The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a postage increase to take effect on 2 January, 2011. The postage rate for first-class postage stamps will rise from 44 cents to 46 cents, but first-class Forever postage stamps purchased prior to the increase will be good for mailing after the rate change takes place.
The U.S. Postal Service Governors recommended the increase in postage stamp prices to help reduce a projected budget shortfall of $7 billion in fiscal year 2011. Any recommended price increase must first be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). In the 18 October, 2010 issue of Linn's Stamp News it was reported that the PRC, for the first time in its history, rejected the requested price increase. The USPS may appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Postage Rate For First Class Mail 2010
According to USPS regulations as found on USPS.com, first-class postage is measured in ounces, with letter weights rounded up to the next ounce. Letters must be rectangular and at least 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick, but no more than 6-1/8 inches high by 11-1/2 inches long by 1/4 inch thick.
- 1 ounce - $0.44
- 2 ounces - $0.61
- 3 ounces- $0.78
- 3.5 ounces - $0.95
First-class letters may not weigh more than 3.5 ounces.
USPS Rates For First Class Mail 2011
The stamp price increase for first-class letters will be $0.02 for a one ounce letter. The USPS rate change increases by an additional $0.01 for each successive ounce.
- 1 - $0.46
- 2 - $0.64
- 3 - $0.82
- 3.5 - $1.00
First-class letters, despite the price increases, still may not weigh more than 3.5 ounces.
USPS Media Mail Rates For 2010
Media mail is designed for packages of books, film, manuscripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and computer readable media (such as CDs and DVDs). Prices for media mail are based on package weight, with weight rounded up to the next pound. The first pound is $2.38, with each successive pound costing an increase in postage of $0.39.
- 1 - $2.38
- 2 - $2.77
- 3 - $3.16
- 4 - $3.55
- 5 - $3.94
- 6 - $4.33
- 7 - $4.72
- 8 - $5.11
- 9 - $5.50
- 10 - $5.89
- 20 - $9.79
- 30 - $13.69
- 40 -$17.59
- 50 - $21.49
- 60 - $25.39
- 70 - $29.29
Media mail rates for packages weighing between the amounts listed above will incur an additional $0.39 charge per pound. For example, a media mail package weighing 23 pounds will cost $9.79 (20 pound price) + $0.39 (additional pound price) + $0.39 (additional pound price) + $0.39 (additional pound price) for a total of $10.96.
USPS Media Mail Rates For 2011
Proposed media mail rates for 2011 will increase to an initial price of $2.54 for the first pound, with each successive pound costing an additional $0.42.
- 1 - $2.54
- 2 - $2.96
- 3 - $3.38
- 4 - $3.80
- 5 - $4.22
- 6 - $4.64
- 7 - $5.06
- 8 - $5.47
- 9 - $5.88
- 10 - $6.29
- 20 - $10.39
- 30 - $14.49
- 40- $18.59
- 50 - $22.69
- 60 - $26.79
- 70 - $30.89
Media mail rates for packages weighing between the amounts listed above will incur an additional $0.42 charge per pound. For example, a media mail package weighing 23 pounds will cost $10.39 (20 pound price) + $0.42 (additional pound price) + $0.42 (additional pound price) + $0.42 (additional pound price) for a total of $11.65.
Holiday Evergreen Forever Postage Stamps
A new design for the Forever stamp will be available as part of the first-class price increase. The new Holiday Evergreen Forever stamps will be available for purchase at all post offices in October, 2010 and will be sold at the current first-class rate of 44 cents. As with the original Liberty Bell Forever stamps, the Holiday Evergreen Forever stamps are valid for first-class postage "forever" - regardless of future price increases.
Other Postage Rates
Postcard rates will increase from $0.28 to $0.30. Larger postcards, as always, require an additional charge.
Rates for large first-class envelopes and first-class packages will also increase in 2011. For more information on these price increases, please see USPS Rates For 2011 - First-Class Envelopes and Packages.
The cost of postage for Priority Mail will not be increased. Library rates, periodical rates, parcel post rates, pre-sorted mail rates, and international shipping rates for overseas postage will also increase. See the USPS.com Prices page for more information on which rates are changing.
More Information From the U.S. Postal Service
For more information on the USPS budget shortfall and the measures being implemented to reduce this shortfall, interested customers may visit the U.S. Postal Service Newsroom.
