Updated Nov 2009

2010 Price Increases?  (yes and no) New rates may affect your shipping starting Jan 4, 2010

The front-page news is that the First Class Mail stamp is not increasing in 2010, however there are price increases that will affect us all.

Read these:

http://pe.usps.com/PriceChange/2010_Shipping_Price_Change_FAQ.pdf

http://pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Notice123_jan_2010.pdf

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2009/nl_1015extra.htm

NEW 2/2009 announcement:  Round II of price changes for 2009 just announced and summary coming soon here. 44 cents to start, and prices changing all over.

PRICES WENT UP MAY 11TH. (A yearly adjustment is likely, with announcements around each February, the same time FEDEX and UPS announce their changes.)

First-Class Mail 
   
Letters – first ounce     $0.44
Large envelopes – first ounce     $0.88
Parcels – first ounce     $1.22
Additional ounces     $0.17
Postcard     $0.28
Stamped Card     $0.31
Stamped Envelope     $0.54

Delivery Confirmation - Priority Mail items: $0.70 (retail)
Delivery Confirmation - Parcels: $0.80 (retail)
Delivery Confirmation: $0.19 (online; parcels only over 3/4" in thickness)

Canada: $0.75 (first ounce)
Mexico: $0.79 (first ounce)
All other countries: $0.98 (first ounce)

Extra/Other Services:

Express Mail: $17.50 (flat rate envelope)

Priority Mail: (discounts for online postage available, and lower cost APO addresses)

• Small Flat Rate Box or Flat Rate Envelope: $4.95 (domestic, retail)
• Medium Flat Rate Box: $10.35 (domestic, retail)
• Large Flat Rate Box: $13.95 (domestic, retail)
  

Note: discounts from above prices available when you create and pay for shipping/postage online, even via PayPal shipping.

Parcel Post:

Under 1 lbs. $4.90 (see Priority Mail for better value on higher weights, and farther away zones.))
1 - 2 lbs. $4.90 to $8.09 depending on zone from you the shipper
2 - 3 lbs. $5.45 to $9.92 depending on zone from you the shipper
3 - 4 lbs. $6.05 to $11.57 depending on zone from you the shipper

Money Orders    

Up to $500     $1.10
$500.01 to $1,000     $1.50

Delivery Confirmation (Retail)
   
Priority Mail     $0.70 (free online)

First-Class Mail (parcels only)     $0.80 ($0.19 online)
Signature Confirmation (Retail)     $2.35 (includes Delivery Confirmation)

Insurances
    
Up to $50     $1.75
$50.01 to $100     $2.25
$100.01 to $200     $2.75
$200.01 to $300     $4.70
$300.01 to $5,000     $4.70 plus $1 for each $100

***

Jan 2009 Rate Increases announced: Here are some highlights for the changes that occur in February.

NOTE: The USPS has moved to annual adjustments, similar to those you see from UPS, FEDEX, and other carriers. Once, or twice a year, postage, other services, or shipping rates may adjust, usually announced in January for February implementation.

Although regular First Class Mail will remain unchanged on the first round of 2009 price increases, those services many ebay shippers use often do have a modest price increase as follows: (see above for 2009 general rate increase.)

Priority Mail (1 lbs) is $4.95 across the nation, as is the Flat Rate Envelope. (lower if you print and pay on line)
Priority Mail (1 - 2 lbs) starts at $4.95 and increases to $8.70, depending on your zone relative to where you ship from.
Priority Mail (Small Box provided by USPS or Flat Rate Envelope) $4.95
Priority Mail (Regular Box provided by USPS) $10.35
Priority Mail (Large Box provided by USPS) $13.95
Express Mail (envelope) $17.50

See this link for full price list changes. (copy and paste - opens with Adobe Acrobat)
Next price change will be announced February for regular mail.

http://pe.usps.com/PriceChange_Jan2009/PDF/PriceList/PriceList.pdf

*******

May 12th 2008 the new USPS Postal stamp rate increases take affect for mailing and shipping.  Below is a summary of those changes, at retail.  

Source:  Notice 123, Price List USPS. You should also see specific country mailing prohibitions and details at the usps.com web site and to verify your mailing and details offered below.

