Ask USPS at Great American Stamp Show 2025

Have a question for the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services division? The American First Day Cover Society is again sponsoring two seminars with Stamp Services at Great American Stamp Show 2025, August 14-17. One, on Thursday at 1 pm, is an overview of Stamp Services: What goes into deciding which stamps the USPS will issue and how. The other, on Friday at 2 pm, is with Stamp Fulfillment Services — sales, production, and cancellations, among other functions.

To make sure they have the answers ready, the USPS has asked me to ask you in advance: What do you want to know? What isn’t working for you? And (of course) what do you like about what Stamp Services does.

Similar to last year’s seminars, I will moderate and ask most of the questions during the seminars, hopefully with your input. So: Post your questions and comments here.

— Lloyd de Vries

USPS Proposes Hikes for Shipping Services

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Shipping Services Prices for 2025

  • Postal Service continues to offer great value on affordable shipping with reliable service.
  • No price changes are being made to Priority Mail Express, Domestic Extra Services, International Ancillary Services, or International Products.
  • Pricing actions are part of a balanced approach under Delivering for America, the Postal Service’s 10-year strategic plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence.
  • Rate changes will support the $40 billion in investments in people, technology and infrastructure and continue the modernization and improvement of the Postal Service’s operations and customer experience.

WASHINGTON — The Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for shipping services price changes to take effect July 13. The proposed adjustments were approved by the USPS Board of Governors this week.

The changes would raise domestic shipping services prices approximately 6.3 percent for Priority Mail service, 7.1 percent for USPS Ground Advantage and 7.6 percent for Parcel Select. Prices are not changing for Priority Mail Express service.

Although mailing services price increases are based on the consumer price index, shipping services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The USPS governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.

As part of the 10-year comprehensive strategic Delivering for America plan, these proposed changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving its public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section [check for 5/09/2025]. The Competitive Products filing is Docket No. CP2025-7. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website.

Steiner Appointed U.S. Postmaster General

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Postal Service Board of Governors appoints David Steiner to be 76th Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors today announced that they have chosen David Steiner to be America’s 76th Postmaster General and CEO. Pending the outcome of necessary background and ethics checks, Steiner will succeed former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who resigned in March, and current Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino, who will return to his permanent position as Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Human Resources Officer. We anticipate Steiner will formally join the organization in July, assuming his successful completion of the ethics and security clearance vetting processes.

“Dave is the right person to lead the Postal Service at this time to ensure this magnificent and historic organization thrives into the future,” said Amber McReynolds, chair of the Postal Service Board of Governors. “Dave is a highly regarded leader and executive with tremendous vision, experience and skill that can be applied to the long-term mission and business needs of the Postal Service. Our Board looks forward to working with Dave as he takes on the core mandates of providing universal and excellent service for the American public and doing so in a financially sustainable manner.”

“It is an incredible honor to be asked to lead the world’s greatest postal organization, with a history that stretches back before the founding of the United States,” said Steiner. “I deeply admire the public service and business mission of this amazing institution, and I believe strongly in maintaining its role as an independent establishment of the executive branch. I look forward to engaging with its employees, who provide such an important service to all our communities. As the entity with the largest union membership in the United States, I look forward to engaging with the unions and management associations to ensure that together we create a world-class employment experience. I also look forward to working with industry associations, customers, and policymakers, as we chart a positive path forward. I am excited by the challenges ahead and by the many opportunities to shape a vibrant, durable and increasingly competitive future for the Postal Service. And, finally, but most importantly, I want to thank Doug for his excellent stewardship of the organization that he has dedicated his professional life to serve.”

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management (NYSE: WM) for 12 years, Steiner is credited with leading tremendous change in the organization, transforming operations and culture, and delivering strong financial results. In this role, he established a new strategic vision for Waste Management that created new business lines in environmental services, a new pricing model widely adopted in the industry, and a more efficient operating approach. During his tenure, Waste Management solidified its role as the leading provider of waste management and recycling services in North America.

He also held prior roles within Waste Management, including Chief Financial Officer; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Before joining Waste Management, Steiner was a Partner at the law firm Phelps Dunbar.

In addition to serving on several non-profit and educational boards, including the E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University, Steiner serves on the boards of transportation and logistics provider FedEx Corporation, construction material manufacturer Vulcan Materials, and recycling automation provider AMP. He will leave the Board at FedEx, and manage the other roles and business and financial interests as required prior to joining the Postal Service.

