Postage Will Be Increasing

Postage rates will be going up in May. The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42 cents starting May 12, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

Postage rates last went up in May 2007, with a first-class stamping jumping 2 cents to the current 41-cent rate.

Under the new law, postal prices will be adjusted annually each May, the Postal Service said. Officials said they plan to give 90 days notice of future changes, twice what is required by law.

While the charge for the first ounce of a first-class letter rises to 42 cents, the price of each added ounce will remain 17 cents, so a two-ounce letter will go up a penny to 59 cents.

The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents.

Other increases set for May 12:
· Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.
· Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.
· Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.
· First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.
· First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.