April 9, 2024
Board Memo 052-2024: USPS Proposed Price Changes
Executive Board,
The Postal Service has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission proposed price changes to
take effect July 14, 2024. These price adjustments include Special Services products such as
Certified Maill and money order fees. The proposed adjustments would raise mailing service
products by approximately 7.8%.
Please share this information with your membership.
Thank you, and be safe.
NAPS Headquarters
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTAL SUPERVISORS
National Headquarters
1727 KING STREET, SUITE 400
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-2753
(703) 836-9660
April 2024 Mailing Services Price Change Fact Sheet
Overview
On April 9, 2024, the U.S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of
price changes to Mailing Services to take effect July 14, 2024.
Key Points
• The new prices approved by the Governors of the Postal Service will raise Mailing Services
product prices approximately 7.8 percent.
• Mailing Services price increases proposed in this filing are based on the Consumer Price Index
(CPI) plus additional density authority and retirement authority granted by Postal Regulatory
Commission.
• The new prices will include an increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, to 73
cents.
• The single-piece letter additional ounce price will be 28 cents.
• The prices of postcard stamps will increase to 56 cents.
• The Postal Service has some of the lowest letter mail postage rates in the industrialized world
and also 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.
• As operating expenses fueled by inflation continue to rise and the effects of a previously defective
pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service
with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America
10-year plan
• Summarized price changes for Mailing Services typically used by consumers are:
Product Current New
Letters (1 oz.)
68 cents
73 cents
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
64 cents
69 cents
Domestic Postcards
53 cents
56 cents
International Postcards (1 oz)
$1.55
$1.65
International letters (1 oz)
$1.55
$1.65
• Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the price change is scheduled to
take effect on July 14, 2024.
• The complete Postal Service price filings with the new prices for all products can be found on the
PRC site under the Daily Listings section. For the Mailing Services filing, see Docket No. R2024-
2. The price change tables are also available on the Postal Service website at
https://pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
• The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale
of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2024
Contact: David P. Coleman
david.p.coleman@usps.gov
usps.com/news
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July 2024
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U. S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory
Commission of mailing services price changes to take effect July 14, 2024. The new rates
include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73
cents.
The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise
mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent. If favorably reviewed by the
commission, the price changes would include:
Product
Current prices
Planned prices
Letters (1 oz.)
68 cents
73 cents
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
64 cents
69 cents
Domestic Postcards
53 cents
56 cents
International Postcards
$1.55
$1.65
International Letter (1 oz.)
$1.55
$1.65
The additional-ounce price for single-piece letters increases from 24 cents to 28 cents. The
Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products, including
Certified Mail and money order fees. Notably, there will be no price increase for Post Office
Box rental fees, and the Postal Service will apply a price reduction of 10 percent for postal
insurance when mailing an item.
As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are
needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-
year plan. USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world.
The commission will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The
complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the
commission’s website under the Daily Listings section. The Mailing Services filing is Docket
No. R2024-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer
website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at
usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post
Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially
Licensed Collection on Amazon.
# # #
Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing
and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to
2
167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal
Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network,
restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and
maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products
and services to fund its operations.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom.
Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS
YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and
facts.usps.com.
Page 1 of 4
April 2024 Price Change Talking Points and Q&A
Mailing Services Talking Points
• The First-Class Mail Single-Piece Forever stamp price will increase to 73 cents.
• The price for domestic postcard stamps will increase to 56 cents.
• The First-Class Mail meter price for 1-ounce letters will increase to 69 cents.
• The First-Class Mail single-piece letter additional ounce price will increase to 28 cents,
• Postage price changes at this class level are capped at the rate of inflation as measured
by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus additional density authority and retirement
authority granted by Postal Regulatory Commission. The Postal Service continues to
offer a great value in mailing and has some of the lowest rates in the industrialized
world.
• The Postal Service is self-funded and generally does not receive tax dollars for operating
expenses. It relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
• The new prices have been filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). If
favorably reviewed by the PRC, the new prices will become effective July 14, 2024.
• All new prices are posted on the Postal Explorer website: pe.usps.com.
• Forever stamps purchased before the price change can continue to be used after the
new prices go into effect, with no additional postage needed for a 1-ounce mailing.
• The complete Postal Service price filing with the new prices for all products can be found
on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section: Daily Listings section
Page 2 of 4
Possible Questions (Mailing Services)
1. Why is the price of Forever stamps going up this year?
The Forever stamp price was increased by 5 cents. The total price authority provided by PRC
is 7.8 percent. To balance the below average price increase for Forever Stamps, above
average price increases were applied for Flats.
2.How much are prices going up?
First-Class Mail prices will increase by 7.8 percent.
3. What prices are going up?
The price of domestic First-Class Mail stamps will increase to 73 cents. The First-Class Mail
single-piece additional ounce price will increase to 28 cents. The price to mail domestic
postcards will increase to 56 cents, and the price to mail a one-ounce outbound international
letter will increase to $1.65.
4. Where can I see all the prices?
All the new prices will be posted on Notice 123 on the Postal Explorer website: pe.usps.com
.
The complete Postal Service price filing with the new prices for all products can be found on
the PRC website under the Daily Listings section:
Daily Listings section
5. When will the new proposed prices take effect?
If approved, the prices will go into effect on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 12:01 a. m. Eastern
U.S.
6. What role does the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) play in price adjustments?
The PRC reviews the proposed prices for Mailing Services to determine if they comply with
the Consumer Price Index cap and additional authorities if applicable and reviews all prices
to determine that they comply with other applicable laws and regulations.
