At least two mailing industry groups are up in arms about proposed U.S. Postal Service plans to raise certain fees for international mailing services on June 30.
The USPS will officially propose the increases in the Federal Register later this week. Unlike postal rates, these fees can be raised without having to go through the rate case process.
The fees for such services as international express, insured, registered and return-receipt mail won’t necessarily have a direct impact on direct mailers. They will, however, affect computer software vendors who will have to retool their software to comply with any increases.
“This will cost companies like Pitney Bowes and Group 1 that make postal software hundreds of thousands of dollars to retool their chips and they had virtually no notice,” said Bob McLean, executive director of the Mailers Council. “It’s a delay which always costs money.”
The Direct Marketing Association has asked its members to e-mail postal officials, explain what impact fees taking effect June 30 would have on their companies, and ask the USPS for more time.
The next postal increase kicks in June 30 with an overall 7.7%.
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