The new 2013 USPS Certified Mail rates became effective Sunday January 27th. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) appointed by President Obama approved the new postal rates and extra services that includes USPS Certified Mail, First Class and Priority mail postage rates.
The new cost to send a 1-ounce USPS Certified Mail letter with Return Receipt (Green Card) costs $6.11. By using the Return Receipt Electronic service you can save $1.30 per mailing.
2013 Certified Mail Costs
| USPS Service | 2013 Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $3.10 |
| Return Receipt Green Card | $2.55 |
| Return Receipt Electronic - (this replaces the Green Card) | $1.25 |
| First Class Postage (1 OZ) | $0.46 |
| Additional OZ First Class Postage | $0.20 |
| Flats 1 OZ rate (9" X 12") | $0.92 |
| Restricted Delivery Service | $4.75 |
In summary, Certified Mail rates increased to $3.10 per letter. If you use the old fashioned green cards the Return Receipt will cost an additional $2.55. Electronic Return Receipt that is a PDF showing the Signature of who signed for your letter will cost $1.25. This eliminates the old fashioned green card and will save you $1.30 per mailing. First Class rates nudge up one cent to $0.46, and each additional OZ will cost $0.20. If you are still using the old fashioned green cards and stickers from the Post Office your cost will increase to $6.11.
New 2013 USPS Certified Mail Rates & Extra Service Costs
Certified Mail will increase from $2.95 to $3.10
Return Receipt green cards costing $2.35 will increase to $2.55
Return Receipt Electronic signatures costing $1.15 increases to $1.25
First Class 1 OZ rates increase from $0.45 to $0.46
Flats one Oz price increases by $.02 to $0.92
Additional OZ of First Class mail will remain unchanged at $0.20 per OZ.
The 2013 cost of mailing Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested green card is $6.11
Return Receipt Electronic service will cost will be $4.81
The price for plain First Class Certified increases to $3.56
On average Certified Mail will increase +5.1% in 2013, Return Receipt services increase +7.5% and First Class postage rates increases a penny or +2.57%
Mailers may use Forever Stamps to help ease the transition during price changes. Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored for First Class Mail whenever they are used for a one-ounce letter mailing.
USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested can be purchased at the time of mailing or after mailing. The old-fashioned green card Return Receipt cost is $2.55. This displays who signed and accepted the letter, the date of deliver and the addressee’s address. Return Receipt Electronic signature costs $1.25 if purchased at the time of mailing.
