Quick Read
- USPS raised the price of Forever stamps from 73 cents to 78 cents on July 13, 2025.
- The price hike is part of the Delivering for America 10-year financial stability plan.
- Other services, like postcards and international mail, also saw price increases.
- USPS has faced criticism for frequent price hikes but maintains its rates are globally competitive.
- Future price hikes may occur every January and July through 2027.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented its latest round of price hikes, with the cost of a Forever stamp increasing from 73 cents to 78 cents as of July 13, 2025. This marks yet another step in the organization’s ongoing effort to achieve financial stability through its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The price changes were confirmed on July 12 by USPS Senior Public Relations Representative Marti Johnson, who emphasized that the adjustments are part of a rational pricing strategy aimed at sustaining the agency’s operations in a competitive global market.
Why the Price Increase?
The USPS has cited its financial struggles as the primary driver of this price adjustment. According to an April 2025 statement, the organization needs these changes to align with its legal obligation to be financially self-sufficient. The price hike comes amidst a broader strategy outlined in the Delivering for America plan, which aims to stabilize the agency’s finances over the next decade. As The Hill reported, the new rates represent a 7.4% increase in the cost of mailing services, including first-class mail, postcards, and international letters.
While the USPS has faced criticism for frequent price increases, Johnson pointed out that the cost of mailing services in the United States remains among the most affordable in the world. For context, the price of a Forever stamp has steadily climbed from 45 cents in 2012 to its current rate of 78 cents, with only a few years—such as 2015 and 2020—seeing no increases.
Details of the Price Adjustments
In addition to the Forever stamp, several other USPS products have seen price increases. These include:
- Domestic postcards: From 56 cents to 62 cents
- One-ounce letters: From 73 cents to 78 cents
- Additional ounces for single letters: From 28 cents to 29 cents
- International postcards and letters (one ounce): From $1.65 to $1.70
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), which oversees USPS pricing, approved these changes earlier this year. As noted by Visalia Times-Delta, the PRC had been reviewing the proposed increases since May 2025 before giving its final approval.
A History of Price Hikes
The USPS has a long history of raising stamp prices to address its financial challenges. Over the past decade, the agency has implemented multiple price hikes, including two in both 2023 and 2024. The largest recent jump occurred in 2024, when the cost of a Forever stamp rose from 68 cents to 73 cents. As Times of India reported, this latest increase is part of a broader proposal to raise stamp prices five times over the next three years, with adjustments potentially occurring every January and July through 2027.
These increases reflect the USPS’s ongoing struggle to remain financially viable in an era of declining mail volumes and rising operational costs. Despite these challenges, the agency has sought to modernize its services and maintain competitive pricing compared to other postal organizations worldwide.
Public Reaction and Future Outlook
The latest price hike has sparked mixed reactions among the public. While some acknowledge the necessity of the increases to ensure the USPS’s long-term sustainability, others have expressed frustration over the growing cost of mailing services. Critics argue that frequent price hikes may deter customers from using USPS services, potentially exacerbating the agency’s financial woes.
Looking ahead, the USPS faces significant challenges as it seeks to balance its financial obligations with the need to remain accessible and affordable to the public. As highlighted by The Hill, the agency has proposed further price adjustments through 2027, raising questions about the long-term viability of its current strategy.
The latest price changes underscore the complex financial realities facing the USPS as it navigates an evolving postal landscape. Whether these adjustments will achieve the desired stability remains to be seen.