It’s official; new postage prices go into effect on May 31st, 2015. On May 4th the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the USPS proposed price change request.
As a recap, the price of a USPS First-Class stamp remains unchanged at $.49. Therefore there is no need to stock up on Forever stamps.
However, most other postal mailing categories will see increases. Below are some of the highlights for First-Class Mail.
- First-Class Postcards will increase from $.34 to $.35 each
- Additional ounces for First-Class mail will increase from $.21 to $.22
- Certified Mail base fees will increase from $3.30 to $3.45
- Certified Mail Return Receipt Green Card fees will increase from $2.70 to $2.80
- Certified Mail Electronic Return Receipts will increase from $1.35 to $1.40
- International First-Class Letters will go up from $1.15 to $1.20
- One ounce First-Class flats will increase to $.98, and 2 ounce pieces will be $1.20
- Registered Mail letters will increase from $11.95 to $12.20
- The price of a First-Class Stamp will remain at $.49
Keep in mind, we are quoting the new USPS postage costs, not LetterStream prices. LetterStream typically increases prices only to the extent that the USPS fees increase, but review your invoice when creating mailings online for exact pricing.
It’s generally difficult to find the new postage rate charts at USPS.com before a postage rate change is implemented, but with a little digging, the rate tables can be found. Follow this link for the new postage rates for 2015. You can download an Excel file in the left sidebar called “Mailing Services Prices excel – Proposed Updated 05/01/15”.
We don’t recommend using the “Calculate a Price” postage rate tool on the USPS website for mailings after May 31 until that date has passed. While the tool technically allows you to enter the future date of a mailing, it doesn’t take into account the new rate increases. (Don’t ask us why.)
If you’d like to see the complete PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) document, it was published by the Federal Government Publishing Office on May 4, 2015 and can be found here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-04/pdf/2015-10029.pdf