USPS Proposes Raising Prices For Forever Stamps & More

USPS has notified the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) that it intends to raise certain prices, effective July 10.

The new pricing includes a 2-cent increase in First-Class Mail Forever stamps, which will rise to 60 cents from 58 cents.

The proposed increases, already approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 6.5 percent. That is lower than the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual inflation rate of 7.9 percent as of the end of February.

Here are the current and planned prices:
• Letters (1 ounce): 58 cents (current), 60 cents (planned)
• Letters (metered 1 ounce): 53 cents (current), 57 cents (planned)
• Letters (additional ounces): 20 cents (current), 24 cents (planned)
• Domestic postcards: 40 cents (current), 44 cents (planned)
• Outbound international letters (1 ounce): $1.30 (current), $1.40 (planned)

Price adjustments on Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and insurance are also sought.

These price changes will help offset increases in inflation and operating costs, and are in keeping with Delivering for America, the organization’s 10-year plan to achieve financial stability and service excellence.

Even with the changes, USPS will continue to provide the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world.

The PRC’s website has the Postal Service’s complete price filing, including prices for all products. The Postal Explorer site has price change tables.

The Postal Service’s news release, to be posted April 6 at the online USPS Newsroom, has additional information.