Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
(UNDATED) On Monday the price of a first class stamp increased by a penny, making it 45 cents.
Postal customers paid three cents more to mail postcards which are now 32 cents.
Not everything increased, in-state express mail dropped considerably. Indiana residents will see their in-state overnight mail rates drop from $13.25 to $12.95, a 30 cent savings.
According to local postmasters, no one has complained about the increase, but many didn't realize the rates went up. The postal service can only raise postal rates concurrent to the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation. That meant overall rate increases were limited to 2.1 percent, maximum.
Those who purchased the "Forever" stamps need not add any postage to their letters, so long as they remain at or under one ounce.
Letters to Canada or Mexico which were an ounce or less, encountered a five cent increase, raising to 85 cents. Letters to other countries experienced a seven cent increase, jumping to $1.05.
Priority mail prices were adjusted as well. The new rates are:
* Small box $5.35
* Medium box $11.35
* Large box $15.45
* Large APO/FPO/DPO box $13.45
* Regular envelope $5.15
* Legal-size and Padded envelope $5.30
Bigger items which must get there overnight have a new way, courtesy of a service initiated by the USPS Sunday.
The new express mail flat rate box costs $39.95 and allows customers to mail items which fit into the box, up to a weight limit of 70 pounds.
The latest rate hike on first class postage comes as Congress ponders reducing the days the U.S. Postal Service delivers, potentially eliminating Saturday service, to make the service break even.
Last year, the U.S. Postal Service reportedly lost $8 billion.
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