Mail Costs Going Up: Postage Rate Increases and The ‘Forever’ Stamp

Though it isn’t well publicized, today, May 11th is an important day - at least for those of us who still send letters.  I still use them from time to time, as do  many people; my preference is to use an envelope and stamp for paying bills rather than doing them online, despite the increased cost, because of the better record-keeping possibilities.

I’m sure by now my US readers have heard of the Forever Stamp.  It is designed to remain constantly worth first-class postage on a one-ounce letter (pretty standard for mailing a letter, bill, etc.).  Available pretty much everywhere (post offices, grocery stores, even online, they were introduced a while back alongside announcements of postage rate hikes and gained popularity pretty quickly.

Prices have been scheduled to increase every May, and this year is no different.  As of May 11th, the price of a letter stamp will go up 2 cents to 44 cents (USPS new price list here).  Stocking up on the lower-priced Forever Stamps in late April, while you still can, will save you some money! Picking up a few books while the rates are lower can save you a few dollars (as long as you don’t lose them of course!)

For international postage: according to the USPS, any non-denominated stamps (except for those that have unique markings, such as First-Class Presort, Nonprofit Org., etc) may be attached to letters that are sent to foreign countries. The postage value of such stamps is linked to the appropriate domestic rate. The postage value of the Forever Stamp will be the domestic First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter rate that is in effect on the day of use. Since international postage rates are always higher than the comparable domestic rates, additional postage will still have to be affixed, but the value of the Forever Stamps will be considered at that rate.