FEBRUARY 10 2009
NEW MAILING SERVICES PRICES
Price Change May 11 Includes 2-Cent Increase In First-Class Mail Stamp
New prices for mailing services take effect May 11.
The Governors of the Postal Service approved the price adjustments for mailing services — First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services (including retail Parcel Post) and Extra Services.
There will be a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. For First-Class Mail, there will be no changes in the current additional ounce price, which remains at 17 cents. The new prices include growth incentives for saturation mailers. While prices, on average, change by the rate of inflation for each class of mail, many of the new prices are below the 3.8 percent Consumer Price Index price cap.
Customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing the Forever Stamp before May 11. The postage value of the Forever Stamp is always the First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter price in effect on the day of use.
Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary. The increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation. “The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across America today,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world.”
For the average household, the First-Class Mail stamp price change will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year.
“Whether you’re a consumer or run a business, the Postal Service continues to offer a good deal during a time when we’re all looking for ways to save,” said Stephen Kearney, senior vice president for customer relations. “Our range of shipping and mailing options and low prices make the Postal Service the smart and easy choice.”
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