Plano , TX – Postage will increase this Monday, and a First Class stamp will go from 42 to 44 cents. However, customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing the Forever Stamp before May 11.

“The Forever Stamps were developed to help consumers ease the transition during price changes,” said Jack Weatherford, Plano Postmaster. “Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter mailing. On May 11, the price of a Forever Stamp will be 44 cents.” 

Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary; the increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation. “The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across Plano today,” Weatherford explained. “Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world.”

For the average household, the First-Class Mail stamp price change will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year. When compared to annual increases in other household expenses, such as groceries, healthcare and utilities, the Postal Service continues to be an economical choice for shipping and mailing during tough economic times. For First-Class Mail, there will be no changes in the current additional ounce price, which remains at 17 cents.

Other price changes on May 11 include:
      • A postcard increases a penny to 28 cents.
      • The first ounce of a large envelope (flat) increases 5 cents to 88 cents.
      • The first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22.
      •  New First-Class Mail International postcard and letter (first ounce) prices are:
                             • Canada – 75 cents
                             • Mexico – 79 cents
                             • Other countries – 98 cents

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and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.