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Shipping holiday packages with US Postal Service to cost more this year - See the temporary price increases

By
FOX Local
Consumer
Published August 26, 2026 11:51 AM EDT
Published August 26, 2026 11:51 AM EDT
article

The Postal Service implemented temporary holiday shipping price changes for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. (USPS)

The Brief

    • The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is planning to temporarily increase prices for some of its package shipping products
    • The price hikes will stay in effect through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027.
    • USPS says the temporary price hikes are part of the Postal Service’s transformation plan and the temporary changes will support the organization in achieving our public service mission.

It will cost more this holiday season to ship packages with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announcing plans for a temporary price change for some package shipping products for the 2026 peak holiday season.

What we know:

USPS says the price hikes, which are being reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, will affect Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select and with the temporary rates, and if approved would go into effect at 12 a.m. CT on Sunday, October 4 and remain in place until 12 a.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2027.

Prices for shipping are based on zones determined by how far the delivery destination is:  

  • Zone 1: Destinations within 50 miles (outside the PO).
  • Zone 2: Destinations within 51–150-mile radius.
  • Zone 3: Destinations within 151–300-mile radius.
  • Zone 4: Destinations within 301–600-mile radius.
  • Zone 5: Destinations within 601–1000-mile radius.
  • Zone 6: Destinations within 1001-1400 mile radius.
  • Zone 7: Destinations within 1401–1800-mile radius.
  • Zone 8: Destinations within an 1801-mile radius or further.
  • Zone 9: Destinations within freely associated states.

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.

What they're saying:

USPS says the temporary price changes are part of the Postal Service’s transformation plan and the temporary changes will support their public service mission to provide a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term.

A complete list of the temporary price increases can be viewed on the Postal Explorer website.

The Source: Information for the story was sourced from the US Postal Service.  This story was reported from Orlando.


 

Consumer