Starting Monday May 11, 2009, First-class mail will now cost 44 cents for the first ounce. Large envelopes cost 88 cents. Mailing a postcard will cost 28 cents.
The Postal Service said the price increase, announced in February, is necessary because of rising production costs.
If you are thinking to buy those hip square greeting cards for this holiday season, you may want to think again, according to newsobserver.com.
A rectangular envelope, 5 1/2 by 8 1/2, gets the usual 41-cent first-class stamp. But one of those trendy square 6 1/2-inch greeting cards will cost you 58 cents. If your list is long, it adds up.
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So what size do the machines like?
Carl A. Walton, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said that would be any envelope that’s 11 1/2 inches long and 6 1/8 inches high — or smaller, as long as it’s not square. Anything outside of those dimensions could be considered “nonmachinable” and charged extra postage.
A surcharge is also charged for envelopes with clasps, strings, button or other closures; and letters that are rigid or enclosed in plastic material. To learn more about rates and extra services, go to www.usps.com/rates /extra-services-rates.htm.