In a concerning development for the book industry, the United States Postal Service (USPS) filed a proposal on December 20, 2024, to eliminate Bound Printed Matter (BPM) Flats and Parcels from its services.

If implemented, this change would have far-reaching consequences for publishers, booksellers, and, most importantly, readers across America.

1. What’s Changing?
2. Impact on the Book Industry
3. Market Consolidation Concerns
4. BookScouter’s Position
5. What’s Next?

What’s Changing?

The USPS is planning to remove two critical mail services that the book industry heavily relies on:

• Bound Printed Matter (BPM) Flats
• Bound Printed Matter (BPM) Parcels

These services would be replaced with alternatives, and even the cheapest replacement option would cost approximately twice as much as current BPM rates.

Impact on the Book Industry

At BookScouter, we are deeply concerned about how these changes will affect book accessibility and affordability across the United States. Here’s why:

1. Dramatic Price Increases

The elimination of BPM services could force publishers and booksellers to switch to alternative shipping methods that could double current shipping costs. This increase in operational expenses would inevitably be passed on to consumers, potentially raising book prices by up to 50%, depending on the type of book.

2. Disproportionate Impact on Rural Communities

Rural areas would be particularly hard hit by these changes. Private shipping companies typically charge premium rates for delivery to remote locations, making books significantly more expensive for rural readers. This creates an accessibility gap that contradicts the fundamental principle of equal access to literature and education.

3. Educational Impact

The ripple effects of these changes would be felt throughout the educational system:

• Higher costs for textbooks and educational materials
• Increased expenses for school libraries
• More expensive children’s books, affecting early literacy programs
• Greater financial burden on students and educational institutions

4. Small and Medium-Sized Businesses at Risk

While major corporations like Amazon, with their own delivery infrastructure, would remain largely unaffected, small and medium-sized bookstores and publishers would face significant challenges. Many of these businesses operate on thin margins and rely heavily on affordable USPS shipping rates to remain competitive.

Market Consolidation Concerns

This change could accelerate market consolidation in the book industry. As smaller players struggle with increased operational costs, large corporations like Amazon with established logistics networks would gain even more market share. This trend threatens to reduce competition and diversity in the book market.

BookScouter’s Position

As a platform dedicated to making literature more accessible and affordable for everyone, BookScouter is deeply troubled by these developments. Our mission has always been to help readers find the best prices for books and to support a diverse, competitive book market that serves all communities.

The elimination of BPM services threatens to:

• Make books less affordable for average Americans
• Create barriers to educational resources
• Disadvantage rural communities
• Hurt small and medium-sized businesses in the book industry
• Further consolidate market power in the hands of large corporations

What’s Next?

The USPS proposal is currently under review, with implementation planned for no earlier than July 2025. BookScouter will continue to monitor this situation closely and advocate for solutions that maintain affordable access to books for all Americans.

We encourage industry stakeholders and concerned citizens to engage with their representatives and the Postal Regulatory Commission during the public comment period. The future of affordable book access in America may depend on it.

We’ll continue to update this story as new developments emerge. Follow BookScouter on Facebook and X.com for the latest updates on this critical industry issue.