WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Postal Service announced it will increase prices for a number of mail services starting next year, in a new regulation.
In an attempt to improve competitive pricing for the struggling institution, prices on certain services will go up at the end of January 2013, the regulation said.
Among the changes, Express and priority mail prices will increase by around six percent each, the regulation said.
Retail priority mail prices will increase by nine percent, but the USPS will allow free tracking and confirmation, which the agency said will offset three percent of the increase.
Similarly, while first-class package service prices will go up by three percent, the agency will continue to provide free tracking and confirmation, and is eliminating the surcharge for first class packages that weigh less than two ounces.
The USPS also announced that it will discontinue its parcel select regional ground service because of inadequate usage, and parcel post service will only be available through retail channels.
The rule is set to go into effect on January 27, 2013.
To learn more, click on the document icon for this regulation and others.
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