U.S. Postal Service Calculation Error Gives Magazine Publishers a Break on Postal Rates

Because of a calculation error, the average postal rate increase for magazines in April will be less than originally announced.

The Postal Regulatory Commission, which spotted the error last week, calculates that the average increase for “Outside-County” Periodicals (primarily magazines, with some newspapers and newsletters) will be only 1.34%, not the originally announced 1.965%. USPS acknowledged the error on Wednesday.

USPS’s response did not indicate it would try adjusting the proposed Periodicals rates, which may not even be possible at this late date.