Many Happy Returns — Parcel Return Service Is Permanent

On Wednesday the Postal Service Governors approved the Postal Rate Commission’s recommendation to make Parcel Return Service (PRS) a permanent classification. Initially launched as a two-year experiment, the service offers a cost-effective way for merchants to receive returns from their customers. Customers use a convenient, prepaid return label that merchants can include in the original package, mail to customers separately, or post on the Internet for local printing. The permanent offering includes a new option for consumers to buy a Certificate of Mailing when they drop off their packages at a Post Office, and Bound Printed Matter rates are no longer available. Over 19.2 million parcels have been returned using PRS. The permanent classification is effective April 2, 2006.

Repositionable Notes Are Sticking Around

The Postal Service Governors also approved the Postal Rate Commission’s recommendation to extend the Repositionable Notes provisional service for up to one more year through April 3, 2007. RPNs are sticky notes that mailers can place on envelopes, catalogs, magazines, and newspapers to highlight important information or a special offer. The note is easily removed from the envelope so the recipient can place it somewhere handy — on the fridge or near a computer — as a reminder of the offer.

The fees for RPNs are 0.5 cents each when used with First-Class Mail and 1.5 cents each with Standard Mail and Periodicals. So far during the provisional service, customers have mailed over 121 million RPNs.