If you already have, or purchase a "Forever Stamp" at the current First Class Rate (i.e. $0.41) before May 12th, you can use it as a First Class Stamp after May 11th without adding additional postage. One May 12th, 2008 the "Forever Stamp" price increases to $0.42.

IF ANY PART OF THIS REVIEW/GUIDE IS HELPFUL, PLEASE CHECK THE "YES" BUTTON AT BOTTOM

USA First Class Mail:  $0.42 (1 ounce)

Minimum sizes:  5 inches length; 3-1/2 inches height; 0.007 inches thickness
Maximum size: 11-1/2 inches length; 6-1/8 inches height; 1/4 inch thickness
Additional ounces: $0.17 (up to 13 ounces, then see Priority Mail)

EXAMPLES:
$0.42 (1 ounce); $0.59 (2 ounces); $0.76 (3 ounces); $0.93 (3.5ounces); SEE FLATS' PRICING (5 - 13 ounces)

Post card: $0.27

Note: Letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics, are subject to a $0.20 surcharge.  For example, a rigid item like a pen or CD in an envelope and under 1 ounce would be non-machinable and must be sent as a package if over 1/4" thick, or if under 1/4" thick (and other non-machineable characteristics are not present), then a non-machineable surcharge of $0.20 must be applied. 

First Class Mail International: examples

Canada (Price Group 1):  $0.72 (1 ounce); $0.96 (2 ounces); $1.20 (3 ounces); $1.44 (3.5 ounces)
Mexico (Price Group 2-5):  $0.72 (1 ounce); $1.27 (2 ounces); $1.82 (3 ounces); $2.37 (3.5 ounces)
Australia, Hong Kong/China, Western Europe, South Korea, Japan (Price Group 3):  $0.94 (1 ounce); $1.74 (2 ounces); $2.54 (3 ounces); $3.34 (3.5 ounces)

See pe.usps.com for a complete list of countries for price groups 6 - 9, and for prices for pieces up to 64 ounces (4 lbs.). New price groups exist starting 5/12/08.

Note: Letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics, are subject to a $0.20 surcharge.  For example, a rigid item like a pen or CD in an envelope and under 1 ounce would be non-machinable and must be sent as a package if over 1/4" thick, or if under 1/4" thick (and other non-machineable characteristics are not present), then a non-machineable surcharge of $0.20 must be applied.

USA Flats (large envelopes): $0.83 (1 ounce)

Flats have at least one measurement that EXCEED these minimum dimensions.
Minimum sizes:  11 1/2 inches length; 6-1/8 inches height; 1/4 inch thickness
Maximum size: 15 inches length; 12 inches height; 3/4 inch thickness
Additional ounces: $0.17 (up to 13 ounces, then see Priority Mail)

Note:  Pieces that are rigid, non rectangular (i.e. square or other shape), or not uniform in thickness pay package prices.

USA Packages (over 1/4" thickness): $1.17 (1 ounce)

Additional ounces: $0.17 (up to 13 ounces, then see Priority Mail)
Items shipped, including envelopes and flats, that exceed the measurements listed above MUST be shipped as a package.
Packages cannot exceed 108 inches (130 inches if using Parcel Post) in length on its longest side. 
The girth is measured by measuring around the thickness part of the package, perpendicular to the longest side.

First Class Mail International Packages: examples

Canada (Price Group 1): 

$1.18 (1 ounce); $1.42 (2 ounces); $1.66 (3 ounces); $1.90 (4 ounces); $2.14 (5 ounces); $2.38 (6 ounces); $2.62 (7 ounces); $2.86 (8 ounces); $3.81 (not to exceed 12 ounces); $4.76 (16 ounces)

Mexico (Price Group 2-5): 

$1.18 (1 ounce); $1.73 (2 ounces); $2.28 (3 ounces); $2.83 (4 ounces); $3.38 (5 ounces); $3.93 (6 ounces); $4.48 (7 ounces); $5.03 (8 ounces); $6.53 (not to exceed 12 ounces); $8.03 (16 ounces)

First Class Mail International Packages: examples

Canada (Price Group 1): 

$1.18 (1 ounce); $1.42 (2 ounces); $1.66 (3 ounces); $1.90 (4 ounces); $2.14 (5 ounces); $2.38 (6 ounces); $2.62 (7 ounces); $2.86 (8 ounces); $3.81 (not to exceed 12 ounces); $4.76 (16 ounces)

