Postal rate information
Welcome to the USPS® postage rates resource hub
Throughout the year, the United States Postal Service (USPS®) files its mailing and shipping rate changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). These changes affect everything from first-class stamps, to metered mail, package, and special mailing services. Our Postage Rate Hub captures current USPS® postal rates and price adjustments to help you keep up with current postage prices.
2023 USPS® Rate Guide
Postal rate change FAQs
Rate change support
Dimensional Weight FAQs
USPS® mailing and shipping rates
USPS® Postage Rate News
No USPS® Holiday Shipping Surcharges in 2023
Great news! USPS® has confirmed that customers won't face any additional surcharges this holiday season. That means no extra costs for residential area deliveries, Saturday deliveries, or minimum volumes.
January 2024 USPS® Rate Change Increase
The U.S. Postal Service has revealed its planned price changes for 2024. If approved, these updated postage rates will take effect on January 21, 2024, leading to a roughly 2% increase in the prices of mailing services products.
Proposed Changes in Mailing Service Prices:
- Letters - 1 oz.: $0.68
- Letters - metered 1 oz.: $0.64
- Domestic Postcards: $0.53
- International Postcards & Letter (1 oz.): $1.55
Furthermore, the U.S. Postal Service is in the process of requesting price adjustments for Special Services items, including Certified Mail.
Current USPS® Postal Rates
The latest USPS® mailing and shipping rates took effect on July 9, 2023. These USPS® postal rates affect First-Class stamps, metered mail rates, and Certified Mail. See a list of current prices of each below.
To receive updates about the USPS Rate Change, subscribe to our Quadient Connections Newsletter.
What are USPS® current postage rates? (as of July 2023)
2023 First-Class Mail® postage rates
| Product | Stamped | Metered | Savings per letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letters - up to 1 oz. | $0.66 | $0.63 | $0.03 |
| Letters - Additional ounces | $0.24 | $0.24 | |
| Large Envelope (Flat) - 1 oz. | $1.35 | $1.35 | |
| Domestic postcards | $0.51 | $0.51 |
If your company still uses stamps to send business mail or purchases postage directly from the post office, you can save 3 cents or 5% on every letter. PLUS get other discounts and benefits by using a meter.
Get a 5% discount on every letter with a Quadient meter. Using a meter offers so many benefits:
- Get automatic rate updates so you always have access to the most current postal rates
- Eliminate the risk of overpaying or underpaying for postage
- Save money with commercial-base pricing
Now is the perfect time to explore how you can offset the price hikes from these rate increases with a postage meter or mailing system. Save 5% on every letter you mail.
Check out our Postage Meter Buyer's Guide or reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS® mail classes and services, download our handy 2023 Postage Rate Guide.
New package service: USPS Ground Advantage
As a part of the July 2023 rate change, The USPS introduced a new package service called USPS Ground Advantage. USPS Ground Advantage is an affordable and reliable way to ground ship packages up to 70 lbs.
USPS Ground Advantage Features
• Packages delivered in 2-5 business days across the continental United States.
• Free package pickup service at home or in-office.
• Commercial and retail prices available.
• Free packaging Business customers can use USPS Ground Advantage return service as a convenient option for customers who need to send items back.
• $100 insurance included on USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Ground Advantage Return packages. Customers can purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage.
This service replaces USPS Retail Ground. USPS Parcel Select Ground, and USPS First-Class Package Service, First class package return, and ground returns. This is the primary option for sending hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that can’t go by air.
The USPS has announced a transition period through September 30, 2023. Legacy products that are merging into Ground Advantage will continue to be processed/delivered until that time.
USPS Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service)
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 4 oz. | $4.75 and up | $3.59 and up | $1.16 and up |
| 5 - 8 oz. | $5.40 and up | $3.99 and up |
$1.41 and up |
| 9 - 12 oz. | $6.15 and up | $4.62 and up | $1.53 and up |
| 13 oz. | $7.60 and up | $5.93 and up | $1.67 and up |
Certified Mail®
Don't forget: You can reduce the impact on your business by using an online solution like ConnectSuite e-Certify. With e-Certify, you will use an electronic Return Receipt and save $1.28 on every Certified Mail® piece. You'll not only save 38% on the cost of Certified Mail, but you'll also save valuable time and resources.
Breaking it down, it will cost $8.56 to send a First-Class Letter as Certified Mail with a hard copy Return Receipt:
- $0.66 for the Postage
- $4.35 for Certified Mail fee
- $3.55 for Return Receipt Hard Copy
| Product | July 2023 |
|---|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $4.35 |
| Return Receipt - Hard Copy | $3.55 |
| Return Receipt - Electronic | $2.20 |
| Signature Confirmation® | $11.45 |
Priority Mail® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: 1 – 3 business days. This service is a great choice when you need to send small, heavy items weighing up to 70 lbs.
During the seasonal competitive pricing increases, one of the best ways to help your business save is rate shopping. You can rate shop, compare pricing and get discounts all year long with shipping software. In fact, you can save 32% on Priority Mail costs and save 17% on Priority Mail Express!
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Flat Rate Envelope | $9.65 | $8.05 | $1.60 |
|
Legal Flat Rate Envelope |
$9.95 | $8.35 | $1.60 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $10.40 | $8.80 | $1.60 |
| Small Flat Rate Boxes | $10.20 | $8.55 | $1.65 |
| Medium Flat Rate Boxes | $17.10 | $14.75 | $2.35 |
| Large Flat Rate Boxes | $22.80 | $19.90 | $2.90 |
| APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Boxes | $21.20 | $18.35 | $2.85 |
Priority Mail Express® Flat Mail Rate
Estimated delivery time: Overnight. Available 365 days a year. Use this service when you need something delivered fast
| Size | Post Office | Quadient | Savings with Quadient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Envelope | $28.75 | $24.90 | $3.85 |
| Legal Flat Rate Envelope | $28.95 | $24.90 | $4.05 |
| Padded Flat Rate Envelope | $29.45 | $25.35 | $4.10 |
Watch our latest On Demand Webinar about the latest USPS Rate Changes.
The complete USPS filings with the updated prices are available on the USPS Postal Explorer website. If you want to keep up with any updates regarding the rate change event, you can check out our Mailing and Shipping Blog. To receive alerts and keep up with updates regarding USPS postage rate changes, increases, mailing tips and trends subscribe to our Quadient Connections newsletter.
For a more comprehensive list of postage rates of USPS mail classes and services, download our handy 2023 Postage Rate Guide.
IMI compliance alert
ALL postage meters and mailing systems must be IMI compliant and registered with the USPS by December 2024*
Is your postage meter IMI compliant?
Don’t delay if you are using soon-to-be outdated IBI indicia technology. To become Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) compliant, you will need to acquire a postage meter that is able to send and receive data from USPS®. This change will also ensure your company’s mail system will be able to receive automatic updates such as rate changes. All Quadient iX-Series postage meters and mailing systems are IMI compliant and approved by the USPS.
There is no need to wait. IMI technology can help you be more efficient and help take the guesswork out of postage. Read more about decertification in our blog.
Learn more about the benefits of Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) with our infographic. We're here to help reach out to a mail expert with any questions.
*with a few exceptions