Stamp Prices Going Up Again This Summer as USPS Faces Financial Pressure

By Y.M. Lowy

The United States Postal Service announced that the price of a First-Class Forever Stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents starting July 12. 

Domestic postcards will also rise, going from 61 cents to 65 cents, while international postcards and letters will increase from $1.70 to $1.75. The cost of domestic metered mail will go from 74 cents to 78 cents.

The adjustments amount to an overall increase of about 5%, which is lower than some earlier proposals that were discussed this year.

Postal officials say the agency continues to face declining mail volumes while maintaining delivery service to more than 168 million addresses nationwide. USPS relies heavily on postage revenue and has struggled with rising operating costs in recent years.

Postmaster General David Steiner recently told lawmakers that the agency continues to face difficult financial decisions as it works to maintain service and upgrade equipment.

At the same time, USPS is also facing attention over a proposed change involving mail-in voting. Under the proposal, states would provide the Postal Service with lists of eligible mail voters and ballot barcodes to help standardize absentee voting procedures. The proposal follows a March executive order issued by President Donald Trump and is expected to face legal challenges from some states.