New postage rates searched made the top in Google, because as it lately does each May, the U.S. Postal Service reviews and adjusts prices for its mailing services. On Monday, May 11, 2009, the price of a first-class stamp is rising from 42 cents to 44 cents.
The postage increase was limited to 2 cents on first-class mail because, under the law, the change in rates cannot exceed the amount of inflation that occurred the year before.
According to a story by The Associated Press, the U.S. Postal Service lost $1.9 billion during the second quarter and faces the possibility of running out of cash before the end of the year. The price increase, the AP said, is a way to increase its cash flow.
The second quarter loss brings the total loss for the fiscal year which began Oct. 1 to $2.3 billion.
E-mail, the recession and other mail delivery competitors also were cited as factors in the U.S. Postal Service's revenue decline.
USPS recently considered eliminating one day of mail service each week nationwide in response to the sluggish economy. No known decision has been made on that issue.
Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary, postal officials say, and the increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation.
"The U.S. Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across America
People can still send mail using what is called a "Forever Stamp." The stamps, developed to help people ease the transition during price changes, do not have a denomination and will continue to be honored whenever they are used, regardless of when they were purchased. But the price of the Forever Stamp will also rise to 44 cents today.
The stamp features an image of the Liberty Bell with "2009" in the upper left corner and "USA First-Class Forever" along the right side.
The Web site, www.usps.gov, says that there will be no price change in the first-class mail additional ounce price, which will remain at 17 cents.
Other price changes include:
* A postcard stamp will increase to 28 cents, up from the previous 27 cents.
* The first ounce of a large, flat envelope will increase to 88 cents, from the previous 83 cents.
* The first ounce of a parcel will increase an addition five cents to $1.22.
* New first-class mail international postcard and letter prices (first ounce) prices will be 75 cents to Canada , 79 cents to Mexico
Most postal service shipping service prices were adjusted in January and will not change in May, the release said.
To see a list of the new prices, visit www.usps.com/prices.
Note that Post Office usually gives a 7 day "grace" period where items with the correct "old" postage on them will still be accepted, however, there is no official grace period at all, and you cannot demand it from USPS.
If you are curious what the trend of the postage price increase is over the years, take a look on the table below.
| Effective date | Per ½ Ounce | |
| March 3, 1863 | 3¢ | |
| March 3, 1883 | 2¢ |
| | Per Ounce | | |
| July 1, 1885 | 2¢ |
| | | | | Remarks |
| November 3, 1917 | 3¢ | Higher rate during the war | ||
| July 1, 1919 | 2¢ |
| | | | Postcards | |
| Sometime in 1898 | 1¢ |
| July 6, 1932 | 3¢ |
| January 1, 1952 | 2¢ |
| August 1, 1958 | 4¢ | 3¢ |
| January 7, 1963 | 5¢ | 4¢ | ZIP Code begins |
| January 7, 1968 | 6¢ | 5¢ |
| May 16, 1971 | 8¢ | 6¢ |
| March 2, 1974 | 10¢ | 8¢ |
| | | Each Additional Ounce | | |
| September 14, 1975 | 10¢ | 9¢ | 7¢ |
| December 31, 1975 | 13¢ | 11¢ | 9¢ |
| May 29, 1978 | 15¢ | 13¢ | 10¢ | "A" stamps |
| March 22, 1981 | 18¢ | 17¢ | 12¢ | "B" stamps |
| November 1, 1981 | 20¢ | 17¢ | 13¢ | "C" stamps |
| October 1, 1983 | ZIP+4 is implemented |
| February 17, 1985 | 22¢ | 17¢ | 14¢ | "D" stamps |
| April 3, 1988 | 25¢ | 20¢ | 15¢ | "E" stamps |
| February 3, 1991 | 29¢ | 23¢ | 19¢ | "F" stamps |
| January 1, 1995 | 32¢ | 23¢ | 20¢ | "G" stamps |
| January 10, 1999 | 33¢ | 22¢ | 20¢ | "H" stamps |
| January 7, 2001 | 34¢ | 21¢ | 20¢ | Non denominated stamps |
| July 1, 2001 | 34¢ | 23¢ | 21¢ |
| June 30, 2002 | 37¢ | 23¢ | 23¢ | Flag and Antique Toy stamps |
| January 8, 2006 | 39¢ | 24¢ | 24¢ |
| May 14, 2007 | 41¢ | 17¢ | 26¢ |
| May 12, 2008 | 42¢ | 17¢ | 27¢ |
| May 11, 2009 | 44¢ | 17¢ | 28¢ |
Sources and Additional Information:
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