Stamp prices just went up again. Here’s what the U.S. Postal Service will charge customers

It just got a little more expensive to send mail in Washington state — and across the U.S.

As of July 10, the United States Postal Service’s first-class mail “forever” stamps — commonly used to mail domestic letters — increased to 60 cents from 58 cents. Postcard stamps increased to 44 cents from 40 cents and the cost to ship international letters increased 10 cents to $1.40, according to the Postal Service website.

Inflation and increased operating expenses are the reasons behind the Postal Service’s new prices.

The price increase returns for the second time in less than a year. In August 2021, postal officials increased the price of most of its first-class mail up to 10 cents to “help achieve financial sustainability.”

The Postal Service has operated in Washington state since the mid-1800s, right around the time that postal stamps were first introduced in 1847. There are 538 post offices in the state where customers can buy stamps. They can also be purchased at places like grocery stores.

The new mailing prices, announced by the Postal Regulatory Commission in June and approved by the governors of the U.S. Postal Service, raise prices more than 6% — noting it’s lower than U.S. inflation rates, according to the Postal Service website.

Some good news: Forever stamps were designed to help customers during price fluctuations, as they represent the current price at purchase and remain good to use at any time. That means people with forever stamps purchased before Sunday are saving 2 cents a stamp.

Along with new first-class mail prices, the Postal Service is looking to adjust its costs for certified mail, post office box rentals, money orders and mailing insurance, according to its website.

Here are the first-class mail price increases, effective Sunday, according to the Postal Service website:

One-ounce letter (domestic): 58 cents to 60 cents.

Single-piece letter (extra ounce): 20 cents to 24 cents.

Metered mail one-ounce: 53 cents to 57 cents.

Postcard stamp: 40 cents to 44 cents.

One-ounce letter (international): $1.30 to $1.40.