USPS Shipping Costs Will Temporarily Increase for Packages This Holiday Season

If you’re planning to ship packages through the United States Postal Service (USPS) this holiday season, expect to cough up a little extra the next time you visit your post office.

Last month, the USPS announced a temporary price hike on some package services would go into effect Oct. 5, 2025 and last through Jan. 18, 2026. The postal agency explained that the new rates “would cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.”

A USPS spokesperson told PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 30, that the Postal Regulatory Commission confirmed the rate changes.

The new prices will affect the following shipping services: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select.

“This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices,” the USPS said in a statement. 

The agency shared temporary shipping rate changes for customers, including increases ranging from 40 cents to $3 for Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage packages within zones 1-4, and increases between 90 cents and $7 for Priority Mail zones 5-9.

Customers looking to mail items with USPS Priority Mail will pay an additional $1.45 for large flat rate boxes and 90 cents for other flat rate products, while those mailing items with Priority Mail Express could pay anywhere between $1.10 more for an item weighing 0-3 lbs., or up to $16 more for an item weighing between 26 and 70 lbs.

Commercial customers will face a separate set of price hikes. Packages mailed through Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage zones 1-4 will cost between 30 cents and $2.25 more this season. Packages in zones 5-9 will cost between 70 cents and $6.50 more.

For commercial customers shipping items with Priority Mail, the flat rate will increase $1.25 for large boxes and 70 cents for other flat rate products.

Meanwhile, Priority Mail Express prices will go up anywhere between $1 for lighter items and $13 for heavier ones. The Priority Mail Express flat rate will go up $1.75 for envelopes.

On Sept. 17, the USPS announced its recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates to ensure mail delivery by Dec. 25. For the lower 48 states, packages sent with First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage service should be shipped by Dec. 17, while Priority Mail should be sent by Dec. 18. USPS recommends Priority Mail Express be sent by Dec. 20.

For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, USPS recommends slightly earlier mail times, suggesting Dec. 16 for USPS Ground Advantage service, Dec. 17 for First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 20 for Priority Mail Express.

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This past July, the price of a first-class Forever stamp increased from 73 cents to 78 cents. Additionally, the price hike affected metered letters (from 69 cents to 74 cents), international postage (from $1.65 to $1.70) and domestic postal cards (from 56 cents to 61 cents).

“As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan. USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world,” the agency said in a news release at the time.