USPS Raises Forever Stamp Prices to 82 Cents

The United States Postal Service increased the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents effective July 12, 2026. This marks the eighth price increase since 2021, representing a 41% rise in cost from the 58-cent price in that year. Other adjustments include raising domestic postcard rates to 65 cents and international postcards and letters to $1.75. The agency also introduced a $7.50 handling fee for hazardous materials shipped via Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, with a $50 noncompliance fee for improperly labeled packages.

These measures, approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission on May 27, aim to address a "severe financial crisis" and a "broken business model." The agency reported a $9 billion net loss in fiscal year 2025 and a $2 billion loss in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. These deficits are driven by a sharp decline in mail volume—falling from 213 billion pieces in 2006 to 108 billion in 2025—alongside rising labor, fuel, and infrastructure costs.

Postmaster General David Steiner warned that the organization could exhaust its funds by October or November 2026 without further reforms and increased borrowing authority. To maintain liquidity, the USPS paused employer contributions to a government pension plan, a move defended by CFO Luke Grossmann. However, Robert G. Taub of the Postal Regulatory Commission expressed doubt that incremental funding would solve the underlying structural issues.