** UPDATE: Since writing this article, USPS has announced new rates. Please visit ourblog sectionto learn more. **

As you guys know from our prior posts, the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) reviews its postage rates periodically to determine potential rate changes. Historically, they only reviewed rates and proposed increases once a year. However, they recently started reviewing rates twice a year and the last rate increase was in January 2023. Once again, USPS announced that it intended to change a couple of the postage rates, and those changes will take effect on July 9, 2023 if approved! As always, we wanted to post about these changes to help you stay updated.

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The Changes!

Standard Letters 

The price to mail a standard letter has increased from 63 to 66 cents of postage! The price for each additional ounce has stayed the same at 24 cents of postage and the nonmachinable surcharge (e.g., invitations with wax seals or that are square shaped) has stayed the same at 40 cents.  This means that a typical invitation (a mailing that weighs less than 1 ounce and is subject to the nonmachinable surcharge) will now cost $1.06 to mail!

Postcards

The postage rate for postcards has increased from 48 to 51 cents.

Flats // Large Envelopes

The baseline postage rate to mail a Flat/Large Envelope has increased from $1.26 to $1.35 in postage, but the price for each additional ounce also stayed the same at 24 cents per additional ounce. This means that a flat that weighs 1.01 ounces, for example, will now require $1.59 in postage.

FAQs!

How much does it cost to mail a normal letter in 2023 now?

If it’s a standard 1 ounce letter, you should need 66 cents of postage.

Does it cost more to send out a letter internationally?

Yes! Mail that is sent from the US to a foreign country requires extra postage. Under the new rates, a standard 1 ounce letter requires a $1.50. That amount goes up based on the weight, size and physical characteristics of the mailing.

If I have old forever stamps at home, can I still use them?

Yes! Forever stamps are accepted at the at the 1 ounce mailing rate “forever.” So even if that 1 ounce rate has changed since you bought your forever stamps, the post office will continue to accept them at the standard 1 ounce rate. Where you have to be careful is if your letter weighs more than 1 ounce or isn’t considered a “standard” letter and instead requires more postage above and beyond the 1 ounce rate.

When does a letter usually require extra postage?

A lot of people think that all letters are the same and that they will require a single forever stamp, but that isn’t true. Postage rates actually vary and depend on the size, weight and physical characteristics of your mailing. Some of the most common examples that I see that catch folks off guard are: (i) square shaped envelope - if it’s square (instead of rectangular shape, so like 6 x 6), USPS requires extra postage and (ii) envelopes that have anything that makes them rigid/lumpy - this is a big one with our wedding invitation clients that want to use wax seals or silk ribbon bows around their invitations.

Should we expect to see more rate increases in 2023?

Based on what we’ve seen in the past, we don’t think so and this should be the last increase of 2023, but it’s always possible for USPS to decide to change the rates again.

As always, we will post updates in rate increases as we find out about them on our blog and social media.

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My last piece of advice is - When in doubt, always double check your postage rates with your local post office (especially when it comes to special mailings like invitations and announcements).

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