You might want to start collecting stamps because prices are about to be worth their weight in paper. The US Postal Service (USPS) has announced multiple price increases for First-Class postage, with up to five hikes planned over the next three years. The next hike is set for Jul. 2025, with further increases every January and July through 2027.

• Since 2019, stamp prices have already climbed 36%, and the Jul. 2024 hike of $0.05 ties the record for the largest increase ever.
• Currently, a First-Class stamp costs $0.73, but Keep US Posted’s Kevin Yoder warns, “[If] we don’t stop these destructive rate hikes, the price of a stamp could be $1.19 by 2030.”

Sticker shock: The rising USPS rates may compel businesses to switch to alternative shipping providers like UPS or FedEx, who might raise their own prices due to growing demand. Higher shipping and mailing costs could impact businesses, who would likely pass those expenses on to consumers. While letter volume has halved in the past decade, USPS insists it’s still a bargain, pointing out that “only a handful” of countries charge less for stamps.