08/27/2026
U.S. Postal Service Announces Temporary Price Change (6% rate hike) for 2026 Holiday Shipping Season
The U.S. Postal Service filed notice yesterday with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season.
The planned change for peak season would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. CT on Oct. 4 and remain in place until 12 a.m. CT on Jan. 17, 2027.
Key Details of the Temporary Rate Change
Effective Dates: October 4, 2026 (at 12 a.m. CT) through January 17, 2027 (at 12 a.m. CT).
Affected Services: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select.
Unaffected Services: Regular First-Class Mail and stamps are not impacted
Overview of Price Increases
Increases vary by product, weight, and delivery zone, ranging from $0.40 to $20.80:
Retail Priority Mail & Ground Advantage (Zones 1–4): Increases range from $0.50 (0–3 lbs) to $3.90 (26–70 lbs/oversized).
Retail Priority Mail (Zones 5–9): Increases range from $1.00 (0–3 lbs) to $9.10 (26–70 lbs). Flat rate large boxes go up by $2.10, while other flat rate products increase by $1.00.
Commercial Priority Mail & Ground Advantag