U.S. Postal Service Announces Proposed Rate Increases for 2026 Christmas Shopping Season

Although the Christmas shopping season is still a few months away, you could expect to pay more money to send Christmas gifts in the mail. The U.S. Postal Service filed notice that there will be temporary price changes for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season to help cover extra handling costs.

The planned price changes include:

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

If approved by the Postal Utility Regulatory Commission, the temporary rates would be in effect from October 4th to January 17, 2027.

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