US Postal Service temporarily increasing prices for holiday season
If you’re planning on shipping gifts or letters this holiday season, you might want to get your packages in the mail sooner rather than later.
The U.S. Postal Service confirmed to ABC News that it is temporarily increasing prices on “some package services for the holiday shipping season,” as announced in August.
Which USPS services will get temporary price increases?
Price increases will go into effect starting midnight CT on Sunday, Oct. 5, for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select and USPS Ground Advantage services.
The higher prices will remain until midnight CT on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.
Why are some USPS prices going up this holiday season?
The Postal Service said the price increases are intended to “help cover extra handling costs and bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.”
To make sure your holiday shipments arrive in time for Christmas, the Postal Service also recommends shipping parcels by mid-December.
The Postal Service’s deadlines for sending to addresses in the continental 48 states are:
Wednesday, Dec. 17, for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail
Thursday, Dec. 18, for Priority Mail
Saturday, Dec. 20, for Priority Mail Express
For letters and packages heading to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, the Postal Service’s recommended deadlines are:
Tuesday, Dec. 16, for USPS Ground Advantage
Wednesday, Dec. 17, for First-Class Mail
Thursday, Dec. 18, for Priority Mail
Saturday, Dec. 20, for Priority Mail Express
Below are the temporary price increases on select USPS services for the holiday season.
For retail customers:
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage shipments for Zones 1-4
• $0.40 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $0.60 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $0.95 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $3 increase for 26-70 pounds and oversized packages
Priority Mail shipments for Zones 5-9
• $0.90 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1.45 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $3.25 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $7 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Flat Rate
• $1.45 for large flat-rate boxes
• $0.90 for all other flat-rate products
USPS Ground Advantage shipments for Zones 5-9
• $0.50 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $2 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $5.75 increase for 26-70 pounds and oversized packages
Priority Mail Express
• $1.10 increase for zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $2 increase for zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $2 increase for zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $4.85 increase for zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $3.90 increase for zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $9 increase for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $9.75 increase for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $16 increase for zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
• $2 increase for flat-rate envelopes
For commercial customers:
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4, and Parcel Select (all entries)
• $0.30 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $0.45 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $0.75 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $2.25 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail: Zone 5-9
• $0.70 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1.25 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $2.75 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $6.50 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Flat Rate
• $1.25 for large flat-rate boxes
• $0.70 for all other flat-rate products
USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 5-9
• $0.35 increase for 0-3 pounds
• $0.75 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $1.25 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $5.50 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express
• $1 increase for zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $1.75 increase for zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $1.50 increase for zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $3.95 increase for zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $3.50 increase for zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $7.50 increase for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $8.95 increase for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $13 increase for zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
• $1.75 for flat-rate envelopes
