Postage rate increases now in effect

If you’ve been to the post office this past week, you’ve undoubtedly notice the increase in postage rates. New rates went into effect Jan. 21. The price of a first-class postage stamp increased nearly 3% from 66 cents to 68 cents. Metered postage rates for first-class letters are up 1 cent per letter to 64 cents. The Certified Mail fee increased an additional 5 cents per mail piece from $4.35 to $4.50, while Return Receipt (hard copy) increased from $3.55 to $3.65. The Return Receipt (electronic copy) cost rose from $2.20 to $2.32. With the right mail volume, businesses can take advantage of the USPS presort discounts. First-class presorted postage increased nearly 9 cents, but sorting invoices, bills and statements by ZIP code is still advantageous and cost-effective. Presort pricing is $0.507 (5-Digit Automation Letter - 1 oz.), and presort postcard pricing is $0.406 (postcard machinable presorted). The shipping prices of the three primary carriers, USPS, FedEx and UPS, are also slated for rate increases in 2024 — USPS Ground Advantage, 5.4%; Priority Mail Services, 5.7%; Priority Mail Express, 5.9%; FedEx, 5.9%; and UPS, 5.9%.