Because the Postal Regulatory Commission issued its decision on the price changes during Thanksgiving week, availability of the new denominated stamps will not be universally available at local post offices as of January 22.  However, large purchasers of stamps should pre-order from the Stamps Now program at 1-800-STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724), 816-545-1282 or by emailing StampsNow.info@usps.gov for additional information and expedited direct fulfillment.

Below are the six categories of denominated stamps and when they will be available for pre-ordering.

• 32-cent postal card stamps – Items 115100 (pane) & 788800 (coil) – January 9
• 65-cent two-ounce stamps – Item 115300 – January 10
• 85-cent three-ounce stamps – Item 115200 – January 10
• 65-cent butterfly surcharge stamp – Item 114800 – January 10
• $1.05 international stamps – Item 575500 – January 14
• 45-cent large coils (3,000 and 10,000) and Items 789000 (3000) & 788900 (10000)  –  January 14

Since the Stamps Now program offers convenience, flexibility, customization, easiness, speed, and much more, it should be the method of choice to purchase your stamps. (see attachment)

As of January 2012, all postage statements dated prior to April 2011 or June 2011, as applicable, are obsolete.

Manifest mailers may use postage statements dated April 2011 and June 2011 if they reflect the January 22, 2012 prices.

Only the January 2012 postage statements can be used if new offerings are in use. This includes mailings with Express Mail International® Flat Rate Boxes (Postage Statement—International Mail, PS 3700), Priority Mail® Regional Rate Box C, new Priority Mail Open and Distribute (PMOD) boxes, First-Class Package Service™, Parcel Select® Lightweight, Periodicals prepared in Mixed Sacks/Pallets at ONDC or Outside County on Mixed Pallet, international mail containing pieces to Canada and/or Mexico, or Permit Imprint-Transmits Customs Data.

If vendors, software providers, or mailers encounter difficulty submitting January 2012 postage statements, please contact your local acceptance office or Manager of Business Mail Entry to determine the best solution. Mailers using the Electronic Verification System (eVS®) for manifesting who need assistance should contact their Strategic Account or Business Alliance Manager.

The most significant revisions would eliminate the expectation of overnight service for significant portions of First-Class Mail® and Periodicals; however, there would be an opportunity for mailers who properly prepare and enter mail at the destinating processing facility prior to the day’s critical entry time to have their mail delivered the following delivery day. In addition, the 2-day delivery range would be modified to include 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pairs that are currently overnight, and the 3-day delivery range also would be expanded.

These revisions would allow for a significant rationalization of the Postal Service’s mail processing and transportation networks. The Postal Service is completing the facility reviews using the well-established Area Mail Processing guidelines, which will continue as announced in September.

Supporting documents such as the proposed rule, an illustrative Service Standard Directory (SSD), and illustrative labeling lists are just a few of the requested documents that will be available on the Mailer Information website <http://about.usps.com/news/facility-studies/welcome.htm> . By Thursday, December 8, the website (http://about.usps.com/news/facility-studies/welcome.htm) and RIBBS <https://ribbs.usps.gov/>  will be updated with documents and links supporting this announcement.

“We suggest holiday shippers both in and outside the country use one of our Priority Mail products to send gifts and good wishes,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products. “The Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes come in a variety of sizes and are always free. Remember — ‘if it fits it ships’ for a low flat rate.”

The first holiday mailing deadline is Nov. 12 for customers sending packages using USPS Parcel Post to all APO/FPO/DPO addresses. All SAM (Space Available Mail), regardless of the APO/FPO/DPO address, must be mailed by Nov. 26.

Last-minute shoppers who need to send holiday packages to locations in the U.S. have until Dec. 22 — the deadline for Express Mail packages.

Click here for a list of this year’s holiday shipping deadlines.

Listing of USPS-Approved Adult Fowl Mailing Containers

We revised 601.9.3.4 to add a reference for a new listing of USPS-approved container vendors for the mailing of adult fowl and other approved birds.

Centralization of Move Update and ZIP Code Accuracy Standards

We revised 233.3.0, 243.3.0, 333.3.0, 343.3.0, 363.4.0, 433.3.0, 443.3.0, and 463.4.0 to consolidate and centralize Move Update and ZIP Code accuracy standards into new sections 602.5.0 and 602.6.0.

Post Office (PO) Box Fee Groups for Merged Locations

We revised 508.4.0 to allow Post Office Box (PO Box) fee groups to be merged into a single location due to Post Office mergers and to have the ability to change a fee group more than one higher or lower level at a time in limited circumstances.

Suspension of Periodicals Privileges

We revised 707.8.3.4 to amend the authority for noncompliance from the postmaster to the Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC) when a publisher does not file PS Form 3526, Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, or publish the information provided on the form.

USPS Return Services

We revised 126.1.0, 136.1.0, 156.1.0 and 705.24.0 to introduce new options designed for the return of merchandise; and to add a new subchapter 505 to consolidate all other USPS return service standards.

