The USPS is implementing a postage rate increase effective July 12, 2026.
Key Changes for First-Class Mail
- First-Class Mail Forever stamp (1 oz letter): 78¢ → 82¢ (+4¢, ~5.1% increase)
- Metered 1 oz letters: 74¢ → 78¢ (+4¢)
- Domestic postcards: 61¢ → 65¢ (+4¢)
- International postcards and letters (1 oz): $1.70 → $1.75 (+5¢)
The additional ounce price for single-piece letters stays at 29¢.
Overall Increase
This represents an average ~4.8% increase across mailing services (First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, Periodicals, etc.). Increases vary by category:
- Commercial First-Class Mail: ~4.7–5.2%
- Marketing Mail: ~5–6% for many commercial categories
USPS cites ongoing financial pressures, inflation, and the need to cover rising costs while maintaining service. This follows a pattern of semi-annual adjustments, though no increase occurred in January 2026
DMR is committed to helping customers optimize all available postage discounts for their mailings.