Background:
Prices for most Postal Service mailing services will change on January 22, 2012. Mailing services
includes First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services.
Prices for shipping services will also change on January 22. We will provide customers the new
shipping services prices later this fall.
While actual percentage price increases for various products and services varies, the overall
average price increase across all mailing services is capped by law at 2.1 percent, the rate of
inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
First-Class Mail Highlights:
- Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 45 cents. This is the first increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp since May 2009.
- Single-piece letters additional ounce rate – unchanged at 20 cents.
- Postcards – 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) – 5-cent increase to 85 cents
- Letters to other international destinations – 7-cent increase to $1.05
- The second ounce will be free for First-Class Mail Presort pieces weighing between one and two ounces.
Additional Price Adjustment Highlights:
- The price increase for Standard Mail Letters is slightly below the overall average at less than 1.9 percent
- A new 3-month pricing option will be available to rent PO Boxes for people on the move and others that need a PO Box for a shorter time period.
- Delivery Confirmation will be free for several parcel products as the Postal Service continues to make tracking an integral component of parcels mailed at commercial rates.
Percentage of Price Change By Class of Mail:
*With the exception of Delivery Confirmation and Confirm, most Extra Services prices increase at about 2.1 %. Adding Delivery Confirmation and Confirm services as included services for some parcels results in the overall price reduction for Extra Services.
Role of the Postal Regulatory Commission
The new prices were filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission on Oct. 18, 2011. The
Commission has 45 days to review the prices to verify they comply with the overall 2.1 percent
price cap for each class of mail. The new prices will go into effect on Jan. 22, 2012.
If you have any questions about price changes for postage, call or email us anytime. Also see more information about postage meters or other mailroom equipment.