USPS announces price increases for 2026 holiday shopping season

Shipping a gift to a loved one this holiday season could cost a little more than usual.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced on Aug. 25 that it filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding a "temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season." The agency says the price increase serves to "help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season."

The planned price adjustment would affect prices for the following retail and commercial domestic parcels: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. The USPS said no other products or services would be affected.

If approved, the new rates would go into effect at midnight CT on Oct. 4 and remain in place until midnight on Jan. 17, 2027.

According to the USPS announcement, the planned price changes include:

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/