Using the U.S. Postal Service Is About to Get More Expensive. Here’s What’s Changing on July 12

The proposed hikes aim to offset increasingly unsustainable operating costs.

BY LEILA SHERIDAN, NEWS WRITER

United States Postal Service vehicles in San Diego, CA. Photo: Getty Images

As the U.S. Postal Service faces mounting financial pressure, it’s turning to customers to help offset operational costs. 

On Thursday, USPS announced a proposed set of price increases across its mail products, citing what it called a “severe financial crisis.” The agency has filed the proposal with the Postal Regulatory Commission, with a planned effective date of July 12, though the changes are still pending approval.

If approved, the increases would raise prices across several everyday mailing options:

Letters below one ounce: from 78 cents to 82 cents

Metered letters below one ounce: from 74 cents to 78 cents

Domestic postcards: from 61 cents to 65 cents

International postcards: from $1.70 to $1.75

International letters below one ounce: from $1.70 to $1.75

Overall, the proposed adjustments, already approved by the Postal Service’s governors, would increase prices by approximately 4.8 percent. One notable exception: the additional-ounce price for single-piece letters would remain unchanged at 29 cents.

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In a statement, USPS said it is “using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority,” to maintain operations and fulfill its universal service obligation. The agency emphasized that it does not receive tax dollars for operating expenses and instead relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations. And even with the increases, USPS said its mailing prices “remain among the most affordable in the world.”

The proposal comes as the agency grapples with escalating costs tied to global instability. Just weeks ago, USPS also proposed an 8 percent fuel surcharge on package and express mail deliveries to offset rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war, according to CNBC.

Meanwhile, the Postal Service has taken additional steps to conserve cash. The agency said it will suspend employer contributions to Federal Employees Retirement System annuities to continue making payroll, paying suppliers, and maintaining delivery operations, CNBC reported.

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