U.S. Postal Rate Comparison
(For rates effective beginning 12-31-1975, for earlier rates click here)
| DOMESTIC SERVICE | 5-14-2007 | 1-8-2006 | 6-30-2002 | 7-1-2001 | 1-7-2001 | 1-10-1999 | 1-1-1995 | 2-3-1991 | 4-3-1988 | 1-17-1985 | 11-1-1981 | 3-22-1981 | 3-29-1978 | 12-31-1975 | |
| First-Class | |||||||||||||||
| Letter, up to one-ounce | .41 | .39 | .37 | .34 | .33 | .33 | .32 | .29 | .25 | .22 | .20 | .18 | .15 | .13 | |
| Letter, additional ounce | .17 | .24 | .23 | .23 | .21 | .22 | .23 | .23 | .20 | .17 | .17 | .17 | .13 | .11 | |
| Letter, non-machineable surcharge | .17 | .13 | .12 | .11 | .11 | .11 | .11 | .10 | .10 | .10 | .09 | ||||
| Post card | .26 | .24 | .23 | .21 | .20 | .20 | .20 | .19 | .15 | .14 | .13 | .12 | .10 | .09 | |
| Stamped Stationery | |||||||||||||||
| Stamped envelope | .50 | .47 | .45 | .42 | .42 | .40 | .38 | .15 | |||||||
| Stamped card | .28 | .26 | .25 | .23 | .22 | .21 | .20 | .19 | .15 | .14 | .13 | .12 | .10 | .09 | |
| Express Mail | |||||||||||||||
| Up to ½ pound | 16.25 | 14.40 | 13.65 | 12.45 | 12.25 | 11.75 | 10.75 | 9.95 | 8.75 | NA | NA | NA | NA | zoned | |
| Over ½ pound to one pound | 19.50 | See ½ pound to two pound rates. | NA | NA | zoned | ||||||||||
| Over ½ pound to two pounds | NA | 18.80 | 17.85 | 16.25 | 16.00 | 15.75 | 15.00 | 13.95 | 12.00 | 10.75 | 9.35 | NA | NA | zoned | |
| Over 1 pound to two pounds | 21.40 | See ½ pound to two pound rates. | NA | NA | zoned | ||||||||||
| Priority Mail (flat rates currently apply to items weighing less than six pounds*) | |||||||||||||||
| Up to 1 pound | 4.60 | 4.05 | 3.85 | 3.50 | 3.50 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | zoned | |
| Over 1 pound to 2 pounds | 4.60 to 7.50 | 4.20 to 6.05 | 3.95 to 5.75 | 3.95 | 3.95 | 3.20 | 3.00 | 2.90 | 2.40 | zoned | |||||
| Flat Rate Box | 9.15 | 8.10 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Parcel Post | |||||||||||||||
| 2 pounds, zone 5 | 5.67 | 4.36 | 4.14 | 3.45 | 3.45 | 3.15 | 2.95 | ||||||||
| 3 pounds, zone 5 | 7.02 | 5.96 | 5.65 | 4.76 | 4.76 | 4.25 | 3.95 | ||||||||
| Insurance (First-Class and Parcel Post) | |||||||||||||||
| Up to $50 | 1.65 | 1.35 | 1.30 | 1.10 | 1.10 | .85 | .75 | .75 | .70 | ||||||
| $50.01 to 100.00 | 2.05 | 2.30 | 2.20 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.80 | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.50 | .80 | |||||
| $100.01 to 200.00 | 2.45 | 3.35 | 3.20 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2.75 | 2.50 | ||||||||
| $200.01 to 300.00 | 4.60 | 4.40 | 4.20 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.70 | 3.40 | ||||||||
| Per $100 increment from $300.01 to $5,000.00 | 0.90 | 1.05 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | .95 | .90 | ||||||||
| Registered Mail | |||||||||||||||
| Up to $100 declared value | 10.15 | 8.45 | 8.00 | 7.50 | 6.75 | 6.20 | 4.95 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 3.60 | 2.10 | ||||
| $100.01 to $500.00 declared value | 11.25 | 9.35 | 8.85 | 8.25 | 7.50 | 6.75 | 5.40 | ||||||||
| $500.01 to $1,000.00 declared value | 12.35 | 10.25 | 9.70 | 9.00 | 8.25 | 7.30 | 5.85 | ||||||||
| Per $1,000 increment from $1000.01 to $25,000.00 | 1.10 | .90 | .85 | .75 | .75 | .55 | .45 | ||||||||
| Delivery Confirmation | |||||||||||||||
| First Class | .75 | .60 | |||||||||||||
| Priority Mail | .65 | .50 | |||||||||||||
| Parcel Post | .75 | .60 | |||||||||||||
| Special Delivery | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | 7.65 | 5.35 | |||||||
| Certified Mail | 2.65 | 2.40 | 2.30 | 2.10 | 1.90 | 1.40 | 1.35 | 1.00 | .85 | .75 | |||||
| Return Receipt (signature/date) | 2.15 | 1.85 | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.10 | 1.00 | .90 | .70 | .25 | ||||
| Money Order | |||||||||||||||
| Up to $500.00 | 1.05 | .95 | .90 | .90 | .75 | .80 | .85 | ||||||||
| $500.01 to $700.00 | 1.50 | 1.35 | 1.25 | .90 | .75 | .80 | .85 | ||||||||
| $700.01 to $1,000.00 | 1.50 | 1.35 | 1.25 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| *Zoned rates, based on the distance an item is mailed, become effective for priority mail items over one pound. | |||||||||||||||
| INTERNATIONAL SERVICE | 5-14-2007 | 1-8-2006 | 6-30-2002 | 1-7-2001 | 1-10-1999 | 7-9-1995 | 2-3-1991 | 4-3-1988 | 2-17-1985 | 1-1-1981 | 5-29-1978 | 12-28-1975 | 3-2-1974 | 7-1-1971 | |
| Surface Letter, up to one ounce | Classification discontinued 7-9-1995 | .70 | .40 | ||||||||||||
| Air Letter, up to half-ounce | See ½ to one ounce | .60 | .60 | .50 | .45 | .44 | .40 | .35 | .31 | ||||||
| Air Letter, half- to one ounce | .90 | .84 | .80 | .80 | 1.00 | 1.00 | .95 | .90 | |||||||
| Air Letter, Canada and Mexico, to one ounce | .69 | .63 | .60 | ||||||||||||
| Aerogramme | .90 | .84 | .70 | .70 | .60 | .50 | .45 | .39 | .36 | .30 | .22 | .22 | .18 | .15 | |
| Surface Post card | Classification discontinued 7-9-1995 | .35 | .28 | .25 | .19 | .14 | .12 | .12 | .10 | ||||||
| Air Post card | .90 | .75 | .70 | .70 | .55 | .50 | .40 | .36 | .33 | .28 | .21 | .21 | .18 | .15 | |
| Post card, Canada/Mexico | .69 | .55 | .50 | .50 | .40/.45 | .40/.35 | .30 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Rates for international mail are not considered by the Postal Rate Commission, but are published in the Federal Register for public comment. | |||||||||||||||