Welcome to the USPS® postage rates resource hub
Throughout the year, the United States Postal Service (USPS®) files its mailing and shipping rate changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). These changes affect everything from first-class stamps, to metered mail, package, and special mailing services. Our Postage Rate Hub captures current USPS® postal rates and price adjustments to help you keep up with current postage prices.
Ready for Peak Holiday Shipping Season?
Don’t get caught off guard. This year has some big surprises! Get the new postage rates, affected services, deadlines - and more!
USPS® mailing and shipping rates
USPS® Postage Rate News
Current USPS® Postage Rates
The new USPS® mailing and shipping rates are taking effect on July 14, 2024. These USPS® postal rates affect First-Class stamps, metered mail rates and postcards, among others. See a list of current prices of each below.
July 14, 2024 USPS® Rate Change Increase
The U.S. Postal Service's new postage rates have been approved, leading to a roughly 7.8% increase in the prices of mailing services products.
2024 Changes in Mailing Service Prices:
Stamps
- New Stamp Price: 73¢
- New Discounted Meter Price: 69¢
Metered Rate
- Previous Meter Price: 64¢
- New Meter Price: 69¢
Certified Mail® with Return Receipt is more expensive
- Certified Mail fee: from $4.35 to $4.85
- Return Receipt (hard copy) cost: from $3.55 to $4.10
- Return Receipt (electronic) cost: from $2.20 to $2.62
Presort prices
- Presort pricing : $0.545 (5- Digit Automation Letter - 1 oz.)
- Presort postcards: $0.560 (Postcard Machinable Presorted)
Shipping rates
- Parcel Select® service : +25%
- No price increases are being proposed for USPS Ground Advantage, as well as Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® services.
To receive updates about the USPS Rate Change, subscribe to our Quadient Connections Newsletter.
Boo! Don't get spooked by the holiday shipping rate increase
Join our mailing and shipping experts as they break down the latest holiday shipping rate increases from U.S Postal Service, FedEx®, and UPS®. You'll get all the details on new prices, peak season surcharges, and key shipping deadlines. This season brings some tricky fees and multiple price hikes, but don’t worry—our team will share tips to help you navigate the changes and save on costs with confidence.
What are USPS® current postage rates? (as of July 2024)
2024 First-Class Mail® postage rates
| Product | Stamped | Metered | Savings per letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letters - up to 1 oz. | $0.73 | $0.69 | $0.04 |
| Letters - Additional ounces | $0.28 | $0.28 | |
| Large Envelope (Flat) - 1 oz. | $1.50 | ||
| Domestic postcards | $0.56 |
If your company still uses stamps to send business mail or purchases postage directly from the post office, you can save 4 cents or 5% on every letter. PLUS get other discounts and benefits by using a meter.
As of July 2024, get a 5% discount on every letter with a Quadient meter. Using a meter offers so many benefits:
- Get automatic rate updates so you always have access to the most current postal rates
- Eliminate the risk of overpaying or underpaying for postage
- Save money with commercial-base pricing
Now is the perfect time to explore how you can offset the price hikes from these rate increases with a postage meter or mailing system. As of July 2024, save 5% on every letter you mail.
Check out our Postage Meter Buyer's Guide or reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS® mail classes and services, download our handy 2024 Postage Rate Guide.
USPS Ground Advantage: what package service has it replaced?
As a part of the January 2024 rate change, USPS introduced a new package service called USPS Ground Advantage. USPS Ground Advantage is an affordable and reliable way to ground ship packages up to 70 lbs.
USPS Ground Advantage Features
• Packages delivered in 2-5 business days across the continental United States.
• Free package pickup service at home or in-office.
• Commercial and retail prices available.
• Free packaging Business customers can use USPS Ground Advantage return service as a convenient option for customers who need to send items back.
• $100 insurance included on USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Ground Advantage Return packages. Customers can purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage.
This service replaces USPS Retail Ground, USPS Parcel Select Ground, and USPS First-Class Package Service, First class package return, and ground returns. This is the primary option for sending hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that can’t go by air.
USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service)
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 oz. | $5.00 | $3.79 | $1.21 |
| 5 - 8 oz. | $5.70 | $4.21 | $1.49 |
| 9 - 12 oz. | $6.50 | $4.87 | $1.63 |
| 13 - 15.99 oz. | $8.00 | $6.17 | $1.83 |
Certified Mail®
Don't forget: You can reduce the impact on your business by using an online solution like ConnectSuite e-Certify. With e-Certify, you will use an electronic Return Receipt and save $1.48 on every Certified Mail® piece. You'll not only save 17% on the cost of Certified Mail, but you'll also save valuable time and resources.
Breaking it down, it will cost $9.68 to send a First-Class Letter as Certified Mail with a hard copy Return Receipt:
- $0.73 for the Postage
- $4.85 for Certified Mail fee
- $4.10 for Return Receipt Hard Copy
| Product | July 2024 |
|---|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $4.85 |
| Return Receipt - Hard Copy | $4.10 |
| Return Receipt - Electronic | $2.62 |
Priority Mail® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: 1 – 3 business days. This service is a great choice when you need to send small, heavy items weighing up to 70 lbs.
During the seasonal competitive pricing increases, one of the best ways to help your business save is rate shopping. You can rate shop, compare pricing and get discounts all year long with shipping software. In fact, as of January 2024 you can save 48% on Priority Mail costs!
Discounts apply to customers who have Quadient meters and appropriate shipping software such as Neoship or S.M.A.R.T Essential.
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Flat Rate Envelope | $9.85 | $8.50 | $1.35 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $10.15 | $8.80 | $1.35 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $10.60 | $9.30 | $1.30 |
| Small Flat Rate Boxes | $10.40 | $9.30 | $1.10 |
| Medium Flat Rate Boxes | $18.40 | $16.00 | $2.4 |
| Large Flat Rate Boxes | $24.75 | $21.85 | $2.90 |
| APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Boxes | $23.00 | $20.15 | $2.85 |
Priority Mail Express® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: Overnight. Available 365 days a year. Use this service when you need something delivered fast
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Envelope | $30.45 | $26.35 | $4.10 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $30.65 | $26.65 | $4.00 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $31.20 | $26.85 | $4.35 |
The complete USPS filings with the updated prices are available on the USPS Postal Explorer website. If you want to keep up with any updates regarding the rate change event, you can check out our Mailing and Shipping Blog. To receive alerts and keep up with updates regarding USPS postage rate changes, increases, mailing tips and trends subscribe to our Quadient Connections newsletter.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS mail classes and services, download our handy 2024 Postage Rate Guide.
IMI compliance alert
ALL postage meters and mailing systems must be IMI compliant and registered with the USPS by December 2024*
Is your postage meter IMI compliant?
Don’t delay if you are using soon-to-be outdated IBI indicia technology. To become Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) compliant, you will need to acquire a postage meter that is able to send and receive data from USPS®. This change will also ensure your company’s mail system will be able to receive automatic updates such as rate changes. All Quadient iX-Series postage meters and mailing systems are IMI compliant and approved by the USPS.
There is no need to wait. IMI technology can help you be more efficient and help take the guesswork out of postage. Read more about decertification in our blog.
Learn more about the benefits of Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) with our infographic. We're here to help reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
*with a few exceptions
USPS® Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI)
As of June 30, 2024, the USPS is decertifying postage meters that do not meet Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) standards, but there is some good news for your business!