Stamp sales surge before rate increase

But under a law that went into effect in 2006, the agency can boost rates with 45 days' notice as long as the increases are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission calculated inflation at 2.9% through January, limiting the increase in the first-class rate to a penny.

Under the new law, postal prices can be adjusted each May, the Postal Service said. Officials said they plan to give 90 days' notice of future changes, twice what is required by law.

Other new rates

Though the charge for the first ounce of a first-class letter rises to 42 cents, the price of each added ounce will remain 17 cents, so a 2-ounce letter will go up a penny to 59 cents.

The cost to mail a postcard will also go up a penny, to 27 cents.

Other increases set for Monday:

• Large envelope, 2 ounces: $1, up 3 cents.

• Certified mail: $2.70, up 5 cents.

• First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico: 72 cents, up 3 cents.

• First-class international letter to other countries: 94 cents, up 4 cents.

This article was reported and written by Randolph E. Schmid for The Associated Press.

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