The U.S. Postal Service filed notice Tuesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission for temporary package price increases during the 2026 holiday peak season. The temporary increases are intended to offset higher handling and operational costs during peak shipping demand.
The rate changes would go into effect Oct. 4 and remain in place until Jan. 17, 2027.
USPS says the temporary adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices. The price increases would affect Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select shipments.
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Most customers will experience single-digit to low double-digit percentage increases, according to USPS. The steepest percentage impacts will likely hit heavier packages traveling farther distances during peak season.
Heavy long-distance packages could have price increases of nearly 10%–25%. Smaller Priority Mail packages will face a less steep increase of about 4-10%.
Most of the changes appear to land in roughly the 5%–15% range.
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