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(NEXSTAR) – The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to implement “new competitive pricing” for its shipping services.
Earlier this month, USPS submitted a proposal that outlines price hikes for several of its services, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. These increases aim to boost the Postal Service’s revenue. Specifically, Priority Mail rates are set to rise by an average of 6.6%, while Priority Mail Express will see a 5.1% increase. Additionally, USPS Ground Advantage prices are slated to go up by 7.8%, and Parcel Select services will experience an average increase of 6%.
The proposal also suggests price adjustments in 2026 for other services like premium forwarding, package interception, and various international shipping options. Notably, the M-bag Service, which involves sending bulk printed materials such as books or advertisements to a single foreign address, could see a substantial 44% price increase.
This proposal received the green light from the USPS Board of Governors, which includes Postmaster General David Steiner, before being submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission. This independent agency is responsible for reviewing such changes.
If the proposal gains approval, the revised pricing will be implemented starting January 18, 2026.
“As part of the Postal Service’s network modernization and transformation plan, these proposed changes will support creation of a revitalized organization capable of achieving its public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended,” USPS wrote in a news release issued on Nov. 14.
In its news release, USPS stressed that only its prices for shipping services would be increasing — not the price of a stamp.
“As the Postal Service previously announced, the organization will not raise prices in January for Mailing Services. This means the price of a First-Class Mail stamp will not change,” USPS wrote.
The price of a First Class stamp last increased from 73 cents to 78 cents in July 2025. Before that, the most recent price increases took effect in June 2024, January 2024 and July 2023, according to USPS data.