Post Office stamp prices are on the rise. What changes you can expect to see this month

Emily Barnes, New York State Team
·2 min read
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It might be time to stock up on stamps as New Yorkers will soon be paying more for postage when the U.S. Postal Service's 5-cent increase goes into effect later this month.

The USPS filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission, which was approved by the Postal Service governors in May, raising the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents. The price changes will take effect on July 14.

This comes after the USPS raised prices in January, including a 5.4% increase in USPS Ground Advantage prices, a 5.7% increase for Priority Mail service and a 5.9% increase for Priority Mail Express service.

Here's what to know.

The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a 5-cent price increase for stamps, which would go into effect on July 14.
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a 5-cent price increase for stamps, which would go into effect on July 14.

What other Postal Service prices are changing?

The proposed adjustments would raise prices for certain mailing services products by about 7.8%, USPS said, but the agency will apply a price reduction of 10% for postal insurance when you mail an item. There's no increase in Post Office Box rental fees.

Here's how prices have increased in 2024 compared to last year:

Additional increases include:

  • The "additional ounce price" for single-piece First-Class mail letters, which is going up to 28 cents from 24 cents — 27 cents up to the first 4 ounces, 28 cents for an additional 4-9 ounces and 30 cents for 9-13 ounces extra.

  • A 9.9% average price increase for media and library mail

  • A 7.8% average price increase for marketing mail letters

  • A 5.7% average price increase for bound printed matter flats

  • A 5.5% average increase for bound printed matter parcels

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Why are Postal Service prices increasing?

"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 said in an April news release.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Are stamp prices going up in 2024? How much more you'll be paying