New USPS Certified Mail Postal Rate Increased May 12, 2008

Current USPS Certified Mail postal rates increased May 12, 2008. The new cost to send a USPS Certified letter with Return Receipt green card is now  $5.32.

This is the breakdown:
•  Certified Mail fees increased to $2.70
•  First Class postage (one oz) increased to $0.42
•  Return Receipt (Green Card) increased to $2.20

This means the total cost of sending a USPS Certified Mail letter with Return Receipt (green card) is $5.32 effective May 12, 2008. If you mail letters weighing more than 1 ounce, additional First Class postage rates will apply. 

USPS approved Certified Mail Envelopes with Electronic Return Receipt (ERR) can help you reduce the cost and save you time and money. The Certified Mail Envelope eliminates forms to fill out, or labels to stick on envelopes. Using the free web software you address you letters or upload your mail list and the web software generates USPS tracking bar codes that you print from your local computer. 

If you use Certified Mail Envelopes with Electronic Return Receipt ™ the cost of your mailing drops to $4.67 vs: $5.32. 

A study that examined the costs related to Certified Mail found that labor and post-mailing administrative costs were still the largest costs associated to sending USPS Certified letters.  Most companies lack automation or take advantage of the new electronic return receipt. This was another reason why automated solutions from Certified Mail Envelopes are popular. Certified Mail Envelopes provides electronic file storage for 7 years and the software automatically files all tracking and delivery confirmation information. Annually many companies burn a CD to backup the data and store it in their company's data vault.

USPS Certified Mail Costs:
• Certified Mail Fee $2.70
• First Class Postage $0.42
• Certified Mail Envelope with Electronic Return Receipt™  $1.55.

The optional USPS Electronic Signature service has also increased to $1.00. USPS provides the Electronic Signature (PDF) of each person that actually signs for the letter.
 
In summary, USPS postal rates were adjusted for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services. The average increase by class of mail was at or was below the rate of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index.

You can still use and buy  the Forever Stamps purchased prior to May 12 at 41¢, even after the new price change. USPS said they have more than 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change.

New prices for USPS shipping services Priority Mail, Express, Mail, Parcel Select and International Mail will be announced later in the year, these prices increase on average no more than the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.  This has been consistent with The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act that adjusts mailing services prices each May. 

To learn more about using the approved USPS Certified Mail Envelopes, sign-up for Certified Mail Envelope free trial. Get  2 envelopes free, no credit card is needed.
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