Q: When are Postal Service Mailing Services prices changing?

A: Jan. 27, 2013. This includes new prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services (Bound Printed Matter and Media Mail/Library Mail), First-Class Mail International and Extra Services — a broad category including many products such as Money Orders and Return Receipt and services such as insurance, Certified Mail and Collect on Delivery (COD).

Q: Where are the new Mailing Services prices listed?

A: The January 2013 new prices are available on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.com.

Q: How much are Mailing Services prices changing?

A: Mailing Services prices will increase by 2.6 percent, on average, across each class of mail.

Q: How did the Postal Service come up with 2.6 percent for the Mailing Services price change?

A: By law, Mailing Services prices can increase by no more than the rate of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.

Q: Are Shipping Services prices also changing in January?

A: Yes, new Shipping Services prices also will take effect Jan. 27, 2013.

Q: Why is the Postal Service raising prices in January?

A: We are implementing this price change in January so that Mailing Services adjustments coincide with the price changes for Shipping Services.

First-Class Mail

Q: Are First-Class Mail prices changing in January 2013?

A: Yes.

Q: What will be the new price for a First-Class Mail stamp for letters?

A: The price of a single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class Mail stamp will increase 1 cent to 46 cents, only the second increase in this price since May 2009.

Q: Will Forever stamps still be available?

A: Yes. Forever stamps don’t have a denomination and will be valid whenever they are used. After the Jan. 27, 2013, price change, the price of a Forever stamp will be 46 cents.

Q: Will there be an increase to the price for additional ounces?

A: No. The additional ounce price for single First-Class Mail letters will remain 20 cents.

Q: Is the nonmachinable surcharge increasing?

A: No, the nonmachinable surcharge (typically paid by customers who mail square or rigid letter-size pieces) will not change; it will remain 20 cents.

Q: Will the price for postcards increase?

A: Yes, the price for mailing a single-piece First-Class Mail postcard is going up 1 cent to 33 cents. Stamped postcards will increase to 37 cents.

Q: Is the price for single-piece large envelopes (flats) changing?

A: Yes, the price for single-piece large envelopes (flats) will increase by 2 cents to 92 cents, maintaining a 2-to-1 ratio with single-piece letters and preserving the convenience to consumers of using two letter-price stamps as postage.

Q: How are prices changing for First-Class Mail presort letters?

A: For First-Class Mail presort letters and cards, most 1-ounce letter price changes will be less than 1 cent per piece. Presorted and automation letters weighing up to 2 ounces will remain the same, continuing the “Second Ounce Free” incentive program.

In the January 2012 price change, the Postal Service proposed a uniform price for all Presort and Automation letters weighing up to 2 ounces. However, this wasn’t fully achieved because residual pieces still had different prices for 1-ounce and 2-ounce pieces. Separating the pieces by weight was expensive and time-consuming for mailers. With the January 2013 price change, there will be a uniform price of 48 cents for these residual pieces, making it easier for customers to do business with the Postal Service.

FIRST-CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL

Q: Are First-Class Mail International prices changing?

A: Yes, this includes First-Class Mail International letters, cards and flats. There is one price for 1-ounce letters and postcards anywhere in the world ($1.10).

Q: Is it true that there’s now a Forever stamp for international use?

A: Yes, the Postal Service is introducing a Global Forever stamp, with a single price for any First-Class Mail International 1-ounce letter or card to any country in the world. The Global Forever stamp will ease the transition during price changes and will always be sold at the price of a single-piece First-Class Mail International 1-ounce machinable letter, with the postage value equivalent to the price of a single piece First-Class Mail International 1-ounce machinable letter in effect at the time of mailing.

To help distinguish between the domestic and international Forever stamps, the international version will be round and will bear the words “Global Forever.”

For the January 2013 price change, 1-ounce and 2-ounce letter-size mailpieces to Canada will be charged the same price. This means the Global Forever stamp also may be used to mail a 2-ounce letter-size mailpiece to Canada.

Additional Price Increase Information - Click Here