The United States Postal Service has raised the price of a Forever stamp to 82 cents, up from the previous rate of 78 cents.
The latest increase is part of a broader round of postage hikes affecting multiple mail products across the USPS network.
Domestic postcards now cost 65 cents, up from 61 cents, while international postcards and letters will run customers $1.75, up from $1.70.
The Postal Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that oversees the USPS, approved the rate hike in May after reviewing the agency’s finances.
In approving the increase, the commission flagged serious concerns about the agency’s financial situation, its delivery performance, and shrinking mail volumes.
This latest hike marks the sixth time in five years that the USPS has raised the price of a first-class stamp, pushing costs up 34% from 58 cents in 2021.
According to a May analysis by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the agency’s operating expenses are rising faster than its revenue.
For fiscal year 2025, USPS costs rose by $1.8 billion, while revenue increased by only $1 billion, widening the gap between what the agency spends and what it earns.
A major structural challenge for the postal service is a steep and sustained decline in mail volume, which has dropped 68% since 2007.
Despite repeated price increases, the United States still offers relatively affordable postage compared to most other developed nations around the world.
A 2024 study by the USPS Inspector General found that the U.S. had a lower stamp price than 26 out of 30 comparable countries examined in the report.
The USPS continues to face pressure to balance rising operational costs against its universal service mandate, which requires delivery to every address in the country.