Steiner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Louisiana State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

As established by federal law, the selection of the Postmaster General rests solely with the Presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed Governors of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, who oversee the Postal Service as an independent establishment of the executive branch. The Board retained global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder to conduct the executive search for this position.

Report: USPS Aiding Immigration Crackdown

The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service is reportedly aiding federal immigration efforts to find people in the U.S. illegally. According to the Washington Post, the Postal Inspection Service has joined a Department of Homeland Security task force. The PIS may provide photographs of the outsides of envelopes and packages, account data and IP addresses, among other information.

The Postal Inspection Service normally is responsible for maintaining the safety of the mail system. On its website, the agency says “The Postal Inspection Service enforces over 200 federal statutes related to crimes that involve the postal system, its employees, and its customers.” Sources tell the Post that USPS officials agreed to participate in the program because they were afraid the Trump administration could seize control of the USPS.

Postal inspectors participated in a recent drug enforcement and immigration raid in Colorado Springs, according to video posted on social media, X. An image from that video is shown above.

The USPS did not comment to the Washington Post, but in a statement, a senior Homeland Security official said collaboration with the Postal Inspection Service was “a key part of ensuring law enforcement has the resources they need to fulfill President Trump’s promise to the American people to remove violent criminals from our streets, dismantle drug and human trafficking operations and make America safe again.”

“The Inspection Service is very, very nervous about this,” one of the people familiar with the matter told the newspaper. “They seem to be trying to placate Trump by getting involved with things they think he’d like.”

“This is the Postal Service,” the person said. “Why are they involved in deporting people?”

USPS Celebrates 250th Anniversary

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Celebrates 250 Years
A new eagle takes flight to commemorate the milestone

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating 250 years of continuous and reliable delivery to the American people.

Before the invention of telegraphs, telephones and televisions, the Postal Service was created and has evolved to serve the nation through decades of technological, cultural and economic changes. As the organization’s anniversary approaches, USPS honors its past while focusing on delivering now and into the future.

“The founders of our great nation saw the intrinsic need of postal services as the United States was born — even before the country itself was formed. Since that time, our universal mail system has strengthened the bonds of friendship, family and community,” said acting U.S. Postmaster General Doug Tulino. “The Postal Service remains a great organization connecting our nation and helping power our economy. We are proud to help set the stage for the 250th anniversary of the United States next year, and we look forward to continuing to serve the American public for another 250 years.”

The bald eagle has been featured on the official USPS seal since 1970, when the Postal Reorganization Act was signed into law. The eagle encompasses everything USPS stands for and embraces the symbol the nation’s founders chose to represent America’s strength and freedom. That symbolism was carried over into the creation of the current Postal Service “sonic eagle” logo in 1993 and now has been evolved further in honor of the 250th anniversary.

The new Eagle in Flight symbol was created in collaboration with the Turner Duckworth agency to showcase the iconic and unique role of connecting the nation through the past, present and future. The face of the Eagle in Flight honors the Postal Service’s roots while amplifying the notion of delivering into the future through the wings. As it takes flight, its wings show confidence and purpose, while the vibrant colors exude a spirit of celebration. The Eagle in Flight does not replace the sonic eagle logo but will be used to help celebrate throughout 2025.

In addition to unveiling the Eagle in Flight symbol, USPS will commemorate this historic milestone with several exciting events and releases throughout the year, including:

  • Commemorative stamps;
  • A USPS-licensed coffee table book;
  • A 250th anniversary edition of “The United States Postal Service: An American History,” available online and in print;
  • Assorted branded merchandise;
  • A special episode of the “Mail with Mr. ZIP” YouTube series that will focus on the 250th anniversary;
  • Special advertising campaigns using the “Delivering since 1775” theme;
  • Social media, podcasts and blog posts to commemorate the milestone; and
  • Other exciting events to be announced as the anniversary approaches.

News and updates of the U.S. Postal Service’s 250th anniversary activities can be found at usps.com/news or by using the hashtag #USPS250 on social media.

USPS Seeks Rate Hike in July 2025

These rates were approved July 3rd

“Put another nickel in…. ”

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 13. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents.

The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 7.4 percent. If favorably reviewed by the commission, the price changes would include:

Product
Letters (1 oz.)
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
Additional Ounces
Domestic Postcards
International Postcards
International Letter (1 oz.)
Current Prices
73¢
69¢
28¢
56¢
$1.65
$1.65
Proposed Prices
78¢
74¢
29¢
62¢
$1.70
$1.70

The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for the Special Services products. Notably, the Postal Service will apply a price reduction of 12 percent for postal insurance when mailing an item.

