U.S. Postal Service Announces January 2023 Price Hikes
The United States Postal Service (USPS) filed for a price increase with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The new rates include a three-cent increase for the common First-Class Mail Forever stamp, this raises the price from 60 cents to 63 cents.
If the Commission approves the new prices they will take effect Jan. 22, 2023. The proposed increases are designed to raise prices by approximately 4.2 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. Other increases include an increase for 1-ounce metered mail to 60 cents, domestic postcards will increase to 48 cents, and a 1-ounce international letter will increase to $1.45.
Other services such as single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price will remain unchanged.
The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.
Proposed Mailing Services Price Changes
Product |
Current Prices |
Planned Prices |
|
Letters (1 oz.) |
60 cents |
63 cents |
|
Letters (metered 1 oz.) |
57 cents |
60 cents |
|
Domestic Postcards |
44 cents |
48 cents |
|
International Postcards |
$1.40 |
$1.45 |
|
International Letter (1 oz.) |
$1.40 |
$1.45 |
The PRC will need to review and approve the changes before they can take effect. The complete Postal The filing for the price increase can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-1.
2022 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
These are the mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25
(Domestic addresses, Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses)
Nov. 5 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Dec. 17 — USPS Retail Ground service
Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
Alaska
Dec. 2 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 17 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
Dec. 21 — Alaska to/from Continental U.S. — Priority Mail Express
Hawaii
Dec. 17 — Hawaii to/from mainland — First-Class Mail and Priority Mail
Dec. 21 — Hawaii to/from mainland — Priority Mail Express
