New USPS Prices July 2024: Full Guide + 2026 Update
TL;DR
On July 14, 2024, USPS raised mailing services prices by roughly 7.8%, pushing the Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents. This was the sixth price hike since January 2021. What most guides missed: a separate wave of rate increases hit eCommerce shipping labels on July 1, affecting Priority Mail and Ground Advantage through third-party platforms. These July 2024 rates held until mid-2025, with no January 2025 increase for market dominant products.
Note: The prices in this article reflect the new USPS prices July 2024 rate change. Rates have changed since then. To find the current rate for your specific package, compare shipping rates here.
Quick-Reference Table: What Changed on July 14, 2024
This table covers the major market dominant price changes that took effect July 14, 2024.
| Service / Item | Old Price | New Price (July 2024) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forever Stamp (1 oz letter) | $0.68 | $0.73 | +$0.05 (+7.4%) |
| Additional Ounce (single-piece letter) | $0.24 | $0.28 | +$0.04 (+16.7%) |
| Metered First-Class Letter | $0.64 | $0.69 | +$0.05 (+7.8%) |
| Postcard (domestic) | $0.53 | $0.56 | +$0.03 (+5.7%) |
| Large Envelope / Flat (base) | $1.39 | $1.50 | +$0.11 (+7.9%) |
| Large Envelope Additional Ounce | $0.24 | $0.27 | +$0.03 (+12.5%) |
| Nonmachinable Surcharge | $0.44 | $0.46 | +$0.02 (+4.5%) |
| Media Mail (1 lb) | $4.13 | $4.63 | +$0.50 (+12.1%) |
| International Postcard | $1.65 | $1.70 | +$0.05 (+3.0%) |
| Parcel Select (average) | Varies | Varies | ~25% avg increase |
| Postal Insurance | Varies | Varies | 10% decrease |
| PO Box Rental Fees | No change | No change | 0% |
Glossary of Key Terms and New July 2024 Prices
Each entry below defines the term, states the new USPS price as of July 2024, and explains who it affects most.
Additional-Ounce Rate (Single-Piece Letters)
The fee charged for each ounce beyond the first on a standard First-Class letter. It jumped from 24 cents to 28 cents on July 14, 2024. This matters most to anyone mailing multi-page documents, legal papers, or greeting cards with inserts. A three-ounce letter now costs $1.29 ($0.73 + two additional ounces at $0.28 each).
Certified Mail
A Special Service that provides proof of mailing and delivery tracking. USPS adjusted Certified Mail fees as part of the broader Special Services price changes, with increases averaging about 7.76% across Special and Ancillary Services. Anyone sending legal notices, contracts, or official correspondence felt this one.
If you regularly send certified letters, printing envelope postage online can help offset some of the increase.
Connect eCommerce (USPS)
A program through which USPS offers negotiated rate agreements to third-party shipping platforms like Pirate Ship, Shippo, and ShipStation. This is the source of the “hidden” July 1, 2024 rate changes that most coverage ignored entirely. Because these are negotiated service agreements rather than PRC-regulated retail rates, USPS has wider latitude to adjust them without the formal regulatory process. More on this in the two-wave section below.
Delivering for America Plan
The USPS 10-year strategic plan launched in 2021 that aims to make the postal service financially self-sufficient. It’s the driving force behind twice-yearly rate adjustments. A major factor: mail volume has declined roughly 68% since 2007, while infrastructure costs haven’t shrunk proportionally. USPS reported a $9.5 billion loss in fiscal year 2024, up from $6.5 billion the prior year. Despite these increases, a 2024 study by the USPS Inspector General found that the U.S. had a lower stamp price than 26 out of 30 comparable countries.
First-Class Mail Forever Stamp
The standard stamp used for one-ounce letters weighing up to 3.5 ounces and meeting standard letter dimensions. The July 2024 USPS price increase pushed it from 68 cents to 73 cents, a five-cent jump. “Forever” means stamps purchased at any prior price remain valid for first-class postage without adding cents. For more on stamp purchasing, see our guide on how much a book of stamps costs.
First-Class Mail Large Envelope (Flat)
A mailpiece that exceeds standard letter dimensions (over 6.125 x 11.5 inches, or thicker than 0.25 inches) but fits within flat limits. The base rate rose from $1.39 to $1.50, and each additional ounce went from 24 cents to 27 cents. Wedding invitation senders, photographers mailing prints, and small businesses shipping documents in manila envelopes all saw higher costs.
