Why Does the Price of Stamps Keep Increasing?
2024年7月14日， the price of a first-class stamp increased 从美元.68 to $.73. 这是 第六次加息 自2021年以来. 邮费正在攀升 快于通货膨胀.
但是为什么? We explain why United States 邮政 服务 (USPS) postal rates went up and what higher postal rates mean for the paper industry.
Breaking Down the USPS “Delivering for America Plan”
的 Delivering for America Plan (DFA) was published in March of 2021 by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. 的 计划的目标 是:
- 实现金融稳定;
- Improve postal service; and
- Reorganize key networks like delivery and processing.
It is important to note: As these goals were developed, stakeholder input was not solicited from those who rely on USPS – like the paper industry.
Understanding the 邮政服务改革法 of 2022
两党 邮政服务改革法 于2022年签署成为法律， 为美国邮政提供了500亿美元的救济 of financial obligations and budget deficits. 该立法旨在:
- Increase financial stability for USPS;
- 增加透明度;
- Improve postal service; and Keep U.S. 邮件是一个有竞争力的选择.
One of the provisions was mandating 6-day-a-week delivery for mail. 然而, bill did not address postal rate uncertainty.
Are Postage Rate Increases Helping USPS?
简短的回答是否定的. Through the DFA, USPS increased postage rates to help address financial challenges. Since 2021, postage rates have increased a record 6 times. In fact, postal rates have risen 快于通货膨胀!
Meanwhile, USPS continues to suffer financial losses as well as service and operational issues. 下面是一些例子:
- 金融在2023财年，他们 失去了6美元.50亿年. 的y are estimated to lose another $6.2024财年将达到30亿美元. 美国.S. government’s fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends the following year on September 30.
- 邮件量下降: Rate hikes have contributed to driving steep declines in mail volume. Mail volume is the total number of pieces of mail delivered. Annual volume since 2020 has declined by 13 billion pieces, or 10%.
- 服务: Just 83% of first-class mail was delivered on time in the beginning of 2024 compared to the DFA target of 95%. 这是 三年来最低的服务水平.
This is unsustainable for the 邮政 服务 and those who rely on them for their business and communication, such as industries like ours and the families who live and work in our communities.
Postage Rate Hikes and 服务 Issues Affect the 纸 Industry
美国邮政总局是 对电子竞技赌注的软件行业至关重要的服务 and those who use our products, delivering approximately 39% - 或者接近6美元.价值50亿美元 - of 交流论文 在美国生产.S.
喜欢的东西:
- 明信片;
- Billing statements and promotional offers; and
- Personal mail like a birthday card or letter to a friend or family member.
这些 rate hikes make mail less affordable, reduce on-time delivery service, and drive down mail volume. 电子竞技赌注的软件的行业依赖于USPS.
We need consistent and timely service, and postal rates that are predictable and affordable.