Today the Federal Register published our final rule [ PDF ] | [ HTML ] changing the address standards for commercial flat-size mail, which we posted previously on Postal E xplorer. The new standards are effective March 29, 2009 , and require mailers to place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services flats mailed at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. A dditional standards relate to address characteristics and apply to all commercial flat-size pieces. 

We encourage mailers to review the new standards as you prepare for the change . We will publish additional materials shortly, including a new Quick Service Guide.  We will use the Advisory to keep you informed.

The following is a letter from Postmaster General John E . Potter to postal customers:

Thank you for your feedback on January's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register concerning the implementation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB).

Your comments were thoughtful and thorough.  I am encouraged by the number of responses received and the support of the IMB vision of true transparency, visibility, and real-time data.  It is all about increasing the value of the mail.

You also raised a number of implementation concerns that we need to address.  Implementation of the IMB is so important to our future that I am taking the unusual step of giving you advance notice of some of the changes you can expect in the Proposed Rulemaking we plan to publish in the Federal Register next month.

Here is a preview:

§ Many of you told us that January 2009 was too soon.  We will propose a May 2009 implementation, concurrent with our next annual price change.

§ We understand from you that many factors will drive the choice between the basic and full-service options.  The May 2009 implementation will include separate prices for the full-service and basic option.

§ The Postnet Barcode will remain eligible for an automation price until May 2010.  Those prices will be announced with the May 2009 change.

§ The proposal will include new options for mail owner identification.

§ We are removing the requirement for green color bars on the container label.

Again, thanks for your responses.  I encourage you to continue your implementation efforts and to comment on our next notice.  Let's work together to make the IMB vision a reality.

New Prices Coming May 12

On May 12 we will adjust prices for mailing services — First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

A First-Class Mail stamp will be 42¢. Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps they purchased for 41¢, even after the price change. We will have 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change. Forever Stamps are widely available through Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, vending, and online . We also will have a 62¢ stamp available shortly after May 12 for 1-ounce nonmachinable First-Class Mail letters, such as square greeting cards.

Pricing highlights:

§ No change in the First-Class Mail single-piece additional-ounce price.

§ Lower additional-ounce price for presorted First-Class Mail letters.

§ Lower pound price for Standard Mail saturation and high-density flats.

§ Shape-based pricing for First-Class Mail International letters, flats, and parcels.

§ First- Class Mail International price groups expand from five to nine groups.

Select prices:

See usps.com/prices for all mailing services prices and links to downloadable pricing files, and additional information. We will announce new prices for shipping services — Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, and International Mail — in March.

Consistent with The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act , we will adjust our mailing services prices each May. By law, these prices can increase on average no more than the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. We plan to provide 90 days' notice of the new prices each year, to help mailers prepare for the change.

Intelligent Mail Barcodes

Our Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes [ HTML ] | [ PDF ] appears in today's Federal Register. The notice provides technical specifications for Intelligent Mail barcodes and describes our proposal to require them on automation letters and flats in January 2009.

Mailers will have two options:

§ “Full Service” Intelligent Mail.  Mailers apply unique Intelligent Mail barcodes to mailpieces, trays, sacks, and pallets and submit electronic mailing documentation.

§ “Basic” Intelligent Mail.  Mailers apply Intelligent Mail barcodes to mailpieces only.

We set up a special e-mail address at imb@usps.gov to receive your questions and comments through February 21.  For ease of publication, the graphics were removed from our Federal Register submission, but can be viewed in the version [ PDF ] we posted December 21 on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com.