AMERICANS will now pay more when sending out birthday cards through the mail.
The cost bump comes amid changes from the United States Postal Service (USPS) earlier this month.
USPS is sparking outrage over its change earlier this month (stock image)[/caption]
Starting July 13, prices for First-Class Mail Forever stamps from the federal agency were increased from 73 to 78 cents.
That’s a 7.4% uptick, with other items also costing more for consumers.
One-ounce letters loved ones might send out for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions are up five cents from 73 to 78.
Other letters are also now 74 cents, up from 69.
There’s also an additional ounce price increase for single letters of 28 cents to 29 cents.
Domestic postcards are up to 61 cents from 56, international postcards $1.70 instead of $1.65, and international letters have the same increase of $1.70 from $1.65.
USPS proposed the updated prices in a notice filed to the Postal Regulatory Commission in April, and it was recently approved to take effect this month.
Even with a 12% price reduction offered for Americans who mail items with postal insurance, significant backlash has appeared online.
NOT A FAN
“The increase will not help…it will decrease usage,” a consumer fumed in a thread on Facebook about the changes.
“Incompetence has its price,” another snapped.
A third called the move “horrible,” while someone else argued that USPS is “broke beyond repair.”
Others have slammed the move as “unjustifiable.”
The July 13 increase is now the 20th time that prices have changed for USPS products since 2000, with last July’s being the most recent.
Four more increases are on the way in 2026 and 2027, with two each year in January and July.
USPS Price Hikes
- Forever Stamps: 73 cents to 78 cents
- Domestic postcards: 56 cents to 62 cents
- Letters (metered 1-ounce): 69 cents to 74 cents
- Letters (1-ounce): 73 cents to 78 cents
- Additional-ounce price for single letters: 28 cents to 29 cents
- International postcards: $1.65 to $1.70
- International letter (1-ounce): $1.65 to $1.70
USPS insisted in its April notice to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the uptick was necessary to “achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan.”
PLAN IT OUT
Delivering for America has been an ongoing initiative since 2021.
USPS seeks to modernize and update its services for improved service and financial stability, making investments in technology and infrastructure worth upwards of $40 billion.
The federal agency also noted that, even with the increase in costs, “USPS prices remain the most affordable in the world.”
Marti Johnson, senior public relations representative for USPS, emphasized this in a statement to USA Today.
“The Postal Service continues to take a rational and realistic approach to pricing that includes prudent implementation of new and existing pricing authorities, with letter prices still significantly lower than other comparable foreign posts,” Johnson said.
USPS is also the largest mail carrier in the world, and makes more deliveries than any other postal service.
Just like the American people, USPS has also combated inflation and increased costs for fuel, labor, utilities, and vehicle maintenance in recent years.
It struggled in 2024 with a $9.5 billion net loss.
Americans were also warned recently about Amazon and Walmart packages “held hostage” by USPS for a crucial reason.
Some consumers also lost $23,000 recently as the USPS issued a warning over “washed” checks.
