Nickel Postage Hike Coming in the New Year

BROOKLYN – Forget fair hikes, stamps are increasing a nickel as of January 27, 2019. This increase marks the greatest hike since 1991.

A 1 oz. First Class Mail letter will now cost you $0.55, up from $0.50. However, if you’re sending something a little heavier (such as this year’s general election ballot) then you’ll only pay an additional $0.15 per ounce, down from $0.21.

If you use a postage meter or an online postage provider such as Stamps.com you’ll only experience a $0.03 hike for the first ounce of mail – a 9% savings. But you’ll pay the same $0.15 per additional ounces. All First Class Mail Flats or large envelopes will remain at $1.00 with the usual $0.15 per additional ounce. See detailed rate increases here.

Mail order shippers will get hit with increases starting at $.80. Those padded Priority Flate Rate envelopes will cost $8.00 to ship, up from $7.25 in 2018. While international shippers will see increases starting at $3.30.

Last year, the United State Postal Service increased letters a penny. This is the fourth consecutive annual hike on postage rates. In 2016, USPS implemented a rate increase at the beginning of the year on select services (mainly priority mail).  The same year USPS decreased letters and postcards by $0.2 which took effect on April 10, 2016.

Fun Fact: One hundred years ago, in 1918, it cost $0.3 to mail a letter. The following year Congress dropped the rate a penny effective July 1, 1919.