Business & Tech

First-Class Stamps Rise to 49 Cents

You'll need 3 cents more to buy first-class stamps, including Forever stamps, beginning today, Sunday. Any Forever stamps you bought before are still good – they increase in value automatically.

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By Greg Hambrick

Today, Jan. 26, the cost of a first-class postage stamp will rise to 49 cents from 46 cents, according to the U.S. Postal Service. 

A book of first-class, one-ounce stamps will cost $9.80. Forever Stamps purchased before the increase will still be valid for all one-ounce letters. 

The U.S. Postal Service’s regulator approved the increase of about 6 percent, but rejected a request for a permanent increase.

According to the USPS, the increases include:

  • Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
  • Letters additional ounces —  1-cent increase to 21 cents
  • Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
  • Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
The rate increase is supposed to boost the USPS' revenue by $2.8 billion in two years to recoup losses suffered in 2008 and 2011, according to the Washington Post. 

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