Stamp prices have been steadily rising, with greater increases over the past several years. Mailing a letter cost 49 cents in , 50 cents in and 55 cents in , which is still the current price, according to USPS data.
The price increase, which would take effect on August 29 if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, comes in response to lagging mail volume, according to an agency news release. Over the same period, First-Class Mail volume has dropped 32 percent, and single piece First-Class Mail volume — including letters bearing postage stamps — has declined 47 percent.
Last week, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation that would overhaul the USPS after the struggling agency made repeated requests to Congress to help its dire financial situation.
The current first-class rate of 29 cents remains in effect for the rest of the holiday season, traditionally the heaviest mailing period of the year. Post offices throughout the nation will begin selling special stamps today that can be used until ample supplies of the new cent issues can be printed. The Postal Service has printed 3 billion copies of the special stamp, without a marked price, that bears a picture of a U.
It is good for the cent usage. The regular cent stamps will be available in late March or early April. Sheets with 20 separate Civil War subjects--including Robert E. The post card, now 19 cents, goes to 20 cents. The Postal Service had requested an across-the-board increase of The Postal Service said that cost-cutting measures made it possible to hold the cent rate for an extra year--normally rates increase every three years.
The average consumer will spend between 60 cents and 75 cents more a month next year because of higher rates, he said. However, the governors asked the rate commission to reconsider the portion of its decision dealing with the complex way in which costs are calculated for the work of letter carriers.
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