Support > Rate Change FAQ

January 2009 USPS Rate Change

FAQ

Please select your question from the list below.

Q:  When does the USPS Rate Change take effect?
A:  The USPS has announced a postage increase for priority and express mail effective January 18th, 2009. This means that you must update your Neopost scale or mailing machine on that date to take advantage of the changes.

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Q:  Why are rates changing in January instead of May?
A:  The USPS announced that they will be changing competitive product rates (priority, express mail, etc.) each year in January and market dominant rates (first class and other mail rates) each year in May. This represents the first of two rate changes that will occur every year.

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Q:  I don’t use Priority Mail, do I need the January rates?
A:  The USPS implemented shaped based pricing changes in May 2007 that defaults flats and letters over 13 ounces to priority mail rates. Even if you do not send packages or regular Priority Mail, you risk applying incorrect postage.

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Q:  Will a Rate-Pak™ be automatically sent to me?
A:  If you have a Neopost RCP (Rate Change Protection) contract, a Rate-Pak™ or Smartcard will be shipped to you at no additional charge. Simply follow the instructions included with the shipment to install the device or click here to download the installation guide for your scale.

If you do not have RCP (Rate Change Protection) contract, please click here and choose your scale for further instructions on how to obtain a new Rate-Pak™ or Smartcard.

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Q:  What is a Rate-Pak™ or Smartcard?
A:  The Neopost Rate-Pak™ or Smartcard contains the rates and rate structure for the USPS and other carriers. Your Neopost Scale or Mailing machine accesses the Rate-Pak™ to calculate the USPS rate.

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Q:  What is SBP?
A:  SBP stands for Shape-Based Pricing. Instead of simply increasing the postage rates based on the mail class or weight, the USPS is now calculating postage based upon the size, shape and thickness of the mail, in addition to the weight. This new way of calculating the rate is referred to as Shape-Based Pricing.

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Q: When will Neopost ship my Rate-Pak™?
A: All Rate-Pak™ for scales, computers and mailing machines will be sent approximately one week before the rate is scheduled to change. You can expect your updated rates to be delivered a few days before the new rates become effective. If you have moved and have not notified Neopost, please contact us immediately to update your profile information so we can send your new rates. Customer Support can be reached at toll-free 1-800-934-2257 or the email support link.

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Q:  What domestic rates are being changed?
A:  Please refer to the USPS Rate page for information regarding the latest rates.

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Q:  I have not received my Rate-Pak™?
A:  Rate-Pak™ will be delivered by the rate change date. If you have not received your Rate-Pak™ you can contact Customer Support at 1-800-934-2257.

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Q:  Do I need to return the old Rate-Pak™?
A:  Yes. Neopost recycles all Rate-Pak™ wherever possible. A prepaid self-addressed envelope is included in each Rate-Pak™ shipment to make the return as simple as possible. If you didn’t receive the return envelope with your shipment, please send your old Rate-Pak™ to the following address:

Mailroom Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1183
4650 Hickory Hill Rd.
Memphis , TN 38141-6815

Smart Cards do not need to be returned.

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Q:  I have Rate Change Protection. Will I be charged for this change?
A:  No. The benefit of the Rate Change Protection Program is that no matter how many rate changes take place in one year, you are covered and the rates module will be shipped to you automatically.

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Q:  I need to send a Purchase Order. What do I do?
A:  If our records indicate your company needs to issue a purchase order before accepting products or services, you will automatically receive a letter from us. The letter will ask you to mail or fax your purchase order to us so we can prepare your updated rate module. If you haven't responded to the letter, please do so right away so we can send your new updated rate module.

You can mail or fax your purchase order to:

Neopost Rate Change Department
P.O. Box 1183
Union City , CA 94587
Phone: (800) 934-2257
Fax: (510) 429-6721

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Q:  Does Neopost have a Rate Change Online Help page for the various products?
A:  Yes. Click here to access the Neopost Knowledgebase.

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Q: What are the International Country Code Group Listings for the scales and bases?
A: Click here for the listing of codes for the IJxx, SM26, and SE17.

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Q: I have an IJ-25 or an IJ-40/50/60 base. I loaded the Rate Card twice to ensure the correct rates were installed. Now I don't get any rates.
A: Please contact the Tech Support group at 800.259.2678 to order an "old" Rate Card. On May 14th the new rates that were installed will automatically become active. These old rates will only be effective until May 13.

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Q: I have an IJ-50/60 base connected to a MailManager II application. The reports on the MailManager II do not match the mail classes that were processed on the IJ-50/60 base.
A: Please contact the tech support group at 800.259.2678 to order an updated Rate Card to correct the mail class report issue.

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Q: I have a Hasler Inc. scale or meter where can I find the rate change installation instructions?
A: Click here to be redirected to the Hasler Rate Change web site.

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Q: How do I store or modify the postage values on my IJ-15K mailing machine for the new USPS rates?
A: When there is a rate change or modification in the USPS requirements, the rates in the IJ-15K must be modified manually. You will need to change the postage values for your BATCH CONFIG settings.

  • For postal rate information see www.usps.gov. It is the user's responsibility to make sure that mail classes and amounts meet USPS requirements.
  • Instructions for modifying the postage values are on page 25 of the IJ15K User's Guide.
  • Go to the www.neopostinc.com homepage and click on Customer Support – Knowledgebase on the right side of the page. Enter "IJ15K modify rates" in the Search Text box and click on Search. Click on New - IJ-15K, WJ PRO - Storing & Modifying Rates from the menu and detailed procedures will be displayed.

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Q: How do I select the Shape Based First Class postage rates on my scale or mailing machine?

A:  There are four basic steps to running the new Shape Based First Class mail:

  • Determine Mail Type
  • Select Mail Class
  • Select Mail Type
  • Process Your Mail

Click on the following links for detailed Shape-Based Pricing information and user instructions for your scale or mailing machine model.

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Q: What is RCP?
A: RCP stands for Rate Change Protection and is a contract that you can purchase which protects you from having to pay for rate change software every time the post office raises rates. The cost of the contract is substantially lower than having to pay for each rate update separately. The contract automatically renews each year and you automatically receive your rate update with this protection.

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