USPS Temporary Price Increase Approved

As covered in our news story on the 17th August, the United States Postal Service (USPS) filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for a temporary price increase. Unfortunately, on 4th September 2020, the PRC approved this temporary change, taking effect on 18th October 2020 until 27th December 2020. 

The planned temporary price adjustments are in response to increased expenses and heightened demand for online shopping package volume due to the coronavirus pandemic and expected holiday eCommerce. As a result of these changing conditions, the Postal Service is planning a timed limited price increase on all commercial domestic competitive package volume from 18th October until 27th December 2020. Retail prices and international products will be unaffected. 

The planned price increase would go into effect at 12:00 am Central on 18th October 2020 and will remain in place until 12:00 am Central 27th December 2020. 

The planned prices, approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on 6th August, would raise prices on its commercial domestic competitive parcels – Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return Service. 

The time-limited adjustment will increase prices for our commercial customers in line with competitive practices without impacting customers at the retail level. In doing this, the Postal Service is protecting the retail consumer during the vulnerable economic period while increasing prices on commercial volume during heightened volume levels. 

No structural changes are planned as part of this limited-time pricing initiative, allowing customers the greatest ease in implementing the new prices with minimal complexity. 

The Governors believe these temporary rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with much needed revenue. The forecasted additional revenue from the time-limited increase will depend on the volume of packages shipped between 18th October and 27th December 2020 at commercial rates. 

If you have any questions regarding the temporary increase, please don’t hesitate to give your Account Manager a call. 

 

International Postage Service Update

As many of you will have experienced over the last few months, delivery times for postage of mail and parcels has been dramatically affected around the world during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite these challenging times, we are pleased to report that we have kept your goods moving during this period, albeit with some delays due to lack of passenger flights and country lockdowns.

The last month has seen a lot of countries reducing lockdown restrictions and some passenger flights reinstated, however, the landscape and the guidelines are constantly changing, along with travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) changing from week to week. As an example, the US is not letting British National’s cross their borders if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil or China within the previous 14 days. These individual restrictions to the US – and similar restrictions in other countries means – reduced passenger flights, which in turn means limited capacity and less mail being transported worldwide, leading to inevitable delays. 

We are constantly working with our tried and tested postal suppliers from around the world to maintain delivery services and to ensure goods are delivered, however, delays should be expected. 

In spite of the constant changes and challenges, we are pleased to advise that we can and are getting our consignments delivered but unfortunately, some delays are still unavoidable at this present time and we don’t believe delivery timeframes are going to improve for a while and until there is an increase in passenger flights. We aim to continue to keep you informed of any changes, so you can consider these challenges when planning your campaigns and advising your customers of delivery aims. Please find our current delivery aims below, please bear in mind these additional delays to help avoid disappointment. 

To keep in touch with the latest country restrictions and delivery delays, please visit our Service Alerts page: https://www.ukpworldwide.com/news/service-alerts/

Many thanks for your patience during these challenging times and please stay safe. 

Many thanks,

UKPW Team

USPS Announces Temporary Price Increase

The United States Postal Service (USPS) filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of a temporary price change taking effect on 18th October 2020. 

The planned temporary price adjustments are in response to increased expenses and heightened demand for online shopping package volume due to the coronavirus pandemic and expected holiday eCommerce. As a result of these changing conditions, the Postal Service is planning on a time-limited price increase on all commercial domestic competitive package volume from 18th October until 27th December 2020. Retail prices and international products will be unaffected. 

The planned price increase would go into effect at 12:00 am Central on 18th October 2020 and will remain in place until 12:00 am Central 27th December 2020. 

The planned prices, approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on 6th August, would raise prices on its commercial domestic competitive parcels – Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return Service. 

The time-limited adjustment will increase prices for our commercial customers in line with competitive practices without impacting customers at the retail level. In doing this, the Postal Service is protecting the retail consumer during the vulnerable economic period while increasing prices on commercial volume during heightened volume levels. 

No structural changes are planned as part of this limited-time pricing initiative, allowing customers the greatest ease in implementing the new prices with minimal complexity. 

The Governors believe these temporary rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with much needed revenue. The forecasted additional revenue from the time-limited increase will depend on the volume of packages shipped between 18th October and 27th December 2020 at commercial rates. 

If you have any questions regarding the temporary increase, please don’t hesitate to give your Account Manager a call. 

US Postage Price Hikes!

Are you affected by the price hikes on post to the US from July 1st?

Prices are literally doubling from some suppliers – with Royal Mail announcing a £4.46/kg increase for all formats as well as further increases to their price per piece for eCommerce items.

Why the sudden change? 

The United States has changed the way they work with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and how deliveries made by the United States Postal Service (USPS) are calculated. The US took this decision to discourage overseas imports and to encourage US citizens to buy direct from US sellers, which in turn has resulted in international postage price rises from the 1st July.

How can UKPW help?

Put simply, we have a strong and reputable relationship with USPS, with whom we have been working in partnership with for over ten years. And we have our own office in the US in New Jersey. The result – direct injection of your post and parcels into the US on a direct USPS service.

So talk to us NOW for an up to date quote or for a more detailed analysis of why the prices are changing.

Email: info@ukpworldwide.com
Call: +44 (0) 1844 398880

Collaboration breaks new ground with seamless customs clearance

UKP Worldwide and Whistl are collaborating to offer their customers a seamless customs clearance service for mail and parcel customers who operate internationally.

The collaboration enables both their customer’s goods to pass through UK customs approved processes without unnecessary delay and means they’re the only ones offering an inhouse customs clearance service ensuring efficiency, reliability and regulatory compliance without having to engage in third parties to do so.

The relationship covers international mail, packets and parcels through both tracked and untracked service options and fully managed returns from certain countries.

We also have a unique agreement with the United States Postal Service (USPS) allowing customers direct access to USPS services through our facility in New Jersey USA.

Lee Bucktrout, CEO UKP Worldwide, said:

“Whether you import, export or tranship parcels it’s imperative to select a partner who understands local and international regulations. By choosing UKP Worldwide (an Authorised Economic Operator – AEO) you will benefit from compliant customs procedures as well as a secure supply chain solution.”

“This collaboration allows UKP Worldwide to provide clearance solutions and seamless transfer to the Whistl carrier network with a single point of contact for customs clearance, final mile delivery and managed returns.”

Nick Wells, CEO Whistl, said:

“As the UK’s trading relationships with the wider world are changing it is important for customers to be working with experts in the international import and export mail and parcel sector who can navigate this complex compliance journey.”

“For example, recent research from Whistl found that 26% of respondents said the cost and complexity of customs/import charges stopped people making international online purchases. So, by working with UKPW, Whistl continues to simplify the delivery management process by taking away unnecessary hurdles that can impede sales and ensure efficient and reliable delivery both in the UK and internationally.”