Postage Rate Increase: What's the New Cost of a Stamp?

The cost of sending most letters and packages jumped slightly Sunday when the U.S. Postal Service upped its rates to help cover the costs of delivering the mail.

Forever Stamps, the ones that remain good despite future postal rate increases, will increase to 46 cents.

Here's a rundown of price increases:

• Letters (1 oz.) — 1-cent increase to 46 cents
• Letters additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
• Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents

The USPS will also introduce a new First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp. The stamp allows people to mail letters anywhere in the world for $1.10.

In Waukee, buy stamps at the .

In addition, several new shipping services products will be available in January. Free tracking will be offered to all packages, including retail Priority Mail and Parcel Post.

Priority Mail rates also will increase. The new rates are as follows:

• Small box — $5.80
• Medium box — $12.35
• Large box — $16.85
• Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
• Regular envelope — $5.60
• Legal envelope — $5.75
• Padded envelope — $5.95

In neighboring West Des Moines, buy stamps at U.S. Post Offices at:

• 2500 University Ave.
• 1725 Jordan Creek Pkwy. (Hy-Vee)
• 1700 Valley West Drive (Hy-Vee)
• 555 S. 51st St. (Hy-Vee)
• 5003 E.P. True Pkwy. (Dahl's Foods)

Many banks also offer Forever Stamps in automated teller machines.