Ground Advantage (USPS)
USPS’s standard ground shipping service for packages up to 70 lbs. The official retail and commercial rates did not change on July 14, 2024, through the PRC-approved process. However, Ground Advantage rates did change on July 1 through the Connect eCommerce program. For packages under 1 lb (ounce-based pricing), the average increase was just 0.2%, but some individual rates rose by as much as 33 cents. For packages over 1 lb, the increase averaged 2%, with some rates jumping up to $2.11.
For a full comparison of Ground Advantage and Priority Mail, check out our Ground Advantage and Priority Mail guide.
Ground Advantage Cubic Pricing
A pricing method based on package dimensions (cubic volume) rather than weight, available through USPS Connect eCommerce. Cubic pricing saw an average 3% increase on July 1, 2024, with some rates rising by as much as $1.67. This pricing tier is popular among sellers shipping small, heavy items like candles or books.
International Mail
Postcards to international destinations rose from $1.65 to $1.70, and international letters saw similar increases. Anyone regularly mailing overseas (pen pals, small international orders, businesses with foreign clients) should note these new USPS prices from July 2024.
Market Dominant Products
The regulatory category covering USPS services with limited competition: First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, Periodicals, Package Services (including Media Mail), and Special Services. Rate changes for these products must be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The July 14, 2024 increase of approximately 7.8% applied specifically to this category. Understanding this distinction matters because the main parcel shipping services (Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express) fall under the “Competitive Products” category and follow different pricing rules.
Media Mail
A discounted USPS service for shipping books, recorded media, and educational materials. The one-pound rate jumped to $4.63, a $0.50 increase. This was actually the second Media Mail price hike of 2024. Back in January, the rate had already risen 5% from $3.92 to $4.13.
Practitioners on eBay community forums pointed out an important wrinkle: in some cases, Ground Advantage became cheaper than Media Mail depending on destination. One seller noted that an 8-ounce Ground Advantage package at $4.47 beat the $4.63 Media Mail rate by 16 cents, while also providing better tracking and $100 in free insurance. Worth checking both options before assuming Media Mail is the budget choice.
Metered Mail Rate
The discounted First-Class letter rate available when postage is applied via a postage meter or online service rather than a stamp. It increased from 64 cents to 69 cents. Still four cents cheaper than a Forever stamp, which is one reason businesses that mail in volume use meters or online postage.
Money Order Fees
USPS adjusted money order fees as part of the July 2024 Special Services changes. Money orders remain a common payment method for rent, bill payments, and situations where personal checks aren’t accepted.
Nonmachinable Surcharge
An extra fee applied to letter-sized mail that can’t be processed by USPS automated sorting equipment. Common triggers: square envelopes, rigid or lumpy contents (like keys), wax seals, clasps, or string closures. The surcharge rose from 44 cents to 46 cents. Wedding planners and invitation designers should factor this into per-piece costs. For tips on mailing letters correctly, see our guide to mailing a letter.
Parcel Select
A shipping service designed for high-volume shippers who enter packages into the USPS network for regional delivery. The new USPS prices July 2024 included an average 25% increase for Parcel Select, the steepest percentage jump of any service in this round. Large eCommerce operations and consolidators using Parcel Select for last-mile delivery were hit hardest. For more on how Parcel Select works, read our Parcel Select service guide.
PO Box Rental Fees
The cost to rent a Post Office Box. Notably, there was no price increase for PO Box rental fees in July 2024. One of the few bright spots in an otherwise across-the-board increase. If you’re considering a PO Box, our guide to getting a PO Box covers what to expect.
Postal Insurance
Coverage purchased to protect against loss or damage during transit. USPS actually reduced postal insurance prices by 10% in July 2024, making this the only service that got cheaper. A rare win for shippers sending valuable items.
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC)
The independent federal agency that must approve USPS rate changes for Market Dominant products. The PRC approved the July 2024 rates, but that approval came with a strongly worded statement urging the Board of Governors to exercise more restraint in future rate increases. The PRC does not regulate Competitive Products (like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage) or negotiated service agreements, which is why the July 1 eCommerce changes didn’t need PRC approval.
