If you’re shipping packages within the United States via USPS this holiday season, here’s what you need to know: the Postal Service has filed a temporary “peak season” price change with the Postal Regulatory Commission, and it will USPS Announces Temporary Price Change for 2026 Holiday Shipping Season
The U.S. Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of a temporary price change for select package products during the 2026 peak holiday season. USPS says this is meant to help cover extra handling costs and ensure a successful peak season.
What’s affected
The planned change affects retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels:
- Priority Mail Express (PME)
- Priority Mail (PM)
- USPS Ground Advantage
- Parcel Select
No other products or services are affected.
Effective dates
Pending favourable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12:00 a.m. CT on October 4, 2026, and remain in place until 12:00 a.m. CT on January 17, 2027.
Retail price changes
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 price changes
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.
