If you’re planning to send mail anytime soon, now might be a good time to stock up on Forever stamps before July 12, as the United States Postal Service (USPS) is preparing to implement a new round of price hikes.
The USPS recently announced a proposal to raise postage prices, with the changes expected to come into effect on July 13 if approved. Under this plan, the cost of a first-class Forever stamp would increase by five cents, going from the current rate of 73 cents to 78 cents.
The postal service revealed that it submitted a notice to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on April 9 to initiate the proposed pricing update.
In a statement released alongside the announcement, USPS explained the reasoning behind the changes, stating, “As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan. USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world.”
The proposed increases are not limited to just Forever stamps. Metered mail, which currently costs 69 cents, would go up to 74 cents. International letters, which presently require $1.65 in postage, would increase slightly to $1.70. Domestic postcards, meanwhile, are expected to jump from 56 cents to 62 cents.
Before any of these adjustments are officially implemented, the PRC will need to complete its review of the proposal. Assuming the review process is completed in time, the changes would be rolled out beginning July 13.
A look back at postal rates over the decades offers perspective on how prices have climbed. In 1985, the cost of a first-class stamp was just 22 cents. Fast-forward 40 years, and the upcoming proposed rate of 78 cents represents more than a threefold increase.
The most recent price hike occurred in July of last year, when the cost of a first-class stamp rose from 68 cents to 73 cents. According to the Miami Herald, that change equaled the largest price increase in the agency’s history.
The announcement of yet another increase comes at a time when the USPS is undergoing various shifts and facing potential restructuring. On March 24, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stepped down from his position after nearly five years of leadership. DeJoy, who had been a controversial figure during his tenure, released a statement detailing his decision to resign and outlining his views on the organization’s future.
“I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization, and I have been working closely with the Deputy Postmaster General to prepare for this transition,” DeJoy said in the statement.
He also reflected on the work done under his leadership, noting, “While our management team and the men and women of the Postal Service have established the path toward financial sustainability and high operating performance – and we have instituted enormous beneficial change to what had been an adrift and moribund organization – much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory.”
DeJoy’s departure signals a major transition for the USPS, which has faced long-standing debates about its structure and future in the face of competition and shifting business models. One of the most significant proposals in recent years came from President Donald Trump.
In December 2024, Trump, then President-elect, suggested that privatizing the USPS might be a viable way to make it more competitive with major shipping providers like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, according to the Associated Press.
The push toward privatization didn’t stop there. In February, Trump indicated that he was considering moving the postal service under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. If carried out, this change would mark a dramatic shift in how the USPS operates, particularly given that it has functioned as an independent government agency for 55 years.
Trump’s proposal received support from notable voices, including tech mogul Elon Musk, who has been tasked with overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as reported by The New York Times. Musk has long advocated for streamlining government operations and has expressed support for restructuring legacy systems like the postal service.
Despite this high-profile backing, the proposal to privatize the USPS has also faced fierce resistance. The National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents thousands of postal workers across the country, has spoken out strongly against the idea.
Union leaders argue that privatization could result in job losses and negatively impact mail delivery, especially in areas that are already underserved.
The organization maintains that maintaining the USPS as a public institution is crucial to preserving reliable and equitable mail service throughout the United States. In particular, the potential consequences for rural communities—where mail delivery can already be inconsistent—are a major concern for postal workers and their advocates.
As the USPS continues to navigate leadership changes, operational reforms, and questions about its future, the price of mailing a letter is once again drawing national attention. The proposed price hike, if enacted, will represent yet another step in the Postal Service’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its finances and modernize its operations in a rapidly evolving shipping landscape.
For now, Americans have until July 12 to purchase Forever stamps at the current price of 73 cents. After that date, assuming the proposed changes are approved by the PRC, those stamps will cost 78 cents. The USPS hopes that this adjustment, along with its broader Delivering for America plan, will help the agency chart a more sustainable path forward.
As stated in their announcement, “USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world,” even as they seek to address financial challenges and modern demands. Whether that affordability will be enough to meet the organization’s long-term goals remains to be seen, particularly as discussions about privatization, oversight changes, and service cuts continue to stir debate.
With DeJoy’s departure, ongoing scrutiny from political leaders, and a review of its pricing structure, the USPS faces a pivotal moment in its long history. The coming months will be critical in determining how the agency adapts—and whether the public continues to support it in its current form or embraces a reimagined version of mail service in the United States.