Postage Rate Hike Approved, Effective May 14.

Thursday, March 22, 2007 -- The USPS Board of Governors has approved the Postal Regulatory Commission's February 26, 2007, recommendations to increase First Class letter and postcard rates by 2 cents each to 41 cents and 26 cents respectively. Standard mail rates will rise an average of 9.5 percent, while Nonprofit Standard mail will cost an average of 6.7 percent more.
 
The increases will take effect Monday, May 14, 2007.

The Board of Governors also approved the PRC's recommended shape-based pricing, but has asked the Commission to reconsider its recommendations for Standard mail flats, the Non-Machinable Surcharge for First Class letters and the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

For additional details ? and a downloadable rate chart ? see the USPS website announcement at http://www.usps.com/ratecase/.