Business & Tech

Price of Stamps Going Up

The temporary increase is supposed to generate new revenue to make up for big losses in 2008 and 2011.

ByΒ Greg Hambrick

It's time to stock up onΒ Forever Stamps for the new yearβ€”the U.S. Postal Service will soonΒ increase the price of stamps.

On Jan. 26 theΒ cost of a first-class postage stampΒ will rise to 49 centsΒ from 46 cents, according toΒ The Washington Post.Β 

A book of first-class, one-ounce stamps will cost $9.80. Forever Stamps purchased before the increase will still be valid for all one-ounce letters.Β 

The U.S. Postal Service’s regulator approved the increase of about 6 percent, but rejected a request for a permanent increase.

According to the USPS, the increases include:

  • LettersΒ (1 oz.) β€” 3-cent increase to 49 cents
  • Letters additional ouncesΒ β€”Β  1-cent increase to 21 cents
  • Letters to all international destinationsΒ (1 oz.) β€” $1.15
  • PostcardsΒ β€” 1-cent increase to 34 cents
The rate increase is supposed to boost the USPS' revenue by $2.8 billion in two years to recoup losses suffered in 2008 and 2011,Β according toΒ theΒ Post.Β 

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