USPS proposes "Forever" pre-paid Priority Mail envelopes and boxes

The US Postal Service is to offer “Forever” postage to be used with its Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging from April 17. It said last week the move would allow it to offer bundles of pre-paid Priority Mail flat-rate packaging, including various types of envelope and box.

This packaging would incorporate labels detailing the Forever postage.

Customers will be able to buy regular, legal or padded envelopes, along with small, large and two styles of medium box with the pre-paid Forever postage.

Forever postage means postage can be paid even a long time in advance, and items sent through the post even after postal rates increase following purchase.

Booklets of Forever Stamps have been available in the US since 2007, but could be used only for one-ounce letters.

The new Forever Prepaid Flat Rate Packaging will be available to purchase in packs of three, five, 10 and 25 items, both through USPS retail partners and its website. The online offering is to be launched as soon as possible, although the USPS tells Post&Parcel that the retail portion of the planned offering is “still in development”.

The pre-paid option extends the USPS retail Priority Mail flat rate service, marketed under the slogan “If it fits, it ships”.

The USPS has been extending the range of its flat-rate offerings as part of its overall effort to simplify postage pricing to encourage use of the mail.

– Article amended (March 23) to clarify that the availability of the new pre-paid Priority Mail packets are set to be through USPS retail partners and online, rather than through Post Office retail counters and the website.