USPS Is Pushing for an Increase on Shipping Prices This Holiday Season

Shipping a gift to a loved one this holiday season could cost a little more than usual.

The U.S. Postal Service announced Aug. 25 that it filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding a “temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season.” The agency says the price increase serves to “help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.”

The adjustment would affect prices for the following retail and commercial domestic parcels: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. The Postal Service said no other products or services would be affected.

If approved, the new rates would take effect at midnight CT Oct. 4 and remain in place until midnight Jan. 17, 2027.

Which USPS Services Would Get a Price Increase?

According to the announcement, the planned price changes include:

Retail Rates

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

• $0.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $0.80 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $1.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds and oversized

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

• $1 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $2.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $4.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $9.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds

Priority Mail Flat Rate

• $2.10 increase for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
• $1 increase for all other Flat Rate products

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

• $0.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $1.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds and oversized

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9

• $1.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $2.35 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $2.45 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $6.30 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $5.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $11.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $12.70 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $20.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate

• $2.35 increase for Flat Rate envelopes

Commercial Rates

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

• $0.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds and cubic tiers 1-3
• $0.65 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds and cubic tiers 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA)
• $1.05 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds and cubic tier 10 (GA)
• $3.15 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds and oversized

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

• $0.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds and cubic tiers 1-3
• $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds and cubic tiers 4-5
• $3.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $9.10 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds

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 pounds and cubic tiers 1-3
• $1.05 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds and cubic tiers 4-9
• $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds and cubic tier 10
• $7.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds and oversized

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9

• $1.40 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $2.35 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $2.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $5.55 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $4.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $10.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $12.55 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $18.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate

• $2.35 increase for Flat Rate envelopes

Parcel Select (all entries)

• $0.40 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $0.50 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $0.80 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $2.35 increase for 26-70 pounds and oversized

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].