Mexico (Price Group 2-5): 

$1.18 (1 ounce); $1.73 (2 ounces); $2.28 (3 ounces); $2.83 (4 ounces); $3.38 (5 ounces); $3.93 (6 ounces); $4.48 (7 ounces); $5.03 (8 ounces); $6.53 (not to exceed 12 ounces); $8.03 (16 ounces)

Australia, Hong Kong/China, Western Europe, South Korea, Japan (Price GroupS 3 - 5): 

$1.40 (1 ounce); $2.20 (2 ounces); $3.00 (3 ounces); $3.80 (4 ounces); $4.60 (5 ounces); $5.40 (6 ounces); $6.20 (7 ounces); $7.00 (8 ounces); $8.65 (not to exceed 12 ounces); $10.30 (16 ounces)

See pe.usps.com for a complete list of countries for price groups 6 - 9, and for prices for pieces up to 64 ounces (4 lbs.)
Note: Letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics, are subject to a $0.20 surcharge.  For example, a rigid item like a pen or CD in an envelope and under 1 ounce would be non-machinable and must be sent as a package.

Priority Mail (over 13 oz) - Domestic

Rates for 1 lb.  $4.80 anywhere cross country (zone 1 to 8)
Rates for 1 lbs to 2 lbs. depend on distance from you.
Flat Rate Envelopes: $4.80 
Flat Rate Boxes (small): $9.80
Flat Rate Boxes (large): $12.95 or $10.95 to APO addresses.

Note: If you use online postage printing at clik-n-ship, you may save up to 8% off these prices, including printing on PayPal shipping.

For example, these are rates for zones 1 and 2, those immediately around your shipping area. Zones 3 to zones 8 vary depending on your city, but

1. $4.80
2. $4.80
3. $5.05
4. $5.60
5. $6.80 *
6. $7.20 *
7. $7.70 *
8. $8.25 *

*  Dimentional weight pricing applies if package exceeds 1 cu. ft. in size and shipping to zones 5 to 8.  Those Priority Mail Branded boxes (except large flat rate box) do not exceed this volume in size, so you pay these rates. If your package is 1 cu. ft. in size or larger, higher minimum rates may apply depending on the size of the box, in relation to the rate.  How to measure DIM (Dimentional Weight) see this guide: http://reviews.ebay.com/What-is-Dimensional-DIM-Weight-How-to-Calculate-it_W0QQugidZ10000000004204442

Rates for 2 lbs to 3 lbs. depend on distance from you. 

1. $5.20
2. $5.20
3. $5.95
4. $6.75
5. $8.75
6. $9.55
7. $10.35
8. $11.50

Express Mail

Note: If you use online postage printing at clik-n-ship, you save 8% off these prices, including printing on PayPal shipping.

Flat Rate Envelope:  $16.50

Packages under 1/2 lb. vary in price from $12.80 to $19.50, depending on zone package is being shipped to, if not in a flat-rate envelope.
International Flat Rate envelopes are $23.95 for Canada & Mexico, and $25.95 other countries

Media Mail: (see usps for those items that qualify)

1 lb. $2.23
2 lbs. $2.58
3 lbs. $2.93
4 lbs. $3.28
5 lbs. $3.63
6 lbs. and up see pe.usps.com

Additional services:

INSURANCES:

Insurances to $50.00 $1.70
Insurances to $100.00 $2.15
Insurances to $200.00 $2.60 (note USPS does NOT have to get signatures for items under $200 insured)
Insurances to $300.00 $4.60
Insurances to $400.00 $5.55
Insurances to $500.00 $6.50
Insurances to $600.00 $7.45
Insurances over $600.00 is $7.30 + $0.95 for each $100 up to $5000

Delivery Confirmation:

FIRST CLASS MAIL: $0.75 retail / $0.18 online
PRIORITY MAIL: $0.65 retail / $FREE online
PACKAGES: $0.75 retail / $0.18 online (only for parcels)

Signature Confirmation:

FIRST CLASS MAIL: $2.20 retail / $1.80 online
PRIORITY MAIL: $2.20 retail / $1.80 online
PACKAGES: $2.20 retail / $1.80 online