Stamp Prices Won't Rise This Month, but These USPS Shipping Costs Will

Unlike in other years, the United States Postal Service, or USPS, has decided not to hike the price of the ubiquitous Forever stamp in January 2026, offering a rare bit of good news for everyday mailers.

But while the 78-cent cost of a 1-ounce First-Class Mail stamp will remain unchanged, other postage and shipping rates are set to climb this month. And that could potentially squeeze households and small businesses already grappling with rising costs.

In September, USPS leadership confirmed that the Postal Service’s governors had accepted Postmaster General David Steiner’s recommendation to forgo a price increase for Forever stamps and other market-dominant mailing products in January. This is noteworthy because the Postal Service hiked stamp prices in five consecutive Januarys from 2020 to 2024. (Last year, the agency broke with that "tradition" but did impose a price increase in July.)

The decision not to raise stamp prices this month ties into the agency's ongoing Delivering for America plan, a 10-year strategy aimed at modernizing operations, controlling costs and stabilizing finances.

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“We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,” Steiner said in the USPS announcement.

The pause on stamp price hikes will be welcome news for households, nonprofits and anyone who still relies on physical mail for bills, correspondence or seasonal cards. Postage costs for letters have climbed sharply over the past several years, with multiple increases annually, making even modest reprieves notable for consumers.

When Forever stamps were introduced in 2007, they cost only 41 cents apiece — more than 62% less than the current cost.

Other Postal Service price increases in 2026

The reprieve on Forever stamps tells only part of the story. Starting Jan. 18, the USPS is increasing rates for a handful of shipping and competitive services. These changes affect Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select.

According to filings with the Postal Regulatory Commission, Priority Mail rates are expected to rise by approximately 6.6%, while Priority Mail Express will increase by 5.1%. The cost of USPS Ground Advantage shipments will climb 7.8%. Parcel Select rates will get a roughly 6% boost.

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The Postal Service said the increases are designed to reflect market conditions and rising transportation and labor costs while keeping the agency competitive with private carriers. Unlike letter mail, package delivery operates in a competitive market, giving the USPS more flexibility — and incentive — to adjust prices.

The agency has emphasized that it receives no taxpayer funding for operations and must cover expenses through postage and service revenue. The USPS has reported improvements in operational efficiency in recent years but continues to face long-term financial pressures tied to delivery obligations, infrastructure upgrades and workforce costs.

For consumers, the takeaway is mixed. Mailing a letter in early 2026 won’t cost more than it did in December — at least, for now. But anyone shipping packages, whether for a small business or personal reasons, should expect higher prices.

The Postal Service typically reviews stamp prices again midyear, meaning additional changes could still arrive later in 2026.

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