WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service will temporarily hike prices for some services during the 2025 holiday season.

Starting Sunday, Oct. 5, price increases for Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select will go into effect. The price change, announced in August, comes as the mailing agency looks to “cover extra handling costs” to ensure a successful holiday season.

The higher prices will remain in effect through Jan. 18, 2026, according to the August announcement. 

USPS said the move is part of its 10-year plan to revitalize the agency and that its peak-season change will “bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices.”

Here’s what services will be affected by the change. 

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4

• $0.40 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.60 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $0.95 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs and Oversized.

• $0.90 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.45 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

• $1.45 for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
• $0.90 for all other Flat Rate Products.

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.50 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.00 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $5.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs and Oversized.

• $1.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $4.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $16.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate

• $2.00 increase for Flat Rate Envelopes.

For commercial customers: 

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4, and Parcel Select (all entries)

• $0.30 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
• $0.45 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs and Cubic Tiers 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA).
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs and Cubic Tier 10 (GA).
• $2.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs and Oversized.

• $0.70 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs and Cubic Tiers 4-5.
• $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $6.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

• $1.25 for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
• $0.70 for all other Flat Rate Products.

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.35 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs and Cubic Tiers 1-3.
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs and Cubic Tiers 4-9.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs and Cubic Tier 10.
• $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs and Oversized.

• $1.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.95 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $13.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate

• $1.75 for Flat Rate Envelopes.

USPS released mailing deadlines for the upcoming holiday season in September. 

Here are the deadlines to make sure your parcels arrive by Dec. 25, according to USPS’ suggested guidelines. 

For items being sent to the continental 48 states: 

• Wednesday, Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
• Thursday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail
• ·Saturday, Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express

For items being sent to Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories:

• Tuesday, Dec. 16: USPS Ground Advantage
• Wednesday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail
• Thursday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail
• Saturday, Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express