Postage rates set to go up Jan. 27
Just when you thought only your taxes were going up in 2013.
First Class postage stamps for cards and letters (one ounce or less) increase by one penny to 46 cents starting on Jan. 27.
Forever stamps are always good for mailing a one-ounce letter anywhere in the United States at any time regardless of price changes. Consumers might want to stock up on Forever stamps before Jan. 27 when the price rises to 46 cents.
The U.S. Postal Service also will introduce a First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp which allows customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10.
Additional ounces for single-piece letters will remain unchanged at 20 cents per ounce as well as international one-ounce letters at $1.10. The rate to mail a postcard goes up a penny to 33 cents.
Expect increases for other mailing and shipping services, too.
Most other mail and shipping prices increase by 4 percent, but the rate for regular letters and advertising matter increases by 2.6 percent.
The domestic rates for flat-rate boxes and envelopes for Express and Priority Mail services also change.
Standard ground shipping rates, the preferred method used by online retailers, also see an increase by an average of 4.9 percent through United Parcel Service and FedEx Corp. The higher rate for UPS services took effect on Dec. 31 while the FedEx rate goes into effect on Jan. 7.
One shipping consultant pointed out the lighter the package the higher the rate increase, by 7 to 9 percent. Air and international shipping rates also are increased.