Postcard Rate
The domestic First-Class postcard rate went from 53 cents to 56 cents. Postcards must meet specific size requirements (between 3.5 x 5 inches and 4.25 x 6 inches, rectangular). Artists, tourism businesses, and direct mail marketers sending postcard campaigns absorbed this three-cent increase on every piece.
Priority Mail
USPS’s 1-3 day shipping service. Retail and commercial Priority Mail rates did not change on July 14, 2024. But through the Connect eCommerce program, Priority Mail rates increased an average of 5% on July 1, with some individual rates going up to $3.10 more. If you buy Priority Mail labels through any online platform (not at the Post Office counter), you likely felt this increase.
Priority Mail Cubic
A volume-based Priority Mail pricing tier available through USPS Connect eCommerce partners. This saw the largest July 1 increase of any shipping service: a 10% average rise, with some rates jumping up to $2.97. Sellers shipping small, dense items (cosmetics, hardware, specialty foods) through platforms like Pirate Ship or Shippo were directly affected.
Priority Mail Express
USPS’s fastest domestic service, offering overnight to 2-day delivery with a money-back guarantee. No price change occurred in July 2024, either through the PRC process or the Connect eCommerce program. One of the few services completely untouched.
Priority Mail Flat Rate
Flat Rate boxes and envelopes let you ship anything that fits (up to 70 lbs) for a fixed price regardless of distance. Official retail Flat Rate prices didn’t change July 14, but eCommerce/commercial Flat Rate prices were adjusted through the July 1 Connect eCommerce changes. For a breakdown of when Flat Rate makes sense, see our guide on flat rate vs. regular shipping.
Signature Confirmation
An add-on service that records the recipient’s signature at delivery. Fees increased as part of the Special and Ancillary Services adjustments, averaging about 7.76%. Required for high-value shipments or situations where proof of receipt is needed.
Zone 10 (Proposed, Dropped)
A proposed new shipping zone that would have covered routes to Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, potentially creating a higher price tier for those destinations. The proposal was dropped before the July 2024 changes took effect. No USPS Zone 10 exists.
The Two-Wave July 2024 Increase: What Most Guides Miss
Most articles about the new USPS prices July 2024 only cover the July 14 changes. That’s half the story.
USPS actually raised rates twice in July 2024. The first wave hit on July 1, targeting negotiated service agreements through the Connect eCommerce program. The second wave arrived July 14, covering PRC-approved market dominant products.
Here’s why this matters: if you buy shipping labels through any online platform (Pirate Ship, Shippo, ShipStation, eBay, Etsy’s built-in label system), you felt both waves. The July 1 changes affected every label purchased through these services, even though USPS officially said Ground Advantage and Priority Mail prices weren’t changing.
As analysis from Value Added Resource revealed, the maximum discount available for Ground Advantage compared to retail pricing dropped from 89% to 86% after the July 1 changes. And because most online marketplaces charge seller commission fees based on the total purchase price (including shipping), rising shipping costs create a double hit to seller margins.
One eBay seller captured the frustration in a community thread: “I now have a few customers spending more on shipping than on the actual product.”
Summary of the July 1 Connect eCommerce increases:
| Service | Average Increase | Maximum Individual Rate Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Advantage (under 1 lb) | 0.2% | +$0.33 |
| Ground Advantage (over 1 lb) | 2% | +$2.11 |
| Ground Advantage Cubic | 3% | +$1.67 |
| Priority Mail | 5% | +$3.10 |
| Priority Mail Cubic | 10% | +$2.97 |
What Did NOT Change on July 14, 2024
Three major shipping services were unaffected by the July 14 PRC-approved rate change:
- USPS Ground Advantage (retail and commercial rates)
- Priority Mail (retail and commercial rates)
- Priority Mail Express (all rates)
PO Box rental fees also stayed the same.
This distinction is critical for parcel shippers. If you primarily ship packages through USPS at retail or standard commercial rates, the July 14 changes didn’t directly affect your shipping costs. The stamp and letter-mail increases hit personal mailers and businesses sending correspondence, invoices, and catalogs hardest.
That said, if you buy labels through third-party platforms, the July 1 eCommerce changes did affect your parcel rates, as described above.
How Long Did These Rates Last?
The July 2024 market dominant rates (stamps, postcards, letters, Media Mail) held through January 2025. USPS chose not to raise market dominant prices in January 2025, giving mailers a full year at the same rates before the next adjustment in July 2025 (when the Forever stamp rose again to 78 cents).