Reassignment of ZIP Codes Between NDCs and ASFs: Revision to Destination Entry Exhibits

We revised 246, 346, 366, 446, 453, and 466 to change the exhibits for destination network distribution center (DNDC) eligibility to reflect the reassignment of certain 3-digit ZIP Code ranges.

Mailing Firearms—Clarification

We revised 601.12.1 through 601.12.3 to clarify the standards surrounding the mailability of firearms.

Our next scheduledDMMupdate is January 22.

A second set of FAQs specifically for mailers, and a new document containing more information related to each of the facility study sites announced September 15, 2011, were recently posted on the Postal Service’s “Information for Mailers” web page at http://about.usps.com/news/facility-studies/welcome.htm. In addition, navigation to this page from the about.usps.com home page was simplified – now, just click on the “Mailer information” link under the heading “Our Organization” (next to the photo of a postal facility) and you’re there! This new and updated information is also available on the Business Mail Acceptance (BMA) page of RIBBS.

The new set of FAQs contains 49 *new* questions-and-answers based upon ongoing meetings and discussions with mailers; these FAQs supplement the initial set of FAQs posted in September.  The new ”Consolidated Information on Facility Study Sites” document contains additional information on all 252 sites selected for Area Mail Processing studies.  Mailers can use this list to find each selected study site’s name, city, state, ZIP Code, and drop site key; the gaining site’s (or sites’) name(s), city, state, ZIP Code and drop site key; the road mileage figure reflecting the distance between study and gaining sites, and, in some cases, additional comments on individual sites.

We hope you will find these new materials helpful and informative.  As always, please contact us if you have questions, comments or concerns, and let us know if there is specific information you would like to see posted on the “Information for Mailers” page.

Thanking you in advance for your assistance,
Dot Buchter
Business Service Network

Postmaster General Pat Donahoe issued a letter and video today to assure mailers that the Postal Service is not going out of business or be privatized. The Postal Service plays a vital role in America’s economy and society. This past year USPS delivered 167.6 billion pieces of mail and sustains a $1 trillion mailing industry that employs 8 million people.

This communication will bring you the up-to-date steps the Postal Service is taking on the legislative, network optimization and wages and benefits fronts to ensure the financial health of USPS now and in years to come. The PMG continues to urge Congress to allow the move from six-day delivery schedule to five days per week. On the retail front, the USPS is studying whether to close up to 3,700 retail facilities, and we continue to consolidate delivery routes. USPS is also developing a proposal to adjust service standards and Critical Entry Times for First-Class and Periodicals to allow the streamlining of the mail processing network.

This is a very important message that needs to be shared with your members and co-workers. Please feel free to distribute and post on your website.

Please click to view the video and letter. Also, the video can be downloaded for your convenience

Susan M. LaChance
Vice President
Consumer and Industry Affairs

On October 18, we filed notices of a Market Dominant Price Adjustment for both domestic and international Mailing Services with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), to be effective on January 22, 2012.

New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services –This proposed rule contains revisions to the DMM^® to accompany the price changes, including several mail classification changes, modifications to mailpiece characteristics, and changes in classification terminology.

International Mail: Proposed Product Rate and Fee Changes – This proposed rule contains revisions to the IMM^®, including price changes to First-Class Mail International^® and international extra services.

The proposed rules are now available on the Postal Explorer^® website at pe.usps.com by clicking on “Federal Register Notices” in the left frame.

Customers are encouraged to comment on or before November 23, 2011. Final rules will be published shortly after the comment period ends.

We acknowledge and understand your frustration with the Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) issues you have shared with us over the last few weeks in certain pockets of the country.  We will not bother you with the whys or reasons as you are more concerned with the how and when it will be fixed.

Our Headquarters Network Operations and MTE offices have undertaken several steps to fill gaps in our shortages and improve our processes where they have broken.  The demand for certain products is at a four year high which adds to the issue.

To start with, we purchased 200,000 presswood pallets in the final weeks of FY 2011 to meet needs till our FY 2012 orders started arriving.  Currently, our FY 2012 orders of pallets, sacks, and flat tubs are arriving and entering the mail stream.  We expect the first orders of trays and sleeves to start arriving very soon.

We realize this is only stemming the tide of your needs at present, so we have undertaken two additional steps to meet your needs.  First, we have placed an immediate order for slat wood pallets to get into the system immediately.  We realize these pallets are not your first choice but they can be made immediately available.  Secondly, we have advanced our Quarter 2 pallet purchases so we can build up the volume in the network and eliminate the roving shortages.

We have also extended weekend hours where appropriate at some of our MTESCs to enable them to process equipment from our plants and maintain our supplies.  We also have put processes in place with the Area and District Operations to monitor and move product from one location to another with peak demand.  Finally, we are continuing to work with our Supply Management team to move up timeframes for delivery of other products in high demand that were originally planned for Qtr 2.

Your concerns have been heard loud and clear at all levels of our organization.  We welcome your continued feedback so we can continue to improve the situation.  We value your business and we value your partnership with the USPS.

Susan M. LaChance
Vice President
Consumer and Industry Affairs

The comment period closes on October 21. Please send any comments to the special email address created for the mailing industry: industryfeedback@usps.gov.