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POSTAGE resource HUB

Explore our comprehensive collection of postage-related information, tips, and guides to make mailing easier and more efficient. Whether you're sending packages locally or internationally, we've got you covered with valuable resources to streamline your postage process.

INTELLIGENT MAIL INDICIA (IMI) Compliance

The Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) is a mailing program that was created in 2000 by USPS as a digital postage management system that would help businesses better manage their mail. But overtime this system has become outdated and poses security risks to businesses. As such USPS is aiming to replace all IBIP-based indicia with Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI).

IMI has been slowly co-implemented since 2013 in businesses already using IBIP, but recently USPS has changed their standards and now require that all new mailing systems meet the IMI standards as they go to market.

According to the Federal Register, IMI-PC enables the USPS to provide more detailed corporate reporting, more accurately price shipping/mailing products, attain operational efficiency by automating many functions (including postage refunds), improve the USPS Federal regulatory compliance, and better secure Postal Service and customer data.

Learn More About IMI

CBS Postage Rate Change Resource Corner

During the year, the USPS files its mailing and shipping rate changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). These changes can affect everything from the price of a stamp, metered mail rates, package and specialty mail services. Our resource corner outlines all of the changes so you can stay informed.

COMPLETE LIST OF NEW RATES

Attention Mailers: USPS announced a major rate change event — effective January 21, 2024

The United States Postal Service® will increase postage rates on Sunday, January 21, 2024. The upcoming rate event will increase mailing and shipping rates.

The price to send a one ounce First Class Mail® letter with a postage meter will increase 1¢ to 64¢. Using your postage meter instead of stamps will save you 4¢ per piece, as a First-Class Forever stamp is increasing to 68¢. Other important components of this upcoming event include: First-Class Mail® is getting an overall increase of 2%. Postcards will now cost 53¢. vs. the previous rate of 51¢. First-Class Mail Single-Piece Flats (1 oz.) will remain at $1.35 with each additional ounce remaining at 24¢.

What does this mean for your CBS machine?

Central Business Systems, Inc. is the premier Quadient dealer of the Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana.

All rate and software updates are optimized for high-speed Internet connections to expedite downloads. If you are still connecting via a modem, you may experience longer-than-usual download transactions or require multiple attempts to upgrade successfully. We encourage you to upgrade to a network connection immediately to fully utilize the enhanced communications of your equipment, and CBS is offering free network assessments to interested businesses. Please contact our Managed IT Team of Consultants today at managedit@cbsedge.com to find out if you are getting the most out of your network connectivity.

It is important to note that all Quadient postal meter bases should always remain connected to the Internet to ensure proper function and automatic updating. Quadient will have the new postal rates (rate file) ready a week or so before the change. If your machine is always connected, your postal meter will download the new rate file automatically once it is released from Quadient, it will then activate the new rate file on the day the rate change takes effect. If you are NOT always connected or still connecting via a modem, you must perform a generic call. You may also experience longer-then-usual download transactions or require multiple attempts to upgrade successfully.

What You Can Do to Mail Smarter

Just because the rate has increased doesn’t mean you can’t streamline your mailing operations to save money! Here are some valuable mailing tips to keep your costs low even when postage increases.

CONTACT OUR MAILING EXPERTS

01 Compare Rates

Compare rates from all carries. Rate shopping is completely normal! Just because you used one carrier for a certain shipment doesn’t mean that carrier will always be the best option for your shipping needs. Feel free to treat postage rates like any other purchase! Compare the rates from different carriers, then select the carrier that fits in your budget while also providing high quality customer service.

02 Go Electronic

You can use a cloud mailing software to automate or outsource your mailing needs. As a premier Quadient dealer, CBS uses Quadient Impress, giving you the power to send mail in just a few clicks without leaving your desk. Send one, hundreds, or thousands of letters in minutes. All of your data is hosted in a state-of-the-art, secure data center. Quadient Impress utilizes redundant infrastructure to guarantee continued power supply and network connectivity Finally, Impress contains a secure SSL data transfer, which is the same technology used for online payments.

03 Shape-Based Pricing

When a piece of First-Class Mail exceeds the maximum length, height, or thickness of one shape, it is classified and priced as the larger shape. In order to make sure your mailing pieces are being charged what you perceive to be the accurate price, you need to make sure your mail pieces fit within the required dimensions. Click here to get your free Shape-Based Pricing template. Here are some dimensions to keep in mind:

04 Dimensional Weight

To help reduce processing costs, the USPS uses size, thickness, and weight to determine the postage value of parcels. With this in mind, use USPS compliant shipping software to minimize mistakes and get commercial based discounts even on flat rate boxes. You can also use the smallest box possible in order to cut out costs. If your mail piece will fit, use flat-rate boxes. Flat-rate boxes are charged one flat rate and are not subject to DIM pricing.