The United States Postal Service Keeps Stamp Prices Steady For 2025

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently announced it will not be increasing stamp prices at the start of next year. This decision comes after a recommendation from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who advised that the prices for certain products, including First-Class Mail, should remain unchanged for January 2025. The USPS Governors have accepted this recommendation, ensuring that the cost of mailing a single-piece First-Class letter weighing 1 ounce will not rise.

In a statement, DeJoy expressed optimism about the USPS's current strategies and the projected decline in inflation. “Our strategies are working and projected inflation is declining,” he stated. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market dominant services.” This cautious approach reflects the USPS's commitment to maintaining affordability for its customers.

The price of stamps saw its last increase in July of this year, when the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp rose by 5 cents, from 68 cents to 73 cents. It's worth noting that Forever Stamps are consistently sold at the same price as regular first-class mail stamps. With no increase in prices expected soon, customers can continue to rely on the USPS for affordable mailing solutions.

Current Postage Prices

Here’s a quick breakdown of the current postage prices:

• Letter Stamps:
• Standard-sized, rectangular envelopes - starting at $0.73
• Square, Oversized, or Unusual Envelopes - starting at $1.19
• Postcard Stamps:
• Standard-sized, rectangular postcards - starting at $0.56
• International Stamps:
• Standard-sized, rectangular envelopes - starting at $1.65

Since the introduction of stamps in 1863, their prices have increased periodically. For instance, in January 2014, a first-class stamp cost $0.49, making it a 24-cent increase over the last decade. The price in 2002 was only 34 cents, which is significantly lower than today's rates.

While the price of stamps remains stable, the USPS has announced a temporary price increase for the holiday season, which includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, package delivery prices will rise, with changes ranging from 30 cents for smaller items to $16 for larger packages. These adjustments aim to align USPS pricing with competitive practices.

These changes are expected to take effect at midnight CT on October 6 and will remain in place until January 19, 2025. Moreover, in the spirit of the holiday season, the USPS is collaborating with Toys R Us for its annual Operation Santa tradition, which allows children to send letters to Santa Claus, seeking help with their Christmas wishes.