As the holiday season approaches, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a temporary price adjustment for certain package services to cover the extra costs associated with the busy shipping season. This adjustment, which is set to begin on October 6th, 2024, and last until January 19th, 2025, will affect specific services, including Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage®. The temporary increase aims to ensure the USPS can continue its peak-season deliveries efficiently, even as package volumes surge during the holidays.
For businesses and individuals relying on USPS for shipping during this period, it’s important to note that this temporary price change does not impact all USPS services. In fact, First-Class Mail®, which is widely used for sending letters, postcards, and personal items, will not experience any price hikes. This means that customers of handwritten card companies like ours can continue to send thoughtful, handwritten notes and cards without worrying about increased postage costs.
Why This Matters for Our Customers
At our company, we specialize in creating personalized, handwritten cards for our clients to send to their customers. With the holiday season being such a crucial time to connect with clients, businesses, and loved ones, our service relies on the USPS to ensure these cards are delivered promptly and affordably.
Since First-Class Mail remains unaffected by the price changes, we can continue to offer our high-quality service without passing any additional shipping costs on to our clients. Whether you're sending holiday greetings, customer appreciation notes, or New Year well-wishes, your cards will still reach their destination in a timely and cost-effective manner.
USPS: Supporting Businesses During Peak Season
The USPS’s temporary price adjustment is part of their broader strategy to remain financially sustainable while continuing to offer a reliable delivery service. As part of their Delivering for America 10-year plan, the USPS aims to maintain six-day-per-week service while ensuring competitive pricing during the busiest times of the year. These temporary price changes help the USPS handle the increased demand during the holiday season while still offering some of the lowest shipping rates among industrialized nations.
However, for those relying on the USPS for heavier shipments or larger packages, it’s worth noting the services that will see a price bump:
- Priority Mail Express®
- Priority Mail®
- USPS Ground Advantage®
These temporary rate hikes are expected to help the USPS manage the extra handling costs associated with the high volume of holiday packages.
What You Need to Do
If you're planning to send packages using the USPS during the holiday season, it’s advisable to check the updated rates for the affected services starting on October 6th, 2024. For our clients, rest assured that our handwritten cards will continue to be delivered without any disruptions or additional fees, thanks to the unchanged rates for First-Class Mail®.
We recommend getting your holiday card orders in early to ensure timely delivery, especially as the USPS gears up for its busiest season.
In conclusion, while some USPS services will see a temporary price adjustment this holiday season, First-Class Mail® — the service that our business relies on for card delivery — will remain unaffected. This ensures that we can continue providing you with the same exceptional service at the same great rates. Let us help you send heartfelt messages that stand out in an increasingly digital world, all without the worry of increased postage fees.
Stay connected this holiday season with our handwritten cards, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your mail will arrive on time, with no extra cost!
For more details on the USPS temporary rate changes, you can visit their official page or check out their latest updates through the Postal Regulatory Commission’s website.
