Frequently Asked Postal Questions

When will the new Postage prices take effect and where can I find a complete list of all new prices and fees?

• The new prices take effect Monday, May 11, 2009 – The complete list of prices and fees is contained in the new Price List at usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm

What prices are changing?

• First-Class Mail
• First-Class Mail International
• Periodicals
• Standard Mail
• Package Services Mail
•       -Bound Printed Matter
•       -Library Mail
•       -Media Mail
•       -Parcel Post
• Extra Services and fees
• Parcel Select
•      -BMC and OBMC Presort
•      -Barcoded Nonpresort
• International Priority Airmail (IPA)
• International Surface Air Lift (ISAL)

When were the New Prices announced?

• Price was announced on February 10, 2009.

Delivering the Future

Embracing new technologies.  Finding better ways to service customers. It’s essential.

So is learning about the Value of the USPS shipping services, finding out about the benefits of Intelligent Mail services and exploring global marketplace opportunities for small busineeses.  These are just a few of the topices you can explore at the National Postal Forum.  Consider it essential to attend and get information critical to your organization’s growth.  Discover what’s coming.  Connect with tommorrow’s solutions todays.  Essentially, the future depends on it.

http://www.npf.org/index.html

USPS® Sets 30% Move Update Error Threshold

With a May 11 deadline looming to improve their bulk mailing lists or face fines, mailers now can receive reports on how well their mail is performing through the US Postal Service^®.

Beginning May 11, 2009, a mailing with a 30% or more error rate for Move Update requirements will no longer qualify for automation discounts.

“The Postal Service^® has had three months in which to glean data to be used to establish a fair and realistic tolerance threshold for non-compliance with the new requirements,” the USPS said in a statement sent to DMNews when clarifying the 30% rate.

For a Standard Mail^® mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged an additional 7 cents. For a First-Class Mail^® mailing, this means that every piece in the mailing will be charged at the single-piece rate of 44 cents.

The new requirements, which became effective November 23, require businesses to update their bulk-mailing lists every 95 days. Previously, only First-Class Mail was subject to Move Update standards, and those lists had to be updated every 185 days.

USPS said it is also providing customers with feedback on their mailings via the reports.

—Source: DMNews Feb 23, 2009 (www.dmnews.com). Bryan Yurcan covers lists for DMNews. Reach him at ryan.Yurcan@dmnews.com.

U.S. House or Representatives Approves $20 Billion for Green Schools

CHPS Named as Building Standard for Qualifying Projects

THe US House of Representatives approved a bill that would put over $20 billion towards improving school facilities across the US.  The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act would provide a phased-in funding over the next five years.  CHPS was named as one of the three recognized building standards for the funding.  By 2013, 90% of the funding will have to be used for green schools.

Intelligent Mail Barcode Certificate

Intelligent Mail Barcode begins implementation this May.  To aid your transition, MailCom is offering the Intelligent Mail Barcode Certificate Program.  Eleven seminars will be offered April 6-8 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

In addition Robert Galaher, the U.S. Postal Service Manager of Business Mail Acceptance will present a special address on Monday, April 6 at 11:15  am.  This presentation is designed to bring you up to speed on IMB, Move Update and mail acceptance issues.

For further information and to register go to: www.mailcom.org

Monday January 19th, US Post Offices will be closed

On Monday, January 19th, the US Post Offices will be closed to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday, a national holiday.  There will be limited or no retail service available that day.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is a United States holiday marking the date of birth (15 January 1929) of the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.  and is observed on the third Monday in January in each year.

This year Martin Luther King Jr Day will be celebrated on the day before the historic presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.

Charnstrom is pleased to announce their participation in the First 2009 Industry Tradeshow!

 

MailCom ’09 the 29^th Annual Conference &

  

 Exhibition

April 5-8, 2009

Atlantic City Convention Center

 

If your job responsibilities include keeping up to date on what is new in the mailing industry, or if you are planning to purchase electronic equipment or mail center furniture for your mailing operation then MailCom is the show to attend.  At MailCom you will have an opportunity obtain all the up to date information regarding mailing trends and products – along with the chance to meet the vendors that provide the industry products and support.

 

This Conference and Exhibition features 3 full days packed with seminars on; Motivating your work force in a down economy, Mail center design, Latest trends in Technology and USPS regulations.  There will be 100’s of exhibitor’s on hand to answer your questions and explain product ideas to help keep your mailing operation moving smoothly into the future.

 

For further Tradeshow information and for your free exhibit hall pass contact Kathy Lundy at 800-328-2962 or Kathy@charnstrom.com.

 

Find out more about MailCom at www.mailcom.org

 

 

 

New Move UPDATE Requirements go into effect November 23rd, 2008.  The United States Post Office will implement new Move Update requirements that will extend new standards to include Standard Mail, and increase the frequency of Move Update processing from 185 days to 95 days. 

For more Move Update information go to:  http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/Move_Update/MUP_overview.html

Security Door Sorters

Charnstrom security door sorters have strong light weight aluminum slat doors with double lock mechanism at each corner. Doors have a internal retracting spring for easier lifting.

Charnstrom stocks 60″ wide models but these security doors can be custom made in any length.

When sensitive mail, checks, legal documents need to be secured these locking security mail sorter are for you.

The model D132Y (shown) has 40 adjustable sorting pockets. Each pocket is 11-1/2″ W x 12-1/4″ D. Many other models are available at Charnstrom-key word “security” or look under the mail sorter tab.

Small 10 Door Security Cabinets

Security cabinets for cell phones, wallets, guns and cameras. Charnstrom cell phone cabinet model 6134 has 10 locking  steel security doors. Each secure compartment is 5 1/2″ W x 2 1/2″ H x  4 1/2″D. Visitors and guests to military facilities, intensive care hospital units and casino security areas can lock their prohibited items into a steel secure compartment and retrieve them when exiting the secure location.