Connect eCommerce and shipping rates, however, were adjusted again in January 2025. The two categories follow different schedules.
For the latest on USPS rate trends, our USPS rate increase overview tracks what’s changed and what’s coming.
How to Pay Less Than the Published Rate
Every USPS price listed above is the retail or standard rate. You can almost always pay less.
Print labels online. Labels purchased through online platforms commonly save 10-15% below retail USPS rates, and in many cases the discount is far larger. Buying postage at the counter is the most expensive way to ship. Always purchase labels digitally.
Find current shipping discounts available through online label services.
Compare carriers before assuming USPS is cheapest. After the July 2024 increases, USPS remained consistently the cheapest option only for parcels under about one pound. For heavier packages, the price gap between USPS, UPS, and FedEx is often just a dollar or two, and sometimes UPS or FedEx wins outright. The takeaway isn’t to abandon USPS. It’s to check before you assume.
To learn more about how carriers stack up, read our guide on whether UPS or USPS is cheaper.
Use the right service for your package. After the July 2024 changes, Media Mail isn’t always the budget option it used to be. Ground Advantage can beat it for lighter packages while offering better service and free insurance. Flat Rate boxes save money on heavy, compact items going long distances but waste money on light shipments. Match the service to what you’re actually sending.
Compare exact rates for your package using a free shipping calculator to see which carrier and service costs least right now.
Forever Stamp Price History: 2019 to 2025
For context on how quickly USPS stamp prices have climbed:
| Date | Forever Stamp Price | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| January 2019 | $0.55 | — |
| August 2021 | $0.58 | +$0.03 |
| July 2022 | $0.60 | +$0.02 |
| January 2023 | $0.63 | +$0.03 |
| July 2023 | $0.66 | +$0.03 |
| January 2024 | $0.68 | +$0.02 |
| July 2024 | $0.73 | +$0.05 |
| July 2025 | $0.78 | +$0.05 |
The July 2024 five-cent jump was the largest single increase in this sequence, tied with the July 2025 increase. From January 2019 to July 2024, the Forever stamp rose 33%, or about $0.18 in absolute terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new USPS prices July 2024 take effect?
Market dominant rates (stamps, postcards, letters, Media Mail, Parcel Select, Special Services) took effect July 14, 2024. A separate set of rate changes for Connect eCommerce shipping labels (affecting Ground Advantage and Priority Mail purchased through online platforms) took effect earlier, on July 1, 2024.
How much did the Forever stamp increase in July 2024?
The Forever stamp went from 68 cents to 73 cents, a five-cent increase. This was the sixth price hike since January 2021.
Did Priority Mail prices change in July 2024?
Not through the official PRC-approved process on July 14. However, Priority Mail rates sold through third-party platforms (via USPS Connect eCommerce) increased an average of 5% on July 1, 2024.
What USPS services did NOT see a price increase in July 2024?
Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express retail/commercial rates were unchanged on July 14. PO Box rental fees also stayed the same. Postal insurance actually decreased by 10%.
Is USPS still the cheapest shipping option after the July 2024 increases?
For parcels under about one pound, USPS is generally still the cheapest. For heavier packages, UPS and FedEx are competitive, and the price difference is often small. The best approach is to compare rates for your specific package dimensions and destination rather than assuming any single carrier is always cheapest.
How long did the July 2024 USPS rates last?
Market dominant rates (stamps, letters, postcards, Media Mail) held through July 2025, with no January 2025 increase. Connect eCommerce shipping rates were adjusted again in January 2025.
What was the biggest percentage increase in the July 2024 changes?
Parcel Select saw the steepest increase at roughly 25% on average. Among services that affect individual mailers, the additional-ounce rate for letters rose 16.7% (from 24 cents to 28 cents), and Media Mail’s one-pound rate climbed 12.1%.
Can I still use old Forever stamps after the July 2024 price increase?
Yes. Forever stamps are always valid for one ounce of First-Class letter mail regardless of when they were purchased. No additional postage is needed, even if you bought them at the old 68-cent rate or earlier.
All prices in this article reflect the new USPS prices July 2024 rate changes. Rates have been updated since then. For current pricing on your specific shipment, check rates with our free calculator.
