USPS just announced increased proposed postage rates that will take effect on July 14, 2024 if they are approved!

Below is a detailed breakdown of what these changes will entail.

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The Changes!

Standard Letters 

The price to mail a standard letter will increase from 68 to 73 cents of postage! The price for each additional ounce has increased from 24 cents to 28 cents. The nonmachinable surcharge (e.g., invitations with wax seals or that are square shaped) will increase from 44 cents to 46 cents. This means that a simple wedding invitation in 2024 will cost $1.19 to mail! This is wedding invitation that weighs less than 1 ounce and is subject to the nonmachinable surcharge.

Postcards

The postage rate for postcards has increased from 53 to 56 cents.

Flats // Large Envelopes

The baseline postage rate to mail a Flat/Large Envelope has increased from $1.39 to $1.50 in postage. The price for each additional ounce also increased from 24 cents to 27 cents per additional ounce. This means that a flat that weighs 2 ounces, for example, will now require $1.77 in postage.

FAQs!

How much will it cost to mail a normal letter in after July 14, 2024?

If it’s a standard 1 ounce letter, you will need 73 cents of postage.

How much will a non-machinable stamp be worth after July 14, 2024?

Starting on July 14, 2024, a non-machinable stamp will be worth $1.19 in postage.

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 2024?

Based on what we’ve seen in the past, it is unlikely that USPS will announce another rate increase for 2024 prices. However, we expect that they will likely announce another postage rate increase for rates starting in January 2025!

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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