June 2007 Issue 42

RATE CASE 2007

Highlights of the New USPS Prices

Shape Matters

The USPS implemented a rate increase on May 14, 2007. Current prices will distinguish between letters, flats, and parcels. Each mailpiece shape---letter, flat or parcel---have different handling costs and their prices will more sufficiently cover those different costs. As shape becomes more important, there is less price emphasis on weight. The USPS wants you to create efficient mailpieces that will be compatible with their processing and sorting systems and use packaging such as a smaller, denser parcel rather than a large, lightweight one. The following are tips to remember when choosing the proper container for your mail. Improving efficiency for the USPS, results in lower mailing costs for you.

Postage Savings Tips

The new postal rate change went into effect on 5/14/07. In an effort to educate and save your department postage dollars, here are some tips to help you make good decisions about your mail. For questions, call Connie at 2-7751.

· Considering sending a single sheet in a 9” X 12” envelope? Save 39 cents by folding the sheet in half and mailing in a 6”x9” envelope. (1st Class Rate)

· Mailing bulky items could cause your mail piece to move from the letter or flat rate to the more expensive parcel rate.

· When sending flats; do not use the clasps on the back to seal envelopes. Seal the mail piece by placing the flap over the clasp and seal with packaging tape.

· Cleanse your mailing lists. Central Mail Services (CMS) can help with this. 

· When possible, use “Certified” instead of “Registered” mail at less cost. This method provides a receipt and notice of delivery to the sender.

· Do not over-insure. The post office and UPS will pay only the actual value of an item, not the declared value.

· Use postcards for short messages or announcements. The cost is 1/3 less than sending a letter.

· Sending several documents to the same address but different recipients? Save postage by combining them into a larger envelope for distribution at the location.

· Use Business Reply envelopes provided by vendors instead of department envelopes.

· FAX the information when time is critical instead of using Express mail.

· If you do need to send a document by Express mail, use FedEx. Place your items in FedEx packaging with a "To" & "From" label that includes your meter number. Send to CMS in the metered mail slot at your building mailbox. FedEx service is quicker, you can track it from beginning to end, and the State of Kansas contract makes this option very economical for all departments.

· Request Bound Printed Matter, Library and Media Mail rate whenever possible but make sure you follow USPS regulations for these three classes at: http://www.usps.com/all/shippingandmailing/groundpackages.htm#boundprinted . These mail classes (except First Class) are not sealed against postal inspection. Regulations are very strict about what you can send.  Savings can be as much as 50% of the cost of 1st class mail.

· Use the brown manila intra-campus envelopes for on-campus mail. Use regular white business envelopes for off-campus mailings only.

· Use KSU address labels for all large mail items, such as flats and parcels. Make sure you list the contents of the package on the label. This enables CMS to give you the best rate.

· Use Non-profit/Bulk Rate whenever possible, savings can be as much as 20 cents per mail piece.

International Descriptions

Previous Service	New Simplified Service	Features
Global Express Mail®	Express Mail International™	- Delivery in 3-5 days - Insurance included - Online tracking to major destinations - Flat rate envelopes available
Airmail Parcel Post® Global Priority Mail®	Priority Mail International™	- Delivery in 6-10 days - Insurance available - Online tracking to major destinations - Flat rate envelopes and boxes available
Economy Parcel Post Airmail Letter Post® Economy Letter Post®	First Class Mail International™	- Delivery time varies - Registered Mail™ service available

Express Mail International (EMI)
Express Mail International replaces Global Express Mail service. Express Mail International is an expedited mail service that can be used to send documents and merchandise to over 190 countries worldwide. Express Mail International service does include a date-certain, money back guarantee to select destinations (see IMM 220 for availability of this service). To all other destinations, Express Mail International shipments are not guaranteed and are not eligible for a postage refund should a delivery delay occur.

Express Mail International Highlights
Express Mail International is a reliable, high-speed mail service available to over 190 countries. It offers:
· 3 to 5 average business day delivery to major destinations
· Tracking
· $100 insurance included
· Additional insurance available at the mailer’s option
· Lowest price among competitors
· Rates start at $22.00
· Money-back service guarantee to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea

Express Mail Flat-Rate Service

· Express Mail flat-rate envelope can be used for international shipping
· One rate to Canada and Mexico - $22
· One rate to all other countries - $25

IMM (International Mail Manual) country listings show required Customs forms

Did you know? Coins, jewelry, watches and other valuables are prohibited in EMI shipments. Always check country-specific prohibitions, restrictions and observations in the IMM country pages.

