Stamps to Cost a Penny More (For US Residents)

[Jolie77]

Stamps to Cost a Penny More
Monday February 11, 3:52 pm ET
By Randolph E. Schmid, Associated Press Writer

Mailing a Letter Will Cost a Penny More Starting in May

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mailing a letter will soon cost a penny more.

The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

The price of the Forever stamp will go up at the same time, meaning those stamps can still be purchased for 41 cents but will remain good for first-class postage after the rate increase takes effect.

The post office has sold 5 billion Forever stamps since they were introduced last April and plans to have an additional 5 billion in stock to meet the expected demand before the May price change, the agency said.

The charge for other services, such as advertising mail, periodicals, packages special services will also change. Changes in the price for Priority Mail and Express Mail will be announced later, the agency said.

Postage rates last went up in May, 2007, with a first-class stamp jumping 2 cents to the current 41-cent rate.

In the past raising postage rates was a long, complex process involving hearings before the independent Postal Regulatory Commission, a process that could take nearly a year.

However, under the new law regulating the post office that took effect in late 2006, the agency is allowed to increase rates with 45-days notice as long as changes are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission calculated that rate at 2.9 percent through January, limiting the first-class rate to an increase of just over a penny.

Under the new law, postal prices will be adjusted annually each May, the Postal Service said. Officials said they plan to give 90 days notice of future changes, twice what is required by law.

While the charge for the first ounce of a first-class letter rises to 42 cents, the price of each added ounce will remain 17 cents, so a two-ounce letter will go up a penny to 59 cents.

The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents

Other increases set for May 12:

-- Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.

-- Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.

-- Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.

-- First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

-- First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

Stamps to Cost a Penny More: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

It wasn't too long ago when the stamps were increased to 41 cents and starting on May 12th, It will increase to 42 cents.

 

[Buffalo]

Do your self a favor - buy alot of forever stamps (the one with Liberty Bell and no price on it). You can use the forever stamp even if the price increases. Buy them at 41 cents and use them when the price goes up to 42 cents and you don't need to buy one cent stamps.

 

[Sunshine1]

Oh really? I just brought 20 Forever stamps at 41 cents each about two weeks ago. At first I asked them if they will rise the cost any soon. She doesn't know but then suggested these liberty stamps. Now I undy what you saying as she might already explained to me. Ha ha. Thanks for letting us know. Yeah I'm going to buy alot more "forever" stamps. haha

Jolie77 .. also thanks for letting us know too as well.

Do your self a favor - buy alot of forever stamps (the one with Liberty Bell and no price on it). You can use the forever stamp even if the price increases. Buy them at 41 cents and use them when the price goes up to 42 cents and you don't need to buy one cent stamps.

 

[Buffalo]

Oh really? I just brought 20 Forever stamps at 41 cents each about two weeks ago. At first I asked them if they will rise the cost any soon. She doesn't know but then suggested these liberty stamps. Now I undy what you saying as she might already explained to me. Ha ha. Thanks for letting us know. Yeah I'm going to buy alot more "forever" stamps. haha

They don't sell Forever stamps in rolls. I love buying rolls as I have a little container to keep it in and pull the stamp out as need. I had to buy 5 sheets of Forever stamps instead. I think I will buy more later on like in April.

 

[Rio]

I heard about it on my local news channel. I do enjoy receiving an old fashion letter