
In addition, many shippers will begin to feel the effects of 2011's dimensional rule changes as one-year extensions of the old 194 dim divisor are reset to the new 166 dimensional divisor.
United States Postal Service
- Express and Priority Mail products are increasing 3.3 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, effective Jan. 22, 2012.
- First Class parcel service will increase an average of 3.7 percent. This has been one of the bright spots for the Postal Service, with fiscal 2011 volume up 6.5 percent and revenue up 9.7 percent year-over-year.
- Parcel Select will increase by an average of 8.5 percent, with slightly lower increases for destination entry.
- Parcel Return service is slated to increase 4.6 percent.
The Postal Service has also introduced several new flat-rate products, including an Express Mail flat-rate box that ships up to 70 pounds anywhere in the U.S. for $39.95.

Rob Martinez is the CEO of Shipware LLC, a professional services firm that transforms businesses through intelligent distribution solutions and strategies. Rob has helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands reduce parcel shipping costs an average of 25 percent through contract negotiations, rate benchmarking, modal optimization, invoice audit and other savings vehicles. A cum laude graduate of UCLA, Rob has 20 years of transportation industry experience, including executive positions at DHL and Stamps.com, in addition to his work as an outside consultant since 2001.