USPS Issues New Postage Rates; Cost of USPS First Class Postage Increases Again
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USPS Issues New Postage Rates; Cost of USPS First Class Postage Increases Again

Most USPS postage rates, including USPS first class postage, changed again for 2025

July 30, 2025

The cost of mailing a first-class letter has changed yet again. On July 13, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) implemented new rates approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission under its Delivering for America modernization plan.

First Class Rates

  • First-Class Mail Letters (1 oz.) Retail (Post Office rate): $0.78. Additional ounce: $0.29.
  • Metered Mail Letters (1 oz.) (online postage and postage meters): $0.74. Additional ounce: $0.29.
  • Standard Postcards: $0.61.
  • First-Class Mail Flats (large envelopes, 1 oz.): $1.63. Additional ounce for flats increases to $0.30.
  • USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service) saw an average Commercial Base rate increase of 7.1%.

Other Rates

  • International letters (1 oz.): $1.70, up from $1.65.
  • Priority Mail: average price increase of 6.3% for domestic service.
  • Priority Mail Express: no price change effective July 13, 2025.
  • Media Mail: rates reduced by up to 3.6%, with 1 lb. starting at $4.95.

Trying to save a sinking ship

The recent rate adjustments are part of USPS’s Delivering for America modernization plan aimed at offsetting a reported $9.5 billion net loss in fiscal year 2024 and investing in new infrastructure. Mail volumes continue to decline, First-Class volumes are down over 80% since 1997—while package volumes grow to offset revenue losses.

To mitigate consumer impact, USPS froze rates for Market Dominant products in January 2025 before implementing this mid‑year increase. Further price adjustments are expected in January and July of 2026 and 2027.

Saturday & Sunday Delivery

Regular mail delivery still occurs Monday through Saturday. Sunday delivery remains available only for certain package services, such as Amazon deliveries and Priority Mail Express.

Need to Calculate Postage?

Calculate current rates and buy postage online at the USPS postage price calculator. You can also print and pay for postage through PC Postage providers and select third‑party vendors.