Posted on August 6, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Second Postage Rate Increase Coming in August 2021
In January, the U.S. Postal Service made its first increase in postage rates for the 2021 year. The second increase will be implemented August 29 th of this year. Here is what you need to know:
According to an article from USPS, they will proceed with the postal rate change in a commitment to strive for affordability and financial sustainability. USPS CEO Louis DeJoy stated that for the past 14 years USPS has had limited pricing power to respond to the changing market. Due to this lack of pricing authority, USPS feels as though implementing this price increase will help them stay competitive in the market.
Not only will the rate change help USPS with their 10-year plan of commitment to affordability and financial sustainability, but it will also “contribute to $40 billion of investments in people, technology and infrastructure over the next 10 years to modernize and improve the Postal Service’s operations and customer experience,” according to the USPS May 28 th article.
Some of these changes will be to: letters (1 oz.), increasing from $0.55 to $0.58 with each additional ounce for First Class Mail costing $0.20; domestic postcards, increasing from $0.36 to $0.40; flats (1 oz.) increasing from $1.00 to $1.16, and outbound international letters (1 oz.) increasing from $1.20 to $1.30. The most notable change you should be aware of, especially if you are planning to send out wedding invitations soon, is the pricing of square envelopes. Square envelopes (1 oz.) will be $0.78 with each additional ounce costing $0.20.
In conclusion, USPS may have 2 (or perhaps even more) price changes this year, but they do still stand as one of the most affordable postal services in the world.
Written by Julia Costello
