USPS to Implement Second Postage Rate Increase in 2021
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a second 2021 postage rate increase for mailing services (letters, postcards) to be implemented on Sunday, August 29, 2021 subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission. This would be the second USPS postage rate increase of 2021, with the first rate increase going into effect on January 24, 2021.
It’s important to note the August 2021 rate increase only impacts “Market Dominant” products, which are mail services such as First Class Mail letters, postcards and mailing services. The USPS DID NOT include package services such as First Class Package Service or Priority Mail, which are known as “Competitive” products. (This could change as additional USPS announcements are expected.)
Listed below are the highlights of the proposed August 2021 USPS rate increase:
- The rate for a First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) for postage purchased at the Post Office will increase 3 cents to $0.58 from $0.55. Each additional ounce for First Class Mail will cost $0.20, no change from the January through July 2021 period.
- If you print postage online (via Stamps.com), the Metered Mail rate for a First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) will increase by 2 cents to $0.53 from $0.51.
- With a 5 cents discount, printing postage online using the Metered Mail rate provides a 9% discount off the Post Office price.
First Class Mail Letter Rates - as of August 29, 2021
INCREASE PER LETTER - Jan 2021 Rates vs. Aug 2021 Rates| Mailpiece Weight | Jan 2021 | Aug 2021 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letters - 1 oz. | $0.55 | $0.58 | $0.03 |
| Letters - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.20 | No Change |
| Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate) - 1 oz. | $0.51 | $0.53 | $0.02 |
| Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate) - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.20 | No Change |
| Flat/Large Envelope - 1 oz. | $1.00 | $1.16 | $0.16 |
| Flat/Large Envelope - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.20 | No Change |
| Postcards | $0.36 | $0.40 | $0.04 |
| International Letters - 1 oz. (County Groups 1-9) | $1.20 | $1.30 | $0.10 |
| International Postcard (County Groups 1-9) | $1.20 | $1.30 | $0.10 |
| International Flats - 1 oz. (Country Groups 1-9) | $2.40 | $2.60 | $0.20 |
Domestic mail services are increase in August 2021. Certified Mail is increasing to $3.75 from $3.60, a $0.15 increase. And Registered Mail is increasing to $13.75 from $12.90, an $0.85 increase.
Domestic Mail Extra Services - as of August 29, 2021
INCREASE PER SERVICE - Jan 2021 Rates vs. Aug 2021 Rates| Mailpiece Weight | Jan-21 | Aug-21 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Mail | $3.60 | $3.75 | $0.15 |
| Certified Mail Restricted Delivery | $9.15 | $9.75 | $0.60 |
| Registered Mail | $12.90 and up | $13.75 and up | $0.85 |
| Signature Confirmation - Mail | $3.20 | $3.45 | $0.25 |
| Signature Confirmation - Electronic | $2.70 | $2.90 | $0.20 |
| Return Receipt - Mail | $2.85 | $3.05 | $0.20 |
| Return Receipt - Electronic | $1.75 | $1.85 | $0.10 |
| Adult Signature Required | $6.90 | $6.90 | No Change |
| Adult Signature Required, Restricted Delivery | $7.15 | $7.15 | No Change |
| Package Intercept | $15.25 | $15.25 | No Change |
| Pickup on Demand | $25.00 | $25.00 | No Change |
| USPS Tracking Plus - Scan Retention | Starts at $2.10 | Starts at $2.10 | No Change |
| USPS Tracking Plus - Scan + Signature Retention | Starts at $4.59 | Starts at $4.59 | No Change |
Media Mail rates will increase by an average of 10.865% in August 2021. A 1 lb. package traveling to Zone 8 will be $3.19 in August 2021 from $2.89 in January 2021, an increase of 30 cents.
USPS Media Mail Rates - as of August 29, 2021
INCREASE PER PACKAGE - Jan 2021 Rates vs. Aug 2021 Rates| Weight | Jan-21 | Aug-21 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb. | $2.89 | $3.19 | $0.30 |
| 2 lbs. | $3.45 | $3.82 | $0.37 |
| 3 lbs. | $4.01 | $4.45 | $0.44 |
| 4 lbs. | $4.57 | $5.08 | $0.51 |
| 5 lbs. | $5.13 | $5.71 | $0.58 |
| 6 lbs. | $5.69 | $6.34 | $0.65 |
| 7 lbs. | $6.25 | $6.97 | $0.72 |
| 8 lbs. | $6.81 | $7.60 | $0.79 |
| 9 lbs. | $7.37 | $8.23 | $0.86 |
| 10 lbs. | $7.93 | $8.86 | $0.93 |
Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on August 29, 2021
Once the rates are approved by the PRC, Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, August 29, 2021.
If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will AUTOMATICALLY see the 2021 USPS rates in the platform.