Need to mail something soon? You’ll be shelling out more for shipping costs again after the U.S. Postal Service implemented another price hike. The new rates impact not only the First-Class Mail Forever stamp, but also other mailing services products. Keep reading to learn the new price of stamps in 2025 and take a look back at how the cost of Forever stamps has changed over the years. Plus, learn some ways you can save money on the stamps for the next time you need to send mail.
What is the price of a Forever stamp in 2025?
As of July 13, 2025, the price of the Forever stamp has gone up yet again. The 5-cent price increase means customers will now have to pay 78 cents instead of the 73-cent price that was put into effect last summer.
But stamps aren’t the only USPS product that will now cost more. Here are the other increases:
- Domestic postcards: 56 cents to 62 cents
- International postcards: $1.65 to $1.70
- International letter (1 ounce): $1.65 to $1.70
- Letters: 69 cents to 74 cents
- Letters (1 ounce): 73 cents to 78 cents
- Additional price by the ounce for single letters: 28 cents to 29 cents
Overall, there will be a mailing service product price increase of around 7.4 percent.
Why are stamp prices going up again?
The changes were put into place in order to keep up with the evolving mailing and shipping marketplace.
“Although mailing services price increases are based on the consumer price index, shipping services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions,” states the USPS news release. “The USPS governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.”
The new prices are also a necessary step to achieve the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan for financial stability.
In 2021, the USPS announced its goals for the next decade based on transforming “from an organization in financial and operational crisis to one that is self-sustaining and high performing.”
The plan’s initiatives are designed to reverse a projected $160 billion in losses over 10 years by achieving break-even operating performance while improving the reliability and predictability of service, the postal service notes.
In 2023, the postal service announced its financial results for the fiscal year, during which it saw a net loss totaling $6.5 billion compared to net income of $56 billion for the prior year, citing significant impact of inflation on operating expenses. Total operating revenue was $78.2 billion for the year, down by $321 million compared to the same period the year prior. Package revenue increases were offset by mail revenue declines, the USPS explained.
“Although we are just in the early stages of one of the nation’s largest organizational transformations — which is improving our processing, transportation, and delivery operations — we are already providing more consistent, reliable, and timely delivery to America’s businesses and residences,” Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said at the time.
Despite the nearly annual increases, USPS does insist that it continues to offer customers affordable shipping options.
Forever stamp price history: 2007 to 2025
USPS first issued the Forever stamp in 2007 as a non-expiring stamp to be used when customers shipped a piece of First-Class Mail. Since then, there have been quite a few changes–especially over the last few years. In July 2024, the price of the Forever stamp increased from 68 cents to 73 cents. But that was not the only time customers had to shell out more for their stamps last year.
In January 2024, prices also went up, including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 66 cents to 68 cents. Overall, mailing service rose approximately 2 percent.
Prior to 2024, there hadn’t been a five-cent hike since January 2019. At the time, postage in cents per ounce for domestic letters climbed from 50 to 55 cents, for the most significant postage price jump in USPS history.
Here’s a look back at the price history of the Forever stamp:
- 2007: 41 cents
- 2008: 42 cents
- 2009: 44 cents
- 2012: 45 cents
- 2013: 46 cents
- 2014: 49 cents
- 2016: 47 cents
- 2017: 49 cents
- 2018: 50 cents
- 2019: 55 cents
- 2021: 58 cents
- 2022: 60 cents
- 2023: 66 cents
- January 2024: 68 cents
- July 2024: 73 cents
- 2025: 78 cents
For the first three years after its release, the stamp only had one design: the Liberty Bell. In 2010, more designs—Holiday Evergreens and Lady Liberty and U.S. Flags—were added. Now, all new First-Class Mail stamps are Forever stamps.
How to save money on Forever stamps
With the price of the stamps continuing to rise, you may be wondering how you can cut down on costs. Below are some helpful ways to save money on Forever stamps.
Buy from warehouse clubs
Membership warehouse chains like Costco and Sam’s Club offer members a chance to buy items in bulk for a discounted price. Luckily, stamps are just one of the many things shoppers can save money on!
In a Reddit thread from nine months ago, one user shared their go-to for getting Forever stamps. “The best deal for Forever stamps is Costco; 100 stamps is $72.75,” the person wrote. “Plus 2 percent back with the executive reward, plus 2 percent back from the Costco credit card.”
Sign up for a Stamps.com free trial
This website, which was created to make shipping from home much easier, has been known to offer Forever stamps at a cheaper price in the past. In September 2024, for example, ThePennyHoarder.com shared that they were being sold for 69 cents each instead of the 73-cent set price.
Though it’s not clear how much of a discount will be offered after this recent price hike, Stamps.com does offer a 30-day free trial for you to give it a try. After that, membership costs $20.99 per month and you can cancel at any time.
Utilize cashback/rewards apps
If you do online shopping via a website like Rakuten or Capital One Shopping, you could get money back for the Forever stamps. One offer shows that Rakuten was allowing users to get 2 percent cash back when buying the stamps from Staples.com.
Another deal that’s been offered in the past was cashback on Holiday Forever stamps. Customers could get 2 percent back from Staples or 8 percent from Zoro.com. Checking your favorite cashback website or app regularly can ensure you don’t miss any good deals!
A word of caution when it comes to buying Forever stamps: It can be very easy to accidentally purchase counterfeit stamps. To ensure yours are legitimate, only purchase from an approved vendor like USPS or a trusted retail partner.
