Download our summary of the new rates below:
Postage Rate Summary Entire USPS Price List
January 22, 2023 – The United States Postal Service (USPS) has implemented new postage rate price increases, effective January 2023, impacting mailing and shipping costs for businesses and individuals across the country. These changes have important implications for businesses, organizations, and consumers who rely on USPS services for their mailing and shipping needs.
The USPS adjusts postage rates periodically to account for changing operational costs, inflation, and other factors. The latest postage rate price increases, which took effect in January 2023, reflect the USPS’s efforts to maintain the quality and reliability of its services while managing its financial sustainability.
Some of the key changes in the latest USPS postage rate price increases include:
- First-Class Mail: The price of sending a standard First-Class Mail letter increased by 3 cents, from 58 cents to 61 cents for a one-ounce letter. Additional ounces for First-Class Mail letters remained unchanged at 20 cents per ounce.
- Priority Mail: The rates for Priority Mail, a popular shipping option for businesses and individuals, also increased. The average rate increase for Priority Mail varies depending on the weight, distance, and type of package.
- International Shipping: International shipping rates have also been adjusted, with varying increases for different destinations and package types. It’s important for businesses and individuals sending mail or packages internationally to be aware of these changes and factor them into their shipping costs.
- Other USPS Services: In addition to First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, postage rate price increases also affected other USPS services, including media mail, parcel select, and special services like certified mail, registered mail, and others.
As businesses and individuals rely on USPS services for their mailing and shipping needs, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest postage rate price increases and adjust budgets and shipping strategies accordingly. Planning ahead, exploring alternative mailing and shipping options, and leveraging technology and automation can help mitigate the impact of these rate changes on businesses and consumers.
The USPS remains committed to providing reliable, affordable, and efficient mailing and shipping services to individuals and businesses alike. It’s essential to stay updated on the latest postage rate price increases and other USPS announcements by visiting their official website or contacting local USPS branches.
For the second time in 6 months, USPS announced an increase in the prices of its service. Barely 3 months had passed after a July 2022 price increase before another round of increases was proposed to the Postal Regulatory Commission in October 2022. These new rate hikes went into effect on January 22, 2023, and there’s another expected price wave coming later this year.’
Here’s everything you need to know about these price changes and what’s to come, but more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead. Read on for a full breakdown of the 2023 USPS price rates:
New USPS Rates Effective January 22nd, 2023
“Favorably reviewed by the Commission,” USPS says their new rates increase First-Class Mail® by an average of 4.2%, but that average diminishes the real impact this will have on businesses.
If your small business uses forever stamps or purchases postage directly through your local Post Office, this price hike could significantly affect your bottom line.
2023 USPS First-Class Mail® Price Changes
- 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.
Why such a progressive increase? USPS stated in a 2021 report that it projected approximately $160 billion in losses over the next 10 years and hope to mitigate with at least 2 price increases per year until 2024.
But not all price changes are intensely hiked. USPS does have to keep an edge in the game, and they’re doing so with some heavily competitive pricing for their Priority Mail® services.
USPS Priority Mail® Flat Rate boxes and envelopes have always been popular shipping services thanks to their simplicity, free packaging, and competitive rates—regardless of package weight or destination.
