Tag: North America

The U.S. Postal Service has proposed rules to encourage mail preparation compatible with the agency’s improved processing capabilities, including the depositing of flats and parcels closer to where they are delivered.

The proposal, published Sept. 27 in the Federal Register, would accompany the price changes expected to take effect next spring under the current rate case.

“The proposed mailing standards … offer our customers more choices in terms of shape, sorting, packaging and using containers to encourage the production of efficient, effective mail,” USPS spokesman David Partenheimer said.

The USPS filed May 3 with the Postal Rate Commission for an average 8.5 percent rate increase. The PRC is expected to make a recommendation to the postal service’s Board of Governors on the case in March. Postmaster General John E. Potter told USPS business customers Sept. 20 that the agency must prepare for a possible May 6 rate change date.

The proposed prices recognize that each shape of mail piece — letter, flat and parcel — has substantially different processing costs that need to be covered, the USPS said in the Sept. 27 filing.

As the postal sector changes around the world, America is lagging behind. That is a shame, because Americans have much to gain from a deregulated, competitive postal industry – including lower prices and better service.

In the European Union, reform of the postal sector is part of the Lisbon agenda, an effort to boost economic growth and competitiveness. Last week, the European Commission gave an important indication of how seriously it takes its target of full deregulation by 2009, although its recommendations met strong opposition from several EU members. A few countries in Europe moved early on postal reform, notably Sweden and Finland, opening mail delivery to competition more than a decade ago. Now other nations are working to meet the 2009 deadline.