AMERICANS will soon begin paying higher prices to send mail as major USPS services are scheduled to start on July 1.
The price increase marks the second phase of a two-part change designed to cut costs for the agency.
Phase One hit on April 1 and slowed down mail service for some customers.
In Phase Two of the changes, which is expected to begin on July 1 and officially take effect by July 13, customers will start to see prices rise.
Mailing services will increase by approximately 7.4%, according to the USPS.
First-Class Forever stamps, along with one-ounce letters, will rise in price from 73 cents to 78 cents.
Domestic postcards will rise in price from 56 cents to 62 cents.
International postcards and letters will also rise in price from $1.65 to $1.70.
Changes in the first phase primarily affected how long it would take Americans to receive their mail.
The majority of customers using first-class mail did not see a significant delay in delivery services, according to the USPS.
When the changes were announced, the agency said 75% of First-Class Mail would retain its current service standards.
Approximately 14% of First-Class Mail recipients were expected to see an improvement in delivery times.
However, 11% of customers were told they may experience a delayed delivery time by a day or two.
Customers are now able to check delivery times through an interactive tool available on the USPS website. This tool shows different mail classes and the corresponding estimated delivery dates for each one.
Despite any potential delays, the agency promised that Americans will still receive their mail within one to five days.
Under Phase One changes, drivers will also be able to leave the facilities earlier to drive longer distances and drop off packages.
The changes are a part of the USPS’s initiative called Delivering for America.
The ten-year plan aims to enhance USPS service, foster financial stability for the agency, and invest in its infrastructure.
USPS Price changes
- Letters (1 ounce): 73 cents to 78 cents
- Letters (metered 1 ounce): 69 cents to 74 cents
- Domestic postcards: 56 cents to 62 cents
- International postcards: $1.65 to $1.70
- International letter: $1.65 to $1.70
On the USPS website, the agency says its planning on investing $40 billion in its people.
The billions of dollars will go towards the USPS delivery, processing and retail operations technology systems, equipment, and more.
The service changes being implemented this year are planned to save the agency $36 billion over the next decade.
“I think it’ll be good for the post office,” Jimmy Egan, a resident of Agawam, Massachusetts, 4 miles south of Springfield, told NBC affiliate WWLP.
“I think people will like it too. It’ll be more efficient, it sounds like.”
