Monday, May 11, 2009

Postal Rates Rise to 44 Cents

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 today," Postmaster General John Potter said in a press release.
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 and 98 cents to other foreign destinations.
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
March 3, 1883
 
Per Ounce
 
 
July 1, 1885
 
 
 
 
Remarks
November 3, 1917
Higher rate during the war
July 1, 1919
 
 
 
Postcards
 
Sometime in 1898
July 6, 1932
January 1, 1952
August 1, 1958
January 7, 1963
ZIP Code begins
January 7, 1968
May 16, 1971
March 2, 1974
10¢
 
 
Each 
Additional 
Ounce
 
 
September 14, 1975
10¢
December 31, 1975
13¢
11¢
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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