New Postal Rates Take Effect Monday

New Postal Rates Take Effect Monday

The U.S. Postal Service is increasing its postal rates May 14. A First-Class stamp will now cost $0.41. Rates for large envelopes and packages are also going up and those rates will now be determined by size and shape in addition to weight. Express mail fees will also be increased.

New postage rates go into effect on Monday, May 14, including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class stamp to 41 cents.

Some of the new rates and fees are:

First-Class Letter (1 oz.) 41¢
First-Class Letter (2 oz.) 58¢
Postcard 26¢
Large Envelope (1 oz.) 80¢
Priority Mail (1 lb.) $4.60
Priority Mail Flat-Rate Box $8.95
Express Mail (1/2 lb) $16.25
NEW Express Mail (1 lb) $19.50
Express Mail (2 lb) $21.40

The new Forever Stamp is also being introduced in time for use on May 14, selling at the 41-cent rate. The value of the Forever Stamp will always be the one-ounce letter rate and the stamp can be used for mailing a typical letter forever, regardless of future rate increases.

The cost to mail large envelopes and packages will also be affected by the increase, as rates will reflect cost to the postal service for shipping space. Think shape and size for the best value when mailing. An easy way to look at it is to use the smallest envelope or box possible for mailing. For example, a letter mailed in a 9” x 12” envelope will cost 80 cents. By folding the letter and sending it in a letter-size envelope, 39 cents will be saved on postage.

For packages, try not to ship small, lightweight items in large boxes – practice “right-size shipping”. This will help to avoid surcharges for oversized packages. If possible, simply use free Postal Service Priority and Express Mail packaging that comes in a range of sizes to meet shipping needs.

Besides local post offices, several other convenient options are available for customers to purchase postage and postal services. Log on to the Postal Service website, www.usps.com, to buy stamps, request to have free Priority and Express Mail packaging shipped to your home, print mailing labels with or without postage and request carrier pick-up for your packages!

Or, contact your local post office to inquire about using “Stamps by Mail” or “Stamps by Fax” services. An Automated Postal Center, APC, is also available for use in the several Indianapolis post office lobbies (including Bacon, Castleton, Eagle Creek, Main Post Office, New Augusta, Nora, Park Fletcher and Southport). The APC is available 24 hours daily, every day of the week, including holidays and can conduct 80% of transactions available at postal retail counters such as mailing packages and purchasing postage.

Many of the local retail outlets shown below also offer postage for sale – very convenient for postal customers. Visit during their normal business hours to purchase stamps at face value.

Costco
O’Malia
CVS
Safeway Foods
IUPUI
Sam’s Club
Kroger
Schurman Fine Papers
LoBill
Staples
Marsh
Walgreens
Meijer
Wild Oats
Office Depot

It is anticipated that the week prior to and the first few weeks after the May 14 rate increase will result in heavier traffic than normal at local post offices. Use of the convenient options listed above may offer quicker access and little or no wait time to obtain the new Forever Stamp, 41-cent postage, as well as other postage and postal services.