The PRC approved the rates on May 31, 2023. The PRC has yet to approve the rate increase for Commercial products (Priority Mail, etc.), but approval is expected by June 9.
The rate case was filed on April 10, 2023, with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), requesting a postage increase starting July 9, 2023. This increase will impact the USPS “Market Dominant” products, including First Class Mail and Marketing Mail.
Overall, the rates will increase by an average of 5.378% for First Class, and 5.381% for Marketing Mail, but as always, the details are important. Here are the increases for some common rates:
| Rate | Percentage | ||
| First Class | 5.378% | ||
| Straight First Class Letter | $.66 | 4.76% | |
| Letter Mixed AADC | $.561 | 5.65% | |
| Letter 5 Digit | $.498 | 5.73% | |
| Straight First Class Flat | $1.35 | 7.14% | |
| Flat Mixed AADC | $1.234 | 15.54% | |
| Flat 3 Digit | $1.037 | 15.74% | |
| First Class Canadian | $1.50 | 3.33% | |
| Marketing Mail – Commercial | 5.381% | ||
| Letter Mixed AADC | $.381 | 5.83% | |
| Flat Mixed AADC | $.976 | 8.93% | |
The rates are broken down as follows:
| Rate Increase Breakdown: | |
| First Class – Overall | 5.378% |
| CPI-U | 3.406% |
| Density Authority | 0.936% |
| Retirement Authority | 1.036% |
| Marketing Mail – Overall | 5.381% |
| CPI-U | 3.406% |
| Density Authority | 0.936% |
| Retirement Authority | 1.036% |
CPI- U = Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, calculated from September 2022 through February 2023
Density Authority = A calculation that takes into account the increased cost of delivering fewer letters and packages to more addresses
Retirement Authority = A calculation that takes into account the ability of current revenues to cover the USPS its retirement obligations.
