When Do Postal Rates Go Up in 2024 and What to Expect

Postal rate increases are a fact of life, and 2024 is no exception. The United States Postal Service (USPS) typically announces rate changes in the spring.

You can expect the new rates to take effect in January 2024. This is when the USPS usually implements its annual rate adjustments. The exact date is always a Monday.

The rate increases will apply to all mail services, including First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Parcel Post. This means you can expect higher costs for sending packages and letters.

A different take: Order Fulfillment Rate

The USPS has announced a 7.8% increase in postage costs, with the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp rising to 73 cents on July 14, 2024.

The price of a Forever stamp has increased twice this year, first from 66 to 68 cents in January, and now by another nickel to 73 cents.

Mailing a postcard domestically will cost 56 cents, a 3-cent increase, while international postcards and letters will cost $1.65, a dime increase.

A unique perspective: Us Postage Increase

The price increase is part of the USPS's 10-year plan to achieve financial stability, but critics say it's hurting mail volume and the agency's bottom line.

The USPS reported a $6.5 billion loss for fiscal 2023 and is projecting a $6.3 billion deficit in 2024, according to Keep US Posted, a nonprofit advocacy group.

The good news is that the price of renting a Post Office Box is not going up, and USPS will reduce the cost of postal insurance 10% when mailing an item.

The price of a Forever stamp has steadily climbed since it was introduced in 2007, when it cost 41 cents.

The new USPS stamp price is 73 cents, a nickel increase from the current 68 cents, and it's set to take effect on July 14, 2024.

This is the second time this year that the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase, with the first hike happening in January when the price rose from 66 cents to 68 cents.

The Forever stamp was introduced in 2007 and initially cost 41 cents, with the name "Forever" indicating that it could be used regardless of when it was purchased.

The price of a Forever stamp has steadily climbed over the years, with the latest increase being a nickel, bringing the total cost to 73 cents.

Mailing a postcard domestically will also cost more, with a 3-cent increase to 56 cents, while international postcards and letters will cost $1.65, a dime increase.

The price increases are part of the USPS's 10-year plan to achieve financial stability, but some critics argue that they will hurt mail volume and the USPS's bottom line.

The USPS reported a $6.5 billion loss for fiscal 2023 and is projecting a $6.3 billion deficit in 2024, according to Keep US Posted, a nonprofit advocacy group.

The cost of renting a Post Office Box is not going up, and the USPS will reduce the cost of postal insurance 10% when mailing an item.

The price of a 1-ounce metered letter will also increase by a nickel to 69 cents, while the price of mailing international letters is going up from $1.50 to $1.55.

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