USPS has for years sought more autonomy to set higher prices for its products. The 5 cent increase on stamps is the largest increase since 1991, when the Postal Service raised the price 4 cents to $0.29, a 16 percent increase.

PRC said the USPS proposals for both classes of mail “meet all statutory requirements.” On “competitive products,” such as packages and shipping, the regulatory commission must also ensure the Postal Service is covering all of its costs without cross-subsidization from its “market-dominant products” like regular, first-class mail. Packages sent as Priority Mail will see costs rise by 5.9 percent, while Priority Mail Express will have 3.9 percent higher rates. Individual offerings, such as the stamp for regular, first-class mail, will outpace that rate. Prices will increase across the agency’s offerings by an average of 2.5 percent, the inflationary cap. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the jump after determining the Postal Service’s proposal complied with requirements, such as ensuring any price surge is not more than inflation. Postal Service’s regulator on Tuesday approved the largest-ever price increase for the cost of a stamp, cementing a 10 percent spike to bring the price tag for sending a letter to 55 cents.

Usps flat rate prices 2018