Increases to the cost of stamps – sometimes twice-a-year price hikes – have become common. But a surprising announcement from the U.S. Postal Service shows that won’t be the case for the start of 2025.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently announced U.S. Postal Service won’t raise prices on First-Class Mail and other products in 2025.
“Our strategies are working and projected inflation is declining,” DeJoy said in a statement. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market dominant services.”
Stamp prices last increased in July when the cost of a Forever stamp – which can be used in perpetuity no matter future price changes – increased from 68 cents to 73 cents. Prior to that, prices had increased from 66 cents to 68 cents in January. The USPS announcement means stamps will stay at 73 cents, likely through July when another increase is expected.
Holiday price increase
Postal customers won’t completely avoid paying more in the short term, however.
Earlier this month, USPS filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission of plans for a temporary price change during the busy holiday season.
The higher cost will cover Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage and, pending approval by the PRC, would go into effect at midnight on Oct. 6 and last until midnight on Jan. 19. No other products, including stamps, would see an increase, USPS said.
