Recent changes from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) have added some new burdens for customers. In the past few years, we've been hit with multiple price hikes and slowed-down delivery standards from the agency—forcing us to have to pay more and, in some cases, to wait longer. But these changes are necessary, the USPS has said, and that goes for the other adjustments on the horizon. Read on to find out more about the mailing options the USPS is getting rid of at the end of this month.
READ THIS NEXT: USPS Is Asking for These Changes to Your Mailbox.
The USPS started phasing out one mailing service at the beginning of 2023.
iStockThe USPS has offered a number of different services to postal customers to make the mailing process easier. One of these is the Corporate Account, or USPSCA, which allows you to "charge and track Priority Mail Express shipments to one account," the Postal Service explains on its website.
This mailing option is typically "designed for businesses that ship large volumes of mail" and can help customers "save money on postage rates and mailing services," according to Deleting Solutions.
But last winter, the USPS revealed that it planned to start phasing out its USPSCA service in the new year. On Jan. 1, the agency began closing inactive accounts. And soon, even those still actively using the service will have to say goodbye.
All corporate accounts will officially be closed after this month.
iStockThe final part of the discontinuation of this service is just around the corner.
"All remaining USPSCA accounts will be closed on July 1," the Postal Service announced in a new postal bulletin.
According to the agency, it is getting rid of its corporate accounts because of rising costs and declining demand.
"Customers will receive a final invoice in July after all USPS Corporate Accounts are permanently closed," the USPS said in its June 1 postal bulletin. "We apologize for any inconvenience to our valued USPSCA customers."
If you still owe money for your USPSCA, you'll want to pay it before the service is officially discontinued.
"Accounts with a negative balance after July 1, 2023, will be sent to Accounts Receivable for collection," the Postal Service noted, adding that customers who still use USPSCA are being advised to switch to an alternative payment method such as Click-N-Ship, USPS Ship, Electronic Verification Symptoms, ePostage, PC Postage, or Meter.
The Postal Service is also getting rid of several stamp options.
The Toidi / ShutterstockIn its new postal bulletin, the USPS also announced that it would be withdrawing several stamps from sale. At the close-of-business on June 30, the agency said that all post offices, stations, branches, postal stores, vending outlets, and authorized philatelic centers must stop the sale of five Forever stamps and prepare them for destruction.
The soon-to-be discontinued stamps include the August Wilson, Emilio Sanchez, and Shel Silverstein series, as well as the Missouri Statehood stamp and the Espresso Drinks booklet. All of these designs were rolled out in 2021, except for the Silverstein stamp, which was introduced in April 2022.
"Do not permit sales of the stamp stock items and their related vending and store-prepared stamp items listed in the table at retail counters and outlets after June 30," the Postal Service said in its announcement.
New stamps will replace the discontinued ones soon.
USPSBy removing old stamps from its stock, your local post office will be able to make room for the Postal Service's newest designs. In fact, the USPS has already announced several stamp series for this summer.
On June 13, the agency will add a waterfalls design to its line-up. This collection includes 12 new stamps that will feature different waterfalls across the U.S., including popular sites like Deer Creek Falls in Grand Canyon National Park and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park.
This will be followed by the introduction of a stamp to honor John Lewis on July 21, the Life Magnified series on Aug. 10, a Thinking of You collection on Aug. 11, and a bridges design on Aug. 24, according to the Postal Service's 2023 Stamp Program.