Customer Opportunities
· $100 of insurance provided at no extra charge
· Express Mail International with money-back guarantee is available to Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia

Fact Sheet
First-Class Mail International
First-Class Mail International service replaces Airmail Letter Post, economy letters, and aerogrammes. First-Class Mail International is a service that provides customers with a reliable and economical means of sending correspondence, documents, and lightweight merchandise weighing up to 4 pounds to foreign destinations that are listed in IMM 231.4.

First Class Mail International Highlights
· Service available worldwide for items weighing up to 4 pounds
· Registered Service available without insurance coverage
· Delivery time varies by destination

Air Mail M-Bags
· Direct sacks of Printed Matter to a single addressee
· Air service only, available worldwide
· Registered Service or Insured Service is not available
· Delivery time varies by destination
· No tracking

Customer Opportunities
· First-Class Mail International provides an economical option for customers shipping lightweight items to foreign destinations.
· Registered Mail service is available for purchase with First-Class Mail International items for additional security.

Priority Mail International (PMI)
Priority Mail International combines Global Priority Mail and Airmail Parcel Post services and is a reliable, cost-effective way to send documents and merchandise to over 190 countries. All domestic Priority Mail packaging can be used for Priority Mail International shipments including flat-rate envelopes and flat-rate boxes.

Priority Mail International Highlights
Priority Mail International is a reliable cost-effective way to send documents and merchandise to over 190 countries that offers:
· 6 to 10 average business day delivery to major destinations
· Tracking to major destinations
· Limited indemnity coverage provided at no extra charge
· Insurance available at the mailer’s option
· Domestic Priority Mail flat-rate envelope can be used for international shipping:
· One rate to Canada and Mexico - $9.00
· One rate to all other countries - $11.00
· 4 pound maximum weight
o Registered Mail service without insurance is available for a fee, check IMM for country-specific availability
· Domestic Priority Mail flat-rate boxes can be used for international shipping:
o One rate to Canada and Mexico - $23.00
o One rate to all other countries - $37.00
o 20 pound maximum weight
o Requires Customs form, PS Form 2976-A

CUSTOMS FORMS REQUIRED

Priority Mail® International Flat Rate Envelope and First Class Mail® International shipments

PS Form 2976 is required on all Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes

	If the value of the contents is less than $400.00, affix Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece. If the value of the contents is $400.00 or more, affix the upper portion of the green customs label Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece and place a completed Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note - PS Form 2976-A inside the package.
	First-Class Mail International items weighing 16 ounces or more, and all potentially dutiable items regardless of their weight, require the applicable customs forms.

A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:

Non-dutiable First Class Mail International items that weigh less than 16 ounces.

Non-dutiable First Class Mail International items that weigh 16 ounces or more when they are tendered by a known mailer (tenders volume mailings through a Business Mail Entry Unit or other bulk mail acceptance location; completes a statement of mailing at the time of entry; pays postage through an advance deposit account; and utilizes a permit imprint as an indication of postage payment. International Surface Air Lift and International Priority Airmail customers and federal, state, and local government entities are considered to be "known mailers" for this purpose).

Express Mail International® Shipments

The customs form requirement for EMI shipments varies by country. Use PS Form 2976 Customs Form or PS Form 2976-A Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note as specified by the country.

A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:

Express Mail International (EMI) shipments (to certain destination countries) that weigh less than 16 ounces and that contain documents, business papers, or commercial papers.

Priority Mail International

Regardless of value or contents, every Priority Mail International package must bear a completed PS Form 2976-A Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note that is inserted into Envelope for PS Form 2976-E.

Contract Post Office Corner

FYI: BEYOND OUR CONTROL! DEBIT/CREDIT CARD MACHINE

TO BE REMOVED FROM CONTRACT POST OFFICE

United States Postal Service contract stations, such as the one located in Dykstra Hall, are not generally provided with the technology to support credit/debit card transactions. In August 2006, the USPS offered KSU the opportunity to participate in a credit/debit card pilot program, along with 17 other Colleges and Universities, to see if this option raised revenue enough to justify the equipment costs. Overall, a one percent increase in revenue was realized, not nearly enough to cover costs. The USPS notified KSU Central Mail Services that the program will be discontinued and the credit/debit card option will be removed. As we go to print with this newsletter, we have not been informed of date that this service will not be available. We will alert the campus community as soon as we are notified.

Forever Stamp

The Liberty Bell image and the word "forever," are featured on the stamp that will be good for mailing one-ounce First-Class letters anytime in the future — regardless of price changes.

In addition to the Forever stamp the USPS will continue with “The Magic of Stamps” theme for this year. The following is a link to the stamp program that will be available for the 2007 stamp program:

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/#background

If you have questions please contact the KSU Contract Post Office at 2-6306