WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Postal Service plans to temporarily raise prices on several package shipping services during the 2026 holiday season to help cover increased handling costs during the peak shipping period.
USPS filed notice of the proposed temporary price changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission. The changes, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would affect retail and commercial prices for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select.
No other USPS products or services would be affected.
Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would take effect at 12 a.m. Central time Oct. 4 and remain in place through 12 a.m. Central time Jan. 17, 2027.
The Postal Service said the seasonal adjustment would bring its retail and commercial prices in line with competitive practices while helping cover additional handling costs associated with the holiday shipping season.
USPS said the temporary changes are also part of its transformation plan aimed at maintaining a nationwide mail and package delivery network in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner.
The planned price increases include:
Retail
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
- $0.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
- $0.80 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
- $1.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
- $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.
Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
- $1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
- $2.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
- $4.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $9.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Flat Rate
- $2.10 increase for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
- $1.00 increase for all other Flat Rate Products.
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
- $0.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
- $1.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
- $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9
- $1.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
- $2.35 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
- $2.45 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
- $6.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
- $5.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
- $11.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $12.70 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
- $20.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
- $2.35 increase for Flat Rate Envelopes.
Commercial
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
- $0.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
- $0.65 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA).
- $1.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs. and Cubic Tier 10 (GA).
- $3.15 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.
Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
- $0.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
- $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 4-5.
- $3.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $9.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Flat Rate
- $1.75 increase for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
- $0.85 increase for all other Flat Rate Products.
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
- $0.55 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
- $1.05 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs. and Cubic Tiers 4-9.
- $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs. and Cubic Tier 10.
- $7.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9
- $1.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
- $2.35 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
- $2.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
- $5.55 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
- $4.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
- $10.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $12.55 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
- $18.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
- $2.35 increase for Flat Rate Envelopes.
Parcel Select: All entries
- $0.40 increase for 0-3 lbs.
- $0.50 increase for 4-10 lbs.
- $0.80 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $2.35 increase for 26-70 lbs. and Oversized.
The complete Postal Service price filings are available through the Postal Regulatory Commission under Docket No. CP2026-10.
USPS said additional resources, including price lists, downloadable price files and Federal Register notices, will also be available through the Postal Explorer website.
