WASHINGTON – It'll cost more to send mail starting Sunday. The first rate increase since 2002 will boost the cost of sending a first-class letter by 2 cents, to 39 cents.
The increase follows legislation requiring the U.S. Postal Service to place $3.1 billion in an escrow account this year. Another rate boost is likely nest year to cover rising costs for the agency.
Many rates, such as parcel post and advertising mail, vary by distance or whether the material is presorted. Rate changes taking effect, including some estimates for typical mailed items:
— First-class letters, each additional ounce, up 1 cent to 24 cents.
— Post card, up 1 cent to 24 cents.
— Letter to Canada or Mexico, 1 ounce, up 3 cents to 63 cents.
— Letter to other foreign countries, 1 ounce, up 4 cents to 84 cents.
— Priority Mail, 1 pound, up 20 cents to $4.05.
— Express Mail, 8 ounces, up 75 cents to $14.40.
— Certified mail, up 10 cents to $2.40.
— Money orders up 5 cents to 95 cents.
— Delivery confirmation, up 5 cents to 60 cents.
— Weekly news magazine, 5.8 ounces, presorted, up 1 cent to 18.5 cents.
— Household magazine, 13.8 ounces, presorted, up 1.5 cents to 28.9 cents.
— Small nonprofit publication, presorted, up 1.4 cents to 28.3 cents.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox