The United States Postal Service (USPS) moved to increase the cost of a First-Class “Forever” stamp for the second time in twelve months, filing a formal notice of price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
If the regulatory body approves the proposal, the price of a standard stamp will jump from 78 cents to 82 cents effective July 12, 2026.
The filing outlines a broad upward adjustment across nearly all mailing categories. While the agency continues to struggle with a “severe financial crisis,” the proposed rates target both domestic and international consumers:
| Product | Current Price | Proposed Price |
| First-Class Mail Stamp | 78 cents | 82 cents |
| Domestic Postcard | 61 cents | 65 cents |
| International Letter | $1.70 | $1.75 |
| International Postcard | $1.70 | $1.75 |
In a rare move to shield some consumers, the USPS confirmed the additional-ounce price for single-piece letters will remain stagnant at 29 cents.
Postage prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Just one year ago, the USPS raised the Forever stamp from 73 cents to its current 78-cent mark. To put the trajectory into perspective, the same stamp cost just 22 cents forty years ago.
The agency defended the move as a necessity for survival. “The Postal Service is using all available tools… to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation,” the agency stated, noting that it relies entirely on the sale of postage and services rather than taxpayer dollars for its operating budget.
However, investigative scrutiny points to a shifting logistical landscape as a primary driver. The price hike follows a landmark agreement between the USPS and Amazon, which will see the retail giant slash its postal deliveries by 20 percent. As Amazon leans more heavily on its own proprietary delivery network, the USPS is forced to recoup lost revenue through higher per-item costs on the general public.
The Postal Regulatory Commission will now conduct a formal review of the proposed changes. Given the agency’s “Delivering for America” 10-year plan, which emphasizes aggressive price adjustments to achieve financial stability, industry analysts expect the PRC to grant approval.
For American households and small businesses, the message is clear: stock up on Forever stamps now. Any Forever stamps purchased at the current 78-cent rate will remain valid for First-Class mailings long after the July 12 price hike takes effect.
