US Postal Rates Going Up, Again!

U.S. Postal Service Files Notice with PRC for New Mailing Services Pricing

In announcing this latest postage increase, the US Postal Service stated the increases are a result of the following conditions:

• Actions taken to address continued elevated inflation and prior years defective pricing model
• No price increase for USPS Connect Local, which gives businesses of all sizes the ability to reach local customers at affordable rates
• Reduced pricing for some Retail Priority Mail Flat-Rate products below the temporary price currently in place

On April 10, 2023, the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 9, 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents.

If favorably reviewed by the Commission, (which we are certain will be the case), the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63 cents, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51 cents. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

As operating expenses fueled by inflation continue to rise and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, USPS stated that 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.” According to USPS, the prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.