On July 10, 2022, the United States Postal Service’s price change will take effect. The updated price increase includes a two-cent increase for a First-Class Forever Stamp, bringing the price up to 60 cents, along with others.
What else can you expect from the postage rate increase? Keep reading to find out!
2022: The Year of the Price Increase
When I say that 2022 has become the year of the price increase, it’s not a profound or revolutionary statement. Anyone that has been to a supermarket knows that prices are going up.
Prices are increasing because inflation is rising (we are experiencing the highest inflation since 1982 after all.) With inflation and higher costs, companies have to evaluate their bottom line, and voila - price increases are born.
You might have first seen the beginning of the price increase with the Amazon inflation surcharge earlier this year. However, where the Amazon inflation surcharge affected sellers in their ecosystem, USPS affects us all.
Direct Mail Postage Rate Increase for July 10, 2022 - Breakdown
If you are wondering how your prices are going to be affected by this new price increase, you can see the breakdown below.
First Class Regular
- 1 oz. stamped letter size will increase to $0.60 each
- 1 oz. metered letter size will increase to $0.57 each
- 1 oz. flats size will remain the same at $1.20 each
First Class Presorted
- Mixed AADC letters will increase to $0.515 each
- Mixed AADC cards will increase to $0.372 each
- Mixed ADC presorted flats will increase to $0.934 each
Standard Mail
- Mixed AADC letters will increase to $0.349 each
- Mixed ADC flats will increase to $0.854 each
Nonprofit Mail
- Mixed AADC letters will increase to $0.207 each
- Mixed ADC flats will increase to $0.648 each
TLDR: The most significant price increase will be for presorted first class mail and flats.
Price Increase: Explained by the USPS
If you are trying to wrap your mind around the postage rate increase (we did just have a USPS price increase at the end of 2021), it may or may not help to know why USPS is increasing their prices again. If you’re interested, I have found the answer for you.
Though inflation is the underlying factor, there is an additional reason the USPS continues to increase its prices. The postage rate increase is to support the 10-year plan USPS unveiled last year: Delivering for America. The initiative, Delivering for America, was created to return the USPS to financial stability and reverse about $160 billion in operating losses. So, the recent increase is to help offset the current inflation and help USPS stay on track with their initiative.
If you are interested in learning more about the plan (and see where your increased costs are going), you can read about it on the USPS website here.
Your Secret Weapon Against Postage Rate Increases
I would hate for this blog to be just doom and gloom, so I would like to end with some positivity - a tool to help you combat the price increase: Shipping Software.
Shipping software is a game-changer because it helps you save money. Good shipping software (like Zenventory) will save you even more money by getting you access to discounted rates with USPS. These discounted rates are lower than retail over-the-counter rates at the post office and can be up to 40% off the retail price.
In 2022, you have enough to worry about instead of having to trouble yourself with companies increasing their shipping prices. Eliminate that extra stress and get shipping software today!
Zenventory, we’ve got you covered.
