SOME Americans have slammed the United States Postal Service for a new stamp fee change.
The legislation takes full effect this month and more are on the way in the next two years.
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As of July 13, prices for the First-Class Mail Forever stamps with USPS jumps from 73 cents to 78 cents.
It’s about a 7.4% bump, and other items are also costing more money for consumers, per a notice filed by USPS with the Postal Regulatory Commission in April.
One-ounce letters are also up five cents from 73 to 78 as well, along with other letters from 69 to 74.
There’s an additional ounce price increase for single letters of 28 cents to 29 cents as well.
Domestic postcards are up to 61 cents from 56, international postcards $1.70 instead of $1.65, and international letters also feature the same uptick of $1.70 from $1.65.
USPS also said in the release it would be providing a 12% price reduction for those items mailed with postal insurance.
Backlash over the upticks has already sparked on social media.
“I tried. I tried so hard @USPS to keep sending snail mail during the year and Christmas cards and whatnot,” a consumer, Amanda, wrote on X.
“But I can’t anymore…78 cents a stamp with 4 more raises coming in the next two years. Saddddddd.”
This is accurate, as the USPS laid out plans to bump costs for key services and products twice in 2026 and 2027.
Each will take place in January and July of both years, per a document submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission in September.
“Do we even need USPS anymore?” another person questioned.
A third blasted the July 13 uptick as “unjustified” because the “agency does not offer daily delivery, wait long line at post office, rude & abrupt customer service etc.”
“Mismanagement of agency, find capable ppl to work,” they added.
USPS Price Hikes
- Forever Stamps: 73 cents to 78 cents
- Domestic postcards: 56 cents to 62 cents
- Letters (metered 1-ounce): 69 cents to 74 cents
- Letters (1-ounce): 73 cents to 78 cents
- Additional-ounce price for single letters: 28 cents to 29 cents
- International postcards: $1.65 to $1.70
- International letter (1-ounce): $1.65 to $1.70
NECESSARY MOVE
This is now the 20th instance where prices have changed since 2000, with the most recent being in July of last year.
Still, USPS insisted in the release from April that increases are “needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan.”
It’s important to note that USPS has to combat inflation, which has increased costs for labor, fuel, utilities, and vehicle maintenance.
“USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world,” the emphasized.
The agency also remains the largest mail carrier in the world, delivering more than any other postal service.
GROWING AND ADAPTING
Delivering For America has been ongoing since 2021.
Through the initiative, USPS seeking to modernize and update its services for improved service and financial stability.
It’s making investments worth upwards of $40 billion in technology, infrastructure, and more with the goal of on-time delivery for at least 95% of packages.
USPS also saw a $9.5 billion net loss in 2024.
Thousands of Americans were also advised earlier this month by USPS to “not click” a warning message, as it could drain their bank accounts.
Last month, Walmart and Amazon packages were also “held hostage” buy USPS for a crucial reason.
