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Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2002
Contact: (202) 268-2155
Release No. 02-050
FIRST-CLASS LETTER RATE TO INCREASE JUNE 30, 2002
New Stamps Are Available Wherever You Are
New Stamps Are Available Wherever You Are
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The price of mailing a First-Class Mail letter will increase 3 cents on June 30, 2002, from 34 to 37 cents - about 45 cents a month for the average household. "And while we're talking cents," said Vice President and Consumer Advocate Francia Smith, "it makes good sense for customers to purchase stamps before the new rate takes effect."
New 37-cent First-Class Mail stamps are available now. A new 3-cent "Star" stamp is also available, to add to 34-cent stamps customers may still have on hand.
"There are many different ways to purchase stamps if you can't get to the Post Office," advised Smith. "Wherever you are - at home, at work, or where you shop - you can buy stamps. Stamps are available at conveniently located stamp machines or ATMs and at many retail businesses such as banks, grocery, drug and convenience stores."
If you don't want to leave your home or office, you can go online to The Postal Store at usps.com to order stamps. The Postal Store is selling special rate-change combo packs containing both 37-cent and 3-cent stamps and a handy rate card. You can also order stamps by phone by calling 1-800-STAMP24.
"We are trying to make buying stamps as easy as possible for our customers," said Smith. "We have 32,000 vending machines, many of which are located in shopping malls and retail stores. We have 23,000 retail consignment locations in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores and office supply stores. And we have 17,000 ATMs in locations such as banks, plus 6,000 contract postal units. Customers can save time by buying the new stamps at places that are convenient to them."
"Of course, your local Post Office also has the new stamps available," adds Smith. "You can easily get them from lobby vending machines or at the counter."
Customers depositing mail in collection boxes should be careful to note the next scheduled pickup posted on the box. If no more pickups are scheduled before Sunday, June 30, the new postage rate should be affixed.
Below is a summary of postage rate and service fee changes that take effect on June 30. Complete rate information is available on the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com/ratecase.
| Selected Rate Changes | ||
| current | new | |
| First-Class Letter (1 oz.) | 34¢ | 37¢ |
| Postcard | 21¢ | 23¢ |
| Priority Mail (1 lb.) | $3.50 | $3.85 |
| Express Mail (½ lb., P.O to addressee) | $12.45 | $13.65 |
| Fee and Service Changes | ||
| current | new | |
| Certified Mail | $2.10 | $2.30 |
| Delivery Confirmation for Priority Mail | 40¢ | 45¢ |
| Insurance | ||
| up to $50.00 | $1.10 | $1.30 |
| $50.01 to $100.00 | $2.00 | $2.20 |
| $100.01 to $5,000.00 | $2.00+ | $2.20+ |
| Return Receipt | $1.50 | $1.75 |
| Post Office Box (group 6/size 1 semi-annual fee) | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Express Mail Insurance fee changes: Insurance for the first $100 is free. From $100.01 to $5,000, there is a charge of $1.00 per $100 or fraction thereof. | ||
| Pickup Service: The fee for pickup service, available for Express Mail, Priority Mail, and Parcel Post services, will increase from $10.25 to $12.50 (per pickup). | ||
| Money Order maximum increased: Maximum increased from $700 to $1,000. Fee continues at 90¢ for Money Orders up to $500, but increases to $1.25 for Money Orders over $500. | ||
| Rates and Fees Unchanged | ||
| COD fees remain the same. No rate increase for First-Class Mail single piece additional ounce. It remains 23¢. | ||
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Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that makes deliveries to 137 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 43 percent of the world's mail volume - some 207 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves 7 million customers each day at its 38,000 retail locations nationwide.
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