USPS raising Forever stamp price to 82 cents on Sunday. Here's what to know
The price for postage is about to go up again.
The U.S. Postal Service will raise the cost of a first-class Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents starting Sunday, July 12, marking the second straight year of a sizable increase.
The USPS proposed higher rates for the Forever stamp and other products in April, saying it is facing a “severe financial crisis” and rising operational costs. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the changes on May 27, paving the way for the increased prices.
“The Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public,” it said in April.
Another price increase for stamps
The postal service has consistently increased the price of a stamp dating back to the 1960s, but with steeper rises in recent years. The stamp has gone up six times over the last half-decade, increasing a total of 41% from 58 cents in 2021 to 82 cents this summer. The Forever stamp, first introduced in 2007, will have doubled from its initial price of 41 cents.
Other USPS price increases
Other postal products like postcards and international letters will also see price increases starting July 12. Overall, the USPS says it is raising product prices by about 4.8%.
| Product | Current prices | Planned prices |
| Letters (1 ounce) | 78 cents | 82 cents |
| Letters (metered 1 ounce) | 74 cents | 78 cents |
| Domestic postcards | 61 cents | 65 cents |
| International postcards | $1.70 | $1.75 |
| International letter (1 ounce) | $1.70 | $1.75 |
The USPS’s operating costs have risen faster than its revenue, according to a May analysis from the Postal Regulatory Commission. It found that the agency’s revenue increased by $1 billion for the fiscal year 2025, while its costs ballooned by $1.8 billion.
Can you use Forever stamps bought before the price increase?
Forever stamps are valid for sending mail regardless of when it was purchased, so those bought at 78 cents or less can still be used even after the impending price hike.
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