The United States Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for price changes to take effect Jan. 24, 2021.
The proposed prices, approved by the Postal Service Board of Governors, would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.8 percent for First-Class Mail and 1.5 percent for other categories. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, competitive International Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.
If favorably reviewed by the PRC, the new prices will include no increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, which would remain at 55 cents. The single-piece letter additional ounce price would increase to 20 cents, the metered mail 1-ounce price would increase to 51 cents and the prices of postcard stamps would increase to 36 cents. Single-piece 1-ounce flat prices will remain unchanged at $1.
The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:
| Product |
Current Prices |
Planned Prices |
| Letters additional ounce(s) |
15 cents |
20 cents |
| Letters (metered 1 oz.) |
50 cents |
51 cents |
| Domestic Postcards |
35 cents |
36 cents |
| Letters (1 oz.) |
55 cents |
55 cents (no change) |
| Flats (1 oz.) |
$1 |
$1 (no change) |
The Postal Service has some of the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer a great value in shipping. Unlike some other shippers, the Postal Service does not add surcharges for fuel, residential delivery or regular Saturday delivery.
The PRC will review the prices before they are scheduled to take effect.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
NELDA SMITH
October 15, 2020 at 8:09 am
WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING….