Home
Table of Contents
Biographical Index
2008 USPS losses
2009 USPS losses
2010 USPS losses
2011 USPS losses
U.S. Postage Rates
U.S. Mail Holidays
Reference Book Errors
Weights and Measurements
Internet Domain Extensions
Commonly Confused Words
U.S. Precipitation/Freeze dates
Record Temps in the U.S.
Plant Hardiness Zones
Daylight Saving Time
Multiplication Chart
Guide to Leap Years
Perpetual Calendar
Wind Chill Charts
Heat Index Charts
Roman Numerals
2012 Calendar
2013 Calendar
U.S. Capitals
World Capitals
U.S. Statehood
U.S. Presidents
U.S. Time Zones
Place Name Index
Unusual Town Names
Christmas' Town Names
Valentine's Town Names
Halloween Town Names
Automotive Place Names
Bethlehem Place Names
California Place Names
Montana Place Names
Oregon Place Names
Place Names in Texas
Washington Place Names
Convict Lake, California
Cookietown, Oklahoma
Crapo, Maryland
Crook, Colorado
Devils Den, California
Dickshooter, Idaho
Hell, Michigan
Hopeulikit, Georgia
Horneytown, NC.
Jot 'Em Down, Texas
Looneyville, Texas
North Pole, New York
Tincup, Colorado
Truth or Consequences, NM.
Two Egg, Florida
Valentine, Nebraska
Warroad, Minnesota
Artificial Heart Invention
Task Force Acronyms
U.S. Police Acronyms
Witty Acronyms
Police Acronyms
Sources of Errors
Biographical Index
Celebrity Marriages
Celebrity Death Data
Celebrity Residences
Free eBooks (A - D)
Free eBooks (E - Hd)
Free eBooks (He - Hz)
Free eBooks (I - L)
Free eBooks (M - P)
Free eBooks (Q - R)
Free eBooks (S - V)
Free eBooks (W - Z)
Frequently Asked Questions
Contribute Used Books
Sources/References
Recent Updates
Link to Us
Volunteer
Blog
Contact Us
U.S.P.S. Postage Stamp Rate Increases

This page highlights the latest U.S. postage stamp rate increases. Below you'll find details on increases to U.S. mailing rates that are coming, or have recently been implemented.

Near the bottom of this page you'll also find a list of historic postage rates for domestic letters in the United States (1863-2012).


Latest Postage Stamp Rate Increases and Changes

New postage rates became effective January 22, 2012:

* Letters (1 ounce) - An increase of 1-cent to 45 cents.

* First-Class letter additional ounces (for letters over 1 ounce) remain unchanged at 20 cents.

* Postcards - An increase of 3-cents to 32 cents.

* Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 ounce) - An increase of 5-cents to 85 cents.

* Letters to other international destinations - An increase of 7-cents to $1.05.

Good news for business mailers: Effective January 22, 2012, the second ounce for First-Class Mail Presort is free. This gives high-volume commercial mailers expanded opportunities to advertise new services and products to their customers as part of bill and statement First-Class Mail automation, Presort mailings weighing between one and two ounces.


Visit our more comprehensive list of current U.S. postage rates and U.S. Postal Service state abbreviations.

Visit our comprehensive list of U.S. Postal Service mail holidays - UPS holidays - FedEx holidays.


Future postage rate increases capped at the rate of inflation

Prices for mailing services will now be adjusted annually. The USPS anticipates notifying the public of all future price changes 90 days before any increase takes effect.

November 15, 2007, the Postal Service Governors announced that future prices will be adjusted using new regulations issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on Oct. 29. Consistent with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, future price increases will be capped at the rate of inflation for mailing services.*

The Governors had the option of filing one last rate case under the regulations used since 1971, but voted to proceed with the new pricing regulations. "We thank the Postal Regulatory Commission for completing the new rules eight months ahead of the statutory deadline," said Postmaster General John E. Potter. "This delivers one of the main goals of the new law for business mailers -- a predictable price schedule."

The new pricing regulations give the Postal Service added flexibility for shipping services.** "We intend to use this new flexibility to grow our competitive business," said Potter, "offering volume discounts and contract pricing." "There are still many details to be worked out, but we look forward to partnering with the PRC and our customers to maximize the advantages of the new pricing rules," Potter said.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which established two separate product categories -- Market-Dominant products and Competitive products -- prescribes a new process for setting prices. Increases for Market-Dominant products are capped at the Consumer Price Index, by class. For Competitive products, the new law creates far greater pricing flexibility for the U.S. Postal Service. Previously, pricing changes would have to go through a lengthy hearing process with the Postal Rate Commission before going into effect.


