USPS Proposes Price Increase For Postcards, International Mail; Cost Of First-Class “Forever” Stamps Unchanged

(Stephen Butterworth)

The United States Postal Service’s quest for financial stability might be hitting consumers’ pocketbooks come April if the agency’s proposed price increases gets the go-ahead.

The Associated Press reports that the USPS’ proposal includes slight increases for mailing letters and postcards, but would leave the first-class “Forever” stamp at its current price point.

According to a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission, the increases would raise the cost to send intentional letters to $1.20 from the current cost of $1.15. Postcards would also increase from from $0.34 to $0.35.

For first-class mail, every ounce over one ounce would cost an additional 22-cents, an increase from the current $0.21 cost, the AP reports.

If the proposed increase is approved it would become effective on April 26.

Officials with USPS tell the AP that the potential price increases are an attempt for the agency “to achieve financial stability.”

Postal Service proposes price increases [The Associated Press]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist