Update: If you are looking for current rates as of April 2016, you can find them here.
The mail industry is always changing, and whether you are a direct marketer, retailer or non-profit, planning for those changes is critical to your business success. The U.S. Postal Service has proposed raising postage rates this Spring to adjust for inflation, according to a recent filing from the organization.
These new rates will take effect on May 31, 2015. Let's take a look at what's changing:
Download our complete Postal Rates Sheet for 2015 »
At a glance:
| Mail Class | Before May 31 | After May 31 |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Stamped Letter (1 oz) |
$0.49 | $0.49 |
| First-Class Metered Mail Letter (1 oz) | $0.48 | $0.485 |
| First-Class Flat | $0.98 |
$0.98 |
| Postcard | $0.34 | $0.35 |
| Additional Ounce Rate | $0.21 | $0.22 |
Summary:
First-Class stamped letters will remain at the same rate of $0.49. Keep in mind, all 1 oz letter rate Forever Stamps are considered valid on letter-sized pieces weighing 1 oz or less, no matter if the USPS increases its rates. Once you have purchased them, they are valid forever.
The First-Class 1 oz rate for a flat, such as a large envelope, newsletter or magazine-sized piece, also remains unchanged.
The First-Class 1 oz Metered Mail letter rate that the USPS introduced last year is increasing by $0.005. If you are metering your mail, the new rate is $0.485 per 1 oz letter.
The postcard rate will increase from $0.34 to $0.35. Here’s a quick note on postcards: You may think that your mail piece is a "postcard" because it is a single sheet of paper, but to qualify for mailing at the First-Class Mail postcard rate it must be rectangular (at least 3-1/2" high x 5" long x 0.007" thick and no more than 4-1/4" high x 6" long x 0.016" thick).
The rate for additional ounces has increased this year to $0.22 per additional ounce. For example, if you have a letter-sized piece that weighs 3 oz, simply take the 1 oz rate of $0.49 and add $0.22 for every additional ounce. Your 3 oz letter-sized piece would now cost ($0.49 + $0.22 + $0.22) $0.93.
For those that use our presort mail services, please note that all of the USPS presort rates have increased. To see a quick overview of the new USPS rates for presorted mail, please reference our 2015 Postal Rate Sheet.