Stamp Prices Go Up Today

The price of a stamp to mail a letter or bill is increasing by 1 whole cent on Sunday, Jan. 27. For many, it's more of a hassle than anything else.

The next time you head to the Bradenton Post Office consider buying a Forever stamp. If – or when – the price goes up again, you won't need to buy those one or two cente rridge stamps to mail your item.

“The new 46-cent Forever stamps will allow customers to mail letters to any location in the United States,” according to a press release from the United States Postal Service. “Forever stamps are always good for mailing a one-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes.”

The Postal Service is also introducing a new Global Forever stamp, which will allow you to mail letters anywhere in the world for $1.10.

Here is a breakdown of the new single-piece First-Class mailing prices:

• Letters (1 ounce) — 1-cent increase to 46 cents
• Letters additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
• Letters to all international destinations (1 ounce) — $1.10
• Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents

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As far as shipping services go, free tracking will be offered to all competitive packages, including retail Priority Mail and Parcel Post (recently renamed Standard Post), the release states. Customers shipping Critical Mail letters and flats will have the option of receiving a signature upon delivery.

A large variety of flat-rate boxes and envelopes for Express Mail and Priority Mail, including the padded and legal-sized flat rate envelopes will continue to be offered by the Postal Service, according to the release.

New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products includes:

• Small box — $5.80
• Medium box — $12.35
• Large box — $16.85
• Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
• Regular envelope — $5.60
• Legal envelope — $5.75
• Padded envelope — $5.95

“The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations,” the release states.

What do you think about the new prices and services for 2013? Tell us in the comments.