U.S. Postal Service to Raise Rates

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The USPS will Increase Rates Jan. 8

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor


According to a report released today by the Associated Press, the cost of mailing a letter via the United States Postal Service will increase to 39 cents on Jan. 8. This is a two cent increase from the current rate and marks the first pricing alteration since June 2002.


Additionally, the cost of mailing a postcard will increase to 24 cents, one penny higher than the current rate. The two aforementioned increases combined with all the others are part of the roughly 5.4 percent, across-the-board hike in the majority of USPS rates and fees.


As detailed in the AP report, the increase fulfills a 2003 Congressional requirement that the USPS establish a $3.1 billion escrow account. The intent Congress holds for the money in said escrow account has yet to be determined.


USPS officials noted that without the mandate from Congress, rates would not have seen an increase in 2006.


A rundown of the rate increases:


* First-class letter, one ounce, up 2 cents to 39 cents.
* First-class letter, two ounces, up 3 cents to 63 cents.
* Post card up 1 cent to 24 cents.
* Priority Mail, one pound, up 20 cents to $4.05.
* Express Mail, 8 ounces, up 75 cents to $14.40.
* Express Mail, 2 pounds, up 95 cents to $18.80.
* Certified mail up 10 cents to $2.40.
* Delivery confirmation (priority) up 5 cents to 50 cents.
* Delivery confirmation (first-class parcels) up 5 cents to 60 cents.
* Return receipt (original signature) up 10 cents to $1.85.
* Return receipt (electronic) up 5 cents to $1.35.
* Money orders up 5 cents to 95 cents.