A system (10, 20, 30) and method for selecting appropriate postal rates (110, 115, 120) when evidencing postage payment provides new postal rates to a computer (20) responsible for rating mail and provides a date when the new postal rates (110, 115, 120) become effective. The new postal rates (110, 115, 120) and the effective date are stored in the computer (20). When postage evidencing occurs, a selection (215, 220, 225, 230, 240) is made between the current postal rates stored in the computer (20) and the new postal rates for use in evidencing postage payment on a mail piece. The selection is based on the date the mail piece will be submitted for mailing (205, 225, 230, 240).