USPS Proposes a Significant Increase in Rates for Key Delivery Services

The United States Postal Service has unveiled a plan to adjust rates for several of its most widely used delivery services. In a proposal submitted earlier this month, USPS is seeking approval to increase prices for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select, arguing that the changes are needed to boost “critically important revenue.” On average, Priority Mail rates may rise by 6.6%, Priority Mail Express by 5.1%, USPS Ground Advantage by 7.8%, and Parcel Select by roughly 6%.

USPS is also proposing a series of additional increases in 2026, including for premium mail-forwarding services, package-intercept options and several international products. Among them is the M-bag Service, which USPS defines as intended for “sacks of printed matter such as books or advertising materials sent to a single foreign addressee.” The cost of this service could rise by as much as 44%. Before the proposal was submitted to the independent Postal Regulatory Commission, it was approved by the USPS Board of Governors, which includes Postmaster General David Steiner.

If adopted, the new rates would take effect on January 18, 2026. In a statement issued on November 14, USPS stressed that the adjustments are tied to a sweeping modernization of its network: “As part of our plan to update and transform our infrastructure, these changes will support the creation of a renewed organization capable of fulfilling its public mission—to provide nationwide delivery of letters and parcels at least six days a week—efficiently and financially sustainably over the long term, as required by the U.S. Congress.”

At the same time, the service clarified that the increases will apply only to delivery products—the price of postage stamps will remain unchanged. “As previously announced, the organization will not raise rates for Mailing Services in January. This means the price of a First-Class Mail stamp will stay the same,” USPS noted. The First-Class stamp rate was last raised in July 2025—from 73 to 78 cents. Earlier adjustments took effect in June and January 2024, as well as in July 2023.