USPS stamps may use increases starting today as the U.S. Postal Service officially raised Forever stamp prices to 78 cents on July 13, 2025. This marks another significant price adjustment for American consumers who rely on postal services for personal and business correspondence.
The U.S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes that took effect July 13, with the new rates including a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents. This represents approximately a 6.8% increase from the previous rate.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Latest Price Structure
The 7.4% price hike impacts a wide range of mailing services, as USPS seeks long-term financial stability under its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The increase affects multiple postal products beyond just standard stamps.
Other postal rate changes that took effect today include:
- Metered letters (1-ounce): Increased from 69 cents to 74 cents
- Domestic postcards: Rose from 56 cents to 62 cents
- International postcards: Jumped from $1.65 to $1.70
- International letters (1-ounce): Increased from $1.64 to $1.70
Key Points Summary
The July 2025 postal rate increase represents several important developments:
- Forever stamps now cost 78 cents, up from 73 cents
- Overall mailing services prices increased by approximately 7.4%
- Changes are part of USPS’s long-term financial stability strategy
- Multiple postal products experienced price adjustments simultaneously
- The increase follows the Postal Service’s Delivering for America plan
Historical Context and Future Implications
The Forever stamp cost just 41 cents when it was introduced in 2007, highlighting how dramatically postal costs have risen over the past two decades. The steady increases reflect the Postal Service’s ongoing efforts to address financial challenges while maintaining service quality.
The timing of this increase coincides with the USPS’s broader restructuring efforts. The Postal Service announced no stamp price changes for January 2025, making this July adjustment the primary rate change for the year.
Impact on Consumers and Businesses
This price adjustment affects millions of Americans who use postal services for various purposes. Small businesses that rely heavily on direct mail marketing will face increased operational costs, while individual consumers sending personal correspondence will notice the difference in their postal expenses.
The rate increase comes as the Postal Service continues implementing its 10-year transformation plan aimed at achieving financial sustainability. These adjustments represent ongoing efforts to balance service provision with fiscal responsibility.
What This Means for Stamp Purchases
Consumers who purchased Forever stamps before the price increase can still use them at full postage value, regardless of when they were bought. This feature makes Forever stamps a hedge against future price increases, though the current 78-cent rate applies to all new purchases.
The Postal Service continues to introduce new stamp designs annually, providing collectors and regular users with fresh options throughout the year.
Looking Ahead
As the USPS continues implementing its long-term strategic plan, consumers should anticipate potential future adjustments to postal rates. The service balances maintaining affordable access to postal services while ensuring operational sustainability.
The July 2025 increase demonstrates the Postal Service’s commitment to transparent pricing adjustments that support its mission of universal service delivery across the United States.