7. Will there be pricing promotions available to mailers?
Yes, promotions will continue in 2024 as approved. The PRC approved the July 2023 rate
case filing, where the Postal Service proposed 2024 mailing promotions and incentives to
create awareness of innovative uses of mail. These include tactile, sensory and interactive
mailpiece engagement; emerging and advanced technology; personalized color, Reply Mail
IMbA, Retargeting, and Informed Delivery promotions. By encouraging customers to adopt
and invest in technologies that enhance how consumers interact and engage with mail, this
will improve the long-term value of mail.
8. Why do some mailers get discounts on prices?
In part because significant mailing volume can lower per piece postal costs, business mailers
may pay rates that differ from the general public. Rates can vary depending on how the mail
is sorted, where the mail is deposited, and other preparation arrangements. In other words, if
mailers assume a greater share of mail preparation, they may be eligible for savings, called
“work-share” discounts. Should you desire to learn more about the Postal Service's business
offerings, please visit us at usps.com/business/business-shipping.htm. The site offers tips on
saving time and money, calculating postage correctly, receiving volume discounts, how to
minimize dimensional weight charges and much more.
9. Will this price change address the Postal Service’s financial challenges?
In light of a decade of sharp declines in Marketing Mail and First-Class Mail volume, the
Postal Service needs more than an incremental price change to effectively respond to its
financial challenges. The Postal Service is one of the most efficient postal administrations in
the world, but volume for Domestic First-Class Mail — our most profitable product — has
Page 3 of 4
declined by 52 percent compared to 2007, and is expected to continue to decline as a result
of diversion to digital communications and the increase in online transactions.
10. What will the price of the new semipostal stamps be?
Effective July 14, 2024, the pricing for all semipostal stamps will continue to be 85 cents.
The semipostal price includes the First-Class Mail single-piece postage rate plus an amount
to fund causes that have been determined to be in the national public interest. By law,
revenue from sales (minus postage and the reasonable reimbursement costs to the Postal
Service) is transferred to a selected executive agency or agencies. The current semipostal
stamps are:
• Breast Cancer Research
• Alzheimer’s Awareness
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Save Vanishing Species
All semipostal stamps are available for purchase at Post Offices, online at usps.com
, and by
phone order at 1-800-STAMP 24.
11. Is the Postal Service filing price changes for domestic Competitive Products at this
time?
At the present time no decision has been made to change the prices of domestic competitive
products.
12. Is the Postal Service filing International Competitive Products price change
information?
At the present time no decision has been made to change the prices of International
Competitive products.
13. When can the Domestic Competitive Product price change announcement be
expected?
The timing and magnitude of the Domestic Competitive Product price change is decided by
the USPS Board of Governors. At the present time, no decision has been made regarding
possible future price changes to domestic Competitive products.
14. What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) price cap for the price change?
The CPI price cap for this price change is 1.6 percent. Additional annual rate authorities are
granted by PRC. These are Density Based Authority, which is additional price increases
allowable to compensate for declining volumes and growing delivery points, and Retirement
Based Authority, which is determined by the proportion of amortization payments to total
revenue. The total authority for July 2024 is 7.8 percent.
15.What is the overall increase in Mailing Services prices?
First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, Package Services, and Special Services each will see price
increases of about 7.8 percent.
16.How much is the price of a First-Class Mail stamp going up?
The First-Class Mail Single Piece Forever stamp will increase to 73 cents.
17.How are the stamped envelope prices changing?
Like First-Class Mail stamps, the price of postage on stamped envelopes will increase to 73
cents, while the price for the stamped envelope (with postage) will increase to 95 cents. Prices
for postcard postage will rise to 56 cents and the price of stamped postcard (with postage) will
be 62 cents.
Page 4 of 4
18.Can I still use my old Forever stamps? What about stamps that are NOT Forever
stamps?
Yes, you can still use any Forever stamp. What makes the Forever stamp special is it covers
first-ounce postage even if the price of a stamp changes. Yes, you can still use stamps that are
not Forever stamps, but you will need to add additional postage to total 73 cents to mail a First-
Class Mail letter weighing 1 ounce.
19. How are other First-Class Mail prices changing?
Single-piece Metered Mail — increase to 69 cents
Postcards — increase to 56 cents
Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — increase to $1.65
20. How much are USPS Marketing Mail Letters prices changing?
USPS Marketing Mail Letters will receive a 7.8 percent price increase on average.
21. What about nonprofit letters? Are they changing?
Overall Nonprofit Letters are increasing 3.2 percent. Nonprofit Automation 5-Digit Destination
Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) letters will increase 5.8 percent while Origin Automated Area
Distribution Center (AADC) letter prices will increase 0 percent. Nonprofit letter rates will
continue to be a low-cost method to raise funds and increase awareness for nonprofit
organizations. Nonprofit Letter prices have fallen farther below their Commercial counterpart
than in previous years.
22. How much are Periodicals (which includes newspapers and magazines) prices
changing?
The overall Periodicals price increase is 9.8 percent. In fiscal year 2023, the cost coverage for
Periodicals was approximately 60 percent, well below the statutory requirement that each class
of mail cover 100 percent of its attributable costs.
23. What is the percent change for Package Services products?
Media/Library Mail price will increase 9.9 percent and Alaska Bypass price will increase 4.8
percent. The prices for Bound Printed Matter Flats will increase by 5.7 percent and Bound
Printed Matter Parcels will increase by 5.8 percent.
