The U.S. Postal Service will raise rates on several package services this holiday season, citing higher handling costs during its busiest time of year.
The temporary price increases, filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission and approved by the Postal Service’s Board of Governors in August, would take effect Oct. 5 and remain in place until Jan. 18, 2026. The changes apply to domestic retail and commercial shipments through Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. No other products or services are affected.
The Postal Service said the seasonal adjustment aligns its rates with industry practices and helps support its Delivering for America 10-year plan, which aims to modernize the nation’s mail network and keep it financially sustainable while continuing six-day-a-week delivery.
Under the plan, most retail Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage packages will see price increases ranging from 40 cents to $7 depending on weight and distance. For example, a package weighing between 0–3 pounds sent to Zones 1–4 will cost an additional 40 cents, while packages weighing 26–70 pounds sent to Zones 5–9 will rise by $7. Large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes will increase by $1.45, with smaller flat rate products going up 90 cents.
Priority Mail Express will see larger increases, from $1.10 for lighter packages shipped shorter distances to $16 for heavier items traveling farther. Flat rate Express envelopes will rise by $2.
Commercial customers will also see increases, though slightly lower than retail rates. Most adjustments range from 30 cents to $6.50 depending on service, zone and package weight.
The PRC must still review the proposal before it takes effect. Complete price change tables and filings are available at prc.arkcase.com/portal/filings and on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
Postal officials stressed that U.S. rates remain among the lowest in the industrialized world. The Postal Service, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, is an independent federal establishment that generally receives no tax dollars for operations, relying on postage sales and services to fund delivery to nearly 169 million addresses.
