📬USPS Postage Rates Jump July 13, 2025: What It Means for Your Direct Mail Campaigns
What’s changing—and when
The U.S. Postal Service has announced that starting Sunday, July 13, 2025, all major postage rates will see a sharp increase, with a weighted average rise of about 7.4% Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important changes:
| Mail Class | Old Rate | New Rate | Increase |
| First-Class Forever Stamp | $0.73 | $0.78 | +5¢ |
| Metered Letter (1 oz) | $0.69 | $0.74 | +5¢ |
| Postcard | $0.56 | $0.62 | +6¢ |
| Flats (1 oz) | $1.50 | $1.65 | +15¢ |
| Marketing Mail – Commercial | — | +7.385% avg | — |
| Marketing Mail – Nonprofit | — | similar rise; still ~60% of commercial |
Other services are also affected: Priority Mail rises ~6.3%, Ground Advantage ~7.1%, and Parcel Select ~7.6%.
Why these increases matter for your business
Direct mail costs just got more expensive. A simple postcard campaign mailing 10,000 pieces will now cost $600 instead of $560—adding up fast. But it’s not just stamps: every ounce, flat, or automation step is pricier.
3 Smart Strategies to Offset the Impact
- Buy Forever stamps before July 13
Stock up now at $0.73—they’ll still be valid afterward, saving you 5¢ per first-class piece. - Maximize automation and presort
Take full advantage of commercial automation discounts. Make sure barcodes are clear and addressing meets USPS specs—reduce your unit cost on every letter and flat. - Leverage USPS promotions and digital integration
Informed Delivery, QR codes, tactile finishes, and hybrid campaigns offer 1–6% postage discounts. Combine a postcard with a linked digital message to offset costs while boosting engagement.
Time to act: 4 essential next steps
- Audit your upcoming campaigns: Identify which ones are most affected and adjust budgets or formats now.
- Place your stamp orders or mail orders before July 1: Skip the increase.
- Review mailing formats: Could a flat be redesigned into a letter? Could a campaign be streamlined or segmented more precisely?
- Talk to your provider: If you’re a nonprofit, ask about deeper postage discounts. If a commercial mailer, confirm your automation discounts and SCF entry savings.
The bigger picture
USPS says these increases are part of its Delivering for America 10-year sustainability plan. While rate hikes are unwelcome, with smart planning, direct mail remains one of the strongest ROI channels available.
📣Final thoughts
Yes—postage is rising. But for businesses tuned into direct mail’s power, it’s an opportunity to audit smarter, optimize better, and mail stronger. Make this the summer that your campaigns get pruned and primed—not penalized.
If you’d like help modeling the impact or working through optimization strategies, I’d be happy to chat.
David Hanson