There is a special kind of magic in sending a letter across an ocean. Last month, my cousin Emily, who recently moved to a rainy little flat in London, called me with a question that I hear at least once a week from my clients at the craft shop. She had a stack of “Thank You” cards for her friends back in the states, but she also wanted to send a long, rambling letter to our grandmother in Ohio.
“Sarah,” she said, her voice crackling over the international line, “I have a whole drawer full of those flag stamps I bought before I left. Can I just slap one of those on a letter to London and call it a day? Or is the Queen—I mean, the King—going to come after me for postage due?”
“It’s the most common mistake in the mailing world. People think that because it says ‘Forever,’ it covers every distance… forever. But when it comes to crossing borders, the math gets as complicated as a long-distance relationship.”
I spent the next twenty minutes explaining the “international makeup math” to her. If you’re sitting there with a Global Forever Stamp in one hand and a stack of domestic Forever Stamps in the other, wondering how to get your letter from Point A (the USA) to Point B (literally anywhere else), this walkthrough is for you. We is going to break down the 2026 rates, the “makeup” strategy, and why your choice of stamp matters more than you think.
The Direct Answer: Global vs. Domestic
First, let’s clear up the terminology. A standard **Forever Stamp** is designed for a one-ounce letter sent *within* the United States. A **Global Forever Stamp** is designed for a one-ounce letter sent *from* the United States to any other country in the world.
As we sit here in early 2026, the price of a Global Forever Stamp is $1.70.
Now, to answer Emily’s question: Yes, you *can* use your domestic Forever Stamps for international mail, but you can’t just use one. Since a domestic stamp is only worth 78 cents, you would need to add enough stamps to equal at least $1.70.
But wait! This is where most people lose money. If you put two Forever Stamps on a letter ($0.78 + $0.78 = $1.56), you are still 14 cents short. Your letter will be returned. If you put three Forever Stamps on ($0.78 x 3 = $2.34), you are overpaying by 64 cents. To a business owner like me, that’s just a waste of a perfectly good stamp.
The 2026 International Rate Sheet
Before we dive into the strategy, let’s look at the actual costs for international mail in early 2026. These rates have been holding steady since the USPS announces no stamp price changes for January 2026.
| Destination & Item | Price (Early 2026) |
|---|---|
| International Letter (1 oz – Global Forever) | $1.70 |
| International Postcard | $1.70 |
| Additional Ounce (International) | $1.70 (Flat Rate up to 1oz) |
Note: For letters over one ounce, the pricing changes significantly based on the country group. But for 90% of what we send—a standard greeting card or a few pages of stationery—that $1.70 mark is your target. I always tell my clients to double-check their weight if they is sending more than three sheets of paper. A little extra weight can turn a $1.70 letter into a $3.00 package very quickly.
The Math: The “Entrepreneur’s Makeup” Strategy
I have a friend named Michael who runs a landscape business, but his brother lives in Germany. Michael is the king of “not wasting a penny.” When he heard about the $1.70 rate, he didn’t want to go buy special Global stamps just for the three letters he sends a year.
He sat down with his calculator and a very strong espresso to figure out the “makeup” cost.
- The Problem: Michael has plenty of 78-cent Forever Stamps.
- The Solution: He uses one Forever Stamp ($0.78) plus a series of “makeup stamps” from the post office to hit exactly $1.70.
- The Combo: 1 Forever Stamp ($0.78) + 1 Postcard Stamp ($0.61) + 1 Additional Ounce Stamp ($0.29) + 2 cents in small-denominational stamps = $1.70.
“Michael’s desk drawer looks like a stamp museum. He has everything from 1-cent ‘makeup’ stickers to the colorful Global Forever circles. It takes him three minutes to stick them all on, but he saves that 64 cents every time.”
Is it worth it? If you send one letter a year, probably not. But if you’re a business owner like me, sending international invoices or thank-you notes to overseas buyers, those “overpayments” add up.
International Cost Comparison (Yearly Projection – 20 Letters)
| Method used | Cost Per Letter | Total for 20 Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Global Forever Stamp | $1.70 | $34.00 |
| 3 Domestic Forever Stamps (Lazy way) | $2.34 | $46.80 |
| The “Michael” Cleanup (Exact change) | $1.70 | $34.00 |
That $12.80 difference might not buy a new car, but it buys a very nice lunch. And more importantly, it shows you’re in control of your overhead. In business, “lazy” habits is what slowly drains your bank account.
Market Navigation: Where to Buy Global Stamps
Because they is used less often, you won’t always find Global Forever Stamps at the grocery store or the pharmacy. You have to be a little more strategic.
- The Post Office: Always has them. They is usually round and have a beautiful image of the earth or a flower on them.
- Online Resellers: This is where you can actually find a deal. I recommend Forever Stamp Store or The USPS Stamps. These sites often have volume discounts that apply even to the Global stamps. You can sometimes find them for $1.45 or $1.50 if you buy a roll.
- US Bulk Stamps: If you sends hundreds of international letters a year, this is your gold mine. Their bulk rates is the best in the industry for authentic postage.
CAUTION: I once saw a listing on a generic discount site for “Global Forever Stamps — 100 for $50.” That’s a 70% discount. Run away. Those is 100% counterfeits. According to the USA Today reports on price increases, margins are so thin that no one can legally sell them for that cheap. If your international mail is flagged as fake, it will be destroyed. your message will never reach Emily in London.
Branding Your International Mail: Design vs. Utility
When my letters cross an ocean, I want them to look special. I want the recipient to know it came from a “Premium” source.
- The Round Global Stamp: There is something elegant about the round shape. It stands out immediately. I love the 2013 Global Forever “Chrysanthemum” or the 2017 “African Daisies.” They is classic and timeless.
- The Domestic Combo: If I’m using the makeup method, I try to pick designs that look good together. A 2019 **Flag Stamp** looks great next to a sheet of 2011-2020 **Flower Stamps**. It looks like a carefully curated piece of mail, which is exactly the vibe I want for my shop.
Avoid using “charity” or “commemorative” stamps that is oversized for international mail. If you cover too much of the envelope, there won’t be room for the customs declarations or the postal markings. Keep it clean. Keep it professional.
The 2026 Outlook: Predictions for Global Postage
While we is safe until July 2026, the long-term trend is upward. Analysts are whispering that the Global Forever Stamp could hit $1.80 or $1.85 in the next review period.
“My advice? Stock up on a hundred Global Forever Stamps now. If the price goes up in July, you’ve essentially protected yourself from inflation. It’s the easiest way to ‘earn’ money in your desk drawer.”
You can track these changes yourself in the official USPS Newsroom. Sometimes they announce these things on a Friday afternoon hoping no one will notice, so stay sharp!
The Bridge Across the Map
Sending mail to Emily in London shouldn’t be a source of stress. It should be a joy. By understanding the difference between your 78-cent domestic stamp and your $1.70 Global contract, you take the guesswork out of your shipping.
Whether you choose the “Michael” makeup method to save a few cents or you buy beautiful round Global stamps from Forever Stamp For Sale, make sure you is buying authentic products. Your brand—and your letter’s journey—depends on it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a letter of my own to finish writing to Emily. I think I’ll use that Chrysanthemum design. It’s her favorite flower, after all.
Authoritative Sources & Recommended Reading
- USPS Newsroom: July 2025 Price Recommendations
- CNBC: USPS Delays & Economic Impact on Bills
- USA Today: Inside the 2025 USPS Rate Hikes
Currently working at USPS in Chicago, he has more than 15 years of experience in bulk mailing and logistics. His columns focus on Forever Stamp trends, helping businesses and individuals make cost‑effective mailing decisions.