2023 Domestic Priority Mail® Flat Rate Price Changes
| Priority Mail® Product | 2022 Retail Prices | 2023 Retail Prices | % Increase | 2022 Commercial Prices | 2023 Commercial Prices | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small flat-rate box | $10.40 | $10.20 | -1.92% | $8.25 | $8.55 | 3.64% |
| Medium flat-rate box | $17.05 | $17.10 | 0.29% | $14.25 | $14.75 | 3.51% |
| Large flat-rate box | $22.45 | $22.80 | 1.56% | $19.20 | $19.90 | 3.65% |
| APO/FPO large flat-rate box | $20.95 | $21.20 | 1.19% | $17.70 | $18.35 | 3.67% |
| Regular flat-rate envelope | $9.90 | $9.65 | -2.53% | $7.75 | $8.05 | 3.87% |
| Legal flat-rate envelope | $10.20 | $9.95 | -2.45% | $8.05 | $8.35 | 3.73% |
| Padded flat-rate envelope | $10.60 | $10.40 | -1.89% | $8.45 | $8.80 | 4.14% |
But some shippers need the speed offered by USPS Priority Mail Express®. They have overnight delivery on Saturdays. Here’s a full breakdown of their prices:
2023 Domestic Priority Mail Express® Flat Rate Price Changes
| Priority Mail® Product | 2022 Retail Prices | 2023 Retail Prices | % Increase | 2022 Commercial Prices | 2023 Commercial Prices | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Envelope | $27.90 | $28.75 | 3.05% | $24.25 | $24.90 | 2.68% |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $28.05 | $28.95 | 3.21% | $24.50 | $25.15 | 2.65% |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $28.45 | $29.45 | 3.51% | $24.70 | $25.35 | 2.63% |
| 1lb Package to Zone 1 | $27.70 | $29.20 | 5.42% | $24.00 | $25.25 | 5.21% |
If you ship packages weighing less than 1lb through First-Class Package service, price increases are minuscule. This service combines fast delivery times of 1-5 days, giving the service a real advantage in the parcel industry. Here’s a look at some of the shifts:
2023 First-Class Package Service™ Price Changes
| Priority Mail® Product | 2022 Retail Prices | 2023 Retail Prices | % Increase | 2022 Commercial Prices | 2023 Commercial Prices | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 oz. | $4.80 | $4.75 | -1.04% | $3.62 | $3.59 | -0.83% |
| 5-8 oz. | $5.40 | $5.40 | 0.00% | $4.01 | $3.99 | -0.50% |
| 9-12 oz. | $6.10 | $6.15 | 0.82% | $4.59 | $4.62 | 0.65% |
| 13-15.999 oz. | $7.35 (Only up to 13oz.) | $7.50 (Only up to 13oz.) | 2.04% | $5.74 | $5.85 | 1.92% |
Big Changes to USPS Zones
Outside of price increases, the biggest changes for businesses to be aware of is that as of January 22, 2023, the local zone no longer exists. “Local” mail pieces now all fall under the zone 1 pricing structure. Additionally, USPS zone 2 shipments now have their own pricing structure.
Here’s a look at those zones from a Retail and Commercial standpoint. You can calculate your zones at: https://postcalc.usps.com/DomesticZoneChart
2023 First-Class Package Service™ Price Changes
| Type | Weight Not Over | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 & 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | 1 oz | $4.75 | $4.85 | $4.90 | $5.00 | $5.05 | $5.10 | $5.15 | $5.25 |
| Retail | 13 oz | $7.50 | $7.65 | $7.75 | $7.85 | $7.95 | $8.05 | $8.15 | $8.25 |
| Commercial | 1 oz | $3.59 | $3.64 | $3.66 | $3.75 | $3.81 | $3.90 | $3.97 | $4.13 |
| Commercial | 15.999 oz | $5.85 | $5.93 | $6.00 | $6.07 | $6.22 | $6.44 | $6.60 | $6.78 |
Certified Mail® with Return Receipt to Increase
The Certified Mail® fee increased an additional 15 cents per mail piece, while Return Receipt increased by 10 cents. The result is that the price of hard-copy receipts is costing a lot more now. The silver lining: With an electronic Return Receipt, you’ll save $1.25 on every Certified Mail piece.
2023 USPS® Extra Services
Other Important Changes to USPS Priority Mail®, Priority Mail® Express, and First-Class Packages
- Zone “Local,” 1, and 2 pricing is now being split to Zone 1, and Zone 2 pricing
- Commercial Base and Commercial Plus are being merged into Priority Mail®, and Priority Mail® Express services
- Support eliminated for USPS Regional Rate Boxes
- This service allowed for parcels weighing up to 15 lbs (Regional Rate A box) and 20 lbs (Regional Rate B box). USPS recommends using their Priority Mail® Cubic in lieu of Regional Rate Boxes.
| Product | Current | January 22nd 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Letters (1 oz.) | 60 cents | 63 cents |
