2025 USPS Postal Rate Changes: What Catalog, Publication, and Direct Mail Buyers Need to Know

The U.S. Postal Service will implement new postage rates effective July 13, 2025. These changes will impact commercial mailers, catalog publishers, periodical publishers, and direct mail marketers. Understanding the specifics of these updates can help you plan budgets, optimize mailing strategies, and take advantage of available discounts.

Key Rate Changes by Mail Class

Source: Printing Impressions, USPS

Highlights for Our Customers

Commercial Mailers & Direct Mail Buyers

• Expect an average 7.4% increase across most mail classes, with some presort Marketing Mail tiers seeing increases up to 11.6%.

• First-Class Mail (1 oz.) now $0.78; metered letters $0.74.

• Postcards rise to $0.62; flats (1 oz.) increase to $1.65.

• Marketing Mail Automation Letters (5-Digit, DSCF Entry): $0.355; Flats: $0.732.

• Nonprofit rates remain discounted but will also increase.

Catalog & Publication Buyers

• Periodicals see a higher average increase (9.4%), making it crucial to review mailing lists and optimize for automation and presort discounts.

• Marketing Mail Flats face increases of 13–18%, with SCF (Sectional Center Facility) discounts dropping from $7/M to $3.80/M.

• New container discounts may help offset some costs depending on your presort level and mail preparation.

Structural and Policy Changes

• Presort Pricing Uncertainty: Presort-level pricing details are pending and will depend on your specific mailing files and configurations.

• Discount Reductions: SCF discounts are being reduced for both letters and flats, impacting cost savings for regional mailings.

• Elimination of NDC Pricing: USPS is proposing to eliminate Network Distribution Center (NDC) pricing, which may increase origin entry costs for some mailers.

• Bound Printed Matter (BPM): Two sets of pricing published as USPS considers eliminating BPM pricing altogether; final decisions are pending.

Strategic Recommendations

• Review and Update Budgets: Factor in the new rates and potential loss of discounts, especially for high-volume and regional campaigns.

• Optimize Mail Preparation: Take advantage of new container discounts and ensure lists are as clean and automated as possible to minimize costs.

• Monitor for Final Presort Rates: Stay tuned for USPS updates on presort pricing, which could significantly affect your mailing costs.

• Leverage Promotions: USPS typically offers promotional discounts; watch for announcements to help offset some of the increases.

Action Steps

• Connect with your Modern Litho account representative to review how these changes will affect your specific mailings.

• Schedule a mailing strategy session to explore cost-saving options and maximize postal discounts.

• Sign up for updates from Modern Litho to stay informed as USPS releases final details on presort pricing and promotional opportunities.

The July 2025 USPS postal rate changes present both challenges and opportunities. By staying informed and proactive, commercial, catalog, publication, and direct mail buyers can minimize budget impacts and maintain effective mail campaigns.

For more details or a personalized mailing analysis, contact Modern Litho’s postal experts today.