That's because on Saturday, July 13, new postage increases from the U.S. Postal System (USPS) take effect.
These rate increases impact for First-Class, marketing, non-profit mail, and more. The cost of a First Class postage stamp will rise 5 cents from 73 to 78 cents.
There's still time to stock up on First Class Forever stamps which by their very name are good forever, whether you bought them years ago or today.
Nothing lasts forever, except death and taxes is a popular idiom most famously attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote it in a 1789 letter. Some historians suggest the saying was used before Franklin, but his letter is the earliest known written instance.
Apparently, Franklin did know about the rise in postal rates.
Postage rates have been on the rise since July 1863. Anyone interested in how First Class postage has gone up can check out the USPS Postal History changes.
Why the increases?
The multiple increases are part of a broader set of adjustments that will raise mailing services prices an average of 7.4%.
The USPS is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. The USPS generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
According to USPS officials, the price adjustments are needed to achieve financial stability and support the 10-year "Delivering for America" plan to modernize the USPS, achieve financial sustainability and improve service performance. The goals are to reverse projected losses of $160 billion, improve on-time delivery to 95%, and invest $40 billion in infrastructure and technology. The plan includes network modernization, investments in people and technology, and enhanced customer experience.
That may be the plan's goal, but most times I've been to the Nashua Post Office, there's been only a single clerk handling a steady line of customers. Thankfully, everyone seems to remain patient. On good days, there has been up to a couple of clerks.
Here's a breakdown of some of the increases:
These costs are going up:
- Metered letters (1 oz): 69 cents to 74 cents
- Flats (1 ounce):$1.50 to $1.65
- Certified Mail: $5.30 per piece, additional fees for return receipts
- Additional-ounce price for single-piece letters goes from 28 cents to 29 cents
When were these increases proposed?
Not that long ago — in April 2025, the USPS submitted a proposal to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). That's because it's part of the process.
The PRC is an independent agency that provides regulatory oversight of the USPS and ensures that the USPS complies with laws and regulations, manages postal rates and services and promotes transparency and accountability in postal operations. It reviews all changes before the effective date.
As long as the USPS meets the statutory requirements, the PRC doesn't have the authority to deny or amend the price proposals.
How long did it take?
Only about a month since on May 30, 2025, the PRC approved the USPS July rate increases.
Does the PRC always approves a rate hike?
No, the PRC doesn't automatically approve every USPS increase request. It's not a rubber-stamp process, and the PRC can deny or influence rate proposals if they do not meet the legal requirements.
In 2010, the PRC formally denied a USPS request for a 2-cent increase on First-Class stamps. The USPS appealed the decision with the result that the price of first-class postage did go from 44 to 46 cents, but not until January 2011.
And, in a 2019 case, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the PRC violated the Administrative Procedures Act by failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for a rate increase and address public comments. But, in January 2019, the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp went up 5 cents — 50 to 55 cents. The largest jump in the history of the Forever stamp, until now.
As for myself, I'm a frequent snail-mail sender with a supply of Forever stamps. But, I'm buying more of these and international stamps, today. Why? you never know when the next increase will happen. Yes, I've searched online and nothing has been proposed, yet.
18 comments:
Good morning, I have quite a few stamps for my slow mail friends and the few bills that I mail in-5 cents more is pretty substantial increase. the usps needs to hire someone to investigate how things are run there and why it is not effecient or making any money.
Oh and good informative post
It was a shock to see the increase posted at a local store. I wasn’t even aware first class stamps are $0.73 cents. I have so many forever stamps, it can be a year or so between buying them.
Yeppers, back up. Tim deals with stamps often and a long time ago jumped on board with the Forever stamps. Just makes good sense.
That and he's not bothered by the increase because he says think about, 73p to get a letter across the country, I can't drive there for that.
Imagine if we could? Dang, that'd be a great price. Jump in the car and for under a buck we're there!
OH gee, here we go again. It's becoming more and more cost prohibitive to send out things like Christmas cards and packages, and also I do the birthday and anniversary cards each month for our church. Thankfully the church is paying for the postage, but I provide the cards, which is also becoming too expensive. Thankfully we have a small church, but still, it makes me sad that this little ministry may soon have to come to an end just because it's getting to be too much. And regarding mail, it seems the only mail I get is junk mail! I wonder when many of them will finallly decide it's time to quit wasting paper and money for stuff that people just throw in the trash? That would be fine with me...
Post offices across the world are slowly dying. Some countries have already abandoned postal service.
I know! Since 2019 it has just kept jumping up. From 50 cents to 78 cents in seven years! As a fellow snail-mailer, I am aware. And I recently had a letter that used to take 3 days take 2 weeks to get to Florida. You never hear about all the improvements that have been made. Where has all the extra money gone? Only advantage I have seen is WAY less junk mail...and all those companies were at least loyal customers. And WAY less Christmas and birthday cards and pen pal letters than even ten years ago. When I got my first pen pal in 1959 a stamp was 4 cents. I will be so sad if snail mail disappears!!
Oh my goodness, I had no idea there was another increase coming. So glad I saw your post! I was just talking to my husband the other day about going back to writing a check for bills, and mailing it, because of the $2.50+ fee some companies are charging to pay a bill online. Will definitely be grabbing some stamps today! Thank you!
Thank God I pay most of my bills online. And I use email or texts instead of sending paper letters. So, my stash of Forever stamps seems to last forever.
Your stamps are still a lot cheaper than the UK ones. Our cheapest stamp is 87p ($1.18). If you want first-class (delivery the next day) it costs £1.70 ($2.31). But I very seldom send a letter, I mostly use email.
...email has dealt a blow to the USPS!
Gosh, I didn't know about this increase! I have heard that the post office has been in trouble for quite awhile.
It is just so expensive. Since I have problems now with my handwriting I'll stick with my email.
Wow, thanks for the warning. I am down to my last "Forever" stamp. I guess there will be a trip to the post office in my future. I still do some snail mail and do love getting something in the box besides advertisements and junk mail.
Sue
Americans get off lightly, I think because the market is so big.
I wasn't aware an increase was forthcoming, but I don't mail out too many things.
I stocked up stamps before our last postage increase. We are still using them. I just checked, a single stamp here is $1.44.
Our postage costs in the UK have also been on the rise.
All the best Jan
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