Cost of Stamps Rising July 13: USPS Announces New Rates

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 updated on July 13, 2025

Brace yourself for higher mailing costs as the United States Postal Service (USPS) rolls out price hikes starting this weekend.

According to USA Today, the USPS is set to increase prices on first-class Forever stamps and other mailing products effective Sunday, July 13, 2025, as part of its broader push for financial stability.

Back in April 2025, the USPS signaled its intent to adjust pricing, citing the need to stabilize finances under its ambitious Delivering for America 10-year plan.

USPS Price Hike Details Unveiled for 2025

By May 2025, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) was already reviewing a proposed 5-cent increase for Forever stamps.

That proposal has now been approved, confirming the price jump for consumers nationwide.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, USPS Senior Public Relations Representative Marti Johnson officially confirmed the impending changes.

Forever Stamps Jump to 78 Cents Soon

"The Postal Service’s Market Dominant and Competitive Services price increases take effect this weekend," Johnson stated.

Starting July 13, the cost of a first-class Forever stamp will rise from 73 cents to 78 cents. Other products aren’t spared either, with mailing service prices expected to climb by an average of 7.4%.

Breakdown of USPS Mailing Cost Increases

Here’s a quick look at the specific price adjustments for other USPS products:

  • Domestic postcards: up from 56 cents to 62 cents
  • Letters: up from 69 cents to 74 cents
  • Letters (1 ounce): up from 73 cents to 78 cents
  • Additional ounce for single letters: up from 28 cents to 29 cents
  • International postcards: up from $1.65 to $1.70
  • International letters (1 ounce): up from $1.65 to $1.70

These increases, while incremental, add up for businesses and households reliant on postal services.

USPS Defends Pricing as Globally Competitive

Despite the hikes, the USPS maintains that its rates remain among the most affordable worldwide, a point emphasized in its April 2025 statement.

As Johnson noted earlier to USA TODAY, "The Postal Service continues to take a rational and realistic approach to pricing."

For those skeptical of government-run enterprises, these adjustments raise questions about efficiency and whether the USPS’s 10-year plan will truly deliver fiscal health without burdening consumers. If mailing costs keep climbing, it’s worth considering alternatives like digital communication or private couriers for cost-conscious individuals and small businesses looking to save a buck.

About Melissa Smith

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