The U.S. Postal Service is carrying out a USPS stamp price increase on Sunday, July 12, lifting the price of Forever stamps from 78 cents to 82 cents. The change also reaches other mailing products, including metered letters, domestic postcards, and international 1-ounce letters.
USPS said the mailing-services increase is about 4.8% overall. A Forever stamp was introduced in 2007 at 41 cents, rose to 73 cents before the July 2025 increase to 78 cents, and will rise again by 4 cents this weekend.
Postal Service price changes
The new rates put metered 1-ounce postage at 78 cents, up from 74 cents. Domestic postcards move to 65 cents from 61 cents, and an international letter weighing 1 ounce rises to $1.75 from $1.70. The additional-ounce cost for single-piece letters stays at 29 cents.
The practical effect is simple for customers who mail often: a single Forever stamp now costs 4 cents more than it did before Sunday, July 12, and the same increase hits the standard rate used for a first-class 1-ounce letter. For people buying stamps in quantity, the change adds up quickly across routine bills, cards, and personal mail.
USPS and the Postal Regulatory Commission
On April 9, USPS filed its intent to raise prices. It said, in full, "In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public."
The Postal Regulatory Commission released a financial analysis report on May 21 and said USPS had a net loss of $2.7 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. It also said the agency has not had a profitable year in the last decade. The commission approved the price increases on May 27.
For readers, the immediate step is to buy stamps or mail time-sensitive items before Sunday, July 12 if they want the current rates. After that date, every Forever stamp purchase reflects the new 82-cent price, while the rest of the listed mail products move to the higher rates approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
