THE USPS has confirmed the date that would see proposed price changes take effect – and it’s going to cost you more.
As the future of the service is thrown into uncertainty, Americans could be the ones left footing the bill.
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There isn’t much time left before stamps, among other things, could become more expensive.
The USPS has confirmed that starting July 13, first-class Forever stamps could go up by 5 cents each, from 73 cents to 78 cents.
If the proposal is successful, it would also raise the price of metered letters, increasing them from 69 cents to 74 cents, and international postage from $1.65 to $1.70.
Domestic postal cards would also be hit with a price hike, from 56 cents to 62 cents.
The agency filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on Wednesday, April 9 about the plan, as reported by People.
In a news release, USPS said: “As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan.
“USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world.
“USPS will release additional communications to address price changes in these categories.
“The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect.”
PREVIOUS PRICE HIKES
This is not the only price hike Americans have had to swallow in recent years.
In July 2024, the price of a first-class stamp went from 68 cents to 73 cents.
At the time, the hike matched the largest increase in the USPS‘ history.
Changes have also shaken up the postal agency recently.
On March 24, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned from his position.
He had led the agency for nearly five years.
Dejoy said in a statement at the time: “I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization, and I have been working closely with the Deputy Postmaster General to prepare for this transition.
“While our management team and the men and women of the Postal Service have established the path toward financial sustainability and high operating performance – and we have instituted enormous beneficial change to what had been an adrift and moribund organization – much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory.”
POSTAL PRIVATIZATION?
The USPS has also faced the pressure of changes from President Trump.
In December, then President-elect Trump suggested privatizing the postal agency so it could compete with rivals like Amazon and FedEx.
Then in February, Trump hinted at plans to place the USPS under the control of the Commerce Department.
The agency has operated as an independent organization for 55 years.
USPS mess-ups
The United States Postal Service is facing customer complaints as the mail agency struggles to stay afloat admit workforce cuts and financial loss.
The idea has been previously supported by Trump’s DOGE pal Elon Musk.
However, it is believed that the tech billionaire is taking a step back from his role as head of the controversial department.
It is still unknown what his role will be going forward.
The National Association of Letter Carriers oppose privatization.
It has argued it would jeopardize postal jobs and affect delivery service, especially in rural communities.
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