* Mailing services include First-Class Mail, Standard Mail and Periodicals.

** Shipping services include bulk parcels and expedited package services such as Priority Mail and Express Mail.


Forever Stamp

The "forever" First-Class mail stamp is good for any future single-piece First-Class letter mailing, no matter how high postage prices might rise in the future, and is intended to eliminate the inconvenience of having to buy new stamps every time the rates increase. While the public can use it as a hedge against future postage rate increases, that doesn't mean the price of the innovative Forever Stamp won't increase in the future. As First-Class stamps continue to increase, so will the price of the Forever Stamp. However, Forever Stamps that you may have purchased at a lower rate will still be valid as First-Class postage without adding any additional postage.

Since the Postal Service went to an annual schedule of postage rate increases in 2008, use of the Forever Stamp will continue to help ease the inconvenience of the new stamp prices every year.


2012 U.S. postage rate increase
USPS rate changes effective January 22, 2012
Selected postage rate adjustments Old New (in 2012)
First-Class mail stamp (1 oz.) 44¢ 45¢
Standard First-Class letter (2 ounces) 64¢ 65¢
Standard First-Class letter (3 ounces) 84¢ 85¢
Postcard 29¢ 32¢
Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) 80¢ 85¢


2011 U.S. postage rate increase
U.S.P.S. rate changes effective April 17, 2011
Selected postage and services Old New (in 2011)
First-Class letter additional ounces (for letters over 1 ounce) 17¢ 20¢
Postcard 28¢ 29¢
Certified Mail $2.80 $2.85

NOTE: The price for a First-Class Mail stamp did
not increase in 2010, nor 2011.

July 6, 2010, the USPS announced it was seeking an increase of 2 cents to the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp, which would have raised the price to 46 cents on January 2, 2011. In September 2010, the Postal Regulatory Commission
turned down their request for that 2 cent First-Class Mail stamp increase.

2009 U.S. postage rate increase

The 2009 U.S. postage rate increase for a one ounce First-Class stamp increased from 42 cents to 44 cents on May 11, 2009.

2009 U.S.P.S. rate changes for domestic mail
U.S. postage rates for Old New (in 2009)
Standard First-Class Letter (1 ounce) * 42¢ 44¢
Postcard 27¢ 28¢
Large Manila and similar flat envelopes - first ounce 83¢ 88¢
Boxes and similar parcels - first ounce $1.17 $1.22

* First-Class letters that exceed one or more of the USPS dimension classifications for standard letters are subject to additional surcharges.

NOTE: U.S.P.S. rates for mailing services are now adjusted annually each May, while prices for Shipping Services were adjusted January 18, 2009. The January Shipping Services pricing change was the first time price increases for shipping and mailing services occurred separately.


2008 U.S. postage rate increase

NOTE: The 2008 U.S. postage rate increase went into effect May 12th, 2008.


2008 U.S.P.S. rate changes for mail
Selected Prices & Services Old New (in 2008)

First-Class Mail Letter (1 oz.)

41¢

42¢

First-Class Mail Letter (2 oz.)

58¢

59¢

Postcard

26¢

27¢

Large Envelope (2 oz.)

97¢

$1.00

Money Orders (up to $500)

$1.05

$1.05

Certified Mail

$2.65

$2.70

First-Class Mail International Letter
(1 oz. to Canada or Mexico)

69¢

72¢

First-Class Mail International Letter
(1 oz. to other countries)

90¢

94¢



2007 U.S. postage rate increase

NOTE: The 2007 U.S. postage rate increase went into effect May 14th, 2007.

The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) approved an increase in the price of a First-Class stamp to 41 cents, authorized the issuance of the innovative Forever Stamp (which is discussed in greater detail above) and approved shape-based pricing. Those changes went into effect May 14, 2007. They did delay implementation of new prices for periodicals and requested reconsideration for some other mail classes. New postage rates for magazines and newspapers was delayed until 12:01 a.m. on July 15, 2007.

