USPS raises first-class Forever stamp to 82 cents July 12

The price of mailing a letter will increase this weekend as the United States Postal Service implements a new round of postage rate hikes approved by federal regulators. Starting Sunday, July 12, the cost of a first-class Forever stamp will rise from 78 cents to 82 cents.

The increase, announced by the Postal Service in April and approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission in late May, applies to a wide range of mailing services. The price of a domestic postcard will increase from 61 cents to 65 cents, while international postcards and one-ounce international letters will rise from $1.70 to $1.75. Metered one-ounce letters will go from 74 cents to 78 cents, though the additional-ounce rate for single-piece letters will remain at 29 cents. Overall, mailing service prices are expected to increase by approximately 4.8 percent.

In a statement, the Postal Service said the adjustments are necessary due to rising operational costs and a severe financial crisis. The agency emphasized that it generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on revenue from postage and services to fund its operations. Officials stated they are using all available regulatory pricing...