The United States Postal Service rates just increased again for one-ounce metered mail, domestic postcards, and international letters and postcards sent through its services.
Effective Sunday, new prices take effect. One notable adjustment to Forever stamp pricing is now at 63 cents each.
Rates
First-class stamp prices continue to climb, but there are ways to cut costs on postage. One such strategy is using a postage meter; one could save 3 cents or 5% per letter based on how you use your meter. For more tips on saving on postage costs, we highly suggest viewing our On Demand Webinar.
Postal Regulatory Commission determines the price of first-class stamps. In January, the Postal Service raised first-class mail prices by 5.4% overall bringing stamps up from 63 cents to 66. The Postal Service has recently been struggling financially due to profits dropping sharply while accruing billions of debt; as part of its 10-year plan to become profitable again, it has initiated higher rate plans that include raising overall first class mail rates by 5.4% overall.
Postage rates vary according to mailpiece type, size, and weight, as well as payment method and non-machinable surcharges. ZIP code of the sender and recipient also have an effect; domestic mail can have different costs than international. Automating your mailing can save even more when used for first-class postage costs.
Postage meters automatically update rates when there is a price change; you will be immediately informed, and the new prices will go into effect instantly, saving time and hassles! This can keep both you and your customers valuable time!
Use Forever stamps as another way to save on first-class postage costs! They last one year and can be used for any mailing imaginable; available at the post office and online, these 41-cent stamps feature an image of Liberty Bell, perfect for bulk mailers! Forever stamps will save money and time!
USPS recently increased the price of stamps by 32% since 2019 to increase revenue and reverse declining mail volume to change its money-losing status and generate growth. Even after this increase, first-class stamp costs remain among the lowest worldwide.
Weight
First-class mail is an efficient and cost-effective solution for sending envelopes and small packages, giving small business owners a flexible option for sending invoices, correspondences, and merchandise directly to customers. There are certain guidelines that must be observed when sending letters or parcels; first-class letters cannot exceed 3.5 ounces in weight, while large envelopes should not exceed 13 ounces if too heavy, a mailpiece needs to be charged as parcel rates. To avoid paying more than necessary in postage costs for their deliveries small businesses should utilize pre-paid envelopes or accounts that automatically deduct their postage payments from accounts which automatically deduct their postage automatically.
U.S. Postal Service also enforces certain restrictions for first class mail, such as weight and size limits, with larger envelopes must meet certain dimensions; square or oversized ones require an extra stamp, as do special requirements for padded envelopes that must be securely taped shut; before using any special envelopes make sure you check their website to see if it conforms with USPS requirements.
Presorted first-class mail is another effective way to cut postage costs and boost delivery efficiency, as it allows you to group mail by zip code for postage savings. Plus, sorting it can take much less time, reducing delivery delays!
To qualify for presorted first-class mailings, a minimum of 500 pieces are needed – this can include letters or flat reports and large envelopes or packages. In addition, your mail must bear a valid barcode which must be submitted at least seven days in advance to the USPS.
If you can’t presort your mail, another way to save on postage costs is by purchasing pre-printed postage labels from USPS or office supply stores. They come individually or as sets of 20 for discounts – you could also consider Forever Stamps which don’t expire!
If you aren’t sure of how much postage to purchase, calculate it online or bring your envelopes directly to the post office for weighing and labeling. Just remember to keep hold of receipts, as any failure to provide sufficient postage could cause your mail to be returned; investing in a kitchen scale could help eliminate this risk.
Shape
First-class stamps can be used to send letters, postcards and packages – the rate charged depends on size and shape; large or not flat pieces do not fit through automated processing equipment and therefore incur higher postage rates. To avoid overspending on postage costs, mailers should use the USPS Price Calculator for domestic rates, which shows them the correct postage amount based on size or shape.
The weight of the letter or postcard also determines its rate; First Class letters can weigh no more than 3.5 ounces so that delivery can take place more promptly by the Post Office. Thickness also impacts, with thicker pieces costing more due to processing delays.
To qualify as a letter, a mailpiece must measure at least 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long and no thicker than 0.007-inches. The Post Office uses an aspect ratio to assess whether a piece meets this dimension – calculated by dividing the length by height – which determines whether or not an object qualifies as a letter and is therefore exempt from paying nonmachinable surcharges.
At times of economic distress or global events such as Covid-19, more people send handwritten notes to family and friends in order to stay connected. Due to this increase, USPS shipping rates have gone up accordingly; to get accurate quotes it is wise to regularly use their Price Calculator, which is free but subject to fluctuating rates.
Presorting mailings can save anywhere from 12-24% on First Class Postage costs. Savings can be realized by having your mailing service provider (MSP) combine mail by zip code and perform data processing, such as NCOA updates, before it’s barcoded and delivered to the Post Office for final sorting. Your MSP will add barcodes and inserts, making this service available even to those without postal accounts.
Forever stamps
The Postal Service introduced forever stamps in 2007 as a way for consumers to save money without having to worry about fluctuating postage costs. These non-denominated first class stamps remain valid regardless of postage cost increases, making them an easy way to reduce postage expenses when rates spike. You can purchase forever stamps directly from the Postal Service or online, with various credit cards offering cashback on stamp purchases; other websites like eBates and eBay also provide deals when purchasing forever stamps; you might even save more by purchasing them in club stores like Costco which often offers better prices than elsewhere!
Forever stamps offer an economical solution for sending letters or postcards within the United States and Canada. Furthermore, they can also be used for light international packages; one Global Forever stamp allows one ounce packages to travel anywhere around the globe at reduced postal rates. Furthermore, forever stamps do not expire even when postage rates increase; their value remains intact even as postal rates fluctuate.
In January 2023, the USPS announced it would raise postage prices for the first time since April 2016. A first-class Forever Stamp will increase from $0.60 to $0.63 as part of an effort to combat increasing operational expenses.
The rate increase will also impact other forms of postage, including metered letters and domestic and international postcards. A one-ounce metered letter’s cost will rise from $0.54 to $0.57 while domestic postcard prices increase to $0.48 from $0.40 while outbound international postcard costs will increase from $1.45.
However, the Postal Service anticipates that these changes won’t result in significant increases in operating expenses. Since recent years the agency has not been profitable and operates at a loss; increased revenue would help stabilize operations; other strategies they are considering may include reducing frequency and increasing digital communication services.
