The U.S. Postal Service will levy a 6% average rate hike for several package shipping services during the 2026 peak season, according to an agency filing Tuesday.
The temporary holiday rate hikes, which are pending review from the Postal Regulatory Commission, would impact retail and commercial USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select shipments. They are slated to take effect on Oct. 4 and remain in place until Jan. 17.
"This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices," the agency said in a news release.
The 6% average increase is higher than the rate bumps the Postal Service implemented during the 2025 holiday season, which ranged from 4.9% to 5.8% on average. However, the exact price increase customers will face varies depending on the service used, distance shipped and package weight.
For example, a three-pound, Zone 1 USPS Ground Advantage commercial shipment will see a $0.40 increase this year, while a 25-pound, Zone 5 Priority Mail Express package will face a $10.50 increase, per the release.
The temporary rate hike comes as USPS customers have grappled with several pricing changes this year. The agency implemented an 8% price bump in April for package shipping services due to higher fuel costs, an increase that is also set to last until Jan. 17.
The USPS and other major parcel carriers typically implement peak season surcharges as they face higher operating costs to meet holiday-driven demand spikes. FedEx announced its peak season fees in July, and OnTrac is rolling out increased surcharges from Oct. 24 to Jan. 15, 2027. As of Tuesday, UPS has not yet announced its 2026 peak season fees.
