USPS^® 2023 Shipping and Mailing Price Changes

As of April 10, 2023: The USPS has proposed a stamp price increase. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), this increase would take effect on July 9, 2023. The new rates include a 3-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63¢ to 66¢.

If favorably reviewed by the PRC, the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4% to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63¢, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51¢. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24¢. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item. 

Pitney Bowes clients will continue to receive a 3-cent savings on metered mail. In addition, clients who use PitneyShip Pro will receive a discount of $1.35 on every piece of Certified Mail they send with Electronic Return Receipt.

First-Class Mail

Savings for Metered letters remain at 3¢ per letter. Also, savings for Certified Mail with electronic return receipt increases to $1.35 with no volume requirements.

• 1-ounce Letters increase to $0.66
• 1-ounce Metered Letters increase to $0.63
• 1-ounce Flats increase to $1.35
• Postcards increase to $0.51
• Additional ounce rate for Letters and Flats remains $0.24
• Certified Mail fee increases to $4.35
  • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost increases to $8.53 for Retail Return Receipt (Green Card) (metered)
  • Total 1-ounce Certified Mail cost will be $7.18 for electronic Return Receipt(metered)

Other Services

• Single Piece Library Mail increases to $3.72 up to 1lb
• Single Piece Media Mail increases to $3.92

The USPS is implementing new mailing regulations in 2024.

As of December 2024, IMI will replace the outdated IBI (Information Based Indicia) performance standard with newer, more sophisticated technology providing the Postal Service with more detailed real-time transaction data. Learn more here.

Save up to 89% when you print a USPS shipping label

Offset rate increases and access the best rates on the market when you print a USPS shipping label, rather than using stamps or a meter tape for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.

Learn more about Pitney Bowes shipping solutions.

Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and First-Class Packages are increasing from 5.5% to 7.8% on average. Priority Mail Commercial pricing (pricing you get by printing the shipping label) only increases by 3.6%. First-Class Commercial packages still save 24% to 68% off Retail pricing.

Important Changes to Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and First-Class Packages

• Commercial Base and Commercial Plus categories are being consolidated for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express
• Regional Rate boxes and pricing are eliminated
• Zone L, 1, and 2 pricing is being spilt to Zone 1 and Zone 2 pricing

Log in to your Pitney Bowes shipping solution and save

Priority Mail

Priority Mail Cubic Pricing

Pricing is based on the dimensions of your packages, rather than the weight. It’s a service not available at the Post Office, and offers shippers an inexpensive, fast way to ship their small packages. You can expect a 1-3 business day deliver, like all Priority Mail services. The service also includes $100 of insurance at no extra cost.

2023 Priority Mail Commercial Cubic Rates (as of January 22, 2023)

Priority Mail Express

If speed is what you need, then Priority Mail Express could be the right choice. It’s an overnight delivery even on Saturdays.

USPS Shipping price changes as proposed in the July 9 announcement

As part of the latest proposal, no price changes are being made for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, or the majority of International Products.

New USPS Ground Advantage™ Service

As part of the July 9 proposed changes, the USPS is replacing the existing First-Class Package Service category with USPS Ground Advantage. This service will also incorporate USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Select® Ground. USPS Ground Advantage will feature two-to-five day service standards for packages up to 70 pounds. The new product will also maintain ounce-based pricing up to 15.999oz. The proposed Commercial ounce-based prices align with the current First-Class Commercial Package prices. The USPS will continue to offer Parcel Select Destination Entry and Lightweight.

USPS Ground Advantage will feature

• 3 main Price Levels: Retail, Commercial, Cubic prices (Limited Overland Routes (LOR) pricing is also available for eligible intra-Alaska Zip Codes).
• Ounce-based pricing up to 15.999 oz and then price by pound up to 70lbs.
• $100 insurance included for both retail and commercial customers, USPS Ground Advantage outbound and return parcels.
• Package forwarding and return to sender endorsements will be included for the USPS Ground Advantage product offering.
• Free package pickup on the carrier’s route.

To determine if what you’re sending qualifies for a USPS shipping label, click here. When you print a shipping label, Commercial Discounts and Cubic Pricing are available via approved shipping software like PitneyShip Pro.USPS Ground Advantage Commercial Rates

USPS Ground Advantage Commercial Rates

USPS Ground Advantage Cubic Rates