USPS Announces 2021 Postage Rate Increase for Mailing Services
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed new postage rates for Mailing Services to be implemented on Sunday, January 24, 2021, subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).
The 2021 rate increase for USPS Shipping services has not been released yet.
Listed below are the highlights of the proposed 2021 USPS rate increase for customers buying postage online for USPS Mailing services.
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| Mailpiece Weight | 2021 | 2020 | Increase |
| Letters - 1 oz. | $0.55 | $0.55 | $0.00 |
| Letters - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.15 | $0.05 |
| Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate) - 1 oz. | $0.51 | $0.50 | $0.01 |
| Metered Mail Letters (Stamps.com Rate) - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.15 | $0.05 |
| Flat/Large Envelope - 1 oz. | $1.00 | $1.00 | $0.00 |
| Flat/Large Envelope - Additional Ounces | $0.20 | $0.20 | $0.00 |
| Postcards | $0.36 | $0.35 | $0.01 |
| International Letters - 1 oz. (County Groups 1-9) | $1.15 | $1.15 | $0.00 |
| International Postcard (County Groups 1-9) | $1.15 | $1.15 | $0.00 |
The rate for a First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) for postage purchased at the Post Office is NOT INCREASING in 2021, remaining at $0.55. Each additional ounce for First Class Mail will cost $0.20, a five cent increase from 2020.
If you print postage online (via Stamps.com), the Metered Mail rate (1 oz.) will increase by one cent to $0.51 in 2021. The Metered Mail rate has a 4 cents discount off the Post Office price, representing a 7% discount.
The starting rate for a First Class Mail Flats/Large Envelope is NOT INCREASING in 2021 with the price remaining at $1.00 (1 oz.). Additional ounces are also NOT INCREASING in 2021. Postcard rates will increase by one cent to $0.36 in 2021, from $0.35 in 2020.
First Class Mail International Letters and Postcards are NOT INCREASING in 2021.
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| Service Description | 2021 | 2020 | Increase |
| Certified Mail | $3.60 | $3.55 | $0.05 |
| Restricted Delivery | $9.15 | $9.00 | $0.15 |
| Adult Signature Required | $9.15 | $9.00 | $0.15 |
| Adult Signature Restricted Delivery | $9.15 | $9.00 | $0.15 |
| Certificate of Mailing - Basic | $1.55 | $1.50 | $0.05 |
| Insurance - Up to $50 of coverage | starts at $2.30 | starts at $2.25 | $0.05 |
| Live Animal Transportation Fee | $0.20 | $0.20 | $0.00 |
| Package Intercept (Domestic) | $14.65 | $14.65 | $0.00 |
| Pickup on Demand | $24.00 | $24.00 | $0.00 |
| Return Receipt - electronic | $1.75 | $1.70 | $0.05 |
| Registered Mail | starts at $12.90 | starts at $12.60 | $0.30 |
USPS offers additional services that can be added to your mailpiece to provide record of mailing, delivery information, package insurance and restricted delivery. The table above indicates the 2021 rate changes for USPS Special Services.
| Weight (lbs.) | 2021 | 2020 | Increase |
| 1 | $2.89 | $2.80 | $0.09 |
| 2 | $3.45 | $3.33 | $0.12 |
| 3 | $4.01 | $3.86 | $0.15 |
| 4 | $4.57 | $4.39 | $0.18 |
| 5 | $5.13 | $4.92 | $0.21 |
| 6 | $5.69 | $5.45 | $0.24 |
| 7 | $6.25 | $5.98 | $0.27 |
| 8 | $6.81 | $6.52 | $0.29 |
| 9 | $7.37 | $7.06 | $0.31 |
| 10 | $7.93 | $7.60 | $0.33 |
Media Mail rates will increase by an average of 3.579% in 2021. A 1 lb. package traveling to Zone 8 will increase 9 cents, to $2.89 in 2021 compared to $2.80 in 2020.
Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on January 24, 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, January 24, 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.