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The US postal service is temporarily changing prices for the holiday season.
The agency said price adjustments have been implemented to cover additional handling costs and to ensure a successful peak season, according to a news release.
The price was approved by the post office’s governing body on August 7th.
Hiking affects the ground advantage of Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS, and parcel selection.
The agency said its other products and services will not be affected, and it continues to have some of the lowest shipping costs in the world, providing great value for shipping.
The move is a strategic part of USPS’ 10-year plan to create an activated organization, the agency said.
Here’s everything you need to know about price hiking:
What is the new price?
Rates are based on shipping zones organized from 1 to 9, one being the closest and nine being the farthest from shipping origin. So what you pay depends on how far the package has to travel to reach your destination.
Below are the new prices:
Ground advantage of priority email and USPS: Zone 1-4
- Zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds increase by 0.40 cents.
- Zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds increase by 0.60 cents.
- Zones 1-4, increase by 0.95 cents in 11-25 pounds.
- Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds, oversized $3.00 increase.
Priority Mail Zone 5-9
- Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds increase by 0.90 cents.
- Zones 5-9, increase by 1.45 cents in 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $3.25 in zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $7.00 in zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds.
Flat rate for priority email
- $1.45 for a large flat rate box.
- $0.90 for all other flat rate products.
USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9
- Zones 5-9, increase by 0-3 pounds.
- Zones 5-9, increase by 1.00 cents in 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $2.00 in zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds.
- Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds, oversized $5.75 increase.
Priority Email Express
- An increase of $1.10 in zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds.
- An increase of $2.00 in zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds.
- An increase of $2.00 in zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $4.85 in zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $3.90 from zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $9.00 in zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $9.75 for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds.
- Zones 5-9, an increase of $16.00 for 26-70 pounds.
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
- An increase of $2.00 in flat-rate envelopes.
Advantages of Priority Mail and USPS Ground: Zone 1-4, and Parcel Selection (All Entries)
- Increases 0.30 cents in zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds, 1-3 cubic layers.
- Increases 0.45 cents in zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds, 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA).
- Increases 0.75 cents in zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds, and cubic layer 10 (GA).
- Zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds, oversized $2.25 increase.
Priority Mail Zone 5-9
- For zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds, and 1-3 cubic layers, 0.70 cents increase.
- An increase of $1.25 for zones in zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds, and cubic layer 4-5.
- An increase of $2.75 in zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $6.50 for zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds.
Flat rate for priority email
- $1.25 for a large flat rate box.
- $0.70 for all other flat rate products.
USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9
- Zone 5-9, 0-3 pounds, 1-3 cubic layer increases by 0.35 cents.
- Increases 0.75 cents in zone 5-9, 4-10 pounds, 4-9 cubic layers.
- An increase of $1.25 for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds, and cubic layer 10.
- Zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds, oversized $5.50 increase.
Priority Email Express:
- An increase of $1.00 in zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds.
- Zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds increase by $1.75.
- An increase of $1.50 in zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $3.95 in zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds.
- An increase of $3.50 in zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $7.50 for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds.
- An increase of $8.95 for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds.
- Zone 5-9, 26-70 pounds increase by $13.00.
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
- $1.75 for a flat-rate envelope.
When will price hikes be implemented?
The new prices will take effect on Monday, October 5th and remain until January 18th, 2026.
The Postal Regulation Board will consider changes in prices before they become effective.
A full list of full prices can be found here in the Daily Listings section of the committee’s website.
USPS will also release guidance on holiday delivery
The agency has released separate recommended delivery dates for customers who wish to arrive their packages by Christmas Day.
This is the date:
2025 Holiday Shipping Date for Adjacent US (48 State Lower)
- USPS Ground Advantage Service: December 17th
- First Class Email: December 17th
- Priority email: December 18th
- Priority Mail Express: December 20th
2025 Holiday Delivery Dates for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US Territories
- USPS Ground Advantage Service: December 16th
- First Class Email: December 17th
- Priority email: December 18th
- Priority Mail Express: December 20th
Customers looking for a proposed date for a military or international address should visit the USPS Vacation Delivery Page.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter. Contact her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
