By Leada Gore
The U.S. Postal Service is making some changes.
Starting July 9, the price of a Forever Stamp will increase by 3 cents from 63 cents to 66 cents. The increase, according to USPS, is designed to “offset the rise in inflation.”
The price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51 cents; a 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would go to $1.50. The price for a single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price remains at 24 cents.
It’s the second increase this year in the price of a Forever Stamp, that can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps were purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future. Earlier in the year, it rose from 60 cents to 63 cents. Before that, stamp prices last increased in July 2022 when they jumped to 60 cents from 58 cents after prices rose by 3 cents in August 2021.
Ground Advantage
While stamps prices are going up, USPS is moving ahead with a plan for a new program that could save customers money.
The Postal Regulatory Commission has given approval for the new USPS Ground Advantage program to start on July 9. It will replace several USPS plans, including Retail Ground, First-Class Package, Parcel Select Ground, First Class Package Return and Ground Returns, allowing people to ship packages in 2 to 5 business days.
Ground Advantage will be about 1.4% cheaper than previous similar USPS shipping products, a price drop that grows to 3.2% for retail prices and 0.7% lower for commercial prices.
Ground Advantage will also offer free package pickup service at homes or offices and includes $100 insurance on packages with an additional $5,000 available to customers.
