offers Sneak Peek 
at January 2012 Pricing Change

In order to qualify, companies had to submit a hard-copy sample of their mail piece to the USPS that showed placement of a two-dimensional mobile barcode, which was required to be on or inside each piece in the mailing. The barcode had to be used for marketing, promotional or educational purposes and needed to be relevant to the contents of the mail piece. Postage was paid with permit imprint and electronic documentation was required. There were provisions for comingled, combined and co-mailings to qualify for the promotion.

Other January 2012 software placeholders include new regional rate box C and cubic soft packs for Priority mail, Priority mail Open and Distribute container prices; new Extra Day Certain Delivery service; changes to Parcel Select offerings, including omitting the barcode discount for Parcel Select Network Distribution Centers (NDC) and Origin Network Distribution Centers; deleting zones four through eight for Parcel Select Regional Ground NDC; providing prices for Parcel Select nonpresort; adding extended delivery area fees; adding Parcel Select Lightweight; and adding RSCF pricing for Parcel 
Return Service.

What Can Cross-Channel Retailers Expect Come January
Does this placeholder software list mean that other changes won't be included in the January 2012 pricing change? Not necessarily. If the changes don't require major software design work, the USPS could still include other items in its January 2012 case.

Ultimately the USPS board of governors and Postal Regulatory Commission must approve all pricing and classification changes. What does this mean? It means that even if the USPS proposes all the things represented by these software placeholders, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be passed since they must still be approved by those two bodies.

In keeping with its commitment to the business mailing community, the USPS will give at least 90 days notice of its Jan. 22, 2012 pricing change, which means that more details will be shared by Oct. 22, 2011 at the latest. Looking at the USPS's new release schedule, more information on its January 2012 pricing change and initiatives will be revealed as details are shared on the software development front.

If your business is interested in preparing for these changes or taking advantage of some of the new initiatives that may come from the January 2012 pricing change, now is a good time to stay close to your software or service providers. After all, as USPS business partners, they're more likely to get detailed information from the USPS before the general mailing industry.

Kathy J. Siviter is president of postal consulting agency Postal Consulting Services. Kathy can be reached at kathys@postalconsulting.com.