2007 USPS rate changes for domestic mail
U.S. postage rates for Old New (in 2007)
Standard First-Class Letter (1 ounce) * 39¢ 41¢
Standard First-Class Letter (up to 2 ounces) * 63¢ 58¢
Standard First-Class Letter (up to 3 ounces) * 87¢ 75¢
Postcard 24¢ 26¢
Priority Mail (1 lb.) $4.05 $4.60
Express Mail (1/2 lb) $14.40 $16.25
Express Mail (1 lb) $18.80 $19.50

New shape-based pricing
The new shape-based classification system brought significant and rather intricate changes to sending many First-Class mailings. Postage rates are now based not only on weight, but also on the shape of First-Class Mail and parcels.

Example: Previously the cost of mailing a two ounce First-Class large Manila envelope, a two ounce First-Class letter, and a small two ounce First-Class box was usually identical. This is no longer the case.

* NOTE: First-Class letters that exceed one or more of the USPS dimension classifications for standard letters are subject to additional surcharges.

February 26, 2007, the independent Postal Regulatory Commission announced that they recommended a 2-cent increase in the cost of mailing a First-Class letter. Their recommendation to increase postage to 41 cents was actually a penny less than the U.S.P.S. had requested. The commission also urged the Post Office to introduce its proposed "forever" stamp valid for First-Class postage even when rates rise. The commission recommended increasing the rate for mailing a postcard to 26 cents. This increase was also one cent less than the Post Office had sought. While the first ounce of First-Class mail would rise to 41 cents, each additional ounce would drop to 17 cents under the proposal. This new amount for each additional ounce is also less than the U.S. Postal Service was seeking. The postal rate increase matter then went back to the Board of Governors of the Postal Service for a decision on whether to accept the recommendation or ask the commission to reconsider.

The cost of a U.S. First-Class stamp went from 37 cents to 39 cents in January of 2006. The U.S.P.S. Governors cited increasing fuel and healthcare costs as a couple of the reasons for the filing with the Postal Rate Commission for price adjustments in 2007. The USPS claims the changes will cost the average U.S. household less than $6.00 annually.

Although there was no set timetable for U.S. postage rate increases in the past, in 2007, the USPS announced plans to move to a regular schedule for postage rate increases capped at the rate of inflation (See the related story above, under the heading "Plan for future postage rate increases announced in November 2007").


Historic Postage Rates in the U.S. (1863-2012)
0
Rates for Domestic Letters (1863-2012)
Effective Date Postage Rate
July 1, 1863 3¢ (per half ounce)
October 1, 1883 2¢ (half ounce)
July 1, 1885 2¢ (per ounce)
November 2, 1917 3¢ (per ounce)
July 1, 1919 2¢ (per ounce)
July 6, 1932 3¢ (per ounce)
August 1, 1958 4¢ (per ounce)
January 7, 1963 5¢ (per ounce)
January 7, 1968 6¢ (per ounce)
May 16, 1971 8¢ (per ounce)
March 2, 1974 10¢ (per ounce)
December 31, 1975 13¢ (1st ounce)
May 29, 1978 15¢ (1st ounce)
March 22, 1981 18¢ (1st ounce)
November 1, 1981 20¢ (1st ounce)
February 17, 1985 22¢ (1st ounce)
April 3, 1988 25¢ (1st ounce)
February 3, 1991 29¢ (1st ounce)
January 1, 1995 32¢ (1st ounce)
January 10, 1999 33¢ (1st ounce)
January 7, 2001 34¢ (1st ounce)
June 30, 2002 37¢ (1st ounce)
January 8, 2006 39¢ (1st ounce)
May 14, 2007 41¢ (1st ounce)
May 12, 2008 42¢ (1st ounce)
May 11, 2009 44¢ (1st ounce)
January 22, 2012 45¢ (1st ounce)

If you find the above data useful, please link to this page from your webpage, blog or website. Alternatively, consider recommending us to your friends and colleagues. Thank you in advance!

Copyright © 2005-2012 INTERNET ACCURACY PROJECT. All rights reserved. All content, is the exclusive property of Internet Accuracy Project and may not be reproduced (on the Web, in print, or otherwise) without the express written permission of our organization. BY ACCESSING THIS SITE YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS regardless of whether you reside in the United States of America or not. Our Privacy Policy. This page was last updated January 22, 2012.




Share
Popular Pages

{ezoic-ad-1}
{ez_footer_ads}