Postage rates for first-class packages and several other mail classes increased on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.
The cost of sending a letter rose by 3 cents to 49 cents. Postcard postage rates also increased from 33 cents to 34 cents. The hike was approved by regulators in December, and went into effect on Jan. 26, the AP reported.
According to Fox News, the spike is a 6.5 percent jump, which goes against the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act which states that stamp prices cannot rise faster than the rate of inflation.
Financial losses forced the United States Postal Service to ask regulators to authorize a price hike greater than the rate of inflation, Fox News reported. The Postal Service lost $5 billion last year "and has been trying to get Congress to let it end Saturday delivery and reduce payments on retiree health benefits," the AP reported.
The Postal Service sought a permanent increase, but was only granted a temporary one. The 49 cent stamp price is guaranteed for two years; that is about how long regulators said it would take for the agency to recover from the recession.
Other increases include the increase of the first-class additional ounce stamp, the first-class three-ounce stamp to 91 cents; and Priority Mail Express.
The USPS is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to stop the higher price from being phased out in two years.
The last increase for stamps was a year ago when the cost of U.S. postage stamp rose by a penny to 46 cents.
