Postage rates set to increase Sunday

gfranklin.nevadadailymail@gmail.com

United State Postal Service customers will see a slight increase in first class mail and certain priority mail rates on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Stacy St. John from the USPS said Thursday the increase keeps postal rates in line with the consumer price index and inflation.

In April 2016, the Postal Regulatory Commission removed a 2014 emergency increase, lowering first class postage to the current 47 cents.

St. John said certain priority mail products will increase by 3.9 percent but there will be no increase on international mail or postcards.

St. John said the USPS does not receive tax money and operates solely off the postage and products it sells.

Changes include:

* First Class letter will increase from 47 cents to 49 cents for the first ounce.

* First Class flat/large envelope will increase from 94 cents to 98 cents for the first ounce.

* Priority Mail Express will increase an average of 3.4 percent

* Priority Mail will increase and average of 3.9 percent

* First-Class Package Service will increase an average of 4.1 percent.

* Parcel Select Ground will increase by 2.7 percent.

* USPS Retail Ground will increase an average of 3.8 percent.

* Media Mail will increase an average of 1.1 percent.

* Global Express Garanteed will increase an average of 4.9 percent

There will be no increase to priority mail express international, priority mail international, and first-class package international service.

Changes to USPS Special Services include an increase in rates for certified mail, signature confirmation, among others.

Forever stamps purchased before Jan. 22, 2017 will still be valid for use on one-ounce First Class mail.