Exciting News! No Postage Hike In January 2025!

USPS won’t increase postage in new year

We’ve got some fantastic news that’ll make your morning coffee taste even sweeter—The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not raising postage prices in January 2025! Yes, you read that right. There will be no postage increase January 2025. For the first time in what feels like forever (since 2021 to be exact), the USPS is taking a breather from its usual New Year’s tradition of hiking rates.

Trust us when we say that we are just as thrilled here at LetterStream as you are! Not only does this mean more stability for your mailing budgets right off the bat in 2025, but it also gives you all a little extra time to enjoy the savings without the usual scramble to adjust.

 A Brief Pause in the Usual Postage Rate Increases

The announcement comes following a recommendation that was set forth by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

“Our strategies are working and projected inflation is declining,” said DeJoy. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market-dominant services.”

On that note, let’s take a moment to appreciate this unusual break in tradition. January is often marked by the expectation of increased mailing costs, but this time, there’s no need to adjust your postage budget. You can continue sending your First-Class letters, statements and notices, invoices and legal notices with Certified Mail tracking without needing to spend more money. It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy some stability in your mailing expenses—a much-needed pause before the usual adjustments that will come later in the year.

Don’t Celebrate Too Early…

While we’re all for celebrating this January reprieve, we have to keep our feet on the ground. The USPS has signaled that the rate hike freeze is just temporary. Rumor has it, the next postage increase has already been planned with postage prices rising in July 2025, with additional increases lined up through 2027. Yep, that’s right—five potential rate hikes on the horizon. This is not fully confirmed but it is something to keep in mind when planning your budget since it’s likely to happen based on past years.

It seems the USPS is just delaying the inevitable, giving us all a little break before ramping things up again. So, while we’re excited about January, it’s important to stay vigilant and start planning ahead for those mid-year adjustments.

Staying Prepared with LetterStream

LetterStream is focused on being ready for whatever comes next, whether it’s an unexpected price increase or a temporary reprieve. While we appreciate the break this January, we’re also mindful of what may lie ahead in July and beyond when it comes to sending snail mail.

Our goal is to help you navigate these changes smoothly, ensuring your mailing processes remain consistent and efficient. Whether it’s planning your mailing strategy or adjusting your budget, we’re here to help you stay on track without disruption.

What’s Next?

So, what’s our advice? Enjoy this little postal victory, but don’t let your guard down. With July 2025 on the horizon, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to optimize your mailing operations and stay ahead of the curve. And, of course, we’ll be here to make sure your mailing game remains strong, no matter what the USPS throws our way.

Here’s to a fantastic start to 2025—and to staying prepared for whatever the rest of the year has in store. Cheers to no January postage hikes!

To learn more about LetterStream or to create a free account, click here.

What You Need to Know About the January 21, 2024 USPS Postage Increase

Well, it seems to be that time of year again. The time when the United States Postal Service (USPS) has a postage rate increase. If you’re feeling like this is happening a lot, well, you’re not wrong. The Postal Service raised their prices twice in 20212022 and 2023 and now we’re starting off 2024 with another USPS postage increase.

January 2024 USPS Postage Price Increase

Effective January 21, 2024, the cost of mailing letters, packages, and other USPS services will climb slightly across the board. While the average increase sits at a modest 4.3%, it’s still cause for pause, especially for businesses and high-volume senders.

Here’s a Breakdown of the Key Changes for the Postage Rate Increase in January 2024:

  • First-Class postage increase for letters (1 oz.) is going up from $0.66 up to $0.68 cents
  • Certified Mail Postage is going from $4.35 up to $4.40
  • Certified Mail | Add-On Electronic Return Receipt price is going from $2.20 up to $2.32
  • Certified Mail | Add-On Green Card price is going from $3.55 up to $3.65
  • International Letters (1 oz.) are going from $1.50 up to $1.55
  • Domestic Postcards are going from $0.51 up, to $0.53
  • International Postcards are going from $1.50 up to $1.55
  • Registered Mail is going from $20.25 up to $20.75
  • Registered Mail | Add-On Electronic Return Receipt price is going from $5.65 up to $5.80
  • Extra Ounces (Letters) staying at $0.24
  • Extra Ounces (Flats) staying at $0.24
  • First-Class Mail Forever Stamp is $0.68

How to Handle the USPS Postage Increase?

These adjustments, while seemingly small, can accumulate over time, impacting both individuals and businesses. So, what can you do to navigate the new United States Postal Service postage increase?

Shop around: Not everything has to be sent via USPS. You may want to look at other options, such as FedEx 2Day to send a letter. You might be surprised at the fact that there’s another service with a faster delivery option.

Embrace technology: Leverage online shipping tools and platforms to compare rates, Make your life easier and more convenient and track your letters efficiently. Remember, time is money and removing the hassle of making trips to the Post Office to send your letter or to buy stamps is something to embrace on its own! Hi! LetterStream here. This is exactly what we do!

The 2024 USPS postage increase is a reality, but it doesn’t have to derail your mailing habits. By being informed and adaptable, you can adjust your strategies, find smarter solutions, and keep your letters moving without breaking the bank. Remember, a little planning and resourcefulness can go a long way in the ever-evolving world of postage.

LetterStream Is on Your Side!

For customers familiar with our process, you know we do raise our prices each time the USPS raises their rates.  But our increase is only the amount needed to cover the added postage costs. So, while your bill might look a little higher, the extra money is only going to the United States Postal Service.  LetterStream seldom raises our prices and works hard to keep your prices locked in for the long haul so that your mailing budget is consistent and predictable. If you want to send First-Class Mail, Certified Mail, postcards, or FedEx envelopes for any of your secure and important documents just remember that we’re on your side!

Keep in mind, if you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email directly through your LetterStream account. This can be done in place of real mail or in addition to your snail mail. If you’d like more information or if you’d like to add this product to your account, please feel free to send us an email at support@letterstream.com.

Now it’s your turn: How will these changes affect your mailing habits? Are you already preparing for the next postage increase? Share your thoughts and cost-saving tips in the comments below! Let’s help each other navigate the new postage landscape together.

Click here to review the USPS 2024 postage rate press release and click here to download the complete list of 2024 USPS postage rate changes.

Just a friendly reminder about a little pro tip we have: if you would like to get the old pricing but don’t want to send your mailing out before the effective Jan 21, 2024 date, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date! That way you’ll still get the current (old pricing) but it won’t go out until the date you choose.