The cost to mail a letter or postcard could go up – again. Here's what you need to know.
After two increases already in 2023, the cost to mail a letter, greeting card or postcard could go up again – but not until early 2024.
On Friday, the U.S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission for the proposed price changes, including a 2-cent increase in the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, according to a news release by USPS.
If approved, the changes would take effect on Jan. 21, 2024.
The notice of the planned increase comes three months after the USPS raised the cost of its Forever stamps to 66 cents from 63 cents and nine months after it raised the price of the stamps to 63 cents from 60 cents.
The proposed 2 percent increase, approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service, must be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The increase is necessary to offset the rise in inflation and “the effects of a previously defective pricing model,” USPS said in a news release.
USPS also is seeking to raise the price for Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, and money order fees. The cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item is also expected to increase.
How much will it cost to mail a letter in 2024?
The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp would increase to 68 cents from 66 cents.
When does the postage increase take place?
The price hike is scheduled to go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
Are Forever stamps still good for postage?
Yes. As its name implies, you can use a Forever stamp regardless of what price you paid for it or when you bought it.
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Why is the U.S. Postal Service increasing postage rates?
The increase in First-Class Mail postage is needed to offset the rise in inflation, the postal service said. “As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much-needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.”
What about postcards and metered letters?
Other planned postage rate increases include:
Letters (1 ounce): 68 cents, up from 66 cents
Letters (metered, 1 ounce): 64 cents, up from 63 cents
Domestic postcards: 53 cents, up from 51 cents
International postcards: $1.50, up from $1.45
International letter: $1.55, up from $1.50
When did the USPS start using Forever Stamps?
The first Forever stamp, featuring an image of the Liberty Bell, went on sale in April 2007, according to the USPS, at a cost of 41 cents.
How much have Forever stamps increased?
According to the website postageonlinenow.com, the cost of Forever stamps has increased 25 cents since they were first introduced. Here is a breakdown of pricing since 2007:
April 12, 2007: 41 cents
May 12, 2008: 42 cents
May 11, 2009: 44 cents
Jan. 22, 2012: 45 cents
Jan. 27, 2013: 46 cents
Jan. 26, 2014: 49 cents
April 10, 2016: 47 cents
Jan. 22, 2017: 49 cents
Jan. 23, 2018: 50 cents
Jan. 30, 2019: 55 cents
Jan. 29, 2020: 55 cents
Aug. 29, 2021: 58 cents
July 10, 2022: 60 cents
Jan. 22, 2023: 63 cents
July 9, 2023: 66 cents
Jan. 21, 2024: 68 cents (proposed)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Forever stamp: USPS raising cost of first-class stamp in 2024
