Check New U.S. Postal Service Rates

If you're planning on using the U.S. Post Office in Suwanee to mail an envelope or package, you'll find the postage costs have jumped slightly. On Sunday, Jan. 27, the U.S. Postal Service upped its rates to help cover the costs of delivering the mail.

Forever Stamps, the ones that remain good despite future postal rate increases, will increase to 46 cents.

Here's a rundown of price increases:

• Letters (1 oz.) — 1-cent increase, to 46 cents
• Letters, additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
• Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents

The USPS will also introduce a new First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp. The stamp allows people to mail letters anywhere in the world for $1.10.

-- Do you still use the mail much? How will these increases affect you? Share your habits and tips in the comments below.

In addition, several new shipping services products will be available in January. Free tracking will be offered to all packages, including retail Priority Mail and Parcel Post.

Priority Mail rates also will see an increase. The new rates are as follows:

• Small box — $5.80
• Medium box — $12.35
• Large box — $16.85
• Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
• Regular envelope — $5.60
• Legal envelope — $5.75
• Padded envelope — $5.95

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