Forever Stamps Price Increases to 82 Cents as USPS Announces New Postage Rate Changes
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has rolled out its latest postage rates modifications, and the Forever Stamps price increases to 82 cents are now officially in place. The new prices went into effect July 12, 2026, and will affect millions of Americans who send letters, postcards and other mail. The increase is part of USPS’s continual endeavour to improve its financial position while still delivering mail nationally.
USPS to Increase Prices on Mailing Services
The major change is the increase of the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever Stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, an increase of 4 cents. Forever Stamps will still be good no matter how much the price raises. Customers who bought them before the change can still use them without paying extra postage.
Social Security July 2026 Payment Schedule Shows When Beneficiaries Will Receive Their ChecksSeveral additional mailing goods had their prices adjusted. Prices for postcards within the U.S. went up to 65 cents from 61 cents and international one-ounce letters and postcards rose from $1.70 to $1.75. Single-piece letters that are metered at one ounce also increased, from 74 cents to 78 cents, although the additional-ounce charge for single-piece letters stays at 29 cents.
Why USPS Raised Postage Rates
The new cost is aimed to help revenue while the USPS continues to face long-term financial constraints, it added. The Postal Service has seen years of dwindling First-Class Mail volumes as consumers and companies turn to digital communication.
Overall, the price change for shipping services is approximately 4.8%, USPS said. Postal officials say frequent price changes are needed to provide universal mail delivery and help cover the cost of operations across the country.
Impact on Customers and Businesses
The greater expense might also be less of an effect for households that send merely the odd letter in the mail. But corporations, nonprofit organisations and frequent mailers who mail hundreds or thousands of letters a month will probably see a bigger mailing expenditure.
Consumers who bought Forever Stamps before July 12 are still covered, since the stamps automatically cover the current First-Class postal rate, even with the rise.
What’s Ahead for USPS
The extra boost is part of USPS’s broader push to strengthen its financial position, while continuing to deliver to every corner of the country. “Price changes are an important revenue source as mail volumes continue to decline,” the Postal Service said.
Changes to postage will depend on regulatory permission, inflation, operating costs and the financial performance of USPS. Customers are encouraged to monitor official USPS announcements for any further pricing updates or service changes.
Sources
- USPS
Official announcement of July 2026 postal rate changes, Forever Stamp price rise and revised mailing service pricing. - Postal Regulatory Commission
PRC approval of mailing pricing increases and implementation date for July 2026. - Reuters
The financial context, USPS revenue woes and shrinking First-Class Mail volumes. - CBS News
New stamp prices hit customers; a look at prior postage spikes - Kiplinger
Buy Forever Stamps before price hike. What frequent mailers need to know to save money
