If you just walked up to a post office counter expecting to pay more for a basic letter, you might be in for a weirdly pleasant surprise. Usually, the United States Postal Service (USPS) treats price hikes like a clockwork ritual every six months. But right now, things are a little different.
The postage stamp price today for a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is 78 cents. Honestly, it's kind of a relief. After the jump from 73 cents back in July 2025, many of us expected another hike this month. Instead, Postmaster General David Steiner and the Board of Governors decided to hit the pause button on "Market Dominant" products. That’s fancy postal-speak for your standard letters and postcards.
But don't get too comfortable. While your stamps aren't getting pricier this week, the "shipping" side of the house is about to get hit with a sledgehammer. On January 18, 2026, prices for packages are jumping significantly.
What the 2026 Price Freeze Actually Means for You
You’ve probably seen the headlines about USPS losing billions—$9 billion in the 2025 fiscal year alone. Usually, that leads to an immediate grab for more stamp revenue. This time, Steiner claimed they wanted to "forgo a price change" to keep mail affordable while they try to fix the internal gears of the Delivering for America plan.
Basically, they are trying to prove they can be efficient without just taxing your holiday cards into oblivion.
Current Rates for Common Mail
If you are headed to the kiosk today, here is the breakdown of what you'll pay. Note that these are the "Retail" prices—the stuff you pay if you walk in off the street without a commercial account.
- First-Class Forever Stamp (1 oz): 78 cents.
- Metered Letters (1 oz): 74 cents (If you have a postage meter at work, you're saving four cents a pop).
- Domestic Postcards: 62 cents.
- International Letters (1 oz): $1.70.
- Additional Ounce (Letters): 29 cents.
It’s worth noting that even at 78 cents, the U.S. still has some of the cheapest domestic mail in the developed world. Compare that to the UK or Germany, where sending a simple letter can easily cost you over a dollar.
The January 18 Shipping Cliff
While the postage stamp price today stays steady, the package side of the business is about to get much more expensive. This is where the USPS is trying to compete with UPS and FedEx. If you run a small business or just send the occasional birthday gift, Sunday, January 18, is a date you need to circle in red.
Starting that day, USPS Ground Advantage prices are climbing by an average of 7.8%. That’s a massive jump. If you’re sending an 8 oz package to Zone 1, you’re looking at $7.30 retail.
Priority Mail isn't far behind with a 6.6% average increase. Even the "Flat Rate" boxes that everyone loves for their simplicity are taking a hit. A Medium Flat Rate Box is moving up to $22.95. That's a lot of money to move a box of cookies across the country.
Why the Split?
You might wonder why they'd freeze stamps but hike packages. It’s simple: competition.
Stamps are a monopoly. No one else is allowed to put a letter in your mailbox. Packages, however, are a dogfight. The USPS is trying to balance "market conditions" (what the big guys are charging) against their own rising fuel and labor costs. They call these "Competitive Products" because, well, they actually have to compete for your business.
Is the "Forever" Stamp Still a Good Investment?
People used to hoard Forever stamps like they were gold bars. When they were 49 cents back in 2017, buying a few coils felt like a genius move. Today, at 78 cents, the math is a bit tighter.
Since the USPS has already hinted that they are "planning July 2026 changes," it’s almost certain that the 78-cent rate is a temporary truce. If history is any guide, we will likely see stamps hit 80 or 82 cents by the middle of this year.
If you mail more than ten letters a month, buying a few books now is basically a guaranteed 5% return on your money by August. It’s not going to fund your retirement, but in this economy, every nickel counts.
Specific Details People Often Miss
Most people don't realize that the "shape" of your mail matters as much as the weight.
If you have a square wedding invitation, you aren't paying 78 cents. You're paying the "non-machinable" surcharge because the USPS machines can't easily flip and sort square envelopes. That usually starts at $1.27 today.
Also, the "postmark" issue is becoming a headache. The USPS recently updated their operations, which means mail might sit in a processing center a bit longer before it gets that official date stamp. If you're mailing tax documents or legal papers where the date matters, don't wait until the 5:00 PM pickup. Get it there early.
Actionable Steps for 2026
Stop paying "Retail" prices if you can avoid it. If you ship packages, use a service like Pirate Ship or Stamps.com. They get "Commercial" rates which are significantly lower. For example, while a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope costs $11.95 at the counter, the commercial rate is only $10.30. That’s $1.65 you’re just throwing away by standing in line.
Stock up on Forever stamps before June. The current "no-increase" period is a rare window of price stability that won't last past the summer.
Check your "additional ounce" stamps. If you're sending heavy wedding invites, remember that while the Forever stamp covers the first ounce, that second ounce is now 29 cents. If you use two Forever stamps on one heavy letter, you are "overpaying" the government by nearly 30 cents. Buy the specific 29-cent "additional ounce" stamps to save money.
Keep an eye on the July 2026 announcement. The USPS usually files for price changes in April for a July implementation. That will be the moment we find out if the 78-cent era is officially over.