USPS Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, Periodicals and Standard Mail

The Postal Service seeks public comment on a proposal to revise the service standard regulations contained in 39 CFR Part 121. Among other things, the proposal involves eliminating the expectation of overnight service for First-Class Mail and Periodicals, and, for each of these classes, narrowing the two-day delivery range and enlarging the three-day delivery range. One major effect of the proposal would be to facilitate a significant consolidation of the Postal Service’s processing and transportation networks.

FAQ: First Class Mail Standards

In recent years, the Postal Service has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce costs and
otherwise address its present financial challenges. As part of those efforts, the Postal Service is
exploring whether it would be advisable to reduce costs by modifying certain service standards
in a way that enables a substantial consolidation of the Postal Service’s mail processing and
transportation networks, thereby allowing the Postal Service to continue to meet the needs of mail
senders and recipients.

What is a service standard?
The Postal Service is proposing to modify existing service standards for First-Class Mail and
Periodicals. The principal impact of the proposal, if adopted, would be to eliminate the expectation
of overnight service.

What are the service standards now?
Priority Mail: 1−3 days
First-Class Mail: 1−3 days
Periodicals: 1−9 days
Package Services: 2−8 days
Standard Mail: 3−10 days

What could the service standards be changed to?
Priority Mail: 1−3 days
First-Class Mail: 2−3 days
Periodicals: 2−9 days
Package Services: 2−8 days
Standard Mail: 3−10 days

Would Express Mail service change?
Express Mail will continue to provide overnight service between many locations.

Would Priority Mail service change?
Priority Mail will continue as is.

What does this change mean to the average customer?
Customers will likely no longer receive mail the day after it is mailed. In all likelihood, this change will
go relatively unnoticed by the average customer.

What is an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking?
This is a notice published in the Federal Register that solicits public feedback at a more conceptual
level, before the Postal Service seeks specific changes to its regulations pertaining to mailing
services classes.

Why is the Postal Service opting to file an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking?
It is a more formal effort to solicit input from the public at an early stage of the process so that
customer considerations can be factored into proposals for changes in service standards.

What is the role of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in this matter?
The PRC’s role is to issue a nonbinding advisory opinion. The Postal Service is obliged to request
that opinion within a reasonable amount of time before implementing any nationwide service
changes.

When will the Postal Service file the official proposal with the PRC?
At this time, we anticipate presenting a request for a nationwide service change to the Postal
Regulatory Commission by late October of this year.

USPS Request to Changes First Class Mail Standards

12 thoughts on “USPS Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, Periodicals and Standard Mail

  1. this article states the postal regulatory commission’s function is to issue a ‘nonbinding advisory opinion’. NAPS has a letter of opposition to donahoe’s
    “scheme” posted on their website and they claim that the postal regulatory
    commission must approve donahoe’s plan for a relaxation of current service
    standards. there is a huge difference here. someone is right and someone
    is wrong. does the postal regulatory commission just release a nonbinding advisory opinion or must the PRC approve the relaxation in service standards?
    does anyone know the answer to this????

  2. OK. I think it is high time we allow private carriers to deliver letter mail! The postal service should never have been allowed to privatize. The should have remained a governmental entity as a postal system is critical to the functioning of the country.

    What benefit have we seen since the postal ‘service’ privatized?

  3. does the postal service really believe that they can consolidate several P&DC’s mail into another facility and expect to only delay the mail by one day.

  4. Steve,

    I’m just wondering where you got your idea that carrying mail is the only essential job in the PO. How do you think the carriers receive the mail to be delivered? What the Postal Elves just magically make it appear. There is a Village calling because it’s Idiot is missing. You really haven’t got a clue. The machinery which sorts the mail cleans and fixes itself too or is that done by the same magical Postal Elves? What a moron.

  5. Are they going to do something about the strings and rubbers band around bulk mail, and start charring more money for mail that is not warped right..
    We need to get into the 21 century, not stay in the 19th.

  6. FROM WHAT I SEE AT OUR PLANT I THOUGHT THE STANDARDS HAD ALREADY CHANGED. I GUESS IT IS TIME TO START WORSHIPING STANDARD MAIL!! ONE MORE TIME- WHY ARE WE GIVING DISCOUNTS TO PUT MAIL IN WALK SEQUENCE WHEN WE TAKE IT OUT AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN??

  7. Most magazines arrive at letter carrier cases with a issue date (printed on the magazine front cover) a week or so later than the actual expected delivery date (the same day the carrier receives it).

  8. Give those eligible to retire and those that are close to retirement an incentive that will encourage them to retire. Once these employes are gone determine who are essential in running the post office. Here is a standard to judge an employee importance in the post office. If a person is not actually involved in the physical movement of the mail, then that person and that job held by the person should be seriously considered for removal from the post office. Any person chosen to be removed from the post office will be given the opportunity to be a mail carrier, if at that time that person decides for any reason that carring mail for a living isn’t what they would like to do then they are definitely not an assett to the post office and should be terminated. This will definitely remove enough people from the roles. Once this has been done make enough routes to continue to give excellent service to postal patrons.

  9. gee…this makes perfect sense to me if I have a top exec job at UPS or Fedex lined up…right Mr Donahue?

    Fix the simple accounting flaws and the USPS will remain solvent and actually show a profit for the foreseeable future….or destroy the service?

    Why don’t both Donahue and Issa wear UPS and Fedex logos on their suits…or lapel pins at the very least : /

  10. How can you ruin something that’s already been ruined?

    I guess you could say it’s kind of like having your house hit by a tornado, but half the structure is still standing. Then, before you can repair the remaining structure another tornado comes and levels the rest of your home. So yeah, I guess you are right. It will ruin the postal “service”.

    Can we please officially change the name to the United States Postal System?!!

Comments are closed.