The U.S. Postal Service filed notice recently with the Postal Regulatory Commission, or PRC, about a temporary price change for some packages for the 2026 peak holiday season. This temporary price increase is to help cover extra handling costs during the peak season.
The planned change for peak season, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be affected.
The temporary rates went into effect on Oct. 4 and will remain in place until Jan. 17, 2027.
The Postal Service said the seasonal adjustment will bring its prices for retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices.
The price changes are:
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
Be sure to account for the temporary shipping increases when budgeting for shipping when you mail gifts or other packages between October and mid-January.
