The U.S. Postal Service is once again raising the price of Forever Stamps and other postage rates. If you’re short on Forever stamps, now is a good time to restock as the price of the stamp will increase by 4 cents, from 78 cents to 82 cents, when the price increase takes effect on July 12.
Overall, the Postal Service is raising product prices for mailing services by about 4.8%, according to the USPS. The Postal Service increased the price of the Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents in July 2025. When Forever stamps were introduced in 2007, they cost 41 cents each. This is a 100% increase in 19 years.
Initially issued at the current price of a First Class stamp, “Forever” stamps were meant to help consumers adjust to future price changes. It doesn’t matter when they were purchased, the stamps will be good to send in the mail. So now you have any stamps you purchased for 78 cents or less that can still be used after this latest price increase.
Here’s what you need to know before you go get your tickets.
When is the stamp price increasing?
The Postal Service will raise prices on July 12, 2026.
How much will the Forever Stamp cost?
The price of the Forever Stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents.
other price increases
Other price increases include:
- Domestic Postcard – 61 cents to 65 cents
- Alphabet (metered 1 ounce) – 74 cents to 78 cents
- Alphabet (1 ounce) – 78 cents to 82 cents
- International Postcards – $1.70 to $1.75
- International paper (1 ounce) – $1.70 to $1.75
According to the USPS, the price of an extra ounce for single-piece letters will remain at 29 cents.
Why is the Postal Service raising prices?
The Postal Service registered its intention to raise prices on April 9, 2026. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the price changes of the Postal Service on May 27.
The agency said in its announcement that the price increase was needed to help address the Postal Service’s rising costs and other challenges. “Amidst the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continually rising operating costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including regulatory pricing authority, to ensure that we can continue to meet our universal service obligation and serve the American public,” the Postal Service said at the time.
In a financial analysis report released May 21, the Postal Regulatory Commission said the Postal Service had posted a net loss of $2.7 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The commission said the agency has been operating at a loss for the last decade.
“Deficits incurred over the past 10 years have weakened the Postal Service’s financial position, resulting in a significant gap between assets and liabilities,” the commission said in the report.
Mike Snyder is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY.