The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to raise mailing rates this summer, pending approval from federal regulators. If approved, the changes would take effect on July 12 and include a 4.8 percent increase across various mailing services.
A First-Class Forever stamp would see a price increase from 78 cents to 82 cents. The cost for a metered one-ounce letter would rise from 74 cents to 78 cents, while domestic postcards would go up from 61 cents to 65 cents. Additionally, international postcards and one-ounce international letters would each increase from $1.70 to $1.75.
The price for each additional ounce on a single-piece letter would stay at 29 cents.
According to the Postal Service, these increases are necessary to address a significant financial crisis and rising operational costs. The agency noted that it typically does not receive tax funding for its operations and relies on postage sales, products, and services for revenue.
