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Stamp Cost

How Much Does a Stamp Cost?

low cost Postcard: 28 cents
low cost First Class Letter: 44 cents
low cost Priority Mail: $4.95

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US postal rates increased its rates for first class postage and related services (like insurance) on May 11, 2009. First class rates were last increased on Feb. 11, 2008, and the cost for shipping services (like Priority and Express) went up in January 2009. The US Postal Service says its rates will now be "adjusted" each May.
 
Typical costs:
  • As of May 11, 2009 the cost to mail a first class letter is 44 cents for up to one ounce, and each additional ounce adds 17 cents. The price to send a typical two ounce wedding invitation is 61 cents. Large envelopes (flats) are 88 cents for up to one ounce (and 17 cents for each additional ounce). Sending a postcard costs 28 cents. The charge for Certified Mail is $2.80; a return receipt is $2.30 for a printed copy and $1.10 for an electronic version; Money Orders are $1.10 up to $500 and $1.50 for $500.01 -$1,000; retail delivery confirmation is 70 cents for Priority Mail and 80 cents for first class parcels or package services; retail signature confirmation is $2.35; and insurance starts at $1.75 for an item valued up to $50.
  • Sending a letter Express Mail starts at $13.05 and goes up depending on weight and distance mailed; a flat rate (any weight, any distance but sent in a special preprinted US Postal Service envelope) Express letter costs $17.50. Sending a letter or package Priority Mail starts at $4.95 and goes up based on weight and distance; a flat rate Priority envelope or small package costs $4.95, a regular flat rate package is $10.35 and a large flat rate Priority package costs $13.95.
  • Postcards and letters to Canada are 75 cents for the first ounce, and the price goes up based on weight and distance; for Mexico it starts at 79 cents; and for all other countries the starting price is 98 cents. Priority Mail International starts at $10.95; Express Mail International at $25.95; and Global Express at $31.95.
  • Details on the May 11, 2009 postal prices are available at the US Postal Service website.
Additional costs:
  • If you purchase stamps from the USPS.gov website, there is typically a $1 handling fee.
Discounts:
  • A "Forever" Stamp purchased at current rates will always be valid first class postage for mailing a standard envelope weighing less than 1 ounce.
Shopping for a stamp:
Article updated May 2009
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
STAMPS COST !!!!!!
Amount: $41.00
Posted by: THOMAS TILDEN in FREIDENSBURG, PA.Posted: May 7th, 2008 05:05AM
THE COST OF A STAMP CONTINUES TO RISE!!! IS FORCING ME TOP STOP SENDING AS MANY CARDS AND LETTERS TO PEOPLE!!!!!ALL THE EMPLOYEES ARE PLESANT TO ALL OF US THAT USE THE POST OFFICE!!!!HOWEVER THE COST CONTINUES TO GO UP ON FIRST CLASS STAMPS!! WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT LEARN HIGHER COST WILL MEAN LOWER PROFIT!!! SOMEDAY THE POST OFFICE WILL GO UNDER BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENTS GREED !!!!!
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Charged too much for a postal stamp
Amount: $1.30
Posted by: Edith Corbett in Jacksonville, FL.Posted: June 3rd, 2008 07:06PM
I purchased two stamps from Stop and Shop convenient store on 3625 Townsend Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fl 32277 on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. The clerk charged me more than the stamp cost. When I asked for a receiot, he refuses to give me one. He told me to come back hours later to get one. Can a person be charged extra for a stamp to make a profit? Please get back with me A.S.A. P. Thanks, Mrs. Corbett
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Mrs. Corbett
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Sorry to here about your experience in Somewhere, KS.Posted: May 24th, 2009 02:05PM
This Stop and Shop should NOT of charged you extra for a stamp. He did this so he could make a profit from his customers and that is NOT right. I would have refused the purchase from him and since he refused to give you a receipt that was proof that he new he was doing something wrong to make a few extra $$. I hope to here in the future that you won't return business to this "CROOK"
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Making Profit from Stamps
Amount: $1.00
Posted by: MikeH in Hampton, VA.Posted: January 19th, 2010 11:01AM
A person can charge in excess of the face value of the stamp. There is nothing illegal in doing this. However, the post office has many stores to whom they consign stamps. These stores do not charge more than the face value of the stamps. Go to www.usps.com for locations near you.
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charging more than stamp face value
Amount: $1.00
Posted by: EW in Brookings, OR.Posted: March 2nd, 2010 08:03AM
It is not illegal to charge more than the face value of a stamp. Many stamp machines do this and many hotel consignment shops do this. It is called "paying for convenience". Alternate option is go to thepost office.
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