The Postal Service is targeting five stamp price increases over the next two years

The US Postal Service (USPS) will not increase stamp prices in January. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that stamp prices could rise five times over the next two years. USPS announced its plans in a filing with its regulator, the US Postal Regulatory Commission.

While USPS would not increase the current price of 73 cents for a first-class stamp in January, the delivery service would require increases in July 2025, January and July 2026, and January and July 2027.

“In all cases, the Postal Service intends to be judicious in its use of available pricing authority, but expects that the changes for market dominant classes may apply to most or all pricing authorities available as of the date of filing, given our legal obligation to be financially self-sufficient, our progress under the Delivering for America Plan and its fundamental objectives to provide excellent service while achieving financial sustainability, and our current and projected financial condition,” the filing said.

Increases would be subject to approval

The rate increases would be subject to approval by the governors of the US Postal Regulatory Commission.

The last price increase for a First Class stamp took place in July, when the cost for mail carriers rose from 68 to 73 cents.

The post office was once a federal agency that operated with taxpayer money. In the early 1970s it became a limited liability company, but still under the federal umbrella. It was tasked with operating with the money it received from the postal services, something it has struggled with.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), USPS has been plagued by inflation, declining mail volume and competition from other delivery companies.