As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan. USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world.

Following a directive from the PRC, the Postal Service is filing two sets of prices for Marketing Mail and Package Services products. While only one set of rates will go into effect on July 13, these prices address the pending proposal to eliminate Bound Printed Matter and expand Marketing Mail, pending the commission’s approval. USPS will release additional communications to address price changes in these categories.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the commission’s website under the Daily Listings section. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2025-1. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

U.S. Postmaster General Quits Suddenly

U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned suddenly Monday, March 24, just weeks after saying he wanted to leave, but would stay until a successor was named. A major contributor to President Trump’s first bid for the White House, he was named PMG in 2020 by a USPS Board of Governors largely appointed by President Trump.

DeJoy and the USPS have faced increasing criticism from the Trump administration, with the president and Elon Musk calling for its privatization. Democrats say that would violate federal law. President Trump was very unhappy with DeJoy and the USPS for aid voting by mail in the 2020 presidential election.

President Trump has also floated the idea of ending the Postal Service’s independent-agency status and putting it in the Commerce Department.

DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” modernization plan has rankled many USPS employees and major mailers. However, his refusal to give DOGE officials broad access, as reported by The Washington Post, certainly did not sit well with the administration.

The newspaper reports that in recent days, administration officials have met with Jim Cochrane, the chief executive of the Package Shippers Association, a trade group that represents companies including Amazon, DHL and FedEx, about replacing DeJoy. Cochrane is reportedly a leading candidate to replace DeJoy.

The acting Postmaster General now is Doug Tulino, who rose to that position in 2021. He retained the position of Chief Human Resources Officer, to which he was named in November 2020.

Tulino began his career with the USPS as a management associate in Chicago in 1980. His entire career with the Postal Service has been in management.

US Postal Chief: “It’s Time To Go”

U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has notified the Postal Service Board of Governors that it should begin looking for his successor. In neither the USPS press release nor his letter to the Governors, was there an indication of when he will leave the post.

DeJoy became PMG in 2020. He is currently in his late 60s, and only 4 years into his “Delivering for America” Plan. “I am confident that with a period of dedicated focus preparing for this change, the Postal Service will be well positioned for future success under the new leadership,” he says in the press release.

USPS Announces 2025 Inaugural Postmarks

The USPS will offer two postmarks to commemorate the 2025 inauguration:The dimensions are 2.72″ x 1.26″ This postmark measures 3.38″ x 1.0″

The Inauguration Day postmarks will be available only from Cancellation Services in Kansas City:

Inauguration Day Postmarks
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City MO 64144-0001

Send your envelopes and cards to this address, with sufficient postage on each to meet the first-class rate (such as a Forever stamp, or a combination equaling or exceeding 73¢)

Updated January 21:

I was surprised at the paucity of postmarks, given that PMG Louis DeJoy [right] was a major donor to President Trump’s first presidential campaign and was picked by the Postal Service’s Board of Governors, all of whom were appointed by Trump. But the Washington Post reports that not only are they no longer friendly, but the Trump team is looking to oust DeJoy. A key reason, WaPo says, was the postal agency’s support of voting-by-mail in the 2020 election. [You made need a subscription to read the full story.] —LdeV

Canada Post to Resume Service December 17

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post to restart operations on December 17 and welcome back employees
Postal service is focused on stabilizing operations to return reliable service to Canadians and businesses

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 16, 2024 /CNW/ – Canada Post will restart operations tomorrow and begin the process of safely ramping up and stabilizing operations across the country. With a large, integrated network of processing plants, depots and post offices, stabilizing operations will take time and the company asks Canadians for their patience.
Canada Post will continue to keep Canadians updated with information posted on canadapost.ca.

Parcels, Lettermail and Direct Marketing mail

  • On a first-in, first-out basis, Canada Post will start working through the mail and parcels trapped in the system since the strike began on November 15, 2024.
  • New commercial volumes will not be accepted into the network until Thursday, December 19.
  • Service guarantees are suspended as the company ramps up operations.
  • Canadians should expect delivery delays through the remainder of 2024 and into January 2025.
  • Post office hours of operation may vary as the company works to stabilize operations.

International mail and parcels

  • Canada Post will work to process a significant accumulation of international mail and parcels currently queued up to enter the postal system.
  • Customers should expect delays into 2025.
  • The postal system will start accepting new international mail on December 23.