Cost of Mailing Letters to Rise May 12th

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2008 - On May 12 the US Postal Service will adjust prices for mailing services ó First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

A First-Class Mail stamp will be 42¢. Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps that they purchased prior to May 12 at 41¢, even after the price change. We will have 5 billion Forever Stamps in stock to meet increased demand before the price change. Forever Stamps are widely available through Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, vending, and at The Postal StoreÆ. We also will have a 62¢ stamp available shortly after May 12 for 1-ounce nonmachinable First-Class Mail letters, such as square greeting cards.

Select prices:

First-Class Mail letter (1 oz.) - $0.42

First-Class Mail letter (2 oz.) - $0.59

Postcard - $0.27

First-Class Mail large envelope (2 oz.) - $1.00

Certified Mail - $2.70

First-Class Mail International to Canada and Mexico (1 oz.) - $0.72