U.S. Postage Rate Increase: First-class Stamps Now Cost 49 Cents

Written by Greg Hambrick

It's time to stock up on Forever Stamps for the new year—the U.S. Postal Service will soon increase the price of stamps.

On Jan. 26 the cost of a first-class postage stamp rose to 49 cents from 46 cents, according to The Washington Post. 

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. 

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:

• Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
• Letters additional ounces —  1-cent increase to 21 cents
• Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
• Postcards — 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, according to the Post.