The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to increase postage rates, pending federal approval. If the proposal is accepted, the price of a First-Class Forever stamp will rise from 78 cents to 82 cents starting July 12. Additionally, the cost of a metered one-ounce letter will go from 74 cents to 78 cents, and domestic postcards will increase from 61 cents to 65 cents.
International mailing rates will also see adjustments, with international postcards and one-ounce international letters each rising from $1.70 to $1.75. The price for each additional ounce on a single-piece letter will remain at 29 cents.
The Postal Service cites a severe financial crisis and increasing operating costs as the reasons for the proposed increases. The agency operates without tax funding and relies on postage sales to cover its expenses. These changes are part of an ongoing effort to stabilize finances through a long-term restructuring plan.
Before becoming effective, the new rates must be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees Postal Service pricing. Celina residents and businesses would be affected by these higher rates in July, along with mailers across the country.