Postal Service Costs 6-12-25

USPS shipping costs are determined by both weight and distance, with various services like Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and First-Class Mail having different price structures. For First-Class Mail, postage starts at $0.73 for a 1 oz envelope, and costs increase based on weight and shape. Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage have weight-based pricing, with heavier packages incurring higher costs. USPS also offers Flat Rate packaging, where the price is fixed regardless of weight, up to a certain limit.  

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. First-Class Mail:

·       Standard-sized, rectangular envelopes: $0.73 per 1 oz.

·       Square, oversized, or unusually shaped envelopes: $1.19 per 1 oz.

·       Postcards: $0.56 per piece. 

2. USPS Ground Advantage:

·       Packages up to 15.999 oz: Priced by the ounce, with increments at 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, and 15.999 oz.

·       Packages heavier than 15.999 oz: Priced by the pound (rounded up).

·       Prices start at $5.25 at a Post Office, but lower commercial rates are available when shipping online with Click-N-Ship. 

3. Priority Mail:

·       Weight-based: Costs increase with weight and distance. 

·       Flat Rate packaging: Offers a fixed price for specific envelopes and boxes, regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs). 

·       Examples: Window Flat Rate Envelope - $8.75 (commercial), $10.10 (at Post Office & online). Small Flat Rate Envelope - $8.75 (commercial), $10.10 (at Post Office). Padded Flat Rate Envelope - $9.55 (commercial), $10.85 (at Post Office). 

4. Other Factors:

Dimensional Weight: If a package is large and relatively light, the price may be based on its dimensions (Length x Width x Height / 166) rather than actual weight. 

Non-Standard Size Fees: There may be additional fees for packages that are significantly larger or longer than standard sizes. 

Commercial Rates vs Retail Rates: Shipping online with Click-N-Ship or using other commercial channels often offers lower rates than retail prices at the Post Office. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=usps+costs+per+weight

In Fiscal Year 2024, the USPS reported total operating expenses of $89.5 billion, an increase of 4.8% compared to the previous year. This increase was attributed to non-cash workers' compensation adjustments and inflationary impacts on compensation, retirement, and other operating costs. While transportation costs were lower, these were offset by the increases mentioned above. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=usps+operating+costs

In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reported operating revenue of $79.5 billion, a $1.4 billion increase from the previous year. This increase was driven by strategic price increases and continued growth in the Shipping and Packages category. Specifically, First-Class Mail revenue increased 3.4%, while Marketing Mail revenue increased 1.9%. Shipping and Packages revenue increased 2%. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=usps+operating+revenue

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) had 525,469 career employees in 2023. In addition to career employees, the USPS also had nearly 114,623 non-career employees in 2024. This means the total workforce of the USPS was around 630,000 in 2023 and 640,000 in 2024. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=usps+number+of+employees

Comments

USPS should not be privatized. DOGE should help with efficiency and making their database more robust. The USPS database is needed to confirm voting records. Law enforcement is also dependent on having access to correct addresses. The $10 billion operating deficit USPS ran in 2024 is a small price to pay for access to the USPS database.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader