U.S. postal rates to rise in May

First-class stamp will be 42¢

By Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 2/13/2008 8:11:00 AM

The cost of a first-class stamp will rise to 42¢ starting May 12. The charge for other services—advertising mail, periodicals, packages and special services—also will rise. Changes in the price for Priority Mail and Express Mail will be announced later, the U.S. Postal Service says.

The Associated Press says that a new law regulating the USPS that took effect in late 2006 allows the agency to adjust postal prices annually each May as long as changes are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. Postage rates last went up in May 2007, with a first-class stamping jumping 2¢ to the current 41¢ rate.