This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Stamp Prices Increase: How Much Will Stamps Cost In 2013?

The price will go up Jan. 27, but Forever stamps will always be good on standard-sized letters.

Headed to the Post Office in Dearborn for stamps this month? You might want to bring some extra money.

The price of a stamp to send a letter is increasing by 1 cent on Jan. 27.

“The new 46-cent Forever stamps will allow customers to mail letters to any location in the United States,” according to a press release from the United States Postal Service. “Forever stamps are always good for mailing a one-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes.”

Find out what's happening in Dearbornwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Postal Service is also introducing a new Global Forever stamp, which will allow you to mail letters anywhere in the world for $1.10.

Here is a breakdown of the new single-piece First-Class mailing prices:

Find out what's happening in Dearbornwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Letters (1 ounce) — 1-cent increase to 46 cents
  • Letters additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
  • Letters to all international destinations (1 ounce) — $1.10
  • Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents

As far as shipping services go, free tracking will be offered to all competitive packages, including retail Priority Mail and Parcel Post (recently renamed Standard Post), the release states. Customers shipping Critical Mail letters and flats will have the option of receiving a signature upon delivery.

A large variety of flat-rate boxes and envelopes for Express Mail and Priority Mail, including the padded and legal-sized flat rate envelopes will continue to be offered by the Postal Service, according to the release.

New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products includes:

  • Small box — $5.80
  • Medium box — $12.35
  • Large box — $16.85
  • Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
  • Regular envelope — $5.60
  • Legal envelope — $5.75
  • Padded envelope — $5.95

“The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations,” the release states.

How often do you buy stamps? Tell us in the comments below.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?