Brace yourself before your next trip to the post office—mailing a simple letter just got more expensive. Announced on July 13, the U.S. Postal Service rolled out another round of sweeping price hikes, sending the cost of Forever Stamps skyrocketing from 73 cents to 78 cents in its latest effort to combat financial woes and stabilize its budget under the ambitious “Delivering for America” 10-year plan.
In addition to Forever Stamps, domestic postcard rates have jumped from 56 to 62 cents, while international postcards now cost $1.70, up from $1.65. Letters haven’t been spared either, with prices rising to 74 cents for metered mail. Even Priority Mail services are impacted: flat rate envelopes now cost $11 for retail customers, and Priority Mail Express flat rate envelopes come with a $31.40 price tag. USPS officials point out, however, that even with these increases, U.S. postage remains “significantly lower” than that of many comparable foreign postal services.
The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the hikes after months of review, marking the second time in recent memory that stamp prices have seen a notable surge, following a five-cent bump in 2024. USPS has already signaled that more increases are on the horizon, proposing semi-annual price adjustments every January and July through 2027.
While the cost of mailing a letter continues to rise, the Postal Service says the adjustments are necessary to sustain its operations and modernize its services. USPS maintains that its prices remain among the most affordable in the world—even as everyday Americans feel the pinch with each trip to the post office.