United States Postal Service price adjustments announced back in October kicked in Sunday, Jan. 22.
Key changes include:
- Letters (1 oz.): 1-cent increase to 45 cents
- Postcards: 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.): 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
- Letters to other international destinations: 7-cent increase to $1.05
Prices also changed for other mailing services, including Periodicals, Package Services and others, according to the USPS.
A new domestic service, called Express Mail Flat Rate Box, will also go into effect Sunday. It will cost $39.95 with a weight limit of 70 pounds.
Priority Mail flat rate prices will also be adjusted:
- Small box — $5.35
- Medium box — $11.35
- Large box — $15.45
- Large APO/FPO/DPO box — $13.45
- Regular envelope — $5.15
- Legal-size and Padded envelope — $5.30
Postmaster General Patrick Donahue said in a statement on the USPS web site that the increase is “small” and is necessary “to help address [USPS'] current financial crisis.”
The USPS reportedly lost $8 billion in 2010 and is only legally allowed to increase prices up to the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation - which was 2.1 percent for this increase, according to the USPS.
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