PRC grants USPS conditional approval to reclassify parcel products

Back in August 2010, the Postal Service filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to transfer its commercial Standard Mail Fulfillment Parcels product from the market dominant product list to the competitive product list in the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) on file with the Commission. On March 2, PRC came back to the USPS with a favorable reply, when it filed an order to conditionally grant the request to transfer Commercial Standard Mail Parcels to the competitive product list.

PRC noted the following conditions:

• USPS must file a notice of competitive price adjustment for Parcel Select rates, including Lightweight Parcel Select parcels, that demonstrates that the rates cover costs; and
• PRC must issue an order finding that the Parcel Select rates in the USPS’ filing mentioned above cover costs.

According to Logistics Management, “assuming the PRC’s conditions are met, effective April 17, qualifying customers will receive Commercial Base Pricing for parcels weighing 13 ounces or less and can receive Commercial Plus Pricing for parcels weighing less than one pound. Commercial Base and Commercial Plus offerings are specifically geared towards shippers. These changes could be a boon for the USPS”…