Stamp Prices Increase in 2013: Letters Go Up 1 Cent to 46 Cents, Flat Rate Domestic Fares Also Rise [FULL INFO]
Stamps' prices will go up in January 2013 from 45 to 46 cents and pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products will also increase, the United States Postal Service announced.
Beginning January 27 the "Forever" stamps that allow customers to mail 1-ounce letters to any location in the United States will increase to 46 cents and additional ounces to letters remain unchanged at 20 cents. Forever stamps are always good for mailing anytime in the future regardless of price changes, as their name says.
The "Forever" stamp for international destinations will increase 5 cents. The cost to send a 1-ounce letter to Canada and Mexico will go up 25 cents using a "Forever stamp.
Other increases in prices are the postcards which will cost 33 cents or an increase of 1 cent. The following Priority Mail Flat Rade products will also increase:
Small box - $5.80 (Currently $5.35)Medium box - $12.35 (Currently $11.35)Large box - $16.85 (Currently $15.45)Large APO/FPO box - $14.85Regular envelope - $5.60 (Currently $5.30)Legal envelope - $5.75Padded envelope - $5.95 (Currently $5.30)
The Postal Service also announced that it will introduce a new stamp for $1.10 that will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world.
The increase in prices come as the Postal Service faces a cash crisis. According to Reuters, mail volumes have dropped as Americans communicate more online.