The United States Postal Service has announced plans to change pricing for all Market Dominant Mail Classes. This pricing needs to be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The announcement is expected in late May or early June. The increase will affect First Class, Periodical, Standard/Marketing Mail, Package Services Bound Printed Matter, Media/Library Mail and other USPS miscellaneous fees.
To see how other classes will compare to the 5.4% increase for First Class, here is a chart. It appears that Periodicals are getting hit a little harder this increase.
Table 4
Price Change Percentages
| Class | Percentage Change |
| First-Class Mail | 5.378 |
| USPS Marketing Mail | 5.381 |
| Periodicals | 8.122 |
| Package Services | 5.379 |
| Special Services | 5.429 |
The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:
| Product | Current Prices | Planned Prices |
| Letters (1 oz.) | 63 cents | 66 cents |
| Letters (metered 1 oz.) | 60 cents | 63 cents |
| Domestic Postcards | 48 cents | 51 cents |
| International Postcards | $1.45 | $1.50 |
| International Letter (1 oz.) | $1.45 | $1.50 |
When reviewing percent changes, it appears periodicals will be affected more than other items.
| Class | Percent Change |
| First-Class Mail | 5.378 |
| USPS Marketing Mail | 5.381 |
| Periodicals | 8.122 |
| Package Services | 5.379 |
| Special Services | 5.429 |
Below is the statement USPS sent out about the proposed changes.
Though we are sharing this information today, please use this information with the understanding that it is all pending approval.
April 10, 2023
U.S. Postal Service Files Notice with PRC for New Mailing Services Pricing
- Actions taken to address continued elevated inflation and prior years defective pricing model
- New prices scheduled to take effect July 9, 2023
- Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 9, 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents.
If favorably reviewed by the Commission, the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.
The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63 cents, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51 cents. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.
The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:
| Product | Current Prices | Planned Prices |
| Letters (1 oz.) | 63 cents | 66 cents |
| Letters (metered 1 oz.) | 60 cents | 63 cents |
| Domestic Postcards | 48 cents | 51 cents |
| International Postcards | $1.45 | $1.50 |
| International Letter (1 oz.) | $1.45 | $1.50 |
As operating expenses fueled by inflation continue to rise and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.
The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
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