eBay warned sellers on Thursday to prepare for next week's postage rate changes from the U.S. postal service. The new USPS rates take effect on January 22, 2012.

eBay said it would update its Shipping Calculator, eBay Labels and PayPal Labels to reflect the new rates. "If you ship with USPS, be sure to review the changes and adjust you listings as necessary," eBay advised in its announcement, made on Thursday.

USPS will begin extending free Delivery Confirmation to First-Class Mail to sellers who use eBay Labels.

eBay also reminded sellers that they must upload tracking information in order to qualify for automatic 5-star ratings for fast shipping. On its policy page, eBay also states, "If Delivery Confirmation or tracking information shows the item was delivered, an eBay Buyer Protection case for item not received can't be opened." See details on this page.